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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th November 1848, Edition 3 of 3, Page 2

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  • Departments (2)
    • ^tedbrrSSS^^ on
    • Sleep.—The poet Young gays, « Sleep is great Nature'
  • Adverts (6)
  • Text (6)
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      Te Thd By ! Onlspoke What Tho* Who Found...

      _" "' ' ¦' ' ' / T 1 _J £ E NORTHERN STAR . _ ' _Wcvjmser 18 , 1848 . _O ________ ____ tmm _^_ __ _ _ ___ __ __ _ mm _^ _^ im _^^ ¦ ¦• - ~ _""^ _S _^ ---- ---m—mmm m _^ - _——* - ~ r ~ a- ~—~ * - _* - _~~ _' _^— _~~^ _~^^^^~ _^~~ ——— — I

      ^Tedbrrsss^^ On

      _^ _tedbrrSSS _^^ on

      Ad00207

      _f _cfetfHn-ENT FRIEND ; « . i « OTk on the _exnimstiott and physical Away of ___?^^ oi * ced by excessive indulgence , _tte _*» a-, _e-1 batys _Hf _% ' _^ kou , or the abuse of mercury , _withobser-* _" _£% ? _£ _^ married state and the disqualifications _SSdr _nrerrat it ; illustrated by _twenty-eix coloured _en-!?^ 5 _«!^ nd bj tie detail of eases . BjR . endL . § _£ r _^ T anaCo _.. M , Berners-street , _Oxford-Btreet , _LondoT Pnblishedby _theauthors , and sold by St _« oge . 2 l , __ _% __ 0 \ ter . row ; _Hanney 63 , and Sanger , _lSOyOsfora-Se _^ Sto le , 28 , _Tichbome-street , _Havmart * t ; and _Cordon . H 6 . teadenhaU-street , London ; J . nnd . K . _-Sfiuneland Co ., _Li-ithwali , Edinburgh ; D . _CempbeU , _Arall-street _, Glasgow ; 3 . Priestly , l _^ _rd-streetj and i . fSl _Omrcb-street , Liverpool ; R . H . & _- * rain , _Marketplace , Manchester . Parttke First

      Ad00210

      THE BEST APERIENT AND ANTIBILIOUS Medicine for General Use is Frampton's Pill of Hea'th , which _tfiictnolly relieves the stomach and bowels by gentle relaxation , _without griping er prostration of strength . They remove head-ache , sickness , dizziness , pains in the chest , & c , are highly grateful to tbe stomach , promote digestion , create appetite , relieve languor snd depression of spirits ; while to those of a fall habit snd free livers , who are continually suffering from drow . _SiDKS , heaviness , and Singing ill tie head and ears , they offer advantages tbat will nottail to be appreciated . This medicine has for many years received tbe approval ef the most respectable classes of soeiety ; and in confirmation ofits efficacy , the following letter has been _kitdly forwarded to Mr Prout , with permission to publish it , aad if requisite , to refer any respectable person to its author : — To Mr Prout , 229 , Strand , Lendon . _« Heavitroe , Exeter , April 24 , 1844 .

      Ad00212

      FAJIED THROUGHOUT THE GLOBE , HOLLOW AY'S PILLS . A CASE OF DROPSY . Extract of a Letter from Mr William Gardner , of Hanging Haughton , Northamptonshire , dated September Uth , _I 8 i 7 . To Professor Holloway . SB , —I before informed yen that my wife had been tapped three times for tbe dropsy , but by the blessing of God upon your pills , and her perseverance iu taking them , the water has now been kept off eighteen months by their . aeons , which is a grearmcrcy _. ( _Signed ) William _Gaedkeb .

      Ad00208

      m _^ - _——* - ~ r ~ a- * - _* - _~~ _' _^—breath ! and had only tahenthem a few days when he appeared quite awther man ; his breath ie now easy and natural , and he is increasing daily and _stwng . _^ < Signed » _Dawt Williams .

      Ad00209

      THE BEST _MEDICINfl ** TBE WORLD . PA RR ' S LIFE PILLS .

      Ad00211

      UNDER ROYAL PATRONAGE .

      Sleep.—The Poet Young Gays, « Sleep Is Great Nature'

      Sleep . —The poet Young gays , _« Sleep is great Nature '

      Second Course— Tue Bjlm Of Hurt Minds.' ...

      second course— tue bjlm of hurt minds . ' Jobnsonsays , ' It is tbe parenthesis of human wo * . ' sleep being thus appreciated by mankind , how desirous ought we to be that ail should _tranquilly enjoy « sweet repos . _0 , ' the gemeral obstruction to which is through an unhealthy action tf the liver or other viscwa . A little attention to tbe ' youB- disease _. _'by having rec _<* _ur * e to a mild aperient , often produces the most snuUty effect , aud for such purpose Frampton ' s Pill of Health stands prominent in public opinion .

      The Edinburgh Chartist Trials. High -Cou...

      THE EDINBURGH CHARTIST TRIALS . HIGH -COURT OP _JUSTKLARY _. On Tuesday , November 7 ' h , _thetoials of the Edinburgh Chartists commenced before tbe High Contt of Justiciar ? , in Edinburgh . _Hfce Jadges on the bench were the ( Lord Justice Clerk , Lord Medwyn , and Lord Mackenzie . The court waB crowded to excess , aad the greatest iaterest * ff & _s _manifeated io the prooeedinga . _^ , _^^ — " ~ ' ___

      It will _beaeen , from the subjoined report , tbat an abjection had been raised , whiob bas been deemed of each importance as to be laid before the whole beach of judges , wko were to assemble-on Thursday to hear the pleadings , aod decide upon thea . The general _importof the objection is , that while the major proposition of tbe indiotment charges _ibe prisoner _Ctrftruing _with-oontravention of the KSovernmenfr Security Bill , sedition , and conspiracy , the facts set forth in the minor proposition amonnt to the orime of high treason .

