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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st February 1846, Edition 3 of 4, Page 8, 8 THE NORTHERN STAR. ^ February 21, i846...

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      8 The Northern Star. ^ February 21, I846...

      8 THE NORTHERN STAR . _^ February 21 , i 846 _>

      Imperial F Arltammt

      imperial _f arltammt

      I Continual From Our Seventh I/Oge.) Hou...

      I Continual from our seventh i / oge . ) HOUSE OF _LORDS-Tjii-ksiut , Feb . 19 . Severn ' : petitions were _prestnttiu for and against a epeal of tn _ Corn Laws . Lord Bi . ai . moxt moved , pursuant to notice , for papers relative to tbe interl _' ei-uce of England and France in the affairs of Rio dc la Plata . The Earl of Aberdeen * replied , and justified the course adopted by the government ofthis country , as well as that of France , iu reference to thc ir . at .-r . referrcd to in the motion of the noble lord , but stating at the eame time , that as certain terms had lieen prepared by General Rasas , which , in present circumstances he was not at liberty to state , ho trusted the noble lord would withdraw his tuotiorj . This the noble lord did , after a few words from Unrii Colchester in favour of his motion .

      The Grand Jury Presentment ( Ireland ) BiH was then read a fin * time ; aiuUlic D ™ " _??\ _*™ " _*> Bill , and the Dill for regulating _Clmnt-ible i nut - ill England , were brought up fr-m tlw Commons . The house adjourned at a quarter to seven o clock . - HOUSE OF COMMONS—Tuciisi _.-., Feu . 19 . Lord G . Bentinck presented a net-turn , signed by 4 75 G handloom weavers in * _. pit-ilm _ kIs . Ilie petitioners stated that they viewed with alarm tlie sweeping change- proposed by the government , . upported by the cry of cheap bread , which , itt thc opinion ol the petitioners meant low w . - . ges , therefore they prayed this house not to sanction thc _propped

      measure . CHARTIST EXILES . Mr . _Sharmax Chawfohd presented » petition from Lancaster , signed oy 4 , WO operatives of the town ; aiso a petition from Airdrie , in Scotland , praying lor the liberation of Frost , Williams , aud Jones . TEN HOURS' BILL . Mr . Coon .. ; presented petitions from Wigan . and S-veral other places , in favour of the Ten Hours ' Bill . The County Works ( Ireland ) Bill was read a third time and pas » sd . The Draiuagc ( Ireland ) Bill was read a third time and passed .

      INTERFERENCE AT ELECTIONS . Mr . Collett then rose to move for a Committee of _Privileges to inquire into the causes that led to the vacation of their -fats in this house , by the members lately representing Chichester , Newark , Woodstock , and Buckingham , to make inquiries as to the elections of the present members for those places , and to inquire how tar the standing order against the interference of peers in elections had been _infrinsed . Mr . W . Williams seconded the motion , animadverting upon thc unfair ducal influences which had been _brought to bear upon those constituencies in the d-ctioa of tbeir representatives .

      Sir __ L _PEE-wasnotdlsposedtodeny that members of the Pet-age did , in common with other large landed pi oprietors , exercise the authority of wealth and station for the purpose- which had been alleged . There was nothing objectionable in this , since peers bad as much right as other men to give effect to their opinions upon the conduct of Administrations If inquiries of the kind suggested were to be prosecuted upon every vague rumour , no individual -would be safe , lie should oifer the proposal his strenuous opposition . Mr . _IIgue recommended that the motion should be withdrawn . Mr . S . Crawford hoped that the people would use their owu power to restrain the exercise of this unconstitutional power . Mr . Colleit then withdrew his motion .

      RIVER PLATE . On the order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate , Lord Jons Russell inquired whether the government were enabled to give any further iulorm . itioii with reference to the war between Buenos Ayres and Monte Video ? _SirRoiiEitT Pe- __ said they had not received any official information with regard to the action at Parana . lie was not enabled to give any information beyond what was contained in the documents which were laid on the table . Lord _Palueksiox inquired whether any convention had been entered into between England and France for the purpose of carrying on hostile operaxions in the la Plata . Sir Robert _ _' j ___ said no convention had been entered iiuo . ADJOURNED DEBATE .

      LordD-XCAN resumed the adjourned debate on the Com importation Act , by observing that he had abstained hitherto from taking any part in these debates , because he was conscious that the principles of free trade were not only triumphant in the Cabinet , but also in the country . Iiis lordship said , . however , that having met thc same farmer in Somersetshire who had told Mr . Miles that we should be swamped with corn from _^ America , when driving ii _bargain wilh liim , confessed to bis lordship tbat his motive was to prevent" being gammoned by the hon . member In the same way he had often been _g-tmmoued before . " liis lordship , in conformity with the pledges he save oa the hustings , heartily supported the measure . After a short explanation from Mr . Hudson ,

      Alderman _Tiiourso . v said that he had not been an indifferent _observer during the last twenty years of the changes in the tariff . lie had giveu his support to those measures ; but , as other changes concurrent therewith had taken place , such as the alterations in the banking institutions of the country , the effects of wbich were still pending , —aiid as foreign countries had testified no indicat . ' oti of _adopting reciprocal measures of tree trade , wc ought to pause before we _pa-wed the present measure . Sir William Molesworth followed in an able speech , iu wuich he refuted tlw argument of the Protectionists , that the high price of corn invariably led to an advance of wages ; but he iu _. ist-d that the

      wages of labour tended rather to rise when prices were low . The li * _inoucabl _. member then went over the politico-economical ground traversed by the preceding spc-ikct .. demonstrating that the repeal of the Com Laws would affect thc landlord , aud not the tenant ; but where it did affect tbe teuaut , be would bc beneficlilly affected by a more certain con . tract b-iug secured w liim . The hon . baronet , in a temperate , - . _ugunientatm : speech , showed tliat the tenant-farmer might , by the application of skill jind industry , raise more produce , which would enable bim to _^ jiay a higher ren t , aud yet derive a much greater pr _.. _ _it to himself . lie cordially supported ibe measure .

      Mr . Bexett , fin a long speech , repeated the arguments already urged by the Protectionists , and _ridiculing Sir Charles Napier , said that the gallant Commodore might plough the waves with more success than he would ever . lough tbe land . The hon . member _fi-d always treated the labourers as his friends , and not as machines ; he said , tliat tke Goatac _ e meeting w . - . s _couco-ted by the emissaries of the League , who werc d _.-termiticd to get ' * a flare-up " Iu Wilt-b : r __ ; the farmers were fattened up I ' or slaughter , their pioperty was half confiscated in j _tsl ., aud now another blow was preparing for them _, lie tacanilv « oudcnined the measure .

