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Northern Star (1837-1852), 9th October 1847, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Rational fUm* Compa^

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    • the chartist land am) labour bank, .
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      Untitled Article

      ' -TtejmBul entitled An appeal to the Me « - fttrs of the Joarfieyaea Steam Engine . Marine Maker and Mfllwrighto * Friendly Society , from to Executive Coaneil . ' which is circulated in the trade , ^ complaining that the funds of the Manchester fourth branch had been transferred to Fearpu O'Connors Bank without the - ge-» eral consent—and of which s copy appeared in the Examiner * of Taesday last—has once more tonghttteLandSdieme and the Landind Labour Bank before the pnblie . I hare a few remarks to oakeoathe 8 awbject 8 » nd shall now make them .

      , « , * l months of December , 1846 , and January , 1847 , five letters werepublhhed in the ' Manchester Examiner , ' showing | the shareholders of the Chartist Land scheme that their property was not protected bylaw ; showing what the law is as applicable to iaem and to all joint stock companies , and showing that the pretence Bet forth in the balance sheet of the Company in September , 1846 , that the society "was registered and put under the protection of the law , was a false pretence . Here are the words of that falsa pretence : —

      Tonr officers cinnot conclude without expressing their gratification , that , notwithstanding tha many ob . stacks placed in tie waj of procuring the enrolment of the society , thej hsree at length succeeded in placing it onder the protection of the law b y procuring the registration , of the society under the Joint Stock Companies Act . Thi » will give increased confidence to persons about joining the society , and sscire due diligence and honesty on the part of the officers . ' If dae diligence and honesty , on the part of the ¦ poety's-officera . were to be secured by this act of placing the society under the protection of thelaw , ' m September , 1846 , those business-like virtues m sot secured yet though we ate now more than half through the month ot September , 1847 . The society u not even yet registered se as to be nnder tha nm .

      tectionofthelaw . Inthelettersallndedtoitwasshown whythesocietywasnotregistered . On the appearance of those letters the fact was at once admitted by its promoter * that it was not , as stated by them in Sep . tember . 1846 , placed under theprotection of tie law ; out , said they . steps hare been taken to have it so placed . Now , I repeat thatwhich was said ia answer to this promise in January of the present year , that Aim society , or oompaay as it is now called , will never be registered . It cannot now be done . The banking department of the schema being in the same unsafe predicament , it is equally ' dangerous to the shareholders as to the depositors . Section 2 S of the Joint Stock Company ' s Act , en-4 Uaedfor the protection of thepablic from fraudulent schemes provides that it shall not be lawful ( tea company , until completely registered— '

      To make calls . nor to purchase , contract for , or hold lands , nor to enter into contractsfor any stores , or for the execmBtn of any werks , ' &c . : It provides penalties for the infringement of its danses , the penalties Taryinsj from £ 5 to £ 25 each ; erery ene of which clauses the Chartist Land Com-W *»« J «« 4 j violated ; to every one of which penalbesthey are already liable , amounting in the aggregate to several thousand pounds . Thepenalties may be recovered if any person chooses to take out

      summonses against them and sue them before the magistrates as soon asregistered ; but not sooner ; si it is not until then a company . The Land scheme and the Bank scheme are in the same precarious position . The Journeymen Steam Engine . Machine Maker , and Millwrights' Friendly Society , ' Manchester 4 th branch , who have transferred £ 680 from Heywood ' s Bank , and placed it in the Land and Labour Bank of the Chartist Land Company , will probably ask themselves a few questions when they see the law to stand thus .

      But , apart from that -new of the Bank qnestion , there are other considerations sufficiently weighty , more ttan weighty enough , to deter prudent men from risking good cash in a bank like that of Mr Feargns O'Connor ' s . First , as to the security . The landed property of the company is to be the security for the bank deposits . But the land is already burthened to its utmost real value , and constderahly beyond its market value , by the debts to the shareholders . Moreover , landed property has not for many years past been accepted among commercial men a 3 bank security . It was once so accepted , but was found , when necessity came , to be irredeemable , or at least to be greatly depreciated . Money deposited in the bank , and by the banker sunk in the purchase of land , as MrO'Conner proposes to do , cannot be withdrawn when the depositor requires it . T » raise the money , the land must be first sold or mortgaged . In either case loss must be submitted to .

      Moreover , Mr O'Connor ' s system of baying an ^ TnV ? J ^ * timber n poa it , paying say £ 7 , 000 for the estate ; cutting down all the timber md selling it for £ 2 , 000 ; this , instead of making the property worth £ 9 , 000 , as he has represented flie transaction , makes it ( in the market , in which respect we can only view it as security for the bank ) worth no more than £ 5 . 000 . He points to this property in reckoning np bis accoanta , and says— ' for that land I gave £ 7 , 000 ; from that land I have taken £ 2 , 000 worth ef timber ; yon have the land still , and you have £ 2 , 000 for timber sold ; consequently , in these few months , nnder my management , yon have £ 9 . 000 instead of £ 7 . 000 . ' They who neves reckon themselves may believe in this

      way of reckoning ; but let the estate which cost £ 7 , 000 , and which is now woodless , come into the market as a bank security , and it will be found to be only worth £ 5 , 000 . There are enough , of land buyers , always on the look out for land , to prevent Mr O'Connor from getting all tha great bargains . He , however , makes , the shareholders think otherwise . They seem to think that he alone knows a good bargain in land when it turns up . But this brings hs to another paint . Mr O'Connor buys land , asd buys in it his own name . And he does so , because by the clause 23 rd of the Joint Stock Company's Act , already quoted , it is declared illegal for him , or any officer of tha company , ta purchase , contract for . or hold lands , ' until tfie

      company is completely registered ; and it does not seem to be agreeable to him to have the company completely registered , so as to put it , in reality , under the' protection of the law ; ' though he endeavoured , by publishing that which was not true , in September , 1816 , to make the public believe that it was put under the protection of the law . ' This , ' said he and the secretary , when putting forth that assurance , ' will give increased confidence to persons joining the society . ' That , " indeed , was the object of the untrue pretence . When it was published through the llanchater Examiner that the society was not placed nnder the protection of

      the law , Mr O'Connor promised that it should be immediately so placed . This has not been done ; so that the purchases ef property are all made in his own name ., conveyed to him individually , and « sld by turn individually . He is not even provisionally registered as a trustee for other parties . Mr Thomas Duncombe , M . P . is the registered trustee ; but as the Land Company is only provisionally registered he is not legally the trustee . If he were , lie could only be so by first becoming a shareholder ; and tha moment he becomes a shareholder , he is , like a 1 the others—liable for their debts , and they ¦ liable for bus .

