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Northern Star (1837-1852), 6th October 1849, Edition 2 of 3, Page 5, October 6 > _^____ THE NORTHERN STAR, 5

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      October 6 > _^____ The Northern Star, 5

      October 6 > _^____ THE NORTHERN STAR , 5

      Receipts Of The National Laho Gompahf-Fo...

      RECEIPTS OF THE NATIONAL LAHO GOMPAHf-Foe ihb Week Exdiso Thobsdat , October- 4 , 1849 . SHARES . £ s . d . £ s . d . Mosley .. .. 0 9 0 A Hayes .. 16 0 Boxy .. .. 119 8 Carlisle .. .. 2 0 0 Sottingham .. 01 S 6 £ 0 _ 7 _ 2 EXPENSE FUND . Ahreton .. .. 0 2 0 XottfinRham .. 0 2 0 Bury .. -. 0 2 0 c . M < mi .. . oie 0 7 6 MOmES EECEWED FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATHON . W . TV ., Todding- J . S „ Alnwick MO 0 0 ton .. .. 74 0 0 C . T ., Warwick 20 0 0 A . Y-, Gateshead 13 S 0 0 " W * . Y ., Sheffield 10 0 0 £ 382 0 0 TOTALS . land Fund ... G 7 2 Expense ditto 0 7 6 Mathon 382 0 0 Loan ditto 0 16 Transfers 0 3 0 R « lcs 0 0 4 Jtents from Allottees 60 0 0 £ 443-19 C

      W . Drxos , C . Dotis , T . Cuius , Cor . Sec . P . M'Giurn , Fin . Sec . FOR COSTS OF MACNAMARA ' S ACTION . Beceired by W . Hides . —M . Mdlors , Nottingham , per J Sweet , 61 ; tt . LuBdy , Hull , 3 s . 2 d . FOR WIVES AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS . Received by W . Rider . —Nottingham , CoL Hutchinson , per J . Street ; 5 s . ; a Democrat , Chepstow , Sd ; Newcastle , per M . Jade , 6 s . 4 & , ; Kendal per J . Emhley , 5 s . EXPENSE AT INQUESTS ON WILLIAMS AND SHARPReceved by \ f . Ridek . —Leicester Chartists , per TV . Bradswortb , 2 s Cd . FOR WIDOWS OF THE LATE MESSRS . W 1 LUAMS AND SHARP , Received by W . Ridek . —C . SprinphalL Norwich , Is . Gd . ; Coach and Horses . Saver-sfreet , Gd . ; J . Hnnter , New castle , Is . ; a few Friends , Ashton , per W . Aitken , 4 s . 3 d . ; Bristol , per YF . Hyatt , as . 9 d . ; J . Leggitt , Bury St Edmunds , Is . Received by S . Boosham . —William Brook , ShoUey Bridge , 5 s .

      CUFFAY AND OTHERS * Received by W . Rideb . —Lynn , per J . Scott , 5 s . FOR MRS . JONES . Received by W . Rideb . —J . Stansfield . Rotherham , Is . Onr Mends , who send ns long lists of names of subscribers to above Funds , must excuse usfor merely giving fee names of the towns and remitters , with the amount sent Onr space will not allow of more . DEFENCE FUND . BeceivedbyT . Clabx . —Tortsea , perMr . Stroud , 10 s . DEBT DUE TO THE PRINTER . Received by T . Cubic . —Westminster Locality , 15 s . ; G . W . JL Reynolds , Esq . ., £ 2 2 s . ; Mr . Walter , Worcester , 10 s . ; a Friend , Worcester , 2 s . Cd . ; Air . Radd , Plymouth . Gd . The money for Westminster was received three weeks ago sndnas paid to 31 r . M'Gowan on ths day on which it was received hy me , but has not been acknowledged in taeffarpreviously . T . Clabk .

      VICTIM FUND . Received byS . Boosham . —Westminster , John Maritall 2 s . ; lir . Percey , ls . ; Phillip Elliott , 2 s . ; Hastings , per Edwin More is . ; Proceeds of 3 Tr . T . Cooper ' s lectures , Potteries , 12 s . & L ; aFriend , ditto , ls . ; 3 fr . Toang , Hoston , Is . ; Mr . Parker , Uo . tton , cd . ; Mr . Blownfield , Ilolton , Is . ; collected by Mrs . Heath , Greenwich , as per booh , 10 s . 114 . ; collected atthe Hall of Science , City-road , after an appeal by Thomas Cooper , £ i 7 s . 7 Jd . ; Mr . Sturgeon , O'Connorvih " e , perJ Araott , Is . ; Mr . Rider , 17 s ; South London Hall , per Mr . Duval , 3 s . Cd .. Mr . Babb , Plymouth , Gd . -, Robert Wood , C .

      Xotice. Farms On Sale. I Am Instructed B...

      XOTICE . FARMS ON SALE . I am instructed by the Directors to announce that the bidding for the right of location npon the following farms , will close " on Thursday , the 3 oth of the present month , AT O'COXXORVILLE . ONE TWO ACRE FARM . AT LOWBAXDS . THREE TWO ACRE FATWIS .

      AT CDAUTERVItLE . FOUR , TWO ACRE FARMS . The persons giving the highest sums will have the right of location awarded to them immediately . I am further instructed to announce that parties purchasing the right of location from any of the present occupants , without complying with the rule for the payment of the demands of the Company , will be ejected , besides having their goods a nd crops sold for arrears of rent . This course of procedure -will ho enforced instantly against any Ofl e » either renting or purchasing the occupaucy of the four acre farm at Lowbamis , at present held by Mr . ltenham , without paying the charges due against the farm , ana which amount to a sum exceeding £ 30- Thomas Clakk , Corresponding Secretary .

      Reported Safety Of Sir Jom Franklin's Su...

      REPORTED SAFETY OF SIR JOM FRANKLIN'S SUITS . ( From the Standard ) "We have received , with feelings of the highest pleasure , the following communications from the Admiralty , which wo hasten to lay before our readers : — " Admiralty , Oct . i , 1349 . —The Secretary of the Admiralty presents bis compliments to the Editor of the Standard , and requests tbe prominent insertion of the enclosed notice in this evening ' s paper : — "Admiralty , Oct . 4 , 1349 . —From communications made this day to the Lords of the Admiralty , by the editor of the Kercaiuile and Shipping Gazette , evening newspaper , some hopes are entertained tbat the news brought hy Captain Parker , of the Truelove , arrived at Hull , from Davis ' s Straits , of Sir John Franklin's ships having been seen by the natives as late as March last , beset hy the ice in Prince Regent ' s Inlet , is not without foundation .