      The lion . 11 . Beukelet attacked Mr . P . Miles for his present amendment , . ind showed by the petition of tne Bristol _tticrcbauts that they disavowed any parii-ipati . itt in the h « u . member ' s sentiments . Mr . J . Tollkmache _followedott the Protection side . Mr . T . Duncombe—Cordially concurring , as I do , in the measure uow introduced by her Majesty ' s minister- —believing , as I do , tlmt it is a mcasue that n « _t only dots honour to the Ministry that has produced it , but that it will v , fleet equal honour on thc _Parliament that adopts it—believing , as 1 dp , after the stateiii _ ht made _<« y tlie lion , baronet the First _L-ird « f tne Treasury , that by public opinion alonei _ ir-m-. il the influence of pulic opinion alt . ue , can he h » pc to ov-rcome tbe difficulties with winch he is

      surrounded , or -UStaiti himself _against the obloquy witli _> -h : cli bigotry and igtionmce have assailed him —( _lou-l . ( leers from the Ministerial mid 0 _,. _p-sition fcencue- )—I say , sir , believing this , 1 think it uchoves _tiiosewuo-oiioiowe t __ ev _. -wi *_ V > _t \ ic _nxnnination of peers , and who are _therefore-removable at their pleasure—( hear , and _lauiihtcr )—but who owe their seats to the free and intelligent voice of the people it behoves them to stand up iu support of the measures of which they approve ; and not , upon an occasion like this , to give them a silent , lukewarm , or jealous support . ( Loud cheers . ) Far be it from _jue to make any observation iu the few remarks which I am about to offer which would lead honourable gentlemen opposite to believe that 1 am

      insensible to the painful and ialse position , I may say , in which they are placed . ( Loud cheers and laughter . ) I can make every allowance for those whose powers pf brain cannot keep juice with the conversions which they see going on around them . ( Much , laughter . ) A simultaneous change lias taken place in the breasts of distinguished public men on both sides of the house ; but that is not a reason for us on this side of the house to cavil or quarrel with the c __ mge of opinions of the right hon . gentleman . It is enough for us to feel grateful for the change , and to admire the ability with which it is carried out ( Ilea .. ) But I must say that those for whom I feel sympathy with regard to their powers of change or conversion are those who are

      sitting around him . They are not taking the right c . nrse to extricate themselves from the false position in which they are placed . I ask you if , instead of indulging in personal abuse ofthe right lion , baronet and his colleague , in the midst of which you utter canting . hypocritiralexpr-ssionsaboutyourgivinghim credit for conscientious and honest motives , but still you have no confidence in him as a minister . ( Ironical cheers from the Protectionist bench-.. ) There ' s the learned Recorder of Dublin went further than any of you . { Loud cheers from the Opposition . ) What did he call the ministers with whom he said be had all iiis life been accustomed to associate as friends and political leader ? —why , he called them political cowards , and said that he had no longer any confidence in such political towards . , i .. m . d counter-cheers . ) I ask

      I Continual From Our Seventh I/Oge.) Hou...

      vou , , f that is your opinion , why nctcoi _eforwad , " and move a vote of want of conhdencc in miniSters ( " , _* . _; . cheering from the Opposition ) - * , vote of censure upon _iheT Treasury Bench . Such a course as thatw . mld bc manly , intelligible , and parl . a . i . tmtary . Ic would he parl iamentary , tor you did , in 18 + 1 . in . „ _, amendment upon the address by which it was nronoscd to meddle with that which it is now _proofed to touch , the commercial _interests of the country it . What , was tbe amendment yon moved ? Why , " iu effect , that any government which undertook to meddle with the commercial interests of thc country , ought to possess the couiideiice of this house You proposed that amendment , and you carried , lu your amendment you said , " Wc assure your Majes y that we are deeply sensible ol mo importance of those considerations to which your Majesty has been graciously pleased to direct our attention in reference to the commerce and

      the revenue of the country , and to the laws which regulate thc trade in corn , that in deciding upon the course which it may be thought advisable to pursue with reference to ' such matters , it . will be our earnest desire to consult the interest and promote tho wcltare ofall clauses of her Majesty ' s subjects ' , that we feci it to be our duty humbly to submit to your Majesty that it is essential to thc satisfactory results of our deliberations upon these and other matters of public concern , that your Majesty ' s government should possess the confidence of this house and of the country , aud respectfully to represent to your Majesty that that - _onlideucc is not reposed in the present advisers ol your Majesty . " That was your opinion in 18-1 , aud you expressed in a manly and intelligible aud a _yaiUauicutiiy maimer that wUwli y « i do wow . I ' ou say thc -Ministry have not the confidence ofthe houses and the country ? Why Uo you not try us by that test ?

      Sir J . Ttbkell— ( . is wo believe)—Because you would notsupi > ort us . ( Cheers from the Protectionist benches . ) Mr . Duncomue—How do you know I would . not—I never told you I would not , and you have no right to assume that 1 would uot— why not have tried it in this way , and leave it to the country to decide ? Sir J . Tykkell— Because your party would not support hs . Mr . _DoxoiMBE—I bave uo party but tlie country . You go on hoping obloquy upon tha government , and accusing them of treachery aud _jtertidy and treasou . Treason to whom I What would you have had the right hon . baronet hare done under the circumstances of November last ? You have no , answered tliat quostion yet . We

      think that the right lion , baronet lias discharged bis duty _satitfactoriJy to the country and thepublic , aud honourably to himself , bythe conduct which he has pursued . What would you have him do ? He _resigned ofiice . Were you prepared to take it yourselves ! ( Hear , hear !") ' The right hon . gentleman , the Secretary for the Colonies , in his address to tbe electors of Newark , said that he had been informed tbat those who were in favour of protection were not prepared to form a government . The noble lord the member for London -was prepared to accept tlie lormation of a Ministry . He failed for some reason or otlier . The Whigs were unable to succeed in this object , not from want of courage , but from want of concord . What was tbe righthon . baronet to do ? You admit that there must be a government of some sort , and if so , bow

      could the right lion , baronet bave done otherwise than be did , iu order , as it has been stated elsewhere , that her Majesty might hare it in her power to meet Parliament . ( Cheers . ) I wish tbat the noble lord had done the same iliin _ r , and had cone down to the house , even it he had only ten men to follow him ; and I believe that such is the opinion ofthis house , tbat tbey would have sustained him as well as they have done the right hon . baronet . You talk about the right hon . baronet ' s treason—treason to whom ! To the people , to tbe country , to his own honour ? "So , but treason to Toryism . ( Loud cheers . ) That the right hon . baronet preferred the interests of the nation to tliat of a party . There is only oue treason that he can commit now , and that is treason tothe people , by vacillating iu the course wiiich he has adopted .

      lou say that the opinions of the people are with you , but where is the exhibition of it . Where was protection in the West Riding of Yorkshire t ( Hear , hear . ) Where was protection yesterday in Westminster ? ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I want' to know why the Protectionists did not forward a candidate there . For myself I do not care two straws which ofthe two candidates was elected , but why did not you put forward one ? Why did not you hoist the standard of protection in Covent-garden ? Because you knew tbat if you did , your candidate would have-stood up to his knees in cabbage stalks . We shall hear a good deal in tlie different parts of the country of _tenauts-at-wili , and farmers being up iu arms . The right hon . gentleman , the member for tbe University of Oxford , tells us tliat the clergy and the church are

      alarmed , and that the tithe interest and the church are not properly taken care of . But he does not tell us why ; he did not give us his reasons . Whenever anything is proposed for tbe good of tne people , some hon , gentleman is sure to get up and Ml us tbat vre do not recollect the church . ( Cheers and loud laughter . ) What has tbe church to do with tithes ? Why , the church has no more to do with tithes than the church means religion . ( Laughter . ) I believe that'if the _farwers could vote by baUot They would vote for this sieasure ; but , under the - -.. ant at will clause they could not ; in deference to thc wishes of some honourable members , they could not vote against their landlords . With regard to tue tithes , I have an auihority for the right hon . gentleman , the member for the University of Oxford , which

