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    • TO THE SOMEttS TOWN CHARTISTS
    • Ar00112
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      To The Sometts Town Chartists

      TO THE SOMEttS TOWN CHARTISTS

      " Union Is Strength " Mr Dear Rhexnsy-Fo...

      " Union is Strength " Mr Dear _RHExnsy-For some weeks pastl have observed a disposition upon your part to force me _intoan unprofitable _controversy . I have always abstained fromfruitIess controTers . es with men whom Inspect _o ral parties upon whose co-operation we _mustmainlv rely for the success of our great national project . Ton have lately evinced a disposrtion to Ln mr acts and words rather Bicely , attach ing to to , L some cases , * meaning whieh they do > not _insll y convey , and now you go further , and without inquiry you send me the following resolution , condemnatory of the heading to a report of a meeting recently Mdiu your district . All who _h _^ eread the report of that meeting mnst be struck w ithtne impartial manner in which your censure is published in the Northern Star . An importance is given to it which is not usually given to meetings of the same Character , while the frequent repetition of " cheers , " and " hear , hear , " evidently intended to mark thrusts at my policy , are very consp icuous . To this course lean have he possible objection as it has been my unvariable rule to open the columns of the Star to denunciation as well as to praise , of myself . I

      have never , in any one instance , altered or interfered with the manuscript of the London reporter ; but lam not prepared to bear a censure that is unmerited . Here I give the resolutions in question just as I received them ' . _—• That we , the Somers TownLocality , recommend to tha Executive to call the Convention on the earliest possible flay atlEEDS , being of opinion that no event has , as jet , transpired to induce the Executive to depart from the Boles of tlje Association . _-WeiOso express our disa pprobation of the heading to the report ( inserted in the Star ) of the election ef the delegate for Marylebone .

      Let me now offer a word or two by way of explanation . The heading had _. _uot at all struck me until j I received the above , andthen _. I candidly confess that _: I did think you had sufficient cause to tequire some exp lanation but that you were not justified in passing the last _resolation without having asked for some exp lanation . I am just as particular upon those points as you are , and being conscious that I could _nothave made an alteration in a manuscript that I had not seen , and being convinced that the editor would not do so , I instantly sent for the reporter , and asked him how it happened , that when the feeling of the meeting was evidently in favour of holding the Convention at Leeds , he had given the proceedings such a

      heading as -would naturally lead to the conclusion , that the alteration was made at my office tor the express purpose of assuming an improper dictation . Hereplied , that the heading that he had written was The Ensuing National Chartist Convention . " Being ¦ determined to sift the matter to the bottom I sent for the manuscript , the heading of which was in his own -writing , and precisely as it appeared in the Northern Star of last week . I then pointed out to him that it bore strong evidence of a desire to make me appear despotic , "ff heeler and Doyle came in , while the reporter Was there , and itappeared from their shewing that the reporter had told Hornby , and had comp lained to them , that the alteration in the heading -was made at the Star office .

      2 fow , my Mends , I think I have most fully and most _satisfactorily explained the matter of your last resolution . And now for a word upon the first . There i 3 not the slightest necessity for censuring me or the Executive upon the question as to where the _Contention shall be held , because we are just as great sticklers for obeying the popular voice as you are . One preliminary step must be taken before the Convention is held , namely , the delegates must be

      elected , and without fighting or _squabbling about moonshine , what can be more easy or simple than , -when the delegates are elected , or being elected , to -take the opinion of their constituents in open _meetin < r as , to whether the Convention should be held at Leeds or in London , and I assure you , tbat both p laces are equally the same to me , I merely give the preference to that which would be most likely to con--fer the greatest advantage upon our cause .

      I think there is one point that yon appear to have lost sig ht of altogether ; it is this , that if the extraordinary Convention should be rendered unnecessary the annual Convention , as a matter of course , will be held at Leeds , while I am sure you will agree with me that , in case of an extraordinary Convention bein" necessary , the metropolis is the fit and proper place to hold it . The most that the Executive can be charged -with in this matter is the temporary postponement of the annual Convention , or , if necessary , merging it into one of greater importance . . Every man of common sense would have censured the Executive for putting the country to the expence of two

      -Conventions , and every one would justly censure them for not calling an extraordinary convention , if -circumstances rendered the step necessary . I think a little consideration will convince you that you have not thoug ht maturely upon the subject , -while it -strikes me as strange that the London delegates above all others should be such sticklers for Leeds . I have no reason to include your locality , I believe ; but the impression upon my mind is , that the merest -country villages subscribe their quota of the expence of conventions more punctually than the London districts . Then as to convenience , which appears to be a question mooted by some , who will say that

      London is not ' more central than Leeds for a national -convention , and who will say that it is not a more . appropriate place ? I think our strength will be more profitably used in selecting fitter objects for censure ; as , believe me , that nothing so much tends to weaken ns as those little petty squabbles among ourselves , and all about moonshine in the end . I am of opinion that the Executive has evinced a wise discretion in waiting the result of the measures now before parliament ' , before holding even the annual Convention . If the oxtroardinary Convention should be rendered unnecessary , and I feel assured that you and the whole country will ere long be of the same

      opinion , lit certainly appears strange to me that there should be such great haste desired , and such great anxiety evinced , about holding one Convention , when another may be , and in the opinion of the Executive will be , rendered indispensable . It has ever been my greatest desire to give yon all the satisfaction in my power . I may truly say thai all the years of my manho & d , "have been devoted to forwarding measures for your advancement , while I regret being compelled to state that a very nasty and a ] very mean feeling has been attempted to be created in London of late . Indeed I was thoroughly

      _disgusted to find these bickerings introduced on Mon--day night at a festive party in honour of Mr . Cooper ' s liberation . There was no such manifests tion towards myself , for I never was more kindly -treated or more cheeringly received in my life ; but -the feeling was there , and expressed there , though it fell cold upon the audience , and it is a feeling which all who desire to serve the popular cause should abstain from indulging in , especially upon such occasions , when all should be harmony and brotherhood . Nor can I believe that individuals really wishing well to the cause of Chartism would select individual character for vituperative attack .

