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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1838.
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- ^is^fvi^ S^^^ioxutvL gg^gpP^^ > ^^ ^ Ml
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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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and sauerj ! ^ What , did the great Napoleon say ; , spealaSg ^ btsaclu a jperaonT ? --M &ieHviipjseolfttare trace 4 heix . Utopian schemes on paper . Fools read * nd be&eve Stem ; AH are babbling « boat general l * jp ™ ws , " aid | ffeeently the people have not bread % eat ; men comes a rVrolution—soch is Tnu&lly the fruit of « H these fine theories ! " -- - > - : . No names are attached to these statements , ibr Tnany reasons . One of which , is—that if the poor make complaints to any person to interest themselves on their behali , and in doing so it is directly construed into disputing the decree the tools of the triumvirate send forth of " -working veil , " such poor persoB iB marled for daring to presume to dispute their authority , and all the -underline officers are set «» d aa * ery ! Whax did the creat Napoleon say ,
to watch them , and the first opportunity vengeance is core to come , upon them sooner or later , and the snore severe these men treat the poor ( particular !; ihose wno can pity them with a smooth tongue and grind them all the time down to the dust ) , thebetter officers they are considered to be . And the second reason is , —Any person who stands * rp in defence of the poor is beset on all sides by- a lost of these tools , and is called a firebrand , an in-Samer of the minds of the poor , and setting them in array against their snperiors , and catch at anything ihat can be construed into an attack npon the guardians jmd their tools , and the guardians going into an investigation or mock trial , when of course ihe guardians acquit the guardians , and their tools and supporters , -who all "know ( like Lord "John
- Unsselrs committee on Poor Laws last year ) how it is to end befor « they begin , and for every one plain jactone thousand hypothetical statementsr-fanciful and theoretical opinions , are one after another tumbl ed and heaped up , and varnished over with moral improvement , bettering the condition , rising in society , happy changes for ; independent labourers ¦ thrown < m their own resources , instead of being delased and degraded paupers under the old system ; -and thus the poor man ' s one plain fact "i s overwhelmed in quantity if not in quality of evidence . The party eipouang the cause of the poor turns away disgusted , and thus ends the matter for a time ; "but it must biarst out again some time , * and the longer it remains smothered np , the more violent it will be when it does come . I remain , my Lord , verv respectfully , . Your obedient servant , ¦ ' . A SUFFOLK FARMER .
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COMBINATION . On "Wednesday last fourteen individuals ( shoemaiers ) were indicted at the Commission Court for entering into an illegal combination and conspiracy "to obstruct John Maez in his business , by forcing lim to dismiss certain individuals from- bis employment . It was proved that Mr . Maez had received "what is called a " strike-note , " and that his men iad withdrawn from his employment until he acceded to their demand . It was not , however , established ¦ that the note was in the handwriting of any " one of the prisoners , although it was sufficiently clear tnat ¦ ihe combination existed . " :
Mr . Bkewsteb was counsel for the prisoners . tThe learned gentleman in the course of Ms speech , aid , " I know and regret it that the mostTiorribl e end revolting murders and outrages have been perpetrated in the streets of the metropolis . -I know , 4 oo , that some of these have arisen from combination . But , though I do not defend comhinatioh , I protest against the charges that have been made « gainst the journeymen . I assert that to fix the outrages which have disgraced the city -upon the ^ respectable mechanics of Dublin is a vile calumny . Last summer a liorrible and atrocious murder was
committed , opposite the spot where the" guilty expiate their crimes . It is one of the misfortunes of this country that such crimes are alway 3 committed ,-after an election . 1 know not why we are so accused and do not analyze the causes . But just after . the conclusion of the election such a crime was committed One suggested one cause , and another suggested another ; and amongst other things it was suggested that the murder was committed by mechanics or persons employed by them . Those who asserted * his knew it to "be Tmtrue . No honest man conld
« ay that it was committed by the mechanics ' , or that they knew from what cause it was perpetrated . No . ; irat eembination 13 alleged to be the cause of every thing by persons who are interested to hide the real ¦ cause . A meeting was held , on the 6 th November , and then the burden of every one ' s song was combination , and the journeymen were the objects of abuse , and calumny . Everything to vilify and traduce them was uttered , and the most ferocious threats of the direst vengeanee were pronounced against them . 111 were to read to you the expressions that were Tased , you . wouldbe astonished atthem . You would lave no doubt that he who used them was possessed « f power to authorise the strength of his language . Tirst , it was advanced that not a single man who lad a rote was engaged in the system of combination .
Oh , yes , that was stated as a salvo . It would not « lo to attack the people who had votes . " Well , I am glad of it ; for some of my clients have votes . There is another class , however , who figure in these attacks —a class npon -whom , as long as I can recollect , and as far hack as the oldest man can remember , all the evils of this country have been thrown—a class who have long borne the brunt of abuse as the "worst in the creation ; and that class is the low Orangemen . "With no other class , was it said , did ihis system of combination and those horrid crimes originate but "with them . "Well , after finding out all ihis—after discovering who were" the ori ginators and perpetrators of these crimes—the same person goes on to say , I pledge myself to bring them to the l > ar of justice—I pledge myself they shall be puiished . ' In the davs of Cardinal "Wolser it was
< ego ft meat rex . The free translation of That in this country is , 'I and the Lord-lieutenant / Yes ,-* I and the Lord-Lieutenant' will do everything . "What was the sequel of all this vituperation ? "Wh y ,-a few days after , all these fourteen prisoners were lurried from their beds at the dead hour of the night , and lodged in the common gaoL It is a rigorous administration of the law , but whether it is judicious 3 will not say . I like vigour Id the administration cf the law , but I do not like oppression . Oh , but it 3 s inconsistent with the tremendous denunciations pronounced against them a few days before . Since ¦ th en , the case has remained with a few interludes of
"vituperation and calumny , till the public mind was so poisoned , that it wa 3 said , the devil ' s in the dice if there can he got a jury honest and unprejudiced -enough to acquit any one sent before them nnder a charge of illegal combination . ' ' _ Gentlemen , " the man who invented this cry of ' mad dog' has more , to answer for for the . outrages and murders that lave occurred in Ireland , than all the trades' combinations in the empire put together . The ery of . " * mad dog , mad dog , ' goes on increasing , till the "wretched being it is raised against is kilted at last ~ , - and then the inventor of- it turns Tound and charges the deed npon the journeymen . '' The shoemakers were acquitted .