      J « mea Cummin ? , saoenwiser , Duncan Street , Edinburgh , was placed at tbe baron a charge ofcontravening , ifi-it _, the act lately passed for the better security of tbe Crown and Government of the United Kingdom ; second , of wickedly asd feloniously _inspiring to-effect an alteration of the laws and constitution of the realm by force and violence * snd thirdly , _ofseditioD . The libel , whioh is of _great length , narrates that the prisoner did wickedly acd feloniously compass , imagine , invent , devise , or intend to levy war against tbe Queen , in order to eom * pel her Majesty to change her measures _orcouusels 4 >_ , in so far as on tbe 23 th of June last , h « expressed , uttered , and declared , by circulating , or distributing , or causing to be distributed , a placard in the following terms : —

      'NATIONAL GUARD A nation to be free , require * bat arms and a knowledge of their use . ' A public meeting of tbe National Guard will be held in the Trades' Hall , Infirmary Street , ou Wednesday , Jane 28 . 1818 , for tbe transaction of important business . Doors open at eight o'clock ; chair to be _tafc'U as _half-past eight o ' clock . The various clubs are respectfully invited to attend . An opportunity will be given to those delirious of j lining . , _jC ' Itis the duty of all men to have arms _—Forttscue , It Ib the right and duty ef all freemen to have arms of defence and peace , —Bractoit , I request jou to take care that the people bo well _itTOet _* - , and Id _rcadloeis upon all occasion ! —Queen Erie-beta . ' To attack tbe _lowest among the people is to attack the whole people . —De Lolme .

      ' He is a fool who knots not that swords were given to men that none might be slaves , but such aa know not how to u ? e them , — -Algernon Sidney . ' Oae peony will be _charged at the door to defray expense * . ' Tbe libel affirms , that in consequence of openly reading this placard , a number of persons assembled for the purpose ofbeint * enrolled as a National . _Gnard : that the prisoner took the chair at thiB meeting _, which wm to foim an illegal and disloyal body , _t-

      compel by forca or -violence an alteration of tbe lavra aad constitution of the realm , by procuring and using guns and pikes , in order to levy war ; and that an individual , whose name is unknown , did , at tbis meeting _^ nd in the hearing of the prisoner , and with bis sanction aa chairman , propose to undertake to famish , or to supply guus and bayonet ? to tbose who deaired them . The libel next set forth that the prisoner wickedly and feloniously , cent the following letter to ' Mr James Smith , 27 , Brunswick Street , Glasgow : —¦

      Edinburgh , July 22 , 1 S _18 11 , Duncan Street , Drummond Place . Dear Smith , —I am in receipt of yours of tbe 13 ; h _, and take tbe earliest opportuei-7 of oommunicatlng the Information desired . Although I might have informed you generally as to tbe state and spirit abroad immedia'ely , I deferred writing uutii I could procure correct aocounts frem tha numbers ar . d officers of tbe various dnbs and political bodies intending to arm . f h < re aro a great many clubs ; in fact , tbey are springing up nightly ; tbere is a sort of olub mania . The following are the names and numbers of the oluba wbich are increasing weekly : —Mitchel club , 56 ; Burns' club , 25 ; Muir Club , 200 ; Balrd end Bardie clnb , 20 ; Gerald club , 26 j O ' Conaor _eiub , 12 ; Washington club , 25 ;

      Emmett club , I have not yet ascertained the number . Besides tbe clubs , there _is-the National Guard , which numbers 500 , making a total of Silt men , besides tbe Emmett club . The National G uard bave given an order for thirty-nine muskets with bayonets ; but a great many bave _provided themselves with arms ; those _ordered are for those who pay in weekly contributions for tbat pur . pose . Some of tbe clubs have purchased a few muikets at £ 1 each , which bave been shown at meetings . I do not know of mors tban tight as yet ; but thore is au arms fund in most of the clubs , Ur those who are not able to purchase tbem at once . When the guards are supplied with the arms ordered , I nay safely say there will be 100 armed . As to the feeling which pervades the town , it is decidedly warlike at the present time ; the general topic of csnvtrs & _Uoo ia arming , street fighting , &•• . The Irish papers , tbe Felon particularly , ls

      read with avidity , and balled with rapture and enthusiasm . Never since I took any part In the movement—vihioh is now nearly twenty years , was there such a strong _feeling of resistance to tho _government . In 1839 I was connected wltb a Defensive _M-ass Aaeociation _, but the spirit _evaporated before a single gun was subscribed for . Ic i * very different now . The desire to procure and possess arms is gaining strength every day ; whether tbey would fight or not , it is difficult to answer . I know that an Edinburgh mob generally fly if they are attacked ; hut havlBg arms , and some Idea how to make use tf them , Inspire confidence . I shall be glad to hear bow matters stand in Liverpool and Glasgow , as soon as convenient _. In tbe meantime , I am , dear sir , Tours sineml y , J . Ccmmiko . Ur James Smith . Glasgow .

