Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 22nd June 1844, Edition 1 of 1, Page 7, Untitled Article

Page 7
Page 7
7 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (2)
    • f&be &t>Xlitr& $&4bemtnt.
    • Sparltatttmtarg BEntenfgpnc*.
  • Text (7)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      POST OFFICE ESPIONAGE . —THE ENGLISH FOUCRE . COXMTFIS OfP TH 8 PBES 8 . Tbe conversation which took place on Friday evening , relative to * petition presented by the member / or Pmsbary » has been described bj some of our contemporaries as most damaging to the character of Ministers ; and , as things have sow turned out , it may also be rainota to their stability . 'If they have determined on dissolving Parliament , this occurrence is the acst nafaTonrable by which their appeal to the hnsting 3 c ould be preceded . When olha taunts have beeo exhausted , other accusations answered , and other recriminations exchanged , ihi 3 reproach will still be tirsed agamst them , and nrged with effect—that they were the first Ministry of late years that had leEorted to the meanness of espionage , and condfcscended to pursue a policy at once unconsti tutional , cn-Enelishand ungenerous .

      , Sir James Graham—the Minister . solely implicated 3 n the transactioc—did not affect to deny that he had issued a warrant by which the letters of a Mr . JiazzM were detained at the post-office . He pleaded jnnlty to this charge , fie avowed the issne of the ¦ warrant , bnt Justified it by the necessities of state policy and two statHtes . Bis adherents then at-¦ tempied to suppress anv / nrlher discussion of the jnatter ; but the House proceeded to express its general and severe condemnation of such a system . Andytruly , there was cause for indignation . The Home-ofice was arraigned for a treacherous breach of faith , which It waa hardly credible could be ¦ charged npon the English Executive . Hitherto , it i » s been the peculiar boast of England that she is

      not as other countries ; that her cinzans are not liable to the same petty persecutions , the same rigorous police , the Bome insidions and incessant watching , lbs same dogging of their footsteps , opening of their letters , and prying into cabinets , as harass the subjects of continental states . But this boast cannot now be uttered with justice . The national prestige has gone . The Home Secretary has not scrupled to -order that the letters of certain persons should be ¦ d etained and opened at the General Post-office , No jnan s correspondence is safe . Ho man ' s confidence can be deemed secure : the secret 3 of no family , of so individual , can be guaranteed from reaching the ear of a Cabinet Minister , and , worse than that , of a Minister ' s officials . The apprehensions of

      eommer--cial failures , the impending losses in the sharejnarket , the anticipations of a rise or fall In priceseverything which to a mercantile community renders security , no less th&ii facility of correspondence , a matter of grave import—all these may at stated times be notified to a Minister , and pnblished to the world . * * * The Home Secretary contented himself with declaring , in general terms , that ihere were reasons for his conduct . ButthB House was not satisfied with this , nor will the ^ onntry be so . We want facts and circumstances . We want scch evidence as would satisfy any reasonable man * r any set of men that lie Home Secretary was morally justified in the course which he pursued . The whole question ia

      one of constitutional right , and nothing * lse . * * The Minister deprived Mazzini of his letters and his character a ; once ; but offered neither reparation nor explanation . The world , therefore , is left to imagine every conceivable ground of suspicion against a man who had been subjected to treatment which nothing bnt the most extraordinary circumstances could palliate , and the most dangerous precedent has been established of a Cabinet Minister stretching the prerogative of his office even to the violation of hononr and of liberty , and then sheltering himself under an arbitrary construction of a unconstitutional act . Sneh are the uses to which responsible government may be turned . Sir James Graham must have been stndying Tidocq and Fouche . —Times .

      A discussion of considerable interest took place in Jhfl Houss-of Commons on Priday Bight , on the presentation of a petition by Mr . Dnncombe from certain parties , complaining that their letters had been detained and opened at the Post-office . Sir James Graham at once avowed that , with respect to one of ise petitioners , he had issued a warrant "to detain and open his letters ? hut beyond this the Tight honourable baronet had made up his mind to give no i&fora&tion—noi to satisfy any inquiry . Tne power to detain and open any particular letter , addressed to any particular individual , is one with which it may be necessary to invest the

      Executive , even of a country like this . . Bnt the exercise cf such a power should be guarded by the strictest precautions , and subjected to the severest responsi-Biiky . Nothing less than thiB could satisfy the people of this country to arm any Minister with a power so odious in its character , and so repugnant to our national habits . . We believe that the power , inaer the statute which confers it , is so guarded from liability of abnse . Some further protection , loo , we hare in the character of our pnblic men , amongst whom one is seldom to be found altogether insensible to the ignominy which must attach to the abas * of such a power .

      But it would appear that neither Btataienor the dread of public opinion , affora « any protection against abuse of anthority by snch a minister as Sir James Graham . "U nder the statute a . power is given to issue a special warrant for the detention and opening any particular letter . The Fonehe of our Home Office issoes a general warrant for the opening of all letters addressed to a particular individual . This coes not surprise xu , for we remember that this same Sir James Graham suborned a servant of this establishment , and employed lim , while yet connected with this establishment , as a spy to ferret out the jttiiarials for hi 3 State prosecutions . Bat , surely

      the House of Commons will not be satisfied , without ascertaining what was the precise nature of the warnet , and with what object it was issued . If Sir James Graham , has exceeded his power , It is incumbent on the Bouse of Commons to protect the pnblie against & recurrence of the abuse ; or if he has ieied legally , bnt without sufficient motive , protection ought to be equally afforded . Wo trust , when the subject Is again bronghi before the House by -Mr . Doneombe , the Home Secretary will be compelled to give some more information on this subject than he seemed disposed to do lasi night . —Horning Chronicle .

      In the Commons on Friday night Mr . T . S . Duneoabe brought forward a subject of vast importance to the community . In some Foreign States it has been the practice to open letters at the Post-office , to pry into the secrets of private life , and to obtain information 1 > y stealth , which may , for some State purpose , or some selfish private purpose , be used against individuals j but in this conntry , t ill under the rale of Sir James Graham as Home Secretary , Eu-i a breach of confidence , except in the worst Cms , never was contemplated . When a man puts a letter into the post-office here , he confidently belitres he puts it Into a seeure place ; he believes the communications he makes to bis family and friends ¦ w ill not be * read either by Postmaster-General , or

      penny postman , or Secretary of State , and that no iratnan being will venture to break a seal which has fcnhertO i in thi 3 free countrj , been regarded as sacred as ihe door of his private residence—denominated by the law of the land , his castle . But it appears Englishmen are subject " to as tyrannical proceedings as the most barbarous-serfs of Russia . No letter put into the Post-office is safe . It is opened and read by the authorities ; if they think proper , it is vctained , and perhaps destroyed , at the will and plfcE = nre of an informer , or to gratify the malignant ma" jealous spirit of some man is office . The fact * ie last night openly admitted by the Secretary of &ate for the Home Department . He admitted that te had issued a warrant for opening and detaining a

      fetter , but that warrant had since been withdrawniaothar words , he had opened a letter without just Iroaacs , and had been compelled to withdraw the arrant , because he had acted improperly . On ieing further questioned , he refused 10 give any ex-Tisnarion . He called the Speaker to his aid , who itfcsiDjy acted in accordance with the rules of the ¦ B ouse , and would nave quashed the discussion but for the ready vigour and free spirit displayed by the Umber for Fmsbury , Mr . Duncombe , wbo , on a Sibj-ct so Interesting to freemen , waa not to be put down by tbe decision of the Speaker , or the stern , dry rcles of the House . When the Speaker had deeded against anv farther discussion , as the motion ,

      was not a matter of argent necessity , Mr . T . Puncombe claimed his right to address the House , and doe a motion which entitled Mm to speak , and Sir Jame * . Graham , Mr . P . Shaw , and Mr . Speaker , too , were all obliged to listen to him in solemn silence , while he was vociferously cheered by those Members "Who stood up for the liberty of the subject . Never did any Minister of-the Crown come out of a scrape with g o Imle credit . The Home Secretary is the greattst enemy of Sir Robert Peel . He has dit > - Jerr-ed . by main force , public meetings peaceably issembled to discuss the grievances of the people , tod he now imitates the policy of foreign despots , » J opening private letters confided to the Posi-dnCB . these we vhe acts of a Conservative Government ,

