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Northern Star (1837-1852), 2nd September 1843, Edition 1 of 5, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      both at home and abroad , was too Y&luable te be passed over . That testimony seals the doom of u Free-Trade . ' 1 . It shows , conclusively , thai all the aUempts to rednce the Free-Trade" principle to practice , has failed in maintaining for as our * foreign trade . " It also shovfs that -we are being regularly -driven oat of ihe markets of the world ; and that B National Extinction" awaits ns , unless we give a new direction to national energy . Mr . Baines shall prescribe that new direction for ns in our next . Meantime we crave the reader ' s serions consfderafor the matter presented him already . It is big with mighty import . May it hare a just and due effect !

      Untitled Article

      THE DAMNABLE . ACT . THE REAL 3 I 0 TIYES OF ITS CONCOCTOBS DIVULGED . ~ Ws shall commence our commentary by publi shing the order of the * Devil-Kings' * of Somerset House , as issued , to the Swansea Board of Guardians : — Stvassejl , Arc 21 . —A special Boird of Guardians trai held here to-day in consequence of a letter having bsea received from the Poor Law Commissioners upon ths distressed state of the country , in allusion to the strike of the coppermen . Ihe board -was very fnlly attended , every Guardian in the Union having been summoned . The Hey . Dr . HewBon having taken the chair , read tine letter , as follows -. — " Poor law CommissioneH ' -onice . Sometset-house , August 14 .

      X , " Six , —I am directed by the Poor Law Comnusfioners to £ tste , that their attention has been draws to the strike of the workmen employed in the Swansea copper works , in consequence of a proposed redaction of their wages , and to the probability that it will lead to a large number of applications from ablebodied Bffliot relief for themselves and' families , in consequence of the lost of their accustomed means of support . 2 . " The Commissioneis , therefore , having regard to the difficulties which , under such circumstances , the -Guardians would doubtless txpsrience in dealing with the namerouB applications fsr relief which might be Euddecly made to them , feel it their dnty to offer such advice to the Guardians as the Commissioners consider may be useful to them , in the Jevent . 01 snch diSedfcies actually occurring .

      3 . " The Commissioners need not point out -to the guardians that , so long as there is room in the workhouse , the best course is , undoubtedly , to order all side-bodied applicants for relief into it-4 . " The Commissioners feel assured that the Guardians will be anxious to xnett the nils upon the poorrates which most probably will arise from the abovementioned cause with promptness and vigour ; and the Commissioners do not doubt that if due precaution i > 2 used , and proper arrangements be made beforehand , the Guardians will be enabled to meet this pressure , sbonMit actually occur , with less difficulty than might otherwise be apprehended .

      5 . "Trader ifce tircumstanees , however , the Commissioners think it right that the Guardians should be quite prepared for any sudden pressure upon the funds under th ^' control which may ultimately ensue from the state cf the copper--srorkmeu ; and they would recommend that a special meeting of the Board should Jjj called , arid that the financial situation of tbe Guardians in respect to the funds of those parishes in the "Union likely to fca afiected by such pressure should be investigated ; and that fresh calls , if found to be necessary , should be Immediately made , and served upon the overseers of such parishes , who should , in the meantime , be warned of tbe neossity of securing sufficient lands 'beforehand to meet the numerous claims upon the parishes which may , and probably will , arise for relief . In the event of the existing rates being foKn { 5 fp « T » t for this purpose , fresh rates should be prepared , and got ready for signature by the justices .

      6 . " The Guardians will likewise de well to consider whether persona who hscome chargeable to the palishes in question , i ""^ whose settlements are in other parishes , sh&uld iiot be removed to their respective P'vnulip * aa quickly as possible . This course appears fc ) be recommended by the consideration that the ratepayers , if the apprehended pressure should arise , cannot relieve themselves from the burden of supporting their own settled poor , 7 . " The Commissioners on previens occasions , when tf-nifor cases of emergency to the jpresent one have octarred in Staffordshire and other placta , have issued an out-door labour-test older t& the unions where it -was found to be iiecsssary . This order , where carried into eSect , has afforded the Boards of Guardians muck assistance in enabling them to deal with the numerous

      applications suddenly made to them for relief , under a yjTmi&T pressure to that which it is feared may soon arise in the Swansea Union . The Commissioners enclose a eopy of the order f » the consideraticai ef the Board of Guardians , and the Commissioners will be prepared to issns a similar order to the Swansea Union . In She Tppynt ^ mfe , however , means ghonld be tiien 1 JoTcbaiifl to procure sosie stone and oaknm , or such other materials ssmay be accessible , in order to to in readiness for the purpose of setting the able-bodied men to work , in return for the relief afforded them . These materials , -j not used , will bs available for setting to work the able-bodied Jn"iatT" of the workhouse . The Guardians should also be prepared to appoint a superintendent of eut-door pauper labour , and to procure tools , if necessary , at the shortest uotio .

      8 . "At the special meeting which the Commlssionera lecommena should be held , they suggest that the ques-Mon of where the out-door labour should be carried on , 5 a case of need , should be discussed , and the whole of the arrangements niiidi it may be necessary to make be considered . The exgspses in carryiug out the provisions of tiie order abort r ^ wred to , will be s charge upon the parishes to whiehtbe -psapera relieved find set to work ¦ under it may be charf eable . 9 . "Tbe Commissionera think it necessary to observe that in case of a strike of workmen for higher wages Iftwn their employers are willing to give , a question arises whether the Guardians would be justified in refusing or discontinuing relief when the men might obtain employment , if they chose to accept it , at wages sufficient to furnish tie means of subsistence for themselves and their fltmfllML .

      10 . "In reference to this question , the Commissioners would remark that the poor-rates constitute a fund for the relief of destitution . The amount so levied is withdrawn from the capital which must itself furnish employment to the labouring classes , and proves a severe burden on the middle classes , who are themselves liable to 2 b rtduced to poverty by the contingencies of trade and the excess of public burdens . 11 . " So long , however , -as real and involuntary de « - t'tutioD exists , so Jong must the Guardians , in discharge of their public duties , require firm the ratepayers , and distribute to the applicants for relief , that sustenance which the necessities © f the latter class ^ FTifrnd 12 . "But the question becomes a different one if the destitution is self-imposed , and when the guardians are satisfied that indivigual 3 supported by the poor-rates may obtain employment at wages adtq-iate for the E 2 ? ntenacce of themselves or families .

