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Northern Star (1837-1852), 26th October 1839, Edition 1 of 1, Page 6, Untitled Article

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    • THE REV. J. R. STEPHENS.
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      Untitled Article

      PETITION OF SAMUEL WELLS , ESQ ., As presented to the House of Commons on the 1 th oj June , 1839 , by Mr . WURams , end ordered to be printed 10 th June . ¦ The petition of Samuel Wells , of the Fen Office , iserjeants' Inn , in the city of Londor , Esqaire , Bamster-at-Law , and Registrar to tie Honourable the Corporation of the Great Level of the Fens called Bedford Level . PETITION OF SAMUEL WELLS , ESQ .,

      Sheweth , That your petitioner has for several years -past exercised the best energies of his mind in aa inquiry into the finances of the country , and in an examination of the nnmerons statutes and oilier dqenments relating thereto , sad ha 3 a ^ idaoiidy exerted himself ( he hopes not altogether unsuccessfully ) to penetrate the mystery of the public accounts , and to dissipate the obscurity in which they axe so often enveloped , irell inowing , from the faithful records j of history , thai most of the political evils and con- ] Tulaons which have troubled nations , destroyed I ancient- institutions in Church and State , and over-i turned thrones , have arisen from intolerable taxa- ! lion and ^ mbairassed finances . . . - " - $ I j . j !

      Thai your petitioner finds , bv papers now upon the table of your Honourable House , that within three of the last nventy-foar years of profound peace there has been added to the previous overwhelmin g debt of £ 8 < . H ) , OD < J , 000 , a farther sum of not less than £ 36 , 0 G 0 , Ou 0 , for the interest of which Parliament has made no specific provision -whatever ; akhongh it is stated in a- " return to tout Honourable House ( Parliament paper , ISsj . 137 ) that the interest of this increase is s . athori ~ ed to "be defrsTed oat -of a dimi-1 Eisnj ^ and diminished- Consolidated Fund ; and j that ever d uring a period of peace the Sinking Fund las cease /?» ? era : ive , 5 kL : > aghnwis formerly so much extvi .-i , and -joniident ' y relied upon : an eminent state ? . ?~ ,::, now 20 more , having iL » seribed * it as " the saf < -: y -. iive of the Consdtarion , " and the A"t il George 11 L , e . 71 , haviag actually guarantee : ! ihe extinction of the whole Pubife Debt by its means in the year 1845 , namely J irithin six \ tsrs from the present periodl |

      That yonr Petitioner also finds , by papers now i upon the table of your Honourable HoTise , presented i an pursuance of aa-Act passed 42 nd George III ., c . i -70 , tLat tie public expenditure ior the \ oai ending j the 5 th January , 1833 , exceeded the income in the j sum of £ 655 , 760 5 s . 4 id ., and for the year ending i 5 th January , 1 S 33 , in the su ^ i of . £ ' 3 = "j , " > 27 19 s . 3 d ., j aakiog together an excess of expenditure ofj £ 1 JAOJ ^ & -is . 7 Ad-, and thai the excess of the e ^ - i pendiinre over the income up to the 5 th of April last j amounted to the sum of £ r , 428 , o 32 , to which musi i be added the increased estimates in the present year j for the ^ army , navy , and ordnance , amounting to -j £ 636 , 0 b 3 , and to which excess of expenditure must j also be added other outstanding demiinds upon the i country , presently stated by vonr Petitioner , am onni- ] ing v > a . "very large sum , and making altogether a : deficiency of not less than three milliioi . s , for ¦ which , sum it does not appear that Parliament has ffia . de any provision whatever . j

      That your Petitioner also finds , by papers upon -i theiabie of your Honourable House , " that the Con- > soKdated Fund , established by 27 Geo . IIL , c . 13 , and forming the aggregate amount derived from tax- i ation annually levied upon the industry of the \ people ( except the sum yearly voted for the Sugar < Duties , the only portion " of revenue really under the anneal controul of Parliament ) , is deficient , on ma- i ting-up the quarterly accounts , rarely less than five ! millions oi an average ; for supplying which de £ - ' deney the GcTemmens is compelled to issue antici- ! patory rotes of band , called l > # ficiency Exchequer j Bills , charged upon the produce of the ensuing quar-1 ier " s taxes , and is also under the necessity of get- j ting those bills discounted : thus , by creating addi- j tional charges for interest , increasing the annual j

      expenditure , and making this great country depen- i dent upon the caprice of self-interested lenders of ! money , or ihe abiliiv or inclination of overgrown monopolists , to discharge the Civil List of the Crown ; ( now despoiled 01 iis hereditary revenues ) , to-ensure "' fidelSy to the pubjic creditor , remuneration to the I Jndg * s and public functionaries , payment to the ¦ army , navy , ordnance , and civil ccntiagencies : in short , xo ansvrer ihe various exigencies vi the Stare . . "• - - . ) That tout . peui ' e-ner also finds , by p-pcrsnow ' npoajdie table of jo ^ r Honourable Hoiiie " , that on " the 5 ih ' - ~ Ja ' " " . iary _ l& 38 , there existed an unfundeddebt , " coii .-= irru j ,-= ? f rls- .-Lcijaer Bills , or Governmei ;! " Notes cf Hi- ; -, aia ' j- i- ^ ting to the tTsonnoss Fain of

      -± ¦ 24 , 0 ^ 4 ^ 59 , fcr tie discnarge of which , and its accruing annual h . terest , no provision is madej ¦ while the right of the several holders to pay in their respective bills in discharge of accruing taxes < sho 23 d = ncb bills fall 10 discount , as has recently occurred . ) if a- _ ted upon to any considerable ezsrert , would by its drain upon the sources of taxation tend to the most alarming consequences , which could-at best be only averted by purchasing , as npon former occasions , the forbearance of the holders by an increase of interest , thus making farther demands upon-the already overcharged Consolidated Fund , and erents may occnr whereby the holders of £ ^ che-< iuer Bills maynot fed indnced to comply with the regulation of Parliament by an annual exchange .

      Ihix your petitioner also finds , by papers now upon the Table of your Horourable House , that in addixjon to the before-meatkmed nsfcsded ' asd nn- '¦> provided for debt of i 2-4 , fctl , 550 , there is also another debt of i 22 , " 52 , 484 . 3 s . 7 d . with accruing inierest , equally unprovided for , due to the labouring and industrious classes of the community ( -otrepresented I in your Honourable House ) , under the denomination '• of - Savings' Bank . Deposits , " of wiieh sum of ' £ 22 , 75 ' 2 , 4 S-i . 3 = . 7 d . and accruing interest , pavment ' . 3 nay and -srill be demanded in gold , "upon the slight- est ih- > ck to p-ablk credit although parliament has ' endeavoured ( fnrther perhaps than strie : justice per- \ mi ^) , ljv certain provisions eontaiaed in the statutes ; passed L Geo . 1 Vl , c . 83 , and I Geo . 4 , c . S 2 . to res-- - tain drawing out of mo » ej from the Savings' Banks ,