      "From the same source reports have been received that Sir James Ross ' s ships are on the south of Prince Regent ' s Inlet , and that the vessels of both expeditions arc safe . " This hope is somewhat strengthened by a telegraphic message to tbe Admiralty since received from the Mayor of Hull , where the Truelovc arrived last night . "

      Latest Foreign Sews. Paeip , Wedxesdat.—...

      LATEST FOREIGN SEWS . Paeip , Wedxesdat . —The National publishes a declaration sisflcd bv Ledm Rollin , Etienne , Arago , Martin Bernard , Laadelph Rattier , Rebcyroflos Madier , Be Mouian , the younger , g iving their reasons ( not being allowed to plead the violation of the Constitution ) for not surrendering to take their trial at Versatile ? . A letter from Bourdeaux states that it had been found necessary to call out the military in tbat city to disperse a tumultuous assembly , who spoke of erecting barricades in imitation of those at Paris . The fourth representation of the Democratic piece , 'Rome , ' has been forbidden by the police authorities , at the suggestion , it is said , of General Chansnrmer .

      Thirty-two Poles received orders on Tuesday to quit Paris ; and one , a native of Posen , had drawn on him the attention of tbe police by his distribution of money to persons suspected of being agents to the secret societies . They have , I am told , already quitted tbe capital . The court-martial of Lyons has just pronounced its sentence on the persons implicated in the riots at Yiennc ( France ) . Out of the sixteen persons < who appeared before it , five have been acquitted , and the remainder were condemned to imprisonment for two years , one year , and eig hteen months . Four were sentenced by default , one to ten years and three to twentv Years' imprisonment .

      The Venetian Refcoees.—The Austrian Vess...

      The Venetian Refcoees . —The Austrian vessel Modernta , with fifty-six refugees from Venice , arrivedat Corfu on the 12 th . On the same dav six vessels more came in laden with tne same unhanpr treiafct of fugitives from the same citr Ther were * ei : t to ihe neighbourhood of the bzzatetuMo undergo a quarantine of twelve days . JIanin , l ' epe , Tomaseo , and sonic others amved by the Tend steamer Pluto , were admitted to fiee pratique on the 13 th . The sis ships above-men-S contains Ilunsarianaud Neapolitan refugees as weii as VvMhut . Only three « r /<> W ° S natives ot Corfu , were allowed to land . In consequence of no hope of such indulgence being hew out to the rest , the vessels took some water and provisions on board , and weig hed anchor for tne mainland of Greece . The Potato Disease is Scotlasd . —We regret to

      learn that the malignant disease , which , « n former yeara attacked the valuable root , has , at length , « nmistakablv made its appearance in Mid-Lothian There-is little to fear , however , of any approach to the csten * ive devastation of recent years ; and in no instance which has yet fallen under our observation does the loss exceed one-fourth of the produce . The ' d seaseis not confined to particular soils or gpeciesof plants—weharescenitin several varieties of both . —; Edinburgh Review .

      Letters To The Working Classes. Lxi. " W...

      LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXI . " Words are things , anda small drop of ink Falling—like dew—upon a thought , produces ^ ? J *^? . 1 makeS thousand ^ perhaps millions , A FEW MORE WORDS FOR THE

      POLITICAL PRISONERS

      TURKEY AND RUSSIA . Brother Proletarians , I must again urge upon you the necessity of losing no time in preparing , adopting , and transmitting memorials to the government for a general amnesty for political offences . The memorial adopted at the Hall of Science—a copy of which appeared in last Saturday ' s " Star "—will give you an idea of the Mud of appeal required . Ifc will be well , however , if some variation is made in the wording of new memorials , taking care that the " prayer " of each and all shall be for the complete remission of the remainder of each prisoner ' s punishment , including "fines , " " sureties to be of good behaviour , " & c , & c .

      On the 12 th of September , an article appeared in the "Dail y Nsws" on the death of poor Williams , which article , owing to my absence from London at that time , has only just come under my notice . The following extract requires comment : — Joseph Wiliiams , the Chartist leader as he is called , expire the other day , in Tothili-fields prison , of cholera , brought on by low diet aud confinement Ernest Jones

      wonld no doubt lose his life in a similar way if he had not wealthier friends . Thus it is , that when a poor man , of no connexion , is convicted of political turbulence , he is condemned to an almost certain death from starvation and ill-usage ; whilst the better * class of ma » , u-ith connexions aWe to support Mm , is allowed to escape . The difference of treatment is atrociously unjust on the part of onr authorities . Nay , it is worse than uujust ; it is in the highest decree impolitic .

      A poor man , uninitiated in any secret political society is carried away by foolish persons to Join a seditious row . He is caught , sentenced , put to hard work and severe punishment , because he is affiliated to no society who will support him in prison . Whilst a better educated man , irho may he a member or a pillar of a treasonable society , is allowed to be supported by this society in prison , and he is excused from picking oakum and its consequences . Is this-wise '

      I'oor Williams was at first supported from without , and in consequence exempted from hard labour . The cholera comes , and carries off his friends or kinsmen . His weekly stipend to the gaoler ceases , he is condemned to criminal and degrading labour . He rebels , is sent to the black-hole , on diet still more scant than prison fare . lie falls a . victim to cholera , His punishment , if a man of wealth , is imprisonment without labour ; if a man without wealth and friends , is imprisonment , hard-labour , aad death . Is this eren-haoded justice ?

      These remarks , so far as poor Williams is concerned , are very creditable to the writer in the Daily News ; but he is altogether in error in supposing that any distinction was made between that martyr and the living sufferer , Eiixest Jones , 'the sentences passed on each wore equally severe—that on WILLIAMS was " Two years' imprisonment on the first count , one week on the second , and to find sureties—the prisoner in 100 / . and two friends

      oQl . each , to keep the peace for three years . " The sentence on Ernest Joxes was " Two years' imprisonment , and to find sureties—the prisoner in 200 ? . and two friends 150 Z . each , to keep the peace for five years . " I believe I am correct in stating that after sentence the two captives were treated with equal severity as regards food , clothing , subjection to the oakum picking or a money payment instead , and all the rest of the pains and penalties inflicted by the prison regulations .