      • i-nis outrage upon public liberty , however , cannot ^« here . Sir J ames Graham must undergo gome fetter intezrogailrais , and if we mistake not , Mr , i . DflBcombe will compel him to make a full confession . — Sun . The country ia nnder no ordinary obligations to * i Duncombe for the spirited manner in which * on -Friday night , n&brought the eonaoefc o * Sir James Sraha m , In authorising the opening of private letters ^ * he Post-office , nnder the notice of the House of C oczaon 3 . The parties complaining of the opening * d 3 detention of iheir letters were only foar in num-*»; but 11 is not im ofobable thai o ? her similar tsasea

      ots occurred .. Tne admission waa wrung from ^ the f oae Secretary , that in the case of Mr . Mazzini ie « d issued a warrant to * the Post-office authorities open his letters . How , this individual being a [ togaer , that cireamstanofl consutates a material [ Hgravation of the offence committed by the above-^ ia ed funetionary . It places this country in the grading position of playing the . part of * spy and « ormer to a foreiga Power . In this individual case I « Home Secretary appears in ihe enviable cliarao ? [^ of a police agent to the Emperor of Russia * It not pretended that the letters of Mr . MazzmLwere | 5 ened _ at the Post-offiee in consfqoence of a ^« ns-I tooh that something treasonable towards this coun-

      Untitled Article

      try would be found in them . Tb # supposition was , that they would be found to contain treasonable matter in reference to the Government of Russia . Sir James Graham thus becomes tbespyof Nicholas . It may be doubted whether Europe could produce two more kindred spirits . For the credit of our conntry—for the hoaonr of the English name , let it be everywhere known that there is not another man inier Majesty ' s dominions who would be guilty of what Mr . Hnroe called the "disgraceful , " and Mr . Dnncombe the ** dirty" work , which the Home Secretary has thus performed to the EmperOr of Russia . It has always been the boast of England , teat the friends of freedom , when driven from other countries by the bloodhounds of despotism have ever found a

      refage m England . Hence the exiles of all countries flock in crowds to our shores . Jf the espionage system introduced by Sir James Graham were to be sanctioned or winked at by Parliament , this would be so no more . * * * That Sir James Graham should have acted as he has done , can surprise no one who has w&vched his esreer . There is not within the confines of Europe a man in whose composition there is more of the genuine despot . Our free institutions hare prevented the full developement of his real chaiaoter . inHuBsiaae would have eclipsed Nicholas himself . He would nave been ~ the prince of despots . As it is , he has gone great lengths . W&athashis administration of affairs in the Home Department been , bnt an uninterrupted series of tyrannical acts ! This last is the boldest of the series . It is so gross

      and glaring , that not one solitary Individual in the House of Commons Tentnred a word in his favour . There k-e Btood like a criminal in the pillory , exposed to the pitiless peltings of every Member who spoke . Nor Is the matter ended . Ho has but received a portion of his punishment . Mr . Duncombe is to drag him a second time before the bar of the House and the public , when the school boys remark , " Hit him hard—he has no friends , " will , we doubt not , be again strikingly illustrated . He must be taught that ihe . espionage system of France and Russia cannot with impunity be attempted to be introduced into this country . He most be made to feel that the bare endeavonr to engraft any of the most odious features of the despotic systems which prevail in foreign countries , on the free institutions of England , will be to incur a responsibilty of the gravest kind . —Morning Advertiser .

      F&Be &T≫Xlitr& $&4bemtnt.

      f&be &t > Xlitr& $ & 4 bemtnt .

      Untitled Article

      Scohasd —IaSAKKSHiBS MiSEBS . —A general meeting of delegates from the Airdrie , Holy Town , Boatbridge , and Glasgow districts , was held on the 10 th lost ., at ilnmhin-qruirry , for the purpose of bearing the report of a committee who bad been appointed to ascertain the quantity ef coal put out per day , under the old oppressive s / stbin , and the quantity put oat per uay under the restrictive system ; and also to ascertain the thickness oi depth and quality of each bed of coal now -ffrougbt in the abovt-mbn * ioned districts ; what should be considered a fair day ' s work , and what the day's wagel ought to be . Mr . Mance zead the reports , and the meeting , by a show of hands , declared themselves satisfied with the labours of the committee . It was aftenrards iroved , seconded , and carried by a large

      majority ; " That the wage per day be 3 s . 6 d ., and that every man be paid bis wages in cash at the end ef every fourteen days ; and instead of the masters retaining ( as is uow the case in the Ironworks ) , six bye days , for the fntore , two only fee allowed . That the quantity of coal contained , in sach hutch , or tub be ascertained by just weights , and sot by the trill of some petty tyrant em ployed by the master for the express purpose of robbing the labourer of his hire . That each work appoint a deputation to wait upon the masters to gi- » a in a statement of these ana other demands , and an intimation , that all coahaio « n connected "with the union in Lanarkshire , will suspend labour until their grievances are redressed , and the wage raLrsd to 3 s . 6 d . per day . "' It is wtll known that the Coal Miners of Lanarkshire

      were decidedly opposed to a strike , and this opposition to total suspension of labour would have remained , however small the wage might be , bad sot the tyranny ef the masters forced thtm from it at this time . It is a fact perhaps not generally known , that in many Collieries in Scotland under the old oppressive system the coal-miners were accustomed to commence their work ia the pit * as early as fwo o'clock in the morning , and continue there in low , damp , and confined places , naif suffocated with smoke and noxious gases , till six at night , before they could perform what the masters mercifully termed a fair day ' s work , many remaining from twelve to fosrtetu hours , without earning a penny for that day , vet working bard all the time they were in the pit , merely to enable them to put out the fnll quantity for the two next days to come . The masters wish to continue that system ; but the Coal Misers know their

      importance in society , and consider they have as good a right to ecjoy the comforts of life , in a frugal way , as the proudest aristocrat is the land ; and though they have rednced their labour , it is onJy to enable them to perform a day ' s work -within a reasonable time . The very men who have accumulated princely fortunes from the profits of the Miners' labour , declare that the Miners must either return to the sixteen hours a cay system , or ceas- to receive employment from the Coal asd Ironstone Sings of -Lanarkshire ; they thus leave the Miners no alternative but a general strike . It is in Tain the Miners implore their masters to be merciful . In vain they plead thtii inability to perform the amount of labour desired . Ihnae tyrants still abut the doors of mercy and justice . It is therefore the determination of tbe men to bear with this oppression oe longer . A determined struggle may be expected . —Correspondent .

