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Northern Star (1837-1852), 17th April 1847, Edition 3 of 3, Page 1, ire! tf. irch! march! London and Manches...

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    • ""in -"IB FUSTIAN JACKETS, THE BLISERElEEED HANDS, AND UNSHORN CHINS. I
    • Rational %m\ti Company
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      ""In -"Ib Fustian Jackets, The Blisereleeed Hands, And Unshorn Chins. I

      ""in - "IB FUSTIAN JACKETS , THE _BLISERElEEED HANDS , AND UNSHORN CHINS . I

      Ire! Tf. Irch! March! London And Manches...

      ire ! _tf . irch ! march ! London and Manchester , _b- _*" , ¦ wV _. _' mv lads , _dov't yon march forward in motion , _( . rcl March ! m arch ! Dublin aud Drogheda , 1 tl All the poor Irish are over the _ocea _* i .

      M My Beloyed Friends, 11 ''These Are The...

      M My Beloyed Friends , 11 '' These are the times to try men ' s souls , " I , i I now appeal to every man who lives by - , wL sweat of his own brow and ask them one a , nd all _. individuaUr and collectively , whether , h ey find themselves equal to the _pressing _rk _taergency . One united strugg le and labour ts , He , but another short period of apathy and uhbour is the bondsman of Capital I have tM you many and many a time , that every aWe will have precisely the form of govern-& t to which their own virtues ,. _self-conitfdence , and self-reliance entitle them I AnvAfr « , uentlv pointed out to you the fact

      ¦ _f , at the trades had been made the tools ol _lanital and abettors of misrule by the pliancy , * nd subserviency of their leaders , and no _tenter has more boldl y and incessantl y _"ironed the leaders of that numerous , mighty , and influential class than myself . I have e _toosed the treachery of Democratic leaders , aid have ascribed popular indifference tothe _rwnile ' s uardonable want of confidence in

      tho -e leaders . I have denounced the use nude of Irish credulity and English confidence , and have justified popular apathy upon those Frounds ; and I have watched with no small anxiety and interest the magic change that has taken p lace in the government , direction and management of the popular mind and labour cause . I have witnessed the verification of my prediction , that whatever form of Government we lived under , the struggle for Reform would be evinced in the first instance in the struggle of classes ; that the democracy cf each class would first be compelled to fight its battle against the aristocracy of its own Joss , and that , out of class conquest would come universal victory . I have watched the _™« _faafionflZ strnaale carried on by Duncembe

      jegainst odds which would have cowed and broken the spirits of any * other living man . 1 have seen all party differences merged in dass necessities , but I have never found _Duntombe quailing before their combined energy , or induced to surrender an inch of ground to the _necessities of faction or ministerial expediency . But you _i-toee allowed him to struggle alone . Duncombe ' s position is such , that if he asked the people for a petition on any subject , the _working man who refused to sign it within

      twelve hours should be branded as a willing slave and an enemy to his order ; he has visited the captive in his lonely prison cell , he Jiasheard his wrongs and demanded justice for him he has arraigned _thepetfWwus Minister , theffHiuf judge , and the prejudiced juror ; he has exposed and denounced the sired spy and the perjttrfa ! witness ; he has convicted the cruel jailor _mflunchristian chaplain : he has offered to tumble with jugglers , but has refused tn _smroort Brinciples by professions which

      could not be realized , and which were not intended to be re alized ; he has taken the helm when the Democratic ship was being driven on the shoals by the torrent of class prejudice ; he has taken the command of labour ' s army when the forces were scattered and the service was dangerous . _Kow , 1 hope you understand the drift of this letter ; the object ! have in writing it , is to show you , how , that popular _j-pathy , once so excusable and pardonable , ( because occasioned by the treachery , apathy , and _iunorance of popular leaders ) has now become culpable , injurious , and destructive , when leaders of every class and branch of the movement party are actually and undeniably in

      advance ofthe peop le , and whose exertions nre rendered inoperative , useless , and even ridiculous from the want of popular support . I have shown you the position Duncombe has boldly taken and powerfully maintained against the odds of combined faction and popular apathy , in fact , the positive and negative obstacles against which he has had to contend . I have disposed of the constitutional itruggle being niade for you in the House of Commons , and shall now turn to a consideration of the legal battles that have been fought , and the astounding victories that have been achieved for you in a department which ( save for the purposes ofoppwsaon ) bas been as a sealed book . I mean the legal department . 1

      am a barrister and havehad extensive practice in my profession , and yet I have been astonished and surprised by the triumphs of Mr Roberts , not only in a political sense , but , which is matter of greater importance to powerful capitalists , in a trading sense . What was the power ofthe law in the hands of master justices , before his appearance as Labour ' s legal adviser ? Is there an instance upon record , previous to his undertaking the office of poor inan ' s legal expounder , of a poor man , not worth one penny , fi g hting the battle of legal right against old prejudice and long

      custom and heavy panes ? Do we read of magistrates being consigned to that state of leisure from which they should never have been disturbed until his appearance ? Do we hear of such a thing as the legal construction of the poor man s side of the dispute , till he undertook the herculean task ? Have we heard ofthe battles of Hungry Guts ( they are the tyrant oppressor ' s words ) against heavy purses , till he undertook the management of the unequal forces ? When did fifty-nine political offenders

      fi ght the combined power and talent of Government ' s legal staff , and finally triumph , until headed by bim ? When did Labour receive the legal definition of what constitutes conspiracy , till he , b y per _*> everance—by superhuman perseverance , and great skill—had it expounded b y those judges most celebrated for legal knowledge ? Hi _§ name carries comfort to the immured slave who toils underground , and confidence to the slave who , till now , was compelled to look upon his employers nid as the law ' s command .

