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Northern Star (1837-1852), 26th April 1845, Edition 1 of 3, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      CHARTIST ANNGAL CONVENTION . The delates assembled at the Parthenium , St . Jfeir " tin ' s-lane , on Monday morning . April 21 sL ' Mr . P . WaUi , Resident of the Executive , was called : ^ Te ^ W fldegates banded in their credentials :-Mr p . 31 'flraUi , Manchester . Mr tI 34 . Wheeler , London and Camberwell . Hn W . CniSty . Westminster . TMr * J . floocsi'ini ITaiylebone . Tir . W . Law , Southwark andLambetli . Hr . TV . D .-iris , Tower Hamlets . Mr . T . Wth '' , Stocfcport .

      Mr . Honda v , Northampton . Mr . J . Skews , Cornwall . Mr . J . Hornbv , Somers Town . Mr . C . Dovle , West Biding of York . Mr . F . O'Connor , ditto . Hr . H . Bomian , Nottinghamshire . The followfcig places were represented by letter : — -Alexandria ( Scotland ) . This letter expressed -views favourable to the Land , a better National Organisation , . and a snggestion for raising £ 25 , 000 , to carry on the Chartist agitation . On -the motion of Messrs . O'Connor and Skews , tbe letter was ordered to be insertedin the minutes . Dundee , South Lancashire , and Norwich were also represented by letter .

      . A long discussion tool ; place on the amount to he paid by each delegate attending the Convention . Oh the motion of Messrs . Cuffay and Webb , it was ultimately resolved : — " That the sum as originally agreed upon by the Exe-- entire , be paid by each delegate . " Messrs . Hornby and Skews moved that a door-keeper be appointed . —Carried . " " Mr . Rowland was elected to that office .

      STANDING OBDEES . Ontheaiofiou of Mr . Doyle , the following was agreed to : — "The members of Convention to assemble at half-past nine o ' clock in the morning , adjourn at one o ' clock for dinner , re-assemble at two o ' clock , and adjourn at halfpast five o ' clock for the day . " The proposer of a resolution to be allowed ten minutes to open the discussion , each speaker five minutes to speak 10 the same , and the mover , five minutes to reply . 3 Ir . 3 . Shaw took his seat for the Tower Hamlets .

      AFTERNOON SITTING . Mr . M--Sratli resumed the chair . Mr . Hornby asked whether any communications had been received from the Victim Fund Committee . Mr . "Wheeler said he had received a communication from their secretary , requesting to know whether their books wald be required , so that the whole of their pro-. cecdingi night undergo review by the present Convention . I > E £ EGAT £ S' EEPOBTS . Mr . Goodwin , Maryleboue , said Chartism was not in such a doarisMng condition as it had been . They were in favGuv of a number of good lecturers , and the Land plan , separate and distinct from the Chartist Association . / Mr . CuSay , Westminster , said the body he represented ¦ was going on well , and would stand by the Gharter to the last

      Mr . Law , Southwark and Lambeth , said the district he . represents ^ iras in a state very similar to that of the other metropolitan districts . . Mr . Daris , Tower Hamlets , said the principle was wider spread hi Ms district than ever . They now rented , a public LljI which was well attendQtt . He had instructions relative to the Land question , which he should withhold for ti : e present . Mr . 'Webb , Stoekport , said Stockport was , to all intents . and purposes , Mr . Cobilen ' s borough . They were in favour of the Land scheme registration . Mr . ifuu'laj-, Northampton , said Chartism was on the increase . They had gamed public confidence , and could notv command the use of the town hall . They were in favour of ihe Land plan , separate and distinct from the Charter organisation . They were also in favour of shortening the duration of hows of labour .

      Mr . Skews , Cornwall , said that Messrs . Clark , Boyle , and H'Grath had done a great deal for Chartism hi that district : and if Mr . P . O'Connor would pay tliem a visit , fitch * triciii'h would be complete . In Penzance they had effected great good in municipal and parochial matters in electing then * own local officers . Cainbornc had likewise bees agitatad , as had also Truro . In consequence of persecution , Truro was not . in so good a position as might be wished . lit St . lyes , four lectures had been delivered , and such had been the good- effects ( fiat he Mieve&ifthe agitation was continued , a Chartist member would soon be returned for that borough . In fact , if the county were properly agitated it would be the best Chartist district in the kingdom . Mr . Skews then read several letters from the towns in that district , confirmatory of his statement Mr . Hornby , Somers-Town , said his district could not boast a host of members , but they were all firm . He had instructions relative to the Land , Victim Fund , &c .

      Mr . P . OToanor said , although there might not be so much of the outward and visible sign , there decidedly was more of Chartism than ever ; and although there was a sort of "Jan , " yet Chartism was the only principle on which the people would ever rally . ( Hear , hear . ) After tie rising of this Convention he would , in accordance TCitJi a universal request , once more take a tour through the country to summon Chartism to the renewed conflict . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Doyle , West Hiding of Yorkshire , said that there was a great number of Chartist localities established in the district lie represented ; and although the number of

      members Sad not materially increased , they certainly &ad not diminished . Many of the members were anxious to see a National Association of Trades established . Good meetings could be obtained , but Chartism was not in such a practical position as he could wish . The working men of the West Hiding were decidedly opposed to Free Trade . In Bradford , the members of the National Charter Association were on the increase . He fully agreed with his colleague , Mr . O'Connor , that the principles of Chartism were wider spread than ever . But he tras not satisfied with this . lie wished to see some practical work set about by the Chartist body .

      Mr . J . Shaw / Tower Hamlets , said most of his constituents were opposed to meeting in public-houses . He was instructed to ^ sunport the Land question , as a means of gaining lhe Charter . Mr . T . 3 J . Wheeler , London and Camberwell , said the men he represented were old adherents to the cause , and were ready and willing to do anything in support of that eause . Mr . H'GraSt , Manchester , said he agreed with several of those who preceded him , and thought a new and better ¦ system of agitation and organisation than at present existed saould be adopted .

      Mr . T . Clark , Executive , said that he had been through Scotland , and was gratified to find the people there were much in favour of a union of the Chartists of both countries . 1 b Glasgow there existed an excellent body of democrats , -who were now with the National Charter Association . He had travelled from the far west to the far north , and could bear witness to the truth that the principles ef Democracy were wider spread than ever .

      . EXECUTIVE ELECTION . The fitclaration was made— " That the election had fallen on Messrs . F . O'Connor , P . M'Grath , C . Doyle , T . M . WheeJer , and T . Chirk . " On tie motion of Messrs . Cuffay and O'Connor , a Committee vi five was appointed to examine the balloting papers -for the elect ion of the Executive , consisting of Messrs . Cufiay , Webb , and Skews .