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BLESSINGS OF A REFORMED GOVERNMENT ! - - Sir Praam Head , Salaries , Income , and share of Seizure bj means of Spies and infornWrs £ 50 QB . i Bis Clerk John Joseph , Salary and -peranisites £ 1250 . Jndge Bfcbiason , two offices £ 2000 , and perquisites . -Judge Maeaalay , £ 1000 and perquisites . . Judge Archibald M'Lean , £ 1000 and perquisites . ' Judge Jonas Jones , £ 1000 and perquisites . Judge L . P . Sherwood , £ 1000 and perquisites . Archdeacon Straehan , income £ 1600 . Inspector General Markland , income £ 800 ,. Judge Jameson , income £ 1250 . Attorney General Baeerman , office and privileges £ 2500 . r . * -& ¦
"W . "H . Draper , Solicitor General , Executive Councillor at £ 1008 . Adjutant General Coffin , £ 150 . Clerk Leo Executive Council , £ 800 . ¦ Clerk Beikie , Executive Council , £ 800 . C . C . Small , Clerk Crown Chancery , £ 1500 . GrantPoweti , threeofiices £ 809 . - ¦ James iltzgibbon , two offices , £ 450 . ConnciDorSollrran , various offices , £ 1200 . -Collector Caifrae , office worth £ 400 . Collector Kirkpatrick ,. office worth £ 400 . . - Clerk Sir Francis ' s office , £ 1150 . Clerk Surveyor Maeaufe y * s office , £ 1509 . James Nation ' s several salaries £ 450 . Bishop Maedond ' s pension— £ 666 . _ -
Secretary Cameron's Salary , £ 1000 , and a host of clerks , fees , perquisites , extra charges , and- so ibrih . Colonel Talbofc , public paper , allowance £ 450 . Nearly alWanca to Roman Catholic Priests £ 1111 . - . : ¦ - - . ; ¦ -. ¦ - Pensions to Church Parsons the 57 Rectors £ 3008 . Saneel Ridout , £ 600 as Registrar , £ 200 as pensions . 'STifliaei Chewitfc ' s pension £ 400- : - ' ¦ - - " 3 tfis 8 ^ aw , pnblic pauper , allowance £ 112-15 urveyor "General Macanlav ^ £ 750- " " ' ^ alanes | 6 ^ -T ory College Professors , £ 5000 . ^ Bobert- . SiEaton , Government Printer , pnb $ e . incomviQSPOi . " " . " Samnd J ? t ^ an ? isfvarious offices , £ 400 . —From tie Tormto { &M # &&ti < m of Nov . 8 , edited ttf MsciejKrie . v ; .
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'HJJSSm ^^ 3 ^ vixr 16 . - In the House op Lords nobosiness of public HHjport was transactet Tfc ^^^ Honse a ^ tmrnea to Thursday . " ¦ " - ¦'
HOUSE OF COMMONS . the CHAKCELLOR of ihe EXCHEQUER brought np papers relative to Canada ; laid on the table . _ ¦ - - . ¦ ¦ - ¦ .... - . ¦ Petitions were presented from Tenby for a Small Debts Bill , from postmasters , &cv , of North Shields , for the repeal 01 Post home and Carriage . Duty ; from Newcastle , for the repeal of the Marine Insurance Duty ; from the Brentford Political Union , redress to Canada ; from a place in Yorkshire , for an alteration of the Factory Laws ; from Stirling ,
for a "repeal of the "Window Tax ; from innkeepers in the Western Counties , for repeal of the Duty on Post Horses , the "Window Tax , and the tax upon Tavern-Keepers ' Servants ; from the Provost , &e ., of Edinburgh , complaining that Medical Practitioners educated in the Scotch Universities could not practise in this country until they had been examined by the London Apothecaries' Company ; from 7 B licensed victuallers of Brighton , for amendment of the laws relating to them .
HAlfDLOOM WEATERS . Mr . "WILLIAMS begged to ask the Noble Lord , the Secretary for the Home Department , whether the Commissioners appointed by the Crown to inquire into the distressed condition of the handloom weavers would prosecute their inquiry by visiting the manufacturing districts themselves , or by deputies ? He had been induced to ask that ' question , because a strong feeling existed among that class of persons , in consequence of reports having gone abroad that it was intended to conduct the inquiry by means of deputies . He understood from numerous . parties connected with the manufacturing districts that that mode of inquiry would not give satisfaction , as no responsibility would be attached to a report which would have been made on hearsay .