      All the shareholders of the Land Company are not Hilling , however , that the land should be made se--cnrity for the bank , and Mr O'Connor offers security of antther kind . In addressing the Laud Company , so the executive of the Steam Engine , Machine Maker , and Millwrights' Friendly Society informs us , he spoke thus : — ' I dare say you . will derire no little gratification from the announcement that the Manchester mechanics have deposited £ 620 ef their funds in the National Land one labour Bank ; and that many societies are about to fallow their wise and patriotic example ; and to them as to all others I shall only say , not that I may perish , or that my right hand may fall from body , or that my tongue may cease to wag , if I deceive them ; but I do say that I am not a pleasure man , a drinking man , a drunken , a gluttonous , or a luxurious man ; and , if they h » venot 2 # s- in the pound and four perceat . interest for their money , I must be a nMmg man . '

      This does not follow . Mr O'Connor may be free of all the vices he absolves himself from , and not be a robbing man , yet still a very unsafe man to entrust with the management of large sums of money an complicated and doubtful investments . Moreover , be may not be a solvent man . Hehasfamily connexions in Ireland who would not have allowed aia to go unmolested , if unmolested he has gone , fer so long a time , if they thought he had property within the reach of the law . Mr Mannix , thechanoary barrister , who had the Cork election case in hand when Mr O'Connor was disqualified and resigned his seat , told me , when I was recently in Irelaud , that there were parties there acting for Mr O'Connor ' s nearest female relatives , who only needed to see clearly that he held any property 'Which was accessible by law , and the attempt to teach it would soon be made .

      I BhaQ not here relate what that chancery barrister , so intimately acquainted with Mr O'Connor ' s personal and family affairs , told me . If I dealt in the same pointed matter in a controversy as Mr O'Connor does , substituting personal abuse for argument , there might be enough of it hurled upon him from the county of Cerk , and from his nearest relatives . They and their legal advisers placed enough of it at my service . But such a style of controversy u not mine . I allude to those personal affairs now « nly to show shareholders ia the land , and depositors

      in the bank , the dangerous security they have . He says he is not a rolling man . But the president and secretary c > f the Steam Engice , Machinejnaker , and Millwrights , ' Benefit Society , rejoin to * aa comfortableassurance that—To know by dear-bought experience that Mr O'Con-° « r is a robbing man , if he does not perform what he Ipramiiei , may afford satisfaction to some , but we think «« ething more substantial will be required by the ma-*> nty of t , ur numbers as security for their money , hTnC * C ° nSent to " Uu > h * deposed iab » kj « r O'Connor says he has mads his will , iniica

      Untitled Article

      chi \ S tKannOunccment that all the property pur-SdhLi ? * - W «> ffl » e shareholders , and !»» new ay hip , „ hu Own name , is devised by him to ssusssia . ^* * *'* - *** If the Land Company were completely and legally registered , Mr O'Connor might devise his own p » - perty to the company in its corporate capacity and 2 tb * tcaPactty the wmpany would administer . Bot tne land would not be his to devise if the company were completely registered . It would be the company ' s own . On the other hand , the land and buildings being legally his own property now , because legally there is no Land Company in existence , the shareholders could not administer as a bod » . snnsoxa -I .-.. ! J ^ announcement that all the pronertr

      nnrhe were to die before they are registered , and sop ; pose it to be true that he has made his will and devised the land to them . In order that they might administer , and each receive his share , the will must devise each share separately to each individual byname . If there be fifty thousand shareholders , fifty thousand persons must be named in the will ; and in the event of his death , they must proceed to administer as legatees who are not related in Wooda rather expensive process . The first proceeding would be to throw all thepropertr into the Courtof Chancery , where proceedings are both expensive and dilatory . The next of kin wonld do this . The Chancery Court being a court of equity , we miehtsuppose that if the testator ' s will

      was doubtful , or the law of the case was doubtful , the equity judge . hearmg that the shareholders of the Chartist estate were the parties who had made the testator so rich as to have landed property to leave to them , wonld decide for then ; equity being on their side . But on the other hand there would be the next of kin , who in equity are always regarded before the aliens in blood . And , moreover , those next of kin woutd be the sisters , or representatives of the Sisters , of the testator , strengthening their suit in equity with such a plea s » this , that the testator had originally made use of their property in the outset of that political life which had ended by his devising legacies in landed property , to some fifty thousand legatees . - " I do not see in what possible way tbAshanholders are to be protected but in getting themseHeVlegally registered as a company . But the moment tbey do this , they declare every thing which has already been done in their name by Mr O'Connor to be null and void . Ail contracts , by the law already quoted , become illegal , and lapse . The original owners of the estates may resume ownership as if they had not been sold ; and penalties to the amount of nearly £ 4 , 000 may be enforced . It wonld have been as easy at the outset of this Company to have conformed to the law . as to avoid it , and set it at defiance . The Joint Stock Company ' s law is enacted specially to protectshareholders and the general public from joint stock schemers . Its very preamble makes it comnnlsorv for the

      nromotersof all companies to be registered , and it procteds to prohibit them from doing business in the way of raising fands and acquiring property until they are registered . So that , instead of there having been difficulties placed in the way of the Land Company ' s registration , as Mr O'Connor and his codirectorshaveso frequently alleged as an excuscthey are solely toblame . The law throws no obstacles in their way ; it invites them to be registered ; keeps an office for them , and books in the office , and clerkB to do the work for them ; it calls upon them to come and register themselves ; and when they , or others like them , do not go willingly to be registeredit

      , commands them with the threat of heavy penalties to cose . 'For . ' says the law , ' you are launching npen the werld a joint stock scheme ; and the world must knew who yon are , and what your scheme is . ' 'If you be honest men , ' continues the law , ' you nave nothing to fear from your names being written here , to be looked upon by the public eye . If you be not honest men , it is right that tne public should know that you are getting up a Joint Stock Comp any . If yonr scheme be a siund one , it will bear inspection in this registration office ; if it beunsoond , the sooner its faults are known beyond the registration office the better . ' ^

