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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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BSBEXOZTSSET . i A public conversations ! meeting was held on ThWEday evening week , at the Ship Inn , Long Lane , Bermondsey . " . ., Mr . SSAGS vras called to the chair , and opened the proceedings by informing the assembly that It wtjb an adjourned meefcg from tte previous week , » nd _ t *« &tits oWed was to endeavour to effect a union - between the Metropolitan IMorm AssodatSoniffld the ObarUsta . Mr . MA-ruABD moTed the following resolution : — «• That this meeting cannet bnt feel , with horror and alara the present awful distressed state of the country , in -which not only the working classes , but the manufacturer and the smill capitalist ,-are alike upon the brink of ruin ; and being convinced that the cause of this distress is class legisl&tiop , we feel assured that no permanent good -will arise unttl the People ' s Charier becomes the lsw r ' * w land , which wou ' . d soan be accomplished Ia -v- honest ¦ cnion of the : ;! - ; ddle « nd working eUssfcs directing their energies kr this great
object . " He stood before them ia ratber a peculiar position , and bis motives were liable t 3 be misrepresented ; but he gloried ! n his positios , snd was determined to pcrsne an bones ; straightforward course , and h * d no doabt their effort * to promote a cnion -would be saoeessful . To the Tesolation he -was * tre no Chartist could object . He ¦ was well aware they ought to entertain a jealousy of the middle classes , 3 they doubted their eiacerity ; but they should also take inio consideration their peculiar circumstance * . The treat ebject they had in view was th « attainment of the Charter , and if they were to obtain it morally , it was his firm opinion it could not be done without the aid of the middle class . Distress was ravaging the country ; tens of thousands rose in the mornicunknowing where taey&hoelu procure food
; for the dsy , whilst another class , who neither toiled nor spun , were " dotted in fine linen , and fared somptnccsiy every day . " Such a state of things was enough to make a men's hair stand on end . The great cause of this was that the masses -were unrepresented . Uatii the Charter was obtained , this coeld never be removed . He was a " whole heg" Chartist '; he would not lose one of the points . A man could not lose an arm -without his whole body being injured , neither could one point of the Charter be abandoned -without an injury to the wh&le machinery . He did not blame th ^ m for being jealous of the middle classes , they had been so often deceived by them ; out some were as honeet as themselves . Home Tooke , Hunt , Cobbett , O Connor , and other great advocates of their rights ,
were middle-cUss men . If the Charter was to be gained morally , it must be obtained in the House of Commons . Their grand object , then , wculd be to uree on those who had votes to give them to no man who would not pledge himself to the Charter . He was well aware tfcs middle classes wonld only join them from interest- They felt the shoe pinch them , and vreic anxious to remove its pressure . A great movement was beisg carried on in that body . Those that a little time back would have trusted the Chartists -with disdain , were now seen coming amongst them , seeing it was their last resource from the locusts who were devouring the land . They must all be aware ' they would get the Charter sooner by the aid of the middle class , and until they joined the honest portion of them , in his opinion they would never obtsin it .
Dr . Black seconded the resolution . He was suffering from indisposition , and nothing but the importance of the meeting would have induced him to have attended . They had a powerful enemy to contend against , an er . cmy completely organized . It had ¦ what might be termed its official organization , perfect in all its deuils , embracing every spot in the kingdom ; it had a priestly organisation covering the whole land , as it were one great moral club ; it had another peculiar organization , its gentlemen ' s clubs , mesting in their aristocrat c establishments , and psrpttualiy esgaged in plotting the best means to retain their cscendancy over the people ; they had ako a powerful military organ 5 zition , we ! J officered , supplied with every description of the munitiuns of warfEie , and affording situations for the younger Eons of the aristocracy , whose salaries they
were compelled to pay ; there was also their pobes and esnstabnlatary force ; and this was net &H , they had also a great moral-force orgsn : z ; tion , net cniy among the middle bnt also among the working classes—the feeling which induced men to bow dotrn to a Eame and a title , was one of the greatest 6 vils they had to contend against ; it icfected all their proceedings . The potrer thus exercised by a priest or magistrate was enormous . He knew an honest Chartist , who recently told him that he could net stand with the Eame ease in the presence of a Lord as of another man . This powerful opponent , possessed of these three complete organizations , called themselves in addition their masters , and the country their country , telling them this was law , and they mmt obey it—this was illegal , and they mast iefra n from it—making Iaw 3 by which they could
scarcely meet together , and give vent to their honest indignation , without endangering their liberty thrcagh the spy sjstem . This was a picture of the enemy they had to cope with , and what was their position ? Had they even one complete organizition ? __ Were they in possession of a physical -free power effiotred and disciplined like that of the eremy ? He said it fea-iessly , bnt wiih an aching heart , that they were standing before the - best prepared enemy in the world , quarrelling among themselves , allowins j salons petty feelings to . spoil the causs in which they were engaged , qaaireliing even in their own localities . Good Gtod ! were they so insersibls to their own position that nothirg could make them look at their reil position ? Were they longer to go en as madmen cr beys , engaged in idle sport . Tree , they might call the Government hard names , but they imprisoned or banished whom they pleased . Thty raised subscriptions for their defence acd support , bat was
that to be all ? Were they to go on so to the end of the chapter . No ! In spite of jjalousy , in spite of wrong thinking , he would net cay wrong motives , the dawn cf a union was breaking over them ; and , before many months the great Suffrage party throughout the lind would , he believed , be united as a band of brothers . Truth had only to be fearlessly proclaimed , and its ultimate triumph was certain . They might be called dishonest ; they might be suspected , but they wonld still ge on , uniil they cocquered them . He felt that the middle classes were liable to be suspected . The working men suffered under the sting of eppressors in that elass , and it made them irritable , but when they met in a friendly manner , like the present , error wes dissipated and friendship produced . They had only been two or three months in active operation ; and they had the satisfaction of seeing that those who were then the most suspicions of their intentions were now their greatest friends . This Rave them encouragement to go on in endeavouring to effect a cordial union .