      may do away with the alarm that exists . The tithe owner , either clerical or lay , bad not the slightest complaint to make agaiust this measure . My authority is sueh , as I am certain the member for the University of Oxford will pay the greatest deference to . It is taken from the _Tiiixes newspaper ; it is a change made by the Bishop of Rochester after the Tithe Commutation Bill passed . It was tbis , that we entered into a compact with the church , on the passing of the Tithe Commutation Act , that their tithes hereafter sliould not bc prejudiced or deteriorated , by any act of ours , and that ttis act would so deteriorate and prejudice tlieir tithes . The right hon . gentleman , the member for the University , said that he was opposed to the Tithe Commutation Bill at tliat time . It does so happen that I have often joined

      with the right hon . gentleman against measures that have been proposed , but upon totally different reasons . I voted against tbe Maynootli Bill ou the voluntary principle ; he voted for it on the high church principle . I said that 1 thought the Tithe _Cotn--uutationBill was unjust to the landed interest ; and alio with reference to the repeal of the Corn Laws , _OecauSC if the Corn Laws were repealed , certain lands -nould be thrown out of cultivation , and saddled with a rent charge which it was totally impossible they could sustain . I also opposed it on another ground , that iu order to shake tlie tithes you gave them claims on land which they never _possessed before . You gave the tithe owner a claim above all the other charges on land . It was uo lien on land , it was a personal claim ; but now it was a positive

      rent charge , and the tithe was such that , no matter what the price of corn may be , the land would not be able t _» sustain it . What was the opinion of the Bishop of Rochester when this bill passed ? Uo stated in his charge to the diocese , with respect to two bills —the Tithes Commutation Act and the Registration of Births aud Marriages Act—tbat "in the present state of the public party in this country , and particularly considering the state ofthe Hoase of I ' _nrliamtvu , the Titne Bill may be considered as favourable towards the settlement of . o difficult a question as could be expected . Happily for this country , tbe landowners felt the principal interest in it , for they had considerable tithe property , and they thought it their interest that a fair settlement ofthe question should be made . The clergy , therefore , in this

      instance experienced a greater degree of justice than has been usually extended towards them in otlier matters . " It is not parliamentary to impute motives to men ; but the bishop thus charges parties in tliis house with selfinterest ia coming t * au arrangement beneficial to the country . If I said it , I may be _considered acting wrong ; but it is a radical opinion , coming from a bisnop , and therefore it is all right and orthodox . ( Cheers and laughter . ) I call tlie attention of the right hon . baronet ( SirK . Inglis ) to tlie remark on the future value of tithes , which alleged " that it was a dangerous and delusive arrangement , which would leave a great diminution in the property of the church , and , iu causing a decrease in thv value of articles that create tho value of tithes , would produce evils greater than weie anticipated . But it

      must be remembered that as incomes were derived from articles of produce , it would be equally affected , under circumstances where a diminution took place ill their diminution and value , and there was uot , therefore , auy just cause for that alarm which existed iu this country . " That ought to be sufficient authority for the right hon . gentleman , the member for the University of Oxford . That cliarge _wasgiveu in 1837 by the Bishop of Rochester , Sow , sir , 1 must say , that the only argument that had beeu used by honourable gentlemen opposite in defence of this measure , tliat could be called au argument , was a reference to occurrences that took place iu 1842 . I do think that those occurrences ought to bc kept _completely out of sijht on tliis subject . I cau easily understand that the right hon . baronet opposite , despondingly despairing

      ot making any impression on the reason of those behind him , should think it necessary to appeal to their fears—( hear , hear , )—but I think that at the same time _heisappaaljngto the fears of those geutleinen , he should do justice to the past conduct ou this subject of gentlemen on this side of the house . ( Hear , bear . ) Heought to recollect , that in 1812 , when those dreadful occurrences , which then manifested themselves , were g . iug ou , when that terrible distress prevailed , when tliere « _w _ _. erery symptom and appearance of considerable tumult and confusion , he should recollect , I say , that up to that time continual motions had been made ou this side of the house eutirelysimilar , iurolving exactly thu same principles as those that are now put forward by the government .

      ( Hear , hear . ) We told the government over and over aga _' n , that if they would but give effect to those sound principles of commercial policy , with the enunciation of which _, they had begun the session , and more especially those affecting provisions and the fo « d of the people , they would very speedily put au end to all the distress prevalent bs . the country , to all lhe Misery , aad consequently to all the confusion aud disorder . I myself , towards the end of July of that year , brought forward a motion for an address to the Crown , praying her Majesty , that , iu the event of the measures wliich had _betm passed ' that session not proving adequate to the contemplated objects , she would be pleased to call the Parliament together again without

      I Continual From Our Seventh I/Oge.) Hou...

      delay , —( hear , hear )—for tlic purpose of having other and better principles thoroughly carried out . The motion of mine was rejected , though by a very small majority , considering the strength of the government party . Wo are now told that measures , similar to tht . se then desired by us , will remove distress ami its attendant confusion * . if so , I say , wo have a right to conclude that the same measures at that time would have had the like beneficial effect ; would have relieved the right hon . hurt , from the necessity which he was then under , and of which he , I will not s « y , boasts , but of which lieremiiulB us , of sending down a battalion of guards aud a park of artillery into the manufacturing districts . ( Hear , hear . ) If tht righthon . baronet had sent down a measure like this , as he was urged to do , there would have been , I repent , no

      necessity for lus guards or his park of artillery ; tor content and peace would have bceii restored , with the removal of the distress . ( Hear , hear . ) H . vd thc right hou . baronet listened to us at that time , it is imposiible to say how much misery would not havo been provented , how much suffering spared , how much crime saved us . ( -Hear . ) Xliauk God , however , whoever the Ministers of the _Crowu may be , tliey rule over a _lvyal , a peaceable , and honest people . Aye , and a forgiving people . ( Cheers . ) A people that havo forgotten audi _forgivon the « rovs which you then piirpetr . ited _, and in return for whose for . giveness of your errors , all you can do now is to pass this measure as quickly as you cau , as honestly and sincerely as you can , and not to leave them for a moment to regret a look back to those days I sneak of . ( Hear , hear . )

      There was a question put to the rigbt hon . baronet , by the hon . member for Norfolk , ou tlie point of total and immediate repeal , and _areforence to tlie samo point by a noble lord on this side , the question being , wlmther the righthon . baronet _cousi-ttrsit essential to bis measure that total ami immediate repeal should not n « w be mooted _. He seems to imagine that it is essential to the success of his proposition , thatthe final plan should not be pressed , aud such being the case , there appears to be an understanding ; that the noble l _« rd , and those who act with him , shall uot sanction any motion for immediate repeal . The righthon . baronet , however , though he showed the Protectionists' manifest indisposition to settle the business at once , is quite disposed tu accommodate them . I hope thoy they will see the advantage of so settling it ,

      aud thus relieve the noble lord and others from what would seem to be their implied pledge . ( Hear . ) There is anotherpart of the measure to which I would beg to call tho particular attention of the right hou . baronet . When the plan was proposed to us , we were told . ' that we were to t __ kc it as a whola , and in the whole . Now , " ! beg to tell you very distinctly , tbat the part of the uieacuVe which tha operative classes of the manufacturing districts regard as , after all , the most valuable to them , is that which makes the important change in tlte l _ w of settlement —( hear , hear)—snd I tell you that if you strike out that part of the measure , the measure will be valueless in the eyes of the operatives . ( Hear , hear . ) Tha right hou . b-i . ntkt bas told us that he _wuhei . us not to pees * that port of the plan , till the Corn Law part has