      Since the above iras received , we have noticed the following paragraph in the papers : — " STB'KB OP TBB LaSaHKSHIBE COLLIEBS— A strike , as sadden as it is extensive , aasjust taken place in the Collieries in this county . Regarding the immediate cause of this sadden movement we have not been able to ascertain the particulars . Tne strike bas not extended to the Iron-stone Miners . —Glasgow Chronicle . Newcastle . —Gbbat Demonstration of the Pitjtes ovi OP EvPLoy&sxx . —At Tantabj , a large demonstration of the Colliers took place , on Tnesday , the 11 th , to which meeting large and well-condnctBd processions of this class of oppressed individuals passed through Newcastle , preceded by beautiful

      banners ^ bearing appropriate mottoes , aBd in many instances by bands of jnusio . There were not less than 28 , 000 , or from that to 25 , 000 people present , aBd b more order }; meeting has never been ne ^ d In this quarter . Mi . Matthew Elliott , a workiBg pitman , - « ras called to the chair , who briefly opened the proceedings , and called npon Mr . William Bird to address the meeting , who in a -very able manner showed the means resorted to by the masters to induce the wen to defeat their own objects , by committing a breach of the peace . When Mr . Bird was speaking , a troop of the 6 th Dragoons were seen from the hustings approachiDg the place of meeting . They took up their stand within 200 yards of tbe hustings , headed by B- S . Surtees , Esq ., J . P ., a dtzsn or two of policemen , < Stc , upon -which

      Mr . Bird requested his fellow-men to take no notice of this ; it was only another attempt to try if they could provoke a breach of tbe peace , let as nse that privilege wsich Baron Bolfe says is tbe constitutional right of Englishmen , to meet and discuss our grievances temperately and prudtotly , as . we have always done hitherto ; asd ve defy the military or police to interfere with us . Mr . Bird then proposed a resolution , pledging the men to stand by tbe Union , which was ably j > econd # l by Mr . Bulmer , and agreed to unanimonsly . At " this stage o tbe proceedisgB , one horseman in coloured clothes , guarded by two soldiers , ma 4 e his way towards tbe meeting . He proved to be R . S . Surtees , Esq ., J . P ., and his escort , tie Hon . Captain Jocelyn and Licntensst Knox . They came up to the front of the . rBeeting , -where the major part of the men were situated , and set their horses a prancing until they had

      made a lane through the crowd to the waggon , -which was used as hustings ; when Mr . Surtees banded a letter to the Chairman , signed by Mr . 8 . and Mr . Annandale , another J . P ., at the Justice Room , Slibtiey Bridge , tB-t day . The letter set forth that complaints had been made that outbreaks took place after the last meeting at Tantaby , and Ttqaested the Chairman to exhort the meeting to aisperse on the present occasion -without disorder . Mr . Sortees expressed a desire to say a few words , and wjs invited to the waggon , which be declined ; he addressed the meeting on horseback . He said be bad no desire to interfere with a meeting « onstittttienaiij met as they were ; and fiom the orderly deportment of the men that day ( although complaints were made npon oath that palings , &c were defaced and pulled down after the last meeting ) , it was highly probable that tbe persona who committed those depredations were not at all connected with tbe Miners' Asso

      ciation . All that he wanted was to preserve the peace , a doty which devolved upon him as a magistrate for that district of the County of Djrbsm . Mr . S . and tbe two soldiers tben retired ( Colonel Bndabaw , of tbe 37 tn Infantry , and Major Wemyss , chief constable , wen at tbe out-skirts of the meeting daring tbe interview ) . Mr . George Armstrong was called upon by tbe Chairman to move tha second resolution , which was seconded by Mr . Thomas Hay and adopted unanimously The resolution was condemnatory of the monthly agreements proposed by the master , and pledging the mem * bers ' -of tbe Miner's Association to stand by each other , and not to resume their labour until the owners aceeeded to'their just requests . Another resolution waa

      unanimously adopted , binding the members of the asso ciation in these two counties to see that all debts incurred by-the present cessation be duly liquidated op « n resuming work . Two of the delegates sent to London were next introduced ,. each , of whom respectively gave a report of Hie reception which they met -with in the metropolis ^ and the sympathy evinced at the -various meetings -which they- attended , and resolutions -were passed approving of tbe course adopted by the Pitmen of the North , and pledging the various meetings which they addressed to render all the assistance in their power to enable the Miners to pull dewn the tower of tyranny and get something like a fair day ' s wage for a lair day ' s work . Thanks were voted to . lhe two delegates and the Chairman , and the meeting dispersed .

      HtTKWicK . COLJ . IBBT . —We beg to acknowledge tbe following sums , received for tbe nneaployed Miners of Hun-wick Colliery ?—The weaver * ot Stockton 21 * 0 £ d ; a few friends in Stockton Ss id ; a young lady 4 d j the landlord of tbe Railway Tavern 60 .

      Untitled Article

      Sympathy fob the PitMbn . —A numerous and enthusiastic meeting -was held on Thursday evening , Jane 13 th , at the Hall of Science , City-road .. Mr . Claer wa > nnanjmoaaly called to the chair , and Jb a y&ry appropriate speech showed the oppression of the men , and the tyranny of the masters . He gave a seven castigation to -what he denominated the base , bribed , hireling press , and highly , eulogised the Northern Star , and wished to know why more teetotal lecturers did not attend to advocate tbeir cause , seeing that they had been treated by the Miners of the North after me most princely fashion ?—Mr . N . Morgan , a pitman , aaid be was no orator , but had hitherto attended meetings as a hearer only . The masters appeared determined that tyranny should rule tbe mines : in order to sustain this

      role they were clubbing their long parses against the " hungry gats" of the men . The masters had asserted that they were all very ignorant men . However phrenologist bad descended the pits—examined their heads—and had declared thsir intellectual bumps to be as prominent as those of any coal king in Christendom—( cheers . )—Mr . R . Fairly next addressed the meeting , and Bald he was not a coal hewer , bnt one of the better paid class employed in coal mines . He could sometimes get as much as thirty shillings per week ; but he knew the men ' s grievances , and bad therefore come forward to advocate their cause . When explosions took place in mines , Miners were net called on the jury . No , the jury waa composed of well-paid servants ; thus it was the Misers were still under bad ventilation . When Union

      did not exist among tbe men he was twelve months out of employ , travelling from end to end of the two counties of Northumberland and Durham , and this for speaking the truth only in favour of his fell » w men . This vras in 1834 ; bat latterly tbe masters had treated him differently , hoping to shut his mouth by putting him into a situation , and giving him thirty shillings a-week I but when be found tbe men had gathered themselves together , he joined them to battle for them again—( tremendous cheering ) . He was for honest principle . The masters had offered him bribes and he refused them . The men stood nobly , boldly out , backed by the nnparalelled patriotism of the women , and were determined to conquer—( load cheers ) . —Mr . Mark Dent next addressed tbe meeting , and aaid they

      had bees some time coming forward , much too long , or they might long tre this have been freemen ; but now they were resolved to assert / possess , and maintain their just rights . They had brought forward their claims . They had made an impression on the public , such an impression that he defied the united efforts of tyranny to er ^ se —< great cheering ) . It had been asked wh % t good had they done ? They had learned much ; they had found that when one of tbe social body was oppressed the whole was oppressed . They had discovered the great advantage of Union . They had inspired their fellow-men with confidence , and although whole families of men , women , and children , were now lying on tha earth / or a bed , with the blue canopy of heaven for a covering , they were resolved to have their rights—( cheers ) . The masters had got police and soldiers down to keep the peace where it : had not yet been broken . He boldly appealed to them for their support—Mr .