Mr . Fjurchilb said the present appeared to him to be a momentous crisis- If a union could be honestly brought about , he should hail it with delight . It was ¦ what , he fcsd bsen looking for many a long day . The only question to consider was , wonld it be consistent to unite with those men who had ever coerced the ¦ working classes . Ee thought they might safely unite with any man , whether peer or peasant , who would go for the Charter ; but he would have the Charter whole and entire , name and all , or he would- die for it . He asked the gentlemen , did they mean to give them a substance or a shadow ? if they meant to give thena the substance , in God's name he said to them , Go on and prosper . If they meant to deceive them he trusted they would fail ; but they must have something more than words , they must have actions . The middle class were
their ciost oppressive tyrants . Feargus O'Connor was a middle class man , but he did sot think any mate of him for that circumstarce , and if he deserted the prinride they wonld immediately hurl kim to the winds He for one wcnld say , Give ine the Charter , you may go to h—11 . They bad no objection to hold out the hand of fellowship , to let the two associations run together and assist each other . They had the means at their command , let them use those moans to assist the men now in prison , and he wsuld hail them as patriots and brothers . As until they did that he could not believe they were honest or trustworthy ; be did not wish to throw cold water on this attempt , for he knew that if the middle classes honestly united with them , the Charter would be attained in less than six months . The three per cent . comm : s > iocers were
telling tfcem a lesson they would never forget . Peel was a Chartist to the back bone ,, and -was making Chartists by wholesale . If it had not been for the tariff and the income tiS , ttey would have heard but little of Chartism in that quarter . He did not expect , a « ilr . Maynard did , any good from a House of Commons like the present . Was it likely a House containing 132 bojs under twenty-twe and a half years of age would grant them the Charier ? He kn = w they would scout the idea , after the manner in which the petition was treated ; every man who agned that document , he dare avow , had more sense than these 132 boys , and yet they taunted working men with ignorance . Was that man ignorant who could dig a
road under the Thames ? A pretty ides , truly , to call that man ignorant who could make machines to travel sixty miles an hour . If a union based on principle eould ¦ be formed , he should rejoice , for he knew the Charter would be quicker obtained , The middle classes had more funds at their disposal ; and if they meant honestly , they would not suffer one individuil now in prison to be lost for want of funds , but would join in that merciful orject with heart and hands , and hands too well provided with the needful ; and they would thick more of their sincerity than if they made professions for seven years to come . He believed Dr . Black to be perfectly sircere . He thought if the middle class were all like him they would soon have the Charter .
Mr . C . Westebton hailed with great pleasure tte exertions of his friend Dr . Black , in endeavouring to procure a union among all sections of the Chutists The chief objection fee h * d heard advanced against a XTP '" H Was , thufc the rairtrt t * rlMgcAH j after mating many professions , always had deserted them when their nwriHtTiTice was most wanted ; and as yeomanry cavalry , and in the jury box , they had ever been their persecu tors . ( Hear . ) He admitted the middle classes had proved teuton ; that they had insinuated themselves a-mrmg them , and then sold them to their pnpmitx . But ¦ wai it just to say that because some had done this that all -were equally dishonest . ' As well might they say that , because certain working men bad turned spies , or because some of them had destroyed property , or committed acts of violence , that the whole class ¦ were equally as guilty . They' would , he knew , hurl tick the foul awerticB upon the party who made it
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and be , as a shopkeeper or middle class maa , equally hurled bsck the charge against his class . Many of the middle class were equally interested in abolishing clan legislation , as themselves . They wanted a anion not so much for a love of them , but from a regard for their own interest . They would find that some of the men now foremost in their r&uki were middle class men . What were O'Connor , Fro 3 t , and that sterling and and high-minded patriot who was now forced to fly his home . Dr . M'Doutll ? iGreat cheering . ) He trusted they should be judged by their conduct and not by such idle imputations ; it was a libel upon the working men
to assert they would be betrayed . Could they rob them of their intelligence or of their prinicple ! They did not ask them to give up their organisation or to pin their faith U > their sleeves ; they did not even want them to join their Association , unlets of their own wish ; their object was to rally round them the true and honest of the middle class . He trusted they woald f erm their judgment by theis act * alone (" and that of your committee . " ) He thought that was a harsh remark . No association was free ' from some bad characters , there was always some black sheep ia the flock ; be was only actions for a good understanding that they might cooperate together .
Rcfft Ridley ¦ wished to ask Br . Black a qnastion . In the pamphlets they had issaed , one of the points was that " Parliaments were oot to be larger though they might be for less dnra ^ on , than three years . " He wished to know whether , having eeconded the resolution for fee Charter , hs , or the committee acting with him , were prepared to « xpange that role , end place Annual Parliaments in its stead . Dr . Bi , ack stated that they had great difficulties to contend with among the middle dosses . If his own feelings could have been consulted he would have come eut boldly for the sis points , n&iae and al : and he was of opinion that if a sufficient number of men of influence could be got to take that standing it would
be th * best and most manly course . He hart been a firm Chai tist ever si&oe the first Convention . They had considered the point of Annual Parliaments , and found many good men preferred Biennial Parliaments , and some few Triennial ; and to afford every facility for the junction of those Hien they left the point open . He had no doubt whenever the Charter was adopted , it would be Eettltd to have Annual Parliaments ; yet many even of the Chartists if they had to write the Charter over again , and to -consult their individual opinions , might make some Elight alterations in it ; but in a great combined movement it was essential they should give way on all those little shades of opinion to ensure union on the whole . The great majority of his association were in favour of Annual Parliaments .
Mr . RUFFT Ridlet stated that he had no doubt these individnalB we : e actuated by good motives ; but it was the duty of the public to scrutinise whether their acts would have the desired effect . D »" . B ack might , as an individual , think it prndent to give vrav on some minor point ; but he , as a member of the working elass , could not abandon one iota of the Charter . ( We den't want you . ) he thought that if the majority were for Annual Parliaments , it was a delusion to have that rule en their pamphlets ; it was keeping a phantcm before the public to delude them , and would only have the result of producing disappointment when it was discovered that their pamphlets and their professions
were at variance . He considered three years too long for a member to be exposed to the temptation of the Government ; too long for a man's honesty to be depended on . He a ^ ked these gentlemen to come mao - fuliy forward and advocate that complete measure of justice which would ensure the salvation of the country . One speaker had said that injustice had ever characterised the proceedings of the middle towards the working classes : of that the Reform Bill was a fatal example . He requested them , for consistency Bike , to tspungo that rule from their books . One man gained under the honest colours of Annual Parliaments would be worth ten men gained by a delusion .
Dr . Black explained ; in hia opinion if they got the Suffrage , if the duration of Parliament was flx ^ d to 3 , 5 . or even 100 years , if they found it did not answer , they could easily rectify it . Mr Wheeler briffly spoke on the necessity of the Rtform Association giving np such a minor point before any thins like a firm union could exist . Mr . Rufft Ridlsy said ho still considered that rule a delusion , but he should leave the audience to electee ; he should not havs been doing bis duty if he had not alluded to it ; he gave them every credit for tie manliness with which they had explained their views . He should be sorry to throw anything in the way of a reconciliation , but he thought they should first explicitly understand each other : if they went on in their present straightforward manner he should wish them every success .
Mr . Stallwood entirely coincided with Mr . Ridley in his o ' rjtctions . Dr . Black seemed to treat the question of Animal Parliaments lightly , but he could not have sufficiently considered the Eubject or he would ha ? e seen that Universal Suffrage could not exist without it , for the Charter said that every man of twenty-one Ehonld have a vote , but if Parliaments were Triennial , he could not in thousands of instances have it until he was twenty-four ; they were pledged to the whole Charter , name and all , and any union not based on that would be a rope of sand . The Complete Suffrage men adopted the whola of the Six Points , so did the largest party , the National Charter Association , an £ if the great majority of the R = form Association were for Annual Parliaments ha felt convinced they could easily convert the minority .
