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Northern Star (1837-1852), 27th January 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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    • ¦ • • i-SSf; | | p THE LAND COMPANY.
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      Untitled Article

      t * he following letter , relative to the transfer Land by allottees , has been forwarded to ^ This is the letter ; and at foot will be SJfMind my answer . ^^" rom Taxjiek , occupant at Lowbands , to iHfe . Morgan , of Deptford : — V ^§ £ ~ " Jan . 21 st , 16 « . ; 55 SyP ' Mobgax . —I received your letter this morning , ^ SJ *" ^ sh ^ e to send you the particulars respecting the ;^§ t nent tliat isfor S 3 ie - A I ?? ' whohas lef t , has nadno' xj'WOBS of the Company but the Aid money , and the interest \ ij 6 f 5 bat will be charged in the rent 'foere is one year * * ; : > jCDl . to be charged to all those who sell , and three " year * yJ 3 i » allowed fur those who buy to pay it to the Company . - VfiSBJC Directors have nothing at all to do with it If a man ; i |§ Bses to sell liis allotment nobody can interfere with him . "

      M " - REPLY . . ^¦ ' . My answer to the above letter is , that , as / J ^ jiopn as the Company is completely registered , ? -NBTCry mall who has taken possession of an alijlpfcacnt , or rented an allotment without pay'iprig tlie Aid money , and all amounts due to the JlJCompany , will be summarily ejected ; and , Sj&i&erefbre , those "who purchase from the occujSjpant , and pay to hini any portion of money ^ ydu ' e to the Company , will have committed the isfjR-rong with his eyes open , and cannot blame the ^ Directors . Xo doubt the occupant would be

      Spa a very fascinating situation who received 0 £ 3 Q Aid money , besides the cultivation of his lHallottnent , and also received a . bonus from the ^ purchaser , without returning the demands of jggthe Company . The proposition in my letter , ^ relative to " the postponement of payment of prent , does not refer to transfers made since the | § Conference , or since the potato rot , nor does it prefer to those who are able to pay their rent . I ! Let it therefore be distinctly understood , that II any allottee who has sold , from the coin-Kmencementof the Company , without refund-§ 1 ing all that was due to the Company , has

      H committed a fraud upon the purchaser , who H will be instantly ejected , and the allotment ns-I signed by bonus . |? All purchasers must return the Aid money i j |/ the Loan money ( if had ); the amount chargefe able for cultivation ; and the amount of rent & d&e up to the day of transfer ; and alljlwse fe ^^ fclavesskktmll te 4 etdt with m precisely p the same manner ; as I am resolved , that , let | f the growth of the Land Company he slow or V rapid , it never shall be converted into a society E of Land sharks , allowing the most fortunate to h rob the industrious , who is willing to purchase , " xi and the uulocated members . v Feargus O'Connor .

      P . S . It Jsbut justice to Taxxer to state , that the letter does not refer to his own allotment , and is written in ignorance of the facts ; that the remainder of his letter is written in a very good spirit , stating that any distress that exists is consequent npon the wetness of the weather , which the oldest inhabitant does not remember Tieing equalled for twenty years ; and , of course , MoBGAX was quite right in forwarding the letter before he committed hiniselij in ignorance of the rules . F . O'C .

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      TO THE CHARTISTS . I insert the following letter received from the solicitor -who defended Mr Yebsox , * n d I entirely agree with it , that it is a hardshipnav , a " scandal—iihat a professional gentleman , who paid money out of his own pocket , and conducted the defence of his client ably , should be placed in such a situation ; and I assure you that it not only mortifies me , as a gentleman , but it considerably damages you , as a partv , to be guilty of such real dishonesty .

      Don't talk about the people ' s inability to discharge their just debts , while they will drink on Saturday night next ten thousand tunes as much as would pay all their liabilities , and loave thousands to carry on their cause . They know that their principles are my principles ; they know that no power on earth would buy me , ' bribe me , frighten me , or induce me to give up those princip les ; and , therefore , they uiO 3 t ungenerously , unfairly , and dishonestly make me the scape-goat to bear all their Bins .