      Drake , shoemaker , rose , and in a speaoh of great ability asd power moved the following resolution : " That this meeting having hesrd stated the grievances of the Colliers of Northumberland and Darham , is of opinion that they are perfectly justifiable in refusing to sell their labour under the infamous terms proposed by their late employers ; and that we pledge ourselves , as working men , to support them in their glorious struggle to free themselves from those detestable burdens by which they have been oppressed . " Mr . Jones , weaver , cordially seconded the motion , and thought the Miners worthy of tbe support not only of the mechanic but ot all who live by labour —( great cheering ) . The resolution was ( after tbe Chairman had in vain called for opponents ) put to the meeting and carried unanimously amid tbe londest applause . A vote of thanks wsa tben proposed and carried unanimously to the Chairman , and the meeting qoistiy dispersed .

      PsHDLBTOS . —The Colliera have received from Mr . Wilson ' s men , chemical works , Whit-lane , Pendleton , tbe Bam of 5 s 6 "d ; trom a friend 4 s . Rawmaksh Colliery . —We beg to retnra onr thanks for . the following sums : —Operative potters £ 1 0 « Id ; E . Shaw 1 »; J . Day 3 d ; J . Flint 3 d ; 8 win ton friend * 3 s 3 d ; KUnbnrst friends 2 u ; Mexbro ' do . 2 Ad ; Greasbro' friends 5 d ; Rotherham friends 5 s 5 | d ; friends Is 3 d ; Rawmarsh friends 2 a 4 d ; Messrs . Barber ' s colliera 6 s 6 d ; Messrs Kuapton's colliers 12 s 6 d ; Melton Field colliers 4 s 6 A We are still determined to stand out until we obtain a fair day ' s wage for a fait day ' s work .

      TiPTOJi . —Tbe Miners' Association , Tipton , South Staffordshire , have collected at the different pits the following snma for the Northumberland and Durham men bow on strike—Morriss ' a pit 2 s Id ; Baltar'sdo . 4 s 2 d ; Price ' s do . 6 s 34 d ; Bates da 3 s 6 d ; Ainsbnry ' s do . 5 s Id -, James MaxUn 1 b lQd ; Joseph Cooper 3 s 41 ; friend 3 d ; Morriss ' s pit Is 2 Jjd ; Do . do . 1 « 6 d ; Jobn Warr Is lOd ; a liberal friend lid . —total £ 1 11 s 2 ^ d . Dewsbdry . —Sums received from Thomas Wards , Black Bull Inn , Dewsbnry Is 9 < 1 ; Thomas WUcocks , Shepherds' Best , 5 s C ^ d ; David Stapbeaacn ' o shop 9 s Id ; Phillip Crawthaw's shop 2 s lOd .

      Wakefibld . —We beg to acknowledge the follow , ing sums from Baraclosgh's pit , Mirfleld £ 1 Is 3 d ; Brookes and Qreaves ' s colliery , Dewjbury . £ 1 ; Holiiday ' s pit , Heekmondwibe £ l Os 6 d ; Mr . Joseph Tolson ' s "Watergate-mill Is 7 Jd ; Mr . France ' s mill , Watergate Is lOd ; Mr . Yero , hatter , Dewsbury Is ; two friends , Heekmondwifce 4 s fid ; Little Mill , Watergate Is 9 d ; Barrell colliery , Ossett-street 13 s 6 d ; Haigh colliery , Dawgrcen £ 2 14 »; Joseph Greaves , Ossettstreet £ 1 4 s ; Rich- Grace Thornhill . Esq 2 s . Also 4 s . received from tbe Gospel Pilgrims of Thornhill

      Edge at a collection made by them on Monday , June 10 th . On Sunday , June 30 th , there will be a camp meeting held at Gawthorp , near Wakefield , when there will be collections made for the Colliers . The following preachers will attend : —John Holdgate , John Croxnpton , Luke Bradley of lockwood , J . Stanfleld of Armley Hall , J . HemAnstwsy of Mitfleld , J . Brear ot BaUey Can , J . Cnarlesworth of Chapsl "Fold , T . Sbillito of Brighoase , and several other ministers and friends . Service to commence at nine o ' clock in the morning , and half-past one in the afternoon .

      Wakefield—The committee at tbe Griffin Inn , WakeSeld , return their sincere thanks for the following sums -. —Newton Celliery , near Wakefield £ 28 33 s 7 d ; Jackson ' s pit , Ardsjey £ l 11 s 6 d ; Potovena 18 s l $ d ; Potovens Mill 2 s 6 ^ d ; Holdjworth ' s dyers 11 s 2 ^ d ; a few croppers at Harrison and Swallow ' s 3 d ; Mr . Thompson 12 s 2 d ; Marriot Old Mill 2 a 8 £ d ; New Mill 3 s 9 d ; Richard Gill Is ; an enemy to oppression 6 d ; Heckraondwike factories , Mrs . Haliday and Rhodes 2 s ; Mrs . Edward Firth 8 s l £ d ; Mrs . Cook , Mill Bridge Ss 3 d .

      South Waxes . —Messrs . Wilde and Taylor , during the last week , addressed the Miners of Argoad Crosspen Mine , and the Fleur-de-lis , Risca , asd other places . They likewise visited the Miners of Newbridge , Herthyr Tydvil . The Coal Miners of Risca Colliery an on strike against a nsost tyrannical bond , proposed by the Master . A better spirit of union prevails amoDgst the above men than at any other place in South Wales . SaROFSHiaE . —Messrs . Edwards and Turner have visited the following places : —Hooka Gate—On Thursday , the ISth inst ., a public meeting was held , At which tha Miners attended from a number of

      places in tbe neighbourhood . Mr . Edwards waa called to the chair , and addressed the meeting at some length . Mr . Turner delivered a very animated address , in the course of which he showed tbe evils arising from over-production asd competition . The addresses were received with frequent bursts of applause . Another meeting was held st the same place , on Saturday , the 15 th inst , after which fortytwo joined our Association , llessrs . Edwards and Turner have also held a meeting at Pontesfori . The Bog Mines , Snailbeaeh , and White Grit will be visited by the above agents in a few days .

      Blaydon . —The Blaydon horse nail ns&kers have subscribed for the Miners &t Blaydon Main Collieries the sum of 7 s Cd ; and a further sum of 11 s 9 d for the Miners of Durham and Northumberland .

      Sparltatttmtarg Bentenfgpnc*.

      Sparltatttmtarg BEntenfgpnc * .

      Untitled Article

      HOUSE OF LORDS—Fbiday , June 14 . The Ua 7 qness of Salisbury presented a petition against the Anti-Corn Law League , which be said was not very respectfully worded , and as some of tbeii Lordships might be members of that body , he wonld not read tbe petition .

      BROTHELS , &C . SUPPRESSION BILL . The Earl of Powis presented petitions in favour of this bill . Lord Campbell suggested that before the Right Reverend Prelate moved the second reading of tbe bill , strangers should withdraw . No one could be a more warm friend to tbe publicity of their debates than he was , bnt there were subjects which might be discussed more advantageously with closed doors , and this he thought was one of them . The withdrawal of strangers would prevent the papers which they would find on their breakfast tables to-morrow morning from containing statements which might alarm tbe fathers of families ; and it was extremely disagreeable that such a subject shonld be discussed in families ; he wonld therefore suggest that strangers should withdraw .