      13 . " "With the disputes bet-ween masters and Tor » - mtn , orr -with the agreements of either class among themselves , the Guardians have nothing to da If , thertfure ^ the GuardianB are in a situation to say , that the men row applying for or receiving relief may obtain work within their reach at -wages sufficient for their mainteicnice and that of their families , and i » otly depends on themselves to accept it , thty axe justified in icfnsing relief to those persons , simply because they can no laager be considered as destimte . It is : not , however , sufficient thai they * bouid sty vaguely to any large numoer in a mass , ' employ nsent mny ba had '; bat on being sstiESrd in « ch radividnal ess that work is offered or may be procured by the man in ^ aestion within a practicable duiaace , relief might tbtn be refaBed to that man , always provided that ths Gaardians are satisfied of the sufficiency of the wases offered for the actual maintenance of the partita , and that all eases of great urgency or of a . m * re temporary nature from momentary fear of violence should ba dealt

      with as exceptions . 14 . " It is not the object of the poor-rates to aid either masters or men in any struggle against eaeb other and it must be assumed that tbe law will be found gcffieifcutiy strong to protect those willing to work fn > m the prolonged action of forcible interference . 5 . "The Commissioners will bs ready , Bhould the sciessity for inch a Btep arise , to Baucnon a temporary GqjsrtDre from the proJaibitory . order , to tbe extent wfcieh may b ? requisite upon tae « gJ 3 es being reported to them under article 4 . « - " The Commissioners , in making ihe foregoing re-^^ iki , do not wish to excite any nojwcessary appre-^^ laonm the minds of the Guardians . Their object m anspiy , that Trtieuever the crisis may »/« , & roay ^ the fccarfi ^ ua fnllyjpreparel to meet tbe pres-* nre upon tfce xjnjpn .

      I se , Sir , your most obedient Servant , •¦ E . Chxdwick , Secrets ry . "To the Clerk of the Guardians of tbe Swansea Unionj Swansea . " 3 > £ Eewsos fiien aaid , that as far as the copper-*« -keia were concerned , it did not appear necessary j ttat they should make any provision , aa not ona -of ftsn had applied io the Board for relief ; but their j ttmfiuct in strikmg had affected other large bodies—the ; coliiaa j for icstance , who were thrown oat of work by j fti £ nj . Some of the colliers had applied for relief on I Jxjd 3 ylast , tad had been told to come there that day . ?* one of them were , however , in attendance , and thert- ] frae , perhaps , there would not be any necessity of j going into the question even as respected them . j

      Mi . Tivian , 23 . P ., said , as a partner in the Swansea j Coal Company , heiad expressed his strong desire that j Ike men Should l > e found work ; and , as that had been j done , he was surprised that any of them should have j * jpliid for relief .- j Dr . HewKiu explained that it was a sort of prospective ipplitition , as Vbe men had thought that they ahould be cat of ymi from Saturday last

      Untitled Article

      Mr . Tivian said no man could regret more than he did the present unfftvourable state of things . The coppermasters had , aftsi the most mature deliberation , and the most urgent necessity , proposed to reduce tbe wages of the men ; stjU , however , allowing them wages fully competent to their maintenance ; and one of the most painful thingB arising in consequent of the strike wa ? , the way in which it affected the poor colliers , whom he pitied . He had recommended that woik should be found them , and that had 1 va done , for although not at cutting coal , yet they were employed about the works , and paid ai the coppermen were , in money , there being no shop in connection with the Swansea Coal Company . ' in which it

      A desultory conversation ensued , was stated that the coppermen were detemvned to still stand out that on Saturday they had given notices to draw out £ 1 , 300 from the Savings * Bank—that they were about to break up all their benefit clubs , in which they had £ 25 . , and divide the money to enable them to continue on strike . We pass over several sections of this cold-blooded and ferocious edict , in eaeh and every one of which will be recognized tbe anxiety of the " Trustees" of the Poor Law Fond" to make destitution and pattpehish more HEiitnus than the blackest crime I From the mass of infernalism vf e select for comment those sections which develope the real object of the "Devil" law . Those sections are from No . 9 to

      13 , inclusive . To them we call special attention for the benefit of those whose wages are henceforth to be regulated by a Board of Guardians under the contronl of the Poor Law Commissioners , and whose dnty they are told it ib to protect the middle classes from those burdens which the destitution of the poor is likely to impose upon them . From these sections we learn that if wages

      adequate for the maintenance of a man and his family is offered by an employer , that snch man refusing such offer is to be deprived of all parochial relief ; and thai the Guardians upnn vchom in his poverty he is hkeJy to be a burthen are to be the parties to judge of the question of haijtc : esaNCE j and they are to be the local Executive of the devil-kiugs of Somerset-house and to mark the amount which the masters are willing to give ! I ¦ ' I

      Let us suppose a very possible case , by which tbe standard of " sufficiency" will be judged by the . Poor Lvw Guardians . Suppose a copper miner , earning thirty shillings a week , to have a wife and three children . He is threatened by his master with a redaction of five shillinfis a week . His master is either a duly Elected or an £ j ? Ojficio Guardian of the poor . The man resists the reduction , and applies to the parish for relief . His master is upon the Board . " The roll of the really destitute is read over—the amount given to them is the standard by which a SUFFICIENT MAINTENANCE is to

      be judged , the tfjll of the siastbbjSj no doubt , the basis of the judgment of the Board . Say it would amount to as much as five shillings and sixpence a week ; and suppose the Guardians , anxioo 3 to make oat a good case fcr the "devilkings , " say to the miner : we'll allow you ten shillings a week for your family . This offer at once compels him either to submit to the proposed reduction or to starve , and leaves him for ever at the mercy of the master who may henceforth reduce his wages to a little above the standard established as a " suitable maintenance" by the Guardians . If

      this rule is once acted upon , and if the working Masses should ever tolerate such an infringement of their rights , the power of adjusting the rate of wages , at which the masters shall henceforth condescend to employ them , will be vested wholly and entirely in the hands of the Poor Law Commissioner ? . However slow then this vile Starvation Act was in developing its real object , can any man now have a doubt that the intention was to starve the poor into complete subserviency ! making poverty a crime , and themselves tee arbitrators as to what constituted " svficient maintenance , ' and therefore sufficient wagts !