Mr . MOB . TOX made a very excellent speech in favour of a co-operation of the two bodies ; he belonged to every association which had for its oV-ject the destruction of tyranny , and allowing of working men tom ^ nage their own affairs . He knew that it was the fhoe-pincbiDg them which caused the middle classes to look to the Charter ; but had not the case been the same Titb the working men ? did they care any thing about Reform until the shoe pinched them ? they allowedor , e after aaother to be imprisoned in their cause ; they allowed the band loom weavers to be persecuted and starved ; why then reject the middle classes when the pinching of the shoe drove them into their ranks ? He agreed with the previous speakers , that the middie classes should showtheir truthfulness and love of justice by assisting the incarcerated victims .
Mr . J . DuxciN made a long and awe speech in favor of b . friendly Bpirit of co-operation existing between the two Associations , and concluded in the words of the battle charge of a celebrated Vendean chief , " If I advance , follow me ; if I retreat , kill me ; if I die , avenge me . " He would say the same ; if they retreated , let them be consigned to that political death which they would richly merit But give them the English jiistica to be accounted innocent until they were proved to be guilty . Mr . Ross was anxious to have a fair understanding . He did not like the terms middle class and working cliss : the sooner they forget those distinctions tho better . The middle men had ever looked down upon working men with contempt . They did not even deign to attend their meetings , but gathered into tfeeir minds every prejudice which was sown by interested
individuals , and took no opportunity to dispel it . The speakers , especially the last , had spoken much about the working classes refusing to unite . When had they ever refused a union on tke principles of the Charter . ' It was the middle class which stood aloof in their pride and prejudice . The Chartists had ever been grateful for assistance , come from what quarter it would . Bnt whe-n they saw the names of persons on their council , the study of whose liveB appsared to be to sow dissord End division , it ms > de them look with a suspicious eye on the whole body . These men say they are Sturgites—they are moral men—and they will have nothing to do with the FeargusiteB^—this did not look like union . He thought it was useless to have meetinta like the present ; if they wanted to ascertain the sentiments of the two bodies they Bhonld call a large public meeting , or a conference , composed of an equal number of delegates from both parties .
Mr . Wheeler agreed with the ssntiments uttered by Mr . Ross . They had never declined the assistance of the middle class , but they wonld not desert those principles to which they were pledged ; he wished to understand what the £ ; eiitleraen meant by co-operating with them ; if they meant they should be members of both associations he cuuid frankly assure them they conld do no such thing , for the working men u&fortu-Dately had not funds sufficient properly to support their own orean ' zition ; with the middle class the case was widely different ; they possessed the means , and if disposed to co-operate , could belong to all the associations , like their friend Mr . Morton ; if by co-operation they meant assisting th&m by their numbers and presence Et any public meetings , he could readily assure them it wonld be done provided they adhered to the principles cf the Charter .
Di . black stated that they had three means of accompliahiDg their obje : t by petitioning , by the press , and by public meetings ; petitioning was briefly useful as s means of banding together public opinion . Tbe press , unfortunately with a few exception ! , was under the i ; .-fluence of their opponents ; their chief strtegth lay in public meetings ; they had that evening hsd a good talk , and understood each ether ; prejudice was disappearing , and it was only by sneh meetings that unarimity could be produced ; they would shortly hold & large public meeting for the same good purp&se . A vote of thank 3 wss given to the Chairman , fiv 6 shillings were collected for the victims , and Mr . Jlorton enrolled himself as a member of the National Chirter Association .
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Lohd John Russell , it is said , has been occupying his leisure hours , since his retirement from office , in preparing for publication selections from the correspondence of Johu fourth Duke of Bedford , from the originals preserved at Woburn Abbey . — Times . The Waespite , 50 . Captain Lord John Hay , arrived at Spithead on Saturday afternoon , bringing home Lord Ashbnrton from bis mission in America , His Lordship left the Warspite between two and three o'clock , and landed at Gosport , the ship saluting him when he left her , and the batteries upon his knding . The Warspite has been seventeen days froai America , having left on the morning of the 5 th inst ant . She was becalmed two days , or wonld have made the run in fifteen . Lord A ^ hburton , upon his landing at Goeport , immediately proceeded to his residence at Anglesey , where Lady Ashbnrton has been waiting his arrival .
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A MARE'S NEST . ( From the Times . ) ' < An investigation into circumstances of tha most alarming character , connected with a Chartist « onspiracy to destroy the Qaeen , has been secretly psing on before the magistracy of Southampton for some time past We havo taken all imaginable pains to obtain correct information on the subject . We believe oor acconnt to be correct in the main , though , from having been denied permission to look at the depeltions , we may attghtly err in the details . The party through whom the notice of Government has been directed to the investigation is named Peirce , a grocer , in Canal Walk , Southampton . Peirce was considered some time back the leader of the Chartists in this town , and from his having made hiaself very conspicuous In that character , was doubtless thought by the chiefs of the
London Chartists , as a fit person to enrol in their secret band . This band , the existence of which has long been suspected by the London police , seems to censiBt of a select nunber of tbe most desperate characters among tbo great body of the Chartists . They direct the movements oi the onitiated , arrange the principal meetings , send delegates to disturbed districts , and , as it will be seen , are swam to attempt the accomplishment of their treasonable designs , at all hazards , even if by the assassination of the Sovereign . It would seam that the secret conclave we have referred to considered that the destruction of the Queen would have the effect of overthrowing the Government , and that they should , ia the general consternation and confusion that would ensue , be able to carry out particular ends . About five months since , as we are
informed , three men called on Peirce at his shop in Canal Walk , and after making themselves known to him as leaders of the London Chartists , and by communications which , to him were convincing , and after going into details with which we are unacquainted , proposed to him tike the oath binding him to assist in the destruction of the Queen ! Peirca was horrorstruck at the proposition , beinj one of the crowd of deceived persons who believed tbe acquisition of the five points to be tha be-all and end-all of Chartism , The parties left Peirce with a threat of fatal conse quences to himself if he divulged their visit to any party . He , however , did csmmunicate his secret to e brother Chartist , and for the credit of that person , we hope it is true , that it was owing to his counsel that Peirce communicated with the Government on the
business . Peirce was sent for to London , and was examined at . tbe Secretary of State's office , and being taken to Newgate to Bee Francis , the regicide , at once pronounced him to be one of the three men who had paid him the visit spoken of ! It was deemed advisable by tho Privy Council to let the matter rest for a period , in order to see if any further movements were in contemplation . The fact , however , of Pierce ' s revelations had probably como to the knowledge of tho Chartist leaders , for on the evening of Friday , the 2 d instant , as Peirce was returning to Southampton down the London-road on the Common , a fellow suddenly appeared before him from among the trees , and presented a pistol at him , uttering , at the same time , some expressions relative to his having betrayed somebody , but at that moment a cirriace approached .
which from the softness of road had not been heard till then , upon which the ruffian ran off among the trees towards a place adjoining , called Hijjhfleld . Peirce made his way home , aud was too much alarmed to communicate the matter to tha police . On the following Tuesday Peirco was returning honi 9 across the Houndweil ( an open piece of ground near the Highstreet , Southampton ) about eight o ' clock in the evening , when he found himself dogged by a man whom he recognizid as the ruffian who assaulted him on the Common . At a moment when no peraon was apparently near , the fellow fired a pistol at Peirce , and the bullet passed threugh his hat , doing him no injury .