      In conclusion , my friends , I beg leave to state that upon all occasions I shall be most happy to receive your complaints , and to give you the required explanation , and I shall always bow to your censure when it is merited ; while my own pride , my own -conscience , and my position , tell me that I should not tamely submit to the unprovoked and unmanly attacks that you have recentlymade upon me . At the same time I cannot withhold my thanks from Mr . Thomas Henna , of Union-street , for the very sensible and respectful letter that he has written to me upon the subject of yonr resolutions ; and trusting that my explanation of your second resolution will induce you to retract your expression of disapprobation , and hoping that our future progress may be marked by a stronger union and less of bickering , 1 remain , as ever Tour faithful friend and servant , Fbabgus O'Coxxob

      Tne Towek.—On Monday Next, The Places Of...

      TnE Towek . —On Monday next , the places of the old Tower constables and watchmen will be supplied and their functions superseded by a detachment of the metropolitan police , drafted from the H division , and consisting of thirteen men and aseajeant , who will have _charge of ordinance stores , the gates , and he interior of the fortress .

      Ar00114

      0 Who Will Teach How To H ' Beeh "

      I ',T0 The Three Chartist Boys Of , Manc...

      I ' , T 0 THE THREE CHARTIST BOYS OF , MANCHESTER . NUTTALL , DIXON , AND HARGREAYES . Mr _Dhae _Ciowns , Owing to the virtuous and indomitable struggle of the trades against their tyrant masters , and to the fact of the _JVonftern Star being the only paper in Europe that dares boldly to advocate the rights of labour , its columns are so full this week with important matter upon that subject , that I have not space at present for more than the expression of

      my unbounded thanks to you for the spirited and effective manner in which you three Davids met and defeated the three _Goliahs . You may be sure that it is very cheering and consolatory to me to find those who could not speak plain when I commenced an agitation which has lasted now nearly eleven years without cessation , stepping forward to advocate and defend the principles that I have laboured hard to teach them . You have done your work nobly and deserve the thanks of all for your triumph over jugglers who sought to delude you .

      I rejoice that the men of Manchester did not attend ; the meeting , but that-they allowed the battle to be fought by their children . I understand that the man who boasted of having received Tory gold had the insolence to mimic the Irish brogue of Daniel Donovan—it would be well for him if he could imitate bis virtues , rival him in eloquence , or vie with him in honesty . Yon will recollect that the

      leader of the Goliaths held me up to scorn and denunciation during the short life of his Manx Rag , and you will recollect that one of his principal charges _against me at the time he hoped the League would hire him was , that I was the paid tool of the landlords . Well , is it not some consolation to find tha the ribaldry of disappointed hirelings will be one day answered out of their own mouth , and don't you think you may now ask the virtnous schoolmaster ,

      WHO IS NOW THE PAID TOOL OF THE LANDLORDS ? You will see with pleasure that the men of Sheffield have treated the Protection perambulators precisely in the same way as you treated them at Manchester . Was I not justified , then , in relying upon the Manchester garrison to defend the principles of Chartism against all who vainly hoped to take it by storm or surprise . What danger can there be to a cause when three youths , not one of them twenty years of age , are able to defend it against the gold of the wealthy , the treachery of the truculent , and the sophistry of the eloquent . A gain thanking you for your glorious triumph , I remain , Your very faithful and affectionate friend , Fbabgus _O'Coshoh .

      To The Chartist Bod's Brother Chabtists ...

      TO THE CHARTIST BOD'S Brother Chabtists _, Feeling that the time is at hand in which it behoves every honest Chartist to be up and stirring , 1 venture to solicit the honour of being returned as one of your delegates to the National Convention about to assemble . In this Convention I trace the hope of better times , the guarantee of strength , unity , and liberty _, and the germ of a popular parliament . I perceive in it a rallying point for universal Chartism , —a _bodf of men who will look the class-parliament of the oligarch in the face , and say— " We are for the peo pie , you are but for yourselves '—We are for thirty millions , you are but for one!—Give way !"

      It is because I wish to see a government that governs for the general good , instead of individual interest , —a House of Commons that shall represent a people instead of a party , —a church that shall be something more than a portion for the younger sons of titled houses , —in fine , a liberal democracy instead of a tyrannical oligarchy , and it is because I believe the people ' s charter alone calculated to ensure these results , that I am desirous of becoming one of your

      delegates , and thus _giving one more example to those classes , with whom early associations have connected me , of how unworthy one of their own order thinks them of the privileges they enjoy , and of the powers they arrogate ; feeling , as I do , that , as an honest man , I cannot support " a system by which the poor are robbed of their labour for the benefit of the rich , and slaves are still further insulted by being told that they are free .

      It is my earnest hope , that many may follow my example , and that such examples may be frequent , and carry weight with those who are still our enemies , and their own no less , —and that I shall often be able to hail from the heart of your ranks signs of sympathy and brotherhood , or else confusion in the camp of our opponents . After what I have already said , I need hardly add , that I am an unconditional advocate of all the points

      of the Charter . It is on the above grounds that I solicit the honour of becoming one of your Delegates , and with these feelings that I subscribe myself , Brother Chartists , The uncompromising enemy of a Class-legislation an effeminate Despotism and a corrupt Church But ever your sincere friend and servant , Ebnesx Jones . Mount Vernon , Hampstead , 5 th May , 1846 .

      Queen's Bench, Dram, April 29th. The Que...

      QUEEN'S BENCH , Dram , April 29 th . THE QUEEN V . O ' HIGGINS . Counsel for the Crown moved for a Special Jury in this case . Motion granted .