Lord J . BUSSELL said , it was intended to conduct their inquiries in the manufacturing districts through assistant-commissioners ; they had been already appointed ; and it was intended the inquiry should proceed in a manner similar to that adopted with respect to the poor laws . An Hon . MEMBER wished to know whether the inquiry was to \» e extended to the whole of England ? Lord J . RUSSELL was understood to say it
was . . ATTA . IKS OF CANADA . Lord JOHN RUSSELL addressed the House in a speech of enormous length , during ^ which he said it will be my duty to propose to this House , in the first place , an address to the Crown , stating the concern with which this House has heard of tie disturbances and revolt in a part of Lower Canada , and pledging this House to assist her Majesty in her efforts to restore tranquillity , and afford protection to-her loyal , subjects . I shall ask in the next place for leave to bring in . a bill , by which the calling of any assembly in that province shall be suspended , and by eertain means which I will then
state to the House . An authority shall be created sufficient to meet the emergencies of the present time , and provide for the safe government of the province . Sir , in bringing this s > ubject be / bre * - the House , I feel that I could not obtain the assent of this House to the propositions which I have now to make , unless I were to . refbte two propositions which have , been most confidently put forward . The first is , that the course of this country ai respects to Lewer Canada is unjust ; and the other is that whatever the justice of the case may be , it is expedient to withdraw our troops from that province , and make an early separation between the two' countries . The power
of this Country over Canada , depends on the treaty of peace of 1762 . Soon after that treaty , a Proclamation was issued with respect to the mode of government , but , in fact , for some time English courts , pursuing the methods and regulating itself by the decisions of English courts , took place in the province , and according to a report made by General Murray , who succeeded to the Government of the Province in consequence of the death of General "Wolfe , many hardships and grievances were sufferstdby the French Canadians , in consequence of oppressions in the mode of administration ; but , sir , whatever those might be , a remedy was applied to them by the Act cf Paliament of 1 J 74 . Sir , I conceive that never did any
conn try give a stronger proof of its wishes to act according to the wishes , habits , and prejudices of a nation , that this country did by the Act of 17 / 4 ; for the settlement of that Act was , that the Roman . Catholic Religion should be established in Canada ; that the Clergy of that persuasion should continue to receive tithes and other dues of the Church Establishment ; and , in the second place , that theTrench Laws with respect to property , with the exception of the criminal law , should be allowed to govern that country . This constitution lasted until the year 1 / 91 . At that time a new constitution was requested : and I must say that in looking back to the events of that period—on looking to the enactments of that law , with the light which experience has given us—that I think we are entitled to sav that that law was not
very -well formed with a prospect of its permanent continuance , and a prospect of perfect harmony in that country . ( Cries of hear , hear . ) Sir , the policy , of this country wiih regard to her colonies has been generally a policy of great inconsistency . I think in lookiBg back to the benefits of experience , that what was proposed to Mr . Fox at that time would have been consonant with the principle upon which the colonies were founded , and would have given a better prospect of tranquillity . Mr . Fox maintained that it was not wise to separate the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada , but that it would be a better course to admit a full influx of British colonists into those provinces , to
endeavour to introduce gradually the . ; spirit of the British law and to allow the colonies governed by British law to have institutions as nearly as possible adapted to the British constitution , having , as he saw a due weight of aristocracy . ( Hear . ) But that which might have been adopted in that day was not the course taken , and a law . passed on the presumption that the French would entirely inhabit one province , and the . British settlers the other province of Canada—Lower Canada being destined for the French Canadians , and Upper Canada being that province into which it was expected that British emigration , and enterprise would flow . Sir , at the same time , there was introduced into each
province an Assembly , consisting of the representatives of the people , with rather a low rate of franchise , and a Legislative Council , to be formed partly of members with hereditary titles , and partly of members named for that purpose by the governor . That I think was not a just limitation . "Wit ^ lrespeet to the House of Lords in England , we all know that every privilege may be liable to abuse at times , yet we all know there must be some distinction of eminence , or some possession of large property to justify the minister of the crown in proposing to the sovereign to Taise a commoner to the House of Lords . In the Governor of Lower Canada that discretion could not to be so wisely
placedthe difference between one individual and another in that province not being so great as exists in this country , to prevent the distinction being conferred upon persons who were not entitled to it . —But with respect t © the House of Assembly I think , Sir , that it 3 constitution was hardly well studied , when we consider the great power that was given to it , and when we consider the state of education at that time among the people to whom it was given . I am happy to say while legislation was carried on with kindness towards Canada , they had conducted themselves in a most praiseworthy manner ; and on the two great occasions of the war which ended in the independence of America and in the war with France
the Canadians came forward with loyalty and zeal to show their affection for this country . ( Cheers . ) But , Sir , the constitution so formed did contain within itself the seeds of difficulty , but for some time those difficulties were not sensibly felt In 1810 there was some violence on the part of the Canadians and tiie Assembly of Canada , but the dissensions npon which much of what subsequently took place turned began in 1818 . It had for same time been the practice in Canada to vote away certain sums for the maintenance of the government , and what other money was required was given by the votes of the house . - The Assembly of Canada
had asked that all the snpplies should be voted by them , and a petition to that effect had been present ed 3 that petition was rejected at the time , but was afterwards adopted and made a proposition by the Assembly ; but when the Duke of Richmond was there , a new mode of voting supplies was proposed j and they were afterward * given T > y what were called chapters . Soon afterwards , Lord Dalhousie made a penoanent grant , and thi * led to great confusion in the \ Hoase of Assembly , who insisted that theyhad fhe right only to give the snpplies . However , sir , these dissensions led to new debates , and after a certain , time , Mr . Huskiss on , who was then Colonial Secretary , tbecght fit to bring ihe questions then at