      Whatever wealth y or aristocratic "friends" ' Erxest Jones may have I believe he owes nothing to their sympathy . He Was excused from oakum picking only on the same terms that Williams was excused—the payment of five shillings weekly , and that payment was made neither by his " aristocratic connexions " nor by any "treasonable society . " The latter supposition is a monstrous assumption on the part of the editor of the Daily News . Assuming that journal to be "friendl y" to the political victims , Ernest Jones may exclaim , " Save me from my friends ;' ' for , even in the event of an amnesty , he would hardly be likely to share the general boon , if the government ( on the authority of the Dail y Neivs

      regarded him as the " pillar"' of a "treasonable society , " and as having that society ' s support . For my friend , I emphatically declare the falsehood of the imputation . Ernest Jones is not , and never was , connected with any "treasonable society ; " and , further , my knowledge of the democratic movement authorises me to declare , that , in connexion with . Chartism , no such society ever had existence . They may " manage these things better '—or worse , on the continent ; but Englishmen have no stomachs for such societies ; they have neither the courage to ruu the risks , nor the fidelity to give the support to each other , so romantically imagined by the Editor of the " Daily Ntws . "

      Ernest Jones was not only subjected to tho " regulation "—the enforcement of which cost WiLLiAMSaudSuAKPthoir lives—but , like them , he—previous to the death of the former—more than once " rebelled , " when , on the payments failing , he was ordered to pick oakum . Very recently he was placed in solitary confinement , iu a cell of the smallest dimensions , and kept there on bread and water onl y , for five days . That thus far he has not shared the doom of Williams and Sharp is to he ascribed , not to the leniency of his gaolers , but to his constitution successfully resisting the disease-inducing treatment under which Williams and Sharp .

      succumbed—succumbed to Death , but not to their mortal tyrants . They were true heroes who bravely chose , and remained steadfast to , tho course which

      " mi ght lead to death , But never to retreating . " Cholera las raged more or less in most of the prisons . Some weeks ago no f ewer than two hundred and fifty rases had appeared in Kh'kdalc . On becoming aware of this alarming state of things , Messrs . White , West , and the other Chartist captives confined in that prison , addressed a letter to Sir Geor g e Gre , app rising him of their danger , and soliciting a remission of the remainder of their sentence . Before any answer was received one of their number was attacked by the cholera , and had to betaken to the hospital ; happily he recovered . Eleven days after our friends had sent off their letter , the Governor

      of the Prison received a communication from the Home Secretary , enquiring into the truth of the statement he had received , and the conduct of our friends . A reply was sent , in which the Doctor confirmed the statement as to the danger of the Chartist prisoners , and in which , there is reason for believing , the Governor reported favourably of their conduct . On the 9 th of September , Mr . Wadmngton returned a final answer , to the effect that Sir Geor e Gre saw no reason for interfering . An extraordinary decision , considering that not onl y the Doctor and the Governor , but , I believe , the Chairman of the Visiting Magistrates also , represented to the Home Secretary the desirability of liberating our perse cuted brethren .

      I purposely avoid comment on this case which I have brought before you , Brother Proletarians , to show you the necessity of a national effort in behalf of our proscribed friends . If by your apathetic indifference you impress the Government with the conviction that our unfortunate brothers are uueared for by the masses for whom they laboured , and in whose cause they are suffering , you may depend upon it that they will have to suffer to

      the full extent of the sentences passed upon them . If so , whatever culpability may rest on the Government , it will be as nothing to the sin which will he placed to your account . How will you dare reproach the Government with tyranny or inhumanity , if by your indifference , you give tacit sanction to the treatment under which Williams and Sharp have fallen victims , and which may yet doom the surviving prisoners to alike fate ? Tour

      Letters To The Working Classes. Lxi. " W...

      sense of humanity , your honour , commands you to do your duty , by doing all that is within your power , to obtain the general and immediate liberation of our afflicted brethren . As the middle-class Liberals are just now bidding for popular support , it would be well if they would take some effective measures in behalf of the political prisoners , and thereby give evidence of their sympathy with the working classes . I believe that there has been a sort of unofficial intimation that the Council of the Parliamentary Reform Association designed to take some steps in this matter ; so

      far good , although I apprehend that any representations coming from the council of a body banded to effect an organic reform of our political system , is not likoly to be very graciously received by the party most opposed to such a reform . A better mode of obtaining an amnesty , if such a thing is really desired by the middle-class Liberals , would be for the Liberal corporations to address the Queen f or such a boon . Since the deaths of Williams and Sharp a fine opportunity has been afforded to a number of the northern municipalities to have so acted . A f ew da y s ago

      Queen Victoria returned from the Highlands to the Isle of Wi ght , and , as usual , was pestered on tho road b y the presentation of fulsome and ridiculous addresses , presented by the municipal wiseacres . I presume that the " Reformers" ' are in a majority in the towncouncils of Newcastle , Derby , and Birmingham . Wh y , then , did they not put some common sense and common feeling into their complimentary effusions ? Wh y did they not take advantage of such " ah auspicious

      occasion" to appeal to the Q , oeen , to add strength to " the lovo of her loyal subjects" by extending mercy to all political offenders ? They did not . On the contrary , they stuck to the " good old way ; " filling their empty-headed concoctions with the usual slavering twaddle and disgusting flummery—so disgusting that the Queen , who is a woman of sense , must ( as the Scotch say ) scunner when she hears even the name—to say nothing of the contents —of a " loyal address" from " the Mayor , Aldermen , & c , & c . ' '

      Perhaps I shall be told that an address which would have included a prayer for the remission of the further punishment of the political p risoners , under the circumstances just noted , would not have been according to "etiquette . " Would it have been according to humanity ? Would it have been in accordance with the commandment to "Do unto others as you would be done unto ? " If so , why was so good a work not done ? Will the "Reformers" explain ?