      been settled in this house . Now , there is , I am told , an idea preralent in some of tho great iii _ n _ facturi __; towns , that it is intended to offer a vary severe opposition to that portion ot the measure . I hear that the language which has been held in particular quarters on tbis point , is , let us get the Corn Law part of the _question settled —( hear , hear , )—and then we will deal with the law of settlement . question . ' . - ( Hear . ) If you take this course , I can tell you , there will arise throughout the country an agitation which will render the Corn Law part of ihe measure entirely valueless —( cries of hear , hear , from tlte _Trotectionist benches)—and I therefore call on her Majesty ' s Ministers to give us an assurance tbat they consider this law of settlement question an inseparable part and parcel of the measure . 1 hope that her Majesty ' s government will consider this an essential portion of the measure . ( Hear , hear . ) I

      do not ask it as compensation to . the agriculturists . ( Hear , hear . ) It will be a boon to tbem , but it will be a great act of justice to the operatives . ( llear , hear . ) I believe that the opposition to this part of the measure is kept in abeyance , and therefore vou must look to it with a jealous eye when it comes forward . But I believe her Majesty ' s government are sincere—( hear)—and that they intend to carry all the measure , but if they do not carry this part of it , I hope the other portion of it will not be allowed to pass . ( Hear , hear , nnd cheers . ) But to that portion of tke house commonly called the agricultural interest —( laughter ) , —I do believe that as soon as the days of protection shall have passed by , that they will be the first to acknowledge that their alarms were unfounded , and that they will lament the errors which they so long aud so pertinaciously continued . ( Loud cheers . )

      Sir S . Ackland defended the agricultural interest against tbe charge of ignorance and bigotry , which the last speaker had preferred agaiust it . Lord Alfred Paget and Mr . B . Baring having spoken in favour of the Premier ' s measures , Mr . Bruce moved an adjournment .

      HOUSE OF COMMONS-Fiudat , Feb . 20 . The adjourn « d debate was resumed by Mr . C-M-. WO Bruce , wbo reiterated the usual arguments against the abolition of protection . Mr . Po-Lett ScaorE urged at length tbe absurdity of denying to a skilful aud industrious population an ample supply ofthe first necessaries of life . Mr . Newdeca _. e censured the policy of thc government both on currency and corn , as dotriment _. l to all the interests of the country . The peculiar burdens on agriculture he estimated at twelre millions sterling annually , which included tithes , a charge essentially a peculiar burden . Sir Robert Peel was the Minister of the necessities of the crown , not of the public opinion of the country .

      Mr . _Barklt spoke at some length in favour of tho government measures , which lit approved in preference to the extreme policy of either the Protectionists or the Anti-Corn Law League . Mr . Bennett ( Suffolk ) opposed the government

      measure , — Mr . Mcktz wai satisfied that with our system of currency a repeal of the Corn Laws would be detrimental to native _indu-try . Of it be withtd to be an equitable protector ; but , as protection was most unequally diffused , he supported a repeal of ihe Corn Laws , in order to bring about tha change he desiderated . Mr . D'Ibraem lamented that there wore no statistics of agriculture ; but this was undisputed , that fifty years ago we were compelled to import corn to supply our population , and that now , when our population was doubled , WC fed them from Ottr own resources and at lower price * than formerly . * No man could prove that protection had been the bane of agriculture in England , unless he could show that the cultivation of our soil was inferior to that of other countries ; but it was generally admitted that it was infinitely superior to that of every nation in

      the world . Those who boasted of our present prosperity could not deny that our people were employed ; and if it were not as well employed as he could wish , still its work would not be increased by the admission of foreign competition , nor its wages incr « ated by a _itduction in tbe priee of corn . He thought that iu England wo _vught to do moro than merely maintain a balance between its agricultural and manufacturing interests . We should give a preponderance to the agricultural . We had been told that the object of this chang » was the transference of power from the agricultural to themanufacturi-g class . He admitted the inttllige _ . ee , _ nd did not _enry the wealth and opulence of the manufacturer ; bat in thi * age , _kIich ire had been suffering much from class interests , were we to bu rescued from one class merely to sink under tho avowed domination of another ? If such were to be 'the

      great result of the struggle , he protested against the ignominious cat-strophe . If we were to hare a change he hoped that the foundations of it would be deep , and the scheme grand and comprehensive : then , instead of falling under the thraldom of capitalists , who prided themselves more upon their wealth than their intelligence , we should seek , in bending to a new _ceuree , for the meant of safety in the _iuatitutions at our ancient monarchy , and in the invigorated energies of an educated

      AND ENFRANCHISED PEOPLE . Ou the motion of Mr . E . Bi _)___ n the debate was adjourned to Monday . [ We have selected , if not the most important portion of Mr . _D'lsracli ' s speech for his owu party , at least for ourselves , and the conclusion to which tho hon . gentleman comes , that wheu the measure is carried . und tho old party connection broken up , that their reliance upon an EDUCATED and _ESKItANCHISED people must bo the last , and ouly alternative for the nation ; those tew words of Mr . D'ltraeli ' s speech , whether they are indicative of party conviction , party apprehension , protectionist fonr ,

      or protectionist spite , are , nevertheless , balm to our cause . It is an old saying amongst _sportstneu _, that there ie no foul hunting a fox , and we care but littlo whether the consistent or inconsistent Tories hunt down and destroy the beast— CLASS LEGISLATION . Our readers will find but little iuterest in tbe _anti-f eel portion of Mr . D'lisraeli'sspeech . It was sound but uot argumentative , cutting but n it crushing , spiteful , and , therefore , deprived of one ofthe essential charms of oratory . However , the confession of ENFRANCHISING the people covers a multitude of sins , and induces us to tolerate much of what we might otherwise revile . ]

      The East India Company Have Received Inf...

      The East India Company have received information of tha total loss of the Company ' s war sloop , Coote , Lieut . J . S . Grieve , on a reef of rocks opposite Calicut , on the 3 rd of November last . . Mr . Knowlcs , _( _J . C ., has been appointed Attorney-General of the county palatine of Lancaster , vice the Hon . J . S . Wortley , promoted to the oUiccof Judge Advocate-General . The disputes between the colliers in and around Bolton , and their employers still remains in'the same position , without any apparent disposition on either side to . yield .

      It will he seen from an advertisement in another column , that a public meeting will be held nt the London Mechanics' Institution , Southampton-buildings , Chancery-lane , Ilolbom , on Monday , February 23 , IS--, to tako into consideration the case ofthe journeymen boot and shoemakers ot Belfast , and the strong shoemakers of London , now on strike ; the men of Belfast being charged by their employers , under-the . common law , with conspiracy , and are now out on bail . Chair to be taken at eight o ' clock precisely . Working men ! this question must be settled . Let us meet and settle it .

      ¦ Pltce Fciteuig*Itt&

      ¦ _pltce _fciteUig * itt _&

      Mansion-House. " With His Brogue And His...