      Talk of the inventors of machinery , by whose operation your blood and sweat have been coined into riches for the idle ' - " but of what value is it compared to his development of the powers of that machinery , which his predecessors either were ignorant of or dared not put in force , at least for your protection ? He is the legal Hercules of the age ; and as a battle that he is now fighting has been a main object in causing me to write this letter , I shall return preseutly to that point when I have shown the bearing of my general observations upon the subject .

      I now turn to the consideration of the political question , and shall draw your attention to the character , zeal , and exertions of those with whom I have been united for many years in the management of that department . Of these four men—M'Grath , Wheeler , Clark and Doyle—I will only say , that , in my opinion , taking them fur all and all , four better , more honourable , worth y , honest , and devoted public servants , could not be found of any class in any country . My opinion of their honour and prudence must be indeed great , when , in my absence , I permit them the fullest

      use of my name in all matters brought under their consideration , and I have never had occasion to regret that confidence . Jealous knaves call these men well-paid ; but you and I recollect when we owed them nearly £ 80 , and when , to their honour and oar disgrace , they worked as zealously as if we were honest and pmctual ; and yet , working men , will you believe it of your order—many who were idle * hen they worked , and many upon whose faith we engaged them , are jealous of their

      position , when our improved policy and machinery promises a continuance of office . Always keep the drift of this letter in view . I now turn to another branch—to the working machinery nf theTrades' Movement—and I ask , who can read the speeches of Messrs Peel , Jacobs , Parker , —aud , though last , not least , Robson—as well as of many others , without coming to the conclusion , that in a constitutional , legal , political , social , and managing point ef view , the leaders are far in advance of the people } I admit that past treachery may justif y

      M My Beloyed Friends, 11 ''These Are The...

      jealous confidence ; but , then , to triumph , you must confide and co-operate . In no single department of Labour sstrugg le is a more rapid and pleasing improvement manifest than in that of the National Trades ' Association . Here we see Labour ' s cause rescued from" the midni g ht secrecy so useful to the masters , and advocated in open day ; here we find the responsible officers of the peop le superseding the servile slavish tools of the capitalist ; here we find men of genius , who have worked in chains , struggling to work without fetters , and making common cause with the less eloquent and thoughtful of their

      class . From these sons of toil we read speeches which would do honour to the Senate . I will not create j ealousy b y individualising , but I protest I havebeen charmed with the eloquence and arguments of many of those engaged in propounding the principles of the National Trades ' Association , and yet there are many of their own order who write disparagingly of some of these men to me , in the hope of creating a dissension , by which crotchet-mongers and sectional leaders may make profit . Shame upon such vermin ! they hate all who propound a scheme by which the value of each may be tested , but they must learn and understand , that whoso fights Labour ' s battle honestl y though differently from me , is my friend , and

      Labour ' s friend . I shall now make a few -more \ observations upon the same subject . In 1833 , 1834 , and 1835 , there were about seventy Members of Parliament much in advance of public opinion , and they very naturall y made , popular apath y the excuse for abandoning the p opular cause . Sir Wm . Molesworth , Faithful , Gulley , Cobbett , Sir Samuel Whalley , Whittle Harvey , and scores of others , have often observed tome tbat it was useless contending for the rig hts of men , who were too satisfied , or too indolent , to contend for themselves . Coercion was passed , the Poor Law Amendment Ad was passed , and many other bad laws , without a sing le strugg le from without , while the battle was bravel y fought in the House . Now to the moral " of my tale .

      A great battle has been fought for Labour within the last few days , at Liverpool—you have gained an immense triumph , in the establishment of your legal ri ght to conspire against oppression , and to place sentries upon the oppressor ' s camp j but observe , and let this sink deep mto your souls , —The men through whose daring and courage you have been enabled to secure this exposition of the law , are now hostages in the enemy ' s hands , and their freedom or imprisonment depends upon you . Be heedless and apathetic , each leaving his share of duty to another , and your triumph will be turned to defeat ; but rouse , make the cause your own ,

      spurn your debasing , debauching , * destroying pleasures , until your brothers are free ; and while enjoying momentary senseless gratification , recollect you are drinking the blood of your own martyrs—victims immolated at the tkrineof _labour ' s indifference . I will set you the example : I will not drink of any exciseable drink until Labour ' s victory is comp leted ; and I will keep an exact account of what the saving is , and g ive it all to Labour ' s Redemption Fund . Time presses—the law will not wait . Next week the struggle will be j removed to the Queen ' s Bench , where there is more justice than on the " Shallows '" Bench ; but it must be paid for . Let us see , tben , what a week ' s labour for labour ' s self can

      accomp lish . Remember , working men , 1 have kept vour eyes open upon this subject ; I did not Irish to exhaust it , till the fitting time fur the rush came , as I have always found that exertion is greatest when execution has followed upon the heels of design . If through your apathy the battle is lost , don't blame tne , don ' t bia * ne . the * 5 /( 3 r , 'don't blame the * Labourer ; out blame yourselves , and if it is won , prepare to make the most of it , by joining the National Trades ' Association , and thereby enable your chief and leader to prove to your oppressors that he represents a national mind , and not a . -sectional movement ; and prove to your leaders that tbey stand in no danger , because they have that at their back which secures the lam s definition , instead o the tyrants '

      will-I have now shown yeu that the present move is the struggle of the democracy of each class against the aristocracy ofits order , and when eaeh has come to a perfect understanding upon the question of right , then all will be compelled to acknowledge , that the onl y po ssible means of upholding right is by the enactment of the Peop le ' s Charter ; and above all , bear in mind , you , the aristocracy of trade , tbat we , the poor Chartists , the outcasts , always secured the ablest Counsel to fight our battles in the Queen ' s Bench , and that your Attorney General was our legal defeade r - We have always stood by our order . Your faithful friend , _Feahgi'S O'Connob .