      To The Irish Resh)Ent Ln Great Britain. ...

      TO THE IRISH RESH ) ENT LN GREAT BRITAIN . Fellow Countrymen , I am sure you cannot but admiro the bold spirit with which the Irish Members oppose the progress of the Coercion Bill in the House of Commons , and I know that you cannot but feel grateful , deeply grateful , to your English brethren , your true and steadfast friends , the unconquerable and uncompromising Chartists , for the manly opposition they are giving to that useless measure .

      My friends , let me now ask you , did you ever hear of any opposition having been given to the Coercion Act of 1639 , that is to say , the Melbourne Act ? An Act which was just as bad , as tyrannical , and as unconstitutional as tbat now before the House of Commons . No , my friends , you did not hear a word of opposition to that act , except from that consistent Irish patriot and beat of landlords , the Honourable Member for Rochdale—Mr . W . S . Crawford . His was the only voice raised against it ; and so debased , so prostrate and degraded was the Irish mind , at that period , that the Electors of Lundalk actually called upon aud forced Mr . Crawford to resign , because of his opposition to that arbitrary Act , the Whig Coercion Act of 1835 .

      Read , I beg of you , read carefully the subjoined letter and petition . Depend upon it tkey will open your eyes to the manner in which you and I , and all , were sold to the Melbourne Administration , " ( the only Ministry that ever did justice to Ireland !) " for placeB for Irish rampant Repeal Patriots . You will , I hope , one and all , soon agree in the proposition which I , and other true friends to your welfare and happiness , made to you long ago ; which was , that your only hope for Ireland is in a cordial , sincere , and hearty co-operation with the noble minded , generous , > a forgiving Chartists of Eng

      To The Irish Resh)Ent Ln Great Britain. ...

      land , who will teach you how to , achieve the eman cipation of yourown order . Patrice O'Higgins _; Dublin , May 4 th , _1846 .. ' ' .,

      To The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel Barone...

      TO THE RIGHT HON . SIR ROBERT PEEL BARONET . Sib , —You are reported to have said in your speech on the debate on the Irish '¦ Coercion Act , ' that you did not think a change in government induced the Irish members to object in 1846 ' to what they agreed to in 1835 . Now , Sir , with the greatest respect for your judgment , I differ from you altogether upon thi 3 point ; and although I am not only most decidedly opposed to the Bill now before your honourable house , but morally certain that penal laws will never accomp lish the peace of Ireland , yet I am equally certain that the opposition of the leaders of the repeal members , a * they call themselves , is entirely owing to thj change in the government , and to _notning < _eIse .. T 2 » present government will not give them . and their toft

      lowers the places in Ireland , as the government _y f 1835 did . ' In 1835 any of the Irish who petiti _$ ried against the Coercion Act were denounced as enemies to their country , and in the pay of the Tories ; but there was a good excuse for this , as they were promised places , which they afterwards got . And my poor duped , deluded , and betrayed countrymen actually forced the hon . member for Rochdale , ' Mr . Crawford , to resign the representation of Dundalk , because of his opposition to the Coercion Act of 183 d And it was broadly and publicly stated by those Irish patriots who voted for the Bill , that the opposition to it was calculated to turn out the liberal ministry , the Melbourne administration , and _. bring in the truculent Tories .

      Sir , if you but give places , or promise places , the Irish patriotic members , the great leading agitators , they will do as the hon . member for Montrose said he would do in his correspondence with Lord Castle _, reagh , vote tbat black was white , and white was black , to keep in his party . The Coercion Act of 1835 was hurried through the House of Commons by the votes of the repeal members with such indecent haste that there was not time to get up petitions against it . ' The only Irishman that petitioned against it was the individual who now has the honour of addressing you . His petition was sent to Lord . Radnor for presentation to the House of Lords , but it was too late , as the Bill was such a favourite with both houses , that it received the third reading in the tipper house in two night ? .

      The petition ( of which I send you a copy , and which as well as the letter I hope you will have read in your honorable house , in the hearing of the Repea Members ) was , in the first instance the petition of the National Trades Political Union , was , adopted at a public meeting of that body , and signed by the Chairman , Mr . John O'Brien , and the Secretary Mr . T . M . Ray , on behalf of 10 , 072 members , and who undertook to forward it to Lord Radnor far presentation that night , the 18 th of August , 1835 . But who , instead of so forwarding it , cut their names off the bottom of it , and retained it , when they recollected , as they alleged , that the bill was supported in the Commons by the Repeal Members . Having been thus thwarted and left to petition alone , I forwarded one to Lord Radnor myself .

      This great Repeal Confederation was not content with repudiating the petition against the Coercion Act , but would have fulminated a vote of censure upon me , in the following terms , had I not resigned . "That Mr . _O'Higginson Tuesday the 18 th instant , by an insidious and mischievous proceeding , involved the Trades Union in an act calculated to embroil that body with the present liberal government , and Mr . O'Cennell deemed it necessary to annul that proceeding , and , incidental thereto , to censure the conduct of Mr . _O'Higgins . " Now , what was the insidious and mischievous proceeding here complained of ? Having prevailed on the meeting to adopt a petition against the Coercion Bill which was brought in by the liberal government and supported by Mr . _O'Connell .

      With these facts before me , am I not justified in believing that such of the Irish Members as did not vote against the Coercion Act of 1835 , are influenced more in 1856 by an opposition to the Government , than to the present bill ? . In conclusion I must respectfully submit , that Coercion , no matter how stringent , will never tran . _quillize Ireland . Mr . Crawford ' s Landlord and Tenant bill , if passed into a law , will do more for the peace and tranquillity of Ireland in six months , than all the Coercion Acts that human ingenuity can invent . I know my countrymen well , and also know what they want . I have the honor to be your obedient humble servant , Patrick O'Hiooiss . To the Right Hon . the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Assembled .