      BEGISTBATION . Mr . O'Connor moved— " That a Committee of three be appointed to consider the election movement- " Mr . Davis seconded the motion . Carried . The following were unanimously appointed : —Messrs . Clark , Davis , Webb , Doyle , and Munday . SECOND BAT— Tuesday , A pbil 22 . Mr . M'Grath resumed the chair . A letter was read "from Derby , recommending the allocation of the people on the land : the enrollment of the rules of the Land Society under the Friendly Societies' Act ; and the advocacy of the principles of Chartism by means of tracts .

      THE LAKD . On tie motion of Messrs . O'Connor and Shaw , it was resolved that Mr . O'Connor ' s communication , respecting the land , be now read . Sir . Hewitt , on behalf of Mr . O'Connor , read the document as follows : —

      THE LAND : Eow to make it available as a means of ample support , vMont relying ujwn foreign aid ; and also how , 6 y applicatimi of Dial labour rendered Surjrtus by Machinery , a standard of wages may be established for aMducripti < moflabourers , nomatterofwhat craft or calling . Under the above Loads , I shall first consider the value of the land , as the raw material from which , by the application of domestic labour , food , raiment , and all the necessaries of life , may be supplied . When we find economists , caterers , and financiers , one and all , test ing ihe value of their measures by the amount of food and the price at which it can be exchanged for labour that those measures will produce , it is not a

      violent assumptioinipon my part to claim apreference for my own plan over all others , if I can prove that by its adoption those theories can be carried into practice . There is no substitute for the land ; for , unlike all other productions of the all-wise Creator of the unrre / se , its resonrees are inexhaustible . Mines and minerals may be exhausted , and other productions may be substituted for them . To take the two of apparently the greatest value—coals and gold—the produce of the land alone can furnish , a substitute for those materials : for gold , by the production of evcrytliing that can be purchased with that metal ; and for coal , by an inexhaustible suddIv of firewnnd .

      I ahould not have thought of entering tfras minutely ¦ into tie subject , did I not flatter myself that I had wpar ^ thepubliemind for the reception of detailed knowledge upon this subject ; and I write as I do to showjfc ! "working classes that the land is everything ; and that-all the things produced by the land and soj £ to them , they receive in exchange for money , orer the value of which they have no rontrol while SS&KS ™^ ^^? ""* ^ the value tfjfoch fhey make that labour themselves ^ gives the ¦^^ KgffiS

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      tivationibr the produce of grain , we arc led to the belief that we require an additional supply to that now produced in our own country ; while we knowtbatwe have a large number of surplus hands , not only not applied to the production of any thing , but still further , maintained in idleness by a crushing tax raised Hpon the industry of those' who are yet allowed to labour . Every writer upon agriculture admits the facility with which the agricultural produce of these countries might be increased two-fold ; and as we never have , in the worst of times , fallen short by 66 frds per cent , of our required supply , we have the admission that the land at home is capable of supplying all the wants of a population very much , larger than our present one . For my own part , I beuCTe that a population double the present amount ol these

      countries would produce a larger surplus » iwr ™ e supply of all national requirements than halt that population now docs : and for this reason , because then the increased demand for food would increase the demand for the land-that produces it ; and because no man can consume the one-third , nor vet the one tenth of what he can produce . Thus , every one added to the population proportionately adds to the surplus which remains alter consumption—that is , if his labour is productively employed . As early as the reign ot Henry the Fourth the monopoly of the land led to a scarcity ; and although the same princip le of monopoly exists , and has been increased in viciousness by the plunder of the common lands , nevertheless the larger population of the present time , notwithstanding that

      monopoly has increased , produces much more than would have supp lied all the wants of the population at the former period . And yet England is nothing larger . The land , in its present state , as compared to what it is capable ot being brought to , is just what the raw undressed flax is to the finest cambric that can be produced from it by tU application of labour . There is no earthly reason why every cultivateable acre in England may not be brought to the same state of perfection as a market garden . My calculation of the value of labour applied to land is as follows : —An industrious person , of very moderate strength , will be enabled to support himself , a wife , ami three children , upon an average of six hours' labour of each day throughout the year upon four acres of land , and will have a surplus in each year of £ 100 , after the best of

      living and the payment of all expenses . The great value that I attach to the system of small agricultural divisions is this—it creates a certainty . It enables the labourer to live upon his own resources , and | enjoy the entire sweets of his own industry ; it makes him more jealous of any inroads upon the condition , the privileges , or the rights of his class . 1 now proceed , under my second head , to show how . by application of labour rendered surplus by machinery a standard of wages may be established for all descriptions of labourers , no matter of what craft or calling . The great difficulty that I have hail to contend against has been an impression very actively circulated , that I desired to convert the whole worlcing population into small farmers ; whereas , although I would most gladly devote my whole life to

      any drudgery that was not humiliating to accomplish so heavenly an object , yet I have never carried it farther than as a means for employing that labour which is now made surplus , and , consequently , competitive . Indeed , when we consider that monopolists consent io raise £ ? , 000 , 000 yearly , for the mere purpose of keeping idlers alive rather than furnish them with the means of livelihood , by opening a field for their industrv , we must come to the conclusion that the system has choked up all the channels through which class profit could be made of any larger amount of labour than that now employed ; and that the large sum of £ 7 , 000 , 000 per annum is a fund raised upon the industry of those employed for the maintenance of a reserve that cannot be profitably employed by privileged capitalists .

      The best essays that I have written upon the subject of the Land will be found in Cleave ' s Chartist Circular of 1841 . Iii those essays I stated what , upon mature reflection , I see no reason to retractnamely , that the application of free labour to the land was the only possible means by which a standard of wages could be established in the artificial labour market . If the seven millions a year nominally raised for the support of the poor was appropriated to the employment of labour upon the land— -that is , if each parish applied its own rates to that purpose , the standard of wages in the artificial market would be raised , as if by magic , more than fifty percent . This is what a Government could effect wholesale , but will not attempt , because the result would be the independence of the labouring classes ; and , therefore ,

      as it is one of the improvements which the people can make independent of Government , every working man who does not join in its accomplishment , is a willing slave . If , then , the employment of a pauper-reserve would have the effect of increasing wages by destroying competition , how much greater would be the effect u the working classes generally would agree upon some plan by which they could so adjust the number working at each trade to the amount of produce required from each as to insure a healthy settlement of demand and supply , talcing care that wages should not extravagantly , fall upon a slight decrease in the fall of nroduce unon the one hand , and that the labourer

      should have his full shave of increased trade and improved prices upon the other hand ? It will then be kept in mind that I propose my Land project , firstly , tor the purpose of establishing- the value of free labour , in order thereby that the working classes , when offering their labour for sale , may have some scale by which to judge of its value ; and because ^ under the present system , the land is the only raw material to which individual labour can be applied to test its value without the possibility of being influenced by capitalists ; ana , secondly , as the , only remedy for those evils created by a competitive labour surplus .