      This letter , intended for James Smith . Rottenrow Street , Glasgow , a porter with Messrs Campbell and Crnden _, commission agents , was delivered by mistake to Jamea Smyth , clerk , son of Mr William Smyth _, writer in Glasgow . The next oharge was that , in a room or hall h Carubber ' _a _Cleae , _Edinburgh , wbich was _occupied as a plaoe of meeting by the Edinburgh Branch offibe National Chartist Association , or in the offioe of the North British Express , or in tbe hall above referred to in Infirmary Street , the prisoner did wickedly and feloniously combine and conspire with Henry Rankin . Robert Hamilton , John Grant , Archibald Walker , Peter Djncan , and James Smith , and others , calling themselves Chartists , to tgict by force and violence an alteration of the laws and constitution of the realm , particularly the constitution of tho Commons' House of Parliament , ' tbe qualification for the franchise required by law , the duration of Parliaments , & c .

      Thia is an abstract of the indictment , whioh is followed np by an inventory of various documents to bs produced on trial , _among which we perceive several letters from Chartist leaders in various parts of the country . The number of witnesses summoned is _forty-three . The counsel for the Crown were the Lord Advocate , Mr Craufurd , and Mr M . Bell ; and the counsel for the prisoner were Mr A . S . Logan and Mr Graham . Mr Looan , advocate , counsel for the prisoner , addressed the court at some _Ienath , objecting to the reievancy of the indictment , Hia firat objection wa * _.

      that the indictment did not libol in s sufficient and competent way any overt acts ta show tbe felony tho statute creates . There was a _neoessity , he said , for libelling the overt acts in connexion with the felonious intent , and for thn purpose of showing the existence of that intent , and this had not been observed in the present indictment . If such evert acta may be found in other parts ofthe indiotment , they havo not been brought forward for the purpose of showing . Iho existence of the felonious _design on the part of the accused . Mr _Loi-an went on to _oljest to the charge at common law af conspiracy , which ha maintained was vaguely and insufficiently set fertb . and then

      proceeded to objeot to the charge of sedition , on tho (• round that the overt acts set forth in tbe indictment amounted to treason , and tho panel could not therefore be tried for sedition , fie submitted thai UDdar a charge for high treason tho jury could not return ft verdict for sedition , and so , if the overt acts here set forth amounted to treason , the jury could not give a verdict for sedition _. The Court overruled the first of Mr Logpn _' s _obiec-& _tfSiWh _^ _W _^ _^!«* 32 i wnioh he wished tbe _counsel for the _nrosepntinn tn _answerinhisaddreas ; Thefirst wa ? _£ d thcbanre of conspiracy being in itself in substance a charS _oftreasDn , not merge into treason , and if \ 0 _oSS it only bo tried by the treason law of Eotan !' - The second _question was , whether they could try under ft ST ? _W ' * P ' « aodeol _offend . Sbich

      Mr CBAwroED addressed the court in reply to Mr Logan , and to the suggestion suggested by the Lord Justice Clerk and was Mowed by _ttoKdAdSr _hbto _onttaZTt _* _- ° ' _° 8 th into Se history ot legislation op the crimes of sedition and treason , and contended that the Jate act bid £ _« S _^ _TXLETl into that of _edition ; and left under that law to prosecute any one . Milt ? rf mm _aBiringtolevFwar agai » -Ube Queen ; J _™ C 9 U " The _OourUavingheard both parties , thought the objection sufficiently impwtant to be reserved for ? hU loose . U ThUr _' _" _*** *«

      On Thursday , November 9 th , the trial of Jamea Cumming was resumed before * the High o _» rtS Justiciary m Edinburgh . There were _Resent the Lord Jaet . ce Clerk , Lord M _ttataridgk l 3 _Mong ol £ _- _^ _KLM » ft- _?» th 8 _** A of their _brdships , B » ve it as his opinion that the charge of _tuspim-y should hare been prosecuted as a _« K-

      The Edinburgh Chartist Trials. High -Cou...

      tory offenoe , and not as a common law offence , he therefore , felt compelled to sustain the objection to tbe _relovanoy of this part of the indictment . Lord Wood took the eame view , but the rest of the judges repelled tbe objeotion , and . gave judgment in favour of the indictment as laid . The panel waa tben asked whethel he was guiUj ot not guilty , whea he replied in a firm voice , ' Not Tbe Court theni * a « . olved that the evidence should be proceeded with on the following morning ( Friday ) at ten o ' olock , and their lordships thereupon _tc * _. Novb ' mhbr HJth — The court met to-day at ten o ' clock for the purpose of proceeding with the trial « f Cummin ? .

      ., . Mr Logan , the counsel for the prisoner , addressing the Lord Justice Clerk , said , that although ho regretted the necessity of making the motion which he was about to do , on account of the great time whioh thi 8 case had already occupied , and the ineonveniepce to whioh thejury had been subjected by the delay which had taken place , still he felt constrained from a sense ofthe duty which he owed to the accused , to submit a motion for further defer . H' « lordship was well aware , _fr-m what he ( Mr Logan ) felt constrained , in justice to himself , to Blate on the first occasion wben tho case waa brought before the court . that , owing to _unavoidableclroumatane * -. . the counsel who appeared on behalf of the accused had only reoeived notice the previous day of being

      ongaged in the case , and they had consequently had i o opportunity for previous preparation . Since that _, time the engrossing nature ofthe argument as to the relevancy of tho indictment had entirely ocoupied their attention to the _exclasion of everything else ; and , in these circumstances , they felt that the interests of the accused might _possibly suffer at tbeir hands , were they to proceed with the trial to day , aa they had not yet made themselves masters of th ? case . He did not apprehend thatthe Lord Advocve would oppose the motion he had to make . At ad events , he would submit to the court that they _ahtuld delay the case till Monday , that the counsel for the accused might be in a position to do full _jus'ice tothe important interests ef their client .