      ¦ R' ¦ / / And National Traded Journal.

      ¦ r' ¦ / / AND NATIONAL _TRADED JOURNAL .

      Vqljuf? 493. " London. Saturday; Apbil U...

      vQLJUf ? 493 . " London . Saturday ; apbil u _iw . B „ _^ _JrTSSir _^

      The Following Is Mr Perrf's Letter, And ...

      THE FOLLOWING IS MR _PERRf'S LETTER , AND MR O'CONNOR'S ANSWER , PROMISED LAST WEEK .

      TO THE DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF THE CHARTIST LAND COMPANY . Mi _Fbibbds , —I am anxious to make you acquainted with the injurious effects occasioned by a departure from , or perversion of , the fundamentals of our system . You will recollect the wish expressed by the Conference of December last , quite in accordance and consistent with the principles of co-operation we

      proteas—that shareholders should take precedence of all others in the employ ofthe Company . I have been a Social Reformer tbe last sixteen years , and , 1 believe , I know what Social Reform means . I know , also , the privileges conferred by the constitution of our union , and I know abuse of those privileges will cause decay , and ultimately , failure . Therefore , it becomes ay duty , aa well as of all who claim the same title , to guard those privileges with a watchful and zealous solicitude .

      I am second to no one in awarding to Mr O Connor full credit for all he has done , and an honest sine _<* rity in what he is still doing , and I do give him my most sincere and heartfelt thanks , and my confidence in him stilt -remains unshaken . But , my friends , let us remember he is human , and liable to err like other men , aud I will not palliate error even in Mr O'Connor , but expose it , that it may be redressed . Now , Mr O'C has committed the most egregious error of preaching union and co-operation , while he is , alt the time , acting on the competitive principle .

      I have lived half a century in the competitive world , and I never saw it carried'to a greater extent ; in tact , it is carried _tosuch an extreme , tbat it is , as to pecuniary matters , the dearest , as I will endeavour tu demonstrate ; asd wherever tbere is a member employed , he is degraded in hi « own eyet , and ill-used . And I do firmly believe Mr O'C . would not , if he could help it , employ a member at all , for some reasons best known to himself . I will now prove to you the competitive principle on which Mr O'C . is acting , ( and which is in opposition to our professions and wishes ) ia the most expensive , principally the building .

      Al re * COKHACT , f EVEN _IHIllIMCI KB rMCHr » . d . Allow stone and mortar , per perch 3 6 Labour do 1 a _Profit-monger's fee for doing nothing ... ... 1 10 7 0 _mrtoTisa _xehihs xt _co-omATiov . , Stone and mortar , per perch 3 6 Labour •¦• ... ••• ••• ••• •¦• ••• * " Superintendent ... ••¦ ... " •*

      5 8 Now here is a clear saving in money of oneshilling and fourpence per percb , or £ i 12 s . per house , containing eWfour perches , to say nothmgof our rStionand _coiaiitency . _wtach _Ithinkianot the _EeSportMt . The extra fourp-mee for _fabour I

      The Following Is Mr Perrf's Letter, And ...

      propose to give under the co-operative mode * woul « give general satisfaction , whereas , the price under the contract is a continual source of discontent , and the occasion of much delay . Another unnecessary item in the building is the cornpo ; all that is wanting is the joints well pointed , -Mid then the whole lime-whited , and a savins of about 50 * . per house would be effected . I have the authority oi Mr Honeychurch , an allottee , and well-sinker from Devon , to state as another instance rif the degradation and insult

      members are subjected to . fie had written five letters on the subject of the wells , not one of which Mr O'Connor had the courtesy to answer , and when he arrived nt Lowbands was consigned to the contractor , Mr Griffiths , who is pocketing about sixteen shillings out of every forty-two , for doing nothing but insult and abuse Mr IL , which amounts to about £ 40 on the fifty wells , and whieh sura might also have been saved to the company , or paid to a member to assist him in bis new vocation , and who is now . under the notable Mr Griffiths , earning about twelve _shillinss per week .

      I would persuade myself , if _posdble , Mr 0 Connor is catting men ' s wages down undesignedly , but the fact staring me in the face , I cannot . Tlie best operative on the works gets but about 15 s . per week , and out of this miserable pittance 25 per cent , must be left in Mr _O'C . ' s hands , to insure the due performance of the work . Why ! because Mr O'C . is certain men cannot doit . As was the case at flerringsgaie , so _isis - A Lowbands . 1 shall bo sorry to have any thin ? I have written

      construed to vindictiveness , my only motive being the honour , stability and success of our glorious plan _, political and social , which , I fear , will be ' endangered by the very inconsistent conduct of Mr O'C . And why , in the name of common sense , should the competitive mode of operation , so expensive to the company , and intuiting and degrading to members , be perseveied in , in preference tethe infinitely more honourable and less expensive mode , merely to indulge an unworthy crotchet of Mr O'C . ' a ?