      I contend that there is no other neutral ground save the land , upon which the surplus of all trades and crafts " can meet without jealousy , or without the notion that in any arrangement to cany it out partiality or injustice has been manifested . Individuals brought np to one trade , cannot , when that trade becomes slack , apply their unrequired labour proth ' ably to any other calling : while it is notorious that masters can profitably engage it by converting experienced hands , rendered surplus in their own calling , into apprentices at low wages ; and who , by short process of instruction , can be used as a means

      of reducing the wages of journeymen . It the cotton trade is overstocked , young operatives are easily eonverted into shoemaking , tailoring , or ship carpentering apprentices ! or , in short , to many other crafts , where a very slight knowledge of the work to be done has the effect of reducing the value of the most accomplished journeyman ' s wages . I show , then , the impossibility of a surplus existing in anyone trade without the certainty of that surplus affecting the labour in other trades ; while I assert , without the fear of contradiction , that the surplus of all , without jealousy or contending interest , may meet for mutual protection upon the land .

      Suppose , tor instauce , that there are one hundred trades ; and that one hundred unemployed in each trade constitute such a competitive-reserve as ] enables the masters to regulate the rate of wages of those employed : the one hundred Carpenters , Tailors , Shoemakers , Stonemasons , and operatives , and all others , would lose the competitive quality when located upon the land . There can exist no competition , save that which arises from' honourable emulation , and from which the competitors , as well as society at large , derive benefit—the competition to excel each other in comfort , industry , production , wealth , and character . If I was to answer the flimsy sophistries of those who bawl out for the produce o " f the land , wliile they oppose the application of domestic industry to the soil , my task would never cease .

      They are interested fools : and therefore I shall merely notice what appears to be the humanity portion of their objection . They say , would you compel the enervated operative to abandon the heated atmosphere of a cotton mill to endure the chilling blast of winter ? Would you drive the hothouse tailor plant from Ids stewhole , or the Smith from his fire-side ? My answer is , that all are crying out for sanatory enactments , and none bo good as the free air of heaven—with work that may be app ortioned to each individual ' strength , sweetened by the consolation that its produce is for the labourer ' s benefit ; that those who arc enabled to procure health for their families , abandon the heated atmosphere of towns during the summer months ; and that during the winter months

      'labour applied to land , except of a very limited kind is rather injurious than beneficial . In fact , there is not so good so cheap , nor so safe a physician as the free air of heaven ; and there is no such healthy medicine as moderate labour cheerfully applied Having so far considered the value of the * land , and the mode of making it subservient to national purposes , I shall now proceed to the consideration of the most important branch of my subject , namely , The means whereby the possession of a sufficient quantity may be achieved , whereon a sufficiently large experiment may be tried to test the principle . I will take the admission of Mr . Chambers as my data , and suppose that fifty in one thousand of a particular trade oeing unemployed enables the masters of that trade to use that amount of surplus labour as the means of regulatingthe wages of the 950 at work . The remedy sought in such case is some Dlan whereby

      the 950 employed may be relieved from the dangerous competition of the surplus fifty . I will suppose the 950 to be organised in an association for mutual benefit ; and that they have among them teachers competent to instruct them in all matters connected with their trade concerns—that they have been brought to that state of mind , that they can see and clearly understand that what is the interest of one is the interest of all ; that , as individuals , they cannot successfully contend against individual employers , and that they can only be powerful when incorporated in a perfect union . I now presume them to be in that condition , and that they are willing to make a straggle for their own emancipation . Nine hundred and fifty men paying 2 s . 6 d . a-week each , —which for the most part could be saved by giving up exciseable articles , and especially when speedy and permanent benefit is to follow , —would jereate an annual fond of £ 6 . 115 , an amount sufficient to purchase 300

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      acres of good land , arid would leave a surplus of £ 115 for the payment of an efficient ;; treasurer and secretary to perform all the work of the association . Thua I shew that in one year tile 950 at work could supply six acres per man to each of the unemployed fifty , and thus rid themselves of that competition . But as I have a stated number and a fancied difficulty to contend with , I shall take another view of the subject . The £ 6000 would purchase 150 acres of land , allowing three acres to each of the unemployed fifty , and would leave a surplus of £ 3000 for building and stocking purposes—that is , three acres of land , and sixty ' pounds , for each located upon the land . The cost of three acres , and £ 60 expended and given for stock would amount to £ 120 , and would .

      be very cheap at £ 10 a year ; the rent , therefore , to be derived by the Society would be £ 600 per annum , better secured than £ 3 per cent , in any bank in the kingdom , and which might be used to meet contingencies , such as the maintenance of another surplus created before another year ' s settlement could be purchased , or for the purposes of a Btrike , if justifiable , or for any other purposes that the Society might think proper . Each year the Society could purchase a similar amount of land ; and thus in four years they could locate two hundred , or one-fifth of their whole body , upon the soil . They could do more by purchasing double the quantity of land with the same amount of money in this way ; whilst £ 6000 will only purchase 300 acres out and out , it would purchase

      600 acres , by allowing one half of the rent to remain as a charge upon the land , paying the other half of the purchase money in cash : the amount of interest paid by the purchasers in the shape of rent being four per cent ., and the amount of interest received by them being ten per cent . —the concern thus yielding them a bonus of six per cent , upon the unpaid capital . I will now suppose the association to become national , and the first great object being to get possession of a sufiicient amount of land to employ the present unemployed surplus . You see , that I leave the crude notions of the " first principle" gentlemen ( who say , that it is anti-democratic for the people to purchase what of right belongs to them , but which unfortunately they cannot get ) wholly out of the

      question . These gentlemen always remind me of " moles" who are born to g ? ub under ground , and cannot appreciate the surface of the soil . Suppose , then , the association to be national , and the object to try an experiment . If the nation could furnish £ 100 , 000 per annum , that amount would purchase 5000 acres of land—by paying £ 50 , 000 , one -half the purchase money , don , and allowing the other half to remain as a charge upon the land , while the remainin" . EoO . OOOhnight be applied at the rate of £ 60 for each holder for buflding and stocking . Five thousand a cues could give three acres to each of 1666 . As soon as the tenants were in possession , under a lease for ever —( to be subsequently dealt with , when the contingencies that now haunt the imagination of the