      Tbe Lord _nDVocATRsaid , that he was sorry that hi * learned friends did not feel themselves in * a no . sition to proceed immediately with tbe ease . It should not , however , be Baid that any request of the kind now made for further time to allow the counsel for the occuBod to prepare themselves for __ better approaohing the case waa opposed by the public _prosecutor , and he should not therefore object to the delay . After some consultation , the Court _wso'ved to postpone the trial of Cumming till Wednesday , and "hat the case of Grant . Rankine , and Hamilton , the otber Chartists , should ba proceeded with on Monday . Tbe _ojurt then adjourned . * _, WoHDA ? . —The Ilitth Court of Justiciary met in _Edinburgh to-day , when the trials were resumed , Tbo co wt was crowded . ...

      John Grant , printer * , Henry Rankin , lately of the North British Express newspaper ; and Robt . Han > iltoD , | tftilor _, were charged with 'edition and conspiracy . They were charged with having , on the 25 *' - ApriJ _, within the premises occupied by the publishers of the North British Express in the Bigb S _' reet , Edinburgh , and again , on the 28 th April , wickedly , feloniously , and seditiously resolved and agreed to form a body to be oalled a National Guard , mdt ) be provided with arms , to be used for the _illegal and seditious purpose of _enacting , by force and violence , or by armed resistance to lawful authority , alterations of the laws and constitution of the realm _, and with having become members of the Baid body , also with _sinit / ar proceedings on the 12 * h of June ,

      and on other occasions , as will be seen by the evidence . Tbe Lord-Advocate , Mr Craufnrd , and Mr Montgomery Bell _appeared on behalf of the Crown . Mr Logan and Mr Lorimer appeared as counsel for Grant a « d Hamilton , and Mr MonorieS and Mr Graham for Rankin . The naneM pleaded not guilty to the indictment . Mr P _Andkrso _}* , tailor , proved that he was » eore tary of the Edinburgh Chartist 'Association . Joined it in March . Ceased to be secretary about tbe end of April . Knew the _prisoners at the bar- They were all in the committee . The object of the association was to obtain what are oalled the sis points of the charter . Rankin was chosen at a public meeting a delegate to the National Assembly * The

      Assembly was held after the Convention . The Na _> _tionnl Assembly was held after witness ceased to be a . member . Was only at one meeting of the Association , — -that at which be was eleoted seoretary . It was held in the office of the Express new-piper , High Street , m . the beginning of March . The committee usually met there . There was a meeting held there on the 25 th of April . Previous to that heard no proposal about arms . Never heard a proposition or talk ia committee about procuring aTm 9 , At a public meeting held in Adam Square Hall , one _M'Kay spoke about arms . M'Kay was ao pugnacious that he was called brigadier-general , and was considered one ofthe violent persons . Did not know whether or not M'Kay belonged to the Chartist

      Association . On the 25 h April , at the end of the meeting , a motion was made to call a public meeting to consider the _proprie'y of forming a National Guard . That meeting "f the committee was held in the Ex muss _offiie . The motion waB carripd . The prisoners were present at that meeting . _Ekings » nd Walker were ale * , there . A motion was at first made by Grant for tbe actual formation of a National Guard , but Rankin _suggested to call a meeting to consider the propriety of forming a National Guard , acd this was agreed to Witness voted against the raotion to call the meeting . Nobody voted wit * , witness . Witness left the room , and resigned his office of secretary in consequence of the raotion being carried . That was his reason for leaving the committee . A puUio

      meeting was called afterwards on the 2 _S'h April , to _cons'der the propriety of forming a . National Guard . Witness attended the meeting ef the 28 h , which was held in Adam Square Hall . A penon called John Gray was firi-t in the chair , but was . deposed , as he was incapable of managing the proceedings . Archibald Walker was called to supply his place . _M'Kiy made a motion for tbe formation of a National Guard , to consist of musketeers and lancers . _11 all , his motion proposed to raise 1 , 600 men . He talked something about divisions and sub-divisions , but the meeting seemed to laugh at it . M ' Donald , a painter , seconded the motion . Witness made a

      direct negative to the motion . WitueB &' g . proposition was against any arming . _Witnces ' s speech was very ill received ; and when he called in question their bravery , they hooted him down . A person sf the name of Auld seconded witness ' s motion , and his speech was worse _received . H'imilton , the prisoner , spoke , as he understood , for the formation of the National Guard . He said that _witness ' s speech put them in an awkward position ; but witness could not recollect Hamilton ' s explanation . Themotion made by M'Kay was carried by . a large majority . The meeting might be attended by GOO or 700 persons . Witness understood that a pamphlet was written by M'Kay about drilling .