The assassin fled and escaped . Peirce communicated the facts to the Home-office , and a gentlemau ( Mr . Hay ) from thence , and subsequently , we believe , Sir James Graham , have attended the examinations of Peirce before the borongh magistrates . No clue has been at present obtained , but a Government proclamation , offering £ 100 reward for such information as may lead to the apprehension of the assassin , will be issued forthwith . As before stated , wo have been refused a perusal of the depositions , or any mforscation , by tho magistrates , who , however , seem fully impressed with a belief of tho fact of Peirca having been shot at , a police constable and a woman in the vicinity having heard the report of the pistol at the time . "
[ To monstrositie 3 coming from certain quarters , we generally reply , in significant monosylla ' sleo , such as , "Bah ! pooh ! boo ! fudge ! Bham ! " ortheliko ; but to so grave a subject as the assassination of a monarch , and coming from eo respectable a source as the Times newspaper , we feel ourselves called upon to reply at greater length . And as the above paragraph will be read with horror by all , and with surprise by the Chartists ; and as they especially will look not only for an answer , bnt for complete refutations , we give that of which alone it is susceptible . One morning , before sun-rise , a little after noon , in the middle of the day , towards evening , as I sailed over the mountain in my little boat , with my stick on my head , and my hat in my hand , I met the man I overtook . " Good morrow , ma ' am , " says I . Good morrow , Sir , " says sho .
" Pray , Sir , " says I , ' can you tell me if the little old woman is alive yet , that was hanged about five years ago upon Ritcliffj highway , for Crooning herself inn shower of feathers ? " " Upon my word , Sir , I don ' t know , 1 am a stranger in this country , but if you go to Sir Gammer Vasgs , he is a neighbouring m . gistrate , and he'll be more accurate in his detail of the old woman ' s demise , perhaps he can inform you " " S ' t , I ' m a stranger also ; how do you go to Sir Giinmer Vangs 1 " " Oh , it ' s very easy ; first turn to the right , then to the left , then to tho right again , always minding to keep straight forward , until you meet with a great large stone brick house , all built of flir . t , in the centre of an open space , all alone hy itself , encompassed by five or sixand-twenty other houses : knock it the door , and there
you'll ste-Sir Gamaier Vang ? . " So I accordingly went first to the right , then to the lefc , then to the right again , always minding to keep straight forward till I met with the self-same great large stone brick house , al ! built with flint , in the centre of the op a space all aiohe by itss ' if , when I knocked at tho door , and up came Sir Gammer ' s eldtst daughter , a justice of peace . Just as I was speaking to this damsel of seventy , np came her second eldest sister , a churchwarden to a troop of horse . " Good morrow , Sir , " saja I . " Good morrow , ma ' am" Bays he ; " pray , Sir , " says I , " can you tell me if Sir Gammer Vanga is at home ? " Just as I spoke , up leaped Sir Gammer himself , out of the neck of a haif-pint buttle . " Good morrow , Sir Gammer , " says I . "Good morrow , ma ' ftm , kindly , " says he . " Pray , Si ? Gammer , " saye
I , " can you tell me if the little old woman is alive yet that w ; is hanged about five ytars ago upon Ratcliflehighway , for drowninghersc-if in a showtr of feathers ?" " Upon my word , Sir , I don't know ; but I don't think she was hanged , because she was a near kinsman of mine , and if £ ho was , she'd certainly write rae word ; but to ascertain , we'll offer the following reward' Lost or mislaid , stolen or- strayed , off the lands of Ballyraggat in the Queen ' s couaty , a . 'ittio old wom . n , with three white hind legs before , a shorn mane , cocked tail , and jolly ivory eyebrow . Any person or persons givirjg tale or tidings of the said little old woman within six calendar months of the date hereof , will receive as a reward , tbe longest , and widest , and largest ridge of potatoes in old Garratfs town ; first paying the rent , then the tithe and Income tnx , and
then digging them . ' " Bravo , Sir , but you . hav'nt breakfasted . " " Oh , thank you , I ate five or six- ? . ndtwecty dcz .-n turkey eggs , a whole pare ?! of bread and batter , and a proportions We quantity of tea . " " God Sir , you ' re starving ! Sj he sent me in a round of betf , a hamper cf vegetable ? , a garden of greets , a jack ; iss stuffed with a foot soldier , and several othor delicacies , together with the London Times ; aud I sat down , and eat and read as if 1 han ' nt a moment to live . Jost as I had finished this xentle repast , up leaped a little whits grey blue mastiff ' . apdog , upon my white doc-skin breeches made of hltck velvet by the Manchester fustian-cutters . " Down , daaiu you , " says I . " Diu't damn him , Sir , " says he ; "there ' s not a flner grty - hoend in existence ; it ' s not two hours ago since he killed &s fins a hare aa ever you Baw ; if yon don't believe me , come into the garden , and I'll show him to
you , as alive as ever ho was ; " so he took mo iuto a round , square , triaTsrular , hectagon , octagon , kind of a garden ; in one corner waa a fcx hatching rats' eggs , in another was an iron steel applo tree , all hung with roasted pears ; in the third waa the self-same little hare that was killed about two kours" ago , as alive as ever she was . The moment she saw mo , she to ^ k frizht leaved over tbe fi ar ^ nwall ; I run after her , caught her by the scut , and turned her inside out , and she ran away to Printlrig-ho ^ Eo . square , to write an article upon morality for the Times , as if the devil was after her tail . Now we pledge ourselves that the refutation is if . st "t - rn ! L aS tfc" allegation , and that not a si ngle Chartist mEngland , no- not one , ever entertained for one moaent , the notion cf irjaricg the Qaeen , or the foohsh idea that her dratb would put one more potatoe r ^ H ^ ° ^ deat ' ^ * ° Of COttOT lords , whieb , if not destroyed , will destroy ber .-Evening
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GREAT FIRE IN LIVERPOOL . ( From the Liverpool Times . ) Early on Friday morning , the most destructive and cUamitona fire which ever occurred in Liverpool broke out in the premises of Mr . Peniaton , drysalter , in Crompton-street As Inspector Massey and officer Hitoh < saongh were going their rounds , about five minutes before three o'clock , they discovered the fire , and on entering the premises ,. which are situated close to Mr . Isaac ' s oil and varniBh mill , they found a bench on fire , which they supposed communicated the flames to tbe roof of the shed . The fire was alive under the engine boiler , and the door of the furnace wide open . When they entered , them was no person but themselves upon the premises . Tbe steam in the boiler was also partly up at the time . Information was immediately conveyed to the Fire-police Station , and three engines , under the direction of Mr . Hewitt , immediately started off , and reached the scene of destruction shortly after three o ' clocK . Tbe wind at this period was bio whig a strong
gale from the north , and the rain ponred down heavily . The threa engines were instantly got into play , and in a few minutes were joined by the remainder of the engines , and one belonging to the West of England Insurance Company , making in all thirteen or fourteen . All their efforts , however , availed little , for owing to the combustible materials of the premises , aa well as the nature of the goods which they contained , the fire continued to gain head , and in about twenty minutes after its commencement , the warehouse in which it had commenced , and two others adjoining it , were completely destroyed . Mr . Isaac's oil and varnish works next fell a sacrifice to tho flames , and the combustible materials in this gentleman ' s premises , caused such a volume of flaiges as excited in the beholders feelings of awe a-: d admiration . Henceforth the fire set at defiance all the efforts of the fire-police , and the continued torrents of water which , without intermission , they poured upon the burning moss , did not appear to make the least impression upon it