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issue under fhe consideration' of pariiament , « fd ; to " propone a ci > mmit&e : '& . udifljrii&v Tfraw , m ± l > efere I fetste the report of thecomnnttee , I wishto call the attention of the house to the instruclions woKfh were given" by Sit George ^ nrrayj , raTwequendy Secre-r tarj- of Statej ' -iefbie &e "] HejJort of ^ ^ the coBa ^^ e ^ ai had 'tew Men in ' t ? consideration . " Sir : < 3 wge Murray , found that there were certain duties imposed by an act of the Imperial PatUameh ^ iTa Tiievi of cer . tain other duties , to be applied t * the public service of Lower Canada . He accordingly instructed Sir J . Kemp , that with the exception of the preceeda of these dutiex , no portion of the funds of Lower Canada should be applied to the public service , without the ihielmiertbTeonB ^^
consent of the local legislature . This clearly show * ed that Sir G . Murray , actingas Secretary of State , under the Duke of " Wellington , meant foj bind him-» elf and the government in whic ^^ ' -he belonged ,, fo ' a ^ exact and precise observance of th& constitution of Canada . He saw that by these " lnstructions ^ * hk would make the government dependent ¦ oh the House of Assembly for pecuniary resources , ! but he embraced , the necessity , and : recognised the constitutional rights of the Canadians In 1833 a supply bill was passed by the House of Assembly containing most unusal conditions- , 'providing that the persons holding certain offices should not receive their salaries unless they cease
to hold certain other offices . Now , these propositions may have been just , or they may nave been unjust in themselves ; but the bill was rejected ^ and the Noble Lord opposite ( Lord Stanley ) then at the head of the colonial department , allowed that ground of object— that these provisions were in the nature of tacks to a money bill , and that the bill could not be passed in that shape . Sir ^ I think the Noble Lord was right in allowing that objection . ( Hear . ) But , Sir , the supply bill having failed on that ground , in 1834 the Assembly met again , and adopted a new course which has led to the present difficulties . The course taken by the Canadian Assembly was to pass 92 resolutions , some of
grievance , some of eulogy , some of vituperation , some directed against individuals , some against the Governor , some against the Government at home ; but all , in affect , amounting to a long and Vehement remonstrance ; and in framing this remonstrance they passed the whole session , and Heparated without passing any Supply Bill whatever / In August , 1837 , theLegiilative Assembly refused to grant the supplies required by the Go vernier for the purposes of carrying on the Government of the colony , and Lord Gosford consequently prorogued hat assembly ¦ without the supplies being granted . ( Hear . ) He would now call the attention of the House to the resolutions passed last
session . It appeared soon after the receipt of these resolutions that violent meetings were held , at which the resolutions were denounced , and the government of the colonies held up to odium ; while the example of the United States was held tip for imitation . Yet , notwithstanding all this , Lord . Gosford did not recommend the adoption of severe measures ; but cherished and . expressed a hope that a better spirit would soon prevail .. But after this hadgone on for a considerable time , it appeared that meetings of a still more formidable character continued to be held , and Lord Gosford therefore considered it his duty to dismiss from their situations those roagis * trates who took part in such . proceedings . The
Canadians then appointed themselves persons to the vacant offices , and refused to acknowledge the , authority of any others . It was obvious that the election of these officers was practically a throwing off the allegiance of the Canadians to this country :. On the second of September Lord G 63 ford wrote home , that the Canadians would not be satisfied with any thing short of throwing off their allegiance to Great Britain , and havin g a Republican Government . On the 9 th of December , Lord Gosford wrote that he did not believe that the disturbances were wide spread , that he did not think they would extend beyond ' the district of Montreal , and ' that he thought the great mass of the people were- ' well
affected towards her Majesty ' s Government . Soon after this some riots took place in Montreal between the Queen's troops and the Papineau faction . Lord Gosford therefore wrote to "Sir John Colborne to put down by force any disturbances that might arise in the province . A troop of county volunteers were accordingly sent out for that purpose .. Their object , as the House were aware , was soon accomplished . It appeared afterwards that when Sir John Colborne sought fo arrest those who were the leaders of the resistance to the authority of the Queen , another collision took place between her Majesty's troops and the rebels at St . Denis . In this state of things he ( Lord John Russell ) was sure that no man would
deny it was the duty of the Government lo the provinces to use every means in its power to restore tranquillity . Sir John Colborne was fortunately not only fully acquainted with the country , but was fully instructed as to the steps which he ought to take in such a state of matters . He took those steps , and succeeded in putting down those who took up anus against her Majesty . Although he ( Lord John Russell ) : must lament that civil war should exist in any part of the Queen ' s dominions , he trusted that few persons would , be found who entertained any other than a feeling of satisfaction that . the troops had succeeded . —( Hear . )—Another question referred to : the property of the
Jesuits , which , it was said , should have been appropriated for the general purposes of education . That has also been done—the whole of that property has been already applied for the purposes of education , and the grievance was now contained in a subsequent resolution , relative to the leases which had been given of this property to one family in preference to another . Thiswas ' a grievance which , unless the whole administration of these estates was ' placed in the House of Assembly , to enable them to confer upon their friends and nominees ,, it was impossible to concede . —( Hear . ) Another question referred to the . Crown and Clenrv reserves , but I would refer the House to the disp atc-h of Lord Ri
pon ou that subject , which does the highest honour to his wisdom , and in which he declare , himself ready to put an end to the former system , while Kb the same time he states that he is not ready toadopt the remedy suggested by the House . of" Assembly . The Noble Lord here read an extract ftom the dispatch of Lord Ripon upon this subject , in which he pointed out his reasons for dissenting from the House of Assembly . Lord Ripon stated that it was his opinion an end ought immediately to be put to the system of reserving one-seventh of all waste lands for the benefit of the Protestant Clergy of Canada ; ( hear , hear , ) and in order to guard the Governor against even the slightest
suspicion of partiality in the disposal of the lands , the utmost freedom of bidding ought to be encouraged —the greatest publicity of t ;; e sales given , and on all occasions the sales ought to be effected with the highest bidder . Now , : sir , x ask ( said Lord J . Russell ) whether that proposition of Lord Ripon ' s is not one more calculated for the benefit of the province—more fair in itself—less liable to any suspicion of partiality—less liable to the charge that Government might derive any influence from the disposal of those lands , than that which the Assembly had made ; and whether for the grievance a full and adequate remedy was not provided ? Sir , there was another grievance , as I have before stated—or rather another dispute . It was a dispute with respect to the duties derived under the act of the 14 th of George III . "With respect to those