      The Bishop of Exetee said , if the Noble and Learned Lord thought that the debate ought not be heard by strangers , he might move that they should withdraw ; but he ( the Bishop of Exeter ) begged tn say that it was sot his intention to state any thing which ho would object to have placed on tbe table of every boose in town to-morrow . % ' . " ; ¦ Lord Brougham could not allow this discussion to go on , and it was contrary to all order that they shonld ever talk about strangers , bt cause the moment they noticed it the ¦ taoding order wonld remove them . -

      The Lord Chak cellob—If it is aonni « ed Hist Btrangers are present , 1 mast order them to withdraw —( laughter ) . The-Blahop of EXBTEB—I have no eye for atrangett —( a langh ) . Lord Broug ham—There are no strangers here—( renewed laughter ) . Tbe Bishop of Exeter moved the ¦ eooud reading of the Bill , deliYering a lengthy speech descriptive of the ¦ wfek-Bpr « a . eviii of leducMon nod prostitution .

      Untitled Article

      iJK ? » 1 PrtZHAliDiwGB seconded the motion . A ISEJSTST&Z . ' P * al »^ y «« n » ago he bad seen a h ISS ^ ^ * m 08 t aototiouslrothels in Lon-S «« 5 ^ S w *? * eiethe Property of the Dean and Haw ^ tT l place * * AUnonry-aspot t iJSS" ^ rtfljewJ-tbete were twenty-foor nbto . now brothels . a » the property of to * D ** ^ ch . pte , £ J £ ? % SSMST * . ° BM «) ,-being hi tbe pro-E 2 L ? i ^ JFQ *! to o « px 6 t ) ena ~ jrenew « d ? JXL JL ^ 2 - 8 treet ¦«***» ™» said that there were thirty brothels ; in tbePye ^ rtreetdis-SSSJS ^ f * «*>«**» brothel . ; and that all to the JSJ ' " * , " * tt »» others , were tte property of the Dean and his RBWWB < I associates in their corporate < mpacity- ( iBUghte »);^ aa < | he did think that to the

      tbtog to put-down the « vil before their Lorisnips were calledI npon to Ieg 1 slat » - ( cheers ) . The statement appeared in a newspaper l » Becember 1841 , rather more tba £ l !« £ " £ *! ? t MMih * h 8 dbeen astonisbedtbat no coBtradtettonhad been given to it , because it showed rather an Inconsistency of eondnct on the part ©* the £ f » S ** . I 6 w * mld *• recollected that the DesB and Chapter of Westntfnster had refused to place In Westminster Abbey , on the score of morals and religion , a statue of j Lord Byron—( hear , hear ) . He did not quarrel with them for that deoision , If they reaUy believed the reception would be injurious to morals or religion ; but b «( thought it was gross inconsistency In their rejecting the one and winking at the other , except

      were was tnis distinction , which they might have token into consideration , that the statue would not pay any rent and that the other would —( hear , hear ) . Ha would be happy to give the Right Bev . Prelate his best support He thanked him for his proposal bnt the conduct of the Dean and Chapter reminded him of those , wbo

      " Compound for sins they are inclined to . By damning those they have no mind to "—( much laughter ) . Tbe Bishop of Gloucester stated that so soon as the statement as the Noble Earl had referred to was seen by him , he Inquired on the subject , and it turned out that tbe whole of the property was out of the control of the dean and chapter . It was found to be held on lease for forty years ; bnt as soon as it was known that the inhabitants were disrepntabJe , a renewal of tbe lease had bean refused . A step had , therefore , been taken by letting tbe lease ran oat . Not only

      this , but on bis urging them , they had , taken a still stronger step : out of tbe money , which the Noble Earl supposed they were bo fond of , they purchased the remainder of the leases ; and be bad last year the satisfaction , from the testimony of his own BeaBea , of knowing that the houses had been pulled down . He thought , however , that the sting of the Noble Earl " s speech was in the statement that , while the dean and chapter retained these buildings for tbe purpose of putting money into their pockets , they refused to place the statue of Lord Byron in tbe Abbey because it would render no money . The reverse of this was the fact

      Lord Brougham would ask whether the Dean and Chapter might not have reconsidered their refusal to place in Westminster Abbey the monument of Lord Byron ( cheers ) . He did' not think there was any one passage in the history of this conntry of late years so discreditable to our national taste , to our reason , and to our good sense as the refusal to erect this statue It was the result of a subscription of large amount , he believed £ 2 . 000— it ; was by some said to be the masterpiece of the great sculptor and the most illustrious artist of modern time , his late friend Thorwaldsen :

      and its subject was one whose great genius as a poet was as incontestible as his frailties were to be lamented , He was not disposed to defend those frailties , bnt they conld not be blind to the genius which shed a lustre which would net periBh , and on the country which gave him birth ( cheers ) . He did not speak of him from any personal predilection or friendship ; for he had unfortunately bean thrown into personal hostility with him which had endnred for twenty yean , And which had been recorded by tbe poet . He thought that the objectionable passages were very few compared with the whole writings , and he put it to the justice and good sense of the Dean and Chapter whether the same rule might not exclude some of our highest naval and military commanders , and whether it would be improper , after the monuments already in tbe Abbey , to place there also the statue of Byron—where it might be seen for a shilling a-piece .

      The Bishop of London—And where he hoped it never would be placed . In common justice and candour he must express his approbation of the Dean and Chapter ' s conduct They felt that there was a higher interest at stake tban the national taste ; they felt that the national religion was at stake . They did not institute a captious inquiry into the religion of Lord Byron ; they went only by the evidence which the Noble Lord bad plaoed in bis works , which were ealculated to sap the foundations of all religion by those sophistries which would warp the judgment of those ¦ who were not proof against them . One of the moat dangerous enemies of religion bad been the learned historian of tbe Roman Empire ; bnt he would put the insinuations and innendoes of Lord Byron also as most dangerouB , and must be taken as a disqualification for a niche iti the temple of God—( hear , hear ) Should they be blamed for a refusal to admit to tbe sanctuary

      one whose life bad been passed in reprobation of religion . When tbe Noble and Learned Lord claimed this right of placing this statue in tbe bouse of prayer , he was sore that he wonld not find that Byron had the same right to have bis statue placed there as the friends of religion and of public virtue , who , in their writings bad never dropped A phrase at variance with religion . He was sure that the Noble L ^ rd wonld not place him in the « me class as Milton and Shakspere . He again expressed feis approbation of the refusal given by the Dsan and Chapter—he hoped they would adhere to it , and that they would never admit into the sanctuary the statue of this distinguished man . This was no reflection on his genius as a poet , or on his talenta—it was only tbe expression of feeling that , as persons holding bigh office in tbe Established Church , they would not concur in giving the highest posthumous honours awarded to a Christian , to one wbo was practically far from a Christian .

      Lord Brougham thought the Right Reverend prelate had taken much of bis complaint for granted without any proof . He ; would not say one word as to Milton , who , though he differed from tbe established church , was a great friend of religion ; but when the Right Reverend prelate mentioned ShabBpeare as a pattern of strict morality—( laoghteT ) , —why he could point out in Shakspeare more gross indecencies than ever could be found in Lord Byron . Could they doubt it , when an excellent gentleman had thought it necessary to publish a castrated edition of Shakspere , called the " Family ShakBpeare "—( laughter)—leaving out those passages which were so indecent that they ought not to be read by any daughters in a family ? Whereas , he had never heard of a " Family Byron , " for the passages were bo very few that the edition would hardly pay the expense .