      John Ekings , tailor , a member of tbe Edinburgh Chartist _Association , said the talk about _oresnising meant to get people to join the Chartist Association . J-. Brownies , sergeant of the Edinburgh county police , stated that he was at the meeting on the 28 ' . h April , in Adam Square Hall . Ha was present in plaia clothes . Tbe resolution passed _stitcd that they were io be armed with _lancea and muskets , and they were to be commanded by presidents , sixteen _captains , and _sixty-four secretaries . Witness corroborated the evidence given by Anderson in reference to the proceedings of the meeting . J . LorniAjf , reporter of tho _Eduvboroh Nbws . was present at a meeting in _Brunttfield Links . Mr

      John Grant was in the chair . The other two _prisoners were on the platform . Grant was a journeyman printer . Witness took notes of the speeches made at tho mming . Had ample convenience for taking notes . The book before him wai the book in which ha took notes . Witness then read tbe notes of Grant ' s speech . Ic this speeoh Grant said they were met to give tbe lie direct to Lord Johi Russell that thu people did not wish reform , and to express their resolution never to rest satisfied until the opinions and principles contained in the People's Charter became the law of tbe land . Had tbey remained silent atsuch a _tima the Whigs would have thought that they were content to be branded cowards . The sooner the government were deprived of their pewer the better .

      The ? e were the chief points in Grant's Bpeech . The prisoner Rankin was the next speaker . Witness read his speech , whioh set out by saying that he ( Rankin ) was glad that they were determined to uphold tbeir right of publio meeting , in spite of Lord John Russell . Were there any in that meeting that could be content with things as they were 1 If they were co : satisfied with such a state of things , what could they thisk of Lord John Russell ? Let them stand up for the plain and simple truth . Although they might be put in the prisoner ' s dock to morrow , would that prevent them frem asserting tbeir rights ? If their forefathers had done bo , they would not have been in such a Btate as they now were in . Let them , therefore , leave liberty as alegaoy to tbeir children , in defiance of all dungeoDB , even though they should be immolated for it . He hoped the day was not distant when Lord John Russell would be brought before the bar

      of publio ( pinion , and be sent across the seas for his conduct . Did they wish to drive them to rebellion ? Let them not trust too muoh to their trained police , tbeir special constables , or their parks of _artillery ; for he oould tell tbem that the policemen were wellaffected towards the Chartists ; and even among the ranks of tbo special constables they had friends , — men who , if the people were attaoked , would tear the _whiie badges from their shoulders and assist their brethren . Some of the military were also well affected towards them . But even although these were not all true to them , it was not to be forgotten that tbere were many among tbe working _claseei who possessed a knowledge of as deadly weapons as Warner ' s long range . If there were to te a struggle , let the working men oaly bo true to themselves . Let them _abstain from aggression until tbey were roused by thsir oppressors , and then , let the working men do their work well and properly - for

      The Edinburgh Chartist Trials. High -Cou...

      if you don't pat then down , by — : _•*?**•! _£ „ you down . ' They had no wish to violate the laws , but they muBt have their jast righ's ; _Mjtg wished to make their ears b jzz continually until tney got them . Every country of Europe was far _mvanopd before enlightened Britain . It waa aaid tnat the French were an inventive _peor > le ; _buttneory that waa lately sounded through France might yet _soun-i _throu-h Britain , and the British improve on the French invention of ft Republio . The witness then went on to say that he did not take everything dswn tbat was said by Rankin , but what he had read was a correct outline of that speeoh . A person of tho name of Cockburn spoke after Rankin . On this witness beine ordered to look through his notes , and ... .. _» i thaw will nnt

      see if there was BBy thing in that speeoh regarding arms , he read a passage or two to the effeot that the government was supported by two great powersthe power of force and the power of fraud—that the people were prepared to repel force by foroe—that the oppressor must meet the oppressed—that the only question which the people ought to ask themselves was , what means thev were to nse to make themselves free—and tbat if the people had been properly armed , there would have been fewer arrests . The prisoner Hamilton spokeafter Cockburn . Read notes of his speech . The question , he said , which they must now be _thinking upon was , how they were to meet tbeir oppressors . That the people had a perfect right to make a form of government which plessed themselves , had been acknowledged by Lord _Palmerstou in the House of Commons _, when _sneskim * of tbe French Revolution ;

      and if the French had a right , he should like to know why the people of Brita _' n should not have she same right ? He ( Hamilton ) wished for such a change , so that tbe men who wrought should have bread to eat ; and he would have them not forest content so long as there were paupers in the land . If there was to be a revolution , in God's name let them be prepared with _ararc . Let it come soon . If the _cflvernment made sacrifices of their leaders the people would be prepared to do something with tbe property . For God's sake set organised , and get guns and bayonets . The witness , after finishing ihe reading of his notes , went on to say that there were parties of special constables in the immediate neighbourhood of the meeting . The notes which he bad read were extended on the day-following tbe meeting , not for the paper with which he was connected , but at the instance of the authorities , who had cited him to appear _before them .

      Cross _fximined by Mr Lcgmc : Conld not aay that tho prisoner Grant used tbe words , ' The military had been put in arms that nigh * - -, in order to put tbem down ; but the meeting were aware that they never had any intention of getting up in the physical form line . ' These words might have been u « ed . Wiuiau Somers , reporter for tho North Briti _« h _Dailt Miii _,, gave evidence similar to the preceding witness . After hearing some further corroborative evidence , the court adjourned till _Tuesday ; Nov . 14 . —The case oi Grant , Rankin , and Ham ilton , for _conspiracy and sedition , was resumed this morning . The court was crowded and the greatest interest _appeated to be taken in tt » trial now taut it was apDroaohing _itsclns ? . The following _witnesses were examined in exculpation : ' - <