      We have but very little sympathy for the middle classes , wbo , as a constituent body , have tolerated that system of invasion npon the poor , which has » t length come to their own door . Was there a man of them , who , had he thought , but must have come to the conclusion that the aristocracy , although chosen as the representatives of the middle classes would stave poverty from their own doors as long » 3 poBsible , and that bankruptcy Ehould only reach them after the rain of the middle classes had been accomplished . The middle classes will now discover that the system , notwithstanding all thtir representative

      power , has reached their order ; and that instead of being ihe agents between producers and consumers capital upon the one hand is hourly making paupers and pauperism upon the other hand is hourly making bankrupts of them . Instead of being the governing party , as in former times , when the whole wealth of the country was equitably distributed among the vrhole populatien of the country , and which was by no other means so fairly adjusted as by admitting the claim of the unwilling idler to all the necessaries and evtn the comforts of life , they are now the reservoir from which the paupers must draw ; the broken reed , npon which the destitute mast lean .

      What a satisfaction it mast be to their order to read the gratifying intelligence that the amount raised for ihe support of the poor has gone « n an--nnaUy diminishiDgsince the whole fond waseonsumed by th-j staff" for carrying the law into operation ! But will they not awake to a knowledge of the fact , that when the Poor Law Fund was highest , their own condition was best ? Although we have never joined in a fruitless endeavour to repeal , or even to amend the damnable act ; and although we have

      viewed the vagaries of Rebecca in no very favourable light ; jet , who bat mast anticipate a junction between the " fair lady , " who vows vengeance again&t tbe Poor Law system , and those who have now learned the uses to which it is to be put ! and who h ' ut muit arrive at the conclusion that property ha = wa ^ td r ? ar upon poverty ; and who but must admn 5 that we were right neariy six years ago , when writing apon this very subject , we divided the ciiisscr , wuhont reference to political creed , into " * Ii'ch Oppressors and Poor Oppressed ?**

      ' Mr . Coebett , when opposing the Starvation Act told tb = Maiihusians of that day , that , vrhen brought int-j tuzl operation , it would shake their titles to ihuT e ^ -stes ; and t tat the people would never tamely submit to such an iufriBgementupon their inhijea : : i ^ his . He wa ? a true prophet npon more oce ^^ iuas than that ; and m the document now before us we rtcjj » niZ £ " ihe beginning of ihe end . " We sec ihe coaling of that time , ewhen disinherited povt-nj will demand from the holders of national property , the title by which it has been applied to their = oie u ? e , behoof , aud benefit .

      Ptrha ps the day of r ckoDiug may have been postponed by a mure cunning management ; butassuredly a more unfortunate season than the present for the assumption of such extravagant power could not have been selected , when the Minister is assailed not by one , or two , but by every interest in the country And akhongh that cla ? s whose rights are thus insolently and audaciously invaded may be despised as affording no parliamentary strength , yet if there is

      trnth in the assertion that "hunger will break through slone walls , " it may be equally true lhat tbe power of the unrepresented may break through the forms of Somerset House . What we fear is , that this recent tyranny will strengthen the hands of * Rebecca " and those who contend for the redress of sectional grievances ; and in truth we can scarcely blame * n insulted nnwilliDg panper from taking the shortest possible cut to relief .

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      NORTH SHIELDS iCOURT—Tsesday , Aug . 23 HOODIE AGAIHST JOHN AND GEORGE CARB , PRCPR . IETOSS OF SEGUILL C 0 LLIEBY . Mr . Roberts , of Bath , appeared on behalf of Moodie . The sitting magistrates were John Fen wick , Esq ., J . H . Fryer , Esq ., and J . Sidney , Esq . On Moodie being called and sworn , Mr . Roberts rose ; and , addressing the Magistrates , stated ho was requested by tbe complainant to state the case . Magistrate Fenwick—Are you an attorney ? Mr . Roberts—I ami I may just state that I am u Roberts , of Bath ; "i ; and have como 300 miles , for tbe purpose of stating tho case ; and in order that you may give it your jmosfc serious consideration , I beg to inform you that on your decision rests the fate of 130 cases of the same nature . Magistrate—That matters nothing ; in our decision we shall be strictly guided , by the evidence adduced .

      An Attorney ( whose name we did not learn ) here rose on behalf of Carr aud Co ., and referred to a clause in the bond agreed to by both parties , in which it is stated that ! if any dispute arise between the men and their masters , such dispute shall be decided by two viewers ; and , in oases where they could not como to a decision , they should elect a third , whose decision should be final . Mr . Roberts—The men have a strong suspicion that they cannot get 'justice from such decisions .

      They suspect the honesty of viewers ; and I believe I may say of viewers vrtiat Horn Tooke said of a special jury : — " It is like giving me a dozen of rotten oranges out of which to select a sound one . " The magistrates are looked up to as the natural protectors of the poor ; and on their decision depends the amount of justice administered to those who look to them for protection in the present state of society . If that gentleman holds to viewers , I cannot agree with it . Themen are not satisfied with the decisions of viewers . )

      Messrs . Carr s , attorney—I will agree that tho men shall have the appointing of one of the referees and the masters the appointing of the other ; and if the two elected cannot come to a decision . They shall appoint a third as umpire and his decision to be binding . ! Magistrate—That proposition is perfectly free for the masters and free for the men . It is a just wap of settling a difference of opinion . Mr . Roberts—The men say it is not a difference of opinion ; it is a fraud . \ Messrs . Cirr ' s attorney—My clients agree to two indifferent persons . '

      Mr . Roberts asked leave from the Bench to retire for ten minutes , for the purpose of consulting with the men . This was granted . On returning he said he had laid the proposition of tbe gentleman before the men , and he found they had a strong leaning for a magisterial decision ; but would agree that the case should stand bver till that day fortnight ; and if not then mutually agreed on , it should again be brought before that court . Messrs . Carr ' s attorney ; did not agree to Mr . Roberts ' s proposition . Magistrate Sidney—We have no power to decide in the case . The parties have agreed by bond that all disputes shall be settled by referees .