duties , it was urged , and rightly held , 116 doubt , by those who held the government of : this country , thak the law here bound the Treasury of that country ; It was urged that the act of 1778 and the act of 1791 taken together made it fit that those duties should be levied , and that the appropriation should be in " . the Colonial Assembly . The committee recommended that that view should be adopted , but they recommended that the appropriation should be applied to the salary of the judges and the officers . The Assembly did not agree to that ; and what was the conduct of this House ? An act Was introduced in 1831 , moved by Lord Ripon' in the other House of Parliament , which entirely repealed the power of appropriation in this country , and left it to the House of Atsembly of Canada , without stipulation , to dispose entirely of those duties . Could there
nave been any remedy less hesitative—any remedy which showed a more generous confidence than the remedy which Lord Ripon proposed with respect to that ? I next come to call the attention of the House to the course adopted by the committee of of 1828 . This committee made a report containing many valuable suggestions , and was highly spoken of in an address of the House of Assembly of the 31 st November 1828 . It was stated by " the committee that they were of opinion that the revenues enjoyed nnder the act of 1778 should be given up to the . Assembly , but at the same , fime thev were \) f
opinion that the judges should bo longer" 'hold * their offices at will , or even during good behaviour , but that they should be appointed for life , and rendered independent . In this , there was much good sense bnt there arose a . circumstance soon after which showed the necessity of it , a circumstance which will scarcely gam credit in this country . -A certain judge was heard to express an opinion adverse to some of the notions ^ of the Assembl y a short time rr t ^ eTeceiTed . aa appointment as judge , '" ahawill itlie . believed that the ^ Assembly jnO it decent and proper to withhold the salarj-of the judge after
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h ¥ ^ in $ en ^ ^ ink B ^ AJ Wf { that >** st $ j because bf ^^ &rf ) r ^ Mk | i ^ t i # anceP Wttett tfe ^ iop ^ n ^ Stated in P «^ 4 ^ i ' * } $ ^ 6 > ^ thVHWse ^^ lAfeembiyallowea that thi' demaiid wasreaeonablej and they agreed that ; 'the' ^ errior ? ih 6 uH be allowed to pay Uie judg ^ jw ithoiat any ; appeal ^^ ^ mbljvin order to secure the ! inaependen ^ e ^ f tnVjdagfes . ( Tnfe Noble LoTdhere read extracts from the proceedings of the Agseji ^ bly ^ ehunierating tteit gcievaucesONQWjsirj I will adrert in « ome degree to what has been done in order to remedy those particukr grievances . With respect to the independence of the judges . Lord Goderich folly concurred in the reasonableness of
the recommendation , and himself suggested some iinprovem . ente for the ^ coneid » ratioh bf the House of Asseinblyi But what 'was the ^^ conduct of the House o , r Assembly upon that occasion P . They passed a bill ib ^ accordance with the ; recommeHdation , but to that bill they tacked other pro visions , respecting the Civil Government , aud : appointing a court for , the inipeachnienb of ^ the Judges .--- ( Heaj . ) Now , sir ^ this was the manner ^ of treating : a proposal of this nature , which raised a grave suspieioir that the object which they wished ; . -. waB not that ^^ for which they had asked . Simply and by itself this bill was a positive good , and the tacking of other proyisions to'it which could not be agreed to was a proof that
they did not wish to nd themselves of the grievances of which they complained ^ The next demandy sir , is for the responsibility of the public officers and a , more intimate' connection with the Colonies of those persons composing the Legislative Council . Now , sir , with respect to these subjects , upon whichiiirifortuhately there had been the greatest difference of opinion between the Government and the House of Assembly , there never has been any objection—rany opposition to the terms of the resolution of the House of Assembly . It was determined at once that the Judges should be told that they ought not to sit in the Legislative Cbuncilj with the exception of the Chief Justice , and a number of persons were
appointed having no connection with the Crown ^ and giving a great majority in the Legislative Council to those who had no connection with the Government of the eountry . There was likewise an attempt to introduce a number of-French Canadians into ; the Council , by far the majority of hew members being Freaqh Canadians .-r- ( Hear , hear . ) He had thus traced : the history 6 i Canada in its connectioh ! with this country j from the time of its becoming * one of our colonies up to the present time , and he would now come to the question , whether it Was for the interests of Great Britain , setting aside alt cou 8 ideratio ; hB as to the justice of the matter , to abandon the Canadas . He ( Lord J . Russell )
would say at once that he could not bring his mind to an afiirmative conclusion . He at once ^ said no to the ' proposition , whether it would be right to desert those British settlers in those colonies who continued true ; to this country , and leave them to the angry passions of : those who had threatened them with plunder ,- ^ - ( Cheers . ) There were other considerations which should induce the House to pause before it pame to the conclusion that Lower C « hada should , be made Republicah , and that Upper Canada should be joined to the United States . "Were such a change to take place , it wag obvious that neither Nova ; Scotia nor New Brunswick could be kepti The question would soon
be , whether we fihould hot abandon North America altogether P He ( Lord John Ruisell ) believed that the whole of these provinces augmented the power and conduced to the interests of Great Britain . He would therefore > ay , as regarded the policy of this country towards its colonies , that we cannot abandon the ^ provinces in North America .- — He would say for himgelf , that if it could be shown that injustice had been dbneto Canada , he would be prepared to retreat ; but he came prepared to justify the course which government --hawi pursued towards that colony , and also to justify their determination to retein it . The question then came to be this , what ito be
s the future policy of government Jtowards Canada ? No man could doubt that , the first thing they should do w as to provide ; the necessary means for putting do \ vh . the insurrection . ( Loud cheers . ) He would not at present argue the question whether or not governiiient were to blame in not hayingihad a greater force in Canada at the present time . The question for consideration at that time was / whether the house were , prepared to grant that additional force which the government might deera necessary . A noble lord had said on a recent occa-. sipu at a public meeting , that ministers should be brought before the bar of that house , ibr allowing an insurrectipri to break out iu Canada . If this were
so ,. mj-nisters were prepared to . meet the charge . The question for the consideration of that house , that night was , what means ought to be taken , and what measurcsf ' eould . be agreed on for maintaining the allegiance of our American colonies , to their Sovereign ? He ( Lord John Russell ) thought that it would be necessary that a . large force should be , in readiness to start , from' this country . "so as to be in . the ; Canadas in the spring . The general plan which he proposed , and which he would introduce into the bill whii'h he would that