      Whatever the middle class may do , or leave undone , should not , however , aftect the course of those whom I speciall y address . I observe that one of the imprisoned Chartists , writing in a contemporary publication , observes that — " The present state of trade in some districts has produced that stateof torpidity which affects an over-fed animal . " Of course he is speaking of the " good trade'' which has for some time past prevailed in the manufacturing districts . But already the markets are becoming glutted—alread y the evil day of depresseil trade , short time , closed mills , and starvation ,

      is approaching : nay , for some , has already come . "From various quarters , " says the '' Manchester Examiner , " " we hear of man ufacturers and spinners adopting short time , and in some cases closing their mills entirely for the present . Before the end of a fortnight , we shall , in all probability , have to report a considerable diminution of production all over the county , as it is evident , from the tone of shippers , as well as of home-trade buyers , that orders at all adequate to take off the present rate of production of goods aud yarns are not likely to be given out at the rates now

      current , low although these may be when compared with the price of cotton . " A few weeks since- the millocrats were openly violating the Ten Hours' Act , and unblushingl y breaking the law , under the pretext that so heavy and pressing were the demands of the home , and foreign buyers , that ten hours work each day was not sufficient to enable them to keep the supply equal to the demand ; but already the supply exceeds tbe demand , and if "the shadows before " faithfully prefigure " coming events , "

      a terrible winter of privation and suffering may yet be the lot of masses of " Her Majesty ' s happy people ! '' I pray it may be otherwise ; but should the evil time come " wo shall again behold thousands of perishing cpe . ratives emerging into daylight , vowing devotion to democratic principles , and demanding lettders to head them . " Will they find "leaders" to run again the course which Jones , and West , aud Leach , and others have run—mayhap to find the doom of Sharp and Williams ?

      If tho people would be served , let them protect those who devote themselves to the popular cause . Brother Proletarians , bethink you , that , even should the cholera completely subside , the rigours and miseries of the approaching winter will have to be borne with b y the imprisoned patriots , unless you obtain a remission of their punishment . I entreat you to hold meetings , adopt memorials , seek the support of the parliamentary representatives , and take all other possible means for the instant consummation of this work of humanit y , philanthropy , and true fraternity .

      For this week I can but direct your attention to the important news from Turkey . The Turkish Sultan—setting an example which might make Christian Powers blush for their want of humanity—has nobly refused to give up the Hungarian and Polish refugees to the Imperial murderers—Nicholas and Frincis . On this decision being made known to the representatives of Russia and Austria , those worthy agents of the Tsar and Kaiser forthwith broke off "friendly relations " with the Turkish Government , and the special messenger of Nicholas—a ruffian named Radzivil—took his departure from Constantinople , vowing war and vengeance against the Turks , and threatening them with all the horrors of his diabolical master ' s hatred .

      The Turks—nothing daunted—are preparing for war , in the confident belief that they will be aided by " civilised Europe ; '' bat , any way , determined to defend the sacred prin-. cip les of Justice , Humanity , and Hospitality . In all likelihood the question of peace or war is by this time decided on by the Autocrat . A Cabinet Council was held at the Foreignofice on Tuesday , when it may be presumed instructions were agreed upon to forward to Sir Stratford Canning . It remains to be seen what those instructions are ; but one thing I will say , that if British armed support is not tendered to the Sultan by the Government , it must be by the people ; and the people must , if need be , compel the Government to obey tho national will .

      If the Turks are forced to draw the sword in defence of the common rig hts of humanity , Englishmen will indeed stamp themselves a nation of cowards aud traitors , if they do nut rush into the conflict and give their utmost aid , at any cost , to the gallant defenders of the unfortunate Hungarians . Why not at once determine the fortunes of Europe by cutting the throat of the Russian Bear ? It is a job that must be done some day—and the sooner the better . Why wait till the savage has gorged the blood and flesh of more nations , and become strong enough co menace this country with the same doom ? 0 ! for another Peter the Hermit , to preach the new crusade ! I / AMI DH PEHPLE . Oct . 4 1849 .

      A Caiifouxux Advextcrer , Writing To His...

      A Caiifouxux advextcrer , writing to his friends , says that when he first went to the diggings he hadn't a rag on his back , bufc now he IS covered with them ,

      The Political Victims. A Public Meeting ...

      THE POLITICAL VICTIMS . A public meeting convened by the Netting Hill ueiorm Association , was held on Monday evening , October 1 st , at the Prince Albert Tavern , Sotting ™ t Kensington , for the purpose of considering the best means of effecting the liberation of all political victims—two having died in prison from the effects of Cholera . " Mr . Di / . yford was called to the chair , and in a neat speech stated the objects of the meeting , and said that , at the period of * tho trial of those unfortunate men , from the aspect of the continent , alarm prevailed in England , and both juries and l" « gG ! i were consequently prejudiced against Chartists and their principles : hence their convictions and severe sentences . ( Cheers . )

      Air . Benksi proposed tho first resolution , as fol-1 ° ws : ~ . That this meeting is firmly of opinion , that the deaths of Williams and Sharp , the Chartists , were brought on by bread and water , and gruel diet , after their being long submitted to lowering faro and prison discipline , and that such treatment , and Sueh consequences , could never have been antici pated on the passing of sentence upon theni . "_ -iio said if any deatiis , or marfcyrdo ™ . ever called for sympathy , surely it was those of Vi llhams and Sharp . { Hear , hear ) . He felt so strongly on the subject that ho dared not trust himself to give utterance to his sentiments . ( Hear , hear . ) v Mr . T . J . Serle : said , On such occasions , it would be easy to fl y to exciting topicsbut he thought