      Tbe Earl of Lovelace , after all tha arguments which bad been urged for or against the admission of the statne of Lord Byron into Westminster Abbey , had hoped that there would have been more inclination on the part of the Dean and Chapter to overlook tbe objectionable passages in bis writings ; and he was extremely sorry to find that they had not so done . And when be recollected tbat tbe Abbey contained the mo . numents of Dryden , wbo died a Catholic and an apostate from the religion of tbe Chapter , he thought that , atleaBt , the statue of Lard Byron might find a place . The Bishop of Exeter wished that they had some national place , not a church , in which these monuments might be fitly placed . Let them have a national gallery worthy of tbe nation —( hear , bear )—r-not a work which was a disgraoe to our conntry ; and be hoped he might yet live to see a national gallery fit to contain these monuments .

      Lord Campbell supported the Bill , which was then read a second time . Tbe Slave Trade Suppression Bill went through the committee , and the receiving of tbe report was fixed ( as we understood ) for Monday . Their Lordships then adjourned .

      Untitled Article

      HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Friday , June 14 . POST OFFICE ESPIONAGE . Mr . Thos . g Duncombe rose , pursuant to notice , to present the peti' . ion of which he had given notice , from certain parties complaining of tbe conduct of the Postoffice . The petition was from J . W . Linton , Joseph Mozzini , an ^ i others , resident at 47 , Devouahire-stteet , Queen-street , complaining of the detention and opening of their letters at the General Post-office , and praying for immediate redress ; The petitioners stated tbat the letters thus opened contained nothing whatever of a political or treasonable matter , and no comments whatever on the Government as by law established ; and tbey represented that they considered such proceeding

      as the introduction into this country of the odious spy system of foreign countries , as repugnant to the free spirit of the British constitution , and as highly prejudicial to commerce . The Hon . Member proceeded to say that if the Right Hon . Baronet would answer the question of which he had given him notice at once , it would be saying ail parties a good deal of ttouble . The question was this : was the Right Hon . Baronet swue tbat the letters of the persons whose petition the House had just heard had been opened , examined , and read at the General Postomce ; and If so , had this been done by tbe authority of one of her Majesty ' s principal secretaries of state ?

      Sir J . Graham had to thank the Hon . Gentleman for the courtesy which ,: in sending him a copy of thU petition , aad in giving him a notice of the question new put , bad enabled him to consider the answer heahotild make . The House was aware that for a / very long period , so early as tne reign of Queen Anne , thtre had bees invested in her Majesty ' s principal Secretaries of State , er any one of tbem , the power of ordering , by warrant , any letters comiDg , through the Post-offloe to be detained , opened , and examined . That power came nnder tbe revision of theHouse in 1837 , and , by the 1 st Yfctoria , it was continued in her Majesiy ^ s principal Secretaries , or oneof them . VTitn reference to three of the persons petitioning , no auch warrant had been issued ; but with respect to the fourth , he had no hesi * tation in stating ; that on his responsibility as oneof her Majesty ' s principal Secretaries of ' State / be had issued a warrant for detaining and opening fate letters —( hear , hear ) . That warrant , however , was now no

      Untitled Article

      lenger ia force , so that in point of fact there was no warrant in force against any of the persons who were alleging a pressing grievance . The power to issue these warrants , he would repeat , Tested ia the responsible officers of the Crown by t&e law of tbe land , was entrusted to them for the public service , and he trusted that tbe House would place such confidence in tbe Executive Administration a ? , giving that Administration CT # difc tor only seeking ; the pttblic good , would induce Hon . Gentlemen not to press for farther explanation of tire matter beyond tbe fact that for the public service the warrant in quea&on had been- issued with reference to the letters of one-, not all , of the petitioners , and tbat sacb warrant was bow no longer hr force—( hear , bear ) . At all events , Bb jdid act think- it consistent with his duty to make any farther statement—( bear , hear ) . j Mr . Hdmb asked how long the warrant had continued in force—( hear )? I

      Sir J . Graham said that he could only respectfully , bat firmly , repeat his refusal to enter into any further statement tban the one be had already made . Mr . DuifCOBBE said tbe petitioners sonjjht for justice , and , as far as bis efforts coald avail , justice they should have—( bear , hear ) . Tbe petitioners Mr . T- Egebto . n called the Honourable Gentleman to order . He was not in a position to make a speech on the subject ¦ : Mr . Duncombe said if tbe Hon . Gcntlemas , before be called him to order , had juat Itafcen tbe trouble to look at tbe standing orders , be woald bare seen tbat he was perfectly in order—( hear , bear ) . The fonrth standing order with referenee to the presentation of petitions , set forth that in case any-soeh petition complained of some personal grievance , which * rendered it necessary to provide an immediate remedy , the matter relating to snob petitions might be brought under discussion on the presentation thereof—( bear , hear ) .

      Sir J . Gkaham would remind the Hen . Gentleman and the House , that he had just [ stated that there was now no warrant in force againat even the one petitioner , witb reference to whem ] a warrant , the only one , had been Issued . He did not understand what grievance there was which came ! within the standing order , as requiring the application off an immoaiate remedy—( hear , hear ) . 1 Mr . Duncombe was of opinion that the grievance complained of did require immediate redress . He waa really astonished , and the House land the public would be astonkhed , at tbe Right Honourable Baronet ' s attempting to blink tbe question in this- way —( hear , hear ) . Mr . Shaw rose to order . ' Mr . Duncombe Bald be was not to be put down in this way . j Mr . Shaw persisted , and tbe Speaker decided tbat Mr . Dnncombe could not tben be heard .

      Mr . Duncombe said be had . not an opportunity of bringing forward the disonssion yesterday , as he had not then ascertained what the wishes of the petitioners were on the subject As to tbe withdrawal of the warrant , tbe Right Honourable Baronet might have done tbat half an hoar ago , in consequence of this very notice—( bear , bear ) . What they complained of was tbe introduction into this country , in their jtersoas , of tbb odious spy system of foreign countries . If nothing were dona in the matter now , there waa no knowing but the warrant might be issued again to-morrow morning—( bear ) . [ Mr . Dun com be was again interrupted by The Speaker .

      Mr . Duncombe said , that if he bad to give regular notice of a discussion on the subject , he might not be able to bring it forward for a month to come . By way ef bringing himself in order , he would beg to move that the House do now adjourn ( hear , hear ) , and having dona so , he was now in a position ; to apeafe to the main question , on tbe question of adjournment , after the precedent of the Bight Honourable Baronet , the First Lord of the Treasury , who , some two or three years ago , when he was pressed in somewhat the same way , moved that the House do adjourn , and upon that motion addressed the Houfe on the main I question be wished to bring forward . It was-decided by the Speaker , that he , tbe Right Honourable Baronet fihe Member for Tarn worth ) , had a right to speak to the main

      Question on tbe question of adjournment ( bear , hear ) . The Right Honourable the Recorder of Dublin might wish to have all bis letters epened and read by hostile persons , no matter to what those letters referredwhether they related to the jury list ( laughter)—to the abstraction of any portion of tbe list ( cheers )—or to any otber subject He did not know whether the recorder would like that or not ; but he knew that other potties did not like their private letters ! to be opened , and , their family secrets copied and sent to the Secretary of State—( bear , bear . ) Tbe Repealers of Ireland , for instance , wonld not like to have their private letters opened , and copies of tbem sent to tbe Right Hon . the Recorder of Dublin—( cheers ) . What did these parties complain of ? Tbe Right Hon . Gentleman had stated tbat he bad issued his warrant for opening and

      examining the letters of tbese parties . He had no doubt that tha Act of Parliament , tbe 1 st of Victoria , passed in 1837 , recognize ! that power in tbe Secretary of State . Tbe power bad existed previous to tbat act , and even from the time of the Commonwealth ; but he did not believe that one man in twenty thousand knew of the lines that bad been smuggled into this act , placing their correspondence at tbe mercy of the Secretary of State . It waa a power tbat ought to be taken away from any Secretary of State , particularly when exercised in such an unscrupulous manner as it bad been within tbe last two years . Sir J . Graham bad opened the letters of one of these gentlemen . Would the R ' ght Hon . Baronet state which of them it was whose letters bad been thus Opened ? j Sir J . Gkaham—Certainly not > ¦