      except ca-i ^ r restrictions andregniation ~ , in thehops ; of preveutisg this calamity , rendered tie more ! alarming as the value of the precious me ^ ls : holden by the JBank of England to nieei tbis and oflier demands , seldom exceeds seven million ? , ac- •¦ cording to the published periodical average returns- j By virtue of the pTovLdcns of the Act . of the 3 rd i and 4 th -WilBam . 1 V-, c 73 , fhe money of poor Eug- j 1 i ~> i labourers ( depositers ia th _ - frj-vir ^ s' Banks ) j may be , and perhaps has been , a j ; -H ; d by xha Com- i missioners for the Keduciion 01 1 ^ 2 iNationai Debt , ] in raising , or assisting to raise , tbe ioan of twenty j millions voted by a Reformed Parliament for emau- ! tdpatrng slaves in the West Indies . i ' That it also appears , by papers now upon the table S of yonr Honourable House , that in further addi-j Con to the above unfunded and unprovid ^ d-for debt I 54

      of £ -2 ± , < LtUf £ O , and £ 22 , 7 ^ . 4 3 =. 7-1 . Savings' 1 Bank Depo-nis , the Comiaissivners a ]» pjinted nsder-j the provisions 10 . Geo . IV ., c . ' 24 , aud 3 Wiiiiam IV ., ; c 14 , for the Reduction of ibe National Debt , are ' daily ^ raniiB ^ annuities for iiTes or for — ezxs , and j thaf such CoEiinissicmers have received , according to \ a return to your Honourable House ( Pariiamen-i tary paper , 189 ) in hard cash ( including cotnmis- j sons ) in one Tear ending 5 th January , 18 b <» , the ; sum of £ 56 i * , 465 17 s . 3 iL , aad in stock the sum of j ; £ 837 , 18 S ; ii also appearing by another return to , your Hosourable House , iha . 1 , ilie total stun received \ in cash , imder the lasi-menuoned Acts , amounts to j manv millions ; with which money so received stock . ias been purchased , while your Petitioner cannot \ find anv specific provision has been made by Parlia- ] ment for the payment of the annuities so creattd , i other fSa-n ibe ever ready mode of a charge upon- j the Consolidated Fund . And tout Petition r hum- \

      biy snggests that it i 3 worth ihc consideration of your Honourable House , whether this system of granting annuities be not giving Lirih to an additional charge upon the public , without conferring upon thcmanaJeqnat € advantage . That it also appears , by papers now npon the table of your Honourable House , that the Government stands indebted in the sum of £ 11 , 015 , 100 to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England , and in the Eum of two millions of pounds to the Directors of the Royal Bank of Irsland , whose . charter has already expired , or is about to expire , consequently tht propriety as well as the terms of its renewal will Tery soon come under the consideration of your honourable House ; and your petitioner cannot help observing that this debt cf two millions may materially effect tie iermj of such renewal and impede any endeavour , however well iutenxJoned , to terminate " the charter or define its future operations .

      That y < y = r petitioner cannot avoid drawing tie attention of your honourable House to the circumstance , that , upon the renewal of the charter of the Governor and Company of the Bank of En 2 tand , thei Act for such renewal stipulated that one ^ ourth of thevBrhole debs due to ihai -company should be paid off by the Government . And vour petitioner cannot also avoid rderriag to your honourable House-to the highly objectionable mode . adopted in earrving ' this supuJatioa into effect , namely , by passing an Act , 4-ati-iS William 4 , c . 80 . intituled , "An Act to provide for the repayment to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England , one fourth part of the debt due £ rom the public to t ' aesaid Convnany , " ¦ whereby it is enacted " that immediately after the passing of this Act , there shall b « written in and

      placed to the credit of the said Governor and Company ef the Bank of England , in the books of . the said Bank , by the A « conntant-Gereral far the time ieing ~ of the S 3 id Gsremor and Company , the sum of £ 4 , 080 , 000 r « duced three per cents , per annum annuities , which aid sum of £ 4 , 080 , 000 shall be " added to and consolidated with and shall be deemed andtaken as part of and be subject to aH the « onditions attending the reduced £ 3 per centum per ynTiTTTn annuities existing at the time of the passing i&is Aci , forming part of fee public debt of the Utited Encdom of Great Britain and Ireland ^ and shall be assignable and transferable and ledeemable accordingly , and the dividends arising / upon the said sum of £ 4 , 080 , 000 < hree per centum reduced anuuities shall be chargeable , aud the same are hereby cksrgei , npoa the Consolidated

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      Fund of the United Kingdom . " Your Petitioner is not aware ( and he has made diligent search ) that such an inconsiderate mode of creating stock to be added to the permanent Public Debt without public competition or notice had been before adopted by ; Parliament , and doubtless it i 3 a highly objectioni able precedent , -which has been already adopted by [ another Act passed 5 and 6 William IV ., c . 45 , and may lead to other similar Acts . That your Petitioner also finds , by papers now upon the table of your honourable House , that the Commisaoners of her Majesiv ' s "Woods , Forests , and Laud Revenues are annually making large sales in fee simple of Crown Lands , having id the * v ? ^ ' ^ stated their report to your Honourable House , sold estates amounting to nearly £ 100 , 000 in value , which sums are made use of as ^^ S ^^^^^ " ^^ !! ^ " !

      1 i I ' I \ ; ; J sources of annual income , and applied in aid of the charges on the Consolidated Fund , instead of being applied ( as they ought to have been ) either in reduction of the principal of the public debt , or placed out at interest for the benefit of the Crown , should the next or any futuro successor think proper to resume the hereditary estates , in lieu of the Civil List . Nor ought ii to escape the observation of fyonr Honourable House , that it appears by the Report of the Commissioners presented to your Hoiuourable Honse , and ordered to be printed on the j 16 th May , 183 S , that out of a receipt of I £ 643 , 797 8 s . 5 id . from the produce of Crown Lands , I the sum x > f £ 5881 2 s . OJ . only has been paid into i her Ma-esty ' s Exchequer ; while the charges for the I five classes of the Civil List alone , the allowance to ¦ her Majesty in lieu of the Hereditary Revenues , I amounting to the annual sum cf £ 385 , 000 .

      That your pentioner also understands , exclusive of the foregoing charges , there are also other outstanding and unprovided demands upon tuo Government , amounting to several millions sterling ; such as not less than £ 1 , 000 , 000 for Canadian expenses ; half a . million for warlike stores , provided under a noninterrenrion treaty with the Queen of Spain ; one million outstanding-navy debt ; and £ 600 , 000 iue to the Old South Sea Company ; making altogether , with other undefined charges , and without bringing into account the outstanding Exchequer Bills issued for carrying on public works , a further sum of not less than three millions , which , added io the foregoing various items of unfunded debts and revenua deficiency , make the amount of the wholo not Ies 3 than nearly sixty millions liable to be paid into the Exchequer on account of taxes , or to be demanded in gold .