      Walter Pringlk . shoemaker , who was a member of the Edinburgh Chartist Committee , recollected f b . 9 meeting of the committee , held on the 25 th April _, at which the proposition was made abont the forma _, tion of a National Guard . That meeting was an ordinary one , and was not oalled for the purpose of considering any rco'ion about the guard . The week Mora that meeting a _rrqiisition was sent by one Jno . M'Kay _. abouttho formation of a National Guard . He wm _calledjhe _brieadier-g-neral ; but the committee at once refused to have anything to do with it . The proposition for tbe formation of the National Guard waB made by individuals unconnected with the Chartist Association . The committee had heard tbat individuals were recently taking steps towards

      the formation ofthe guard , and they _thoug-bt that this was prejudicial to the Chartist cause , and they therefore wished that the proposition should go forth to the public . Rankin ' s way of stating tho matter gave witness to understand that , as there was a bother a few days before in reference to the riots and breaking ofthe lamps in Edinburgh , it was his opinion that , if the committee had anything to do with the formation of the guard , tbey would get the blame o that 78 they had got the blame of matters with which they had nothing to do , suoh as the riots he had referred to . The opinion of the committee seemed te be that they should leave the calling ofthe meeting to the individuals who had sot np the

      requisition . That night , in committee , Rankin said tbat witness should he careful Hot to have anything to do with John M Kay , because he would hurt the Chartist movement , if things were carried on as M'Kay wished . The meeting in Adam Square , to consider the propriety of tbe formation of the National Guard waa not called by the Chartist committee collectively , Tfeey had nothing to do with it . Rank n was quite opposed to the formation of the Nation * . ! Guard at that time . Grant , at the meeting of the 25 th April , assumed as bis reason for introducing the matter in committee , that he had heard that parties were going about talking about the formation ofthe guard , and he wished to prevent it doin « injury to tbe Chartist cause .

      Cross-examined ; _Be'ieved that M'Kay _' g proposition was a plot to break up the Chaitist Association . WitnesB heard that guGS were _purchaaid but did not know aay parties who had _purchased them , nor who they were for . _Re-examined : The' Chartist Association never purchased any gi : n , nor did the Committee give any of their money with which to purchase them . By the Court : The Committee on oomine to the resolution to allow the meetini * to be oalled , communicated their resolution that night to M'Kay . _# Brown Blair , a typefounder , gave evidiince to a similar effeot . _Alexindbr Murray , _Insptctoref _Cleansingfor the City , said that he had been acquainted with Rankin for several years , and his general character was good , S 3 far as he _knew . This closed the exculpatory evidence .

      Mr _Crauporp , in the ab . enoe of the Lord Advocate , who was unable to be present to dty from indisposition , then addressed the jurr in a very forcible speech . After adverting to tbe importance of this GASB to the public , and still more to the working classes , he referred to the nature of the charges against the prisoners , and to the evidence on which they rested . He then analysed and commented on the evidence at great length . Hehad , in conclusion , to state that he was not trying these parties for holding or expressing their political opinions , or for forming or joining a Chartist A'sociation , or even for agitation ; but ho was charging tbem for doing that which never could be done in a civilised country

      without producing Ihe most lamentable and ruinous _results—for Beeking not to _promote by peaoet ' ul , lawful , and loyal means , but by force , violence , and armed resistance , a change in the constitution . He cautioned the jury from giving any countenance or encouragement to tbe notion that violence and force were instruments by which any publio measures were to be carried . All who loved the _ciuse of liberty , must deeply deplore and condemn such proceedings as those to which the prisoners resorted _. Liberty could _struggle against oppression , but liberty could not survive il attempts were allowed to obtain publio measures by force and violence , instead of by legal and constitutional means .

      _MrMoKCBisr ** then addressed thejury for upwards of two hours on behalf of tho prisoner , Rankin . Ho commenced by saying that he could , with the utmost safety , intrust the jury with the protection and defence of those constitutional principles to which we owed our independence and freedom . The indictment be * " o'e them , ha need scarcely tell tham , opened a perilous chapter of constitutional law . They had , in its construction and application , to walk along tbat narrow path whioh separate : ) constitutional _agitation fr . _ira sedition . They had to draw the line , which might bo wavering _enough , on the one side of which a man might stand a patriot , and on the other a rebel . It was not _alwavs prudent tod well on where tho right ol the people ended ; but in this case no consideration

      of _thfs kind must prevent thera from dealing , constitutionally , with the panels at the bar . He needed not to remind them that verdicts had heen returned by juries against parties for Rrt 3 wbich had raised ethers to power and glory ; and that _theee verdiot * had stamped a character on the times which no memory could forget . But he had no tear of such things now ; All that he asked them to find was , that in what he had done he had not transgressed that constitutional barrier within which Rankin was entitled to promulgate and nromote hi * views , and within which he ( Mr Moncrieff ; and tie jury wero entitled to promulgate and promote theirs . From tbe phra Beology of the indictment , when it talked oi such and suoh _thints _bein ; done for the more _effectual _prosccu *

      tion of the objeets Rf the Chartist body , it appeared to be insinuated that the ot j < dcts ofthe Chartist _bidy , if not crimina by themselves , at least raised the suspicion of criminality . He denied that there was anything in the Chartist opinions which raised the _slightest smpioion as to the legality of their proceedings . It waa a code of politics quite as re _spectable in itself as any held by any other body of men , A man was as much _entitlsd to uphold tho six points of the Charter , ss any other individual was entitled to hold his opinions , whatevw _thwe might be . But is was sa d that Rankin spoke in favour of irganiaation and of clubs . Was it frem his learned friend

      that he was to be told that this was sedition ? When was there an organisation that was not _orga-« _iSl fto ] tt )? _^ 8 eotio ? So much ffaa th » we oase in im that it was found almost _impossible to get a single man for thejury that was not connected with some club or another . He criticised the different expressions quoted in tke indictment as evidence of sedition against Rankin . He admitted that tbe Ian * gaage _uaed by him at the _meeting in _Bruntsfields Links was inflated and extravagant : but he held that i _^ at the same time , contained the assertion of a doctrine truly constitutional ; for when he talked about 'he people being illegally attacked , and the government depriving them ofthe independence of action or speech contrary to tbe constitution _a-d the law , he