      Famine is raging in Ireland ; the Irish people are derided and mocked at , but I will venture to say that the poorest Irishman hai never been allowed to go to trial for a political offence without the best and ablest counsel ; and that no Irish solicitor has ever been left without his costs . Perhaps you may say , that in Ireland they would have no one to appeal to ; but my answer is , that no appeal is ever necessary : while you in England would saddle me with all your responsibility . However , I have the honour to remain , A Chartist , though all should abandon the principles , and neglect the performance of their duties , Peakgx : s O'Cojwor . Barnard ' s Inn , 2-Jth Januarv , 1849 .

      T ) EiP . Sir . —It is with some satisfaction I read your letter addre ^ ed to the "Defence Fund" in the Northern Star of the 13 th inst ., and I would ask what inducement can tl'ore •» for tlic professional man and legal adviser to defyiid an ? « f the Chartist leaders , if all the time , labour , and expense is to tie paid out of Ms own pocket Infhecase of Mr . Vermm , 1 was solicited by that gentleman to conduct his defence . I took his defeVice up , but have not yet l > ee : i pai'l with about £ 80 out of pocket—my claim being , in fact , nesn-r to £ 170 or £ 16 ' ) , than £ 70 or £ 80 , as

      men-Honol in your letter—no uoubt an error in the printing , as ray bill , delivered to you some months ago , amounting to £ . \>> i aud upwards . wUl show , and several cl aims have been sent to me .-im-e on the part of witnesses , short-hand writers , Ac . In your letter you use the terms "Graspin " Solicitors . " I presume that as my claim is still unpaid , and as I have brought no action against you , the appellation does not allude to myself . I remain , dear Sir , yours fcithfully , J . Of . Sixos . feaigus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P .

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      the statute acre . The men work in gangs of six each They take care to match themselves , as some are much more expert titan others . At present he gives emplovment to 50 ( 1 men . Often he has as many as 1 , 000 . Nearly i not all his labour , is done by task-work—even the reapin " He encourages digging matches , by offering premiums to the best and quickest gangs of six ; and by this means his men have become so expert , that ev en at the low rate of 6 s . 8 d . the acre they can earn from lOd . to Is . 3 d . per dav . How noble his conduct appears to be , compared to that of many of the narrow-minded country squires , who have declared to me that they would not improve one inch of their lands , because , in so doing , they would benefit 1 » e neighbouring property as well as their own , bv keeping the rates down .

      " John Hamilton is now draining a large extent of the land held by his tenants ; but I cannot state on what terms . If all the landlords of Ireland would follow his example , we should have but trifling poor rates , no able-bodied labourers wanting employment , and could spare food that would support one-fourth of the people of England , and leaye plenty for all our own people . " As an instance of the difficulties and obstructions which Strangers , bent upon ameliorating the condition of the Irish people must be prepared to encounter in their career of usefulness , Mr . Lamb quotes the following : —

      " With the last number of my notes I gave somejsxtracts from the report of two Manchester merchants , who travelled over nearly three-fourths of our island last autumn , to see , with their own eyes , the true state of Ireland and the Irish . When in the fcounty of Limerick , at Castle Con . ncll , thev inquired if there was any one in that locality reclaiming * waste land ? They were directed to James M'Nabb , of Mona-lodge . They called on him , and he politely showed them over his farm , and explained the whole process of reclamation . They say : — We were higMv interested in what wo saw ; and are convinced that the bogs of Ireland , under similar circumstances and management , maybe reclaimed . The farm consists of 272 statute acres . Eight years ago he set to -work upon tlvia bog land , which as land for agriculture , was not then