      Mr . Roberts again asked leave to retire for ten minutes , which was granted ; and it was finally arranged that ihe men should appoint one refereethe roasters the other : the appointed having the power to appoint a third if necessary , whose decision is to bo binding on all parties concerned . I understand the ground of complaint on tho part of the men to be—that : in the measurement of the coals 19 ibs . more have been added to the cwt . This overweight has been practised from the 10 th of April to July the 18 tlu The sum claimed by each man is eleven shillings . —Correspondent .

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      M BOLTON . —Loyal Obdeb of Ancient Suev-Hr . BDS . —The Loyal Lamb Lodge of the above Order , No . 341 , held their first anniversary on Saturday , Aug . 26 th , at the bouse of host linxen * dale , when upwards of 130 sat down to a good substantial dinner . After tho cloth was removed , the young men and maidens enjoyed themselves with dancing and singing , which was kept up with great spirit , till time announced that the Sabbath was fast approaching . Thurso , Aug . 19 . —The Margeret , M'Leod , ofand from Inverness , sprung a leak 15 th instant , went ashore in entering tho harbour , and has become a wreck ; cargo saved , and hull sold .

      Coroner ' s Inquest . —On Monday , an inquest was held at the Queen ' s Arms' Inn , Bradford , oa the body of a young man of tho name of Dison , who was drowned , on Saturday , in the Bowling Fish Pond . It appeared in evidence that the deceased , who was nineteen years of age , wect 5 in company with two other lads , one aged eleven , the other twelve , to bathe ; the younger lad could swim . Deceased , after being a short time in the water sunk . The boy who wns in the water with him , immediately swam to the place , and saw deceased at the bottom , struggling ; but , through fear , durst not go near him . Both boys ran for assistance . Shortly afterwards , hundreds of persons were on the spot ; but upwards of an hour elapsed before the body was got out of the water . Medical aid was useless , as life was extinct . The jury relumed a verdict accordingly .

      The " Duel" Murder ;—At the Central Criminr ! Court the parties in the late fatal duel were called oa to surrender and take their trial . Mr . Cuddy the second of Colonel Fawcett appeared , as did Mr . Galliver , the surgeon ; with respect to tbe latter gcntleman ' a nolle prosegui was entered , aud he was discharged . Mr . Cuddy was then put on his trial , and after a prolonged investigation , the jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty , and he was immediately released .

      The Tbappbbs iTaAyPEP . —A servant of an officer , quartered at Chatham , was walking out the other evening , when he met two persons apparently countrymen . They spoke and asked him why he remained a soldier , and did not desert , and so forth ; and it ended by the fellows offering him £ 1 for his clothes , saying they would give him others . Tho servant acqnicsced at tho same time resolving to give them up to justice . Ho mentioned that he wished to return his master's dog that he had with him , and told them to remain , in a certain spot at Rochester . He iaform d his master of what had occurred , who sent a sergeant and four men , is plain clothes , to boizb thetc , when , they were immediately recognized as being a sergeant and private of some Depot quartered there . They are awaiting their triab Their object was to eecuro their victim , give him up as a deserter , atid get the reward .

      Ludicrous Circumstance . —On Sunday evening much excitement was occasioned in the High-street , Kensington , by loud cries being suddenly heard proceeding from the interior of Kensington old church . A large crowd immediately surrounded the railing of the churchyard , the gates of which were locked , divine service having been concluded about half an , hour . At that juncture police constable Swain , T 176 , who had heard the cries in the station-house in Church-court , arrived with a key of the gate , and on entering the churchyard , followed by the

      crowd , the head of a girl was perceived out of one of the gallery windows , < wlio loudly supplicated to be released from the ( to her ) terrible situation she was in . The policeman immediately sent for a lantern , and the keys of the church , which were speedily brought , and on proceeding up the gallery staira they found the alarmist , who was in a dreadful state of fear , to be one of the children of the parochial charity-school , about eleven years of age , who having gone into one of the pews , had fallen asleep , and did not awake until after the whole of the congregation had left , and the church was locked up .

      Fatal Coal-pit Accident , at Swjktoj * . —Oa Saturday morning last , a fatal accident occurred in what is called a ladder pit , in Moss Lane , Swinton , belonging to the trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater . 'Ihis pit is an old one , aud till flooded a month back , it was used for the colliers to go to their work by . It is about a hundred yards deep , and the descent is made by a series of ladders , each about eight yards long , and a landing place at the foot o £ each ladder . It seems that three boys , named Robert Lansdale , Robert Worsley , and Jamos Thorp , of the ages of ten , eleven , and twelve years , were amusing themselves by going down the top ladder , and when they had descended about four yards , bsing overpowered by the "black damp "

      ( carbonic acid gas ) , they all lell down to the first landing place , about eignt yards from the surface . Fortunately , it was strong enough to support them , otherwise all must have fallen to a depth from which they could not have been recovered . Another lad , named Thomas Knight , who was near the surface , on hearing his compauiona fall , immediately called to a man named Peter Richardson , who was passing by , and told him what had happened . Richardson ran to the assistance of the boys ; but in . descending the ladder , the deleterious gas overcame him , and he likewise fell down- Thomas Woraley , the father of one of the boys , then came up , and iu like manner fell to the landing , overpowered by the noxious . , P ° ? - An alarm was then given by a man named William Charlton