      MANSION-HOUSE . " With his Brogue and his Blarney akd _Bothum _** _" * Ways . "—On Monday Elizabeth Boyd , a simp le Irishwoman , charged a rou » li _ilMoolting fellow , a native of lhe same country , with having imposed upon and robbed her . The complainant wasindustriously performing her domestic duties , when the prisoner walked up to her , and addressing her in iillectioiiate terms , said , " Betty , jewel , you don ' t forgot me , do you V As she had not tbe slightest recollection of the man's face or person , she told him candidly that he was quite a stranger to her . " Oh , then , faith , said he , " it ' s I that ' s your own brother . " —( Laughter . ) "My brother ! " exclaimed the woman , " that ' s quite impossible . You are not like him in anj respect . You have quite a dift'erent sort of fate , and lie

      is a great deal taller . " " Why , my jewel , " suid he , " that ' s the fault of thc climate . I ' ve been in the hot country . I ' ve been over-burnt my features , so that Ian'tlike the same man at all , and quite spoiled my growth , so that I an't near tho sine I used to be . "— ( Laughter . ) The Lord Mayor : Had you no such recollection of jour brother as ivould hel p to detect such au extraordinary attempt at imposition ? Witness : Upon my word , my Lord , I eould not see the least bit of likenussiu the world between him and iny brotlmr . Hut I did not know but that the severe heat of the foreign parts he was in might have changed his complexion , so I thought it the best way to go for my sister to have her _optnionsabouthim . " Oh , _fuith , _"says he , " you may depend upon the truth of what I say . You are my sister , sure enough , " and so hc kissed my hand . Well , I said to him you look tired ; wouldn't you like a cup of tea , and some breadand butter and eggs 1 " Yes , " says he , "I ' ve no objections , " so I gave him a good bellyful and then I went for my sister , and the moment he saw

      her he claimed rcltttionship and kissed her hand . So we . didn't know but he might be our brother , and then hc told us the ship he came heme in was lying in the St . Katharine ' s Dock , aud he had on board silk for a gown for me and for my sister , a chest of tea , and some otlier things that would be of use , only he wanted some money to pay thc duty , ( a laugh . ) We then gave him all the money we had , and away he went . This was in October , and I never set eyes upon him since until this morning . I found after he left the house that he hud tttken a basin full of lump sugar and a silk handkerchief , although I hud just before lent him one to tit up the silk gowns with _. The prisoner : Oh , then it's I that repents ofit . I'll never do it again , please you , my Lord Jlayor . It was nothing but distress that drove me to the bad act ; but I ! ll take my oath against such deceitful doings for ever . 'fli 6 : _Loi-d Mayor * . You have been guilty of a most disgraceful robbery upon those two credulous poor women , and you sball . repent it on the treadmill . —Committed .

      SOUTIIWAHK . VlOIE . VT _AsSAt ' -T AHD _A-TEMP- AT _SUICIM . —On Monday , Geoi _* g « Loveland Tveeve was charged with committing a violent assault on'his wife , and threatening her life , and afterwards attempting to destroy himself . A policeman of the L division stated that on Saturday night be was called to a house iu _H-tfield-street _, Stamfordstreet , and informed that a gentleman upstairs had violently assaulted his wife , and afterwards-made an attempt upon his own life . He ( the constable ) -immediately proceeded to a room on the fir .-t floor , and taw the prisoner , from whose hands a razor hud just been wrested , after lie had inflicted a wound on his throat . The pri . soner . appeared to be in a state of great excitement , and after the wound was dressed , he was conveyed to the

      station-house ; Mrs . Treeve stated that she was married to the prisoner three years ago in Guernsey , he at that period being an ollieer in the West India Mail Packet Company ; that his father was a major in the army , and barrack master of Jersey . Some time ago the prisoner was left a considerable sum of money at the decease of a near relation , since which period he had been leading a very intemperate life . That on Saturday night be returned home and got into a violent passion with her in consequence of her having called at thc residence of a solicitor iu Bedford-row , from whom he was in the habit of receiving the money bequeathed by his deceased relation . That it was true she had visited the gentleman alluded to in order to acquaint him of the manner in which her husband was squandering away the produce of the legacy ,

      and to prevent it if possible . The prisoner having been apprised of the circumstimeo , when he returned home he began to abuse her , threatened to stab her with a knife which he snatched from the supper table , but which he laid down again , and then taking up a jug of water he threw the contents over her , and also flung a glasE decanter at her . She was compelled to call for pro . tection , and the landlady of the house interfered , but to no purpose . He , in fact , was as violent as ever , and when police was culled , he shut himself up in the room alone , and thero it was he drew the razor a cross his throat . The prisoner said he had no recollection of the

      circumstances , the wound he hud inflicted on himself was not of the slightest eonsequence , and if permitted to go at large he would never go near his wife again . Mr . Cottinghdm said that he could not permit a man who had aeted in . the manner he had dont to have his liberty without he found bail to keep thc peace , for if ha was now discharged he might murder his wife , and then hc ( the magistrate ) would be blamed for not putting the law in force whew theprisoner was first brought before him . The magistrate then adjudged the prisoner to enter into his own recognizance of £ 100 , and find two sureties Ol £ 50 , each to keep the peace , aud to be imprisoned until such sureties werc entered into .

      WORSUIP . STItEET : _Chaik ; - or _FoRotur . —On Tuesday William Redway Allen was charged with having feloniously uttered two forged bills of _exchangsfor £ _* -0 and £ 05 , with intent to defraud Mr . James Wilson , _llruuswick-plaee , City . road . Thc prosecutor stated that , in the latter part of the month of January , 1842 , the prisoner , with whom he had been previously acquainted , called at his house , and requested that he would discountfor him a bill for £ . 0 , purporting to be accepted by Mr . Islop Odell , an extensive builder at Queen ' s road , Dalston . The prisoner said tliat he had

      received the bill in payment of an account due to him by Mr , Odell , and feeling satisfied as to the respectability of the ostensible acceptor , wituess advanced him the amount without the slightest hesitation . Oft the _^ lh of March following , the prisoner induced him to discount another bill for £ 65 , and bearing the same acceptance , but both the bills in question , on arriving at maturity , were declared to be forgeries . Mr . Islop Odell proved that neither of thc signatures to tho bills proiluced were in his handwriting , and that he had never authorised any one to sign them for bim . The prisoner was remands- till Tuesday next ,

      THAMES . CiiMtGE of Robbery . —On Tuesday Elizabeth Webb , seventeen or eighteen years of age , was charged with robbing her employers . It appeared from the evidence that the girl was in a very destitute condition two years ago , and was relieved and succoured by the parish of St . Bionis , Uaekcburch , in _Fenchurch-strcet . After being well clothed and put in a fair way of gettiug on in the world , a situation wits procured for her by Mr . Drawer , the assistant-overseer , in the family ofa gentleman named Home , at _l'laistow , in Essex , and she continued there until three months back , when she left , and no suspicion of her honesty being then entertained , she was recommended to another situation in the house ofa widow lad y named Jessop , also living in _Pluistow , where she

      remained until the 19 th of January . Subsequently to this suspicions were entertained of her honesty , and Mr , Brewer went to the dwelling of horunele iii _Rideliff , and upon searching her box he found the body ofa silk gown , a crape tippet , and a pair of crape cuffs belonging to Mrs . Jessop , her last employer . He caused her to be apprehended , and Serjeant Harris , 21 K , soon ascertained that a good deal of property had been lost both by Mr . Home and Mrs . Jessop , while the prisoner wasin their service . A great proportion of the property was traced to theprisoner , who had employed her aunt to pawn some of it , whin- the remainder she had pledged in her onn name ,

      and represented that she came from Mrs . _Jea . op , and the pawnbrokers made out the duplicates in thenameof Elizabeth Webb , for Mrs . Jessop . Table-bnon aud female wearing apparel to the amount of £ 8 , the property of Mrs . Jessop , the whole of which the prisoner had pawned on three separate occasions in one day , the 33 rd of December , were produced by a pawnbroker ' s shopman , named Gosling . The whole ofthe articles wereidontified by Mrs , Jessop . A valuable gold ring , belonging to Mr , Home , pawned by the girl ' s aunt at the request ofhci niece , was identified by fcim . The prisoner held down her head and sobbed aloud . She made no defence . Mr . llroderi committed her .

