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Northern Star (1837-1852), 22nd October 1842, Edition 1 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      THE SPECIAL COMMISSIONS . ( From the Morning Chronide . )

      STAFFORD , Fkidat , Oct . it ( Btfort Sir H . Ti * daLJ Ths Court sat thi 3 morning at nine o ' clock , and immedia t ely afterward * the prisoners who had been convicted of tie demolition of the Bev . Mr . Aitken ' s house -were ordered to be brought np and placed at tbe bar .

      SESTEKCE UPON TH £ PRISONERS . Thomas Murray , Henry Howard , Wa Ellis , Elijah CJay . Jr .-: Canlifla , Josesh Greene , and Wm . Fearne » .- ; - brought forward XLe Lsarued Judge * ben addressed tiiem . He said : Prisoners st the bar , - - m have been found guilty of riotously and fclonio ^ siy destroying the house ef the Rev . Mr- Aitkln . A crime more pernicious and fatal to the happiness and security of social life caa scarcely be imagined . The Kiseries you are proTed to hava inflic ' . ett upon the peaceable said industrious inhabitants of tn « county « rere greater than these that would hare been iLflicted b ? in invaaing aricy , for they ¦ would haTe respsreu J the haVrtatioiis . the lives , and proptrtirs of peaceable indmffasls . Tha law , howtver , has e » w regained iis supremacy , and yon mast stff ; r that pcnaJty

      ¦ whi ch it has awarded to your-crimes . Thesentenc * of the Court is . tiiat you , Thomas Murray and H . Howard , ¦ who ¦ were shown to haTe beea present at the actual firing and demolishing of tfee house , and 'who eitb . tr applied the torch or fed the fames ; and yon , William 3311 k , "who although . E 3 t present at the commencement , were proved to the satisfaction of the jary to be present in the mob duting tie continuance ot tfce names , and ¦ who have teen one of those who might be cuiisidtred as one of thu more immediate promoter * of the crime by the violent and intemperate speeches you adurtssed to the mob—ttat t&ch of yen be transported for twentyone years . That yon , Elijih Clay , Cnnliffe , and Greene be transported for ten years , and th ^; y&u Willam Feaine be imprisoned for sir months and kept to hard labour . . .

      Cnninid cried cut several times , " Iu rather ycu ' -i targ me up by the neck at onee , my lord . ' E : lis hida"wr : ; ten paper in his hand , and was proceedJEg to make some remarks te the Court , when he ¦ was removed by the gaoler . James Ibbs , John Lovatt , George-Shaw , and John Roden were then placed at the bar and sentenced , Rooen to tan years transportation , and the other thrL-e to twelve months imprisonment and hard labour .

      J . ITACK . < 3 X MB- HASOS S HOUSE . William ; JVpe , Stspiitn W ^ rcham , John Swinscoe , Thomas Simpson , D .-ncis Muliigeri , Herbert Wyatt , Joseph Midolst-n . and John Jorea , were indicted for a riot and unlawful usstmbiy at Sloke-npon-Trent , on the loth cf August . Wsreh&m and > Jnll : gen pleaded guilty . The Solicitor-General said the prisoners formed part of z . mob -s-ho , dating the day of the loth of Aug .. attacked the h ^ msi ef Mr . Mason , an extensive China manufacturer , near Fenton , armed -with bludgeons , swords , knives , and pickaxes . Tiey forced their way through the doors and windows , and piled up the broken furniture in the middle of the room ,, and set it on fire , and bad u not > -eeu that an alarm was given that the dragoons were comin ? , there "was little doubt but that th * y would have completed the demolition ef the house . Is was a question -whether they were not guilty of a much more serious offence , but the crown hid adopted the miider course of merely indicting them for a riot

      Tie Cr-snsel on behalf of Simpson and Ssnncoe called several ¦ wlU . ssses to prove that these prisoners were not takic ? any part in the riot—one cf them , SwinEcoe , being at ths time the mob attacked the house , upwards of six uiUes from the place . The Jsry acquitted S winscoe and Simpson , and found the others gailty . The Learned Judge then addressed the prisoners , and said he had near heard a case that was Etronger against any person than the cisa that had been stated by the ¦ witnesses fcr the prosecution . Their conduct , and that of others of . tbe mot ) , amssaredto be more that of

      nncivila > i siva ^ es ; they gone , armed withsworda and picks snd b . ' udgeons , for no earthly reason , that ingenuity could tnzgeit and destroyed the property of Mr . Mason , and it appeared to him that , had they been indicted in a d 5 ff ; rent way , Pope at least -would have mn Tsry jjreat danrer ; bat it shawed that the Crown ¦ was inclined to proceed with the greatest humanity . The prisoners -were then sentenced—Pepe to two years imprisonment and bard labour ; Myatt to twelve months and bard labour ; Miaalrton , Jones , and Wsxeham , six months a- -d hard Iribcur ; and Mulligan to three months imprisonmant and hard labour .

      Ssve : al of ths prisoners expressed their gratitude to bis Lordship .

      CHANGES OF SEDITIOX . Joseph Cappur , the wel' -kr . own Tunstall blacksmith , John K'diatda , of Hanky , a Chartist _ speaker , and Thoiuas Cooper , v ? ho had been previously tried and acquitted on a charge of demolishing the hcus 9 of Mr . Paiker , -were th&n plated at the bar , and arraigned on a cfcarte of conspiracy and seditien . Cooper said his Coanjel vf as not then present , and hi -srishtd him to ba called . The S 0 L 1 CIT 0 H GrxEB . il , said he understood that Cooper iaieEQfcS to traverse , and he had told his counsel ( Mr . Lee ) , after having looted over the committal ard indictment , thit he thought it fell within the same rule as the case of O'Neil , and , therefore , if there \ ns any appliiation to traverse on hi 3 behalf , he should net oppose it . He believed that that was the reason his counsel was not present . He thought it ¦ would be better to call upon the parties to plead in the first in » tsiiee .

      The Cierk of Arraigns then read over the indictment , which charged Cooper , Cippur , and Richards , ¦ with hafing , on the 15 : h of August last , at the parish of Burslem , unlawfully , wickedly , and seditiously conspired , combined , and confederated to cause riots and tumultuous assemblages of the people-in breath of the public peace , and to incite , provoke , and procure such tumultnous meetings to resist and obstruct by force and arms the execution of the l 3 ws of ttie realm , and to arm themselves with guns , pistols , pikes ; bludgeons , and ether unlawful weanons ; and further , that the

      sajd Cooper , Csp-pur , and Bichards did , en the 15 th of August , at Burslem , and at divers other places and times , seditiously address to and speak in the hearing of large assemblages cf people divers filse , litellous , scandalous , and seditious speeches , "with intent to excite them to discontent with , and hatred to , the laws ef the land and the Government ef the realm , and to a forcible resistance to , and ¦ violation of the law . The . prisoners severally pleaded not guilty . Clerk of the Arraigns—Thomas Cooper , do you wish to take your triJ now , or to put it off to the next assizes- ?