      The petition of certain inhabitants of the City of Dublin , feeing members of the National Trades' Toll ' tical Union , and in number 10 , 072 . HOHBLT _SHKWETH , That your petitioners have heard that a bill has been intreducedinto the _floune of Commons , and sent up to your Right Honourable House , under the title of" a bill for the better prevention and more speedy punishment of offences endangering the public pence in Ireland f that this bill has passed so rapidly through the Home of Commons , a 9 to deny your petitioners the full opportunity of reraomtrance againatit ; and tint your petitioners therefore pray your lordshi ps mot to pass the said bill , and for the following reasons : —

      1 st . Because though this bill is called a bill for the "betterprevention " as well as the " mm jpwdy pimt ' jft . menV of offences , its enactments are all confined to the harsh task of punishment . 2 nd . Because this bill creates no new offence , but provides new unusual and unconstitutional modes of visiting offences already punishable b y laws of great _sererity ; because laws of great and extraordinary severity have lately been in operation ; and it must necessarily be , either that Ireland is tranquil , and affords no justification for harsh laws ; or that harsh laws are not the proper means of securing the public paace .

      3 rd . Because this bill , in the summary proceedings which it authorises , in the temporary and dependent character of the judges whom it appoints , in the monstrous principle whieh it introduces of examining accused parties on oa ( k ; violates the moat important guarantees of fair trial secured by the constitution to the king ' s subjects . 4 th . Because your petitioners , in common with a great number of their countrymen having petitioned Parliament for a Repeal of the Legislative Union , as the only adequate remedy for their grievance ? ; while it was determined sot even to discuss the prayer of their petitions , it was admitted that grievances did exist , and it was promised that those grievances should be consi .

      dered with a view to their immediate redress . The cry . ing grievance of Ireland , that which by its enormitj swallows up all others is , that the landlords of Ireland are allowed so to possess and to use their lands as to cause tha great majority of the people of Ireland to live in a state of destitution and misery , which is the oppro . brain of civil government and the scandal of the Christian world ; and so as frequently to cause the actuiil death of multitudes by hunger . It is now more than five years since a Committee of the Honourable House ol Commons , of which the present right hon . the Chancel ' _, lor of the Exchequer was chairman , reported in these words .--The situation of the ejected tenantry , or of those who are obliged to give up their small holdings in order to promote the consolidation of farms , is necessanly most deplorable . It would be impossible for

      language to convey an idea of the state of distress to which the ejected tenantry have been reduced , or of the disease , misery , and even vice , which they have propairatefl in the towns wherein they have settled ; so that Hot onlj they who have been ejected , have been readered miserable , but they have carried with them and propagatsd that misery . They have increased the stock of labour ; they have rendered the habitations of those who re . _ceived them mors crowded ; they have given occasion to the dissemination of disease ; they have been obli B cd to resort to theft and all manner of vice and iniquity to procure subsistence ; but what is perhaps most painful ol all—1 VAST NUMBER OF THEM HAVE _PEBISHED Oi wist . Tins grievance is not yet redressed . This _wor » of extermination still goes on , and whatever mav havi been the specieus grounds _ou which the bill aforesaid

      To The Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel Barone...

      _raftjr * h ave beeh ; ' presented to your Honourable " House _£ Sur _petitionerVfear that its real object' and - ' tendency a » fa . a | 3 in the ' destruction of the ejected _tenantry b y compelling them to die quietly , _^ fith . Because if the people of Ireland are to be _submitted to the same government as the ' people of England , they [ ought- to hnve the protection of the same laws , whereas this bill doeanot extend to England ; though it is notorious that more extensive and systematic violence hasrecentl y prevailed in England than in Ireland . Tiolence originating in the base attempt to approximate the condition of the ' people of England to'that under which the people of Ireland have long been compellod to groan , and , therefore , the passing of this bill would seem to the people of Ireland like » new declaration ; that so long as they shall be submitted to the government of the English Parliament , it is determined that they shall have worse laws , and be kept ia a worse condition than their English _iellow-aubjects .

      On these grounds your petitioners : humbly , but most earnestl y , pray your lordships lo ' reject the bill aforesaid . * _,:- _;; And your petitioners , will ever pray . .

      Ar00112

      ' House Of L0b.Ps—Thursda Y , Aran, 30. ...

      ' HOUSE OF L 0 B . PS—Thursda y , Aran , 30 . The _hdut ' eimet at five o ' clock . On the nTotioh of Lord Brougham , a Bill to amend the Insolvent Debtors' Act was read a first time .

      RELIGIOUS OPINIONS RELIEF BILL . The Lord Chancellor moved the second reading of the Religious Opinions Relief Bill , which he said formed that portion of the Bill prepared by the Criminal Law Commissioners , which related to the disabilities under which Dissenters laboured . It . affected more than thirty Acts of Parlianient or parts of Acts , which imposed penalties on different classes of religionists . It repealed the Acts of Henry III . and Edward [ ., under which Jews were held incapable of holding lands ; and likewise the statute which prescribed certain badges to be worn by those professing Judaism . __ It abolished the penalties attached to the hearing in any place of worship of any form of prayer except the Common Prayer , and

      of _neglecting to attend divine service in the parish church . It repealed the penal clause of the statute of Elizabeth , by which all persons who should maintain the spiritual and ecclesiastical supremacy of the see of Rome should be guilty of forfeiture for the first offence , of prccmunire for the second , and ol high treason for the third . It also repealed the _Acts imposing penalties on persons convicted of being Popish recusants , and those who neglected attending church on the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot ; and it repealed the 13 th of Elizabeth , which inflicted the highest punishments on persons who imported bulls , rescripts , letters , < fce ., from the Pope of Rome . He denied that the repeal of the statute of Elizabeth would touch the supremacy ol the Crown , which rested upon no statute whateveivbut which was pari

      of the common law of the realm ; in order , however , to remove all objections on that point , he was willing to introduce a proviso that the repeal of the penalties should in no wise affect the supremacy of the Sovereign of this country in ecclesiastical matters . The noble and learned Lord defended his proposed repeal of the statute against the importers of bulls , rescripts , and the like , on the ground that as we permitted Roman Catholics to exercise their religion , and as they could not carry on their establishment , or conduct its discipline , without having constant communication with _^ he Pope , it was inconsistent and unjust to retain the penalties inflicted at the time when Pius had dared to excommunicate Elizabeth , and to pretend to release her subjects from their allegiance .