The sheds and cooperage of Messrs . Taylor and Green were next assailed , and added fuel to the devouring element . The wind being chiefly from the north , forced the flames towards Formby-stre 9 t , which , with the exception of a range of new cottages at the top , and a dwelling-house opposite , in the occupation of Mrs . Bark , consisted of ranges of splendid warebouses recently built It still advanced eaatwavdiy towards Great Howard-street , devouring in its onward course several yards and sheds , and at length reached the yard of the Messrs . Molyneux , the front of which ia in Great Howard-street , but it runs a considerable distance backwards in a westerly direction . Here again it received additional strength from considerable quantities of timber in the yards and eheds . The fire still progressed onwards up Formby-street , and caught
some bonded sheds which front Great Howard-street . These , with the goods which they contained , wero in a short time added to the miss of burning aud smoking ruins which now occupied the sites of the previous buildings , and ltf t nothing bnt outward walls standing . All tho BhedB and yards between Crompton-street and Formby-street were , in a few hours , either a mass of ruins or in flames ; and the wind still continuing to blow freshly from the north , the fire was communicated about five o ' c ' . cck from the adjoining sheds to the rear of the fine warehouses and sheds on the north side of Forniby-atreet On this side of the street , in the course of about twe hours , four warehouses belonging to Mr . Nathaniel Bayner , one ditto , the property of Mr . Taylor , and three bonded sheds belonging to Mr . Gray , were destroyed . At this
period the fire had assumed an awful magnitude , and burned with great fury . These warehouses and sheds were chitfly filled with cotton , but contained considerable quantities of other kinds of merchandise . On the ground floor of one of these warehouses , there were no fewer than one thousand barrels of turpentine , to whieh , when in flames , no description can do adequate justice . As loog as any of the turpentine remained , it burned with the fiercest intensity , and by its own more force , as its ai . uation precluded the operation of tho wind , it set fire to the new Bheds on the opposite sido of the street , in the occupation of Mr M'Knight . Tho working of the various fire engines , tbe encouraging cheers of the men as they rapidly plied the bandies of the engines , the roaring of the vast volume of flimo which ascended from tha
barning pile , the ensuing of the timbers , and the falling of the disrupted and destroyed walls . , could not fail of impressing every beholder with the strongest emotions of terror and astonishment . About six o ' clock tho wind veered a little to the westward , and drove the flames over Formby-street to the warehouse and sheds on the south side . These were speedily in flames . The sheds of Mr . M-Knight , and the sheds and warehouses of Mr . Riyner were rapidly enveloped in one fiery mass . Mr . M'Kaight ' s property was filled with sugar and rice , just landed from the
Blond , from Calcutta . Much of this was destroyed , and much , we are happy to state , was removed in time ; but ef the cotton which filled the warehouses and sheds of Mr . Rayner , little was saved . All these buildings were entirely new , and such was the avidity of the fire , that in about two hours after they were attacked , they were one mass of flame from Formby-streefc to Neptunestreet . Two iron warehouses , in Formby-atreet , owing to tho incombustible rtatute of their materiala , escaped destruction ; but tho ware-houses and sheds on each Bide are a , mass of utter ruin .
The ground upon which the fire took place forms an oblong square . To the north it commences in Crornpton-street , and terminates to the south in Neptunestreet . On the east it runs along a portion of Great Howard-street , and to the weBfc it is bounded by Waterloo-road and Dock . In the interior of this square , ( tho extent of which is about 30 , 000 square yards ) , the tiro had now uncontrolled sway , and consumed every thing within its reach , saving the two iron warehouses already mentioned . That portion , however , which lies in the neighbourhood of the Waterloo Dock escaped the fury of the firo . From this time until about eleven o ' clock in the morning , the conflagration confcined with
almost unabated activity ; bnt an expectation began to bo entertained that the flame * might be prevented from extending further , and about one o'clock the expectation ripened into certainty . There was still , however , -wUhui the doomed limits , an immense mass of burning materials , the heat of which was moat intense , and when night again fell , the sky was so brightly illuminated as to causo an apprehension that the devastating element had seized upon some fresh prey . This , fortunately was an unfounded fear . The engines continued to p ' ay uninterruptedly on the burning materials during the whole of Saturday , by which time great progress had been made in the quenching of the flames . All apprehension had entirely vanished .
The loss of property has been immense ; but a still greater calamity has been the serious loss of life which has been sustained . On Friday morning , two of the fire police engines , with a full complement of men , were hard at work , pouring a continued discharge of water upon the sheds of Mr . M'Knight , when , withontany warning whatever , a great explosion or crash took place in one of the warehouses on the north side of the street , and almost over where the engines were being worked ; simultaneously with the noise , the wall of the warehouse fe'l , partly into the street and partly upon a shed adjoibirjg , belonging to Mr . Gray . Some of the men had the good fortune to make their
escape ; but such as bad not time were buried in the ruins . Of the number of those who were thus everwhelmed by the falling mass , were three men in the employ of Mr . M'Knight , who , at the time of the occurrence , were busily engaged in removing goods lowered from the sheds . Several of the fire-police were also buried in tbe ruins . With every promptitude the sufferers were released ; but many of them without the least signs of animation . All the wounded were immediately taken to tbe Northern Hospital , where every suitable attention was immediately paid to them . Amongst tbe number taken to the hospital was Inspector Riding , who bad one of bis legs broken .
In addition to this calamity we have to notice the death or a very useful and active officer of the name of Samuel Hodson . The station of this officer , previous to his death , was in Castle-street , opposite the coach stand , and he was well known through his civility and the faithful discharge of hia duty . About half past six , he a ?' d officers Bites and Tuck were holding their branches directing tho water against the burning premises of Air . M'Knight . Tack , it appears , had some idea of the wall . fading , and gave intimation to that effect to the other offiasra . A burning bale of cotton , however , fell into the street ; HodBon ran towards it to remove it out of the way , when the wait fell , and buried him in the ruins . Tuck at the moment seized hold of Bates , end fulled him from beneath tho falling mass , and thus happily saved both their lives . The body of poor Hodson aiill remains under tiic ruins , an ineffectual attempt having been made on Sunday to clear away the rubbish from it
Several gentlemen who were assisting and encouraging the men hnd alBO a very narrow escape . Amongst these , were she head constablo , Mr . Whitty , and Mr . Maxwell , 3 gent for the insurance companies . The following is a list of the sufferers , twenty-five in number , wha were duriug tho Friday taken to the Northern Hospital :. — Dead . James Bell , labourer , dead when admitted ; Luke Smith , labourer , Westmoreland-street , and John Martin , labourer , Chischall-street , both of whom died two hours after being admitted . Dangerously Injuked . —Robert Black , Newhall-street , fractured skull . Eight others severely injured , of which number Superintendent Riding is one , he having bis heel bone broken and a severe injury of the ancle . Beside the above , there were thirteen others Blightly injured , bnt who were enabled to leave the hospital on being dressed , four of whom had lost their sight from the etnokeflime , and dust of the flre .