      The Edinburgh Chartist Trials. High -Cou...

      only spoke what tho * who founded the Jibe- - } Britain spoke frequently before . - After statin- " * sentiments of Fox and Earl Grey on this point _irii-i he quoted from a speech made at the great m . ' _?** in the Queen's Park of Edinburgh durini ? _thT _^ g tion for the _Rrform Bill , in whioh the _Bne-l ,.- , ttw that if the Duke of Wellington wa-. t- > _eatab i _^ military government—a government of the sword i * would learn that the peaceful cit z _* u , when fan ~ _fo for his r i ghts , oould advance with his naked W as fearlessly as the hired soldier armed _wX _" cuirass . l 11 » The Lord Justice Clerk : Who was the _Boe-lr Mr _Moi-chiefi- : Mr Aytoun . He ( Af r Monc _»* * * held that th _« _s sentiment was one which tho sn _« f * r > r , \ - annkn wfcftfc thnm who _fontiAaH _»»•« u .

      was entitled to entertain and express ; but he 5 » that it was more than a mere hypothetical nrn _^ _tisn ; and so in the case ef Rankin . They od _^ therefore , not to scan a man ' s words too rninui i ' While he at once admitted Rankin ' s rhetoric tn jL * extravagant , he stated that he was _convinced that fc could paraphrase all that Rankin had _said—biq the very same ideas—witheut committing anvth ' * like treason . He concluded with an eloquent _annl to tbe jury to return a verdiot of not guilty , v «*' case of his client ; and in doing so he stated his -J viotion that they would do what wonld _^ nd much bi sweeten tbose bitter waters out of which these _»„ _secutinns had arisen . m '

      Atthe conclusion of Mr _MoncnefFs _addres * ther » was oon * iderable applause , which was instant !? checkf d by the bench . "' Mr Looan then addressed the jury on the pi-i ; t Grant and Hamilton . He analysed tho evidenci with great _minu'enei : , humorously depicted tte part taken by _Brigadier-General M'Kay in the formation of the National Guard for the protection of the tag , tropolia , and the kind of reporters which _police-awi made when they dropped their batons and took hd the pencil . He adverted h former political agita . tions , and in connexion with this matter said , he would refer to a _meeti-tu now matter of history—the _aeetinsr held in May , 1832 in the King ' s Park , of Edinburgh . Thejury would remember the oircum _.

      stances under wbioh tbat _meeting was held . A ori-ii had occurred in the politioal existence of a certain patty or faction , call it which they would—a _criii _* not more important in their eyes than was the _criii _* which occurred in tbe party or faction of the Chartists , when Lord John Russell , who introduced and carried the Reform Bill , deolared in 1848 against-, )* further progressive reform . No prosecutions followed what took piac * in 1833 . Nay , there were men emi . nent in _authori-y and in station , respected and trusted by the cemmunity at large , who were present at that meeting , and who now graced the beooh , There were men present at that meeting in 1832 ai # ig , some by the weight of their presence , and * others by the weight of their eloquence the comm 9 n

      , object they had in view ; and theee men were no _* _i public prosecutors , representing her Majesty for hej Majesty ' s interests ; and yet things occurred at thai meeting which , if the hon . baronet now no more , who presided at it ( Sir Thomas Dick Lauder ) , were to be visited as John Grant , the journeyman printer , was visited now , would , he thought , have laid a bro ader bottom for a prosecution for sedition , than all that was ever said or done on'Bruntsfield Links or the Calton Hill by all the Chartists of E ; iobur 4-h . Did they not think that a wise consideration should be given , and allowance made for the opinions nnder whioh men acted , and the circumstances in whioh they were placed , and that it didnot _nece-aarllyfol . low that beoause a man winked hard at sedition , he

      was thereby incapacita _' ed ever after for _dieobarginthe duties of an active and loyal _citizen of tbe kin ? . dom ? He prayed that there might not be two mea . _sures forjudging of men ' s actions ; that they might not be more me-ciful to tbe right hon , baronet , who had a titled estate , than te the journeyman printer with 25 _j . _a-week , and that his only support . ( Ap . _plause , wbich was instantly checked by the court , ) The learned counsel concluded by imploring the jary to pause before returning an adverse verdiet . Jest they Eight , in the minds of those with whom it Tflj dangerous to excite such a feeling , elevate the mea at the bar to the rank of political martyrs , whom they meraly intended to brand as political felons . The Lord Justice _Cwrk then proceeded te chares

      the Jury . In commenting upon the indictment , he gave it as his _opinioa thtt the charge of conspiracy ended with the proceedings atthe meeting held in Adam Square Hal ) for the formation of the National Guard ; and aaid that if the conspiracy had not been proved up to that date , the subsequent acts , unsubstantiated by evidence , oould not be taken as prooj of the charge . After _goine aver the _evidence with great _minuteness , he stated that the charge of conspiracy could scarcely be proved against either Grant or Rankin ; snd that even in regard to Hamilton , he thought that there was no proof , unless the support which he gave to the proposition to form the National Guard at the meeting of Adam Square Hall could be held as sufficient evidence to tbat tffact . In reference to the charge of sedition , the most important part ofthe evidence for consideration , as _agaiast Hamilton and Rankin , was unquestionably the speeohes made at the meeting in _Bruntstield Links