      , temperance and moderation would best serve the cause ot the men now suffering confinement ; the men were imprisoned , then came pestilence , and death had rosulted-hcnce it was not a question of logic or reason , but rather one of feeling ,- ( hear , hear , ) - and he fancied that a rather under than overstating of facts , would create the greatest impression at the Home office , and best serve their purpose . Oakum picking was a degradation , such a degradation that no authorities-ehould be allowed to inflict it on any men , simply because thev could not pay five shillings a week . Justice was a thing that should he neither bought or sold . ( Cheers ) And as it appeared to him that the authorities acted illegally in sentencing the men to a punishment

      which was not contained in their sentences ; and as other prisoners had had their sentences commuted , and some had been liberated , ho thought government should show that they were not vindictivethat they bore no malice—and remembering that , at the time those men had spoken , almost all classes of men were rejoicing at the success of the Republicans of France , ho ( Mr . Serlo ) hoped the government would at once restore the victims to their families and society . Such conduct would doubtlessly be received by the victims and people generally with gratitude . ( Loud cheers . ) Dr . WKBBsaid . As an humblo member of the medical profession , he must say he thought the surgeon attached to the prison was more to blame than

      the government —( hear , hear)—for had he ( the surgeon ) only said bread and water will weaken the men ' s constitutions , and predispose them to the prevailing epidemic , the punishment would not have been inflicted . ( Hear , hear . ) The resolution was put and carried unanimously . J . Ward , Esq ., moved the following resolution : — " That this meeting fears that a similar predisposition to disease may have been inflicted—Mill may now bo in the course of being inflicted—upon the other prisoners confined for tho same offence , and as such punishment , so terrible , is utterly inappropriate to their case , and , indeed , ought never to be Micted at all , this meeting adopts the memorial to the Secretary of State , now nreoared . in

      the earnest hope that it may lead to their liberation . "—He said , as tho men were incarcerated for a political offence , they ought not to ho treated like felons—( cheers)—the law had been strained , and the government blamed , but he though the middle classes were most blameworthy ; they had been indirectly the cause of what had occurred , by their pompous and willing display as special constables on the 10 th of April . ( Loud shouts of "Hear , hear . " ) Yes , this was the outward sign to the government of their feeling , that Chartism was the battle of " the men of no property , with the men of property ; " unfortunately , the middle classes wore much too fond of aping the aristocracy . Ife ( Mr . Ward ) did not like C'h . -iiti .-iM , —sm-h physical force principles should bo repudiated , and any attempt

      made to wrest property from those who were at least supposed to be its legitimate possessors would be justly punished . Mr . Ward here entered into a statement of his views of the steps to be taken b y the advocates of reform ; and concluded by stating his conviction , that the punishment endured had more than expiated the offence committed , and hence he moved tbat resolution . ( Cheers . ) Captain Heed , U . S ., said : Had these men been in America , they would have been lifted on a chair and estvolled for their patriotism , but here they are sent to a prison and die , declaring that they expire of starvation . ( Sensation . ) Yours is a free country and mine is a Republic . ( Hear , hear . ) In coming to that meeting he had passed Charing-cross , and had been told that the statue on horseback was in

      memory of Charles the First , the father of many royal bastards , whom the people were even at the present day heavily taxed to pay ; such things would not be permitted in his country . And when he found that everything in this country except mud and potatoes were taxed , and that an enormous sum , more than ten times as much as that exacted by other governments , was wrung from their hard earnings to uphold a lascivious royalty and a corrupt aristocracy—and knowing as he did ' that every one year ' s expenditure , if properly applied , would go far to relievo and make happy the whole kingdom , ho did not wonder that men were discontented , and then of course their complaints were seditions , an d they were shut up in prison , and the lamentable result they had now to complain of was the consequence . How long would " Free" England permit such things / to continue ? ( Cheers . )

      Mr . II . Ross , said ; whilst he rejoiced m the sincerity which had prompted the members of the Notting-hill association to convene that meeting , he could hut regret that so much ignorance should prevail as to cause gentlemen so to libel the principles of Chartism , as to make those principles and violence to person and property , one and the same . He could not permit such prejudicial statements to go forth uncontradicted , and defied any one after a perusal of the criminal records to prove that any Chartist had been guilty of crimes against either person or property ? ( Cheers . ) No ; Chartists were men who advocated just princi ples sincerely , and conscn uontly , warmly and energetically . ( Cheers . )

      The late movements for which the present political offenders were now suffering had been mainly instigated by government spies ; and as the governmental authorities had violated the law in giving additional punishment to those men over and above that to which they were sentenced , he thought they should make amends by immediately liberating them . In conclusion , he would advise the gentlemen of the middle class present—as a union of-the middle and working classes was of all things desirable to effect further reforms—to come to a right understanding , and not sneer at working men . and imagine that in past times tho working class were alone to blame , and not to attribute to Chartists or Chartism that

      with which they or it have never had the least connexion namely , a desire to commit violence on either person or property . ( Cheers ) Mr . Stallwood said he agreed with Mr . Ward in depreciating the outward sign exhibited by the middle classes on the memorable tenth of April , and thought it a great piece of ingratitude for those men to take up a cudgel to break the heads of men for merel y asking for their just rights , the men so asking being the producers of all wealth . ( Cheers . ) Ho also must deprecate the idea , of mixing up Chartism and physical violence . Tho Charter contained six great principles , the first of which was Universal Suffrage , or the right of every man to have a voice in making the laws he was called on to

      obey ; hence those principles had nothing to do with either " violence to life or property . " On the tenth of April already alluded to , who was it that committed the outrages on property , not the Chartists , for surely they would not charge twelve English jurymen with perjury , and such a , jury had brought in a verdict of guilty against Stevens the gipsy and his gang , and thoy ( Stevens and gang ) were sentenced to transportation . Chartism was a great and just principle , and the Chartists simply contended for the recognition of the principle . The men undergoing sentence had not been convicted of either " violence to person or property , " but simply for speaking strongly , and this was called

      sedition , which had led to conviction and incarceration—extra punishment , diarrhoea , cholera , and subsequent death of two of them . Of course he did not charge the governor of tho prison , the surgeon , or either the magistrates , or government with murder , he simply stated the facts of the case , and reiterated that Williams and Sharp were ( lend . ( Loud cries of f'hear hear , " and a cry from Captain Reed of " it is murder . " ) Ho had an interview with Mr . Cobden on Saturday last , who was of opinion , "that not only the Chartists , but also the juries and judges were agitated on the occasion , ami hence the long sentences that were passed ; and this was now so generally admitted that the government must fee ' l it , and

      consequently would lend a willing ear , and bo disposed to grant a general amnesty to all such political offenders . " ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Stallwood said , the notes he held in his hand contained similar sentiments from Joseph Hume and Sir Joshua Walmsley , and also expressed the pleasure those gentlemen would hare in aiding , in any way , the procuration of a general amnesty . ( Cheers . ) Ho ( Mr . Stallwood ) moBt heartily concurred in the first resolution that had been adopted , and thanked the Notting-hill Reform . Association for convening that meeting ; but at the same time he could not concur m the last clause of the memorial , it appeared to him to be ambiguous , and he thought if government felt so disposed they mig ht take advantage of it , and do as they did in the case of Henry Vincent ,