, The following is a list of the buildings which have been destray < d : — Four warehouses , ( Grey ' s ) burnt . Oae ditto , ( Taylor ' s ) ditto . Two ditto , ( Rayner ' s ) ditto . Two ditto , ( Poole ' s ) ditto . Four ditto , ( Maw ' B ) ditto . One ditto ( Roger ' s ) ditto , fireproof , partially burnt . Two warehouses , ( Rayner ' s ) south , burnt One shed , ( Rayner's ) ditto . Tsro sheds , ( Horsley's ) Neptune-st , ditto . Two large sheds , ( M'Knight ' s ) west of the above , burnt , Taylor ' s cooperage > . . aioljmnx ' atimber . jard , J oornt '
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Cart-houses , stables , a row of about sixteen houses , and a large mass of property of various descriptions . The value of this property is estimated at from ^ £ 35 , 000 to £ 10 , 000 . The principal contents of the warehouses , &c were cotton , flour , rice , turpentine , tee . Of cotton 48 . 000 bales have been destroyed , the value . of which is about £ 400 , 000 . Including other articles , and the buildings , the loss will in all probability amount to about £ 660 , 000 .. The total loss at the great fire at the Goree , in 1802 , was £ 323 , 000 . On Saturday , at one o'clock , a meeting of the agents representing tbe different fire insurance offices took place In the Underwriters' Committee Room , N . D . Bold , Esq . in the chair . After " comparing notes" on the engagements of each office having liabilities in connection with this destructive event , the following was reported as the result : —
The Sun . .... £ 47 , 000 Globe :........ " ... 40 , 000 Royal Exchange ....:... 30 , 000 Piceaix .... 30 ooo London Corporation 30 , 000 Liverpool 25 000 York and London - 25 000 Imperial 20 , 000 Scottish Fnfon 20 , 000 West of England .... 20 , 000 Alliance 13 , 000 Atlas .. :. 12 . 000 Manchester 10 000 Guardian 7 . 000 Yorkshire 5 . Norwich Union 3 . County 3 . North British 3 000 London Union .. 7 , 000
Total Liabilities £ 350 , 900 Some uncertainty , bswever , exists as to whether all the liabilities have been ascertained , tbe meeting haviug been called so soon after tbe conflagration . No doubt , there would be much property uninsured ; so that the result of the meeting tends to prove that the loss cannot be far under what we have statod . . The exertions of the flre police , and of all in connection with it , have been spoken of , and with truth , as praiseworthy in the highest degree . If we were to mention the names ol all the patties who were present at one period or another , and rendered valuable assistance , either in the direction of the fire-police , ths saving of propeity , the preservation of order , &c , we might occupy at least half a column of our paper . It is only an act of justice , however , to state that great
praise is due for tlieir exertions to his Worship the Mayor , Mr . James Lawrence , Chairman of the Watch Committee , Mr . Rushton , the Stipendiary Magistrate , Lieutenant Maxwell , Inspector of Salvage , Mr . Whitehouse , of the West of England Fire Office , Mr . Richard Diwson , of the Manchester Insurance Office , Mr . Commissioner Dowling , Mr . Hightan , Governor of the Borough Gaol , Mr . M'Knkht , the owner of one of the warehouses , and many other gentlemen , including several members of the Town Council . Mr . R . V . Yates was also on tbe spot , not , however , with any intention of aiding in the extinguishing of the flames , but for the huuaue purpose of making inquiries aft r those who had been injured . Mr . Rushton was on the ground immediately after the commencement , of the fire , and did all that could be done to save life ,
for he saw from the first that all was lost At one time , fesrs were entertained for tho safety of the Burough Gaol , and Commander Rsvan , R . N ., sent a corps of marines from H . M . S . Etna , to the assistance of the magistrates and police force , who , in the event of the gaol taking fire , would have been employed to escort the prisoners to another place . Happily their services were not wanted , the danger to the gaol havirig been overcome . Mr . Whitty , Mr . Hewitt , and Lieutenant Maxwell exerted themselves with an indefatigability and intrepidity which could ' . not be surpassed , aud were , in common with many others , subjected to great danger . There certainly never was a time at which exertion was more
necessary on the part of the fire police , and on this occasion they showed that too much reliance could not be placGd on their discipline , skill and bravery . The heat arising from the volcano-like conflagration , was during the whole of the Friday morning so inte . nsa that it conl < i bo hardly bornu at a considerable distance , and in addiiiun to thia the ait was loaded with smoke , sulphureous particles , and other exhalations from the burning materials , which pained the eyes excessively , and in many instances blinded the officers and men for a Bhort period . Even those &t the outskirts of the fire bad occasionally to lave their eyes ; but the poor fellows who held the hose , and were in close proximity to the flaming piles , suffered dreadfully .
When Mr . M'Knight's ' shed fill in , and Luke Smith and John Martin lost their lives , the scene was most heart-rending . The two poor fellows were in the employ of Mr . M'Knight , and were most zaalous and active in their exertions to save his property . One of them , when sinking in tho flames , called out ; in agony for Mr . Whitty , who was near , to save him . Aaotber , who was within Mr . W . ' s reach , stretched forth his hands for help , but , though an effort was made to save him , which was uusuccaasful , from the fierceness of the flames , he too sank into the burning ruina . The bones which were yesterday dui » out of the ruins of the shed , and which were completely calcined , were doubtless those of these unfortunate men . Three others were ai the same time disabled .
Wo ought also to notice that through the great exertions of Mr . E . P . M'Kuight , ' who had n , body of his workmen present , acting unclsr his ' directions , thora were saved , in good order , 3900 out o ? 4200 ba ^ s of rice , and the whole of the sugar from the Bland , which had on the preceding day been stored in his preraises . There was at first great tiifficulty in obtaining men to work the engines ; but tiiera was a still more pressing and fatal want experienced—that of nn abundant and accessible supply of water . Vaet as is the amount of property in that neighbourhood , there is not a main in Great Howard-straet , and though the neighbouring docks were bad recourse to , the supply was insufficient during the whole of Friday and Saturday , and Sunday morning . Mr . Cunningham , surveyor of the Highway
Board , was sent down byMr . Ashlin to open sewerB , do . This his men did quickly , and a good supnly wob obtained from the overflow from tho canal . On Sunday , however , this was exhuu .-tsd by the engines ; but in this emergency , Mr . Tat hum , of the canal , kindly increased the overflow , end furnished a further sappy . Had it not been for these sewers , thy "want of water would have btoa still more seriously felt . At the breaking out of tho firo , Mr . M'Fa-: ! zan thoughtfully recollected this overflow from the canal , and caused an opening in the sewv r to bo ma-lo in Great HowaTdetreet , from which a supply for two engines was drawn . Different opinions prevail as to the origin of this disastrous fire . Tbe more generally received statement is
the bna given above ; but another account id , that the fire was most probably communicated to Mr . P ^ niston ' s shed by some flakes of burning soot which feii from a chimney that was known to ba on fire in Stewart-street , at about half-past ten on Thursday night . Inspector Abraham , who visited Mr . Peniston ' s works immediately after the fire brote out , made his report to the Watch Committee on Fridny . He confirms the statement of Inspector Massey as to the first appearance of the fire ; but he is of opinion that it did not oiiginate from the furnace under Mr . Peuiston ' s boiler . He gives it as bis opinion , that it was tither the work of an incendiary or had been caused by some large flakes cf burning soot from the chimney above mentioned , which flakes were seen to drop inte Mr . Poniston ' syard .