      My friends , I do hope you will _eee this matter in the light I do . Discu * it in your several localities , and instruct your delegates , next Conference , to abolish this cursed and cruel system _. at least _amengst ourselves , that we be not upbraided and laughed at by the world fer our inconsistency . I am , yours fraternally , _Johjt _Pjbrbt . 18 , Earl-street , Kensington . My Friends , I shall give you the plainest and most satisfactory answer to the above letter . There cannot be a more

      ridiculous object , tban the man who attempts to enforce principles or pervert facts , by the use of frothy words . I never knew a man in my life who could not aseasily write "OUR GLORIOUS PRINCIPLES AND RIGHTEOUS CAUSE , " and "MAY I PERISH IF I EVER DESERT THEM , " as he could write a confession of bis manifold sins and wickednesses , I shall now give you the history of my acquaintance and transactions with Mr Perry . He came to my bouse in London on several occasions to contract for the building of some of the houses bere at Lowbands ; but from several conversations , and more especially from the PRICE be asked , I bad brains

      enough to see , either that he knew nothing whatever about his own trade of building , or he thought I knew nothing about my trade of contracting * I computed for him what a cottage would cost at his estimate for thc mere building , and it came to nearly as much as I can complete one for , and turn the key in it . I told him he would not do . He then asked for work , and I told him that should rest with the contractor , but tbat I would endeavour to procure it for him . _When tbe work wa 3 contracted for , he came to the Land-office , and mentioned his intention of starting for Lowbands ; when I observed , in presence of the Directors , and many strangers , and the

      clerks , " Well , Perry , mind , if you come and are disappointed , you must not blame me ; Mr Cullingham says you will be disappointed , as you are not used to our description of stone , and I will not have a repetition of Herringsgate plastering ; when you get there , you must deal with the contractor , and tbe price is ls-8 _d . a * oercW _' v ., _itO . _^ do what another man can do . " " Very well , it you come , you come under these conditions . " Shortly after he arrived at Lowbands , and I induced Mr Griffiths to let him have two houses , upon the same terms the otber men bad them . I then asked bim when be could go to work . He replied , " Well , not

      immediately , as I went to have A GLASS OF GIN at Swindon , and the train started and took my tools to Bristol . " He went to work , and , wanting bands , the contractor could have no possible motive in finding fault with his work ; however , upon the second day he came to me , and said , " Sir , I shall he obliged to take all that London man ' s work down ; and I can t afford the loss . " I replied , " If you can't , I won't , so if he cannot work , you must not keep him . " The overseer then carae and said , " Why , sir , as I told you , Perry don ' t understand the work ; he must take down every morsel ofthe PLINTH COURSE , it is not straight on the face or level . " I said , " Well , well , for God ' s sake let him try and mend it , as I like the man and be came a long distance , and may

      mend . " It is my custom to inspect tbe buildings every day , and upon one occasion I made a party pull down and rebuild a large portion ofa house thst was not properly bound ; another party I compelled to take down their arches and put up new ones . The next morning , as I was on my tour of inspection , the contractor ' s foreman , who works hard and well himself , carae to inspect Perry ' s work , and wlwn he plumbed it in MY PRESENCE , in less than 15 inches the work was more tban an inch out of plumb ; so that in 10 feet we should have had the top course overhanging the bottom course by about a foot . " You must take all this down , " said the foreman . " Ah ! you nasty fellow , " replied Perry , " new I shall hate you for ever ; you came just because Mr O'Connor was here . "

      He was not turned off , he gave the work up , and Mr Griffiths gave his comrade work till Saturday , but tben discharged him , as be could not work . This was about 7 o ' clock in tbe morning . At breakfast time Perry came to me , and said he bad not enough to take him home , and asked me to lend him 7 s I said "No , Perry , hut I'LL GIVE you 7 s . ; and I assure you I am extremely sorry you can ' t get on . " I shall feel for ever grateful to you , sir , but I can 't agree with Mr Griffiths , " and we parted . 1 shall now reply to Mr Perry ' s fi gures , by which he seeks to prove tbat I always act on the competitive principle . The following is the correct statement of my contract , and of tbe expense of materials , of which Mr Perry is wholly ignorant .

      EXPENSE OF ONE PERCH OF WORK , ¦ d . Stones at quarry ... ... 1 6 _Oarriags of stones , which I EARN 1 6 Line and sand , which I DRAW 1 0 Haion ' _s work ... ... 18 Leu ob stone ... ... 0 'i Cott of perch of work 5 10 Now , what I g ive per perch is not 7 s . but a mere trifle over 6 s . 1 made the contract for 7 s , but by tbat contract the face and sides were to be # of

      chisjelled stones and the corners aU jointed , and cut quoins and cut arches ; however , I soon discovered that the operation would be very slow , and I reduced the contract to little more than 6 s ., and determined upon putting Roman cement on fronts and ends and chimneys , and wbich , besides enabling us to build six houses for one , will not cost ONE SHILLING a honse more tban if they had been finished according to the terms of the original contract , while they will all have a beautiful and uniform appearance . 2 must here state , that I save more than fid . a perch by having webs dug for water to make

      The Following Is Mr Perrf's Letter, And ...

      mortar at each jronse ; sometimes it cost me £ 4 18 s . a week for drawing water at Herringsgate , and I must also state , injustice to Mr Griffiths , that there is not in Worcestershire a man who more thoroughl y understands his business . I have g iven you a good reason for having the wells sunk by Mr Griffith * j it is because he has no allowance for drawing water for mortar ; but I will give you yet a better reason . I announced that I would receive _proposal for

      sinking wells , and had many offers-one from a SHAREHOLDER to sink them for . SIX AND SIXPENCE a yard , I FINDING STONES to •¦' all thera up . Mr Griffiths' proposal was 2 s . a yard under the lowest , and that from his quarry the STONES SHOULD COME . I should state tbat Mr . Griffiths is himself a working man * and every one of bis sons are engaged in the building , and I never met with better workmen or more decent men

      in my life . I should also state that Mr Griffiths has bought an immense quantity of stones from a neig hbouring quarry at 2 s . a perch , and we drained the three quarries in building . I get 2 s . 6 d . a square yard for drawing sand , Is . fid . a square yard for drawing stones , 4 d . a load for drawing lime I can earn 9 s . a day drawing stones with each horse , 7 s . 6 d _.. _drewimmnd , and 8 s . 4 d . drawing lime ; so that I-think I am part profitraonger with Mr Griffiths .