      " first principle" gentlemen shall arrive , such as state necessity or superabundant population );—and as soon as the £ 60 had been expended in building and stocking the marketable value would at once become considerably enhanced , as well by the value of the building , as by the certainty of rent ^ arising out of the increased amount of labour . As it matters not then to the occupying tenant , secured in perpetuity of tenure , who nis landlord may be , whether Tom , Dick , or Hairy—parson , landlord , or cotton lord—I would sell the 5000 acres thus tenanted in the market , and purchase 5000 more ; subdivide them in the same way ; ease them as before ; sell them , purchase , subdivide , lease and sell again ; and so on , until in a very few vearsthfi nence oftheDeonle clubbed for their own

      benefit would destroy the law of primogeniture , and render the law of settlement and entail , now most grievous , completely harmless . Doubtless the question will bo asked , why parties wishing to invest money , and are satisfied to receive £ 4 . per cent , for it , do not adopt my plan , which would give them £ 10 per cent . To this objection I answer , that manufacturers would not be satisfied with £ 10 per cent , upon the surplus capital . abstracted from trade and applied to the purchase of land , because with them profit from trade is the primary consideration , and investment in land is a mere secondary object . And they know full well that the application of land to the use of the working classes would destroy those immense profits which they now make

      by their uncontrolled power over the labour market . Thelandlordswillnotadoptit—fii"stIy , b 6 oausQitisribw . Secondly , because they are as ignorant as the beasts they ride . Thirdly , they are imbued with the " large farm" spirit , because they imagine that the collection of theirrcnts is more easy and certain . Fourthly , the law of settlement and entail prevents them from giving more than a mere occupation lease . Fifthly , the amount into which I seek to subdivide the land would not confer the franchise upon the . holder , and they attach much more importance to the political influence derived from the system of wholesale letting , than they do to the social advantages that would be conferred upon the nation at large by the small farm system . Sixthly , although they are owners of tha

      and , they are ignorant ot its value , seventhly , tuej fear that its appropriation to man's purposes wouji make their game scarce . Eighthly , large tenant ]! stewards , solicitors , and Jews , who are tor the most part creditors toalarge amount , would not allow their iindlords or debtors to open any field for industry , y hicli must have the effect of increasing the value of that labour which they can now purchase at the slave \ pricc upon the one band , ov to disturb that settled state upon the faith of which the solicitors and Jews lent their money upon the other hand . ! ¦ '' The question of the land has furnisltc ^ such a fruitful and profitable handle to those avKo do not understand the subject , and to those who fear its success , that I only marvel at the progress it has

      made , through the advocacy , in its newphase , of a man having move bitter and powerful enemies than any other man ever had in the world . I am aware of the difficulties against which individuals have to contend who propose any doctrines , but especially new ones , for the advantage of the unprotected class of society . I am also aware of the obstacles that stand in the way of originating a national co-operation for a scheme , the theory of which presumes inequality , partiality , and preference . I know that individuals constituting a national body or a . sectional body , will expect to derive co-equal and coteniporarieous advantages from any plan to , which they equally and cotempovaneoiisly subscribe—a tiling which in itself is impossible : therefore the whole scheme must , to a of of

      certain extent , ^ partake the chances lottery : and my greatest anxiety has been to diminish the prospects of loss , and the character of gambling as much as possible . I cannot hope , and do not expect ( at least for some time ) to see a national organisation formed to carry out this plan : but I do hope to see sectional branches , whose experiments will inspire the nation with emulation , and induce universal action in the proper direction . The obstacles thrown in the way of those who seek the advantages of the working classes are numerous and disheartening . The law withholds its assistance and protection , while frequent acts of violation of faith > y associations , which have undertaken to co-bperato or mutual benefit without the law ' s interference , has

      very naturally created a distrust in the minds of the working classes . In order , therefore , to give the experiment as fair a trial as I can , without the law ' s protection , and without the danger of distrust , believing that the working classes , for whose benefit I have continuously and incessantly struggled , have entire confidence in me , it is my intention to establish an Association , with the aid of a few others in whom the working classes have confidence ; the rules and objects of which , together with the advantages to be derived by the members , I shall shortly publish to the world . After mature reflection and very deep thought , I have come to the conclusion that the questions of the People ' s Charter and the land cannot be mixed up together , without affording the covert enemies of the

      working classes a very feasible pretext for opposing both ; while , upon the other hand , I rely upon the Chartist portion of the working classes , m their several localities , forgiving effect to the land scheme , with conviction that every advance made in that flirection will have the cflect of increasing the demand for political rights . Wlule I thus announce my mtenfi tf carrying out the small farm system as a practical experiment , upon my own responsibihty , I shall , nevertheless , cheer fully co-operate with the delegates composing this Convention for any natinnnl nlan that shall meet the concurrence of the St y In conclusion , I beg to observe that every j « Za in thA lr inedom , with the exception of the

      workinc classes and shopkeepers , have a direct interest in ODDOsing any scheme that will put the people in possession of the land . And , therefore , however sustainable our views , and however beneficial the result of success may be , we shall have to encounter all the organised opposition of all classes of monopolists in our struggle . Had the plan been adopted and acted upon when I first recommended it , the worlcing classes oy this time would have been in a position to enable themselves to secure a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , by being enabled to live upon their own resources during any contest that occurred between them and their employers . The reading of the above elicited much cheering .

      Mr . O'Connor gave notice that he would move a resolution relative to the subject to-morrow morning . Jfr . Dorman announced that he had to attend business at the House of Commons , from which he might not be able to return during the day . He was , therefore , under the uccessity of retiring ,

      THE REGISTRATION . Mr . Clark , on behalf of the Election Committee , brought up the report , as follows : — Mr . President and Gentlemen—Being fully impressed with the importance of the task assigned to us , your committee have given the subjects of Election and Registration their most serious consideration , and they now submit to your judgment the following propositions : — 1 st . That this Convention issue an address to the people , calling upon them to proceed forthwith to the appointment of Registration and Election Committees in the several boroughs and other localities throughout ths country ; such committees to be appointed at public meetings convened by requisition to the Mayor , or such other local authorities as may have the power of granting such request .

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      2 nd . The object of alljuch meetingsto be setforthin such requisition as for the purpose ' of 1 appointing a Chartist Registration and Election Committee , Sac . ' 3 rd . That this Convention hereby appoint the tnembers of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association to form a registration and election committee ; and they also call upon the people of London ; to elect fifteen other persons to form a portion of the same j and also request T . S . Duncombe , M . P ., to act as president thereof . £ IH , DUTIES OF THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL PARtlAMEKTAEV REGISTRATION AND ELECTION COMMITTEES . To collect monies t 6 . defray the expenses conseauGnt upon registering voters , and aiding , with pecuniary and other assistance , th » return of Chartist members to the House of Commons .