      , to some men in a brickcroft in an adjoining field , and one of them , named Jesse Holland , having had one end of a rope tied round his waist , ventured to descend the ladder- but , when aboat halfway down , he fell , and was pulled up by the rope . He soon recovered from the effects * i ? . . S » 8 » f he then directed that Borne water 3 hould be thrown down the aperture . This being immediately done , he again descended with a rope round him , and an extra rope , which he fastened to a ^ Rowley ( the father of one of the boys ) , and , Holland making the signal , they were both drawn up . Again Holland descended , and was a third time drawn up , together with Robert Worsley . A man named VVm . Ormrod next went down with Peter Riphardson . Then a man named Wat . Arden descended in the same way , and was drawn up with James Thorp . Aiden again , descended , and was pulled up together with Robert Lansdale , who was

      the tot boy that . fell down , and was brought out last . Mr . Hilton , surgeon of Swinton , was by thia time in attendance ; and , as the euffarera were brought out , all in a state of insensibility , and several of them to all appearance dead , he applied such remedies as were available , with great assiduity aad perseverance , and at length had the satisfaction of seeing all but one restored . The boy Thorp , aged twelve years , was past recovery ; and Peter Richardson was upwards of two hours before sensibility was restored . It is supposed that the cauee of Thorp ' s death was , that Richardson , in descending , fell upon him ; and , lying over hi 3 body , deprived him of the benefit of the partial purification of the air , caused by the throwing down of the water . Riohardson himself had suffered more than any other of the survivors , probabiy from the same cause ; An inquest was held before Mr . Ratter , on Monday , on the body of the poor lad , and a Yerdic : of * Accidental death" was returned .

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      THOMAS DUNCOMBfi , ESQ . We understand that the good men of Manchester have it in contemplation to invite Thos . Duiscombe , Esq . to a publio entry to their town , to have an opportunity of testifying the high estimation in which they hold their almost only parliamentary friend . The time will be about the beginning of October . Should such be their intention , we have no doubt fhat the demonstration will surpass anything heretofore witnessed , even in Man&hester .

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      My Dear Friends , —At this distance from Leeds—the post taking so long to travel—and lecturing every evening somewhere , and on Sundays two or three times ; besides travelling , and tho time occupied with receiving friend ? , who crowd round me by scores in every place , anxious to " hae a crack wi me " , this being my first visit to Scotland—I find it difficult , and , in fact , impossible to devote so much time to writing as I could wish . I shall , D . V ., be in England again soon , and then may be able to "hold counsel" with you more largely , because more leisurely , upon the great subjects which interest ua all .

      I had a very large meeting of Repealers and Chartists last ni « ht to hear from me an exposition of my views upon the present aspect of the Repeal and Charter movements . I spoke at great lengthgreat length for me at , least—nearly two hours—and uever had I a warmer , more heartily approving , and more enthusiastic audience . After the lecture an attempt was made by somo of our friends to test the vaJue of the Repealers ' plaudits during the lecture and at the cfose of it , by proposing a resolution , pledging them to the practical embodiment of its leading recommendation by joining with the Chartists hand in hand for tho obtaining of the people ' s liberties—the Charter and

      Repeal . This , however , the Repealers would not do , A priest who was present was their chief spokesman . Ho paid some high compliments to my lecture , but said that the Repealers did nothing on their own judgment—they surrendered their judgments entirely to Mr . O'Connell'a prudence , and they must have his consent before they could take one step ia the matter : whiile at the same time he and another gentleman who spoke , a Doctor , I ; think , both admitted tho value of Chartist co-operation , and expressed themselves individually anxious to give and to receive all possible aid in the struggle going on between the Repealers on the one hand , and the Chartists on the other hand , against the common enemy of man and liberty .

      I may hereafter have much to say to you upon the lessen to be learned from this meeting ; but I desist now , because , though I am now writing in Glasgow on Tuesday noon , this will not be received at the Star Office until Thursday morning , when a long letter might not find admission . My last was posted on Monday and was yet too late for that part of tho paper in whioh it seems to have been intended that it should appear . I regret that it was not inserted ; but as the same subjeot was taken up by my old friend , at much greater length , I can only now commend the whole matter of Organization again most earnestly to your attention , and expresB my ardent hope that good may come out of . the consideration of it by your delegates .

      I have now lying by me an extract from the Times newspaper , from which I shall hereafter shew you more and perhaps better arguments for Organization than any other yet shewn you . I am just now off to Ktlmarnook , where I have to spout ** to-night . " To-morrow night I hold forth at Edinburgh , on Thursday night at Leith , and on Sunday , sometime , I hope again to greet my friends at Hull . Meantime I am as I have ever been , Your faithful friend and servant , WHLiAH Hill .

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      MR . O'CONNELL AND HIS NEW CHARTER . We have received many communications upon the subject of Mr . O'Connell ' s backward move with respect to the Suffrage , substituting " wife" tenure , for "land" or "house" tenure , and Household Suffrage as an improvement upon either " manhood " or Universal Suffrage ; but we shall abstain ( in strict accordance with that policy which we have deemed it right to observe since the commencement of the Repeal agitation ) from a single comment

      upon the subject calculated to furnish any argument that the Liberator may use as proof of " Saxon " hostility to Ireland . We may observe , in passing , that he has paid his own countrymen , so well prepared for ; the full enjoyment of their rights , but a torry compliment , by acknowledging their unfitness in 1843 , for that description of franchise which in 1836 he drew up as the only standard with which Englishmen should rest satisfied ]! We have nortr made odious distinctions between the " Saxon" and

      tho " Celt ; " and we trust , therefore , that the different franchise proposed by Mr . O'Connell for the " Saxon" and the " Celt" will not be hereafter urged by him as proof of English indifference towards the Irish people . ' We have laughed at much that we hare not thought it prudent just now to comment upon ; bat our anxious correspondents may rest assured that no false step of ours shall furnish Mr . O'Connell with any , the slightest , pretext for marring , obstructing , or retarding the Repeal Movement .