night have the honour to introduce to the . House , was to ' suspend that part of the constitution of ' l-79 i > which rendered it necessary to call together , tlie House of Assembly ; and lie proposed that in the mean time a power of legislation be vested in : the Governor and Council . He would not state at that time the number of lnembcrs of whom this Council should consist ; but not less "than ' five must be present at each deliberation . Every proposition . must be made-by the Governor . For that purpose , all the powers of legislation necessary , to carry on the government would bo tntrustod to the body . Any act which mights have expired , or which might have become necessary ; would be made by them ; but they Would have no-power to alter , the constituent body , nor could the House of Assembly be called together again by their act onl y . In order lo brinp about an amicable adjustment of ' existing differences in Canada , there should be a committee of ten
Ampfican authorities selected by the governors front the provinces of U pper and Lower . Canada-Three of thtse must be chosen from the , Legislative Council . It was the intention of the Goverment that a free constitution shbuid continue toexist in Canada , the powers thus conferred on the Governor in Council being only of a temporary nature . He ; did not propose that the final settlement of the question of Canadian-differences should be ^ left to this body . The Imperial Parliament was the supreme Legislative authority in all such matters . > The measures of this body would all be sent to this "cquhtry ^ fpr the ¦ eoiisideratipn of Parliament , by Whom they would be . altered and modified , according to
circumstances .. He ( Lord John Russell ) rtul not circumstances . ^ He ( Lord ; John Russell ) did not despair of the phri he proposed ; proving effective .-At the saine time it was- most , important that , the person sent out from this country should possess such authority and weight as would enable him to negociate with the Canadians with some chance of suci cess . He should be a man who : waswell acquainted with all the transactions ' which had taken place betwten that polony and this Country . He should also be conversant with ; the States of Europe generally . It vv-as likewise important that such a person should not be adverse to Liberal principles and free institutions . He ( Lord Russell ) did not tnow that he should refrain from ¦' stating . that the man who
had been invested by her Majesty : wi ^ these high powers , ^ and been entrusted with these high functions , was the Earl of Durham .- ^( eheers from the Ministerial , benches with manifestations of disapprobation from the Opposition side of the House . He ( Lord John Russell ) thought that the differehce which existed , in Canada were capable of being settled , and he would now proceed to state What the advantages were which the Canadians derived from their connection with this country . He ^ should state as . the first and the main one , that the Province depended on the army .. ' and on tho na ^ of this country for defend ; , which to it was no charge . In the last year a sum of £ 220 ^ 666 hid been voted by this
country for the military and naval defence of Canada , whilst the proportion paid by the Colony for this purpose was only £ 1 , 200 or £ 1 ^ 5 00 . V If the Colony were in the situation of the United States / for , according , to the last estimates there , the States were subject to a charge of five miliions as the expense of their army and Navy ^ -if Canada were thus sitnated ^ there might have been some complaint ; but the taxes of the Canadians were light , and the disposition of the revenue of the . colony was distinctly favourable to ; the interests of the people . In 1833 , the amount voted to Canada was £ 157 jOOO in round numbers . Of ^ his sum Only ^ £ 57 , 000 ^ ^ was to be appropriated to the support of the civil eovernment .
whilst £ / 0 j 000 was appropriated to the internai government of the country , and £ 29 , 000 to the purposes of education ; The : Canadians ; had ; m great reason to complain of their laWs , their taxes , or of the general disposition of the revenue , still les > had to complain of on the subject of trade ; and this was one in reference to which th ' e . imperial legislature had a a right to bind the ; colony . It was one with respect to which ; the imperial legisiaturc had a ri ght to force its own / manufactures on the colony , or to restrict the polony to certain sources . Burhe would ask , as to Canada , Jif between any two indepeipdent colonies there could be a treaty of commerce so favourable to ( Canada as that wnich existed between it and the mother country . Why , theti j
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if ^ the ^ ^ jWation of the people ¦ of Canada irere Bappyr \ dtfrtespect to ^ eirmterjnal cotton , * f ti Yia ble > itii : re 8 pect tfe theitlaWsJ theirnhjrace 8 , ^ nd ttieir trade—if this watf so , he ( Lord S . SussellV could come without difficulty to ask the House to agree with him ^ on the strttfect of the ^ ili dressrwhich : he would propose . 4 The Address ^ e Would propose ^ after " thanking her Majes ^ for her igracious communication of papers : relating to the affairs of Canada , " and " assuring her Majesty that the anxious consideration of this House Bhall be givento " the . preparation of such measures as thepresentexigency may ^ require , " proceeds— "to express to ; her ; Majesty our ; deep concern that a disaffected ; party in Canada . should have had
recourse to open violence and rebellion , with a view to throw off their allegiance to the Crown / TodeclBre to her Majesty our satisfaction that their designs have been opposed , no less b y her Majesty's loyal subjects in North America than by her Majesty ' s forces , and to assure her Majesty , that while , this House is ever ready to afford relief to real grievances , we are fully determined to support the efforts of her Majesty for the suppression of revolt , and the restoration of tranquility . " He felt confident that it would no the the wish of the House in carrying the address , to carry ; iuto effect anyprojecic ' . of harshness or severity , still less of veni geance , against the misguided men who opposed the arms of this country . He felt assured that Sir J . Colborhe and those who would succeed him would do their utmost in accordance with the expressed wishes of Government to make the warfare as little liable
as possible . He felt assured that by the road of clemency alone a recoriciiiation with the parties which distracted Canada could be effected ; V He felt that with respect to the greater portion of those who had been led to rebel , ignorance might safely be attributed as the chief cause of their conduct . He beljevee that a few guilty men had precipitated ' tht re 8 ult- ^ that they without cause had promoted the rush to arms , and put the question ( 0 the issue of blood . He was sure , however , that those persons would lose all credit with their fellow-countrynieri . He felt that this empire could still be mairttained , and if they agreed with him that it could be so , he would - ask them to applaud those who were faithful to their Sovereign , to this country , and to their own , and to maintain
theintegrity of ths empire . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Hujie , after some preliminary observations , said—Let theni look to the conduct of Lord Dalhousie , as Governor , before they blamed the House of Assembly . The coriduct of that House in cqnsideriug the supplies item by item had given offence ; but before this was complained of they should first say how : the House of Assembly in doing this had acted beyond their powers ? Was there any thing more legitimate than the considering those charges item by item P And was it not a reproach that they should be denied the power to interfere in their ( Rxppnditure , and to pass the sums they Considered fit , with such conditions ai ) they thought were best suited to the country ? For if any authority was ( Continued in our Eighth page . )
The Northern Star. Saturday, January 20, 1838.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , JANUARY 20 , 1838 .