      Cooper—I -wish to traverse . Clerk of the Arraigns^—John Bichards , do yon wiih to be pnt Bpcn your trial now 01 to traverse ? Richards—I wish to traTerse , Clerk of Arraigns—Joseph Cappur , do you wish , to be put on yoar trial now , or to put it off ? Cappur—I wish to stand my trial now , separate frcm the others . C-oper—My Lord , I wish to hare your advice with rerard to my trial . I furnished the names of two persons , one residing at Leicester , and the other in Lccden to the magistrates ; they are both men of large property ; one of them worth several thousand pounds , and he was refused on political grounds . I wish to know is that legal ? The Chief Jcsiice—I can lay down no rule . If the parties come before me . and swear that fhey are worth a cs : tain sum after all their debts are paid , I shall receive them .

      Cooper—My Lord ; when am I to enter into recogni-Einces ; is it before ths visiting justices ? The CSttiEL Jcstice—Ton can either enter into recogaizincas before the . Jadges here , If you are prepared , before they leave to-sm , which may be the most con-Tenient course for you , or before the Tisiting justices of the gaol ef ter we leave . You must Bend ia the names to the solicitor of the Crown , in order that the proper inquiries be made . Cooper tfcen wrote the names and adddess&s of his two raxetiss on a slip of . gaper , and banded them in to 2 tlr . Maule . The prisoner , Cooper , was then arraigned npen anothfr indictment for seditious language , and inducing the workmen ~ . o cease from iabour ; and was asked , in the usual form , whether he was guilty or not

      Cooper— If I am charged with inciting persons to cease from labour until they obtain the Charter—if that is illegal , and H that be a breach of the peace—then I am bound in feoaonr to admit that I did urge them to do eo , and that I am guilty . The SOLiciTOB-eESBRAL requested that some legal gentleman would advise Cooper . Some person here made a comsxmication to Cooper in a whisper . Cooper ( in a load voice )—Ifo , I shall not tell a falsehood . Cooper—My Lord , on this ckarge I ntf guilty . I did arge the people to cease labour until they obtained the Charter . Mr . WxDDiKGTOS . —That is only a part of the charge ; there are three other counts in the indictment . Cooper then pleaded sot gziity . and expressed his intention to traTerse it he was at liberty to do so . on

      Jos ^ h Cappur was then arraigned a simOai eharge-cf sedition , and pleaded sot guilty . He declined to $ rava > zs . Joha Riekard * ivu tbee arralnged npon a ehaege of mdltaoB , aad pleaded sot guilty . He aid lie should traverse till tiia next asste * The prisoaet f were then removed , ju > d Joseph Linney , who had been previously found guilty ef being present « fc an unlawfal assembly before Mr . BaroBParkejwatttenplaeed at the bar . The Clerk cf ArraSpis read the indictment , whica charged biaj with having used seditious words at a meeting on the Sfih of JttJy . u 3 in another count he was charged - with having ttttd seditious language at a meeting on the 3 rd of August Ths prisoner pleaded not guilty .

      The Clerk of Arraigns—Do yon Intend to tr&rerse , w-wfflywtikByonr trial now ? . limey—I beEere I have been already tried npon Uui iBdjefcjKjtf to anottiej court

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      Clerk of Arraigns—No ; it is a mistake . Linney—I find , myself in a curious predicament . I was tried on an indictment containing four counts , one of them for sedition , and was acquitted upon three , and found guilty of attending an unlawful assembly . Ths Chief Jusxicb—This is an indictment for tuing seditious words . The pritoner haying pleaded not guilty , and express ** himself ready to take his trial , be was ordered to be removed . The const then adjourned till eight o'clock on Saturday morning . ( Before Mr . Baixm Ralfe . ) At the sitting of the Court this morning . Simpkins , one of the parties concerned in the desperate assault upon the police constable , was placed at the

      The Learned Jdoge said— " Ton are one of the men wbo have been convicted of the brutal assault upon the police constable , and whom I have thought it my duty to sentence to transportation for life . Since then I have considered the evidence very attentively , with a view to ascertain ff there were any circumstanoes which ¦ wiAild lead me to a mitigation of the sentence . Idonot find any such circumstances in the cases cf ths others , but it does not appear that you wero guilty of any actual violence , although you were among the party . Your case ; although one of great atrocity , is not marked by such circumsanccs of aggravation as the others , and therefore the sentsnee of the Court is that you bs : imprisoned and kept to hard latour fur eighteen months .

      BIOT AND ATTACK ON THE LONGTOK POLICE OFFICE . At the sitting of the court this morning , Wm . Asbton , Thomas Anderson , John Biiley , Lettice Myatt , E'Jzi Brndburn , Thomas Jones , and Daniel Steele , were indieted for a riot and un ! awfnl assembly at the parish of Ashton , on tl ; e 15 th Aogusr . Thomss Junes pleaded guilty , and threw himeelf on the mercy of the court Mr . Sergeant Talfop . d stated the case , and the facts ai they afterwards appeared in evidence , may be gathered from his observations . The prisoners at the bnr were indicted for a riot on the 15 th August , at Longton . It appeared that on that day there were various parties committing depredations in the different districts of the Potteries ; and towards the middle of the day , they came towards Loncton , and commenced attacking the Town Hall . They at

      o ? mmenced casting tt ^ nes windows , and then broke open the door , and got into the Hall acd destroyed the furniture . A fire was kindled , and part of the furniture was burned , and the books and papers thrown ont of the -windows . Another part of the mob , of whom the prisoners formed a portion , attacked the polioe-cffiss , thtcv stones , and afterwards brought sledge-hammers , and burst open the oute . door , whicb was of considerable strength , and had been made fast under the apprehension that an attack would be made . They rushed in and destroyed the furniture and books , and everything in the police-office , an ^ ussd so much force that they did irgnry to the fabric of the building itself . Whether they intended to pull it down was immaterial to the present i-quiry . Having fonnd tbe immediate object of their seaich , which was arms , they left the pslice-offioe , and passed on in the direction of Dr . Vale's . On that occasion , that a grievous riot had besn committed there was no doubt whatever . It

      was to be regretted that women were to be found concerned in acts of such vialence , bu ' . he wou . d show that they called ont to the mob , encouraged them , and pointed out where the arms were to be / ound [ one of tie female prisoners had a child in her arms only a few months' old ] If they « ere shown to have taken an active part in the riot , it would be the duty of the Jury to find them guilty . Several witnesses were then called and examined to prove the riot , and the part taken in the transaction by the several prisoners . The cases against the ssveral prisoners were fcken separately , and the prisoners were all found guilty , the females being strongly recommended to mercy . Philip Hewsm snd Joseph Meilor were indicted for breaking into the dwe ! 2 ifi ^ hease oi Mr . Billings , at Bursltm , and stealing thertfrom various articles of wearing apparel .