      The Political Victims. A Public Meeting ...

      viz ., remove the prisoners to Oakham gaol , in Rutlandshire , as by such means they would tell you they were then removed from further danger of cholera ; and as he believed it was tho intention of those assembled , that the immediate liberation of the political prisoners should be the result of their memorial , he would move that the prayer should embrace that object . ( Loud cheers . ) A Gentleman m the body of the meeting seconded the addition . k / "L GnA 1 RiU ? sni < J i it decidedly was intended that tho memorial should convey tho meaning ns expressed by Mr . Stallwood ; and if tho meeting thought as it at present stood it did not do so , he for one should not have the least objection to a few

      words being added to its prayer , to make it more explicit . ( Cheers . ) Several persons exclaimed , tho last clause is certainly ambiguous—it ought to be made clearer . Mr . Sbble said , as the author of tho memori . il he had been actuated in the drawing of it up with a desire to serve tho prisoners , and hence its peculiar mildness . He thought its meaning was immediate liberation ; bufc , nevertheless , he had no objection to add the following words . — " And which ' can be only effected by their immediate liberation . " ( Cheers . ) Mr . Scrlo then lectured the working classes as to the mode in which they should comport themselves , and receive instruction to fi them for the use of their rights when they obtained them . Mr . Ward concurred with Mr . Serle .

      Mr . Stallwood was happy that his addition -was concurred in , but warmly repelled the insinuations contained in Mr . Serle ' s lecture , and said—if theworking and middle classes wore to work and cooperate cordially together , a different mode than that of Mr . Scvle ' s must he adopted to ensure that union , as the working classes possessed so much spirit , knowledge , anuindependence , to submit to insult . They asked no favour , but simply their rights as men . They feel that those rights would be easier and quicker in their attainment bv a

      union of the two classes—but rather than submit to such . indignity , they would nllow those rights to vCKtaiu in abeyance for another halt century . ( Cheers . ) They were prepared to treat the gentlemen of the middle class with all becoming respect , but they , as men , were determined to be treated with respect , and with such an understanding they would proceed together to the common goal . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Ross also emphatically repelled the lecture of Mr . Serle .

      After a few words from Mr . Ward , the second resolution and memorial , as amended , was unanimously adopted amidst loud cheers . On the motion of Messrs . Ross and Stallwood , a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , for his urbanity and impartiality , and the meeting separated .

      General Amnesty For Political Prisoners....

      GENERAL AMNESTY FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS . A public meeting of the inhabitants was held at the South London Hall , Blackfriars-road , on Wednesday evening , October 3 rd , for the purpose of memorialising her Majesty for the immediate release of the Chartist prisoners . Mr . Edward Mills presided , and having briefly explained tho objects of the meeting , Mr . Clark moved the following resolution : — " That when circumstances render the punishment of political offenders necessary , a broad distinction ought to bo made in their treatment from that of persons convicted of crimes against person and property ; and seeing that in tho case of the political prisoners confined in the House of Correction ,

      Westminster , and such other gaols in these dominions , such distinction has not been made , this meeting is of opinion that the severity of the treatment , and the terms of incarceration which they have endured , has amply satisfied the requirement of the law ; and this meeting emphatically declares itself in favour of tho release of all persons who are at present suffering imprisonment for political offences . " Mr . Clark said , political offenders differed very materially from other offenders , as regards morality ; and this class of offenders were generally men possessed of more than an average share of intelligence , and their liberation would show that the government was not vindictive ; and when the sufferings and privations endured by tho

      wives and families of those victims , and the already long incarceration endured by the men themselves were considered , he thought that all reflecting and humane men would come to the conclusion , that the punishment had move than expiated the offence , ns the evidence adduced at the inquest on Sharp had shown that their treatment had been equal iu severity to that of felons . ( Hear , hear . ) This he deemed a groat injustice , and certainly could not have boon contemplated wlien the sentence was passed ; and , be it remembered , when Henry Hunt , William Cobbctt , Sir John lloblionso , and Sir Francis Burdett were prosecuted and imprisoned for a like

      offence , they were not subjected to the peculiar punishment awarded in the prison to William ? , Sharp , Ernest Jones , and his compatriots . If government did not bear malice against the Chartists , they would incline to the side ^ 3 f mercy , and lend a willing ear to their prayer . It had boon frequently observed that Ireland was not treated with equal justice to England ; but ho thought Ireland had the advantage over Ensland as regarded the treatment of her political offenders ; yet the Irish agitators , generally , were men of fortune and education , and were therefore to bo supposed to know more of tho consequences of their agitation than tho humble Chartists . Well . John Mitchcl ' s sentence is

      commuted to banishment ; and behold how differently was W . S . O'Brien treated while in prison to our Chartist prisoners ! Look , again , at tho late Daniel O'Conncli holding daily levees in his prison , whilst tho English prisoners were not allowed to see their relatives or dearest friends even once in three months , or even to communicate by letter to them . ( Hear , hear . ) The present Prime Minister had been at the head of a political agitation—indeed he owed his present elevation to the agitation of 1832 , and surely he could not p ' . ead the mitigating circumstances adduced in the ease of Cuffiiy and his compatriots—the destitute condition of their wives and families and that of the producing classes generall y . lie thought tiie government would do well to follow the example set by tho President of tho Republic of Franco and grant an amnesty , as

      the only crime those men had committed was that " they loved their country too well . " ( Cheers . ) Mr . W . Nixo . v , in seconding the resolution , said the men had been committed for sedition , and it appeared that sedition meant "bringing tbegoveroing party into contempt , " and really if men spoke truth he did not see how they could fail to bring that party into contempt . ( Hear , hear . ) Men should never hold up their hands but for such measures as they were prepared to carry out—the punishment of the victims was most cruel in prison . FusscU had his bread stopped for merely humming a hymn , and Bezer was punished for singing a portion of the chuich service . ( Shame . ) lie trusted that the resolution would be adopted , and that the present effort would prove successful . ( Cheers . ) The resolution was unanimously adopted . Mr . Baker moved a similar memorial to that