      Mr DUNCOMJ 3 E— Tney bod not been told by the Right Honourable Baronet which of tbem it was whose letters were ordered thus to be opened ; be had not stated whether it was Mr . Mazzini , or Mr . Lovett , or any other of those four respectable men whose letters contained , he understood , no political , or seditious , or libellous matter —( bear , hear ) . He ( Mr . Duncombe ) bad beard that Mr . Mszzinl was the person who had been particularly the object of those proceedings on the part of the ; Right Honourable Gentleman opposite , and tbat his letters were accordingly opened and read , and their contents forwarded to the Home-office . The Parliament gave power to open letters j in tbe Post-office : but whenever it was exercised by fp .-mer governments , it was not exercised in the way In which it was now

      exercised . The act made Ik a misdemeanour in any one to open a letter or detain it in the Post-office longer than was necessary ; but there was a proviso , allowing a letter to be opened when it was misdirected , or the person to whom it waa directed was dead , or refused to receive the letter . In such a case the letter was opened and returned to the person who wrote it , with a notification that it had been so opened —( hear , hear ) . But there was also a power given ] to any of her Majesty ' s Secretaries of State in England , or the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland , to issue a warrant , in his own hand writing , authorising the opening of a letter in the Post-office—( hear , bear , bear , from the ministerial benches ) . He did not , however , j believe that when tbe Parliament gave tbat power tbey ever intended it

      to be used by the Secretary ot State without being responsible to Parliament for the * manner in which tbat odious privilege was exercised —( hear , hear ) . He ( Mr . Duncombe ) maintained that it bad been exercised in this case in an odious and unjustifiable manner , and therefore he demanded an inquiry—( cheers ) . Let them suppose the Secretary of State for ] tbe Home Department to issue his warrant for opening the letters of the Right Hen . the Recorder of Dublin ; , and appointing a person in the Post Office for the purpose ef doing that —the letter was then opened and ; inspected , and if there were found nothing in it interesting to the Secretary of State , it was returned , and sent to the individual to whom it was directed , and the seal was closed in such a skilful manner that the person for whom the

      letter was intended was totally ignorant , when he received it , of what had been done—ihaar , hear ) . The family secret which such a letter might contain would remain safe in the breaBt of the Secretary of State—( a laugh ) . When a letter was opened which contained anything of interest to that Right ! Hon . Gentleman , its contents were copied and kept in ibe Home Office , and the letter was skilfully reseated as before , and forwarded to the individuals ) to whom it was directed—( hear , hear ) . —Tbat was a case calling for explanation to tbe country . Were the free subjects of a free state to submit to such a system ? - ( cheers ) , When a letter was returned in the Post-office , under tbe proviso in the Act which allowed a letter to be opened when the person to vhom it was directed

      refused it , or was dead , or when it waa not properly directed , the fact was always stated on the back of the letter , so that the individual to whom it was directed was informed that it bad been opened , as it was written on the back of tbe letter ,. $ returned for the reasons herein stated . * ' When the Parliament gave to the Secretary of State a power to order letters to be opened , it ought , therefore , to bave directed that whenever a letter was opened by order [ of the Secretary of State , itougbt to have written on the back of it , " opened by authority "—( cheers ) 5—for , in that case , the individual whose family secrets might be exposed by sacb a proceeding would be made aware of the fact , whilst under the existing system he would be left In ignorance of it —( bear , hear ) . In the time of Mr . Pitt , and in tbe time of L » rd Sidmoutb , when letters were opened by the warrant of the Secretary of State , they always were marked with the words " opened by authority . " At present , however , tba- case

      was different ; and whilst the Right Honouiablft Secretary of State for the Home . Department retained the same system of espionage , instead ] of marking tbe letters as " opened by authority , " they were returned eo skilfully closed , that the individual to whom they were directed was totally ianorant of tbe fact of their having been so opened- —( hear , hear ) . No good reason bad been assigned for euch a course :: this was a time of perfect domestic ¦ tranquillity—our foreiga relations wera everything ; ¦ which could be desired—there was no < necessity for . such a course—and be should wish , therefore , to know why tbe Secretary of State for tbe Home Department had directed the letters of an individual to be opeued in this manner—( her , hear , hear ) . He believed that for the last two j ^ rs letters had . baen opened in the Post-office in the- i ^ oat unscrupulous manner , and it was impossible ' lOr any man in the community to say that bi « lette- bad not been opened and examined , and their contr flts placed within the power of the Government- ^ bea ' , . hear ) . That was a system which the people of ti > ^ country wou ld cot

      Untitled Article

      bear , which they onjrht not to bear—( cheers/—and hff hoped , after the exposure which had taken place-, tbat 36 me means would be adopted for counteracting this hrsidicra * conduct of her Majesty ' s ministers . It waa disgraceful to a free country tbat such a system should be tolerated—it inigfatdo in Russia , aye , or even in France , or it might do- in the Austrian dominions , bat it did not flcit the free afr of this conntry—( cheers ) . It war most important , as the- petitioners represented , tbat in a commercial country fifte ibis , all tbe letters which might effe'st-commercial interests , and contain commercial secrete shonld not be opened whenever the ministers thoogbt proper-Hbrear , bear ) . Bnt if tbe minister undertoefft without rhyme or reason , to open letters , he might' at * least be- reouired to state , on tbe backs of

      sacb letter * , tfjat be had done so ; and he ( Mr . Doncombe * could osmcro the Home that be would do the besthto-conid to interfere witb that system of prying into letters on tb » part of the Secretary of State , He should Hfee to move for a copy of the warrant—('' order , order , jr from tbe mhnsterial benches ) . He shonld Ilka to move-fora- copy of the warrant of the Secretary of State tnnler-wbich tbe tetters bad been opened , and the date of' ttm-warrant , which tbe Right Hon . Gentleman said was aetnow im existence . When , he would ask , bad that' warrant ceased to exist ? When did it issue ? By saelntf itr and'ascertaining the party against whom it was directed to'authorise this prying into letters , the House coaM f 6 rm a better opinion on the subject . The Right Hba . G * ntlem » n sard tbat be bad issued a war rant to open tbe letters of only one individual . Now

      be ( Mr .-DnBCombe ) was ready to prove that letters written by Mrv Eovett , and all the ethers , had been openedand read and examined in the post-office , and afterwards sealed and forwarded . The House , he repeated , oustrtrto have laid before it a copy of the warrant which the Right Hon . © enUeman admitted he hod issued , and be would , therefore , now move that there be laid' before the House a eopy of that warrant—( cheers from tbe opposition , and loud cries of " No ; no , and order , " from the ministerial benches ) . Well , then . In order to afford to tbe Bouse an opportunity of expressing ao opirrion on this spy system , ha wonld move that tbe House should odjoarn—he did so for the purpose of taking the sense of the House with reference tothese proceedings ) and he dM so in obedience to the most sacred duty—( loud cheers ) .