      worth 6 d . an acre . He has reclaimed l ; ' 0 _ acre 3 ; sixteen is under plantation , and the remaindeptfM ) under crop .- The produce of his potatoes , whege ^ and o ' ats , was equa } in quantity and quality , to « fcflf of the best land in trel « ri ( f and his garden produces as fine vegetables as any in the island , which is saving a great deal . The condition of the cattle and sheep upon the farm was most beautiful . We « aw a field of clover , which had been three times mowed this year , att&viastiym most luxuriant , ¦ whe re ttvere was nothing but deep bog five years ago . The land reclaimed is on a bog , six feet deep , yet fhe surface is sound , elastic , and hard . On this farm of 104 acres , which eight years aeo would not have fed a soat . he now has twenty milch cows , fourteen bullocks , twenty-six calves , fifty sheep , three horses , and twelve pigs . He sends 180 boat loads of turf to Limerick annually , — each load , on an average , is

      worth £ 10 . This gives great employment to the people , besides reclaiming the land ; the handling of the turf employs old men , women , and children . This bog was l et , twenty-three years ago , for a term of 999 years , at a fixed rent , yet the present proprietor brought and action to recover possession , and it was tried last July , at limerick . The plea set up was , that the father of the present proprietor had no power to grant such a lease , and that the land was poached . The idea of poaching a bog was laughed at , and scouted ont of court by a verdict in favour of Mr . M'Sabb . The landlord threatens to carry the ease to the House of Lords ; it is possible that he will see the folly , if not the injustice , of such a step . The jury were composed of landed proprietors , not farmers . We feel confident that , should he follow out his threats , " and the case become known , a subscription in England would most readily be raised to assist Mr . M'Xabb in defending the action . "

      When Luxdyfoot , the great snuff merchant , made a large fortune , Curran advised him to accept the following as his ^ famil y motto : — ' . - ; , ¦ : ¦ "' ' ¦¦

      -- -- - .. i'Oh holy Moses ! Who'd think that nosea Could do all this . " Now though I hare a very old family motto , an Irish one , which translates into " Fair and easy goes far , " I repudiate the antiquity , and adopt the following : — . ly Argus ! Who'd think that Fargus Cou o all this . " You will find from the above , that it is asserted that the starving Irish could each year eiporfc to England a fourth of tho necessaries required by her people . And this , mind , in the teeth of the invitation to emigrate , and the moonshine about over-population . See the fact , that the property of Lord Palmersto >" , cleared and cultivated by the spade , has been doubled in value in the course of a year

      or two . See , and read , and think , upon the fact , that Mr . Hamilton , whose letter to Mr . Charles Coulthurst , I quoted some weeks ago , has adopted the system of spade husbandry , and ponder well upon its result as regards proprietor and labourer . The man who can earn eightpence a-day in Ireland is only too happy , while you find some gangs working for Sir . Hamilton earning fifteen pence a-day by task labour—and I will warrant that those

      LAZY , IDLE , REPROBATE , UNTHRIFTY VAGABONDS , breakfast by rushlight , and are watching for daylight to commence their task , and are longing for moonlight and the long nights to continue it . } Jo \ v-, do you think that any one of those labourers would shoot Lord PalmerstOS or Mr . Hamilton ? Not a bit of it . They would constitute their body guard , and r isk their lives in their defence . So much for Irish ingratitude , Irish idleness , and Irish propensity to commit crime . Then , observe the value of spade husbandry , as practically illustrated , although the RAVEN , the bird of prey , the Poor Law Commissioner , produced bvthe HAYTER to damn the ' Land Plan ,

      had the insolence to declare that spade husbandry was the worst , the most slovenly , and least productive mode of cultivation . Now , what do you think of that fellow ? Six and eightpence an acre—a STATUTE acre—is the amount paid for digging the land ; a statute acre , like the English acre , is 160 perches , but the English perch is only sixteen-and-a half feet square , and the Irish is twenty-one feet square , so that five statute acres are eight English acres , and Mr . Hamilton pays at the rate of 4 s . 2 d . per English acre for digging his land , from nine to twelve inches deep , and the lazy Irishman , who earns fifteen pence a-day by task work , digs an acre in less than threeand-a-half days .