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CASE OF THE GLASGOW COTTON SHNNERS . TO THE RADICALS OF ENGLAND , IRELAND , AND SCOTLAND . Freemen —I am about to address you upon a subject of most vital importance—a subject in which is involved every consideration dear to you , to your children , and to your children ' s childrena subject which , according to your resolve , may be either looked upon as the foundation of your rights and liberties , or as the completion of
your degradation , disgrace , and ruin . After a trial of more than ei ght days , five men of your order , and of good character , have been declared guilty of a transportable offence , by the opinion of ONE man . Above all , bear that fact in mind . A Scotch jury consists of fifteen jurors ; seven of whom , in the case alluded to , were for a complete acquittal , and eight returned an opinion , that the men . were guilty of several of the charges preferred against them . I cannot he too minute and explicit upon this part of the subject . In France it requires perfect unanimity
of two-thirds of a jury to convict ; the jury consists of twelve , and eight must agree . Should they divide , in the proportion of five to seven , the Court has the power of deciding . In England a jury must be ¦ unanimous ; one for the prisoner , and eleven for the Crown , amounts to JanaequittaT . In the Slaveland , Ireland , the law is the same . The maxim of the law is , where a doubt exists , the ^ benefit should be given to the accused . The list from which the ONE jury-man ( or Scotch jury ) was selected , consisted of sixty-five names , five of those on the
list wrote to the agent for the prisoners , requesting to he passed over , in consequence of the great prejudice which the . Press had produced upon their minds . Five , mind !! That is one in fifteen ; andth « men were " convicted" upon the opinion of ONE IN fifteen !!! So stands the case , as regards the jury . Now , in the common occurrences of life , should an argument arise in a company of fifteen persons , the fact of the disputants standing upon their opinions ; , as eight to seven ,. leaves considerable doubt as to which side reason and
argument belong ; and in such cases gentlemen acknowledge that the question in dispute is not satisfactorily settled ; but in a case which involves the very lives of five fellow creatures , the opinion of ONE man in fifteen , after an eight days' trial , decides the question ! ! I have placed the matter thus simply before you , in order to lead your minds to another consideration , namely , the fact that Englishmen , Irishmen , and Scotchmen are struggling for the same object , —the protection of their labour against the dominion of capitaL The object is .. the
same but the mode of trying offences against capital , is not the > same in . the three ' Countries : and therefore my appeal to you , is , in order to substitute good and sound public opinion , for the vicious opir nion of "Dominie Sampson , " who was satisfied with his own unanimity !! For , however the agreement of eight maybe pleaded , yet was there but a majority of One . V Never lose sight of the One . There has been no verdict in this case ; the word verdict , is derived from the Latin words , " verum dictum / " meaning "true
saying , and applicable to the Jury in Unit y , and and notin Severance . The " Jury" means the whole body , and their finding should be unanimous but with respect to Scotland , the law is different . Justice required that upon such a turn of the scal es the benefit should have been given to the accused . We must not in all cases be afraid of arguing against law , because it is law ; and therefor e I at once use this as a precedent for an alteration in the law of Scotland , arid would implore you to take this calrn ^ manly , and dispassionate yiew of the case . Those five men are how
my clients , and you are the Jury . No incautiousness upon my part must damage their good case ;—no PrematiJRE violence upon your part should endanger their safety . You will read the whole trial , and after deliberation , I have no doubt you will act as becomes freemen . I wish you to bear in mind , that the . press of England and Scotland had been busy in poisoning the public mind against the Spinners , by the oft-repeated falsehood , that incontrovertible evidence would bring the charge of Murder home to thePrisoners ; and although
unanimously acquitted of tluit charge , yet the Press , the Jury , and the Authorities ; : falsely imagined that the : public mind would be Satisfied with a Sentence of Transportation where Death was expected . For myself I never entertained a notion Of those brave fellows being guilty * even of one offence ; therefore I am not Satisfied . —X heard thei evidence of one of the £ 600 : blood-hounds , a devil of the name of Moat ; and the flippancy with which he described the most mihute teansactions , and : facts , ; and conversations , for years ¦ gone b y ^ caused irrepressible expressions of disgust -in ; the
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$% & ^^^ & ^^^^^ mie ' ^ prtance prodnc « d b yfte cro ^; andf ^ rioatbrlike , he was actually otitrtinning coi ^^ poin > nent of « Secret Coinmitteeg ^ was * ^ estioa of moment with the Crown -and the moment / t& Wood-hound was put upon the scent ^ he gave the foU lowing answerto M * . Haki > yside , wUhreference ; to the purposes for vhich the Secret eommittee va » ^ . pointed ; / 'For the purpose , " saidhej « of & 6 mg all the mischief they ; could to life and property ! ' $£ The answer was met by an expression at diagost against the witness , -from ; all parts of the crowded Court . -:- ^; -- : - ¦ ¦"•"¦ ¦ .: ; : ' ' ^)' -j- ' ¦ - ' . ^ - ) - ; : \ . -:: ¦ : ¦ ¦ .. ¦¦¦'
The prisoners stood charged with bfi ^ nces ih the 5 th and loth counts of ,- 'the indictment , to which counts the evidence could not be separated ; yet . the . ; e | ght " modem Athenians" acquitted ^ the ? n ~ soners upon one couhti » n 4 found them guilty vpoa the other J ! that is , the ; wise inen said they ia ad ^ and ( hey had not , committed theofifences laidto their charge ! !! Should hot this fact alone have « aUed for the interposition of justice ? But , no ; the Scottish jury ] aw made Scotland the ; fittest field to nghtthe battle of Capital against Labour . Of course
you will see the impossibility of commenting npon the great bulk of evidence adduced upon the trial , and ^ th e consequent folly of taking it in partyin tb > narrow compass of a letter ; but you " have to ask yourselves , after trial and sentence , whether or noyouare ashamed of associating yourselves with that struggle in which the Spinners were engaged . I am not ; and therefore shall perform my part . Remember Dorchester andi the hours ; : ' of ^ trouble which our first apath y caused us ; recollect , — -good God , — ah" ! poor men ,- ^ -recollect the piteous account which Loveless gives of the .: ' horrors to which