      Lord Brougham agreed in thinking the greater Eart of the acts in question a disurace to the statute » ok , particularly those relating to recusants , which , though dormant , still possessed a kind of pernicious vitality . He also agreed in what had been said respecting the princip le of the Sovereign ' s supremacy , but he could not go the length of sweeping away all penalties , and of opening the ports of England to all the edicts of the Vatican The Bishop of London , while professing his readiness to co-operate in ; the repeal of all laws imposing penalties on the free expression of religious belief , hoped to be excused if the repeal of the Act of Supremacy excited his apprehension . Lord Camoys _suggested the propriety of including in the bill the act which prevented Roman Catholics from presenting to livings , and that portion of the Emancipation Act which forbade _theu-je of the titles of Archbishop and Bishop , and various other enactments in the same statute .

      The Bishop of _Exetku made a furious speech against any further concession to the Catholics , after what he and other Lords considered a settlement ol the question . After remarks from Lord Beaumont , Lord Colchesteis . and Lord Campbell , the Bill was read n second time . _^ The Lord Chancellor concluded the discussion , as is his wont , with a joke .. He said : — " It is suggested that the importation of bulls is a question for discussion under the new Tariff . " Lord Campbell—" And ought not to be discussed now , when the cross benches are empty . " The House then adjourned .

      HOUSE OF COMMONS .-Thursday _, April 30

      rRIVILEGE ,-MR , W , S . O'BRIEN . Mr . Estcourt moved that the adjourned debate on the proceedings connected with the hon . member for Limerick be . resumed . Mr . E . B . Roche said , that it would be in the recollection of the house , that at the conclusion of the debate on the preceding evening , it had been his painful duty—to come down to that house , instead of his hon . friend , in order to make a certain statement to the house . The right hon . baronet opposite , acting as he ( Mr . Roche ) admitted he did , in the fairest and most amicable spirit possible—( cheers)—though well to giv _« his hon . friend _eight-aad-forty hours to consider his resolution . His hon . friend had considered what course he should pursue , but he complained , and he ( Mr . Roche ) considered that in that complaint he was justified , he complained that he had

      had no opportunity of explaining to the house the position in which he was placed , and the reasons which had actuated him in adopting the course he had followed under the circumstances . He did not know what course his hon . friend would have pursued , but what he would suggest was , that the house , either by a positive motion , or in some other way , would allow his honourable friend to come to the bar and explain the reason for his adoption of the course he had pursued on this occaaion , ( Hear , hear , ) lie was sure that the house would see that , whatever might be the nature of the rules and regulations of the house , that , in justice and fairness , and with their usual desire to see fair play administered , they would in their indulgence and kindness , grant the motion which he had risen to make . He had therefore simply to move as an amendment , " l . _' _.-at Mr . William Smith O'Brien should bo heard in his

      place . ' . . . Mr . O'Connkll seconded the motion , and said his honourable friend ( Mr . Smith O'Brien ) would no doubt be satisfied at the way in which the subject had been brought before the house , but he ( Mr . 0 'Conn « ll ) did not think his case had been put in a proper manner before the house . Sir R . _PitBL—Sir , ii is my desire to relax the strict rules of the House as far as possible . —( Hear , hear . ) But , at the same time , I do not think that , as far as my private inclinations are concerned , 1 wish to act on that principle , but in the position in whieh I stand I owe a duty to the House —( Cheer *)—and therefore , it is of tho utmost importance to consider whether it would be advisablo to c . tablish a

      precedent , by granting the amendment of the honourable member—we must consider what will be the effect of the relaxation of the House , I must remind the honourable member ( Mr . O'Connell ) that the hon . member for L _' merick ( Mr . S . O'Brien ) had every opportunity offered to him to obey the order which the House made on the subject ; and I do distinctly recollect that , in speaking on the . sulject , he said that although he had such an opportunity , he did not think he should obey it , because his sentiments on the subject were already on record in the correspondence which had taken plaoe on the subject , and to which he said he must refer as the ground * for refusing to attend . I find , being in his

      place , having been called upon by the Speaker , lie stated that he had already stated two reasons , that he had no further observation to offer upon the matter , and that he still held his determination . He then withdrew . Now , I apprehend , having declined to obey the orders of the house , he is in , what is technically called , contempt . t Whether or not there were precedents for acceding to the motion now made , I am not aware , but 1 beg that you will have the goodness to state what are the rules of the bouse . If they are in favour of the extension , I will certainly be rejoiced , but if they arc the reverse , I will feel in my painful duty to support the rules ol the House .