      Thus speaks thelaw concerning all schemes for Joint Stock Companies . I see only three rappositions which can suggest a reason for Mr O'Connor not r egistering his scheme at the ontset . These are— - . First : That , though a barrister-at-law , he was ignorant that such an act ef Parliament had been passed for the protection of the public , as the Joint Stock Companies' Registration Act . Second : That , though assuming to be a correct business man , he thought himself able to carry on the business of the Company satisfactorily to himself , and safely to the shareholders , without reference to the law or the ordinary precautions of business men . Or ,

      Third : That he purposely withheld the Company from registration that the shareholders might not be placed nnder the protection of the law . The only thing that is inexplicable , allowing any oneof those three suppositions to be correct , or allowing them all to be incorrect , is this , that twelve months ago he should have published that they ( him . self aad secretary ) 'hadat length succeeded in placing the shareholders nnder the protection of the law , by procuring the registration of the Society under the Joint Stock Company ' s Act ; ' and that ' this will give increased confidence to persons about joining the Society . ' This is inexplicable ; because if his object really was to get members into the Society by giving them increased confidence , and nothing more , it would have been not less effectually done by getting the Society registered in reality , instead of in pretence only .

      The executive of the Friendly Society who complain of the transfer of their money to Mr O'Connor , intimate in their circular to the trade that they have little hope of his dealing candidly with them . The person who , without consulting the general body , transferred the sum of £ 620 to him , wrote a letter which was published in the Northern Star with comments . The secretary of the Executive Council , on seeing this , wrote a letter , of which the following is a copy , requesting Mr O'Connor to publish it ; but he gave them no answer , and did not pnblish it . « , Dale-strest , Manchester , Aug . 24 tbj 1847 .

      Dear Sir , —In looking over the Jforftem Star of Saturday last , i perceive , in the course of yonr address to the members of the Laud Cempany , yon make allusioni to the circomstanoe of the mechanics of Manchester baring deposited £ 620 in the National Land and La . bour Bank ; and in the lame paper there is also a letter signed'George Samuel Offord , ' upon the same subject . My object in writing to yen is to prevent a falie impression being made upon the miads of the public , but more especially upon those of the mechanics throughout the country . A stranger to the facfj of the case , in pernsing jour remarks and the Utter of Offord , would be led to infer thatthe £ 620 had been roUd into the National L » ud and Labour Bank with the unanimous consent o !

      the personB to whom it belongs . But such is far from being the fact . Oar society is composed of between seven and eight tbausand members , extendlng over Great Britain and Ireland , and holding one general fund ; tbe funds of any one branch belonging equally to the members of any other branch , so that in the event of any important change in the mode of banking or investing its funds , especially in an experiment where doubts as to its security may exist , it is not outy essential , but just , that those interested should be consulted ; and iu this view of the matter I feel convinced that I shall meet with your concurrence . The facts are , instead of the members being consulted , twenty-five individuals have decided upon the removal of the money from Sir Benjamin Heywood ' s Bank to tbe National Land and Labeur Bank .

      they bavin ; composed a majority of those who voted ata meeting of their branch . And I beg further to inform you that this act has been done in direct defiaace of instructions given by the only acknowledged authority in the society , viz ., our Executive Council . And the parties so actiug have rendered themselves liable to be brought np to account for tbe same . The initractions of the Executive Council were , thatthe opinions of the members throHghoatths society should be taken upon the propriety of allowing branches to deposit the funds in the fcational Land and Labour Bank ; and any person wishing to do justice to all could not raiie one sound objection to such a course . You will oblige bv insert , ing thw letter in your paper of Saturday next Wishing dM ^ T "" , J ^ attem E » toameliowte the co « . dition of the people , believe me , dear sir , yours truly . Secretary to th . Journeymen Steami&iS ^ Xu ,, M ^ w , and Millwrights' Trieudl y Society . To Feargui O'Connor , Esq . *««« y .

      JS * exetati 7 u 0 5 J . 0 f the Priena | y Society proceed to make the following remarks : — 'Mr O'Couuerhas not thought proper , as yet , ta publuh the above letter , although two of his papers have been issued since it was sent , nor do ' we expect that any notice will be taken of it by him , and for reasons which we think mu » t be apparent to all ' who have read bis remarfw on the lettsr of Offord . But we say , if he Is an honest man , as he professes himself to be , and professes a desire to do justice to all , he will publish it . If he dees not do so , we ask what confidence can be placed in a man who is afraid of tbe truth being brought to light . We consider that the public have a right to be undeceived , and to effect that has been the sole object of the above letter . It has been deemed advisable b y the Ekch . tire Council to lay tbe whole of theie fact ! before tbe

      Untitled Article

      members , se that they may be enabled to judge fairly upon the subject . ' In conclusion . I have ©* ly to remark to these of the shareholders of the Land Scheme , or those of the depositors in the Land and Labour Bank , wno may read this , that whatever personal abuse Mr O'Connor msj meet the legal faeteof this letter wftlr . as he mettbefacts-ef the previous five- letters is December and January tost , ssch abuse ra no answer to the shareholders aad depositors . It is for them that these letters are written . I njoiee t » see-working men acooiriBg property by their savincs . But I &ave mygelf cropped t&o much sweat on the ground in earning wages at itt-paid toil , to be willing to se * the menrfiers . so « n « «» . m& j «„ * „„ f eiriv

      hard-earned wages ef working nun given to . spoiled lawyers and noipy adventurers , who , because they can talk all other men dumb , are ,. in the siraplwity of the industrieus workers , voted to be men of business and honest . I repeat , that if Mr O'Connst ' s death occurs at any time before the complete regis tration of the shareholders as a eompany , the entire property in the Land and in the Bank goes by law to bisnext ef kin , for he cannot leave it by will to the company , siaoe the company does not legally exist . And further , that if completed in the registration the entire proceedings np to this time become null and veid , haying been carried on contrary to law . One who has Whibilbi * at tub Plough .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LAND COMPANY . My Fbiends , — I now address you from the frontier town of the Swiss Republic , and my location , and what I have seen on my journey here , inspire me , if possible , with greater . zeal and confidence in your cause . I have always told you that I considered my character your property , and I have invested you , the working classes , with full and ample power to investjjsrte my every act , and I have willingly constituted you the public tribunal , before which arrajtenment and defence should take place , and berore which I would always plead . * Now , this is a guarantee which no ether public man has ever ventured to give , but which those who demand public confidence are bound to give .