      It appeared frcm evidence that , on ths 16 th Auzust , a number of persons , vith their faces blackened , attacked the dwelling-bocso of the prosecutor , and threatened to knock out Mr . Billings' brains if he did not give them money , f he 7 behaved in a riotons and brutal manner , and carried off a Isree quantity of property . In conreqsentw cf ths flight Mrs . Billings became seriously ill , am' died in a few days afterwards-The prisoners made no defence , end were found guilty . In the course of tfce dip the following prisoners were brought np , and sentenced as follows : —Joseph Wandle ,

      tbre ^ months * imprisonment and hard labour ; Hannah Boone , two months' imprisenment and hard labour ; Henry Hiiliard and Andrevr Clewes , six months' imprisonment each and hard labour ; William Hodson , two months' imprisonment and hard labour ; John Heele , three months and ha-d la >> our ; Edwin \ Tilkin . son , six months and hard labour ; Edward Broek and Susannah James , tiro months and hard labour ; James Bkerrett , thr * -e months and hard labour ; Edward Mob ? , to be transported for nfreen rear *; Samuel Gibson , to be transported for ten years ; Phillip Hewson and Joseph Mil . ' er , to be transported for fiftc-fn yenrs .

      Job 'Neale was found guilty of riot at the parish of Trentbam , on the 15 th of August , r . nd sentenced t 9 be imprisoned for fonr calendar months to hard labour . Elijah Bmh , Ralph Boon , and Jobn Finney , thres lads , were charged with a riot at Shelton , on the lGth of August Ver . iict—Gailly . To be imprisoned two months in the Hrnse of Correction , and kept to hard labour . Richard Wballey and Thomas Skerratt were indicted for a riot , and asssuit ^ Thomas Machin , a police officer , in the execution of his duty , on the 15 ' . h of July , at TnnstslL

      Thomas Machsn , police officer of Tnnstall , stated that he went to Pinnox colliery , Tnnstall , on tbe evening of the 15 * . h of July . A mob of several thousands waB collected . On his making his appsro-ance , a cry vras raissd , " Here's a policeman ! Herd ' s a policeman !" The mob surronnded him . and subsequently thraw him into a pool of water , sayinff , " him , he ' s ready , go it" A rail was thrown out to him , and he succeeded hi getting ont Jokn Ford saw tbe mob at the Pinnox colliery , and observed tbe prisocer Skerratt lay hold of the officer by his collar , and he was struggling with him . Samuel Machin , brother to M . ichin the constable , deposed to the attsek upon hia brother , in which the two prisoners took part . The Jury found the prisoners guilty of a riot , and the Court sentenced them to imprisonment for six months , with hard labonr .

      FATAL SIOT AX BURSLEM . William G ^ nell , Jjjue 3 BJ 1 , C Davidson , Jobn Jones , Joseph Wilcox Fcanie , Samuel Xixon , George Nixon , and Isaac Cjlclouah were then placed at the bar , charged with being concerned in the fatal riot at Burglem , on the 16 th of August . It appeared in evidence- that the prisoners , all of whom were fully identified , formed part of a formidable mob of seven or eight thousand persons , who were many of them armsd with picks , swords , and bludgeons , and committed several acts of outrage at Burslem . The military were u : tiisalt : y called out , and the mob attacked them with great fury . Volleys of stones were flang at them , and after eeve : a ! ineffectual attempts had been made to disperse them , vhe Riot Act was read , and the aiiliiar ? then fired . Ganell , one of the prisoners at the bar , was shot through the body , and another man severely wounded . The mob was ultimaieiy dispersed .

      Af : er a ve : y protracted investigation , which did not terminiUs till past ten o ' clock at ni ^ bt , the jury found ail the prisoners guilty , aiid the court arjouriied .

      ( Before Mr . Baron Parke . ) BIOT AT BUBSLEH . George Jones , John Harding . Jame 3 Hill , JetfcTO Plant , Samuel Tinsley , Thomas Sutton , Samuel Nixon . George Nixon , Phcebs Newton , Benton Vrrnon , and Samuel Colcicnch were this morning indicted for a riot and nnla- ^ fnl assembly in the parish of Burslem , on the 7 th of August . Mr . Sergeant LrDLOW said that the Crown took a merciful view of Piosbe We Eton's case , and would not prosecute her . She -was liberated accordingly .

      Mr . Sergeant Ludlow stated the case . It appeared that on the night of the 6 th a large mob entered the town , who broke open the watch and losk-up house amidst shouts . Then they broke the windows and shutters Of private houses , amorgst others those of Mr . RyallB and Mrs Bonlow , and th ? n att 2 cked the Town Hall , breaking to pieces a beatifully-ilinminated clock . Mr . IT sale appeared for tbe two Nixons and Sutton ; Mr . Wally for Hall and Plant William Wagstsfr , constable and night watchman in Burslem , examined—At a quarter-past twelve o'clock on the morning of the 7 th of August all was quiet , and he had prisoners in the loek-nD house for Tagrancy .

      Shortly after that hour the mob , consisting of about two hundred persons , came np to the watchhouse shouting The watchhouse was fastened and lecked up . They commenced knocking at the watcbhouse door , and shouted again , having let ont the prisoners . George Jones was there in the mob . His band was raised , saying , "Now , lads , stick to ice ; well kill eTary b—y policesan in the town ; well have the Market Hall down . " Witness said , " Why , George , do yon speak so , there are no police in the town that would hurt you ; go home and keep yourself oat of trouble . " The police veto injured , and in the morning two bushels of stones were fonnd in the Town HalL --

      Constable Johnston identified John Harding as one of the mob , crying ont , " If ow at it , my lads ; " and said to witness , " Too are here , d- —n yeur eyes . " A pistol was fired . The windows of Mr . Ryan' s house wen broken , as were those of tbe George Hotel . This was the first outbreak after tbe men turned oat . Rnshton identified the prisoner Ball as being engaged in ths riot . Jethro Plant was also seen by witness . In bis eross-exssrination this witness admitted that he had bees seres times convicted . for wrenl offtm ' pag ,

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      ? It . Strjeant Lodlow immediately rose , and said tb ' it , after such an admission , he could not think of r < , taining Rusbton as a witness ; and as he was the Only wit-ess against Hall , he begged that he might be acquitted . ' . ¦ : ¦ ' RELEASE OF ABTHDB O ' NEIL . After the last trial had terminated yesterday evening , Mr . Rowlinson , the solicitor for Arthur O'Neil , appeared id Court , before Sir N . Tindal , and tendered Mr . Page and Mr . Trueman , both of Birmingham , as sureties for his appearance at the next assizes . No objection was offered on the part of the Crown , previous notice of the bail having been given to Mr . Maule , the Crown solicitor , and the parties having entered into their recognizances in the sum of £ 200 each , and O Neilhimself in thesum of £ 400 , be was ordered to be liberated . He left the Court accompanied by his wife and several friends , and immellately proceeded by the railway train to Birmingham .

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      William Oanett and George Nixon , two years' imprisonment and hard labour . James Ball , John Jenes , and Samuel Wiloox , fifteen months' imprisonment and hard labour . Charles Davidtonfand Joseph Wiloox , one yeat ' d imprisonment and hard labour . Samuel Robinson , David Hughes , Thomas Taylor , John Beilipgton , William Powell , Henry Simpson , Jeremiah Damsoa , Lewis Hackworth , Thomas Lester , and James Ashley , were indicted for a riot and attack upon Fenton Police-office . The case was stated by Mr . Serjeant Talfourd , who

      Btated that tbe present vna the ' » st case the Jury would have to try at the pressnt Special Commission . It would be shown that on the 15 th of August , the prisoners formed part of a large mob , many of them strangers , who had invaded tbe Potteries from other parts of the country ¦ that in the course ot their progress frem one town to another they committed various acts of riot and outrage . They attacked the policeoffice , broken open the doora , and threw out all the furniture , and , after breaking it up , burned it on the Bpot .