      ! That your petitioner having thus faithfcllv sub .-miit-ed xo the cojiriderationofyour lionoTirablw ' House the actual state of the iinances , without any intentional exaggeration , an-1 as accurately as the manner iu iviich the public accounts are kept will permit , ventures further , as a test to the fidelity of your petitioner ' s statements , and also with a view to your honourable House possessing more complete niforaiation , to solicit your attention to tho several provisions contained in the Statute Book , for imposing , iss-, iii ^ , regulating , _ and controlling such finances ana the transactions of tho Government with the Bu . nk of England , and to such other tloeuraents as are necessary for elucidating the subject in . its various important bearings , tho knowledge of which mast be highly important iu any future revision of taxation .

      | That your petitioner in the first place prays your honourable House , in reference to tue deficiency in the Revenue , to take into serious consideration the Parliamentary Paper , No . 149 , called the " Finance Accounts , " ordered to bo printed by your Honourable House , on the 27 th March last past , in order to its being fully ascertained whether such just reductions may not be made in the varied and multifarious items of expendituro contained in such accounts as wi 1 lead to -he attainment of an excess of income over expenditure , by which means only ^ uch a reduction can arise aa will insure the operation cf a real and not a delusive sinking fund . For example , your . Petitioner is unable to discover the ju >» : ' ^ - o ? necessity of paving the large annual mm

      ot i ' i , o 3 4 s . 4 d . to his Serene Highness the Prince of iieck ' enburgh Strelitz , or of applying the produce cf taxation to the payment of £ S 7 £ HH ) fur secret servi-.-e money , with other such extravagant charges , while yonr Honourable House mast kcovr that the levying uf such imposts presses hard upon the laboarhig classes of the country , whose * wages are rcJui-ed to the lowest scale ; those of the hand-loom weaves averaging onl y about two shillings and sixpence per week , and those of the airricultural la'i-jurers not more than ei- ; ht shiliings ^ per week ; vrhi ' e , tbro' ^^ h the pressure of taxation aod other cau-- ? i , bread , their chief means of support , is at tlus moment at the price of tenpence the lour-pound loaf .

      ' I ! That your Petitioner , venturing to calculate upon a ben-i-Stial result to the country from your laudablo eScns to establish an excess of Revciiue above ex-P iv-. dnurc , farther prays that your Honourable ilouse will advert to the excellent provisions of the following very salutary statutes , namely , the Act 2 t > : Geo .. lll ., c . 31 , by which an efficient " sinking fund j was first established , and which Act -svas one of the ; financial labonrs of the late Ri » ht Honourable ¦ _ William Pitt , then Cluncellor of the Exchequer , and had the a ^ nroval of the lato Bight Honourable ; Charles James 1 ox , and all oriicr eminent states' men of that period , without distinction of political I party . The Statnteof the : 27 th . Geo III ., c . 13 , also I passed at the instance of the R : ght Honourable ! Wiiiiam Pitt , by wbich the complexity of the

      fi-! ; nances , after the most disastrous American War , was fairly grappled with , and the present Consolidated Fund established , the several provisions and regulations of which most excellent statute will be found exceeding useful as a guide to your Honourable House in the considering " the present state of the Consolidated Fund , and upon -any revision of taxation ; nor ought the " principle to be left out of sight of making and adhering to a strict arrangement in relation to the priority of claims of the various parties upon that fund , at what is at present inadequate to meet the charges that are so frequently placed upon it by your Honourable House . The Act passed in the 48 th year of . the reign of his late Majesty King George 111 ., c . " 21 , intituled , "An Act for regulating the

      issuing and paying oil of Exchequer Bills , ' by the 13 ih section of which it is enacted , " That for the better supporting the currency of Exchequer Bills , and to the end a sufficient provision may be made for circulating and exchanging the same for ready money , during such time as they or any of them are to . be current , the Commissioners of the Treasury in his Majesty's behalf may from time to time ei ; ter into any contract or contracts for obliging any person or persons , body or bodies politic or corporate , -who will voluntarily undertake the service at his or their own costs and charges , to circulate and exchange at some public office or in London or Westminsitr lbr ready money from time to time , all such bilk as shall be demanded at such public office during the time or respective times of such contract

      or ccntract 3 , by paying in ready money , at their ovrii costs and charges , upon every such demand , oi- wilhin tv j reniy-four hours after , all principal monies contained in such bill to be demanded , and tlie interest which shall be then due being allowed a rate or several rates not exceeding such sum per annum as shall be fixed in any act authorising the issuing of any such bills respectively , as wen for paying the said interest at their own C 03 t 3 , and also in reward for their service upon all the said bills so undertaken to be circulated , which said respective rate or rates shall be paid as thereinafter mentioned ; and the said contract or contracts shall be made in writing and registered in the office of the auditor of the receipt of his Majesty ' s Exchequer , and siiall be made to endure for stich time and

      times respectively as shall be agreed by the contraetor ? . ' * Your petitioner humbly suggests that enforcing this provision is now become most urgent , inasmuch as innumerable joint-stock barks may be desirous of competing with other public bodies under such provision , and thu 3 a more equable distribution of Exchequer Bills may bo eifected , thereby reducing the danger of a large accumulation of those bills in the hands of any particular influential bodies at a period of pressure in the money market , ot in the event of auy shock of whatever duration to public credit . The Statute of 57 Geo . 3 , c . 48 , intiuiled " An act to make further provision for the adjustment of the accounts of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom , and for making good any deficiency which may arise in the

      said fluid in Great Britain or Ireland respectively , and to direct the application of monies by the . Commissioners for the reduction of the national debt , " ' which statute your petitioner conceives to be framed ^ pon the assumption of the deficiency bills being duly discharged out of the revenue of every current quarter , although its provisions appear to be defective from , having omitted to specify any precise period for the issue or repayment of these bill 3 . The Statute of the 59 ih Geo , III . c , 59 , intituled " An Act to establish further regulations respecting advances by the Bank of England for the public service , and ths purchase of Government securities by the bazk . " This act directs " that all applications from " the GvTc-rnment to the bank for monies voted by i Parliament shall be in -writing , and copies of the . application and ansvrer of the Court of Directors shall be laid before Parliament at a stated period . " t occasion

      Upon a recen , to which your petitioner b ^ gs leave pa rticularly to advert , that direction of the act appears to have been partially contravened : that is to say , by the 1 st Vic . c . 79 , the Government is authorised to apply for the service of the year i 837 , £ 5 ^ 20 , 000 out of the Consolidated fund an * tho Treasury may cause exchequer bilk to be made out for such amount , and the Bank of England may advance the said sum upon such Exchequer Bills . By retura made to yoar Hon . House in the present sessions ( Parliamentary paper , Xo ' > 2 ; it appears that , on the 15 th February , 1838 , a written application was made by the Right Honourable the Lnancellor of the Exchequer to the Court of Direc'tors , under the provisions of the said act of 59 Geo . Ill , c . 76 , requesting advances to Government ( if required ) in the course of the then ensuing monthur-dtr tbeautnorityof the said act of lVic . c . 79 , of thenim of £ 1 , 000 , 100 upon Exchequer Bills at the rate of 2 d .

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      per centum per diem , chargeable npon the growing produce of the Consolidated Fund in the then ensuing quarter ( such growing produce at that time standing actually charged with by the Bank , and this application and consent are stated in the Parliamentary Paper , No . 22 . It appears , however , by the same Parliamentary Paper , that the Bank advanced the sum of £ 970 , 000 only of the £ 1 , 000 so required ; and it also appears by another return to your Honourable House ( Parliamentary Paper , No . 26 ) that the sum of £ 21 , 051 , 18 s . 5 id . now only remains to'be' received traderthe authority of the Act 1 , Vic . c . 79 , thus leaving unaccounted for the E !!^ ™ Per diem , chargeable upon tte growing

      means by which or from what source tho sum of £ 4 , 228 , 938 Is . 6 Ad ., being the differenoe between the amount of the above-mentioned two sums of £ 970 , 000 , £ 21 , 061 , 18 s . 5 Jd , and the entire sum of £ 5 , 220 , 000 , which the Act authorised the raising of , was provided ^ And your petitioner submits that the Act of the 59 th Geo . III . 75 , was fnrther and more importantly contravened by £ 600 , 000 , part of the said £ 970 , 000 , having been fas appears in the Finance Accounts , No . I 49 , page 108 ) repaid to tho Bank , not out of the growing produce of " the Consolidated Fund , as stipulated in the application to the Bank , but out of tne money belonging to the Savings Banks .