      _ Upon the other hand , I demand the protection of the good English rule , that ' the accused shall be presumed to be innocent until he is convicted upon clear and unimpeachable evidence . ' Above I have given you the indictment , in full , against me , and now hear my defence . My friends , —If ever accused would be justified in resting his whole case , not only upon the infamous' character of his accuser , but upon the folly , the ' absurdity , and futility of the charges brought against him , I am now placed in that position ; but as ' the Lord has delivered mine enemy into my hands , * I shall spare him from his well-merited punishment until I have first cleansed myself .

      My friends , —Before I reply to those charges which are of a legal and general nature , I will apply myself to that which affects me personally , and which you will find in the following COUNTS of the INDICTMENT : — : This does not fellow . Mr O'Connor may be free of all the vices he absolves himself from , and not be a robbing man , yet still a very nneafe man to in . trust with the management of large sums of money in complicated and doubtful investments . Moreover , he may not be a solvent man . He has family connexions in Ireland who . would not have allowed him

      to go unmolested , if unmolested he has gone , for so long a time , if they thought he had property within the reach of the law . Mr Mannix , the . chancery barrister , whe had the Cork election cage in hand when Mr O'Connor was disqualified and resigned his seat , told me , when I was recently in Ireland , that there were parties there acting for Mr O'Connor ' s nearest female relatives , who only needed to see clearly thathe held any property which was accessible by law , and the attempt' to reach it would soon be made . - ¦• - »; "

      I shall not here relate what that chancery barrister , so intimately acquainted with Mr O'Connor ' s personal and family affairs , told me . If I dealt in the same Jirinted matter in a controversy a 3 Mr O'Connor oes . substituting persona' abuse for argument , there might be enough of it hurled upon him from the county of Cork , and from his nearest relatives . They and their legal advisers placed enough of it at my service . But such a style of controversy is not mine . I allude to those personal affairs now onlyto show shareholders in the Land , and depositors in the Bank , the dangerous security they have . Now , gentlemen , hear my unreserved reply to the above charge , and which I give without qualification , equivocation , or mental reservation .

      I never HEARD of a barrister of the name of Mannix from the day I was born , and I never KNEW one of that name .

      Not one of my family , MALE OR FEMALE , have ever had LEGAL OR EQUITABLE demand upon me for a farthing . I never was plaintiff or defendant in suit or action with any relative of mine , MALE or FEMALE ; and , although I lived in a most litigious country , I never summonsed a man or woman , or was summonsed by a man or woman . 1 never processed man or woman ) or was ever processed by a man or woman ; I

      never was plaintiff or defendant in suit or action , in Ireland , during the whole of my life . The name of the solicitors of our family are John Drew Atkin and Henry Noblett , both of the South Mall , Cork , and to those gentlemen I | refer you , and my accuser , for my character as a gentleman and a man of honour . I relinquished a very large claim upon the family estate , rather than seek its recovery by law .

      My name is not to bill , bond , or note , for one single fraction , and I now announce to those female relatives , through their agent , the "Whistler , that I am worth several thousand pounds , which are immediately come-atable by law . I further invest the curious with full and ample power ( to traverse the whole county of Cork , and all Ireland , and I defy the most ingenious or subtle to learn one single dishonest or dishonourable act I have ever committed .

      Gentlemen—not one of my relatives would hold converse with this disreputable beast ; but , as I cannot answer for Lawyers , I am resolved upon giving my accuser the most extensive opportunity of at once affirming those charges , which , if true , you should be acquainted with ; and to that end I have directed that an action shall be brought against the proprietor of the Manchester Examiner , to

      whom I shall give the greatest latitude , and every assistance in my power ; and I dare him—I challenge him—I defy him to prove one single one of his allegations . Gentlemen , I defy the press of Cork , the press of Ireland , the press of this world , to charge me , upon the most slender evidence , with a single act of meanness , dishonesty , or inconsistency ; and I further undertake , at my own expense , to produce as witnesses any

      female relative , whose evidence may be necessary to substantiate the charge of my accuser . But , Gentlemen , that is not all . Immediately upon my return , I shall proceed to Manchester , on Tuesday the 26 th of October , and having thus given my accuser ample time to prepare his case , and the benefit * of my absence to circulate the slander , 1 shall face him in the HALL OF SCIENCE , single handed and alone , to answer any charge that he or an other man may bring against me , and all I require is , that notice may be given him , and proper arrangements for the public investigai tiona may be made , and if the evidence of Mr

      wXv \ rany La * yer > « necessary , I will pay their expenses . Gentlemen—permit me now to offer a few comments upon the nature of the charge tire circumstance * under which it h made , Sd the cnarac er of my acciI 9 w , When 1 had Tml SSP «« titS rffl ^^ iL ttti & " ? pis « n ££ S Bf ^ ^^ " ^ Chancery BarmterMannw th « Solidfcors of my famil ? and my nearest relatives ; and although a v £ lunteer m this HONOURABLE missfcT « £ ' £ « *>« ng in LABOUR for now SOME MONTHS , behold the abortion hehlbrouS forth . "

      Gentlemen—En glishmen—Working Menhere was an HONOURABLE MISSION , A SJlEpiTABLE COMMISSIONER , and a VIRTUOUS EMPLOYER , and yet , though thus importantly charged , behold the weak , the Blender production . Oh ! gentlemen—If I were assailable , what a RACK , what a TORTURE , what an INQUISITION , what a

      SECRET CONSPIRACY to be subjected to . Gentlemen , in ancient or modern times , has this ! bas <» ness , this perfidy ) been equalled ? And then , mark the circumstances under which these charges are made . A band of working men having , . the good of their fellow men at heart , very properly apply their spare funds to the improvement of their own and fellows condition ; and the employer of this base slave

      dreading the result of such an application , puts his . manageable machinery in order for the purpose of alarming , the confiding with falsehoods ' and ignorant constructions of what the creature pleases to write about law ; and then , as to the wretch ' s character , if it is not suffi . ciently developed in his multifarious and i gnominious callings , I must refer , you , not to Mr Mannix , nor yet to his family solicitors , nor female friends and relatives , but to your townsman , Mr Townley , who gave him house and hospitality when the world frowned upon him , and jet this degraded thing , ' after having dealt in the worst of slander and the lowest of abuse , because covered , cloaked , and concealed , cries out , " NOT TO SUBSTITUTE