      5 TH . —MODE OF . A . CTION . The contra ! registration and election committee tohave the power of appointing the boroughs to be contested , the local committees lending all the assistance in their power . The local committees to have the control of their own funds—the Convention being desirous of making the committees serve the twofold purpose of a local and national committee .

      6 TH . —MODE OF SELECTINC CANDIDATES . In the event of an election , the local committee of the borough where the vacancy occurs to communicate at once with the central committee , and agree between them upon a candidate . The local committee , on the . receipt of the satisfactory decision of the central committee , to convene a public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough where the vacancy occurs , and at such meeting to propose such candidate as may have been agreed upon ; and if such candidate shall receive the sanction of such meeting , the central and local committees to co-operate zealously to effect the return of such accepted candidate . Your committee feel this to be the most important subject ever entertained by the Convention ; and now submit this their report to your hands , leaving it in all confidence to your wisdom , judgment , and discretion . The address was discussed clause by clause , adopted , and referred to the committee for arrangement .

      AFTEENOON SITTING . At thirteen minutes past two , in consequence of the absence of the president and secretary , Mr . Shaw was called to the chair , and Mr . Munday appointed secretary pro tern .

      MANCHESTER VICTIM FOND CO 5 ISIITTBE , The balance-sheet was read by Mr . T . M . Wheeler , socrotary , and was received by the Convention . . Mr . O'Connor moved a vole of thanks to the committee for the faithful discharge of their duties . ¦ Mr . J . Shaw seconded the motion , Mr . Hornby complained of neglect as regards Jenkin Morgan'by the Victim Committee . Mr , O'Connor defended the Victim Committee from the charge of neglect ; and thought their balance-slieotjand their monetary affairs in general were most praiseworthy . Messrs . Boyle and Clark bore testimony to the good conduct and faithfulness of the Manchester Victim Committee .

      Several others having addressed the Convention on the subject , it was ultimately agreed that the motion stand adjourned until Thursday morning next , in order that the Victim Committee and Jenkin Morgan be written to in the meantime j and that Mr . Cleave be requested to attend the Convention at eleven o ' clock on Thursday morning next , to explain the state of the Victim and Defence Fund , to which he was the treasurei .

      FINANCES OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Mr . O'Connor laid the statement of the body before the Convention , and suggested , as a mode of securing the wages of ihe Executive fol > the futul'e , that Olle-half tile sums subscribed by the members be devoted to that pur . pose , instead of one-third , as heretofore . Mr . S . Hobson presented his credentials , and took his seat as representative for Holbeck , Mr . T . M . Wheeler , secrotary , then submitted a balance sheet , which will appear in the Northern Star in its proper column . THE ROLES OF THE ASSOCIATION . Mr . Wheeler moved , " That a committee of three be appointed to revise the rules of the Association . " Mr . Shaw seconded the motion . Messrs , Dorman , Clark , and Shaw , were appointed .

      THIRD DAY—WEnUEBDAY , A . PRIL 23 . Mr . M'Grath resumed the chair at the usual time . The secretary read a Ifctter from S 6 aleybridge , which contained the following recommej ^ PKs : — 1 st , " That the Executive-be elected as follows : —Three by the members in Eagland , one by the members in Scotland , and one by those in Wales . " 2 nd , " That a Convention meet on the third Monday in April in each year . " 3 rd . "That the Convention push forward the Land question . " The better also contained an order for 10 s ., for the purposes of the Convention . ^ jjir . Dorman , Nottingham , then rose to give in his report , and said , that the members in his district were as I ze ^ Pfts as ever , and determined to push forward . They i ^ Rld co-operate in support of any practical land scheme , Hud would be glad to see a plan of co-operation cstu . Hblished . J

      f Mr . J . H . It . BajjPstow presented his credentials and I took his seat forJKacester . He said that in consequence of divisions , CifOrtism . was not so flourishing in Leicester , as he coul ( LWTsh—but they were not retrograding . His instructions were to do all and everything'in favour of establishing the Charter . He believed if a good practical plan was submitted Leicester would co-operate as enthusiasticaliv as any district in existence . ( Hear , hear . )

      THE LAND . Mr . O'Connor then rose to submit his promised motion on the Land .. He read the document presented to the Convention by him yesterday at length . Mr . Bairstowmoved " That the address be submitted to the Organisation Committee , and that they report thereon . " Mr . Skews seconded the motion . Mr . O'Connor said his desire was , that a committee should be appointed to examine Hie document he had " sub . initted , and any other that might be offered , so that something practical might be deduced . He could not agree with those who produced excitement only , aud then left the movement . Ho did not think that was performing their business well . Excitement was necessary ; but something practicable should follow it . He looked upon

      the right use of the Land as one great means by which they could obtain their justrights . ( Hear , hear . ) Strikes , and such like means of upholding wages , had proved futile . ¦ ( Cheers . ) He was desirous of carrying out the Land plan on the "individual system , " iu preference to the proposal of " the community of possession and labour , " believing it to be better adapted to the present time , leaving the people to co-operate ultimately , if they thought fit , ( Cheers . ) He would ask , was it likely that the employer class would give up their present mode of amassing money without a struggle ? So . Well , then , the Land was the only legitimate means by which labour could successfully compete with capital . ( Cheers . ) The Poor-Law of Elizabeth , when in full vogue , aided the people somewhat , and gave them a distinctive individual character , wlucli

      machinery had , in some measure , destroyed . The labourer , with his few shillings' worth of material , could not , unless aided by other means , contend against the millions of the capitalist ; hut if possessed of a portion of the land , in the event of a strike , or when any accident befel him , he would be enabled to produce an independent existence at any rate , and would also , without doubt , produce a high standard of wages in the artificial market . ( Cheers . ) But it was asked , " does not the land belong to the people ? " and " will you buy what already belongs to them V He admitted that the laud did belong to tlie people . So did a leg of mutton ; but if they attempted to take it , they would be sent to Botany Bay . ( Hear , hear . ) Neither capitalists nor landlords could be expected to COoperate with the people-no , it was to the working classes to the object in view

      themselves he looked accomplish . To the Trades—to that numerous and important trade , the Shoemakers , be looked for the first example , and believed they would not fail to set it . ( Hear , hear . ) He had no doubt of the measure being taken tip sectionally , if no t nationally . ( Cheers . ) To emigration he had always been opposed . He did not know anything of the Venezuelan plan of emigration ; but if he was disposed to recommend emigration at all , » r to any place , it would be to the Republic of South America , ne had a brother residing in that Republic , in the possession of great wealth , and who had offered to furnish land , and protection during the time of its first cultivation . He had also a rich brother residing in Van Dieman ' s Land . If he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had chosen , he could have " gone out" to cither place , and enjoyed wealth abundantly : but he preferred remaining struggling for rights at home . ( Heal" , hear . )