      That your petitioner , in the further discharge of an irksome duty , cannot avoid impressing upon your Honourable House the very unsatisfactory manner and the very lato hours in which large sums of the public money aro voted by Parliament ; and in performance of such duty , your petitioner reminds your Honourable House there were voted in the present Session the following sums , namely , on the 27 th day of February last , the sum of £ 2 , 000 , 000 ; on the 8 th day of April last , the sum of £ 8 , 000 , 000 ; on the 24 th day of the same month , the sum of £ 24 , 026 , 000 ; and on the 27 th day of the same month , the fuither sum of £ 13 , 000 , 000 ; making

      together the enormoas sum of £ 47 , 026 , 000 , without observation or inquiry at the time to the purposes to which these large sums wero to be app'ied . Your petitioner humbly conceives that explanations ought to have been fully given by the Right Honourable the Chancellor of the Exchequer ; and not beins : so given , your petitioner humbly inquires , whether it was not the boundeii duty of some members of your Honourable Htuse to hayo Jgmanded such explanation , for tho satisfaction of the constituency , and indeed of the people at largo , whoso interests and comforts were so materially involved in those votes ?

      That your petitioner further begs leave to represent to your Honourable House , that , as wood 3 , forests , and other crown lands are rapidly decreasing by annual-sales by the Commissioners , of an imposing necessity of its instituting some general inquiry , not only as to the amount of these revenues , and the propriety and justice of passing an act for resumption of improper grants , and also inquiring into other sources of public lay property , other than the hereditary revenues ; and after suoh enquiry , to consider the propriety of disposing of any other public lay and other corporate property not applicable to purposes of utility or advantage to the people , under similar regulations , and in accordance with the provisions , of an act passed 38 Geo . III ., c 60 , tor making the land tax perpetual , subject to redemption , and applying the proceeds arising from such extended measure to an actual and not a delusive diminution of the public debt .

      That your petitioner havicg thus submitted to your consideration what he conceives to be the true state of the finances , and having also drawn the attention of your Honourable House to divers statutes and provisions , by which remedies may be found for the guidance of jour Honourable House iu improving , correcting , diminishing , or controlling these finances , and the general system of taxation , humbly suggests the necessity of your Honourable House fully investigating the state of tho finances when the annual budget is submitted to the consideration of your Honourable House , and the continuance of mystery or delusions will be avoided , and your constituents and the people at large enabled to form a correct judgment of the public revenue and expenditure .

      That your Petitioner humbly conceives measures of revision are not difficult either to suggest or to carry into execution , provided your Honourable House would ea-nestly undertake the task , and with industry , impartiality , and moral courage , from which the most beneficial advantages must inevitably occur to the nation , and your Petitioner conceives may be attained without injury or injustice to any class of her Majesty ' s subjects ; thcre . beiugno doubt that a careful and honest revision of the sources of taxatio-i would lead to an immediate reduction in the public burthens , ard place tho public creditor and annuitant , with diminished mca-js , upon such a fooling as would enable them . ' -without injustice , to procure all the nccessarie 3 and cvea the superlluitic 3 of life at a reduced price , and . would also place all other property upon a firm and permanent basis .

      lhat your Petitioner also humbly suggests that the excise taxes , the assessed taxes , and all taxes under the charge of Commissioners of Stamps , should be repealed , bearing , as these taxes do , upon the industry , labour , and happiness of the community , particularly of ths labouring classes ; your Petitioner humbly conceiving that the customs , an adequate land tax , with a graduated tax bised . npon actual property , mitigated in cases of limited interests , should be , as they really are , the legitimate , sources of taxation , being also attended with the least injustice ^ and collected with the least expense . That your Petitioner begs also humbly / to suggest

      the propriety of abolishing the Civil List , and restoring to the Crown all it 3 hereditary revenues , which ' -are now diminishing by annual sales , and ot the legality of which sales your Petitioner cannot but feel considerable doubt , inasmuch as it appears by . the 1 Vie . c . 2 , s * . 2 , that all tho hereditary revenues are to be earned to the Consolidated Fund only during the life of her ^ Iajcsty , and after her decease all these hereditary revenues ; are to bo paid and payable to her Majesty ' s heirs and successors , and are therefore held to the nation in trust only for these especial purposes , ahd cannot and ought not to be diminished by alienation . in fee simple .

      That your petitioner beg 3 further most respectfully to suggest the propriety of inquiring into all existiiig grants and alienations of crown" lands , forest , and other revenues , whether granted before or since the act passed 1 Ann , c . 7 , to the provisions of which act your petitioner craves to oall the attention of your honourable house , observing , at the same time , that acts of resumption have been frequently made by Parliament when gifts and grants were burthensdme and hurtful to tiie public , and those resumptions were not only popular but for many ages were exacted from the crown itself against its will by the people , in case of their burthens , and to enable the crown to live upon its own revenues . And your honourable house carrot be ignorant , that many gifts and grants now exist which have been most illegally and improper lv granted by former possessors of tha crown . These

      revenues being placed on a proper footing , would , a . s your petitioner believes , with the aid of the rc-venue . s of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall , ' - ( dfley the same shall have been subject to the liko revision and resumption , ) be amply sufficient to supporV the throne -in dignity and splendour , more than equal to that of any other monarch in Europe . But it is with great regret your petitioner furi . hur reminds your honourable house of the melandioiy fact , proved by parliamentary paper , No . 20 . 5 , now upon the table of your hon . house , that out cf one year ' s revenuebf the Duchy of Cornwall , amounting to £ 51 , 6972 s . 1 id . there has been paidto hor Majesty the sum of £ 2 , 000 only , while out of the revenue of the . Dacliy of Lancaster , it appears by the same document that but of one year ' s revenue of £ -9 , 45 b 2 s . 7 id . the sum of £ 5 , 000 only has been paid to her Majesty .

      That your petitioner also humbly prays yonr honourable house , ( having patiently , honestly ,, and courageously undertaken and carried into efiect , the several matters to which your petitioner has humbly ventured to draw its attention as regard 3 the revenue and expenditure , ) will then proceed to enforce the Eame legislative enactments , and that your honourable house should then call upon all classes for those sacrifices which may present th-.-mselves , and appear absolutely necessary for the security of property and the maintenance of the institutions of the country , respectfully reminding yonr honourable house of tho munificent sacrifice already made by the most noble the Marquis of Cam den , and of the individual eifbrts of the . Right Honourable Marina- ' duke Langdale , to effect a reduction of the National Debt . ,... ¦ ¦