      The case did not terminate until nine o ' clock , and the evidence not being aufikientto establish the charge satisfactorily against the prisoners , they were all acquitted , with the exception of John Billington and William Powell , whom the Learned Judge sentenced respectively , the former to ten daya and the latter to one months' imprisonment and hard labour . Mr . Baton Parks left town at four o ' clock immediately after the tiiaia had concluded in dab Court ; and Mr . Baron Bolfe took his departure yesterday morning for the 8 eat of Lord Hatherton . Upwards of 300 prisoners have been convicted during the sitting of the commission , and the number acquitted was extremely small in proportion . Of those convicted , nearly seventy have been sentenced to transportation for different terms , and 245 to -variou : ) periods of imprisonment , from two years to two months .

      ( Before Mr . Baron Parke . J Joseph Linney , previously convicted of an unlawful assembly , was again arraigned for sedition . Mr . Sergeant Luiilow and Mr . Godson prosecuted ; Mr . Neale defended the prisoner . Mr . Ssrgeant Ludlow sut . d the case , and called the following witnesses ; — Richard Price—Heard the prisoner address the mob of ooJHers at Brockinore on the 27 tti cf July . Ho said on that occasion , "Lads , you have got a great burden upon your backs , but if you will join the Chartists , you

      wiil auon get some of it off . Thousands have joined us in the Potteries , and iu Yorkshire and Shropshire ; and if you will ha stout and join , I can iet them all know'in twenty-four , hours , and we can all rise together . Never mind the soldiers ; they cannot be everywhere . There i 8 eno man in particular who is a great oppressor of the poor—that is Sir Robert Peel . If you will be stout , this time , we will soon make him lose his head . The Queen and the little Princaases wear little flowers about their beads , but if you will be stout , we will soon have them off . "

      Mr . Reuben Plant , coal merchant , heard the prisoner address a mob , on the 3 rd of August . He then eaid , The masters in my country are calling out for protection , but I bid you stick out and bo ruled by me , arid you shall have your wages and all you want . Why are the mastere calling out for protection ? Beeause they know that the poor are starving , and that a starving people are a rebellious people . " He told the men that bad 2 s . 6 d . a day not to go to work till they had 4 s . a day . He Baid they would put the inriatera arid their protectors in a ship , give them a good shove , and three cheers , and never have them here again . Ha said , " We will have the land , cultivate it , and live upon it ourselves . James Griffith and Edward Guest gave similar evidence . Mr . Neale made a moat able and eloquent address in favour of the prisoner . Mr . Serceant Ludlow replied .

      After which , his Lordship summed up , and the jury immediately found the prisoner Guilty . Sentsnce ^—Fiiteen months' imprisonment for the sedition , and six months for the unia ^ -fiii assembly . Mr . Price was proceeding to address the court relative to the conduct of John Mayer , the attorney , who obtained £ 2 6 s . from the poor man Taylor , for defending his daughter , -which he neglected to do , when His Lordship said that he would be most happy In punishing Mayer , but at that moment could not see that he could do so , as he hnd not represented himself as an attorney . His Lordship expressed hia willingness te aid Mr . Price in so doing at any future time , if he could be rendered amenable to justice . HIb Lordship then retired , and thus closed his court .

      ( From our own Correspondents STAFFORD , Fuidai Night . The Special Commission terminates to-morrow . The Judges are so resolved upon breaking up the nffiir , that they have ordered their carriages to be in readiness for to-morrow evening . God knows , it ia time for them so to do , especially as the characters of the witnesses for the prosecution are so fully developing themselves . Trial after trinl they are proving themselves truly worthy of the job . Oue of those worthy Characters has been this day transferred from the witness-box to Stafford goal , to answer for the very crime for which he was swearing against an unfortunate prisoner in the

      dock . It appeared that the luffian was actually a ringleader in tbe attt ; ck npon the honsa for which he was endeavouring to prosecute a fellow-being , and to have him transported from his home and family . But Providence interfered and rescued the innocent victim from the wretch's fangs . His victim was saved , acd the wretch , whe , it appeared , smashed , in the house that waa attacked , a coatly chandelier , lias been this day sent U take his place in Stafford gaol . Simpson , the innocent man , whom this fellow marked out as the medium for putting £ 50 blood money in his pocket , ia now breathing the free air of heaven , while the wretch ia inhaling the noxious vapours of a dungeon .

      In the Crown Court this dny a fellow named Rushten was placed in the witness bJS . He swore straightforward , and moat satisfactorily , to every question that Vf aa put to him . His direst evidence was most triumphant for the prosecution . But , alas ! and fortunately for the prisoner against -whom he was swearing , it vraa admitted by him in his cross-examination , that he bad been convicted upwards of seven times , for different offences . Mr . Serjeant Ludlow , upon this disgracful empose , immediately applied to have the prisoner , Hall , agaimt whom . Rush ton tbe informer appeared , discharged from the dock , an application with which the Learned Judge cheerfully complied , and forthwith ordered the prisoner to . be liberated . Another witness , named Johnson , contradicted himself over and over again . Hia evidence went for nothing . A third fellow , also named Johnston , who appeared twenty times before the Jury , is now completely valueless in the eye of the Court .

      In the trial of the persons charged with ths riot in Bur&lem , in which Heaton was shot . Captain Powis , a stipendiary magistrate , who ordered the military , te fire , eaid that he did not regret that order , and that he would do so again if a similar cause presented itself . TJpon his cross-examination , he admitted that the firing did not compel . the mob to retire , but that they immediately gave wuy npon the military charging tfeem with drawn sabres . Upon Mr . Neal asking the stipendiary how ko could reconcile it to himself , aa . a man cf feeling , to fire upon the mob without first charging them with sabres , this question was answered by the assertion that he did not regret the act I And this , although human , life was lost by his fatal order . This is a gallant fellow . to be entrusted with the lives of her Majesty ' s liege sur-jectB . But it was only a Chartist that was shot . The iosa of life is not , therefore , worth talkin /? about . . .

      MR . WILLIAM ELLIS . Mr . WilHam Eilis is sentenced to twenty-one years transportation ; This morning he was brought up with the other ptisonets convicted at the same time . He made no address . There had been a strong antlcipa-. tion that he would speak ; but in our opinion he acted wisely . His counsel took an objection to the indictment , and if funds could be raised there might yet be hopes fer him . His wife was outside the Court ; her state , when she heard the sentence , we must pass by . Fora moment she Btood still , graeping tUc hand of Mr . Roberts ; eo she walked on for a few moments , and thus , at tbe corner of Vine-street , she met Sir William Follett He paused for an instant ; they recognised each ether . But we cannot continue . The pen that writes these lines ia feeble witk the work .