      on the 12 th June ; but in regard to Grant he did not think that the mere non-interruption of the speakers on that oceasion was sufficient to bring the charge home to him . He concluded bj _calling upon thejury to retnrn a verdict in accordance with the evidence , and not to allow their minds to be influenced by any considerations of expediency . "Whatever the verdiot wat , he was convinced that it would be perfectly satisfactory to all men whose opinions were entitled to regard ; for althoueh there were people who chose to disparage the independence and good sense indirectly of such a jury as he had the honour of addressing , yet he waa afraid that they would _losk in vain for any better tribunal in any of tbe changes they contemplated . His lordship ' s speech extended to about three hours and a half , Thejury then retired about twenty minutes past nine o ' clock to consider their verdict , and returned into court in about three quarters of an hour _. The Foreman intimated the verdict as follows : —

      'Thejury unanimously find the charge of conspiracy against tbe three _panols as libelled not proved , _'Thejurynlsounanimously find John Grant _uofci guilty of eedition aB libelled . 'The jury further unanimously find Robert Ha * milton guilty of using language calculated to excite ) popular disaffection and resistance to lawful autho _«> ifity . ' And by a majority of one find Henry _Raakittl guilty of using Btailar language . ' The Lord Justice Clerk Baid : Be good enough to i

      observe , in regard to that part of the verdict thatt contains the speciality , and which finds Hamilton } and Rankin guilty nf using _language _calculated to ) excite popuhr disaffection and resistance to lawful I authority , that this is the description of sedition * libelled . To make your verdict correct you _shooldi determine whether they are guilty or not guilty off sedition to any extent that you may please . Tout ! may , for example , say , they are guilty of sedition _inu ro far as that they used language calculated to exoitee popular disaffection and resistance to _lawfttlll suthoritv .

      The Foreman of the Jury : That is qu _" _ts 0 UM meaning , my lord . Tho _Lurd Justice Clerk : Ih the choice of th 9 i 9 word ' calculated . ' do you mean to leave out theie word ¦ intended , ' or is your verdict meant to em _« _ibrace both ? The Foreman ofthe Jurt : We _purposely left _oufetfe the word ' intended . ' The verdict was then altered as suggested by _thaiai Lord Justice Clerk , and wa 3 agreed to stand a 3 _folol ' Iowa : — ' That the jury unanimously £ ud _R-ibertrti Hamilton guilty of sedition , in so far ns that hthe ! used language calculated to excite popular _disafiiOiOtion and resistance to lawful authority ; and by ff si majority of one find Ilenry Rankin guilty of scditiowi : in tha same terms . ' After sums consultation with the other judges , Main lordship eaid that the diet would be adjourned tiltill Saturday at ten o ' clock , wheu sentence would bb < _passod .

      Mr Grant was then dismissed from the bar , nam " the otbor panels were conreyed to prison . The Court tben .-. djourned . We understand that it is at present tbe _intentiaiM ofthe _oounsel for the prisoners to object to the sulsufl ficiency of the above verdict . The trial of Gummine , for contravention oi thitbi Government Securities Aot , _sedition , and cc > _nspi » W was fixed for Wednesday , at ten o ' clock .

      Shipwreck And Loss Of Ten Live3.— -Thrhn...

      Shipwreck and Loss of Ten Live 3 . — -Thrhn barque Carmelita , of Bangor , Capt . Cole , from _FayaJ-all 9 ih Sept ., for Boston , v . ith a cargo of sperm _oiloill wines & c , and thirteen passengers , was abandonemew at sea on the 29 th of Sept . in a sinking condition , _hatta , ' ing been boarded by a sea while scudding in a gale os oifl the 23 rd , iu lat 36 40 , N , Ion . 53 30 . W , v . Inch ssepep the decks and broached the vessel to . She was gothebeE fore the wind again , leaking badly ; soon became un m manageable , and broached to a second time , and _cajcapp sized . Capt . Cole , two mates , five seamen , aud foufoaa passeugers , succeeded in regaining the vessel ; DiBl » IU passengers , three of them females , and one seama * _na « were drowned . About one hour after , the vessiessiii righted , with mainmast , fore and mizen topsaiisaii gone , aud full of water . She came to on the o tbetbee

      tack , and lay on her _beam-ends during the _uighighi At daylight next morning the vessel was a _coraple'p le _- wreck , the sea making a clear breach over he hee Both mates were totaly disabled , the crew wholly ey _exhausted , and one passenger had a broken leg . Tl Til crew succeeded in clearing the wreck cf brokfokff spars , and saving a small quantity of beef and . v ' mwina on which they subsisted until the 29 lh , when thi thu were taken off by the British _bavjue Castries , Ca [ Ca [[ Hinds , from St Lucia , bound to DuMin . Shipwr £ ck . —On Friday week the schooner JanJiUffl of Belfast , went ashore on Stroma , becom ing ng _tstal wreck . Captain Mackenzie and an Irish bli b ) were unfortunately drowned , the former being ing ; his bed at the time . He has left a large family lily orphans , their mother being dead .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 18, 1848, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_18111848/page/2/