      That your Petitioner further craves leave to suggest that your Honourable House should , undertake a complete revisou of the Statute Book , in -order -to erase therefrom those acts which oppress the labourers of the country , induce them to quit their native land , or -which have the effect of irritating their feelings , annoyi ng their prejudices , interfering with their , domestic comforts , or destroying their national recreations , so that by tho honest exertions of your Honourable House , not o-. ly may the public burthens be diminished , but a goicralregenerationtake place , whereby feelings of peace , union , and good will may be restored amongst all classes of the community : ' a consummation which was hoped by your Petitioner would have resulted from the reform in the

      representation of the people , but in which hope he has , in common with the people , been mest grievously disappointed . . " V . That while your Petitio « er humbly implores yonr Honourable House to adopt such measure as in your wisdom may seem fit for lightening the burdens of tho people , he is at the same time fully sensible of the necessity of providing the means of defending the shores of his i-ative land , and the " lives and property oi ' ; biafellow citizens ; from : foreign aggression ; and he would ,. therefore , humbly recommend the raising a Bum of money sufiitient for forthwith equipping , maunivgj and sending forth a fleet of at least twenty sail of the line for the defence of our coasts , which sum of money should be kept separate , and applied lor this especial purpose , ( and not liable to any other exigencies of the state whatever ) and

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      vested in certain Parliamentary Commissioners , appointed by , and accountable to , youi- Honourable House ; 'for your Petitioner ' .- ; cannot , disguise his apprehensions , that , from appearances abroad , if some steps of this kind aro not forthiyith ialcen , the long unsullied purity of Qur native sdtf will be , after a lapse of seven centuries , violated by the invasion of foreign foes .. - .- , - ¦ ; ' . That your petitioner further humbly prays your honourable house io pardon so long an intrusion upon your valuable time and atteiitibn , assuring your honourable house , that ho has ventured on it from a conviction of tht importance of tho subjects and the necessity of taking it into consideration , and with the greatest diffideiico indulinris an vested in , certain ; Parliamentary Commissioners ,

      earnest hope that your honourable house wjl ! under * take , this task with courage , industry , and perseverance , i » order that '' the--United Kingdom and its institutions may roposovin peace and security its population be restored to habits of industry , order religion , and morality ^ and all classes i ' ael certain arid secure .-in the . cpntinuied enjovmont of their respective rights , titles , honours , possessions , property more especially that labour should bo duly jgjvarded and your petitioner finally most solemnly COnjUres your honourable house , npt to turn a deaf ear to the humble but sincere suggoBtions of your petitioner

      conymced , as Ho is , that , if some eii ' ective remedial measures be not forthwith adopted as regards' the taxation of the country , in all human probability ( as beautifully expressed by a late emiuent writer ) the whole of the Civil Liat , tho interest of the debt , and all the sinecures , ponsioiis , and salaries , and also the expenses ' of . . the' standing army , will continue to be made up bytaxea , by loans from the bank , by exchequer bills , by every species of contrivancp to . the latest possible moment , and until the whole of tho paper system , amidst the war of opinions , of projects , of interests , and of passion s , B-hallgo to pieces like a ship upon the rocks .

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      they have done . It has been so from the beginning It will be so to tho end . But what then ? Are we friends of \ the truth , followers of Him who came to make it knowii to the world , and can vre act for the truth sake and for his sake , suffer the loss of our worldly goods , of our freedom , and- even of our life , if it bo his willthgit We should bear the cross ? To be-where- ' I now am , for wha $ I have done in bphalf of my poor countrymen , I deem the highest honour ever conferred on : me . I havfi not had an iinhappy moment , or one / uneasy thought since I came within these walls . My conscience ' bears me witness that 1 have never sought any thing but the -goodo ' f all , npoii the princiiples of eternal truth and righteousness . I bear no ill will , to the men who thev havedone . Ithas t , ^ n *« frn « ^ h ^ in *

      havo sent me here ; I pity them , and for & thousand worlds would not change places with any of them : they vrill know how vain and feeble are their efforts , they think they have done wonders to send Stephe . is to gaol . But can they imprison the truths Stephens has been preaching ? Ten thousand timesi ten thousand voices answer no . These truths are written : on the niindsaud graven on tlio hearts and cannot b ' e erased . I ceased not to thank God ; for givingme titno and strength to make known ! his words amongst you , 1 shall soon see whether myhope will not bo released in finding the workgo ohas well without me as it used to do , when I . was wit-you ; If every one who has the cause of God at heart will act as .-thoughall depended upon himself—thousands

      will embrace the truth , for every one who know professes it . I repose great confidence in you . I have known you , and t « ied you for many yearsi : Gur connexion with each other has been a most happy one . Others may say what they please about the ficKleness of the people . My experieiico lea'ds me to say that the people are faithful and true-hearted to those whom they have thorougjily known , and as for those sudden squalls that sometimes blo-sv so hard , why wo ought to look out for them , audmake ready against they come . They soon pass over and over again . They , are hot worth talking about . The ' roan that steers a steady course will not surely heed a blast or two—the haven is before him , and he will out-ride every storm . I can very

      well attoru to Dear the senseless calumnies of weak or wicked incn : let them talk tnemselveEj out of breath . In seventeen mouths it will bo my turn to speak . I can wait till thori . Sir , give my love to all ; tell them I am well . I havfrnot eiijoyed suchgbod health this long time . I wish you distinctly tounderstand that I am treated with great kindness by those who have the sHperintendance of-this prison . a . is but light that this should be widely known . Contradict all silly rumours to tho contrary , on iny authority of course ; tlieroaro many inconveniences and anHoyancos in a place like this , but that , is the fault of the present system of prison discipline , and not of the

      : persons whose duty it is to enforce the regulatibnsof the gaol . I hope the chapsl continues to be well attended , and that : your preachers are meek as tho doto and bold as the lion , in proularming the truths of tho gospel . Preach the word , " Be instant in season and out of season . " I improve every oppovtunity to redeem the time . "Love to God , Dogood unto all men , Forget not the poor , the needy , tho helpless , the widow and the fatherless . " I cannot work , but I can sufferi Indue time , I hope to bo with you again , stronger in body andniorc earnest in spirit thau ever . In Chester Gaolasin Stalybridge pulpit , I am ,

      ' . "¦'¦ , Yours most faithfull y , Joseph Rayner Stephens . To Mr . Charles Bain , Stalybridge .: . P . S . My family are well and happy , they reside at til , Middle Crane-street ,. ' I heed not say I beg to be remembered individually to as inany friends as enqniro after me , and will be glad to hear of my welfare . I cannot enumerate the names , they Would be too numerous ^ I am sorry to hear you have had so much sickness in your family . I hope they are now bettor . Farewell , God bloss you all . ' " _ J . R , S .

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      TO THE PUBLIC . THE CARPET WEAVERS' SECOND ADDRESS , ^ Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with tteir burdens—Moses . . / The eye cannot say unto the hand , I have nonee < l of thee ; nor again , tho head to the feet , I have ne need of thee . —Sx . Paul . FuiENDS and Fellow-WoRKJiEx , —It is the opinion of some of . our wisest politiciaus , and most humane political economists , that a mighty revo ution in tlie . affairs , of this , country is at hand ; the degraded condition of the working classes—the impoteiicy of Government—the difiiculties of trade--in bhort , the increasing misery of / alldassos of

      producers , sufficiently indicates itsuear approach , andthe certainty of itsaccomplishment . ' We presume not to say what will be th& precise character ofthis changei but to us it appears certaiii ( provided the labonriug classes be firinly united ) that it . will , eventually , be a revolutioh from de « radation , aad misoryj to comparative prosperity , through the proper direction of pur skill aud industry . .,- ' ¦ ¦ '• . ; - " -. ' / -... .. ¦ ' ' ' - ' - . ; ,- ¦ ; - . ¦ ¦¦; "• • We are aware , fellow-workmen , that it is not our province , iu tlio present address , to enter into the particular circumstances which have led to our

      calamitous situation ; but most Garnestiy do \? e wish to call your attention to what wo cohdeive is o « . b of the iinmediate causes , that is , the domineeringInfluence ofmovey , The tremendous accumulation-of wealth Avhich a few individuals ' have , realised out of thl produce of their servants'' industry ; have enabled thenv tp forni arrangements for their own penny and individual aggrandisemoht , instead of considerini ' the means iiecesaary to secure the happiness of allhence the mass of the Jabouring classes of this country arc dpomed toincessaut ^ oil , for the money profit ot a capricious few .- ¦ '