      An application to the High Sheriff has been made by Mr . Allen , requesting that Mrs . Ellis and hei children may be permitted an interview with her husband . STAFFORD , Sunday Night . The work is dene , " Othello ' s occupation ' s gone . " All the bustle—all the excitement—all the anxiety—all the uncertainty 1 —and all the tumult of the Queen ' s Royal Commission for trying and sentencing her starving , naked , houseless , ' subjects , has sunk down into a sullen calm ; one hundred and thirty bills have been found by our class legislators against their serfs , npon the evidence of men , many of whom have been proved to bs characterless , and to be such as not to be believed upon their oaths ; fifty fallow beings have been thus consigned to exile from their native land , their homes their families , and their altars , and upwards cf one hundred and -eighty others ore doomed to inhale the pestiferous vapours of a dungeon for terms of three r

      eight , and fifteen months , and two years , with the horrors of hard labonr added to the dreadful infliction of imprisonment . Yes , the judges , the jurors , tbe informers , and the-hongry , harpy crew of attornies , who eondncted the ptoseoutionsy have all left Stafford ; two hundred and thirty wretched beings , whom starva tion drove to acts of madness , ore consigned by them to eat within tbe cold gaol walls the bread of sorrow , moistened by the salt tears which the reflection of wives deserted , and children reduced toa woko orphanage than that of the grave . force down their attenuated , sorrowed , marked , and fuiTGwedeheefaJ . Qood Ocd . ' what must be the reflections of th 9 men , if their hearts be not colder than the original elay , who encouraged these poor fellows to acta which have consigned them to tears and the dungeon , and their wives and children to misery indescribable ? There is no mincing of tbe natter Ths holiday 1 !! the cessation from work i ! I the closing of the mill * I ! / ( bat was the origin of the outbreak

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      that was the cause ef the shedding of human bloodrthat it was that gave birth to the Special Commissionthat It is that has handed over to the merciful fangs of the gaoler , neirly 300 fathers of families , and which has consigned fifty of them to exile . Oh ! if the authors of those calamities are the heads of families—if they have wives and children—if they are Christiana , what must be their feelings when their thoughts turn upon Stafford gaol , and in imagination oarry before their view the multitude that they have by their cunning and - their advice consigned to it ? How they must shudder at

      the curses , loud and deep , which those men and their bereaved families heap upon their heads ? They may seek a narcetic , an oblivion in tbelr wealth and luxury , but conscience will even break through snoh an artificial opposition , raised against its approaches . Notwithstanding all their wealth , and all their luxury , the blood spilled smokes before high heaven , calling for vengeance ; and Stafford gaol echoes and re-echoes , in thair ears , tbe sighs and groans of its hapless victims . I will leave those heartless wretshea to their reflections , and proceed to my melancholy narrative of Saturday's proceedinsB .

      On Saturday . Mr . Thomas Cappur , an old respectable man , whose appearance in the dock bespoke him to be aught but a man desirous to disturb , either society or the constitution , was charged as one of those horrid men who excited the working classes to outrage and sedition . Three illiterate men swore to metaphorical language spoken by Mr . Cappur on the 28 th of last February and on the 24 tb of June . On their evidence , although it was most satisfactorily proved by respectable witnesses , that he waa so much tha man of peace , that he was totally incapable of uttering such words , he was convicted and sentenced to two years' imprisonmentin other words , to hia grave . In vain the old man protested before hia God that he was totally innocent of tbe language imputed to him . He ia now in his cold dnngeon .

      Mr . Joseph Linney is the next victim . The readers of the Star are aware that he had been convicted of sedition at an early part of the Commission . It would have been supposed that one conviction ought to he sufficient for the vindication of the law , or f ^ r the indulgence of vengeance . But , no ! vengeance must be glutted , and poof Linney ia again put upon hia trial for a charge , the nature of which he was completely ignorant of until within a few hours of his being confronted with hia accusers and his Judge . Three ignorant men , incapable of writing their names—who could not read—who could not repeat one moment a sentence read the previous one by Mr . Neale , who defended Linney , bwotd to metaphorical , allegorical language Bpoken by Mr . Linney in tbe months of last July and Aumibt . Mr . Rouben Plant , an excellent specimen of thosuirun masters , who , to say the leafct of them , did

      nothing to keep these men in peace , entered the witness box—thia specimen of iron mastership also swore to language spoken by Mr , Linueyin Auguat , although his big mutton head and thick brains did not allow him to remember a sentence re » d by Mr . Neale the previous moment . And on such evidence be wo 3 a second time eonvictod . In vain did Mr . Linaey , like . Mr . Cappur , protest that b . y naver used such laagu .-vjy . In vain did he plead that he bad been confined six weeks in gaol , although he bad offered unexceptionable bail , and thus prevented him preparing hia defence . He was found guilty , and his sentence was passed . It would be a gross injustice nrt to acknowledgs the powerful and brilliant display made in hia- favour , by his Counsel . Mr . Neale , but the exertions of the Counsel were but dust before the wind ; a victim was wanted—the alta . was raised , the high priest was in readinass , and tho immolation had to be perfected . So it was .

      Much more has to be said about those conviotionamuch more has to be said about the witnesses raked up by the Crown—and much more has to be said of the Juries who convicted . But this much more must be reserved for another time . For tho present I mast beg of the readers of the Star to allow me to conclude by presenting them with the full and faithful report of that master-piece of eloquence and argument delivered by Mr . Cooper , upon opening his defence , and without further preface shall introduce it to them . Mr . COOPER , as the public ate aware , defended himself ; and after two days' heavy eximinaticm of welldrilled witnesses fur the prosecution , he thus addressed the jnry : —

      My Lord , and Gentlemen of the Jury—I have never , unless for a very brief psriud of my existence , lost my confidence in Providence , and although I now stand iu very perilous circumstances , I eha'l not lose my confidence in the merciful intervention of Providence , and the ruler of all hearts . I am conscious , in my own mind , that I have not been near the scene of tlia destruction of property , and I also feel conscious that I have never said anything to Influne men's minds . Fe&ling conscious of thia , I do sot lose any confidence in the protection of that Eternal Provideuce which I humbly tru-it will secure me an acquittal at your hands . Gttntlsroen , I am pvoud of my country—I am proud that I ani an Englishman , not because the liberty I iove so well has been left for some time without its natural restraints in the land of ray birth—not because the

      advocates of freedom are left , unprotected and oppressed , but I am proud of my country because it has produced men of the highest intellect who have suffered deeply , and with dignity , in the sacred cause of human freedom . I belobg to the land that prcduc-d the advunturous , the polite , and bravo Raleigh , who , after a life of tho most persevering exertion , was immurod in a ftunueon by the ingratitude of a faction , and I bave visited that dungeon , and beheld it with the deepest emotion , when I called to mind that that brave man , when brought to the scaffold , felt the edge of the axe unmoved , and observed that it was a smart medicine but a sure remedy , and laid hia head npon the block . I belong . to England , that produced that heroic and eanctiSed champion of truth—Latimer ; who , when bound to the stake , had strength of mind