The estimates of the Ios 3 vary from £ 435 , 000 to £ 715 , 000 ; but we shoull think , as cur previous statement will show , that the forms ; : 13 too low aud the latter too high . The Albion saya : — " We have received from an intelligent and accurate gentleman an estimate of the quantity cf produce destroyed , which , as it is drawn from sources likely to be correct , we are disposed to place more confidence in it than in any of the rumours which we have heard on and off 'Change . This estimate makes it appear that 45 . 908 bales of cotton have been consumed . We also learn , from the same source , that thera were in the warehouses 250 casks of tallow . 2209 barrels and 800
sacks of flour , 60 toes of cod oil , 8500 barrels of turpentine ; addition unknown quantities of fbur , turpentine , and tallow ; besideB India rubber , lnr .: ; , n corn , sperm oil , fustic , rice , sugar , and bark . Anuiugst the cotten is a considerable quantity of Sea Island , which Is very valuable . It is considered a low estimate to value the cotton at £ 8 per bale , all round . This will yield a loss , in that commodity alone , of £ 302 264 . The loss in merchandise of other descriptions , with the smaller buildings , is taken to be about £ 95 000 . Add to this £ 32 . 000 for the warehouses , and we havo an estimated total loss of £ 489 , 264 , or , in round nnmbers , of Half a Million I "
On Saturday , it was rumoured that a considerable number of persons , probably from twenty to thirty , were burled underneath the ruins of the fallen buildings , and it was suspected that amongst the number wero some few of the flre brigade . Whatever may be the caae as to other individuals ( and we hope the calamity has been greatly exaggerated , as ia not uncommon in such cases ) , itia now fcnewn that the unfortunate Hodaon is the only flre-pollc-offlcer whose life has been lost . On Sunday and yesterday , men w « e busily employed in clearing away tha rubbish . In the ehed belonging to Messrs . Horsloy and Co . the labourers on Sunday
morning found on the ground a cotton hook and a penny . In clearing a little further , they found a quantity of calcined bones , which had , doubtless , belonged to the owner of the hook and the penny . The state of these bones gave evidence ef how intense must nave been the heat . Not only has every particle of flesh been dissipated , but nothing save the earthy portion of the bones remains , and they are light as charcoal . The men cleared away more of the materials , and , in a short time , they found another cluster of bones similar to the last , amongst which were several of the spinal verteb ; sc , and some ends of the humeral and femoral boufco .
Part of the merchandise consumed in the sheds in Neptune-street had been saved from the fire in Gsltonstreet , only about two hundred yards to the south . Tte wounded men at the Northern Hospital were yesterday all doing extremely welL Black , whose skull was fractured , is now considered to be out of danger .
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Subscription for the Families of the MBH killed or Injured at the Fire . —We are nappy to hear that some benevolent gentlemen have determined to originate a subscription for the destitute wives and families of the unfortunate men who lost their lives ,. or sustained serious injuries In the late disastrous flre . All those who are dead perished whilst attemping to save the property of others , and of those who survive the injuries which they received , some are disabled for life , and most of them for a considerable time . The number ot families and children kft destitute by these sad events fa very great , and they certainly have every claim on the public , both on the ground of their own necessities and misfortunes , and the courage and devotedness of their connections , now dead or disabled . We hope that this subscription will be liberally supported , and that everything that Is possible will be done to relieve the misery and tee destitution of these unfortunate creatures , thus awfully deprived of their natural protectors .
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Grace Darling , the heroine of the Fern Islands Lighthouse , died a few days ago . The Herring Fishery . —The herring fishing since our last notice has been extraordinarily successful , and tho herrings were consequently selling at a very low price , often at five a penny . At the fishing grounds they were bought by the curer 3 and coupcrs at Is ., Is . 3 d ., and la . 6 d . per hundred , and the price here ranged from Is . 6 d . to 2 s . 6 d . Last week the moon changed , and , as was anticipated by the fishermen , th 6 fishing fell off , and we are sorry to eay there is no better prospect this week . — Greenock Observer .
At thk SufiRKY Sessions-house , on Thursday , seven actions aga ' nst the Earl of Uxbridge on account of . several annuities , of sums varyim ; from £ 60 to £ ' 239 , were tri >; d . Mr . Jones stated that the annuities were due to persons , many of them in humblo'life , who had advanced money to the Earl on the faith of-the annuities being punctually paid . "The Earl was heir to the Marquisate of Abgle 3 ea , bnt had been called to the Upper House during the lifetime of his father ; a somewhat unusual course , which might leave a doubt upon the minds of tho Jury whether the defendant had been so raised to the Peerage in order that , as a legislator , he might
benefit hi 3 country , or that ho might himself enjoy the privilege of freedom irom arrest . At all events , the plaintiffs would be prevented availing themselves of a remedy as against the person of the defendant ; and they feared that he had very little property . " The Marquis of Augle ' 3 ' ea was examined . He stated that he believed that he was the father of the Earl of Uxbridge . He could not say where the Earl was in 1838 : he had a house in Bruton-strcct , and the Marquis was told that he had taken a house in Hertfordshire ; bus as to what his establishment was he had not the slightest knowledge . "Verdicts were given for the sums claimed , with interest .