      Dreadful Murder. Assassination In Tiie M...

      DREADFUL MURDER . ASSASSINATION IN TIIE METROPOLIS . Shortly after six o ' clock on Monday morning the inhabitants of Pitt _' s-place , a narrow paved court leading from Dmry-lanc to Great Wild-street , were alarmed hy thc report ofa nistol from the house No . £ in that place , the first-floor and cellar of which were occupied by the deceased , James Bostock , in his trade as a working brass and gun metal-founder . The first person whose attention seems to have been particularly attracted by the circumstance was a man named l ' arsons , who occupied the second-floor of thc liouse in which deceased resided . Hearing the

      discharge of a pistol while in the aet of dressing himself he descended to the ground-floor for the purpose of discovering whence it had been fired . On reaching the passage at the foot of the staircase , he stumbled over what appeared to bo tho body of a man , and on opening tho street door he at once discovered the deceased Bostock stretched Upon the ground apparently lifeless , with it Stream of blood issuing irom one of his ears . A neighbour named Woodman and several ether persons were soon on tlie spot , and the _polictf-stretcliet having beon obtained , by the advice ot a medical gentleman who had been summoned on the instant , the deceased was at once removed to King ' * College Hospital . medical

      A examination immediatel y discovered that the deceased ' s ear had been penetrated by a bullet , and irom the hot that the unhappy nun , although still breathing , was in a perfect state of coma , it became evident that the ball still remained within the skull . Alter lingering from the period of his admission until nearly four o ' clock in the afternoon , the deceased expired from the effects of thc wound . For some time after the attention of thc police liad been called to the circumstances above detailed , probably owing to tlic absence of all motive for the crime , there was considerable doubt as to the party by whom the act had been committed . Iu the course

      Dreadful Murder. Assassination In Tiie M...

      ofthe morning , however , such facts were brought to light as leave little , if any , doubt as to thc author of the catastrophe . It appears that tho deceased liad in his employ as an apprentice , a young man named Thomas Wix . On Saturday last Wix was sent by th . deceased to one of his customers to obtain payment of a small bill , _amounting to 15 s ., or thereabouts . Wix obtained thc money , and on his return home informed his master that he had had thc misfortune to lose lis . out of the amount . He begged the deceased to allow him to make up the loss by payments of 2 s . 6 _ . a-week , to be deducted from his wages . This , however , the deceased objected to do , I and further he expressed his determination to deduct the whole sum from the wages due to Wix on

      Saturday night—a proceeding which he afterwards carried into effect . This circumstance is supposed to have created a rancorous feeling against his master in the mind of Wix , the more so as the parties are described to have lived generally on very indifferent terms . It was the custom of Wix to knock up his master about six o'clock every morning ,. in order to obtain admission to tlie workshop . He is supposed to have done this on Monday morning , as the widow of the decensed states that it was in answer to a single knock at the door that her husband , who had just breakfasted , descended tho staircase from their apartments on the first floor . The report of the pistol almost immediately followed the opening of the door , and from the position in which deceased was found ,

      it is conjectured thatthe assassin must have watched the opportunity afforded by thc deceased turning round to proceed up stairs in order to take his deadly aim . The possession of a pistol , with powder and bullets , by Wix , is proved in a very clear and satisfactory manner , by a tradesman . named Stone , who keeps an oil shop in Great Wild-street . Wix went into Mr . Stone ' s shop on Saturday , the 7 th instant , and purchased a small quantity of gunpowder , remarking that he was . going out shooting on the following day ( Sunday ) . On Monday , the Oth instant , he again visited Mr . Stone'sshop , and purchased on that occasion another small quantity of gunpowder . Mr . Stone asked him what hc had shot on the previous day , to which he replied by giving a description oi some bird which Mr . Stone imagined tobe a snipe . Doubting the fact , Mr . Stone asked him what sort ofaeun he used , whereupon Wix pulled out Irom

      his breast a bright- barrelled pistol about six inches long . Mr . Stone next asked him what sort of shot he used , to which question Wix replied by producing three or four small bullets . At Mr . Stone's request Wix gave him one of the latter , to see if it would fit a pistol he had in use . This bullet was on Monday handed to the police by Mv . Stone , and in the event of a similar one being found in the head of the deceased , it will , of course , form an important link in the chain of evidence to bo produced against Wix hereafter . Thus , taking all these facts into consideration , although it does not at present appear that any one saw Wix near the scene of the murder on Monday morning , as he _luwl absconded from his usual haunts , and has not been heard of since Sunday , it is only reasonable to suppose that lie must be privy to the crime of whicli he is suspected . The deceased has left a widow but no children .

      Wix appears to have borne but a very indifferent character for some years past . About nine months since lie endeavoured to poison himself by taking an enormous dose of laudanum while labouring under some excitement . The attempt was , however , discovered in time to frustrate his intention . His mother is a poor woman of very good character . She lives in Little Wild-street , but her ion has long been separated from her by his dissipated courses . He is about 21 years of age .

      A . PREHENSION OP THE ¦ MURDERER . At a late hour last night Thomas Wix was discovered at a coffee-house , and taken into custody . Information was brought to the police-station in the morning that the prisoner was seen in Finsburysquare ; and it appears that he subsequently went to Gravesend , probably with the view of planning a more effectual escape . He seems , however to have become much dejected , and , on his return to London , he sent for a friend to consult with him upon the matter . It was , we believe , during an interview with his friend , that Mr . Pierce , the superintendent of the F division , received information from one of the constables on watch as to his appearance , «_ c _., and caused his immediate apprehension .