      ABUSE FOR ARGUMENT . " He resembles the FLOGGED SOLDIER , who , whether hit high or low , could not be pleased , as I flatter myself I have alreadyidemolished all the things he called arguments in his five previous letters . Gentlemen—if , however , you see cause to despise the GOOD RUFFIAN , what must be your feelings towards the real MURDERER who employed him ? and whose tool has the

      insolence to ask for a refutation through his columns , and tell you that the letter is « an able and an interesting one ; ' but , naturally expecting the win in which I would repay the attack , this tool says he 'is quite prepared for suchaninfliction . ' But he too asks for civility' An ounce of civet , good apothecary . ' Marry eome up , indeed ; but it is an extensive license , first to charge a gentlemen with wholesale plunder , and then ask for a civil refutation .

      Many of my friends have felt dissatisfied , from time to time , with the notice I have taken of those attacks , but you may rest assured that my plan of meeting them is right . The good men of Nottingham asked me to bring an action against the Time * . I did so , and it cost me about £ 120 ; however , it was worth more to your cause , and for that simple reason I am resolved upon putting the Whistler s witnesses into the box , and I am determined to meet him in Manchester on the day I name , but it must be in the HALL of

      SCIENCE . I shall be in London on Satur . day , the 16 th—a week after you read this—as I found it was dangerous for me to travel in Italy , and in next week ' s Star I shall utterly demolish the legal fictions , the folly , the absurd and ridiculous nonsense , which J . Bright ' s editor calls ABLE and INTERESTING ; and mind , my friends , when cold-blooded murderers enlist GOOD RUFFIANS to do their work , it is the murderer , and not the POOR STARVING RUFFIANS who is to be blamed , but the flogging the BLACK

      DRUMMER gave this person is nothing to the walloping I'll give him . You must view this matter very seriously and in its proper light . You must ask yourselves , ' who would be safe from such assassins ? ' and youlmust further ask yourselves , ' what the danger tyrants see in our Land Plan must be , when they resort to such means to | destroy it V for mark , my friends , this GOOD RUFFIAN did not spend NINE MONTHS in the county of Cork for nothing . When I return I will give you the benefit of my tour , and of a few conversations I have

      REALLY had on board steam boats about FREE TRADE . Just a taste here . I got into conversation with a Belgian merchant on board the Antwerp boat , and as we passed Batts , a Dutch fortress , on the river , about twenty miles from Antwerp , he saw the Dutch fishermen at work . « There now , ' said he , ' if we had Free Trade we mi ght come down here and TAKE the FISH FROM THE DUTCH . ' I have not seen a beggar since I left the nation of centralised wealth , and I have seen

      the happiest peasants , living under systems which our virtuous press denounces as despotisms , when it serveB their purpose . You can form no conception whatever of the rapid strides democracy is making on the continent of Europe , thanks to English Chartism . I am , myvfriends , Your uncompromising and unimpeachable Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Connor . P . S . —Of course the Examiner will give my reply to his GOOD RUFFIAN .

      Untitled Article

      A 8 HT 0 N-UNDBR-LTNB .--At a quarterly meetire of the Land members held in the Chartist room Bentinck-street , on Sunday tne 3 rd of October Mr Samuel Blackwell in the chair , the auditors read over the balance sheets , which were found correct We hope that those members who are in arrears with their local and general levies will come forward and pay them . Any member in arrears on the 18 th ef October will not be returned to the nexi ballot . The scrutineer , treasurer , and secretary woe re-eleoted . A resolution sympathising with th& widow of the

      late Mr Dodson , and requesting each member t&pay a contribution of one penny , was aatopted . # BusioN . —On Wednesday niebA , Lr MTXroa *! delvered a most spirited lecture wa » The Land . ' A branch of the National Benefit Society has been started , which is likely to be v « v sucoeosful . BucKBURN .-At our weekly meeting on Sunday , at the Temperance Hotel , xd w < ts reBolved :-. ^ a'ak / y tf ° ? f < "iy belaid upon each member maid of the Slcaford oass ^ the subscription to stand OTer till next quarter d ^ , ^ 1 , ^ K win be taken along with the quarters levy .

      William Andwton . Vaa chesen scrutineer for the next three months . The books were audited and found correct . BoLTOK .--Thfi monthly meeting of this branch was held on | Sunday last . After the Laad and local accounts had been read and passed , the following resolutions were carried : — That we have 1 , 500 copies of Mr O'Connor ' * Letter on the capabilities of a three acre farm ' , printed , and that we recommend our committee to send half a dozen copios to each of the differenttrades and other societies . That Mp ^ nchoster ought to call a South Lancashire delegate meeting of the Land Company to be held in Manchester as early as possible , in or £ er to ascertain the opinions of the district upon the conduct of the Whist . let and others , but more especially , that party in Lon .

      Untitled Article

      don who ate eudeavouring to-deprire the directors of the Wgfr esttmationjln which they are held by the memben of the company . Brisk * . —On Monday evening ,, the members of this branclu met at Mr Nioola ? GoSee b « w *> , Rose . raary , when the Mewing offfccM were- weWed :-M hi ! ' ? ' & * y r Mr Nichols , treasurer ; Mr Still , scrutineer . A resolution was passed , that ho monies be- received except on Monday evening between the hours of half-part seven and half-past aineo ' olock . Members are revested ito bring their eards when tney come to pay money . All in arrears : of local and general expenses will remember the Ballot in November . All letters for Bf istoJ branch : m forwarded'to F . W . Simeon , printer , Temple-( Street , Bristol . ' e ' " TAN » Pksbuot Loeiim . —A crowded' meetiiJA ? , Reality , took place at the Good Intent 8 i