Extraordinary Suicide of a Man Ninety-seven Years of Age . —An inquest wa 3 held last Friday evening , before Mr . Baker , at the Salmon and Ball , Bcthnali-green , on the Ijody of Mr . Joseph Farrer . aged 97 , who commuted auicide as follows : —Is appeared from the evidence taken that the deceased latterly , owing to his advanced age , bad given signs of derangement , and laboured under tiiedoiusion that the Devil was after him . On Wednesday he tooKhis dinner , and appeared in better spirits than usual . He afterwards , according to his custom , went np stairs for the purpose of having a nap , and remaining longer than usual , one of his daughters went up to
call him . On reaching tho room door , she found it locked inside , and after repeated calling , without receiving an answer , a ladder was procured , and an entrance made by the window . On getting into the room , the deceased was found seated in a chair " quite dead , with his head leaning against tlir : bed-post A cord was round his neck , and also round the bedpost and chair , to the extreme end of which was fastened a 141 b . weight . The weight had , after beiDg fastened to tne rope , being thrown across thebBdfctead . thereby causiDg strangulation . He had also closed the shutters before committing the act Vflr . diet , " Temporary insanity . " w
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The Moncteur publishes an crdcr of the Minister of War wanting & free pass ^ e on board theGovernment packets to persons proceeding to Ateeria to settle in the ' . villages , ¦ twent .,-two in number about to be established by General Bugeaud . J . t **? , SiMVE h Brow . v , aged twenty-one , a clerk in the Moncy-order-cffice of the General Post-office was indicted at the Central Criminal Court , for forcing money-or-ers , purporting to be drawn in Sitting-™ "l ' nP ° n £ . Camberwell office , to the amount of i 5 S , os . oa . Tne delence was insanhy : Brown had been absurdly ostentatious ; he had waked his sister at night to ask herif he was not beaniifui ; had dressed ui uniform , and sigaed himeelf " Coionel James Ssimnel Brown" ; hid pestered a friend with consultations about marrying a countess ; had Dlan ^ ed hi ,
fiand into boiling lead , eajing that it would not hurt him ; and had committed other absurdities . About twelve years ago he received an injury from an accidental blow with a brick , and he had been subject to hts . Medical evidence placed his insanity beyond a doubt ; eo he was arquitied , but ordered to be detained in custody daring the pleasure of the Crown .
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THE LATE INQUEST . The inqnest upon the body of the murdered outlaw , poor , Lyons , the weaver , has been holdcn , and a coroner ' s jury of > nr new middle class associates , as we might have anticipated , has returned a verdict of " JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE . " We do :. ot arraign the finding npon any general feeling of suspicion , which we may justly entertain , when the privileged are the accused , and the unrepresented the accusers , because it may follow that weavers as well as masters may be gnilty of violence in resisting , while , to protect life , tbe homicide of an aggressor may be perfectly juatifi . able . , In ninety cases in every hundred , however , where a poor man complains of any injustice done by one of the privileged order , tbe very fact of complaining is , " primd facie , " a proof of the charge ; inasmuch
as the poor man ' s caae must be strong indeed , when he seeks justice In hell , where the Devil is judge . As the question now before us , however , rests not upon " prima fade" evidence , but upon the sworn testimony of several uuimpecched witnesses for the prosecution , corroborated in the material points fcy witnesses produced for the defence , —Life having been lost , MURDER , a foul MURDBR , having been committed , —it becomes our duty to inquire whether or not justice has been done—whether or not the finding of the coroner's jury is calculated to give satisfaction , and to create a respect for the laws in the minds of those who are told that they are equally administered to th « rich and the poor , the privileged and the unrepresented . We claim the calm attention of the reader , while we criticise the evidence upon which our mi Jdle-class friends raturned a verdict of "JUSTIFIABLE
HOMICIDE . " The evidence of Sullivan , Cassiciy , M'Adara , and Maria Beckett , unshaken by cross-es-araination , is plain , simple , and convincing , and would of itself establish the charge of murder against the accused . "Beyond this , however , we have the opinion of the Coroner , after the evidence of these four witnesses was given and it runs thus : " That it had been fully PROVED THE DECEASED HAD MET HIS DEATH FROM BLOWS . AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN INFLICTED by Thomas Wrigley . " This ebservation Was drawn from the Coroner , In reply to the solicitor for the prosecution , who stated that he had eight or nine witnesses to prove tbat the deceased was perfectly quiet when struck by Wrigley ; a most important fact ; and especially , provided the farce of trying T . Wriflley be rep ? ated upon the Lancaster stage , befire twelve
performers of the order of masters . However , it becomes important , ns we shall examine , firstly , the parties who vate produced as witnesses for tho man-killer . Old ilorris , tbe first v ? itnees , is , with bis son , owner of the premises , and he saw NO windows broken ; he found some broken when he returned , but he saw stones thrown when his men ( that is , his engineer , carter , overseers , and body guard ) , who had been previously armed , rushed upon the unoffending people . He wss the principal ; and it appears that be , unescorted , held parley with the MOB , and suffered no damage at theit hands , —a strong proof that there exiated no intention of doing him , or anybody else , any bodily harm . But Old Morris swears to stones being thrown . Another Morris , one ¦ with a scriptural name , Seth , the son of Enoch , what does he swear ? Ka saw all . He
corroborates the other Merris , whose evidence , with the exception oC tho stone-throwing , corroborates the testimony of tha witnesses fur the prosecution . What does he say about the stone-tJirowing ? " He eai : i that HE SAW NONE THROWN . " Ono James Boyle is then brought up to corroborate one of the Morris ' s , and to contradict the other , —thus destroying the whole defence so far . The case for the defence then commences again , and two girls , Anne Potter aud Harriet Johnson , ewear that they saw Wrigley and others sfrike the deceased , but that Wrigley had been previously struck by tho MOB . Mind , not by the deceased . Then one biggies , a constable , as a matter of courae , Is produced as a kind of finisher ; and what does he swear ? Why , he deposed to previous attacks which' bad been made by other parties upon the mill of tho Morris ' s .
Now such is the sum and snbstance of the evidence , —the whole case for the defence resting npon the evidence of the two girls , Potter and Johrson . and which goes for little , and would go fur less , had Mr . Taylor produced hia witnesses to prove that the MURDERED man waa quiet and unoffending . But how dota the law stand ? If a man is apprehensive of his life being in danger , he has a perfect right to defend it , even at the hezird of depriving his assailant of life ; but so tender Is it on such points , thnt it requires the party attacked to use all subterfuges for his protection , by flight , capture of the offender , or otherwiso , before a Jbomicide can bs justifiable . What , however , did Wrigley do ? Young Morris , the acting manager , very properly gives instructions that the hands wero not to be allowed out , unless the
doors were forced open Yet , in the teeth of such order , Wrigley , one cf the hands , and before any apprehension of further injury than the mere stopping ef the mill conld have been reasonably entertained—regardless of consequences , rushes out with a -picked gang of bloodhounds , before , as Seth snys , any atones were thrown , knocks his victim down , baats him inhumanly while dov / n , follows him again , knocks him down agiin and again , and then b > : ists that he had Bottled the b . Upon such evidence a jnry of Englishmen return a verdict of " JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE , " instead of WILFUL MURDER , as it ought to have been . The case is now fairly placed before the public ; and however parties may look tamely on , while the owners of
machinery are robbing , stripping , pillaging , starving , bullying , and ejecting Englishmen , women , and children , yet do we confidently hope that , in a country where nearly ten millions per amum is paid for civilisation , a COLD-BLOODED MURDER will not be allowed to pass as a necessary part of mammon ' s means for amassing treasure . Surely the blood of the murdered , all poor and naked aa he was , calls to Heaven for vengpar . ee ; and those who hear tin sixth commandment . "THOU SHALT DO NO MURDER , " and to which they respond , "The Lord have mercy -upon us and incline our hearts to keep this law ;"—surely , we aay , 'those who so pray on Sunday , v . ill not allow their eyes to be defiled by the sight of the mardered on their retnm from tho sanctuary of the tvue God . — Evening Star .
Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 1, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct966/page/6/
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