      Now , I pay twelve shillings an acre for on © ploughing , when I hire horses , for the English acre , which is within a fraction of a pound for the statute acre , not to count harrowing , scuffling , rolling , &c , while one digging is worth six ploughings—and thus , I show you the value of manual labour . Then , again , look at Sir . M'Nabb's 104 acres of reclaimed bog , not worth sixpence an acre some tima ago , and now feeding " twenty cows , fourteen bullocks , twenty-six calves , fifty sheep , three horses , and twelve pigs , " and enabling him to defend his right in a court of law against a tyrannical landlord .

      Now read my fanning work upon the reclamation of waste land , starting at the standard when the land is worth a shilling an acre , and showing what it would be worth in eleven years ; and think of the number of hands that the cultivation of these 104 acres must require , as the horses , you may be sure , are employed in carrying the turf from the bog to the wharf . I should like to know -what one of my growling children would say if he was asked to dig an acre of ground , from nine to twelve inches deep , in three days and a half ? But yet I venture to assert , that many an English agricultural labourer would doit ; and those are themen we should have commenced our agricultural experiments with—or rather , our agricultural operations , as the production of food from the Land , and the requital of the labourer , i » bv no means » u experiment .

      But , then , my friends , there is another great theory—the wildness , the folly , and insanity of which is practically illustrated by the operations of Mr . Hamiltox . The writer says , "that the work being task-work , the gangs match themselves ; " and could there bo a stronger refutation of the practical results of Socialism , as defined by its advocates . Socialism , in itstrue acceptation , moans the fitness of things to society ; but it has received a relig ious , as well as a social tinge , and therefore the term " Communism" is the fit and proper one to apply to tho social theories of Communists , And what I assert is ibis , that Grovem *

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      nient—under Monarchy , Republic , Autocrat , or Despot , would be Christian , philanthropic , just , and equitable , when compared with Government established upon social principles . Nay , more—to argue it in detail—if society was classified , and if human beings were selected according to any standard of fitness , experience , ability , or skill , and marshalled into sections , the war of sections would be more bloody and destructive than the present war of class against class .

      Take , for instance , twenty men , each with a wooden leg , and nineteen of them with but one arm , the twentieth with two arms and two hands , would rebel against the nineteen who were to be equal participants of the produce . Or imagine the case of an author , the writer of a most splendid work , dividing the proceeds of his labour equally , either with inferior authors , or with compositors or pressmen ; that , I may be told , is classifying them too

      minutely ; so that suppose you take it generally and universally—imagine the indolent and unintellectual portion of society living upon the intellectual portion of society , and do you not think there would be a war of intellect and industry against Ignorance and idleness ? and it is folly to attempt to refute this position by the vague assumption , that under the social system none would be either ignorant or idle-forp » longas the world lasts—n ^ n ^ itf * WMHhe governing system may bo—the ruling maxim

      will be SELF-INTEREST . I am aware that , especially abroad , in countries where the people are wholly ignorant of the Labour Question , the principle of Communism is being extensively adopted ; but its adoption is based upon the ignorance—and not upon the knowledge of its advocates . They have nothing else to talk about that will enlist the sympathy and attention of their hearers ; while they themselves live in idle affluence on the means wrung from the credulity , enthusiasm , and hope of their dupes . I trust , therefore , that in England the people will base their

      hope upon self-reliance , with the full confidence —that when the channels of industry are all open—no matter how classified—all will have equal protection and be well provided for ; and then should Communism , in its real and only practical meaning , be the adopted principle , the comfortable majority will cheerfully provide for the otherwise comfortless minorityand then the really philanthropic , and intellectual Communists might ; be amongst the most useful . members of society ; but I implore of you never to allow our Political or Social Movement 1 , or the Land and Labour Question , to be miked up with Communism or Socialism .

      Next week Parliament meets / and before many days of the Session we will be able to gather the meaning of Ministers from their mumping . I invite your attention to a report of the proceedings at a meeting of the middle-classes , held at Notting-Hill on Monday last ; and , being present and one of the speakers , it delighted me to find that the most aristocratic of the middle-classes took the first

      dose of Chartism without a wry faco , and ong great and most beneficial effect of the agitation is this , that the working classes may speak out upon the new financial move more boldly than they would dare to speak of their own principles , because the Jury-class would be more friendly in the former than in the latter care . Your faithful friend , Feargus O'Connob .