      The SrEAKER— 1 must state , with very great regret , I remember no precedent which would justify this house in acceding to the amendment . ( Hear . ) The honourable gentleman had an opportunity ot being heard in his _place and that was the time to reake avy explanation he thought proper . The hon , member

      ' House Of L0b.Ps—Thursda Y , Aran, 30. ...

      did not do that , and the house of Commons then resolved that he had been guilty ofacontempt . leannot call to his mehiory any precedent whieh would justwy the house in acceding to this motion . Mr . Roche of coujrse bowed to the decision , of the house , and he would now beg leave to ask whether there was any reason why the hen . member should not be heard at the bar of the house . . The Speaker said that there was no preceslent for an hon , member appearing at the bar of the house unless as a criminal . Mr . Roche—Of course I bow tothe decision of the Speaker . The Speaker then put the question—that William Smith O'Brien , Esq . " , having been guilty ofa contempt , by _neglecting to attend a rat ] way Committee , during the present session , after having been summoned—Resolved that a warrant do issue against him , and that the Sergeant-at-Arms do arrest him

      accordingly . _; Mr . M . Milnes , amidst great impatience , said he rose humbly to submit to the attention tf the house whether it would not be possible to avoid the unp leasantness of agreeing to the course proposed . lie believed it was perfsctly clear , that if the hon . member should continue to remain . in a state of contempt he could not take hi 3 seat in the house , nor of course take part in the proceedings . U this debate were adiourncd till that day six months , he apprehended that the hon . member , for Limerick would be able to take part in the deliberations of the house , and he did think that the best way of _avoiding the unpleasantness that attended the course recommended by the hon . members that had made the original motion would be to agree to the adjournment of this debate till that day six months . —( Loud cries of "Divide , divide . " )

      An Hon . Member having seconded this amendment , the hon . member said , that as it appeared not to meet the views of the _house , he would withdraw it . —( Hear , hear . ) Strangers were then ordered to withdraw . No division , however , took place in consequence of the motion being agreed to . It was then ordered that Mr . Smith O'Brien should be committed to the custody of the Sergeant-at-avms , and that Mr . Speaker be directed to issue his warrant _accordingly . Shortly afterwards the Sergcnnt-at-Ariiis- appeared at the bar , and being called upon by the Speaker , said "Sir , I have to acquaint , "the ILmso " that , in obedience to the orders of the House , and in " execution of the warrant , I have taken Mr . Wil"ham Smith O'Brien . " The Sergeant then retired from the bar .

      DANISH CLAIMS . M Hawks then moved that the house would , ' on Wednesday next , resolve itself into a committee to consider of an address to Her Majesty , praying that she would be graciously pleased to advance tothe claimants for losses sustained by the seizure of British ships and _cargoes of the Danish Government in 1807 , the amount of their respective losses as ascertained by the Commissioners appointed for the investigation of Danish claims , and reported upon the

      12 th day of May , 18 i 0 , and as-iirin _^ her Majesty that the _house would make _jjood the same . The hon . member , in advocating his motion , gave a narrative of the facts of the case , which has been repeatedly under the consideration of Parliament , and called upon those who had supported it on lour different occasions before to support it again on the present occasion . The question involved in it was not a question of law , hut a mixed question of law , equity and justice . Sir J . Hanmer seconded the motion .

      1 he Chancellor of the Exchequer opposed the motion , on the ground that tho Government could not make compensation for captions during a war . A discussion of some length then took place , in which Mr . Watson , Mr . Hlmb , Mr . M . Gibson , Mr . VVakley , and Colonel _Sibtuorfa supported , and Mr . pAUMYKLL and Mr . F . Barino opposed the motion . The only novel feature in the discussion was a remark of Mr . Waklet , who observed that , as the Government had not obejed the recommendation of the house on this subject , it was in contempt , and the gentleman below stairs ( Mr . S . O'Brien ) ought not to be in solitary confinement . After a short reply from Mr . Hawes , the house divided , when there appeared for the motion-Ayes 59 _Noes 41

      Majority against the Government 18 Mr . O'CoMfEu , then gave notice that he would on Friday move for the discharge of Mr . S . O'Brien from the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms .

      CONDITION OF RAILWAY LABOURERS . Mr . Bouvehie in a short speech , which was altogothel * inaudible in the gallery , moved the appointment of a select committee to inquire into the condition of the labourers employed in the construction of railways and other public works , and into the remedies which might be calculated to lessen the peculiar evils , if any , of that condition , Mr . Ewaut _, in _sesomiing the motion , remarked that the inquiry was strongly called for by the demoralized condition of that class of people .

      Sir J . Giiauam said , he would save the Speaker the trouble of putting the question , by at once stating that it was not his intention to oppose the inquiry . He was obliged to the hon . member for bringing the matter under the consideration of the house , although he did not anticipate that anything very important would result from the suggestions of a committee . He considered that railway companies did not sufficiently avail themselves of the Dowers with which they were vested , in keeping an efticient police force along their respective lines , and he thought that they should be

      compelled to do so . He must say , that in many districts it was absolutely necessary that tho payments should be made to the labourers in kind , and not in money . __ He knew , however , that the system was open to great abuse ; he altogether condemned the principle of paying the people in paper notes , and he hoped that something might be done to put an end to it . He also admitted that the subject wasone of great importance , which it was worth inquiring into before a committee , and whatever suggestions they shonld make it would be his duty to attend to .

      Mr . 11 umb condemned the "truck system , " but at the same time said , there were many _advantages conferred upon labourers by large companies supplying them with the necessaries they required . He recollected visiting tho very extensive works that were established at Lanark . There all the workpeople were supplied with every necessary at 15 per cent , cheaper than they _coald have purchased them elsewhere . He a « ain condemned any meddling bebetween employers and employed . A desultory discus-ion followed , in the course of which

      Mr . VYaklky said ho did not knuY what was to he gained by the inquiry . It was notorious that the labourers preferred amusing themselves to going to church on Sundays , and their inquiry could not alter that . The people themselves bad not complained of their _condition , and if they had , he would venture to say , their complaint would not have been attended to—as he knew that when the people petitioned the house for the redress of any grievance , their petitions were never taken notice of ; but when there was no petition from the people themselves , immediately , the _greatest alacrity was displayed in granting any

      motion made by an _honourable member , which appeared to him ( Mr . Wakley ) to be most extraordinary . They had business enough before tho house already , without superadding this discussion . If the people were ignorant it was the fault of the State , which did not provide sufficient education for them . He saw no reason why the poor should be debarred from rational recreation upon Sunday , and thought any infringement on their humble sports by the peoples' house would be most impolitic , as well as a most improper proceeding . The motion was agreed to .