      Now , a word or two about Mr Honeychurch and the wells . Mr Perry says he sent me five letters ahout them ; HE DID NOT , and if he had , the probability is , that I should not have replied to them , and certainly weuld not contract with a man in Devonshire , without any proposal whatever , and I as certainly would not delay the work _for-his inspection ; but the fact is , I knew nothing whatever of the man till he came here , and then he told me he was sorry he Jiad NOT KNOWN THAT WELLS WERE TO BE SUNK . I found him a very respectable man when he did arrive , and treated him accordingly . Now , it is natural to suppose that Mr Griffiths would have a partiality for his own nei g hbours , and yet , at my request , he gave

      Mr Honeychurch twenty vreUa to sink at 2 s . 9 d , a yard ; Mr Griffiths getting -Is . for sinking , finding and drawing stones to wall them up . And now , as to his not heing able to earn more than 12 s . a week . A man named George Wright has taken the other twenty at the same price as Mr Honeychurch , aud , men don't often exaggerate their own earnings , especially to an employer . I went to him thi 3 morning , and asked him what he could earn ; he said , from nineteen shillings to a guinea . I replied , " How ? Honeychurch says he can only earn 12 s . " " No more could I , " he rejoined , " if I came to work at nine o ' clock ; but , " he continued , "if he ' s tired ofthe job I'll BUY it OFF HIM , 88 I can make it do . "

      Now , for the 25 per cent , slopped . That was my agreement , and in all contracts SHL L BE MY AGREEMENT ; but , when I found the work progressing to my satisfaction , I did not enforce it , as Mr Griffiths being a working man sbould subject the masons to tbe same rule ; and here a word ahout the competitive system : a week ago one of the masons came to complain that they could no manage with the deduction of 25 per cent , as they had two houses going on together . ' Well , " said I , " I will not stop the 25 per cent , as the work is going on well , '' and on the following morning they

      were paid up . The man who complained was , of course , against the COMPETITIVE SYSTEM , and was a great supporter of our glorious cause ; however , he had scarcely left me , when a lad _aboat eighteen years of age came up , and said " Sir , ! wish you would make —— pay me . be engaged me for 7 s . a week , and I have worked three weeks , and now he says he'll only give me 4 s . a ] week . " Now a word about the poor operatives , not one of whom earn more than 15 s . a week . Not a carpenter on

      the estate earns less than 35 s . a week , and they richly deserve it ; the labourers working task-work earn over one pound a week each ; a well-digger earns a pound ; the head carter earns 16 s ., and the seven others 14 s . a week each , the sawyers bave averaged dGl 12 s . 6 d . each for five days in the week , and I never had a complaint from any man but Mr Perry , and I think those wbo know him will give hira the character of never being satisfied with any man in the world but himself .

      So much ' for his letter , and now for a few trifles . I paid a London gentleman £ 1 15 s . 3 d . for putting ebininey-piecer , in three-roomed houses at Herringsgate , and here the PROFIT-MONGER , Mr Griffiths , puts them up for £ 1 the three , and in point of beauty , value , and appearance , they are not to be compared . In fact , those here are most beautiful . Now , Mr Perry , just a word to you . You have heen an idle , quarrelsome fellow all your life , and if you write till you are black in the face you won ' t drive me for my purpose , and if all the shareholders in the company were to pass a _resolution that none hut members should be employed , ! would

      NOT EMPLOY A MEMBER who was not able to give me twenty shillings of work for a pound , and I'll fell you more , that neither you , nor your Kensington friends , who are disappointed in not getting the job , shall ever MAKE THE LAND FUND A REFUGE FOR THE IDLE . But just hear another word : I believe every man working upon the estate IS A MEMBER , and some bave deposited LARGELY IN THE BANK , which tbey would not have done , but for the confidence I have inspired by setting fellows like you at defiance , and , what is stronger stil ) , the major portion o those working here worked at Herringsgate , and I refer

      THE MEMBERS TO THEM FOR MY CHA . RACTER . No struggling hand-loom weaver shall pay interest during his life for my easiness or folly . I have promised them the retail thing at the WHOLESALE PRICE , and it shall not be burthened with WHOLESALE PLUNDER . My balance sheet for this quarter is like that for the last , no charge for my travelling or other expenses , no sundries , and all the MONEY SAFE _; and 1 will not work for nothing that idlers may live upon my labour , nor shall all your "GLORIOUS PRINCIPLES , "AND " YOURS FRATERNALLY , "

      INTIMIDATE ME . My friends , if I had not contracted for all the work I could not complete it by day work for more than five times the amount . I don ' t care how much a man earns at task work ; the more he earns the more pleased I am . In fact you know that that is the very principle for which I am contending . I now give you an exact return ] of the PROFITMONGER'S profit on tbe first twenty wells sunk , as well as a return oi tha cost price to bim for three perches of work :-

      _—Pricti of Three Perches of Sion * Work st _r-owbaath . 1 ton of Uit ( ton * for quoins and arches ... 0 2 $ 1 ton of stone from _Beale Coopers 0 2 0 1 ton of ditto from Herberts ... 0 16 Hauling 3 tou * at la . 6 tl 0 4 6 3 barrels of lime , and _hanUag , at lOd . ... ... 0 3 6 Sand and hauling , quarter of a ton ,.. ... „ . 0 8 9 Maious ' work at 20 d . per perch 0 5 0 Porthrto perches ... 3 ) 0 18 9 Cain pritt per _pweb ... 0 6 a

      The Following Is Mr Perrf's Letter, And ...