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      FINANCIAL REFORM . IMPORTANT MEETING AT NOTTING HILL . ( From our own Eeporttr . ) On Monday last , a numerous and influential meeting of the middle classes was held at the Prince Albert Tavern , Notting Hill , for the purpose of discussing the several propositions and resolutions of tho Financial Reform Association . 11 . Hartley Kennedy , Esq ., of Resington Lodge , late candidate for a Scotch burgh , and candidate for the Chellea district , when enfranchised , was in the chair . He opened the proceedings in a very effective and straightforward speech , acquiescing in tlie objects

      of the meeting , but evidently anxious to go a littlo further . Mr . Serle , of Bank-place , Bayswater . thc celebrated dramatic author , made an admirable speech , in which he showed the advantage of direct over indirect taxation , the extravagance of the government , and tho unprofitable expenditure of the national resources , and showing the establishment of forty-shilling freeholders to constitute the main ingredient in the Financial Budget . [ While this speaker was on his legs , Mr . O'Connor entered the room , and was partially cheered . ] Mi " . Gaskell , of Chelsea , surgeon , and Chairman of the West London Reform Association , also spoke ,

      and very characteristically described tlie system of government pillage , and the superior ability of the labourer , and his consequent fitness to vote for & representative . To illustrate his first position , ho said , that , some few days Ago , he was reading to hii family an account of " the manner in which they pluck geese in Lincolnshire three timea a year , that there was a lady present , who exclaimed—" Oh ! what brutes ! " " Yes , " said Mi . Gaskell , " but are not we geese also to allow ourselves to be plucked every day in the year . " ( Laughter . ) And then as to tlio ability of the labourer , ho was crossing a street tlie other day , and saw a sweeper doing his work , as he thought , very imperfectly / He showed him what he considered the best method of sweeping-, but the sweeper very soon convinc " him that by his method ho did three times as much with

      one dash of the broom as he could upon his ( Mr . Gaskell ' s ) method . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now , did not that prove even the sweepers right to bo represented ? and lie hoped that the district of dotting Hill would follow the example of their Chelsea neighbours , who , though but in infancy , had thrown off their swaddling-clothes , and promised speedily to attain a giant's strength , as they already numbered 600 , and were determined to go on until they . proved to the aristocracy that the middle and working classes were able to represent themselves , without tho assistance of government patronage , and such lavish expenditure of monies that might be more profitably applied . ( Cheers . ) The Chaikmax then asked Mr . O'Connor if ho would address tho meeting , and upon that gentleman rising he waa received most enthusiastically . Mr . O'Cohxor said : Mr . Chairman and

      gentlemen , this is the first middle class meeting I ever attended , and I would not have attended this if your object was solely confined to a reduction of your own burthens . ( Hear , hear . ) In this financial crusade I see more than tho mere saving clause—I gee the destruction of Whiggery through the destruction of patronage—through the slaying of corruption ; and if your movement was to stop with the achievement of your own object I should , as of yoro , be in opposition to you : and the reason that I have acquiesced in this movement is , because its leader , Mr . Cobden , has declared « WE WILL NOT STOP THERE . "

      t Cheers ) It is not to the middle classes , who are fhe formers of their own chains , and to then ; release Vom taxation , that I look , but it is to the adjustment of the Labour Question , by a proper settlement of winch all those shopkeepers and traders by whom I am surrounded would 1 ) 0 immensely bcnelUted , Cheers . ) You must make taxation direct , and levy t not on industry , but on real property- ( cheers ) - and then when tlie tax-payer is the law-maker he and find

      Ulsee through Mr Cobden ' s telescope , that peace through contentment is ; JW * J »» peace through bayonets . Loud cheers . ) He * as KoBed to the Free Traders , because he looked EftffK ^ ass ^^ Tw gfe ^^ S r ft B' ^ ' ^ i'F ^ hst proposition of the Financial Reformer . ; and SS'w rsisrsa'sssr . si