      Several returns were ordered , a « d Sir R . Pkel on the authority of two precedents (!) moved that the _Sergeant-at-Arms be ordered to permit Mr . O'Bihkn , in his custody , to attend to-morrow the committee of tho House of Lords sitting on the operation of the Irish Poor Law . The motion was agreed to . . Tic house adjourned at Ten o ' clock .

      HOUSE OF LORDS—FniDAY , Mat 1 . The Railways Dissolutions Bill passed through committee after some discussion , in which the Earl of Dalhousic , Eari Grey , Lord Monteaglc , Lord Brougham and other noble lords look part . Several othet bills were forwarded a stage , and the h- > use adjourned . HOUSE OF COMMONS-Fimi » av . May 1 .

      MR . SMITH O'BRIEN . Mr . E . B . Roche communicated to the House a letter written to him by Mr . Smith _O'BrWn , in which that hon . member complained of having been misrepresented by his friends . He did not , he said , complain of being denied an opportunity of addressing the house , but he had been taken unawares by the motion made by the chairman of the committee of selection , who , besides , had not read the letters on which the case was grounded i « _attenso , but . only portions of them . Mr . O'Brien concluded his letter by saying , he should make no'further appeal tothe house , aud that he was most anxious the house should be informed "that he was no party to any motion for his discharge , " The rending of this letter was followed by a burst of laughter _.

      ' House Of L0b.Ps—Thursda Y , Aran, 30. ...

      Mr . 0 Coi _' _siu , postponed to Monilay . lns motion relative to the discharge from custody of Mr . Smith O'Brien . ¦ -- -.- - _^

      IRISH COERCION BILL . The adjourned debate on the first reading of the Protection of Life , Ireland Bill , and Mr . O'Connell _'< amendment thereto , was resumed by Mr . P . Somers , who opposed the motion . # Maurice O'Connell followed on the same side . .. ¦¦ ¦ ¦ Mr . _Oowjuhoun supported the Bill , though he considered it insufficient , for its object . L ' L _« ii _^ ' T l ° , ' _^ HIB ! f ' '' ' in giving his opposition to the bill , contended that it wo uhI create unirerNW dis » _- content , and _woukl make life _stilf inorn insecure than it was at present in Ireland . It would notv reach in the smallest degree the sourcefrom which the crimes r . ow complained of originated . The source of those crimes was the strife which Ivad so long existed between the landlord and the tenants of

      the country , and which led tho first party to acts of oppression , and the latter to actsVof'vretaliation . When one party , by clearing their estates ; forged the peop le either to take refuge in the bogs ' and tlie churchyards , or to perish and die in the hifjhwavs and ditches , could it be _surprising that , the other retaliated by threatening letters , by violence , ' anil by murder ? If you coerced the people for committing such crimes , ought they not also to coerce their superiors , whose conduct * gave rise to such crimes ? Until _soHie check was given to the exterminating violence of the _landlords , there could be no peace , and without pence there could ho no prosperity in Ireland . He concluded by declaring that , if this bill _should unfortunately pass , you would have 5 in less than twelve months , fifteen instead nf live Irish counties in a state of intolerable disturbance !

      Mr . Bellew , Mr Sharman Crawford . Mr . £ . B . Roche , Captain _Layard , and Colonel _Ilnwdon spoke against the bill , and the Attorney-General , : Mr . R . W . Collett , and Captain _Fitzmauriee in support of the first reading . ; Mr . II . _Gkattan _* , after an impassioned denunciation of the _ngrnrian murders' © y ¦• which irtlnnc' had been recently _disavaeed , proceeded t » condemn with even still greater warmth _theoppressive and unconstitutional provisionsofthis Curfew Bil _, wliich was intended to repress , but would _unquestionably _aggravate them .

      Lord 6 . Bentinck denied in the ino . * t explicit and I positive terms thu charge' th ; it had been made in that houio _, and by a Cabinet _Minister ( Li . nl Lincoln ) out of the houiit > , on the _Jiustinss , against the protection party , that they had been guilty of tiiiikinj ? a foul compact with the _Repeiilcr _? . Lord G . I ' er . tinik _pbilged himself that the only communication hetwoen him ami Mr . Smith . O'Brien . rasa letter written by the _bittersind whieh the Noble Lord publicly _uuswertdiiithu House , _inimedintely after he had _consulted in h his frit-nils . Thus what Lord Lincoln had de . _sijMinti-d on the _hu-tiny » "the fact ofa compact , " was n _fiict without the _k-att 'bnmlntion . Lord G . Beiitinck ' d explanation was received with loud isnem . The House at length divided—For the first _reading 274 _Against it 123 Majoi ity for the fir ? ivailiug 149

      Sir B . Peel announced , that he would move the Si coud reading on Monday , the 25 th inst ., : < ml that he would go mi witli the Corn Hill ou Monday _xn-. xt . Ho proposed to take the discussion on the _Suj ; ar Duties as soon as possible , and to _J'roceeil with the Customs' Bill with a _> liUle dehy as ptiibiiciLbta . Tim adjourned debate on the Pulling _Places Bill waa re . _* umed , and after a few observations , w _.-is again postponed to Monday . The other orders of the day were _di-jmsed of , and the House _ai'joutued at Tiv » o ' _.-Wk to Monday . HOUSE OF LORDS—Mo . _U'AY , May _i . The house met at live o ' clock . The Bishop of _Exktkk gave notice that on Friday next lie would move ihat certain questions relative to the effect of the Religious Opinions lie ief Bill should he submitted to the learned judges . In reply to a question put by Lord Stanley .