      adopted at tho Hall of Science , and alluded in forcible terms to the vicious principles of the net of parliament that relieved , misdemeanants from oakum picking who could pay five shillings per week , and inflicted the degradation on those who perhaps had more exalted spirits but yet were too poor to pay . ( Cheers . ) This law had been passed in the days of George IV ., when Tom and Jerry larks prevailed . lie contended that this disgraceful statue should be at once erased from tho statue book . He ( Mr . Baker ) had known the victim Williams , for more than ten years , and believed that he never had been guilty of any offence , save the one for which he had been convicted , and in undergoing which sentence he had died . Had the

      five shillings per week been paid nothing would have been said about a few bundles of oakum less having been picked—no , the five shillings per week would have been pocketed and nothing said ; but laws were passed in the prison which never would be allowed to pass out of doors . ( Hear , hear . ) These men had been picked out for prosecution for their honest , devoted , and unbounded love of democracy . ( Loud cheers . } In the whole course oi his existence he had never met with such an example ofundeviating honesty and integrity of purpose as the late Mr . Williams . Why should those prisoners be kept in confinement when not one single reason could be adduced for so doing ? Even Punch , although it had often been witty at the expense of poor Cuffiiy , had raised its voice in favour of their

      liberation . This clearly indicated the merciful feeling abroad in their behalf , and he had much pleasure in moving the adoption of the memorial . ( Cheers . ) Mr . P . M'Grath said , ho was moved by two contending emotions—pain and pleasure—pain that a necessity should exist for such a procedure —and pleasure in doing his duty on behalf of those unfortunate men , and ho thought it impossible that he could have a better ov a stvonrcr case . Mr . Clark had truly said the majesty of tho law had been more than vindicated . ' Two of the men had already fallen martyrs to that system to which they had already hc-en subjected . We do not mec ! toni ght so much to dipl ' urc the loss of those men , as to serve the great object of opening the prison doors of the captives . Wo propose to ask for their unconditional release . Tho wives and families of

      those men are , —from the incarceration of their husbands and fathers—now in the divest distress , and he would impress on every person in tho Hall to place their sympathy in a tangible shape , by subscribing to the Victim Fund , and surely they would find consolation in appeasing tho . hunger of poor starving children . ( Hear . ) One lady in that room had just handed over to him 10 s . 1-sd . she had collected to-day for that purpose , and he hoped her example would be followed , ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Dixon had quoted Baron Rolfe ' s definition of sedition . Another legal authority had so defined sedition as to make it impossible for any

      General Amnesty For Political Prisoners....

      one to speak without being seditious—because if any man mentioned taxation it was sure t » cause discontent . ( Hear , hear . ) Laws had been passed with tho obvious intent of putting down agitation ; but he thought so long as men had cause " for complaint this could never be done , and he was of opinion that agitation was wholesome and necessary—ay , even had they the Charter tomorrow ifc would he necessary—in order to achieve a proper social position . ( CllCCl'S . ) Mr . Homier having made a few brief remark ? , the memorial was unanimonslp adopted . Mr . Stallwood moved "That their chairman

      ( Mr . E , Miles ) and other electors ot Southwark , form a deputation to wait upon Mr . Alderman Humphrey , one of the members for the borough , and request him to forward the memorial to it . ? destination . Mr . Stallwood stated that he had received the following letters , which ho would rend to the meeting : — Eastbourne , Sussex , September 2 . "ih , 1949 . Sin , —Your note of the ' - ' 7 th instant has just reached me . It will give me sincere pleasure to promote the prayer of the memorial , and I shall write to Mr . Cobden tt ,-day that I shall be in town on Tuesday , and shall be read v to accompany him to the Home Office . Mr . Hume is in Norfolk J but I expect to meet him on Wednesday at Norwich . Iam . & c , J . Walmslet .

      103 , Westbourne-tewace , Friday Miming . Sib , —1 have just received your note , on my return to town , and hej ; to say , in reply , that 1 shall be ti » p ; iy to see you here to-morrow or Monday morning , about eleven o ' clock , if convenient to yourself . And am , Sir , & c , Iticn . Coupes . Burnley Hall , Great Yarmouth , 29 th Sept . 18 W . Sib , —Considering , as I do , that an amnesty should be proclaimed by her Alajesty ' s government for piiitical offences at home and abroad , I should willingly tunvard the object of the public meeting ; but I shall not be in London before the 15 th of October , at the soonest . 1 shall , however , hear from Mr . Cobden , and act accordingly .

      I am , ifcc , JosEi'i ! Home . Mr . Mastz , in seconding tho motion said , that tho letters just read showed that all clas .-x-i wertj coming ' round on tho question of the franchise . He could not see what reason could be adduced against the liberation of these men . Other nations had proclaimed amnesties , and he thought . England should not be behind in her work of mercy , Tho men were convicted of sedition , which , like blasphemy , was an indefinable offence . He hoped that government would not be blind to their opportunity ,

      but that it would liberate the political prisoners , and elevate the condition of the labouring classes . By tho agitation and exertion of the working classes , combined with others , the Reform Bill iK > d been obtained , and by the . same means judiciously carried out must the optive bo freed , and their rights obtained , ( Loud cheers . ) The resolution was unanimously adopted , A vote of thanks was given by acclamation to the chairman , who briefly acknowledged the compliment , and the business terminated .

      The Late Chartist Pmsoneus. (From The No...