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      cheorU Mr . O'Connor continued —Hallo , why thaUmackspfthoLsuid , and you seem to like it In fa » mg of'the New Forest , the Times telhns that , ?' . formerl y , its surface was covered with smiU mg hamlets and homesteads until tlie second William and lus successors ruthlessly swept those habitations away , in order to make room for a vast forest , m which they might take their pastime ;" and then the Times goes on to state " wuat tub TYR 4 SST OF ONE RACE ACCOMPLISHED mr . oupiditt and mismmoemkxt op others ha . vk continued . It is time that much of the land buovld returnto TUB PLOUGH AND THE HARROW . WHERE COHK UAS GBOWN c » K . V WILL GROW AOAlSf , AND THE NATION WOULD THUS POSSESS A XHBIVIKO DZSTRICT IN" 5 AII OF AN UNPRODUCTIVE WASTE . " Now , ( Said Mr . O Connor ) , there is tho admission of the

      leading journal , and , gentlemen , while you arc proud of your bantling may I mention mine , the odious and reviled cri pple—the one that is to accomplish this groat nation . il purpose ? The Ciuunux . —Ycs , yea , out vrith it . Mr O Connor , turning to the meoting . —May I ; i Ti- you F ° . miso not to be frightened ? ( " Yes , yes&Jrpm all sides . ) Them h ia the CHARTER ! ( Load cheering and clapping of hands . ) Well , but do not mistake me , lam not going to intrude this consideration upon you YET , nor am I going to gratify the Whig enemy by causing a split between the middle and the working classes , when their united exertions are calculated to overthrow Whi p

      granny . ( Loud cheers . ) I have been inrited ( said Mr . O Connor ) by some of the aristocracy to oppose this move ; but , unlike other demagogues , I never will become an instrument ia the hands of faction , T toferiLagj ^ s # , rfl of popularity pc ^ cefid of re-[ inncn CTeYprevcnt me'frrim performing my duty to those iiuwhose causo I have struggled lor years and withwhom I will struggle to the death—the working men—^ loud cheers ,, amidst which Mr . O'Connor-resumed his seat . ) The CiumMAN rose and was about to put three of the resolutions , carried at the Manchester meeting , when

      Mr . Lovett , -upholsterer , said : Mr . Chairman , I . wee with the distinguished gentleman who last addressed tlie meeting—that it would bo imprudent and injudicious to oppose the middle clas » move , as it is one in the right direction , but I cannot consent to the resolutions being put , as proposed by tho chairman , as the most important , —that proposed by Mr Milner Gibson , at Manchester , with reference to the extension of the Suffrage—is omitted . ( Uear , hear . ) The Chairman . —I beg to assure the gentleman that that is not an intentional omission of the Committee , as lie will sec the resolutions are taken from

      a newspaper ; we sent to the landlord for the newspaper , presuming that it contained all , but we find that the one sent does not contain that of Mr . Milner Gibson , but as this meeting , he was pleased to say , had HO desire to stop short of the mark , they would make another attempt to get the right newspaper , and if that failed there would be no difficulty in framing a resolution in accordance with Mr . M . Gibsons . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Lovktt waa perfectly satisfied with the candid explanation of the Chairman , and would therefore move the adoption of Mr . Gibson ' s resolution . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Lessinoham , house decorator , said , that he rose with great pleasure to second the Adoption of the resolution , and that he felt pride and pleasure in seeing the reviled of all revilers—Mr . Feargus 0 ' Connor—amongst them that night . ( Loud cheers . ) It was but for the middle classes to know that gentleman and his principles , and to hear him defend them , to insure his ultimate success . He waa s Chartist —( cheers)—and he was nofafraid to avow it , but as his duty was to ensure harmony at such a meeting , he would give his cordial support to the resolutions , with the addition of Mr . Milner Gibson ' s . The resolutions were then put from the chair and carried unanimously , amid loud applause . After whioh