      The Lord Chancellor stated that it was his intention to consider the case of societies supported by voluntary contributions in reference to the Charitable Trusts Bill , and that , upon moving the second reading he would make known the result . Lord _Brouoium laid on the table a string of twenty-three resolutions respecting railway and , private Bill legislation , which were ordered to be printed . On the motion of Lord Campbell , the Death by Accidents Compensation Bill was reported . The Railway _Desposits Bill passed through committee ; and the report of the Railway Companies Dissolution Bill was received . HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Mosdat , Mat 4 The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour . ' MR . SMITH O'BRIEN . Mr . O'Consell gave notice that it was not his _intention to make the motion of which he had given ; notice for the discharge of Mr . Smith O'Brien . Ha had received a peremptory request from Mr . O'Brien , which compelled him to withdraw it .

      VISCOUNT HARDINGE AND LORD GOUGH . The bouse having resolved itself into a committee of the whole house to take into consideration her Majesty ' s message , Sir R . Peel , after recapitulating the services of Yiscount _Hardingeand Loid Gough , moved that the annual sum of £ 3 , 000 be granted to Lord H . _irdinge and the two next succeeding heirs male of his body ; and the annual sum of £ 2 , 000 to Lord Gough and his two next succeeding heirs male—with the proviso that in case the East India Company should makesuitable provision for the two Nobleand Gallant Lords during their lives , the annuities granted by

      Parliament should commence with _tbeir respective heirs . Lord F , Koertox _, ' Mr . Koebuck _, Sir C . Napier , and other members urged upon the government the propriety of awarding some pecuniary reward to Sir H . Smith , Sir C . Napier , the family of General Nott , General Pollock , and others , which led to a protracted discussion . Lord John _RusselPand Sir Robert Peel resisted the claims made on behalf of these parties on t ! . e ground that it was an interference with the prerogative of the Crown , and so for this time the people are indebted to "the Crown " for keeping the hands of these ' * conquerors" out oC their pockets and not to their representatives . " The motion as proposed by Sir R . Peel was ultimately agreed to .

      CORN IMPORTATION BILL On the motion for the Speaker to leave the chair , for the purpose of going into committee on the Cora Importation Bill , Lord G . Bentinck moved , as an amendment , that the Speaker should leave the chair to go into the said committee that day six months . The noble lord said that a new character had been given to this measure since it was last before the house , been use the Prime Minister had avowed a new conversion , and had a few nights ago confessed that what he had before Easter considered impolitic , he now felt convinced was unjust . The house , therefore , and th & country , were entitled to demand the reasons for this new change of opinion . Having cast the responsibility

      of whatever stagnation to trade the discussions on this Bill occasioned upon those who unnecessarily . brought it forward ; and having denounced the double dealing and trickery of the whole proceedings by which it was sought to bo earned , he proceeded to show the fallacies by whieh its supporters endeavoured to blind the farmers . _Ht quoted returns of the price of grain durinir several periods of large'foreign importations . _tosliMV that it was a delusion to pretf nd that the entry ot ' l 500 . 000 quarter * •¦ t ' _lorewn » hf . it in our markets would enhance the price "t homegrown corn . In this year of alli > t . ed famin- _;>> _ol stagnation , 110 000 quarters of grain were sob _; ia the 288 markets of Eng land in excess over the _correspiiiding period of the previous year ; and this

      grain was of our own growth . So long , therefore , as _^ this measure was postponed , the farmers oi * England enjoyed a monopoly and the price was main * _tained , whilst at the same time the people of England had 110 , 000 quarters more than during the year gone by . Then the present was called a year of famine ; but he found that wheat was only 21 per cent ,, and oats 114 per cent , above , whilst every other grain was below , tlie price of last year—a year when the prices ranged lower than for the ten preceding years . The noble lord turned successively to Prussia , to France , to America , to sec if the promises of the Minister , that these countries were about to follow our _ixaisplc , were likely to be realised . He found no such thing . Prussia , instead of being _phakeii _, was _^ rawing , closer her restrictions with foreign countries . France was , indeed , ready and willing to avail herself of our relaxations , but

      she gave not the slightest symptom of reciprocity . No _indications ol adopting our free . trade policies were perceptible in the United States . The noble lord examined the state of Ireland to see if . anything had occurred since the last discussion on the Bill , to convince any one that the Protection laws were _unjust . He found the price of potatoes rather ' falling than rising ; he discovered importations going out of Cork ; he learnt , from the highest authentic '? , that in Westport , in Castlebar , in Clonmel , in Cavan , and iu various other localities , the supply of potatoes was sufficient , and oats were abundant , and that not the slightest excitement on the score of famine wag felt . Ho concluded by saying it was vain for tho Minister to pretend that anything had occurred in Ireland _^ since the last discussion on . this Bill to make him again change bis opinions , and denounce that Protection to be now " unjust" which before \ va 3 only "impolitic . "

      Sir R . Peel admitted that the scarcity in Iiel ni was not universal , and that gentlemen writing from certain parts of that country might justly assert that no rise of price had taken place ; still he maintained _, that disease growing our of the scarcity did exist , and that tlie scarcity of food was almost unpnrnlvltd . The right hon . ' baronet charged Lord G . _Bontincfe with having aided in continuing tho delusion ot famine , because his lordshi p consen ' . £ _!^? JT _^ p n sion of the corn duties in Ir _^ l 9 _^ _# _p £ S _^& _Vxs The noble lord said that thong _tfoffipw _^ Oui _. I Continued to the _g 4 % _^» i : _>^ f M ' . r . l . _ i" _^ _o ' , crJ _k

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 9, 1846, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/nss_09051846/page/1/