      _AVBBAOE _WtlCf or _SIf-KWO WZI _. 18 .. The first 20 wells , 6 yards each , average 4 » .. „ . 21 t 0 Expended in labour , 120 yards at 2 _» . W 16 10 0 2 tons of stone to _eteen each well COO 3 wells steened from the bottom , ' 9 tons of 3 ton * extra , 3 s 17 0 23 11 0 Profit for the contractor on 20 wells ... 0 3 0 I now require an answer from the members to tbis question : —

      Am I tc * manage ibe working department of the Land Company , or am I to be subjected to the constant attacks of parties who hope to turn the funds into _» fund for the comfortable support of ENTHUSIASTIC INFERNAL IDLERS ? I had nearly omitted to state one fact with reference to Mr Perry ' s love of our "GLORIOUS PRINCIPLES . " I told Mr Griffiths that , in all _casjs , I would prefer a Chartist being employed to persons of any other political faitb . Mr Griffiths asked Perry if he WAS A CHARTIST , and his answer was , " NOT I INDEED . " I am , my Friends , Your faithful and watchful Bailiff , Feargus O'Connor .

      P . S . —Now , Mr Perry , if you want any more of it you roust go to the REFUGE FOR THE DESTITUTE , Lloyd ' s , or the _Manchetter Examiner , but not another word from you shall occupy space in the Star . You have had your SPIT , and I have bad my say ; and as to your confidence in me ,, and your blarney , I would much rather be without it . "The censure of slaves is praise ; '' and for your further satisfaction , it is my intention to take Mr Griffiths with me , wherever I may be engaged in building , so entirely satisfied am I with his work . F . O'C .

      Ar00113

      Rational %M\Ti Company

      _Rational % m \ ti _Company

      Citbpstow.—On Friday A Meeting Waa Held ...

      CitBPSTow . —On Friday a meeting waa held at the Greyhound Inn , Chepstow , for the purpose of hearing a lecture delivered by Mr T . Clark , of tho National Land Company . Handbills having been freely circulated , at the time appointed ( seven o ' clock ) the room was crowded by persons anxious to havo an explanation of the Land Plan . Mr Charles Walters ( who was condemned with the brave patriot , Mr John Frost , and who suffered four years and six months' imprisonment in the Millbank Penitentiary ) was called to the chair . Having briefly stated the objects ofthe meeting , be introduced Mr Clark , who , in a forcible and lucid manner explained the objects of the company , and the benefits to be derived therefrom . The lecturer gave great satisfaction . Atthe close of the lecture ( which lasted nearly two hours ) the following resolution was proposed by Mr 11 , Luff , and seconded by Mr James Tamplin _, and carried

      unanimously—That it in the opinion of this meeting that the plnn _, as now propunded by Mr T . Clark , of tho National Land Company , I ** not only deserving ofthe approbation but also the support of all persons who are friends ot the working classes , and this meeting pledges itself to do all in its power to further the objects of the Company . A vote of thanks having * been given to Mr Clark for his very able lecture , and the same compliment having been paid the chairman , the meeting separated . Several new membeis joined on Monday evening .

      _Choidon . —On Monday evenm _;; a discussion was held at Lovediy ' _s Temperance Hotel , Surrey-street , on the question— " Should the Land be held as prU vate or common Property ? " Mr _Mccarty having been called to the chair , the debate waa opened by Mr _Frost . He contended that political equality could not produce social equality . While the land remained private property , the possession of the suffrage would prevent some men from becoming poor and others rioh . If the land of this country was equally divided among the existing population it would give twelve acres to ( each family ; then the six suns of one maa would inherit only two acres each , while the only son ofhis _neighbour would have twelve acres . Mr F . then quoted several _passages from the New

      Te & tament , proving the assertion of Prudhorn , that " Christianity is Communism , " and that community of goods was practised araon _*; the early Christians for nearly 300 years . ' He held the principle , that , as no man ever had , or could , creato a single atom of matter , he had no right to claim anything as his own exclusive property . Mr Beare replied , that he was not prepared to advocate an exclusive right of po _& ession . Ue thought that the land should be national property , to be cultivated individually , not as private property , but as a trust . At the demise of the cultivator bis land should revert to the nation , and thus the evils of heritage would be prevented _, lie thought the people were prepared for this step , but not tor Communism . Ha thought that

      individual possession and private dwellings would give more satisfaction to tlio present generation af working men than the system advocated by Mr Frost . Mr Frost said , his opponent had not attempted to controvert his argument , and though the plan he had proposed was decidedly in advance of the present state of things , he could only look upon it aa a _transittonary measure . The evils of private possession were innumerable ; inequality of property was a greater evil than political inequality . While private property existed there would be a constant clashing of interests : the doctor had an interest in the ill-health of his neighbours ; the lawyer in the contentions of his clients ; the parson in the

      ignorance of his congregation . Communism would reconcile these _jarring interests , and equalise rights and duties , by the institution of common suffrage , common labour , and common property . The debate was adjourned till Monday , April 26 th . Dawios . _—Aapecialgeneral meeting of theDalston branch of the National Land Company was held on Sunday , April 4 th , for tlie purpose of considering the question of members disposing of their allotment . Mr Wm . Ridley was called to tbe chair , and opened the business of the meeting by observing that lie did not so much objeet to membera selling their shares , providing that the purchaser could purchase the allotment out and out .