      Mr . Sbrlb rose and said : Now , my friends , I have a rery pleasing and important duty to perform . "We have amongst us to-night the most influential leader of the working classes ; a man who , though univerlally reviled by the press , has preserved the confidence of his followers , and has established his title to th » t confidence by the noble sentiment , that ho would not base his popularity as a demagogue upon opposition to those who urged anything for the benefit of the people . Perhaps no ancient or modern event is of greater importance than his presenco here to-night , as it will hasten the accomplishment

      as without his co-operation we would be deprived of our greatest support , therefore , I have great pleasure in proposing the cordial thanks of this meeting to Mr . O'Connor , for his brilliant speech and manly conduct . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Makivi . vg , auctioneer , said that ho begged to have the honour of seconding the proposition of Mr . Serle , and he had great pleasure in announcing to the meeting that he had enrolled Mr . O'Connor ' i name as a member of their Association . ( Loud cheers . )

      The Chairman said that he would not put the proposition in the usual cold form , to be carried by a « how of hands ; lie would ask them to carry it with three hip , hip , hips and hurrahs , and when they went home to-night , let them repeat the following sentence in the eloquent and soul-stirring speech they had heard , " Mr . O'Connor had said , Jet taxation be direct , and when the tax-payers wore the law-makers , they would measure taxation economically by necessity , and not , aa now , extravagantly by patronage . " Tlie Chairman then put tho resolution , which wa » unanimously carried , and followed by cheering and clapping of hands . Mr . O'Connor said : Gentlemen , I thank you , lam not going to detain you longer than merely to tell

      you I am not to be bought . Some of tho aristocratic classes have thrown out their feelers to ensure my opposition to the Financial Reform Association ; they have endeavoured to tickle me by showing what a great man I might become if I would only oppose this move : but , as I never intend to baso nominal greatness ' upon actual dishonesty , I have declined their several fascinating appeals . ( Cheers ) I receive many letters , some anonymous and some with real signatures , many of them addressed ' from elub-houscs , inviting me to buckle on the armour of opposition ; but I have declined all . Gentlemen , I thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Dunford , printer , said that as the father of the bantling , he could not allow the meeting to separate without expressing the joy and satisfaction

      he experienced from the proceedings , and he trusted that the session of parliament would not be allowed to pass away without a just expression of indignation from that district against the cruel and . heartfesi tyranny practised by the government against tho Chartistprisonors . whowereentrappedbygovernment spies and informers , and then subjected to harsher treatment than felons . ( Loud cheers . ) He was glad to hear that the Chelsea district had sprung into such rapid vitality ; every beginning was weak , and he trusted ere long that Notting Hill would bo able to contrast its strength , its energy , and resolution with any of the sin-rounding districts , while the working classes might vest assured that ho , as the founder of the association , would not stop short at the middle-class point . ( Cheers . )

      After a vote of thanks to the Chairman , which was well merited , as no officer could more efficiently discharge his duty , and whom we hope ero long to geo a representative of the Chelsea district , tho meeting separated , highly gratified with tho proceedings . Previously , however , it was announced that another meeting would be held at the same p lace on' Monday next the 29 th , [ Note . We give the following as a specimen of the letters referred to by Mr . O'Connor . ] Athenaeum , Jan " . 13 , 1819 . Snt , —I am a person rather singular among tlie class to which I belong ( of English gentlemen ) , in thiuking favour , ably and highly of the working people of England . I want , also , to see them better understood . by others . I believe that there are very many honest Chartists , who , if they would separate themselves from republicans and revolutionists—with whom they have nothing in common—would soon stand very differently in the estimation of their countrymen , and be much nearer attaining their own proper objects .