      .- ; vit _ i 8 ; to ; thi 3 baneful and insatiable thirst forrichos or Mammon , and a strenuous : desire to comDel thl carpet weavers to be their mere beasts of burden that tho masters have entered into a bond Tor the purposp , they say , of protecting the tradedS reality , it is for tho >) uble purpose of ^ feini wages ,, and ^ enslaving intollig ^ and ^ Sri ^ HlWlli ¦ ¦ - -. ¦¦ . " . -.-, ¦ -.. _ . ¦ , ; . _ ¦; ¦ ¦ ^ , ¦ . ftiSS *! 2 t"S »™ ?!« » PPe « , itat » maul PIOeA W feduo '

      . «™< -- . uur WS ' iSS ?; ^^^ mm ^ i&i l ^ r ^ sa ^^^^ ot-Heckmond > Yikei Dewsbury , andMilpR 5 | * ^ p ^^ sisllS carpet wearer * , &Uow workSj S ^ u fe

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      deprivation and suffering is to b « their lot during this protracted struggle of RIGHT against MIGHTS but they consider this war . in which they are engagedis a war . of principle and of ^ justice , i against one of "the . most ukjust-and ijiESPoxtc aggression that has Vwj' been concocted in this district . : : : 7- We have recently read the' proceedinga of th « masters , and are enabled to form , something like an opinion upon their code of laws ; we are ; auxious to exhibit theso monstrous chain * of oppression , to our friends and fellow countrymen . You will , Tiodoubti recollect that we stated irt our last address to you A *^^^ ^^^ ^ «; -,..: , V

      that a nojte had- been submitted to us , by some of the masters , for ua to sign ; of which the following ig a * exact copy : — '¦ •• : v : .- ' ' : " ' .:.. V : ' ¦ . - • .- ¦ •¦•¦ - •¦ "I hereby pledge myself to have ^ no cdmmuriicatipn , or in any way contribute to the support of aiiy Trades Union . " ; ; . ; -: ";¦ ' / Since the above was generally inawii to tb « public , the shuffling miscreants state , ( and mark it well , ) . that . their men have only to say , that they will not belong to auy Trades Union , —that they have no need to sigh , as though the weavers did not know that verbal testimony of this kind , before a witnegs , was tantampnnit to a documeiitary one . ¦ "¦¦ - ¦ The other

      day one of the masters observed to his men , that . they might go to their work if they would onhrsay they did not belong to any trade society , and he would not care if they ; broke their word th « next day ; now markl this maais a strong stickler tor religion , who attempted to lead his men into sin . in order to avoid" ; it himself . - We haye now the opportunity of giving you a short extract Or two from tho masters' immortal vocabularyof lawsj which will be to you ; a sufiBcieut demonstration of their spirit and intentions;—one of their resolutions , or rather part of ohej is as follows : — ' ¦ : ::. - ¦" : ¦ ,. " ¦ •• ¦ . ¦¦ . -. ¦ ¦• - ... , "It has been determined tofound a Society which shall be an uncompro mising resistance of all dictation . and control , or attempt at dictation or coutrbl of the masters by the men whomsoever , to amount of wages to be given . " ^ : .

      t- Another part is as follows , referring to the combinators , it states , ; ' ? Nor he , or any . of his partners , so long as he or they continue members of this society , Will employ anyvweaver , or other wdrkman or workman , who shall in any way ofiery or attempt to dictate to ] or control the . procesdings of , his or their master , or masters as to the . amount , of > yage 3 . " , These , fellow 9 ountryinen , are the hnmane breathings of a few upstart mabu ^ aeturers , just , risen from the rank , of labourers . A great number ofJa > vaand regulations are incorporated in their truly . logical cpde , which in this address we have not an opportunity of inserting : we will just mention one more , which seems to . be ; the climax of their legislation : it is the nrst resolution in their bye-laws , and is a « &llows : r- •¦ - ¦; ' ; . . '¦ ¦ .:- •" .-:. \ " That evsry weaver , when he leaves his last employer , must have a noto of recommendation with him . ¦ -..- ¦• ,. ¦ . - ¦ -- ¦'¦

      / Tlius fellow ¦ . countrymenv ^ ou see V part , and sufficient to justify what we said in our first addrees , namely , that it was an Algerine code of laws . ¦/¦' . Fellow countrymen , wo haye no need , we ar « aware , to attempt to expose : the open and latent principle couched in the above tyrannical resolutions ; you will coniprehend tliem in all their atrocity ; you will be able to appreciate that if the manulacturerii should gain their object , there will be an ond to all our social liberty . Recollect ! there is to beno

      dictation or controul by any weaver to his master in any amount of wages : we must be content to be th « slaves to some of thd most disgraceful despots that ever dishonoured human nature . Whatever may be our grievances , whatever our circumstances with reference , to wages , however our masters may encroach upon us and upon the rights of labour " we are not to dictate or cpntroul themi the ineanihg is , that weare to be mere automatons , and consign ourselves to intermiiiablo vassalage without a hope of emancipation . ¦ ¦; . . , u ^_ , - .. ' ¦ ' . ¦¦ ¦ .

      ± ellow-countrymen , We haveJ * B ») u ijredit thai you would understand the mi ^ Bf 'the abovementioned resolutions of the m « BHiit read them again , and yon will see that tlfflfflbin ^ tiou is jiot merely --to . embrace the . cat pepi ^^ ers , but every other workman employed ^ by' ^" earpetmanufacturer .. The resolution is , " any weaver " , or other workma--i or workmenj who shall attempt to dictitt &c # It is-quite clear that the germ is already working , and in the course of vegetation , which will , in a short time , if not checked by biirpreseht movement , produce such a ha vest of tyranny a * perhaps we are not sufficiently aware . ; ,