      eZ ; n ° i ? ™ : \!"' ^ "o" Garten , en Sunday KWnlM ^ - the chair , whenitw / s itbJn ^ , 7 e t ° rm a Clubfor th » Purpose of supporting ; con 8 SrTthTf T ° WMr . noe . Bndft . tw j SSSSSSlSf every land 8 nd Charti 9 t l 0 Mlity Lcrtr ^^ after which Mr M ^ d * £ ffi 3 ffi 8 B tun on the rise and progreis of the National Land [ Urapany , and dwelt at great length onthecapabihties of the soil—answered the many © Meotions ! urged against the small allotment system , teok a review of the arttoles in the Mspatoh , and concluded a moat eloauent discourse by inviting the working

      classes to act upon the adviee of Sir R . Peel to take their affairs into their own hands . Seven shillings was collected towards the ease of poor Dwfaon . A vote Of thanks was voted to the lectarer , and chairman , and the meeting separated . # Cupham . —A meeting was held on Tuesday evening at the Jolly Sailor , Dorset-street , Clapham read , when Mr M'Grathably explained the principles and objects of the Land Company . A vote of thanks wag given to the chairman ; three cheers for Feargng O'Connor , and three for the democrats of Philadelphia . OovBNTBj . ~ At a meeting of the Coventry branch kIu * 1 1 « . P > y » neldon Tuesday evening , Oct . M ? B lol ) 8 w ? ? resolutions were unanimouslypassed — That the decision of Mr Thomas Clarkthat a

      , man and his wife can hold four Bhares each , iauniuBt , and contrary to the principles of equality . ' 'That an Agitatwe Committee , composed of the following persons :- Messrs Smith . Gilbert , Pritcbard , Eaves , Hosier , Freeman , and Pickard . with power to add to their number , be appointed to prepare for Mr O'Conner s visit to the Midland counties . ' GLOuoEsm-Dr M'Douall lectured on Saturday evening last , to a numerous meeting in the British School-room . The lecture gave complete satisfaction , and a vote of thanks to the lecturer testified the approbation of the meeting . HniL . —On Sunday evening Mr John West delivered a lecture in the larce room of the White Hart Inn ; his subject was , The Lind and the Charter . '

      Mr west gave a mest lucid and novel exposition of the duty of ChartiBts generally at the next general election . The manner in which he handled the queswon of the Land , gave the greatest satisfaction to his old friends , by whom he was received with the greatest enthusiasm . After the usual vote . of thanks to the chairman , Mr Stevens , and to the lecturer , this great meeting separated , highly delighted with the intellectual treat which they enjoyed . On Monday evening a great meeting was held in the Townhali , which had been kindly granted by the Mayor ; Mr George Stevens was called to the chair , who briefly introduced Mr West to the meeting . The subject of the lecture was , the Land Plan , and the Land and Labour Bank , in connexion with the National Land

      Company , Mr West spoke nearly two hours , elucidating the principles of the National Land Plan , in 8 o clear , simple , and convincing a manner , as to bring conviction home to the most obtuse intellect . His exposure of the present system of banking was loudly applauded ; and the superior advantages afforded by the Land and Labour Bank gave general satisfaction . After replying to the objections raised by the Whistler at the Plough , ' and others , and inviting discussion , Mr West eat down amid the greatest applause . After a gentleman in the meeting had made some observations on the question of banking , Mr West replied , and though several persons came to put questions , so completely had all objections been anticipated and answered , that not

      one present disputed the lecturer ' s positions . Tim meeting has bsen one of the most important held ia Hull for a long time , and i ' b calculated to do a vast amount ef good . The fact of the mayor having granted the use of the hall to working men , without any solicitation from tbe middle classes , is a wonderful proof of our progress . The Chartist body meet every Sunday night , and the Land members every Monday night , at the Ship Inn , Church-lane , to receive subscriptions and enrol members . Htdb—The Land and Lab )« r Bank .- On Sunday evening last the members of the 'Philanthropic Sick and Burial Society , together with the committee of management , met for the transaction of their usual business , Mr W . Candilet officiating as president

      , assisted by Mr C . Bedson , as secretary . A desultory conversation arose upon their banked funds , upon which Mr G . Candilet entered into an explanation of the security they possessed for their deposits in the Manchester and Liverpool Bank , and all other banking establishments ; the amount of interest obtained , and the purposes to which the funds of benefit societies were applied by those banks . After which he called their attention to the Land and Labour Bank , and advised the propriety of investing their fuDds in that Bank , inasmuch as they would not only obtain better security , but a greater

      amount of pecuniary profit . He then compared the application of deposits in the Land and Labour Bank with the application of deposits in other banking establishments , showing them that not onlj might they assist by investing funds in this Bank without diverting them from their legitimate purpose in the labour market . Mr Candilet was ably supported by Mr Isaao Mottarn , who contended the Land was the very best security ; and even if Mr O'Connor was inclined to ran away with that security by shiploads , he could not effect his purpose . It was decided unanimously that £ 100 be immediately transmitted to the Land and Labour Bank ,

      Hyde . —This branch of the National Land Company now numbers 413 members , holding 1 , 587 shares . The following officers have been appointed for the ensuing three months' committee : —Joseph M'Callara , James Boyle , John Derbyshire , Josiah Collins , Alexander Henderson , Edwin Sutcliffe , George Candilet ; chairman , William Bayley ; treasurer , William Henning ; scrutineer , Ralph Ilodgkinson ; John Gaskell , secretary . It has been resolved to print two thousand tracts explaining the objects , Ac , of ths Land Company , and Labour Bank , for distribution amongst tbe various sick societies . Lower Warmit . —> Themember 3 of this branch met in their room on Friday , Oct . 1 st ., when officers were elected for the ensuing six months , and the following resolution was carried unanimously : —

      That we , the members « f the IWwer VTarley branch of the Land Company , do hereby agree to pay one fasthlag per week each , to the executive committee , of tbe National Charter Association , towards the attainment Of that great measure , the People ' s Charter . Maccibsfikld . —A tea party , in honour of the Land Company , was heW in the Chartist room , Hanley-street , on Tuesday evening last , which was numerously and , respectably attended . Mr Rieley presided on the occasion- After the removal of the cloth , Mr Thomas Clark , one of the directors of the Company , who was present , delivered an address , defending the Company from some attacks which had baen made upon it by some of the local journals . Harmony and araussments were kopt up till midnight .