      He now told them that land here , even at a high rental , was of far more value than land for nothing abroad . ( Hear , hear . ) Capitalists increased their wealth , by competing labour against labour ; or , in other words , by having a surplus of labour in the market ; therefore , it was the workman ' s interest to make labour scarce , which could only be done by having land on which to employ the surplus hands . This was the only means of securing social and political independence . ( Loud cheers . ) For these reasons he advocated allocation on the Laud , and it afforded him much pleasure to find so many parties now engaged in discussing the subject in seme shape or Other , ( Hear , hear . ) He looked on emigration as a cold , heartless scheme . He never knew one single instance of successful emigration . ( Hear , hear . ) He should he fully satisfied to co-operate with the Convention in any scheme it might adopt for the allocation of the peop le on the Land . ( Cheers . )

      Mr , Cuffay moved— "That this Convention do now draw up a plan for the purchase of Land on which to allocate the surplus labourers . " Mr . T . M . Wheeler seconded the motion . Mr . Ban-stow , with the ¦ consent of the . Convention , withdrew his motion , and the proposition of Mr . Cufiay was carried unanimously . Mr . T . Clark thought such instructions should be given to the committee to be appointed as would permit the plan to be enrolled . Mr . Wheeler said Ids opinion was , that it should fst-m a portion of the National Charter Association , and then

      it would be their right arm , otherwise ho feared Chartism would he made secondary , or oiher wise swallowed up ; and he did not think the enrolment of so much importance . Mr . Dorman said the people wanted something tangible . He could give them some idea of . the enthusiasm exhibited by the people in favour of the ' principle in his district . The Maperley Hills , a poor soil , was allotted out in small gardens , and the number of applicants fa * exceeded the number of allotments . If this was the case under such circumstances , what would be the result under a well defined system ? The Land plan was well calcu-

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      latedto keep up the Chartist agitation ,. and LedM ' » O believe one country delegate would have been pr ^ ent liatt it not been for the desire to become in some measure possessors of the soil . Mr . Skews would wilUngV ^ PP 61 ' 1 a Lan ( i so' * 61 * 16 , but he did not think it shpiUd be mixed up with the Charter organisation . ¦ . Mr . Webb would also support a Land plan . He could see no objection to- every member belonging to the National Charter Association j but they should by no means be compelled to belong to the Land scheme . Mr . J . Shaw thought the Land plan , was an excellent means of obtaining the franchise . His constituents , fvom their extreme poverty , would not be able to subscribe much ; but he thought the Committee would look to this matter ,, and arrange the amount of subscription accordingly .

      . .. Mr . Bairstow could not agree to the incorporation of tke Land with the Charter organisation . He did not think that at all practicable ; neither could he agree that it should be confined exclusively to Chartists . He thought any attempt at enrolment in connection with Chartism would be futile . He thought the bestthing they could do was to recommend the country to consider the address of Mr . O'Connor . Mr . Munday said he could not agree with a previous speaker , that the Chai'tists were the only party that would take up the Land-question . Nay , he fearlessly asserted , that the Trades were before the Chartists on this matter ; and although he appeared as the representative of the Chartist body , yet the Trades were anxiously awaiting his return , in hopes that he would bring back with him a practical plan on the Land subject . ( Hear , hear . )

      Mr . Goodwin could not agree to mix up the Land and Charter plans . He wished them to beadoptcd separately . Mr . Davis said his district was nearly divided on the matter ; in fact , they had decided by a majority of one only , in favour of uniting the Charter and Landplnns . He thought it would be better to keep the Charter separate and distinct from any other matter whatsoever ; and in his opinion , the appointment of lecturers to advocate the principles of the Charter would do more good than anything else . However , as his constituents had instructed him to vote for a Land plan , he should , like a good servant , conform to their wishes . . Mr . Doyle thought it was not practicable to unite the Land and Charter schemes ; he was desirous of . having a a plan separate and distinct .

      Mr . Law said his constituents were desirous that the Land plan should bo separate and distinct from the Chartist organisation . Ho believed the Land plan would greatly facilitate the cause of Chartism . He hoped the committee would take care that the subscription should be iii accordance with the means of the people . Mr . Hornby said Mr . Doyle had given expression fully to the wishes of his constituents . They would co-operate cordially in support of a plan formed on a separate basis . M-.-. O'Connor thought that one happy community once established , would be sufficient to cause such a feeling in favour of the scheme as would soon make it general . lie then proceeded to review the opinions expressed by the previous speakers , and concluded by saying that he could not agree with the policy of making the Land plan exclusively a Chartist one . Befoi'o . the delegates adjourned for dinner , Mr . O'Connor announced that Mr . Duncombe had agveed to become president of the Registration and Election Committee . ( Cheers . )

      AFTEENOON SITTING . The discussion on the Land was resumed . Mr . Cuffay moved that a committee of five be appointed to draw up a plan to promote allocation on the land . The motion was seconded by Mr . Shaw , and carried unanimously , Tho following persons wore then appointed : —Messrs . Skews , O'Connor , Doyle , Shaw , and Dorman . Mr . O'Connor moved , " That it be an instruction to the committee , to be embodied in the laws , that so soon as the number of members in the Land Association amount to 1000 , they shall have tho power to elect their Executive and other officers . " Mr . Bairstow seconded the motion , which was carried . Mi * . Cuffiiy said , ho should move that the rules of the Land Association be not enrolled . He belonged to the Society of the Druids , and some of the lodges of that order had enrolled their rules , and found the enrolment injurious .

      Mi . Wheeler would oppose enrolment , but would like some support to be derived from the Land scheme towards the Chartist agitation . Mr . Goodwin thought a per centage should be given from the Land fund to the Charter fund . Mr . Bairstow thought no person should be compelled to belong to both societies , but that it should be voluntary . Mr , Munday thought each locality should have the management of their own funds . . It was then moved , seconded , and carried unanimously , "That the Land Committee should bring up their report on Friday morning . "

      FKOST , WlttlAMS , AND JONES . Mr . O'Connor moved that this Convention take into its consideration the case of Frost , Williams , Jones , and the other political exiles . Mr . Davis seconded the motion , which was carried nem . con . Mr . Davis then moved " That this Convention do now appoint an Exile ' s Restoration Committee , for the purpose of bringing the case of . Frost , Williams , Jones , and other political exiles , before the country , by means of deputations to members of Parliament and petitions to the Legislature ; and that a sub-committee be appointed to draw up a petition to be submitted to public meetings . " Mr , T . M , Wheeler seconded the motion . Mr . O'Connor thought it would be advisable to make an application to Mr . Duncombe , and request him to originate a motion in the Ilouse of Commons on the subject . He had no doubt hut that ho would do so .