      We will , now ask the shopkeepers ^ biitchers , and publicans , are industrious and hard working men to have the disposal-of the produce of their labour the manufacturers say net ' should this becoma general , amau cannot do what he will with his ownwhy what will be the result of all this ! We hav « no doubt bu . t ; we shall , in the course of time . hav « the mtfoduction of the abominable truck system as it is generaliy called , With all its degrading cbncomitanta . If the masters have the power , which they will possess if they should unhappily succeed to . compel us to do as they chuse ; then they will have establishments to" sell meat j meal ; groceries , and ever y other article of consumption ; and then , how will-the labourer have to act ? the fact is . they will have no choice ; they ; will be compelled to CO and purchase at the appointed store ; and should they Wfuse , they will then be discharged for contuminv

      they must leave their employment , and then , whovvill give tliem a note of recommeudatioH ; arid should they reason with their masters it will be called dictation and controul . We will-now ask , politicians of all distihetioris , protessors of religiqn of all denominations , lahourers ^ of all trades ^ will you allow us to become the vi « timstosuchadJa 6 o / ic «/ conspiracy ? We think we hear you exclaim with all your might ! no !! thii shall never be . . ¦ ¦ . - ¦ : We now return our most sincere thanks to all our friends amongst all elasses ,. that have come forward to our relief ; you have acted nobly ^ you have dono your tluty-and while we have been grappling with tyranny in some of Us most insidious ^ £ open torms , you -have sympathised . with us—youbava borne up , our hands by your liberal *^ amS

      earnestly hope that you will continue : to transmit ^ us your generous donations ^ which will enable us to djS ^ oy one of the mostdosi fining conibinationslhat ever thegrandpatron otPinching-street himself wai ever able to . concoct T ' ^" To tho professors of religion , we sav are vnii aware that most of tl ^ aboye ^ entionMSbSaS are professors of religion-that : they join in tha devot . ons . of your great : cbrigregationf iod are en ^ W ™ y «« : ? 0 « aliDaeetiDgl-ior < &&r pieJT ^ i wffiv k ? tt ^ ? ^ eir unc " iStian : combination , 2 sSj £ ^ % *^^ e ^^ th £ f ^ fSeS ?^ worthy of his wages . Thou shaft not muzzle theox that treadeth out the corn . Cursed is thb man tlS oppresseth the poor . ¦¦¦ Masters give to ; voiir seS uicn is

      uww equal . The labourers that have reaped down your fields cry out against you , and that their cry has entered the ears of the Lord of Sabbaoth . Let then tho pious and good of all names arid distmctioiis join with us the carpet weavers , in our righteous attempt to abolish and destroy the odioug dosign of the masters to enslave us ; andlet us never rest until all trades : and professions : can really and unitedly exclaim , Britons never , never , shall be , Signedon behalf of the „ , " ,: ¦ ¦> ^ Carpet Weavers . Heckmondwike , October Uth , 1839

      Committee Rooms , —Commercial"inn : Heckmbrid wike ; and Little Saddle , Bewsburf * SSca every Saturday from five tillt $ n ; o ' clock

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      ^ ssssrsf ^ ii wmmm fflfiSSSaeftS ^^ 0 usual

      curred' ^ O ^ W ^ bnstlo , no accident oc ^ cwed ^ Quitting clear ; of-the Pool the engines ' Ste 2 lb ^ S r P ^« , and the speed of S w& % ap ??* % & knot 3 * whicnatWoolr ^ eViS ^ 16 ^ 6 ^^ 9 ^ knots ' ^^ ¦»» » -ti ^ i and S ^^ f ^^ W quarter .: This specif wa » ws ^ zmmmm W ^ mm ^^ M ^ S ^ J * ¥ majesty , the Archimed « s turned SSfe ^ b aying the tideand ^ ind in wall w ^* The ^ 8 ta c 0 from Graveserid to Black-S ^ S ^ f P ^^ ^ - ^ hours , ; which would give aspeed of nearly thirteen mfi nc ;»; » , «„» tk ,- .

      SS ' ' !! 9611 ?* under the disadvantage S ^^^ ^ ajpted to engines which evidently Xar £ ^? ' ^ ^ ratiou ; iu many of the work ' UfiS ^;^ " ^ - PMZfft&tii advaufageirtisly S £ ^^ JiS » tioniand in ' somacases ioYwafr at ? 5 S * % f c — ^^ P ^ tectiou afforded bythe depth imDSS ffTTL ^ ^ ^ ° ^ ater ' will be ' SKftt but + ^ e ^ remulous ^ motion given to the Se SS ^ V-t f-gSl action of the propeller , and rScessSv ^ . 0 lse ^ ccasioned by the spur- % vheeli wrvessels mtended to carry jyissea ^ ra-Mormg

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      Chester Castlo , September 13 th ,. 1839 . Mr Dear Sir , —You must not think I hadforgot ^ ten you because you didnot hear ; from me sooner . I wished the noise and din if tongues to die away before I \ vroto you .. By this time I hope all is still again , though perhaps no ' tpvira in England wa . 3 less likely to be Bhakeii than St&ley Bridge . You have been so long accustomed to go steadily oh mindiug your own business , that I am persuaded You would

      be but little affected b y all » hat has recently transpired . You were all ot yo » i fujly prepared far what has taken placej I had so often told you it ' would end in tMs way that you would not be -surprise * $ 0 find it did so . It would never do to allow a man like ihe to be aUa * ge , spreading the truth abroad from one end of the land to the other . When > vaa the word of God « ver suffered to be freelyi fully , and boldly spoken without abuse ! You read the : Bible and learn from it , that as soon as the craft is in danger . those who bring it into danger aunt answer ftr wkat

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      Ashton , September 20 , 1839 .

      Highly Respected Pastou anjd Patriot , —We , your Hock and si , al of your ministry , are greatly encouraKed by your short address , and are proud of our connection with a teacher and minister who is so ranch influenced by tho truth ; that can boldlyj . ¦ ahd , fearless of consequences , declare the truth in tlie presence of its enemies andbpposers ; and that , though for the declaration of that truth you are now by the enemies of tho Cross ; of Christ confined in a dungeon ¦ , yet that you are determined toperscvere in yourcourseol ' duty , andarehappy , thoughinaprison . Weconsider our connection with such a pastor one of the . greatest honours that can be attached tomortals , scekiig , d ' s , we are , a better state and greater enjoyments than thoso merely earthly . Our trust in God

      and confidence in you , his servant , grows stronger the truths you have spoken are ¦ findingtheir way , and we joyfull y anticipate a day of victory and triumph . e ) ur gratitude to you , and to bur God for raising up a determined advocate of Bible truth we cannot full y express ; but we give this development ( Which we consider the best ) viz , of seeing as fair as wo aro able that your sufferings be blessed and keepi ) g up yoursalary as well as , possible ; and keep . alive 111 our practice the principles that vou have so ably , boldly ,: firmly ,, and honestly advocated . There are others , of your flock againt wlioin true bills have been found , and who are oxncctinj ? to 1 >« i ' mhri = « ,, o , 7

      yet this does not dauht iis—this does not discourago us , or frighten us from our post of duty , but the reverse—spurs us to greater efforts and zeal in the work of social arid national redemption founded on the Book of God ' s Revelation . Dear Sir , —Other parties may abuse , and try to destroy , you and us , but their efforts are weak and useless , because nature and nature's ; God > -reason and revelation—are on our sido . This is our 'foundation ; . this our wall of defence ; this Our source of supplies . Wo are yours in Christ , and with yon iu ettort , affection , zeal , patience , labour , suffeting persecution , prosecution , joy , faith , perseverance , and hope , '

      The enemies have made an attempt to close our chapel doors , but that attempt has proved vain and abortive . / Our congregations are on the increase Ihe people are miserably poor , yet looking for oetter days . . ' . . ' . ¦ ,, *? £ / \ ever _ Sir ,-pur united prayer is that God may , by his Spint , Word , and Providence , preach . , deliverance to the captives , andthe openiuc of the prison doors to them that are bound . Wo are , Sir , Yours , in the beat of bonds , THE Local Preacheks is Quarter Da * ASShMBLED . To the Rev . J . R . Stephens , Chester Castle . * ¦ " f " . ° W > > v t s was sent ¦ ' * ° -Mr : Stephens , alter the receipt of the letters datedthe 12 th and 13 th of tocptembor .