      Mr .. W&iiLAoa : —With regard to the practice , it was nothing new . It was one of the accusations which he bad been Jin tbe habit of bringing forward year after year , while he wan-agitating tbe question of Post-office reform ^ ' Tbe Secretary of State had excused the practice , and he ( 'Mr . Wallace ) believed that at tha present moment there was- a regular machinery at the Postoffice for tbe purpose . There was a room set apart for opening and examining tbem , and be believed tbat persona had been sent Bbroad to study in the school of Fouot . e-. how- to open , fold , and reseat letters in tha Post-office in London . Be maintained tbat the same perfect and entire freedom which was extended to a

      man ' s person should be extended to his correspondence . At tbe time when franking was the privilege of members , he ( Mr . Wallace ) wrote on the outside of all his franks and letters r " Please to reseal and forward this letter after you . have read , and do not bum it . "— ilaugbter )—ant ! many of those who had written to him superscribed the letters witb " Please den't burn tbe letters of tbe Hon . Member for Greenock "—( renewed laughter ) He was sorry to be obliged to say anything of the consolidation of the Pbat-ofBca Acts , but it was withoat the knowledge of the Home that this more extended power was introduced , and the aet was passed without the words being discovered—( hear ) .

      Mr . Laboucherb contended that the power to open letters should exist , the safety of the state demanded it He knew nothing whatever of the particulars of the present case r but be wpheld tVe necessity of a power , under proper responsibility , to open or to delay letters , and he would not consent tbat such power should be taken away . Dr . BowRirte hinted tbat these letters had been opened to please a certain foreign power ; which if so , was most discreditable to the Government Mr . Warbubton did not agree with the Hob . Member for Fiasbury in saying there ought not to be this power vested in the Secretary ef State . But he thought that this power ought to be exercised only in eases of great importance and emergency , and be thought there being a separate warrant required for shewing each letter was a salutary provision , and he wished to ask the Right Hon , Gentleman whether be issued a separate warrant in each case where a letter bad been opened .

      Sir J . Graham—( with considerable hesitation in his manner )—I really must , appeal to the House , Sir . Ia the statement I made at first I said that I badjgone the full length of explanation tbat I thought consistent witb my public duty to proceed in any farther explanation . Mr . WaRBURTON—Then I collect from the answer of tbe Right Hon . Gentleman that he will not inform the House whether he acted legally or not—( cheers , CTie * of " Order , order , " and " 3 poke , spokb" ) . Mr . Hume bad never heard it avowed by any Minister before , that be had given authority tor opening private letters which were passing through tba Poat-tffice . He was of opinion , tbat notwithstanding what had fallen from his Hen . Friend , tbat in a free .

      country euch a privilege ought not to esiet—( cheers ) . They were told the 4 lave , the moment he touched the soil , became free ; bub by this privilege being vested in the Secretary of State , tbe man wbo was free upon that Boil became a slave himself . It appeared to him to be an attack on pnblic liberty . He would ask how long tbe -warrant which the Right Hon . Gentleman bad issued had been in existence . It might have been existing for many months past . Why should such a system of espionage exist—why should her Majesty ' s Secretary of State be made a police officer for the protection of the Emperor of Russia , or any other such individual ? Such a thing was a disgrace to the country . It was discreditable to the man who attempted it , aad dishonourable

      in a House of Commons that would sanction it . He thought they had a riant to demand further explanation from the Right Hon . Baronet . This appeared to be one of tbe most disgraceful transactions he had ever heard of . He differed with the Speaker , in thinking that this was not a case of pressing grievance . They had a right , he said again , to demand aa explanation from the Right Hon . Gentleman , for tbe aet was a most discreditable and disgraceful one , and the Right Hon . Baronet mipht depend npon it that if he did not give that explanation it irould not be the last time he wonld hear of it He trusted , therefore , that the Right Hon . Baronet for his own sake would give tbe explanation which bad been required of him ..

      Mr . F . FRENCH said it was evident from the answer of the Right Hon . Baronet , that both he and the Pestoffice authorities bad been guilty of misdemeanour on three or four occasions , Mr . Watson pointed out the distinction between a particular warrant to opon a letter on a particular day , and a general warrant to open all letters addressed to particular individuals . It appeared , from Sir Jamea Graham ' s explanation tbat a particular warrant had been used at tte Post-office for general purposes ; and as this was a serious matter , connected with the liberty of the Butject , he hoped tbat it would be treated as its importance required .

      Mr . Christie said that tbe Right Hon . Baronet had boasted that during the tb * ee years he was in office he had expended only a trifling amount of secret service money . Would he inform- the House how it was tbat he dispensed with the use of that secret service money , in order that the House might judge how far that reduction of expenditure waa owing to the adoption of a system of espionage—tcheers ) ? If tee Right Hon . Baionethad admitted that he granted a warm . fc to open the letters of ene individual , be bad not stated whether or not he had Issued- warrants in many other cases—( hear , hear ) . Mr . Duncombe . would take the sense of the House on the motion for adjournment , as he knew no otber way of showing the opinion of the House on this nefarioustransaetioB , the Government having refused all information with respect to it—( loud cheers ) . The gallery wasr cleared , but no division took place , and the motion was negatived .

      Mr . Duncombe intimated bis intention to bring the subject forward again on tbe motion fur going into a Committee of Supply .

      SUGAR VVTIES . The Housaweat iuto Committee oathe Sugar Duties Bill . Mr . P . W . & Miles moved the following amendment , on tbe first clause being proposed :. — " That from and after the 10 th day ot November , 1844 , the duty upon sugar , the psoduce of British possessions , be reduced to 208 . the-hundred -weight ; and that the duties on sugar , certified to be the growth of China , Java , or Manilla , or of aay foreign country , the sugai of which her Majesty in Council shall have declared to be admissible , as not being the produce of slave labour , shall be as follows—namely , brown , Muacovado , or clayed , the hundred weight , 80 s . ; whiteclayed , or sugar otherwise , prepared , and equivalent to white-clayed sugar , the haadred weight , 34 * , witb five toat cant , thereon . "

      Mr . Bailee secos £ ed the amendment , remarking that the Government measure disappointed all parties and pteased none . The GHANCELMxa of the Exchequer opposed the BmendinaBt , and contended that , taking every cirottmstance int , o account , the measure proposed by the Government was not adverse to the interest of the Colonies . Mr . Labo cohere condemned , In several respect * , the Govern men , t measure . It was ostensibly founded on the principle of excluding slave-grown sugar ; which was imp . jssiblo , ? bil « the ? offended their last cus « toraetB merely to keep up a hypocritical pretence . Ot b ' ir Members addressed , the ; Committee , when the Hous & divided , and there , appeared— = For the amendment ,..,................. 241 Against it 221 Majority ^ againBtcJtinistew ...... 20 , On the numbers being announced , there was considerable cheering ; and ' 1 ^ Sir" Itt > BEB . ^ iPEro ^ atd ' that it would be Jbe more convenient opntsjB id fellow the Chairman to report progress , and to resflme / the discussion , as the first order of the day , en Mpnday neit . ' i - this waa Bgreeoltb . . ..- ¦ , , The ofter orders of the flay were tten dispo s ed of , an 4 the House adjourned at a quarter to two o ' clock .

      Untitled Article

      Jtjse 22 , 1844 . THE NORTHERN STAR J

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 22, 1844, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1268/page/7/