      Mr . Goodwin supported the motion , as did also Messrs . Hornby and Doyle . It was put to the vote , and carried unanimously . Messrs . Bairstow , M'Grath , and O'Connor were appointed the sub-committee ; and it was ordered that the Executive , with power to add to their number , should be the committee for deputation , &C . On the motion of Mr . O'Connor , the Convention then adjourned to give the several committees time to perform their labours .

      Aaffimte, &Lt;£Ffimcesi,# Ffnquests

      aaffimte , < £ ffimcesi , # ffnquests

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      The late Dreadful Catasikofii !; . \~ Dhrdv ^ Monday , Mr . Bryan Balguy , the . coroner for tlnW rough , resumed the inquest he commenced last Tn day upon the bodies of Mr . James Sima , builde r'S Edward Haiiow , his apprentice , who came bv ti , ¦ deaths on Tuesday last , in consequence of the Fal « ' in of a newly-erected bridge over the Mill-fiW'W the Morledge . The evidence taken on IWj * consisted principally of a description of the accitlo V by two or three witnesses . Mr . Harpur , the Jjitectand surveyor to the corporation , made a shf ment to the effect that the centres of the ar ch W been improperly removed , and that he had e , iutio « ii the deeeflsed / . Sinis ,. the contractor , not to rc ' them in the manner he had done . The moniw w then adjourned for the purpose of obtaining 'J , ^ tional evidence . — At nine o ' clock on Monday Ti jury again met in the Town-hall . " The f 0 nL . ' evidence was then taken : —Mr . J . H . Stevens I Derby , architect , said : I was sent for after the fii ^ accident to a meeting of the Mill-fleam Commit * which I attended . The subject of- altering the ¦ ' tiona of the arch was discussed . Mr . Cooper in myself recommended the adoption of the double ¦> " ! ! , instead of the single one . After that meeting I „ called upon by Mr . Harpur and Mr . Moodv nt h tncommuiceio

      request ot e , give an opinion us t . section which they proposed to adopt , which \ Z ( two arches instead of one . I merely gave an onj ,, . „ as to the section ot the two arches , and not to " ft part where the groins arc , and which had iaH ™ ;„ Since that time I have not had any communicat im , with the committee at all . I have seen the » , since the accident happened , and am of opinion tiw ? the accident might arise from two causes —tl extreme weight upon the crown of the two !\ m , ' and the pier being too weak to support the suJit ' cumbent pressure . I observed that tho i » j Cr n ' , shattered by the weight thrown upon it . I o ^ ero *! in the arches now standing that there was a coikw able deflection ; and I think that if the ce ntre of tbnl were struck , it would fall . I consider the connnitti responsible , or those whom ther employ . SimsW

      always borne the character ol a Hard-working , imiu trious man , and I believe perfectly competent to ner ' form the work if he had proper instructions . W Charles Moody , of Chapel-street , builder , assist to Air . Harpur , said : The week before the firs t aeci . dent occurred , the committee gave mean order to " measure against Mr . Harpur , to ascertain the monev to be paid . When that arch fell , I was requested t& attend the committee meeting , at which Mr . Steven ? and Mr . Cooper were present . Mr . Stevens sont ii > the section , which was examined by the committee ' and generally approved . They determined to carry it out , substituting barrow lime for cement . The question of the centres then arose ; one of the coin .

      mittee proposed two lengths of centres ; I proposed four ; which was eventually agreed to . Some difference next arose on the subject of an objection raised by Messrs . Evans , to having a wall all tho « -av down the centre of the street . Tin ' s question w as debated several times in the committee , and I colled two or three times upon Messrs . Evjuis , but tliev persisted in their objection . The commi ttee tLcngarc me an order to make work plans to reiucdy ° tlio matter . I made drawings of Iho iron work , and submitted them to the commitcce ; they were approved and were executed by Messrs . Haywood . 1 saw the beams proved and tested at their factory . I went down a time or two to the works to see how thev wows

      putting them in . The next time I went was to measure the work ; after i had done I asked Mr . Harpur how they were putting the groins in . lie told me it was n plan proposed by Sims himself , and adopted by the committee . He said that one groin had settled a little bit . I went under as far as I could get to look at it , and I saw that it had . I told Sims about it . He said it had not . I repeated that it had , for there was a crack in it ; and I differed m opinion from him as te his method of bonding . lie said there was no settling , and that the crack was occasioned by a man accidentally - backing a cart against it . Ho said I ought to have had more sense than to make such remarks , for I must know that

      brickwork would not settle in the way . I then told him to be sure and let the centres be slack under the arch , and to watch the settlement , for if it was a can which had occasioned the crack , it would not go any further ; but if it was a defect in the construction ot the arch , it would come down upon the centres . Wa then parted . I never was there again until thewhok of the centres were turned . I met Sims , but nothing passed between us , except his saying that lie had finished all the work except one part , which he thought would cause him a good deal of trouble , t was never there again until immediately after tho accident , and I stayed there until I had seen all the sufferers got out . I went into the hole as soon as I

      could . 1 asked somo labourers what they were doing when the catastrophe occurred . They said they were taking out tho centres . Carter , a bricklayer , who has been examined , told me that they had got out all the centres except a small part . I told him 1 thought it very imprudent . He replied , that he did not think it very dangerous , as Mr . Sims , on the Friday and Saturday before , had taken out the centres of the sewer , which they thought considerably the worst part . I then went and examined the centres of the arch remaining , and saw them dead up to tho arch all over . I then asked him how he found the covering of the ribs , iind he said they were quite fast . I asked him it ' he did not think it very wrong to take out the centres ,

      without the whole having- been first slackened I \\ c then piu'tcd . I sent for him the next movning , when , lie told me he thought they had slackened them sufficiently . They had taken out some temporary props from under the nose of the drains , he being Ml one side and Harlow on tho other when t ? ie accident happened . I repeated , that they had done very wrong , and he replied that he did not think they had . I have been down to the works three times since , and I find that the wedges could not have beer , drawn above half an inch . 1 made up my mind that the groins had not had a fair chance of standing ; in consequence of there being no counteracting force , the dead weight was left on the weak side of the arch ,

      and if the groin settled , as it most certainly would , it would partially come down , the strong sido would be supported , and the weak part would- fall in . I have no doubt that the wedges ought to have licci ; slackened to see whether the arch would change form . Mr . Stevens is mistaken when he says that the pier of the arch is shattered ; it is not so in the slightest degree ; it is the intersection that is broken . I think the pier is sufficiently stronig to bear the wight put upon it . Mv . S . Harpuv , corporation surveyor , recalled :. lie was employed by the corporation to superintend the works over Sims , lie did not , however , interfere with Sims , as he consider ed that he had more practical information than himself , and