      Romfobd . —Tho indefatigable , saen comprising the Sq ' uirrel ' s-heath branch being desirous of extending the Company ta Romford , and the Rev Mr-Carlisle having most handsomely placed that spacious edifice , the Independent Chapel , at their disposal fer one night , on Monday evening October tbe 4 tn , the first public meeting ever held in Romford in support of the National Land Company , took place , and was addressed by Mr Stallwood in a very effective manner . He was enthusiastically cheered . The Rev Mr Carlisle presided , and delivered a truly patriotic and philanthropic address , which was warmly responded o . Great good has resulted from this meeting . Salisbury . —Mr Sidaway lectured here on the 29 th ult ., on the Land Plan . The audience were highly gratified with Mr Sidaway ' s able discourse

      . SiiEFFiELD .-At the usual weekly meeting of this branch , it was resolved , 'That all members not paying their levies before the 25 th inst ., will not b eligible for the next ballot . ' ThkLaboub BANK .-At the quarterly meetin ? of No . 13 district ot the loyal order of Druids , held at the house of Mr Jonathan Garside , New Church Inn , it was agreed that £ 15 Bhould be deposited in the National Land and Labour Bank , aa a first deposit . STOCKPORT .-On Sunday evening last , the Hall of Lyceum was crowded to hear a leoture from Mr T . Clark , on the subjectof the National Land and Labour Bank . Mr E . Clark of Manchester , and W . Pi Roberts , Ego ... were present , and . addressed tUa

      Untitled Article

      JSS& A i 3 s-s i ;? * " » ff / TitMOOULTRT , —At the quarterlv meoi ; .,.. « r * ubranch , the following cfficVE Sfe ' ? Drummond and James Buchen , auditor -iJiX Marchel , treasurer ; Geor e jCTSnttJS ? Walter Brown , secretary . r Walbs — Having received information frcm the friends at Newport , stating their inability to h ™* .

      meeting on Saturday evening , Dr M'DoualTs route from Dowlais must be changed ; we have resolved , therefore , that he should deliver two lectures at C Merthjr , one on Agricultural Chemistry , and tha N . other on the Land and Labour Bank ; then proceed \ vs . to Tredegar , on Saturday ; and Newport on Sunday , r < ^>^ where he may deliver a lecture , if he can arrive ia k TV time , but Monday is the day appointed for New * 3 > \ wt ; Ghep 8 tow on Tuesday , and Monmoath on ) \ \ Wednesday . The friends in Monmouth locality must A i a" » B « the Doctor ' a tonr for the remaining portion A 1 lertau ?* VID R ' MoRO ' < Malfrmill-sfluaiflfc VI ' ^ WHiTnNOTON ' ANB C ^ i .-At the usual weekly V \ meeting ot the members of the above branch , Mr \ \ ind i , « th ? chair ' ^ e new rules were read and also a letter from the directors in respect of tha agents payments , whfeb , beinzfeontrarv ta thn man

      dteuUSLTl' , Oember 1 jessed some w ^ v aiBsatwfaetioa that laws are made and not abide * ^\\ cLiS mT ° - f tbe LaDdCorap ™ y ha ™« ^ Cv asasTBBK ^ vu th S « Sd ^ S ! = ftK IS . Wliln ^ AMOCla J tIW 1 ' Prop "" the payment of ono V Wiling per annum in preference to the present mods *> . of . » upporttng the Association , 1 * an ^ e 888 r ^ i ake « Dwl « on , Lawrence , and other * \ o r ? niB ° hV A q T ?' r Wh 5 oh 8 tands •*» " «* «* I V b &M ^ T ds ' r ^ efln 8 »« ^ tended meeting- V Si ^ M ° f ^ a -L ^ Eastern In » tituti .. n , Com- , \ merowl road , on Wednesday , Ootoher 13 th . Mr V ^ the aboT « friends . Mr Tapp brought before the ' fA . ?™ £ aW ! ° h ° ? % th , ^ V 5 lat had ' b el N preferred against him , and da me . l the 9 nnn ; ni «^ '

      sasttfiafc ** Kzz A'JBS : IT ^ LKSiSS ^ ZSZZSJ ^^ ™^ " * rfSanssasr " against theconBiitutiott

      Rational Fum* Compa^

      Rational fUm * Compa ^

      The Chartist Land Am) Labour Bank, .

      the chartist land am ) labour bank , .

      Untitled Article

      FORTHCOMING MEETINGS . Assembly Rooms , 83 , Dkan-stbkrt , Sono .-On bunday waning n . xt , October 10 th , at half-pasfe seven o ' clock precisely , Mr William Dmn will d t e - V , publio lectute - Subject : 'England as . «™! T en . °# ock Precisely , the Westminster branch ot the Land Company , and the locality of the Naef ° bnsi * AssocIation mil 1 meet fwtn ( > despatch Mr Thomas Pickersgill will also attend , as agent , nefiTsociX the Nati 0 nal Co ° P «« Bel Tub Irish Cokfbdbbatbs will hold their weekly meeting on Monday evening . an % * . $ I ? & National Registration and Central Election Committee will assemble at eight o clock precisely , for the transaction of business .

      BsxnNAii Gbbeij . —A general meeting of the members of the Whittingtnn and Cat branch will be held on Sunday Evening , at seven o ' clock precisely . All members in arrears in the local levies , are requested to pay the same . Mr E . Stallwood will lecture at eight o ' clock , on the following subject : — ' Progression , ' ' Registration , ' 'The Charter , ' ' The National Land Company , ' and 'The Land and Labour Bank / Bilsios . —A general meeting of the members of the Land Company will take place at Mr Linney ' s , the Malt Shovel Inn , on Thursday evening next . Birmisghasi . — Ill , Rka-street . —In consequence of the supper in honour of the return of Mr O'Connor , for Nottingham , taking place on Monday even * ing next , the meeting for receiving subscriptions , Ac , will be held on the following evening ( Tuesday ) . N . B . —No . 3 Money Club will commence on the same

      evening . Choblby—A monthly meeting of shareholders will be held at No 9 , Princeas-Btrect , on the 10 th inst . at five o ' clock , when all members in arrears for locar levies must pay up the same . Cur and Finbbuby . —On Sunday evening next , MrW . Dixon will lecture . Subject : ' Traces' unions ^ as they are—Trades' unions as they ought to be . ' CoMMBBCiAMtoAD East . —The members of th ? Globe and Friends branch are requested to meet on Tuesday , October 12 th . Covbntb * . —All patties requiring information , or wishing to take shares in tbe National Land Company , can do so every Tuesday evening , at the Infant SchoolRoom , bottom of Grey Friar ' s-lane . A public meeting will be held at tbe above place on Tuesday evening , October 19 th .