      Mr T . _Sowsnur then rose and said : The subject upon which wc have met to express our opinions , and to give a decision , is a subject of vital importance . It is not only important to those who have drawn priz _<* a at the late ballots , but also to the membera of the National Land Company in general . The selling of allotments I hold to be unjust in principle , nnsound in policy , and a violation of the principle ou which the National Land Company was established . When Mr O'Connor first propounded the Land plan , did he intendth . it it should be made a system of speculation : No ; his aim was to make the working classes independent of their tyrannical masters , by placing them on the soil of their native land , and showing them the difference between free labour and

      slave labour . ( Hear , hear . ) Tbe plan proposes to make us happy , comfortable , and independent . Now does anyone suppose that _bydisposingofhisallotment . that he can have those blessings conferred upon him ? It is utterly impossible . I bold it to be unjust on the p art of those who have , and may dispose of their allotments , for filthy lucre , to persons who may be in good circumstances , and perhaps altogether opposed to the principles of Chartism and the Land , except so far as they have secured for themselves _^ a place of retirement , purchased by the oo-operation of tbe pounds , shillings , and p ence ef _nine-tenths of the Chartist body . I don ' t mean to say that Messrs Wheeler , Knight , and Gamble are opposed to the Charter and the Land ; on the contrary , I am aware

      that they are in favour of both ; but then" this does not justify their right to act as speculators , although there is no rule to suppress it . These men are in comparativelv good circumstances , and consequently would have had no difficulty in waiting until they were fortunate enough to obtain their own prizes . But although these men are decidedly in favour of the Charter and the Land , we are not to suppose that speculation will be confined to sucb men . ( Hear , hear . ) If it ia allowed to go on , every estate will be pestered with locusts , who ave too proud to work , and whose sole object will be to create confusion , division and dissention among their more industrious

      neighbours , with the hnal objectof destroying the National Land Company altogether . Millions of money have been spent in speculation to upholds bad system , and millions may be spent to destroy a good fyatera . But I hope and trust that , at tho next Conference , the 18 th . rule will be enforced aa it stood previous to tho Conference of December , 1846 ; and I hope and trust that those who bave drawn prizes , and have not disposed ofthem , will retain them for their own advantage ; and if I could persuade myself that those who have disposed of their allotments , did so for no ther purpose than that of receiving filthy lucre , I would unheuutingly declare that ther don't _deum

      Citbpstow.—On Friday A Meeting Waa Held ...

      liberty . The Chairrifan has observed , that he does not object to the selling' of allotments , providine that the purchaser can purchase ifc out and out . Now I contend that any member who has drawn a prize , nnd declines to take it up , that the person * whose number _, is nearest the person who declines , has an undoubted right to the allotment . Mr T . Sowerby then concluded . Other members having spoken upon the subject , the following resolutions were agreed to : — Moved by T . Sowerby , and aecouded by P . Johnston—That it is the opinion of this meeting , that the _syjtera of members selling their allotments it unjust ; thia meet ' _nsc it , therefore , of opinion that the 18 tb rule shonld be again enforced to suppress n system that otherwise will prove- dangerous to tbe society .

      Moved by W . Ridley , and seconded by P . Johnston—That the secretary be requested to send a report of tha meettn « to the Star for insertion , in order that tha various branches of tha National land Company may spent * out upon the subject ; and tbat the Editor be re quested to insert it . Moved by T . Sowerby , seconded by W . Reid—That this meeting do strongly recommend the meeting of Conference at _towbandii _, on tho 1 st of July . At th « conclusion , a vote of thanks was given to _thff-Board of Directors .

      risaBUBT . —Ata meeting of t \ _e Finsbury branch . » T _' esolTed — " That weekly deposits for the Land Bank be n _»« v commenced , and that every me ana in our power be used to carry the above object into _emct . " Several personapaid in three lirst instalments—tho smallest sura received will be three * pence per week . IlnDLBY . — Tho shareholders _litwe appointed _*¦> > scrutineer , auditors , and other officers , They approve of ihe Conference meeting at L > _wbands , in July next . The committee will , in future , meet at J . _Bo-rden ' s , from two to five o ' clock every Sunday , to receive subscriptions and enrol new members . _Perssns can have prospectuses or rules of tha National Land Company by applying to Joseph Bowden , Dodhurst-brow , Sandy-lane . Hindley .

      MKRnurR _Trovttu— Mr Thomas Clawrk , _wieof tin directors of the Land Company , attended here ob Wednesday evening last , and addressed a numerous and attentive audience , explaining the objects and benefits of the Land Company . The address waa most enthusiastically received , and will no doubt have produced a good effect . _Nbwpobt . —On Thursday ovenine a publio meetingwas held in _tBtaftdiJ Fellows' _ _& Old _BusWInn , Commercial . _strlftijto'hear _thtf-principles and objects of the Natior _* _pLand Company expounded by Mr T . Clark , of gjffldon . Mr Williams was called to the chair , and a & er briefly addressing the meeting , called on Mr CJajrk , who was received with great applause . His very able address lasted nearly two hours , confirming the wavering , and conWnoing all present that they must look to the land for serial redemption . A vote of thanks having been given to

      the lecturer and chairman , the meeting dispersed , many declaring they would immediately join the Land _Comnany . _Pomwis . —A few friends of the Hanley Branch _aisembledat Mr J . Yeates _' , Temperance Hotel , on Friday evening , April Oth , for the purpose of regaling themselves with a good , hearty , and substantial supper , which was served up in excellent style by Mrs Yeates . Mr Wm . Maitland waa called tothe chair , who congratulated his friends on the present meeting , and introduced Mr Joseph Stubbs , who proposed the _following toast : — " The People , the LcgitU mate Source of all Power , " which was cheerfully responded to with a bumper of cold water and good lemonade . Mr II . Foster then gave , " F . _O'Connot

      and the directors of the National Land Company . " Mr J . Yeates , on being called , _aaid _, he bad great pleasure in proposing " The People ' s Charter : may it speedily become the Law of the Land !" ( Applause . ) Mr E . Humphries was then called , who proposed "Duncombe , and the National Tradea * Association . " Mr James Oldham then proposed " The Northern Star , and tho Democratic Press . " Mr Kenyon then gave " Prosperity to the persecuted lovers of Liberty . " Mr J . Bcrington then proposed " Mr J . II . Evans , and the American _Aurarian Reformers . " ( _Applause . ) Song , "Exile ef Erin , " by the Chairman . * ' O'Connorville , tho People ' s first Estate . " Sons , by Mr John Morefon , " Spread the Charter . " Votes of thanks were then