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      Chest ;• Lastle , Sept . 12 th , ltSO . Mr dear Sir , —You axooiio of . the oldest of my friends iii the neighbouri .-ood , where 1 have spent the last seven yjpars of my lil ' e . You havo been with me in the midst of mair ,- outward changes , and can bear witness , better thaii most men , to the

      unwavering steadiness of iniad with which I have gone onward to the mark 1 have had before me , utterly heedless of all that might bo sai d or doiio against me in the meanwhil ; -, by those who either did not understand me aright , and thevctdrii withstood me ifftiorantly , or b y / thti : je who saw clearly what tho object of : iny . proeQcJiugs really : was , aud on that account pursued in 0 : with the most determined , ami inveterate malignity , lest the peaceful triumph of the truth should end in the overthrow of their own unhallowed proceedings . .. ¦ .. ¦ . ¦ ..

      I did not take up the cause of the poor , the weak , and the witles ? ,. without much provioutj considflration , both as to the subject itself , awl the manner in which it could be best , brought beforo the eyes ' of all , foes as well as friends of tho cause of truth arid righteousuess . I clearly fpresaw tho utter impossibility of working out aiiy lasting good , unless 1 threw overbouvd every maxim ot" worldly policy arid expediency . 1 found tho people hard been for ages , and still Were , in tlio haids - ' of rival parties , who , in religion and in politics , aimed at the same end though they pursued ft by very diU ' eicnt means . 1

      knew ; that so 1 od { ' as this was the casOj it mattered nothing , or but little , which party was predominant , -ii ^ asmuch as the priiiciples on Which they all Were fouuiieil , wore not calculated to iiroducc fenuine ,-uui . ver . sal , and pcrmaneut happiness to manind at largo . It was , therefore , necessary that , as one who liarncbtly desired and humbly strove to bring about that happiness , 1 should at oneo , no matter what- the rkk , the dahgtr , or the loss * cut myself loose fjrom all connection '' -with party men and abjuro the advocacy of all party

      measures ; The consequence of this has been : what I well knew it " , would be . All parties havo , iu tnrriij , cudeavoured to make my exertions subservient to their own purppsei , as soon as they . "beheld' tho woudcrlul eiteJtd' produced before the ptsople by the sinipie preachiug of . tho truth '; arid all in turns , when they found I could not bo brought over to their party views , have deriounced and . have dorie their utmost to destroy me . 1 told you the time Would come when true friendship for the people wpu ! d bo best bliewn by opposing their most darling schemes , or the schemes rather of niistaken or interested men .

      who make popularity the touchstono of truth , or the bteppingrstoue of their individual ariibitioiu Has not that time arrived |—and havjj ' I iipt withstood the people to theiit tace , as fearlessl y and as coolly as ever iwithstood tho mightiest of their oppvessors i ¦ P opi : ! arity is not my point . I seek tp dp the people good , and I therefore ' always tell them -what 1 believe to bo true , and what I liope will bo conducive to their advaritagOj 116 matter \ yhether , for the tiuib being , they , be pleased or displeased . Truth and time will set all thiagsi ' .-straight : much , that now seems wrong will be found to como right iu the end . He , who is over all , makes all things work together for good , to them that love him , and walk in his ways .

      I would not writo to you till tho worry and whirl of men ' s minds had settled . You can ndw think things coolly over . Do so . You cau ta ' k them over . Do thisalsOi ' When you havo done so , speak put , and say boldiy ,, whether , iu any one point , you have found me . chaugeablp arid wavering . . Am I liot the self-same man , in niy duugeon . to-day j as you have ever found me at home , abroad , in confidential coriversatiori v or' addressing . teuB of thousand ' s of the people ? Lam-I 1 hope ahvays to be what I have been , and still am , as regards tlio great cause I havo been led to advocate . Ii . yory da , y s experience ^ ouyinces nie " low needful it is to bo still more devoted —still . more persevering in -that carisoi ; , / ¦¦ .:

      I knew to what it would lead—what I shouldhave to sufftn . I thank God , who lias " -given' me strength accordiog : to my day . I enjoy good health—never better " . J am comtbrtab ' e . I vvkh you distinctly to understand that I am treated with respect arid kindness b y : those who have the superintendarice of the prison . My wife and children , thauk God , are also well . ... I trust ; we shall all weather the storfni . ¦ Give my heart ' s best lovo to allj be they few or many , ' who think pf me , and will be glad to hear of me . i I often think of you ail . ' You live in my heart .

      You , have had a . ; 1 I have to give you . I can now-Only sufler ; for you and pray for you . God bless you . Let aJj who would servo God and benefit their fellow-creatures , read his Word ; and worship him aright . Keep up yOur religious services steadily and zealously . Whatever else you do , fill your ( Shape's , and keep them out of debt . Never mind me . Take care of the causes . Remember this . Ypri shall soon hear from me again . Farewell 1 God bless you all . You know I am yours ,

      Most faithfully , ; Joseph Ratneh S-rE-pnEifSi i ¦ ¦ ¦ . .. '¦*¦¦ ' . ¦ ¦

      The Rev. J. R. Stephens.

      THE REV . J . R . STEPHENS .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDITORS OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Gentlemen , —^ As various base and malicious reports _ are in circulation with respect to the Key . Ji R . Stephens , his friends , and particularly the members of the society of which he lias for several years officiated as pastor , feel it their bpundon duty to lay tlie ¦ eo ' r . respdiidenco betweoit him aridhis flock , that has takon plac « since his conmiemoniin a : dungeon for speakiuj- the truth before the public . -They - consider that / they who have longest fought ; under tho banners \ of truth and righteousness , along with that noble-miudpU pastor ought in justice to him . protect him against :. tho shafts of malice or wickedness that are aimed at his and their destruction .

      As other documents will shortly be laid before the public , we think it right and jum that all-the '¦ correspondence that | J ) as .-. take ' u place betwixt him and us ought to be laid beforo a .-discerning - public , that they . may judge for tlwmaclvua who are tho real meutfa of the people , and who aro not . Gentlemen , it is particularly requested b y tLo frieiidi of that much injure Jinan that , you willlMj so kind us to give insertion to' the correspondened that will be seat you If yon will-give them insertioii from time to time in your valuable and oxtensivfjy circulated journal , you will oblige a- largoniimber of subscribers and readers who express at desire to knovr why they have not appeared before now fas a great portion of them think that the fault rests with you , in not liaviDg giVen _ anytliing of him since his trial . I send you an original copy , and tho others arc copies that friends havo ia their possession ; .. they dona liko to part with them : if you will givo them insertion in your paper , you will greatly oblige ¦

      ' Tour ' s , &c . THE MEM HERS OF THE SOCIETT LATELY WoBsim'i'i > u ¦ dSder the PastoKal caku of iius Rev . J . ¦ 'K . Stei-iiens . P . S . —I send you these letters at the request of the Society .

      Untitled Article

      6 THB : ¦;¦ ¦ ¦ -N 0 , B ^ A'E ^; iC-: vy ! ii ;^ ^ - ^\ ;/ ; ' . ;¦ ¦ . ;;;¦ ¦ v , " , ¦ •/¦ " . ¦ ¦ : > V , . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ .. :. ¦ ¦" ;^ ' : .: v- : /' - ^ '' - ' - ' --N- - ?/ : v :: - " " ?^ A '

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 26, 1839, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1080/page/6/