your brave brethren will be exposed when oncehanded over to the guardianship of the cruel tyrant against whose power no voice from the oppressed can reach your ear . At a time when the Liberator of Ireland is requiring afiidavit-evidehee to accuse and condemn the trades , at the moment when you are " threatened with a still more coercive anti-labour code , can you , will you rest in peace , whili vengeance is to be taken upon those who had the manliness to perform what you dared to suggest ? Now , then ; for my advice ; meet in every town , village ,
and city throughout the empire ; lay aside the cbn-v sideration of every other question ,: and first restore the Spinners to > their families . Petition ( though I hate it ) the House of Commons ; let your language be firm arid decisive , and demand the instant trial of the King of Hanover as a British subject for hi gh treason ; paper the walls of every cottage with your demands , and recollect , that the Scotch precedent establishes Our authority ( if not our right ) to travel through facts for years gone by . Let time be taken to organize the public miud upon the
subjecty and let our meetings be as nearl y as possible about the same time . Let the men , woriien , and children , of Glasgow meet on Monday , the 5 th of February , to petition Parliament for a remission of the sentence of the Cotton Spinners ^ and let them all be . sent to Mr . Fielden for presentation y let him then move upon them , - and , in the mean time , he should movo for a copy of the conviction . Englishmen , Irishmen , and Scotchmen , you cannot Behold . p assing events , without being , struck with awful forebodings . . You behold \ a middle clasr
Government your deadliest enemy , being established ; and . wVile demagogues flatter you with a promise of be'tter laws , they use those in existence to crush and torture you . Look ,: therefore , to yourselves , and look to your Order- —look to the Spy System established in Dublin , and : the volunteer evidence of Mxister ^ Painter Connery ; Oh ! what a . voicana of abuse has burst upon the trades of publiri ^ when the protection of the ; master-spirit was tendered to the slanderer . I wish you to road the speech of Mr » BrEwster , upon the trial of the fourteen
Shoemakers ^ indicted Conspiracy , and acquitted even . in Dublin ; He has put the saddle upon the right horse . ' -Let trtdosirien make laws to protect trade ,, and al 1 crime and disorder will cease ; but Trades ' Associations are requisite and necessary , as a substitute , for that , protection which the laWs refuse : to industry . ' I have a fight to speak to you ; in the language of dictation , because , of all the men ( since the passing of the Reform Bill to the present moment ) who have represented you , beth . in , and out of Parliament , I alone have stood to my pledges , and
supported you and your cause , —through evil report and good report . The day will yet arrive when justice will be . done to . . one , who , by bis personal exertioii , and without a single journal to support him organized the people of England and Scotland so as to make , their , united voices a terror to •'¦ tyr ants ^ Friends , ! address you as founder of the Radical Associations of Englarid and Scotland , as accredited Missionary of the Radicals of London , and as elected President of the National Association of Scotland . I have a right to expect a response to myappeaL I have laboured , for more than five years in your
cause , and am still Untried and ready to join with you in the glorious pursuit of liberty and freedom ^ I tnow what the people can do , —they know what they ought to do . Rampant tyranny is stalking through the land , — -treason has come upon us from the quarter where we had least reason to expect it . The viper , whom you aurtured in your bosom , hasstung you to the heart ; but let the united efforts of the faction , present themselves as they may , our Union , our power j and our perseverance ^ will triumph Over their wilej their treachery , and their treason . ^ Your faithful servant , , '" E . O'CONNOR .
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;¦ -. ¦ PAHLIAMENTARY REVIEW . Once more it will be * een the House has been opened jfor the actual doin g of mischief ; On Tuesday last , < ' the collective wisdom '' was again convened for the purpose of robbing the pebple , coercing the , Canadians , bamboozling the Hand Loom "Weavers , and perpetrating such other civil and social outrages as might . be requisite . Lord John . Russell communicated the information that the enquiries : of the Hand Loom Weaver ' s Commission were to be conducted in the same manmanner as those of the Poot Law Commission ; and
we predict that they will be attended ; with a result just as profitable , and no more so . On ^^ the affairs of Canada , the little statesman amused the House for three hours with one of the most deceptions speeches ever uttered by the tongue of man . The burden of his ; sOngwas the readiness with which the JBritish Legislature had always promised to redress Canadian grievances ; but he forgot to tell them , as Mr . Hun \ e well reminded hini , that while they had " promised *' . for ten years together they had never performed anything . He enlarged magniloquently on the "instructions of Sir Georoje Murray , and
the minute , of Lord Abeiideen , as testifying the desire of the British Government to respect Canadians rights ; but overlooked the important little fact that those instructions , arid that minute , had been a dead letter , never acted on . He abused the House of Assembl y for refusing to vote gupplies , while he admitted that in doing so they had not gone one step heyo&d the exercise of their ; cbristitntional rig ht ; He demon 8 trated that Canada is at all tunes ah immense burden to England j and . neglected to shew that England ; derived any benefit froi * Canada , while , at the same tiihej he insisted that it would be impolitic to relieve our selves from thehurden ! True he forgqt to shew why it ^ ould be impolitic ;
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- * ' .- ' ¦ . ¦ - ¦ " " : , \ - - = - ¦ ¦ -:- > — - ¦ ¦ -:: r - - ' " - ¦ ¦ ¦ ' . . - ' v " " : ¦ ' .: - _ I ^ ^ XM $ ' ' $ O&T& ^ -, " - : ' ' : ¦ ' - " ^ . ^ ' ¦ ' ¦ ' ' ' ^ ^¦^¦^^¦ ' ^ 1 agMBg ^!^^^^^^^ ii ^^^^^^^ 20 , 1838 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 20, 1838, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct989/page/4/
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