      given to the cbairnia _* i an-1 others for their services . The supper was good and the speaking excellent . Preston—At a special meeting at Mr Hod ' s Tern-Se ance Hotel , _Lune-street , on Monday evening , Ir Wm . Nollard in the chair , it was unanimously agreed , — "That this meeting approves of Mr O'Connor ' s suggest on for holding a conference in July noxt , at Low bands . " SALFonn—The monthly meeting was held last Sunday , Mr Richard _Catterail in the chair , when the following resolution was passed unanimously ;—That thit meeting recommend the Directors of the hand Company to issue sheet ) containing the names and nuraVer of thoso shareholders who are _eligible to the ballot , al « o tbe number of their certificates to be taken

      while the ballot n going on , _aul tint the localities pay for them when _recnived . Sheweld . —On Sunday last Mr Briggs delivered an address in the Democratic Temperance Rwm , 33 , Queen-street , on the subject of the National Land and Labour Bank , ai established by the directors of the Land Company . On the motion of Mr Iligain * bottom , seconded by Mr M'Kenz ' e , the following resolution was unanimously passed : — " That , after hearing the able address of Mr _Brings , we are of opinion that the National Land and Labour Bank , as established by the directors of the Land Company , is the only means whereby the working classes can redeem themselves frem slavery and oppression ; and further , that this meeting pledges itself to further the objects of the said Bank , believing tbat the land is the best security that can be given . " Thanhs having been given to the lecturer and chairman , the meeting dissolved _.

      _Towsn Hamlets . —Globe and Friends , Morganstreet , Commercial road East . —On Sunday evening last a respectable meeting assembled to hear a lecture from Mr C . Harrison , John Shaw in the chair . The chairman read a very able article from the Star , and endeavoured to impres * - on the minds of all present the necessity of immediately rendering erery support in their power to strengthen Mr Duncombe in hui forthcoming motion for a Repeal of tbe Ratepaying Clauses of the Reform Bill . The worthy lecturer then carae forward and addressed the company for

      upwards of an hour , ina speech replete with much valuable information , consisting of statistical facta and figures , drawn from his own personal experience on the Land , showing the immense superiority of spade culture over that of the plough , extolled very much the Land Company ' s Plan , and the exertions of Mr O'Connor , and confidently predicted that the introduction ofthe Land Society would prove one of the greatest blessings ever conferred on the people of this country . His lecture was listened to throughout with great attention , and , at the conclusion , he received the unanimous thanks of all present .

      Messrs Whittall , Knowles , and Shaw also addressed the meeting , and hoped that tho metropolitan committee would have the aupport of every ChnrtL-t in London on the occasion of their forthcoming benefit , at the Royal Pavilion Theatre , Whitechapel-road , on Wednesday , April 23 th . Working men , to your duty ! Worsbro' Common . —A public meeting was held on Sunday evening last , at the house of Mr Henry Switt , when the followingreaolution was unanimously carried : —

      That a tea party and illumination take place on Handay , ft * 3 rd day of Hay neit , In celebration of tha allottens taking possession of tbe people ' s first estate , "O'Connorville . "

      Furthcoming Meetings. Iiudrbnspikid Dwth...

      FURTHCOMING MEETINGS . _IIuDRBnspiKiD Dwthict . —The secretary and treasurer of this district sit every second and last Tuesday iii the month , to enrol members and receive contributions for the & d & _'jatw'fi'j . t _lbtew * 'temperance Hotel , from eight to nine o ' clock in tho evening . Those members of thc lst and 2 nd section who have not paid their directors' levy , are requested to do so witbout delay . Members of tbe Alniondbury district are also informed tbat the Huddersfield secretary is appointed to transact all the business of that district . South London Hill . —A public meeting of the Lambeth district of the National Land Company will be held in the above Hall , on Sunday evening next , at half . past six o ' clock , to take into consideration tbe Wth rule , and on other general business connected with the Company .

      Towbb _Hamlms . —Mr _Ha-Vison will lecture on tho six points of the People ' s Charter , at the Globe and Friends , Morgan-street , _Commereialroad , on Sunday evening next , at half-past _sevea o ' clock . The local election committee meeton Tuesday , April 27 th , at eight o ' clock , at the above house , when it ia pected that every member will be present . Towbk Hamuts . —A general meeting of tbe Whittington and Cat branch of the Land Company will be held on Sunday evening at seven o ' clock . Mr C . Doyle will lecture at eight o ' clock precisely .

      Dbstmicho* - Or Thk D«Ooh*Da Sibambb Gra...

      Dbstmicho _* - or thk D _« ooh * da _Sibambb Grana Uilk . —Loss op _FoBir Livks . — Liverpool , Thursday . —We deeply regret to announce that tne Royal Albert , at thia port , this morning , from Dublin , reports the destruction of the _Reamer Grana _Ltle , plying between tbis port and Drogheda , by fire , on Wednesday morniDg .-The Grana Uile left this port on Tuesday night at 9 r . M ., with about eighty souls on board , and had not proceeded more than a third of her voyage when she was discovered to be on fire ; and so rapid were the flames that she was burnt ta the water ' s edge , _aiuUsank before six a . m . Abcjttt forty lives were saved by a fishing boat , which fortunately rame to their assistance , and nearly as many more were lost , inoluding her commander _. Captain liowdea , who has left a wife and four children . We expect to teceiv' * further _partwilan this _, evening .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 17, 1847, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_17041847/page/1/