      We attach importance to the success of ihe undertaking from a conviction of its universal , rather than its lopal effects ; and therefore we abstain from grappling i sectionally with the great question of national independence . Our readers may rest satisfied either that the democratic principle must receive an astounding impetus from the accomplishment of Mr . O'Connell's praise-worthy undertaking , or the Chartist cause must receive an increased strength from any apparent shrinking upon his part . In either case the Chartist body will find that our

      policy has been directed to the furtherance of their cause ; and that nothing could more tend to the injury of our party , than furnishing Mr . O'Connell with a justifiable pretext for abandoning the Repeal agitation , in consequence of the opposition of the English Chartists , as evinced in the spleen of their only organ . We are quite awake , and not unobservant of passing events . We fully understand the value of Union , the extent to which it exists in

      Ireland , and tbe reward to which it entitles the Irish people . They have not yet said , nor has Mr . O'Connell said , that they will bo satisfied with less than a Repeal of the Union ; and until we see something more than symptoms of defection , we shall abstain from creating any useless alarm , whioh would only tend to the frustration of that object that we have as much at heart as either Mr . O'Connell or Dr . Me . Halh .

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      | WHATS IN THE WIND t WHY DOES OUR QUEEN GO TO SEE THE FRENCH KING ? Ti / e Se « shW has closed , and the next business of 5 ur bowmen is io provide amusement for our Queen . It apj * vs that two young Pnnces of the House of Bonrbon hare , »* & ° re « nest ° { . * Hngost Sire , the Ki ng of the Barricadea , delivered an invitation to the tfo * ai to honour bis Majesty with a visit ; for what pan ^ & * * oi for DS t 0 inquire , although we ma / be pardoned for a guess . The Royal ministeral spee ^ i spoken at the close of the St . James's seaEon , d . ^ t largely in denunciation of the present agnation for a Rfpe&l of the

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      Union ; while Mt .-0 'Connell has very pointedly hinted at the assistance that Ireland would be likely to receive from France in the event of the English Minister having recourse to force . Every man possessed of common sense , however , must be aware that to any compact between France and Ireland , the occupant of the tottering throne of the former country would be no party ; therefore , French sympathy does not mean the sympathy of Louis Philli pp e , who , in the success of the Repeal agitation would « ee the downfall of French despotism . May it not , then , be very reasonably supposed , that with all the professions of Irish loyalty , added to professions of French sympathy , that the

      Monarchs of both countries , through the advice of their ministers , are designed to meet and combine for the purpose of opposing democratic intrusion by royal combination \ If , as we learn , the English Cabinet is opposed to the marriage of the Spanish QaceH with the son of the French King ; and if that project is , as we understand , nearer to the heart of Louis Phillippb than any other consideration at the present moment , —always barring the transition of France from Monarchy to Republicanism—surely we may be pardoned for wondering that the moment of England's rejection of such a scheme should be selected as the time for inviting the English Queen to the shores of France ! while we can well

      understand 'that even the temporary occupation of the throne of Spain would be but poor consolation for the loss of that of France . This Royal meeting is to all intents and purposes but the precursor either to a Conference of Crowned Heads for the protection of Monarchies against the raging desire for Republican institutions , or tho forerunner of an understanding between their two ** Majesties . " The reckless manner in which the French King has furnished the means of creating revolution in Spain &nd tbe destruction of every liberal institution by the tyrants whom his money has placed in power , will at once betoken the horror in which the prospect of a Spanish Republic holds him : and we doubt not

      that the iwuy monarch will judiciously play Spain against Ireland , and out of British terror at last accomplish his desired object . The present position of France with regard to Spain is not very dissimilar of that of England to Ireland . If Spain proclaims for a Republic , the fortifications of Paris will furnish but a poor barrier against the national demand for a similar form of Government : aud should the English Minister drive the Irish people to a knowledge of their own power , the infection of popular strength would not be slow in crossing the Irish Channel . Thus we surmise that the present royal visit is likely to terminate in a gambling speculation , with "the safety of thrones" for the stake .

      While monarchs are engaged in gambling for thrones abroad , let us take a review of our ills at home . All must now be awake to the awful inroads made apon the social comforts of the working classes . Perhaps the best picture that can be drawn of tbe present gamblers in human labour is to represent them in their former character , and in their present position . In the olden times , when a good understanding existed between the master , and some twenty or thirty manual labourers , they played

      for pence , and the game was fair . If the profits of the masters were comparatively small , it was because an equitable distribution was made of the profits of all : and society was seldom disturbed by any misunderstanding , which the good sense of the interested parties , did not very speedily reconcile , without the interference of the law , tho military , the special constables , or tho police . At that time , the small masters were not invested with vhe double character of employers and justices . '

      When machinery was introduced , and as it progressed , they began to gamble for shillings in the first instance , and ihe pennies were put out of play . As new inventions or improvements went on , they began to gamble for pounds , and the shillings were also put out of play . As Eoon as the accumulated property was able to contend for representation with the landed interest , the gamblers in pounds were able to achieve an amount of representation , which compelled their Government to appoint them

      to the magistracy of the country ; and thus , armed with the two-edged sword , the power of capital to reduce wages , and the power of the magistrate to coerce into an acquiescence , they began to gamble for hundreds , and put the pounds out of play ; until at length they have not only rendered all the real money in the world incapable of representing their stakes , but have g one to the extent of gambling for the produce of foreign sta tea ; Great Britain and Ireland being too narrow a field for gambliDg speculations .

      We believe it was during the vice-regency of Lord Towxshknd , in Ireland , that the demands of patronage by the Huichiksons and Beresforss became so extravagant that the Viceroy , upon one occasion , observed— " I do believe that if the Hvjtchinsons and Beresfobds got a gift of England and Ireland , they would want the Isle of Man for a potatogarden . " So it is precisely with our manufacture ^ They have gambled for all at home . They have cheated until they have won all . They have placed it out of play by a non-consuming producing power » and now they ask for some higher stakes to represent their power of cheap production .