      buougb to increase the confienca of his brother sufferer , the Martyr Ridley , with the words , " -Courage my brother t we shall this day light up a candle tlwt will never be extinguished in England . " I belong to a Land which gave birth to Algernon Sidney , a man who did uot shrink ftorn the glory of dying in the good old cause . Since I am an Englishman , I belong to a land which has produced men whose independence no tyranny could crush , whose fortitude no tyranny could subdue . If then I am in the post of danger , it is not forme to shrink , but rather to remember the spirit of our foiefnthers , the martvys of our fathf-rlaud , and attempt at an hnmble distance to imitate them . And yet , gentlemen , let it not be supposed that I am wishing to irritate or exasperate the minds of the jury , or of the learned personage who sita there as ray judge . I would

      not stand litre to irritate or defy the honoured Judge who presidea cr the honest jury whose duty it is to weigh ar . ci determine upon the evidence that will be laid before them . It is not for me to irritate that honoured Judge , who is admitted to be one of the most profound lawyers who sits upon the bench . It is not for me in their presence , and that of some of the chivalry and beauty of England to tremble . I cannot unsay my profession—I car . not deny what I have Bald in the public p aces of the land . I tsil you , my Lord , and gentlemen of the jury , truly and unhesitatingly , that I became a democrat from reading the glorioua hiBtovy of Greece . I became attached to the legal enactments of my country , because I believe that in the legal enactments of our glorious Alfred , and our other Saxon monarchs—in

      the Magtia Charta , and the Bill of Rights , and in all our judicial institutions , there v > ero luminous traces of the broad and enlightened principles of freedom . With such convictions , what wonder then waa it , that about twenty months since , when I first heard the principles of the People's Chatter explained , what wonder was It that I began to profeaa and adopt those principles , the more especially when I li-arned that the principles of the Charter were no other thnn tbe embodiment of the principles oontained in the theory of the British Constitution . I claim the right to state my opinions ; your Lordship knows that I have a right to doso . I have heard , although I have not seen tbo charge which yoiir Lordship addressed to the first jury empannelled here—I understand j ou said that the people bad a right to assemble , —that th > y had a right

      to discuss politics , and that due allowance and breadth and room should be afforded to persons addressing public meetings . I claim then a right to state my opinions , but I do not claim any right to press those opinions to the injury of my fellow creatures . I never tiught that doctrine in my life . I was always opposed to it , and with your Lordship ' s leave I will detail the circumstances of my humble life . I freely admit being at Hanley on tbe 15 th of August I was invited Into the Potteries , having been there before ; and on that occasion I found the people with whom ; I was associated , Mr . Yates and the rest of them , jealous for what is called the temperance movement . I was myself a teetotaller , and it was likely that I should feel sympathy with spirits like my own , I was anxious to promote the spread of information among the

      working classes , and as I was then editing a small publication , I began to deal with Mr . Yates , and that Was the origin of my being a commercial traveller . I was dealing in stationery , and it was likely that I should feel some sympathy for persons like those , whom I could not suspect of entertaining any violent designs . On the contrary , whenever I heard these outbreaks spoken of , they Were condemned . I never heard violence recommended by any Chartist in the Potteries . Previously to entering them on the 18 th August , I addressed crowds of men at Wedneabury , - at Bilston , and Wolverhampton . I saw no acta of violence there . I have not seen the public press since I was committed to prison ; I knew not what has since occurred , but instead of addressing 15 , 000 I addressed 30 , 000 men who were notexpecting me ' and knew nothing of my coming . I

      me * 30 , 000 collier * and miners , and I saw no tendency to violence , every one recommending peace and orderevery man . having sworn himself to keep tbe peace How then conld I apprehend when addressing erowds elsewhere ; that any violence was intended . On Friday before the Ifith of August , I was here in tbe Marketplace ; ' and addressed the crowd . An attempt 'was made to disturb tbe meeting , and I said at once I would have no violence ; ' that I would never' be a party to it : and I called upon them to go with me to the common , and they followed ma Such has always been my practice . I have always endeavoured to beep tho people within the limits of , and always revered , the law . On Saturday I arrived at Hanley , and next day I addressed three assemblies at the Potteries ; my text on one of these occasions was , —for we Chartists can preach as well as lecture , — " Thou ahalt do no murder . " Was that an

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      inducement to commit outrage and violence ? I showed that not only were the wars of the rich and powerful a violation of that text , but that all violence among tbe lower orders and working classes wa « a violation of that precept . I showed that the whole tenout , of Christ's gospel was to pray for those who . persecuted us—that pity , mercy , and love , were the attributes of that gospel , and that the entertaining the spirit of revenge was contrary to the whole tenour and spirit of the gospel and of revelation . I was told on Sunday that . the colliers wished me to address them the follewing day . at the George and Dragon . It was necessary to defray the expenses of my coming , for Chartist lecturers connet travel for nothing , and it was arranged that tbe , admittance should be one penny . I was told the colliers on strike wished me to address them , afc

      eight o ' clock * and as I had met large orowdaxlRewhere , and had seen 30 , 000 stout m « n hold np their hands when they were asked to keep tbe peace , how could I anticipate that the colliers and potters would resort to violence ? I addressed the meeting that morning , and one of the witnesses has stated that I alluded to the meetings at Woolverhampton , Bilston , and Wednesbury , and that I said they bad suspended labour until the Charter was the law of the land . Now that was not the fact . What they bad struck for was to raise the price of labour . On Saturday I wa 3 informed that news bad arrived at the Potteries front Manchester that they had struck from labour . It was likely that a person with my democratic impressions should approve of such an object as to endeavour to gain the Charter by ceasing from labonr ; these were .

      therefore , imperative reasons why I should address the colliers . I had learned that the strike in Lancashire had commenced through the interference of the anti-Corn Law Leaene . That was the impression I had formed from reading the public papers , and from ths opinion of a persqp of Parliamentary eminence in London . Having learned that tbe case waa put in that forcible way , that auch degrading waees were offered , as caused the operatives to desist in sullen despair , and give up the struggle : having learned this , and that they were determined to oppose the anti-Cora Law League , and to resist the demand for a repeal of the Corn Liws , unless , ifc was accompanied by other measures , and that the operatives of Lancashire had resolved , since their cruel masters bad determined to suspend labour to carry the repeal of the Corn Law

      that they were- determined the anti-Cem Law Lesgue should not p 6 rpstr : ite their design , and v ? ero resolved to have the Chatter by the strike , it was likely that I who entered into tha view of the Chartists , aad was opposed to the anti-Oova Law League , should desire to join with tbo working men in their endeavout to carry out the strike , in order that ths Charter should become the law of the law of the land . Gentlemen , I did attend the meeting . I said I was self , elected chairman of the meeting ; but I knew that every person becoming chairman of a meeting makes himself responsible far any violence of language or action at the niettiDg . Was it likely then that I should stand up without being asked to , do to if I thought there was any thins illegal to take plncnat that meeting . I recommended them to strike for th «