      he had a better opinion of his knowledge of building than he had of his own . Under this impression he did uot think it necessary to report Mr . Moody ' s remarks absut the crack . Quite admits the principle adopted by Sims , whose materials arc very good . John Harlow , brother of the deceased , and one of the poor fellows who was hurt , was then called . He walked with great difficulty , and liis face was dreadfully bruised . He said—I was underneath the arch when the accident occurred , and was burled under tlu ^ materials . Was present on the Saturday previous , when I assisted Mr . Sims to slacken the wedges . All the wedges were loosened . Witness then described the accident , and said that all the " laseings" were clear of the arch by three quarters of an inch , reward Harlow , bricklayer , and uncle of the deceased Edward Harlow , denosed that he had w . trneda man

      named Poach not to have anything to do with the culvert , as he thought it unsafe . 11 U reason lor thinking so was the length of the groin and the weakness of the foundation it stood on . The coro « ner then summed up , and the jury returned the following verdict : — Accidental Death ; but the jury cannot separate without expressing their strong conviction that had the joint committee of the corporation and the commissioners appointed a comp etent and efficient engineer to superintend over Mr , Sims during the progress and in the execution of the works , and which , they think , after the warning the first accident had conveyed , they should hare donff the accident which has since occurred would not have happened . —This verdict has given great satisfaction in Derby , but it is considered by very many of the inhabitants that it is expressed m terms scarcely strong enough .

      Fatal AociDEM . ^ On Thursday , as tho maiUravu which leaves Edinburgh for Glasgow at one o cwik , was passing across the seven-arched bridge , aooui ' mile and a half west of the village of Batlw , thocngijw . ; driver was thrown from the engine down the slope . the engine also rolled down the slope on its broausiat , and the parcel-van and second-class carn age « m much damaged . Blair was picked up quite " « f 7 ''! and a large gash was discovered in his head , n ° "' which blood issued profusely . The unfortunate m » . was immediately sent to the Edinburgh »«» r " -i but died two hours after the accident . It b r known how the engine was forced off the I'MiS , un »> it was by a spring arch in the above bridge , WUt » yelds a little when the train enters upon it . , w ? , ' , was an unmarried man , and belonged to the vjemu of Glasgow . It is supposed that his head had conw in contact with the ledge of the bridge . No ° tl 10 ' person was injured , and the train arrived in Glasgo about half aa hour after the usual time . — CalldOHM Mercury ,

      Death bv Drowning . — Shortly before twe'w o ' clock on Saturday night , Thomas Buraie , a polio . " officer , while on duty in Vauxhall-road , Liverpool . received information that a female was supposed j have been drowned in the canal . He immediate ^ hastened to the spot , and on looking over tho br * near Preston ' s distillery , saw some clothes floating ^ the water . A pole was then procured and the W of a woman , about 33 years of age , was taken out aj conveyed to the dead-house . She was without em ' cap or bonnet . It might have been difficult to ide * tify her , had not a piece of paper been found on |* person , on which hei * name and address were wm ; as follows : — " Rebecca Hopley , St . Martin ' s-pW ' Finch-street . " An inquest was held upon the W " on Monday , and . a verdict returned of "fo 11 I ! drownedi" i

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      Extensive Robbery and Attempted Suicide at Blackfriars Bkidge . —On Tuesday evening , at halfpast six o ' clock , a fashionably dressed young man , apparently about twenty-two years o ( ago , was observed to run at a quick pace down Larl-street , towards Blackfriars-bridge , closely pursued by Constable Benbow , of the City police ; in his flight he dropped a bundle , and during tho time the constable was securing it he ran with all speed down the steps leading to the steam-boat pier , and it being low water waded into the river up to his middle , when

      lie laid down . The alarm that a person was attempting to drown liimsell'having been given , a Herculean working-man rushed in after him , and succeeded in bringing him on shove , when he was instantly taken into custody by Benbow and another constable , who conveyed bun to Black Horse-court station-house . On being searched a large quantity of valuable articles , consisting of gold watches , chains , rings , and other jewellery was tbund upon him , and the bundle consisted of coats , gowns , and other wearing apparel . A portion of the property has been identified . The name of the offender has not transpired .

      The Grand Junction Railway . — On Saturday night , or rather on Sunday morning-early , an accident occurred at the Stafford station of the line . The pointsman , George Scott , was handing over to the engineer of a train just starting a statement of the number of carriages , as is usual on the departure ot every train , when unfortunately he slipped off the parapet and fell under the wheels of the engine then in motion . His left arm was literally severed from his body , and his left leg so crushed as to render

      immediate amputation necessary . The poor fellow was carried to the infirmary , where the limb was taken off , the poor man enduring his sufferings with remarkable fortitude . We are happy to say lie is likely to survive , the symptoms being as favourable as can be expected . Scott is a young man of good character , and had been in the employ of the company for some time . But for the timely aid of the company ' s policc-oflicei , who was on the spot at the moment , the accident would doubtless have been fatal , as he promptly snatched the unfortunate man from under tho wheels .

      Robbery of a Watch . —On Monday , a lad named Thos . M'Donald was brought before Mr . Rushton , at Liverpool , on a charge of having stolenalever watch , value £ 6 , the property of Moses Samuel , watch manufacturer , 36 , Paradise-street . It appeared that about the latter end of the month of December last he called at the shop , and asked to look at the watch , promising to pay for it by instalments of 10 s . at a time . Two watches were shown , one of which he selected , and ran off with it in . his possession . He succeeded in eluding the vigilance of the police until Saturday evening , when his suspicious conduct at the watch manufuctory of Mrs . Hannah Robinson , in Richmond-street ,, led to his arrest and subsequent identification by Mr . Samuels . He was committed for trial .

      Royal Humane Society . — The men belonging to this useful society have very recently been successful in saving three lives . A man , who was batlung , after the boats had been withdrawn , was seized with cramp ( in the Serpentine River ); the alarm being given by some boys who saw the accident , one of the society ' s boatmen , named Deval , pulled to the spot , and luckily rescued him as he rose for the third time . In the second case , soon after six o ' clock , a respectnhift vn ' imor female waa seen to walk into the

      Serpentine , but her courage failed her before she was out of her depth , and one of the society ' s men brought her to the receiving-house , where every attention was paid her , and one of the establishment accompanied her to her relations , who were glad to receive her back , though , from her habiliments , it appeal's she had been to a ball , and returning late , had been re . fused admittance . The third case was this—a female was prevented by a police constable from an attempt to drown herself , and waa brought to the receivinghouse and detained there until her parents were sent fortotake ^ er hoi Me .,

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      ; ... ' f » irKdRT « lRN-: s ^ it Ararl 26 ' 18 < 5-

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 26, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1312/page/6/