      It ni 3 y not be unimportant to shew the immediate effect that this progressive system of gambling is likely to have upon the parties engaged . Let us group them , and mark their progress . Suppose that a number of persons sit down at a gambling-table , to play for penny stakes . Aa long as the play is confined to those stakes , the penny will represent something , and have its value in the market . If the play i 3 changed to shilling stakes , the pennies are put out of play and out of the market ; and he will be considered impertinent who offers to pay a shilling in pennieB . The shilling then becomes valuable

      as it represents the stake played for . If , however the gambling increases to pound stakes , the shillings are put out of play , and cut of the market ; and the man who attempts to stake twenty shillings would be laughed at . As the blood warms , and the desire to speculate increases , the stakes increase with it , until at length they arrive at hundred pound stakes , wht-n pounds ar « put oat of play : and it not unfrequently occurs that ihe hundreds are put ont of play by bonds , bills , I . O . U ' s ., Post Obits , and mortgages , rend <_ ring what may be considered real money but aa inadequate representation of the gambling speculation . Observe , then , the effect which those altered

      stakes will produce , as if by magic . As lou « as a penny represents a stake , it was of certain value and four or five pennies would be looked at twice before they would be given , say to a messenger who brought a note . When the stakes increased to a shilling , however , the pennies would be freely given in handsful , as they represented nothing , while passing importance would be attached to the shilling . And this again , when put out of play , would be as freely given as the pennies were ; and so on : each increase ef the stakes rendering comparatively valueless those smaller amounts which were previously played for .

      Now such precisely is the position of our present speculators in human labour . They have got more artificial power than would supply the world with produce ; and in the wildness of speculation , they have lost all thought of the land at home , so inadequate to represent the Btakes they play for . If the system be not checked , no power on earth can much longer suppress that popular fury -which , though long pent up , will in its rage destroy the whole system , leaving no trace of what is called England ' s greatness . Machinery hag put maaual labour out of play and rendered it comparatively valueless in the gambling market .

      I We have now drawn a picture of the stakes for ) which Monarchs and capitalists play . But notwithj standing the power of both , the people ( without ; KiDg , Queen , or knave ) have the whole game in ( their hands , provided they play their cards with j judgment . The position of Mr . O'Connkll is one j of avrfuJ responiibility j—one which if supported

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      may result in great and mighty changes , —one from which should he be drive * by a combination of crowned heads and knaves , will load to the temporary prostrat ion of the democratic cause ; and is one therefore which every friend of liberty Bhould strengthen by all the means in his power . No man can doubt for a Bingle moment that the feeling created by him is strongly in favour of demooracy , whatever his viow may be i while all must come to the conclusion that those aspirations so universally raised by one man con never be checked by the

      individual power which called them into existence . The working classeB have lost much by the consideration of who shall dp , rather than what shall be done ; while their constant shout has been *• measures not men . " We trust , ' however , that in the nineteenth ontury the publio mind is too far advanced to care whether O ' Connell or the Chartists shall lead in the road of democracy . We feel convinced that the people are being conspired against by their enemies ; while we feel equally assured that even had Mr . O'Connell joined in that conspiracy , the means that he has t ^ ken will have the direot tendency of frustrating the machinations of the people's enemies .

      If repose is necessary , after his gigantic exertions during the Bummer , God forbid that we should take advantage of that repose , to gratify any personal animosities . More has been done in Ireland within the last three months to [ advance the democratic cause than ever was done before ; and in the full relianco that it will eventuate in benefit to the whole people , we say to Mr . O'Connell : " Go ; take r . est ; make no compromise ; return to the struggle when you are refreshed ; and fear nothing so long as your motto is : ' * Ikelan& fob thb Irish . Rep eal , and NO SURRENDER ! " Do this and England ' s Charter will not long lag bthind Repeal

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      EXTENSIVE SEIZURE ] OF " POCKET PISTOLS " IN IRELAND . On tbe morning of Tuesday last a gentleman of this neighbourhood gave private intelligence to one of our vigilant plot-hunting police—Head Constable Cox—to the effect that Mr . Butterly , a respectable grocer and spirit dealer , residing ia Shop-street , had that morning rec jlvcd from England a IaVge contraband consignment of pistols and other implements for the express purpose of arming the Repealers ; and , more awfully ominous and audacioas , they were branded as if in utter defiance and contempt of Lord Eliot ' s Arms' Bill , with the dreadful word ] " Repeal I" Here was an opening far an active man . | A badge of merit , the first

      vacancy in the list of sub-inspectors , and a letter of thanks from the valorous ; De Grey danced merrily before the mind ' s eye of the Head Constable . There could be no mistake in the matter . The information came from a gentleman—one of the right sort—a Conservative every inch of him ; and like Napoleou on the eventful morning of Waterloo , the incipient subinspector had but to stretch forth his arm and annihilate the enemy . This seizure made—Repeal must be blown . Imagine then the 1 worthy functionary poising his portly peroon , of six feet in circumference , upon the Tholsei steps ; his chest dilated to a mest awful magnitude with the mighty importance of the duty he was about to perform ; his keen grey eye rapidly revolving aa be proceeds alone . There is no time to

      procure assistance . Numbers might create alarm and defeat the object ; and besides the whole glory must rest upon bis own ample ) shoulders . Just see him moving down Shop-street- with majestic step . He reaches the shop of the doomed " arms importer . " Gentle reader , have you ever seen the final operatorthe finisher of the law , commonly called the hangman , while about adjusting the | fatal noo&e ; with what extreme politeness , what blandness of voice , he urges the victim about to be operated on to move on one step farther—just a little step or so— 'till he gets him on the trap 1 No you havel not ; or , if you have , the occurrence has for years bten eo rare that you forget ; but let it suffice that you are now assured Head Constablea can be excessively politeiwhen they are aboat to nab

      a man . " Good morning . Mr . Butterly j could I speak a word to you in private ?—ah ! I have information that you havu got a large number of pistols into your house this morning ? " " Oh yes , " Ireplied Mr . B ., somewhat relieved , " stay , I'll show you a pistol " ' Oh no , sir , you have got a chest or large case full of pistols ; my information is precise , I want to see them—to see thu case . " Resistance was out of tbe question . The grocer was caught . He led tile way to his Btore-room . There , was the package—shipping marks all on . The i straw was removed—and sure enough , a most splendid , array of small arms was there ! The constable ' s hand < was upon them ! But " tearian-agera , constable dear , j don't break the delph ! " Tjhere they were- ^ -as many pis- : tols as would appropriately fit up tbe arms' room of the i

      RUadamanthas on her nejft expedition , all formed out of the most beautiful crockery ware / Most creditable to the ingenuity of the St&ffjidshire pottery men—the shape was perfect—lock , ijtock , and barrel , of genuine brown delph , and each capable of holding fall balf-apiutof the teal " mountain dew . " There they wore , veritable crockery-ware " pocket-pfstols" made for the convenience of gentlemen anglers and others who when out of town love to a taste of something to keep the chill out . Could it be possible ? There might be a mystery below . Deeper search however only brought to light certain other crockery implements , which , taken individually , rhyme with " Coe , " and which we fear will long strike the mind when the word Coe is pronounced . All was over . The seizure was abandoned .