      EXAMINATION AND COMMITTAL OF THP MURDERER . Thomas Wix , who stands charged with thc murder of his master , James Bostock , was on Tuesday placed at the bar before Mr . Twyford , at Bow-street policecourt . From the time ofthe opening of the court , and indeed for sometime previous , the street was crowded with people , anxiously waiting to " catch a sight" ofthe accused . A beadle was in attendance to take notes of tin-examination , and to furnish a resport to the coroner , by whom ho had been sent . A few minutes before the prisoner was brought to thc court , a gentleman applied to the magistrate to have tho case put off till to-morrow , saying that he was a relatien of the prisoner , and that he was in

      possession offsets which , he thought , would materially alter the aspect of the case . Mr . Twyford said tliat he could not postpone the hearing of the case . If the applicant had any facts to adduce , an opportunity would bc given him in tlte course of the examination . At ten minutes to two o ' clock the prisoner was placed in the dock . He is very boyish-looking , not appearing to be more than seventeen years of age . He was dressed in a velveteen jacket . During the examination he showed great levity , and evi dently thought very little ofthe charge against him . Samuel Parsons , an old man who lives inthe same liouse as the deceased , No . i , Pitt-place , Drury-lane ,

      said—I am a coachmaker by trade . At seven o ' clock on the morning of Monday , being then in bed , I heard a cry of " Master ; " I immediately got up , and partly dressed myself . Before I was quite dressed I heard the report of a pistol . When Iwa * dressed I went down stairs and found a candle alight inthe passage . I put it out . Afterwards 1 found a body in the passage , and I went to thc street-door , and saw Mr . Goodman , who lives at the house opposite , at his door . I asked him to bring a light , which he did , and we went together to the place where I had seen the light . We found the body of Mr . Bostock lying in the passage , and covered with blood . Wo then called in the police , and the body waa taken away on a stretcher .

      A shopman in the employ of Messrs . Harding , gunsmiths , of G 2 , Great Qneen-strcet , Lincoln ' s-inn , said that on Monday or Tuesday of last week the prisoner came to him with a pistol , which was out ot order . It was a flint and steel pistol . Witness oiled the . spring , which was stiff , and thc barrel , which was rusty , lie said he wanted to shoot a dog that had bit him , and showed a scar upon his jaw . He asked witness to give him a bullet . He had not a bullet , but he gave him two slugs . On Wednesday he came again , and said that the pistol had missed fire , but witness showed him that it was in good order . He said lie had shot the dog . On Thursday he went to the shop again and showed witness a percussion cap pistol , which ho said he had got in exchange for the other , and had given half-a-crown into the bargain . Witness put the pistol in order , and gave the prisoner a few caps . He said he wanted to go _shootingon Primrose-hill on Sunday . He thon went

      away . Edward Mailers , a dealer in pawnbroker ' s unredeemed p ledges , of 129 , Drury-lane , said that in the course ot last week the prisoner came several times to his shop to bargain for a pistol which he wished to buy . Finally witness ga _*» e him a percussion-cap pistol in _exchange for a flint pistol , receiving half-acrown in addition from the prisoner . The prisoner said that he wanted it to shoot birds with . ( The witness produced the pistol which he had received from the prisoner . ) James Stowe , an oil and colourman _, of 19 , Great Wild-street , proved that the prisoner . bought gunpowder of him on several occasions during thc last week . He always said he wanted it to _shoet birds with , and on one occasion lie showed him a pistol .

      John Collins , U F _, stated that while lie was on duty in Great Wild-street on Saturday night , lie was called into the house , No . i , Pitt's-place , by the deceased , who was about to give the prisoner into custody for obtaining money , and converting it to his own use . The prisoner said lie had lost it , and offered to pay half-a-crown a week till the whole sum ( lis . ) should be paid . Thc deceased did not give him in charge , but said he would stop out of his week's wages the lis ., and 2 s . Cd ., which he had borrowed from him . Policemen Pocock , F . 1-1 , and Thompson , A 02 , took the prisoner in charge , in a coffee-house in Great Queen-street , Druyy-hne , at abont twelve o ' clock on Monday night . He asked on the road to the station-house , whether " the ' govcrnor wan dead ?" Tliey told him lie was ; and he said "he was a —• rogue to me ; this was _bi-ew ' mg for him , for twelve months , and I have revenged myself for his cruel treatment to mc . " He was cautioned that anything he said would bc used against him , and he said no

      more . The prisoner , who , during the evidence of the policemen , liad appeared more serious than before , on being asked if he had any question to put to the _witnessjfocock , Bai _* - " No ; hc gives his evidence go sincerely that I can say nothing to him ; and the evidence is so clear against me that 1 must confess that I am guilty of it . 1 did do it ; and 1 only wonder 1 did not do it twelve months ago , his conduct to me was so cruel . " The witnesses were then bound over to prosecute and tho prisoner was fully committed . '

      INQUKSr ON TUB MURDERED MAN . On Thursday , Mr . Bedford , the Coroner for Westminster , and a respectable jury of householders _resi-^ h _« i » _Lrt ° r ? lemnb ]) « _- _* cs , assembled atthft Plough _iayern _, Carey-street , Lincoln ' s-innhelds , to inquire , _nto the death of James Bostock , who was shot on . the _morning of Monday last , at hi ± i !)! _W «» . _Drury-Uite _, under circumstances above detailed . As the _pei-ons called betore the coroner , were , without an exception , the an e who were examined at _Bowstreet oa Tuesday , , S , - " . 1 V nn < , c ? Bsai ' . vto repeatthe evidence . After f « S-v i be F rt , on ' _J , iry returned a Terd'ct of i Witful murder _agaiwt Thomas William Wix . "

      Dreadful Murder. Assassination In Tiie M...

      _Ctetis-t _fcrtelHgei tte _. MEETINGS IN BEHALF OF THE ' _CH . rtt ' EXILES . W 1 A KUM [ Continued / rom otw * Sixth Paqe 1 lMVOllTAST _MEETING AT GREENWICH . A public meeting took place in the splendidl i ec ture Hail , Royal-hill , Greenwich , on Wednesd ay evening , when not less than 700 persons were p / sent . Mr . Ellis , an opulent tradesman of Deptford , wag unanimously called to the chair , and in a few appro ' . ' priate remarks , he concluded by reading a letter from Admiral W . i . B . Dundas , one of the members for the Borough , in which the writer said he should be engaged on the 18 th , but , nevertheless , he should be most happy to present and support any " petition

      the meeting might entrust to his care . ( Cheers . ) Mr . T . Clark then moved the first resolution as follows : — " That this meeting is of opinion , considering that mercy has been extended to _Fapineau and other Canadians , who were arrested with arms in their hands , that the time has fully arrived when a measure of equal mercy should be meted out to John Frost , Zephaniah Williams , and William Jones , the victims of the Newport outbreak of 1839 . Resolved , therefore , that a petition to the Ilouse of Commons be adopted for an address to her Majesty , praying her to restore tliem to their country , families , and friends . " Mr . Clark said—He was well pleased to see so many present , it spoke well fov the cause in which they were engaged , that of mercy and

      justice . ( Hear , hear . ) Frost , Williams , and Jones belonged to a class rather above that of working men but they , nevertheless , sympathised deeply with the working classes ; they saw that the middle and upper classes were represented in Parliament , and , consequently , that tbeir interests were protected , but that the working classes , being unrepresented , their interests were unprotected , and they were treated _Jikc miserable , wretched outcasts ; they , accordingly , demanded for them the same rights , privileges , ' and immunities wliich were enjoyed by the other classes and which they , as the producers of all wealth , go justly merited —( loud cheers)—yet for the advocacy of such pure and holy principles they had been banished . ( Hear , hear . ) ( Mr . Feargus O'Connor

      now entered the hall , and was greeted with great cheering . ) Those much esteemed and highly honour _, able men were now in the sixth year of their exile , and he had no tioubt the meeting agreed with him , that the sufferings endured by these men and their bereaved wives and families had been more than a sufficient expiation for any crime they had committed . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor rose amid great cheering to second the resolution , and said—Whatever might be the result of this petition they had met to propose and support , the meeting reflected great credit on the Chartist body of Greenwich and Dcptford , who had got it up , and must tend to advance the great cause of public liberty . ( Loud cheers . ) Ten years ago he had