      Charter . I _ said they bail a rieht to suspend fueir Uv > out if not properly remunerated , and if not properly represented— that no person could compel them to l . vbour so long-as tbty kept the peace—that there Bhould be no violence , no destruction of property ; and so long as they did not trouble tho parish for relief for themselves or their families , that they had a ripht to suspend nbour So far as I know anything of the law , and it is but little I do know , I believe I was legally entitled to make these remarks . It was likely also that I sbeuiii put the resolution moved by Heuimisgs , a working man , stating that there shold be no werk uuttl the Charter vras tha law of the land ; it was likely I should do so . But I positively deny that I recommended any breach of the peace , or any violence . Several witnesses have been examined—Mills , Lawis , and others—who have referred

      to something I said respecting the soldiers . I said there were but ten to each town , and that was true ; but they were not right as to the place or peried in which I made these observations . In reference to th » Whig Government , it is well known that 1 did not like them . Humble as I am , I to- > k part in the last Nottingham election , tre result of which severed the last thrs : ; d by which the Whigs held office . I went inte their conduct . I said it was they who had caused the withdrawal of the troopa . and that they had comtnittsd fearful blunders—that they had misused the public fundti , and inverted them to the purposes of wars , and , as I thought , blehly improper ware . I don't know whether I Baid anything of pouring opium down the throats of the Chinese , but I might have said so , and spoken of the opium war . I mentioned the number of

      soldiers that were left in the several towns ; but I did not do so with the obj : ct of misleading the people fn the idea that they might overcome tbe soldiers . Such a thing could not ; be inferred by anyone from -what I had said ; r . nd , Gsntieman , you will please to remember that ; tbe witnesses pretty generally heard but isolated parts of my speech , as . during the greater part of the time , they were talking to the people near them . Several witnesses hava stai ^ ii that 1 said if but the tenth part of the population came out on a given day the Charter wonld bo the law of the land ; but I did not couple that with any referencs to the soldiers . I bavu af'i'n and again said that tha Chatter would be the law o' trie land . I reminded my fellow-countrymen ef tho glorious Reformation which had been carried , not by ft large majority of the people being in favour of it , for the

      great majority of the country was in favour of Popsry ; but because it had been advocated by a few brave and Independent mim's ;—and I have said in roferince to the '' Charter , giva me but one million of human -wills In favour of it , and it will besome the law of the land . Bat , gentlemen . I have always deprecated fores . Two witnesses said th > A I observed there was plenty en tho ground , but they were not the persens to gather itthai it would be gathered by some one . True , when advising the people to cease labour , one said , " What , in the midst of the harvest ? " and I said there are plenty to gather it—let the yeomanry go over and gather it ; and I said that in reference to their being agriculturists . One of tbe witnesses aays there was a great noise , and that we gave three cheers for the Chatter and three for 0 'Cor . nor ; bot it is customary for us to

      do so at our meetings . Surely gentlemen , EngHskmen . are not precludud from doing so—what eiie becomes of the mode in which we raark our loyalty to our Queen , and what becomes of our cheers at elections . There was one peculiar testimony of one witness which I felt atthe time was likely to mske a serious impress on the minds of the jury , if it was not shown by the testimony of tho witness who came afterwards what waa the true way in which I used the expression " you have done your work well ; " but thut was because they hud struck work , and I wished it to be as complete as possible . I am not aware tbat I wm acting illegally in so doing , but I never used the words in the manner alleged by the witDess , as in reference to the violence that has taken plape . On the contrary , gentlemen , you will observe

      that one of the witnesses beatd me say you b- \ ve done many things to-day which I disapprove of—you have destroyed pr perty which yon should not have done . I saw drunkenness around me ; nay , some drunken persons came up and wanted to shake hands with me , but I rejected it . It was not like y I should do this , having always disapproved of intemperance . Gentlemen of tbe Jury , you will observe that the most intelligent of the witnesses distinctly connected these expressions with tbe strike , and that I never recommended any act 8 of violence . Other expressions fell from tho witnesses to show the peaceable intentions I had . I said , " allow the soldiers to piss yon—they will do you no harm ; " and Insed the words " peace l-. iw , and order , ' * frequently . Gentlemen , I shall proceed in the broken way I hava been addressing you , because I am

      inexperienced in these matters . I never stood in a situation like this before , and I trust I shall be cxemeii by the Court In my efforts to collect the scattered evidence against me . With regard to the evidence of the latter witneses , who stated that th ^ -y saw me in the streets at a certain time of the night that is utterly nntrne . I do not charge- the witnesses with intentional falsehood , but there was a good deal of difficulty iu getting them to identify my person ; and ore Fp . id It was dark , while another said it was not my face but my personal appearance they swore to . The truth of the case ia this . After addressing the meeting in the evening , I went to the George and Dragon , and remained there until near twelve : I urged the necessity for my departure to several of ray friends , Richards , Yates , and Beddington , and I will call them before you to prove

      this . One or two of them went to seek a conveyance , but it could not be found . At last a person from Stoke agreed to go with me to Upper Hanley , until the conveyance could be procured . I proceeded there , and after remaining a short time the person sent returned to say the conveyance eould not go with me ; it waa then arranged that I should go towards . Macclesfield to take the coach to Manchester . I shall prove that those persons went with me towards Burslem . At my examination before Mr . Parker , the magistrate , it is true I said I waa a commercial traveller , but when Mr . Alcock said I waa a Chartist lecturer , I then said , I am Cooper the Chartist lecturer , and any questions you ask me I shall readily answer them . Mr . Parker said there was no ground for detaining me , and we than went on to theCrewe station and proceeded to Manchester . That is a true acooant , gentlemen , of the way in which I passed tbat ni ? ht It may be Bald why did I not leave tke PotUries when I heard of violence ? but I did not bear of any acts of

      . violence duriog the day . Jt was very likely when referring to the strike that I said— " that ' s right , " bat it had no reference to the acts of violence . It may be flafd why did I not depart ? bnt the simple fact is this gentlemen , Chartist lecturers are not always rich enough to pay their travelling expesces . I am poor and was anxious to obtain the small sum reennxing as the proceeds . of the lectures , and I was also anxious to obtain the small tun of 17 s . 64 , due to me by Mr . Yates , I certainly felt uneasy during the day , when I heard of the acts of violence that had been committed . Some of you , gentlemen , may have friends and relations among the unfortaaate persons who » property was destroyed , and you eonldnot feel greater pam than I did , fer I wept when I heard tbat some persons bad been reduced to indigence who bad been in prosperity a few hours previously . Gentlemen , I beg , therefore , yon will dismiss from your minds any indignation which you may feel against these acts of violence which have been detailed to you by the witnesses again and again , because I had nothing to do with ( Continutd in our Seventh page . )

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      CLOSE OF THE STAFFORD SPECIAL COMMISSION . SATURDAY , IOctober 15 . The commission closed at a late hour this evening , after the following cases had been disposed of : ( Before Chief Justice Tindal . ) Thomas Roberts , who was convicted on a former occasion of having demolished the house of th <* Rev . Dr . Vale , was brought up at the sitting of the court this morning , and sentenced to transportation for ten years .