      THE LATE CHARTIST PMSONEUS . ( From the Nottingham Mercimj of Sept . 21 . ) The death of another of the Chartists in prison opens up some considerations to the public raind , respecting these misguided men , which wo cannot but advert to on the present occasion . The first of these is , the novel practice , as it appears tons , of commuting the sentence against a prisoner whilst in gaol , by the payment of a weeiily sum of money , from his friends or relatives . Five ' shillings a week , it seems , was paid by the poor relatives of Williams and Sharp for their exemption from tho labour and depradation of oakum picking . Now , what was this but transferring a portion of the punishment due to the guilty—if due at all—to their unfortunate and innocent wives and children ; or

      it might be aged parents , or relatives , or tVicnds ? Why , this appears to us as one of the limit monstrous perversions of justice with which wo have over come in contact . How many more of the Chartist prisoners there are whose hapless families are being made to suffer a vicarious punishment for sins not- their own , wo are unable " to conjecture ; but we hope , for the credit of the country , Williams and Sharp are the two only instances . If the crime , of which the prisoners had been gnilty , really deserved that hard labour should be added to confinement—it ought not to have been mitigated for the payment of money out of tho hard earnings of others , already , porilaps , reduced to all but the lowest stage of indigence bv the

      incarceration of a husband , a father , a son , or a brother : and if the offence was not of a nature , justly , to subject the offender to the infliction of hard labour —then , the sentence of imprisonment ought not to have included , to men of high spirit , that mortify ing addition to their punishment . The low and degrading punishment of oakum picking is , as we always understood , reserved in gaol discipline , for the idle—the dissolute- ~ and the vulgar profligate inmates of our prisons and penitentiaries : but it could not be said , that , as a body , the Chartist prisoners were all men of this description . They might be daring—they might ho dangerous—they were , certainly , misguided men—but by no fair application of language could th . w be

      t ! i > s > gnateu other as habitually idle , or profligate men : in our opinion , therefore , the punif-hment of oakum-picking added to the sentence of impi-isonment , was an unnecessary and unjustifiable iiiiliction of the law . Out of China wo should not ! jAvo OXpected that wives , and children , and parents , should be made amenable to tl / e offended laws of the country , for the offences of husbands , and fathers , and sons ; but it seems we were mistaken , So long us tho family or friends of the prisoner Sharp could , by starving or overworking themselves , screw five shillings per week out of their earnings , to pay to the governor of the Westminster House of Correction ( for what object , it does not clearly appear ) , the Chartist prisoner was free from the degradation

      and contamination of the oakum room ; l »>! t when they could no longer furnish the necessar . r i '; mds , the unfortunate man was ordered to perform that work—his spirit rebelled at the degrading employment—when ho was by a decision of magistrates placed in solitary confinement—fed on bread aud water for six days—and eventually killed by the cholera , then known to bo raging within the prison . All this , we say , is bad—shocking bad : a disgrace to the jurisprudence of the country . "Wo have no fear of being accused of undue sympathy with the Chartists—more especially as relates to some nf their past sayings and doings—but we would not have cruelty practised towards any man—we would not have injustice done to the vilest criminal , and more

      especially under the form of the law . But the question now arises , has not enoii ( , ' ! i been done to satisfy justice , and deter from a repetition of their foolish offences , by the punishment which tho Chartist prisoners have already undergone ? and would not a gracious remission of the remaining terms of their imprisonments be productive of more real advantage to the state than a further prolongation of them ? Wo entertain the opinion that such would he the case ; and therefore should be glad to sec such a course adopted by the government . The day of monster meetings , and monster petitions , and such like poiitieal fooleries—the genuine progeny of ill-trained Celtic minds—with attempts to accomplish , by violence , social and political

      improvements among nations possessing even a . shadow of constitutional freedom , is , in our opinion , ; jonc * for ever . The late and passing events , on ihe con- tincnt of Europe , have convinced wo believe , oven i the most moon-struck Chartist , or revolutionist , in i this country , of tho folly of attempting to remove 5 public grievances by a recourse to barricadis . and I pikes , and pistols , or indeed to outrage of any do- - scription . As for the great body of tho Chartists , , themselves , we arc quite certain , from repeated 1 conversations with active-minded , intelligent men a . among them , of all classes , that whilst still iivmly y adhering to the political principles heretofore advo- icated among their body , they are thoroughly . y ashamed of the means by which , in past times , ifc ifc has been sought to give establishment to them m

      among the social and political institutions of the le country . They arc Chartists still—hut no longer er revolutionary demagogues , or tha dupes of ihma- iagogues . lte ' ason and experience have , we believe , re , exerted a most beneficial influence over their minds ; Is ; they are cured of their delusions ; and morn than ian this need not bo desired . Thoy are perfectly justi- stifinblein seeking to spread their principles by reason son and fair argumentation—and nothing further . than ian this , wo now verily believe , would ever bo attemptedted . by the Chartists . The release , therefore , of all per- ; ier- sons connected with the Chartist meetings and dis- dis- ¦ turbancesof 1848 , we entertain the opinion , wouldiuldl be no less a humane than a politic measure on the the j part of the Queen and government , and be haileddledl with satisfaction by the nation generally .

      The Hibeknia.—This Powerful Ship, Which ...

      The Hibeknia . —This powerful ship , which si ruckruck : upon a rock , and had to be sent back from I'titishitishi America for repairs here , went into the Scci . ion .-ilonnll Drv Dock , near Pike-slip , on Monday , nmh-r tbe thej care of Messrs . MTherson and Gray , shipwrightsghtss and caulkers , who have about fifty men at woi k onk oni her stem and keel , which have received so muchnuchti damage that it- will probably be the end of the" thec week before she gets afloat again . Had tic . the thec Uihcrnhi been a very strong-built vessel , she \ v .., uhl " . iulili ! have been wrecked : no ordinav . ship cf-uli ) fvci < 'VCM have got oil ' that rock again , Tho copper h su : ; . pci :- . \) Ci « off in part , and all the heel of tho stem audi thidi thir

      forward part of the keel , and ueadw oou , and heel heell of cants are carried away ; full ei ght feet up thtp th * stem , and about thirty feet aft , of the keel , is deis dcic stroyed . Tho rock , on which she remained liald halil an hour , she must have struck npon with tcrriblcrribhl force . To prevent the water from filling the ship sliitir they promptly built a box and caulked it carcfiiurcfuuli forward near the leak , and thus prevented tbd thh waters from gaining on them all through the shijva ship ] They then put back for Halifax , and in a veia VCKI few days this ti g ht steamer will be just qust :: seaworth y as if there were not a rock on tion tltl whole coast of America . —Ifciv York Jlerald of lty of W | i )| September ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 6, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_06101849/page/5/