      the honour to be invited by the Greenwich Chartists to a feast given to tbe members for the borough , and tha great principles hc advocated were then thought nonsense by the middle classes . How gratifying was it , therefore , to see bo many of that class present to-night , mixing with the working class . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor here entered into a lucid exposition of the principles of the People ' s Charter , which be stated were part and parcel ol the British constitution , and these also were the real and good principles enunciated by Frost , Williams , and Jones , and for thus advocating the equal rights ot all , had they been persecuted and prosecuted . ( Hear , hear . ) He had the sanction of Chief Baron Pollock and Solicitor-General Sir Fitzroy Kelly , for saying tliat they were not only illegally tried but illegally convicted —( hear , hear ); yet , strange as it ma )* appear , royal marriages , royal births , royal christenings had

      taken place , the hulks had been ransacked lor persons on whom to exercise the royal clemency , whilst men of high moral reputation had been allowed to rot and perish in prisons , or drag on a miserable existence in penal settlements , whose only crime had been that of feeling intensely for the wrongs and sufferings of their fellow men . ( Shame , shame ! and great applause . ) Mr . O'Connor next alluded forcibly to the peculiar circumstances attendinj the trial of the Welsh martyrs . Their patriotic friend Duncombe had given notice of a motion on the subject for which they had met , and let the people only give him their cordial and hearty support—let each individual only have the vanity to believe that on his efforts success depended , and victory would be theirs . Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid great cheering _. The resolution was then unanimously adopted .

      Mr . Doyle rose and submitted a petition , embodying the spirit of the foregoing resolution , and sa ' id our martyred brethren were the victims of spies employed hy government , and paid out of the hard earnings of the industrious people . ( Hear , hear . ) He well remembered that Lord Liverpool justified the employment of such base nefarious means , en the plea that it had been adopted by all former governments , and lie presumed that _ftussell and Melbourne had no better excuse for continuing the same dastardly practice . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Doyle next presented a graphic sketch ofthe misery , wretchedness , and destitution of the people , especially in the manufacturing districts , and asked , under such circumstances , was it wonderful that they should hold

      such meetings as those for which the Welch martyrs were so u _ 3 u . ti _ f . _ ly banished 1 ( Loud cheers . ) It was for enlightening the people that Frost , Wiliiams _, and Jones had sacrificed their liberties , and , until the people possessed what they justly demanded —equal rights and equal laws—penee , prosperity , and happiness would never prevail . ( Great cheering . ) Mr . Philip M'Grath rose , loudly applauded , to second the adoption of the petition , " and said—They had met to do an act of justice—to ask , in the name of humanity , a grave assemblage to do an act of mercy to Jehu Frost and his brave , but perhaps erring compatriots . ( Loud cheers . ) Frost was the

      advocate of the rights of all ; he saw one man in seven only enfranchised , and the remainder without the pale of the constitution , hence hia exertions iu favour of the People ' s Charter . John Frost only enunciated the great truth , that all _mankind were equal . He ( Mr . M'Grath ) ailed on all the dam liters , sons , matrons , and lathers present , to make the cause of the Welsh martyrs their cause ; then would they be enabled to get up such a breeze of public feeling as shall waft them from the land of their captivity to the bosoms of their wives , families , and friends . ( Loud cheers . ) The petition was unanimously adopted .

      Mr . J . Morgan moved , and Mr . Walter Flyer seconded— "That Admiral J . W . Dundas be requested to present the petition just adopted ; and that E . G . Barnard , the other member for the borough , be requested to Bupport its prayer . " Carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to the chairman , who suitably acknowle dged the honour done him , and the meeting dissolved .

      Ashton-Under-Lyne. Chartist Tea Partv An...

      ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE . Chartist Tea Partv ano Ball . —A tea partv and bail came off at the house of Mr . Thomas Coop ' , si <* _n ofthe Shepherds' Arms , Old-street , Ashton , on Monday evening last , February 16 . The tea being given by Mr . I . Coop , ot the above house , on account of his recent removal from the Tontine Inn , Catherinestreet , the large room was crowded to excess . The worthy host , who is a republican Chartist , had spared neither trouble nor expense to make the ladies comfortable . The room was embellished with portraits of Hunt , O'Connor , and otlier patriots , and was

      altogether most tastefully decorated . About half-past five not less than one hundred ofthe female _Chanistsat down to a substantial repast , which did very great credit to the worthy host and hostess . Singing , dancing , and recitations were the order of the evening until a very late hour , wheu , at the conclusion , there were three cheer- given for Feargus O'Connor , three ibr Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis , three for the Ten Hours' Bill , and three times three for the Charter . The party broke up at a very early hour , highly delighted with tho evening ' s entertainments .

      STOCKPORT . On Friday evening , a public meeting , for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for an efficient Ten Hours' Bill , was convened in the large room ofthe w ! n Abstin 8 ncc Socict >' . Lower Hilgate , Stockport . Mr . _Ikonias Wilson , an old and staunch friend to this humane measure , was unanimously called to the chair . Mr . Hanicr , a manufacturer , moved the first resolution , which was seconded bv an operative and supported at great length by Mr . Joseph Mullineaux secretary of the Central Short Time Committee . ' lhe second resolution was moved by William Pott a S ° _L _F- eratlVC 'M and _^ onded bi- Mr - -MfoAeil . lhe meeting was then addressed by Mr . Leech who was warmly cheered . A vote of thanks having been passed to the Central Committee , to our friends in . » ul out ot Parliament , and to the chairman , the meeting broke up .

      The Highland Estate Of Aberarda , In The...

      The Highland estate of Aberarda , in the countv of Inverness hasbeen purchased by Captain Sutherland , of Ud & le , for the sum of __ _3 o . 050 . Extensive preparatians are on foot in msnvpart _. ot Germany to celebrato the _threo-hundrodth anniversary ot the death of Luther . Repres entation of North _NoTmcnAMsuiRE .-A vacancy has been caused iu thc representation ot \ , nu m > b _- the * - _••• - _*•¦• on Wednesday Inst , of Mr . Gaily Knight , who had sat for it since 1831 . We understand that the blast iron furnace men of Dundyvan have got a considerable advance on their _WagCS Unsolicited . _—Glatgotv Angus .

      I -Rintedbylw-Galm'gow -An . Ofl., Gr-At Windmillstreet, Uavuiarket, In Tliu City Of Wc-Wmistor, At The

      i _-rintedbylW-GALM'GOw _-AN _. ofl ., Gr-at Windmillstreet , Uavuiarket , in tliu City of Wc-Wmistor , at the

      Office, In The Same Street Ami Ttu.»_, *...

      Office , in the same Street ami ttu . »_ , * _7 «« »¦ _' <* prietor , _FEAHG- S _O'COWIOB , _£ _* _-,,., _andjmbluhed by _WatuM 11- WiTT , ofNo . 18 , _Charieutreet , _llrunj _dim-strc-t , Walworth , u > the I _' arwh ot St . Mary . New ; ington , in th- County of Surrey , at the Office , No . It , GnMit WiniliiiiU-str-et , Haymarket , iu tha . City ot Westminster . _ ,,,, _ . Satu--- _., _Foltr-ary 21 , _IS 46

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 21, 1846, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_21021846/page/8/