      Fame , dignity , and reward vanished before the rattling of the delph . ' . the vigilant officer descended very quietly . The inflation was gone . He gained the door , when melancholy to relate , at a little distance stood his respectable Informant , the thumb of his sinister hand resting waggishly on the tip of his nasal organ , while the thumb of his dexter band slightly touched the digits which were spread in fan form tor an instant before the horrified gaza of the disappointed functionary ! The merry informant loves his practical joke ; and he had it And poor Eliot ! the crockery men of Staffordshire turn your arms' bill into ridiciile , while your Conservative friends feel delight in hoaxing your spies . We trust their plot-hnnting propensities may never find better gronndB than ia this case , —Drogheda Argus

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      CMTHEROB ^^ A . public j meeting was holden here , on August 29 th , to elect a representative to the forthoomins Conference . Mr , Heaton moved , and Mr . Barker seconded , " Mr . Eichard Marsden as a nt and proper person to represent them in the Birmingham Conference , for the : re-organization of the Chartist moYement . " Carried unanimously .

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      _ , ^ , ^»»^ mp ^ — ' ~ i ^ j ^ 10 THIS BDirOK OF THE NORTHERN STAB . SrR , —For some time past I have observed , with much pain , your columns occupied with complai-ta , by , and on behalf of the incarcerated Political Victims 9 nd their families . Now this , I mustpositively declare , originates in the gross neglect of the parties resident in the neighbourhood of . the Victims . Had there been one individual who would have exerted himself , he might have done a great deal towards keeping them from starvation . Dewsbury , for instance , has had it * * - 'fl of persecution to encounter . I have now befjve me a lawyers bill , respecting the defence of Mr . D . ' ^ hirit , at York , to tbe amount of nearly £ 20 , all of vf' / icj b" 3 been paid . Then there was the defence of AT- ^* s . Sheldrake and Clissett , at York . We now loot after their families , and support them , allowing tk

      which amounts weekly , at Is . 8 d ,, for Shui'lr ^ ko s family , 10 a . ; Clisaett's , 6 s . 8 d . ; making a total of 16 d . 8 d . weekly . In addition to which the D ^ sbury district have seDt upwards of £ 12 to tbe General Defence Fund . These families would have been left to starve if we bad not exerted ourselves When tha l ? st atrike had ended , our Organization was broken up and a few have done the work . We got men with e"Ascriptions books , who went about their own locality , and got weekly subscriptions of a penny , or more , as it could be afforded ; and by these means we are enabled to afford relief to our imprisoned brethren , an ' . J ^ ep them from the fangs of Pickersgill Had n'l plat- s beatired themseles , and looked after their Vict > ^« , ¦ - « they ought to have done , instead of being apathetic , the complaint of tha Victims would notjaave been so b ^ ptM , My good friends , be up and doing in the good can ° e , and let not your incarcerated friends , and their families ,

      fall victims to starvation . I remain yours , in the good cr ? s e-James Fox Secretary to the Dewsbnry Victim Fund .

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      ZiONCrTON ( Staffordshire Potteries ) . —The Directors of the Working Man ' s Hall and Scientific and Political Institute , which is intended to be erected as soou as possible , desire all porsous holding oarda for the collection of funds to exert them > olv i , and bring in their cards on Sunday night , tho 2 ' id insfc ., to the committee , at the House of Mr . V , ' a . Nicholson , Church-street , where Bhares rua > be taken , and every information , together wiili the rules , may be had . The Chartists of tho Pi / . ^ ries are also respectfully informed that a deleg&tr . to the Conference will be ohosen on Monday ov < - iing , at six o ' clock : the place will bs annennc * i by placard in due time , when we hope that th . i * a ' will attend .

      ZiONG BUCKliEY . ~ At a meeting of the Chartists of this locality it was resolved , that no p' --on be entitled to any assistance from the Victim Fund , who cannot prove , by his card of membership , to be clearly identified with the Chartist cause .

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      South Shields . —The working people of this once prosperous town are at present in a most miserable condition . The staple trade of the borough is shipbuilding ; and the dull state of trade in general has completely paralyzed this branch of British industry . There are several excellent new vessels , adapted for the coal and other kinds of trade , that have been on gale for years , and are ; as yet unsold , and likely to continue so . The shipwrights , who used formerly to earn from 25 s . to 30 s . per week , aro parading the streets , talking over their miserable condition . A few of their number are employed b y the parish at Is . per day . Crime is rapidly on the increase ; and tbe corners of the streets are constantly placarded with bills offering rewards for the apprehension of offenders . In most cases it is sheep-stealing and potato-lifting . The Messrs . Cooksons are about to

      close their extensive alkali works , employing 700 men . These , and their dependents , will ' then be thrown upon their respective parishes ; and this town will lose the circulation of somewhere about £ 600 weekly . The middle classes are all on the move . Public meetings have been held at the Cross , and on Messrs . Cookson ' s premises , convened by these parties . Speeches have been made , shewing the deplorable condition of the working classes , and begging Mesbrs . Cookeons to continue their factory . This is glorious ! Heavy shop ] rents , small profits , and increasing poor-rates , are excellent " abgumekts . " Shipwrights . joinerB , blacksmiths , and chain-makers , are nearly all out of employment . The Poor-house is already filled , and the Poor Law Guardians are all in fidgets . A few more ( works closed , and we shall soon have but two classes^—the very rich and the very poor . Then lor a melee I

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      NORTHERN STAR 5

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      TO THE PEOPLE .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 2, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1228/page/5/