      CHARGE OP SEDITION . Joseph Cappur , a venerable-looking old man , was then placed at the bar , charged with having addressed various wicked ami seditious addresses to the people , recommending the people to arm themselves , and to resist the constituted authorities by force . The Solicitor-Gbneral stated the case . Ttia following witnesses were then called : — William Smallwood—I live at Newcastle . I am a grinder . I lived at Smallhouse in February laBt . It ia a mile and a half from Hanley . A person named Wm . Pepper lived near me . I know the prisoner ; he is a blacksmith , living at Newstall . On the 28 : hofFeb I remember eeein ? n number of persons in Pepper ' s house . It was on a JIondr » y night . I heard first a hymn , and t .-ien Ciispur £ t _ > od up next tbe window . I wa 3 looking

      through tho window from the Btreet He said the words cf my test to-night shall te " To your tents , O Israel . The ineanlDg cf that is , to be ready in your own houses . " He twicy cried out , " Are you readyare yoa sure you are ready ? " Some cried out " Yas , yes . " He said . Have you got your guns , yonr swords , or bayoneis ? " Some people laughed at him , and he said " I suppose you think Cappur ia come with his physical forea again . It is no laughing matter—we shall have a severe fight , but it shall be a short one . What will you do when you have got the Charter ? As I am to be on 9 of your leaders , I'll tell you what I should recommend . We shall take the bishops and clergy and hypocritical dissenters , and put them into a vessel , and transport them into Affiuaer , or something

      like that , to be assassinated amongst the Hindoos . " I have seen him tvre or threa times at that house , and in the open air addressing ttw people . I heard him speaking to a nnmbur of women in the same house on another occasion . There were men also present . He said , " If you can't fight you can torch . Yen see what they have dene elsewhere by clamming the people and starving them , and driving them to madness . " He then referred to the firing of several cities and houses , and , as far aa I can recollect , ha mentioned Nottingham and Bristol . I was at another meeting on Whit-Monday night . The people of the house , the Peppers , attacked me for a spy . They continued holding teese meetings up to Midsummer , when I left the neighbourhood .

      Cross-examined by Mr . Allen—I live by working at my trade . I did not go away without paying my rent . I don ' t know that Cappnr was employed in the collection of tha taxes . I owed him money , and he eaed me Bt the Court of Requests . I don't know whether I paid all or not . I went away for safety from tho ruffians of Chartists . There were no curtains in the window . I spoke to Pepper about the language , aud said it was a pity he should allow it . I waa asked about this in September by a police gentleman from London . [ The depositions of the witness were then put in and rend . They referred to fires at Moscow and Hamburg instead of Nottingham and Bristol ] I told the magistrates I could not be positive about the towns .

      Thomas Firth—I am a tailor at NewstalL I recollect meetings being frequently held at the market-place . They were chiefly working men who attended . On the 24 th June I saw Cappur and Eilis at the meeting ; the prisoner Cappnr got upon a stool to address the meeting , and said they were met upon ths old score . He supposed the red coats would be sent among them , but there were noS many in England then , as they had been sent to niurrier the innocent Chinese . That there were only five to each town . They had only to arm themselves as the noble Chartists of Lancashire and Yorkshire had done . Thoy had , he said , sufficient strength to pnt them down and their base tyrants too . He said tie Etate charch hid its origin in that b—y tyrant ' s reign , Henry YIIL , who had his wife beheaded one day and married a w—s the next . He said those who hod no guns could light a torch . Ellis then followed iu a coarse strain , end spoke about the Qacen . There was a large meeting . It was put a stop to by one of the lessees of the market .

      This closed the case for tho prosecution . Tvlr . A llen then addnssed the jury for the prisoner . After a powerful appeal on brhalf of his client , the leaiiJtd gentleman concluded by trusting tbat they would oniy find him guilty of Bome momentary rashness and haatiness of expression , rather than any deeprueKd and malignant purpose of inciting tbe people to riot , tumult , and sedition . The f ) ilowir . g ^ ritn ssea weTe then examined : — Joseph Harrison—I am a hat manufacturer of Newstaij , aad knew the prisoner . He is an escell 6 nt neighbour and tradesman . Another -witness was called , bnt did not answer . The Solicitor-General then addressed the jury in reply .

      The Chief Justice summed np the evidence . They must firit be satisfied that the prisoner uttered these werde , and then they were to say whether he used them with the intent and objsct laid in the indictment , namely , fcr the purpose of inciting the people to acts of violence and outrage , and to arm themselves end resist the law and the authorities by force . The Learned Judge having carefully read over the evidence . Csppur said—My Lord , I never used such language I have fivo witne » ses to prove I never recommended them to arm themselves . I never uttered auch words , so ktlp me God ! The Chief Justice—You may call any witness you like . The prisoner then called and examined

      John Nixon—I was chairman of the meeting on the 24 th of June . I know you ( Cappur ) these twenty years . 1 of tea heard you speak . You are a very unconnected speaker . Your phraseology is not the most polite , but I never heard you use any violent language . I heard the people say you were an old foal , and that your conduct was harmless —( Great laughter . ) They used to say , " It ' s only old Gappur . "—( renewed laughter . ) By the Soliciior-GenESal—I am a speaker at these meetings myself . I was Chairman of the meeting on the 24 th of June . William Ellis was not there . Mary Hooley—I have often heard you preach . I never heard you use any violent language . You never recsmmended the people in mj heating to get torches . George Morris—I know you ( Cappur ) these twelve years . Have often heard you preach and lecture . Never heard you recommend the people to get guns , and pikes , and swords .

      Two or three other witnesses ware examined to the Eame effect . The Jury immediately returned a verdict of guilty . The Learned Judge said he was perfeatly satisfied with the verdict of the Jury . He never heard words more calculated to incite and inflame the minus of tbe people ; and the outrages and riots and destruction of property which had taken place , might be fairly attributed to the speeches he and others like him had made . The sentence of the Court was , that he fee imprisoned in the gaol of Stafford for two years . The Ceief Justice , addressing the grand jury , said they were discharged from their labours , and tho country was much indebted to them fGr the patience and attention with which they had performed tteir impor-i taut duties . The Court then broke up , and the Chief Justice immediately afterwards left Stafford in hia travelling carriage .

      ( Before Mr . Baron Rolfe ) The trial of the prisoners for the attack upon the Stoke police station was resumed this morning and terminated at three o ' clock , when the jury returned a verdiet of Guilty against Ralph Boon , William Holme , and John Jones , and acquitted Thomas Starkey and Samuel Robinson , . The Learned Judge then sentenced the prisoner Hnhne to two years imprisonment , and hard labour ; Jones one year's Imprisonment and hard laboar ; and Soon six months imprisonment and hard labour , . . .. . . The following prisoners who had been previously tried and found guilty , were then brought np and sentenced by his lordship : — ,

      - Eltxs Bettany , six months imprisonment and sard labour ; William Haltoneight monthsimprisonmen tand hard labour ; Thomas Kelsall , IS months imprisonment and hard labour ; Fearn and Isaac Coldongh to seven years transportation ; James Wakeaeld discharged on his own ipwBOgniiancea of £ 15 , to keep the peace for thrBeyears . - ' • John Plant , James Child , and Thomas Adams , pleaded Guilty to a riot , to enter into reeognizmces to keep the peace . John Hall and Samuel Scrfbett to be imprisoned six months . ' - ¦' - ¦ - George Jones and WflHam Herding to be imprisoned fifteen months . '

      Untitled Article

      6 rHE NORTHERN STAB , : ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 22, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1183/page/6/