      Cbipplegatjs . —A lecture wll be delivered to this branch on Tuesday evening , October 12 ih , at Cartwright ' s Coffee-house , Rcdcross-street , City , by Mr P . M'Grath , on the 'National Land Company . ' Chair to be taken at eight o ' clock . Di'kespield . —Next Sunday , October 10 th , Mr Harkiu will deliver a lecture on ' English Grammar , ' and will continue for several successive Sundays , when all the members , the young men especially , will do well not to let this golden opportunity slip . Mr Ilarkin presented to the members lastSunday . thirtyfive different styles of small Lan iwriting , and they were very much admired . N . B . —Branch business to commence at two o ' clock , and the lecture at three o ' clock in the afternoon precisely . FiKfBDBY . —This branch will , in future , meet at tbe Mechanics' Institute , Frederick ' s-place , Goswellroad , on Monday , October 11 th .

      Gasbtown , near Dumfries . —A quarterly meeting of the members of this branch will be held on Friday evening , October 15 tli , at eight o ' clock , when all those who have been members three months previous to that date , are requested to attend and pay their levies . A scrutineer will be elected fur the ensuing three months ; Hyde . —The members of this branch will meet at the house of Mr William Henning , on Sunday next , at two o ' clock , p . m . Members to bo eligible to tho ballet , must have paid up all local levies , by the 24 th of the present month . Ivbstos . — The members of this branch are rc « quested to attend the meeting , to be held in the schoolroom , at Iveston , on Monday , the 11 th inst . '

      Lambeth . —A meeting of delegates from the metropolitan districts will take place on Sunday ,. October 17 th , at six o ' clock , to form a committee of observation . The delegates who bare attended thopreliminary meetings have unanimously decided that such a committee should be formed . The Land roembere are also requested to attend . The mem ' berg of this branch are particularly requested to attend , on Sunday , the 10 th . The future weekly meetings of this branch will be opened every Sunday eveningat six o ' clock precisely .

      , Leeds . — An operative mechanic will lecture in tha Chartht room , on Sunday evening , October 10 th , on the ' Land and Labour Bank . ' The mechanics of Leeds aro respectfully requested to attend . Lincoln . —A branch ot the National Land Company has been opened in Lincoln , and will meet on Monday evenings , at eight o'clock , at the Manverff Arms , Danes Gate . Manchbsteb —Mr Thomas Clark , of London , wil deliver a lecture in the People's Institute ,

      flcvrodstreet , Ancoats , on Sunday , October 10 th , at twoo ' clock in tbe afternoon . Subject : ' The Principles of the Land and Labour Bank . ' At half-past six . o ' clock , there will be a publio discussion , by Mr T . Clark of London , and Mr Degless of Pendelton , on . the Land Plan propounded ty Fcargus O'Connor , E ? q ,, M . P . | Mabtlebone . —The members of tVis branch will meet , on Sunday , the 10 th instant , at the CoachpainterB Arms , Cbcas-street , New-road , at sii o ' clock . The local expenses will be decided on .

      Mr Ivtod ' s Routs is Scotland Hamilton ^ Monday 11 th ; Bridieton , Tuesday 12 th ; Grcenock , Wednesday 15 th ; Johnstone , Thursday Ht . b . ; Anderstan , Friday 15 th ; Campsie , Saturday 10 th ; Paisley , Monday 18 th ; Alva , Tuesday }< h )> ; Tillicoultry , Wednesday 20 th ; Dunfermline , Thursday 21 st ; Kircaldy , Friday 22 nd ; Kiugharn , Saturday 23 rd . AJtcr the above route has been completed all parties wishing the services of Mr Kytid , are requested to write to Duncan Sketrington , 30 , Run > ford-street , Bridgoton , Glasgow ,

      Mb West ' s Route for thb nxxt Fortnight . — Sunday , Octeber 10 th , Bramut ; Monday , Uth , Leeds ; Tuesday , 12 th . Haworth ; Wednesday , 13 tb , Si laden ; Thursday , 14 tb , Bradford ; Friday , 15 th , Me ; Monday , lSih , Sheffield ; Tuesday , 19 th , Doncaster ; Wednesday , 20 th , Dewsbury ; Thursday , 21 st , Todmorden ; Friday , 22 nd , Uebden Bridge ; and , Sunday , 24 th , Macclesfield . NEWCASiiiE-uroN-TYNK . — The members of this branch of the Land Company aro informed that * public discussion amongst the members will tab : © place at Mr Jude ' * , Cock Inn , Head-of-the-Side , on Sunday evening , October 10 th , at six o clock . Subject : 'The merits of the plan or pr . nciple on whioh the Land Company is founded more especially aa regards the redemption of each member ' s allotment r ' ii

      . , .. __ _ .,.. >• . _ NoniHAMPio » . -A general meeting o / the sharer holders will take p lace on Monday evening-at ,--hatfpast seven o ' clock , at Mr N . Girr ' s , the 1 e « perance Iloiel , King-street , to elect officers for tho ensuing . qU NoiTi : fonAM . —A meeting of the members of the National Laud Company will be held at tho Eagla Tavern Garner ' s Hill , on Sunday evening , Oolobe . r 10 th at teven o ' clock , when the deputation appointed to wait upon the editor of the . ^ KWJj will give iattwir . report ^

      Untitled Article

      ' :: =- . ^ i : r :. p : '' p - \^ ^^ u ^ ' ^ . c ^^ __ AND NATIONAL TBADES' JOURNAL .

      Untitled Article

      LL other l 25 l ? 52 () - LONDON , SATURDAY ^ OCTOBEU 9 , 1847 wuwlroSSSi ^ lT ~~ ~ ~ ' g iT « Shilling . Budaix , enCC «| nar , e 1 that th ho ?« Manm ^ ...

      Untitled Article

      ¦ uUbU ^^ A ^^ dAAdAA ^^^^ HM ^^ A ^^ AAAAAAAtt ^ "My good Ruffians , what is your demand for killing two SMALL children f—Bales in the Wood .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 9, 1847, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1439/page/1/