      A glorious opportunity now presents itself to the Chartists to elevate their character , and " win golden opinions , " by manfully opposing Cohden ' s new-propnsed agitation—for inviting war , throwing away peace , and every way lessen , ing and lowering the country—the worst thing possible for the poor ; and they will have the sense to see it . You may win the greatest popularity by standing up against it , and " pitching it" into Cobden , Hume , and Bright , to their undoing . I have written two of a series of letters to the Chartists proper . First , to withdraw them from the enemies of the notbut onl

      constitution—which they are , y desiring to share its blessings ; anil , secondly , calling upon them to withstand the Cobdenites , who are no true friends of theirs . The greatness and glory of the country—noble undertakings for the public good , which may find employment for the poor , are ' ever tlic best for them . There ought to be , and must bD , a sound economy ; but there should also be a liberal expenditure in great undertakings for the public good , and to find the people work . But it is useless to write , unless what is written can be read ; and how to effect this is my present concern , and occasions my addressing you , I choose , for the present , tg

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      ^^^¦¦¦ ^^¦ MMBMM ^ maBMHMi ^ Maa ^ V ^ MMaBMMMBM ^ MBMMHBMMa fight with my vizor down , that my usefulness may not be impaired by any personal considerations ; but you need not doubt mv high character . and respectability . * I am inclnu'd to think that you are likely to concur with me in my views to u certain extent , and must possess the influence to promote what I desire—namely , to bring mv sentiments before tho Chartist body—uot only through the nortlurn Star , but from your habitual intercourse with them . A letter addressed— "ALpnA , Tost Office , Queen ' S-roild , NO . i 8 ( to be left till called for ) , " will obHge Your may-be Co-operator , „ The IIeiuiit op Pijilico . Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . I ' .

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      MfcH TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . GE . VTtEMEv . —We , the undersigned shareholders of he Land Companv , in the Huddersfield district , beg leave most respectfully to draw your immediate attention to the ease of John Bradshaw now residing at Minster Lovel , who from his location not being ma productive state this year , finds himself in a destitute condition , and if the whole or part of tho £ ' 60 granted him as a loan , by a resolution passed at the late Conference at Birmingham , be not speedily advanced to him , the produce of four acres of ground will be entirely lost for another season , from his inability , for want of funds , to crop it . We can confidently recommend the said John Bradshaw aa an honest , industrious man , and one from his knowledge ) of agriculture , that would fully show out

      the capabilities of tho Land . Wo we , Gentlemen , yours respectM \ y , Joseph Oldfield , treasurer ; John Stead , branch secretary ; John Gledhill , John Oldfield , John ' Whogden , John Mnrslauu , Thomas Coekshavr , David Carter , William Beaumont , Benjamin Farrand , Charles Booth , William Farrand , Henry Seott , William Thorp , Eli Dearnley , William Denrnley , Thomas Boothroyd , Eli Sykes , Joseph Boothroyd , William Thornton , John . Woffenden , Richard Woffendcn , William Sykes , John Sykes , George llogley , Richard Brook , Honry Wilkinson , John Calvcrt , Ann Kaye , John Moorhouse , Gcorgs Moorhou « e , Jo » eph Knight , Job Boothroyd .

      Gentlemen , Bradshavr , I believe , is everything you state him to be , but he was a purchaser of his allotment , and not a member ; and had there been ample funds in hand , the Conference had no possible right to apply them as aid money to persons who are not members . I told Bradshavr at the Conference , thathia good character and ability to cultivate the land , would induce me , when able , to assist him myself ; but the non-performance of duty by 70 , 000 individuals

      —who are very loud in their professions of philanthropy , has left it difficult for me to meet my own engagements . I cannot stand paymaster for 70 , 000 Land members ; and for 5 , 600 , 000 Chartists who signed the National Petition ; and money-lender—or rather , giverto thoso whose destitution and requirements are consequent upon the non-performanco of duty by the millions . Sampson was a strong man , and Solomon was a wise man ; but neither of them could pay or lend money , if they hadn't it .

      I find that your good-natured appeal is signed by thirty-tWo ; ancL , H ) s . from each would furnish Bradshaw wiifcff'The means of going on , thtfugh it is always much easier to ask than to give . Faithfully yours , Feargus O'Coiwor .

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      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . Fbie . yds—As one of your brother members , hating for some length of time paid up for sixteen shares for self and family , and therefore having an interest in the well-doing of the same , I beg to offer the following for your consideration . It appears that want of money was the causo of nearly the stoppage of the Company , and at the Ute Conference , Mr . O'Connor and the other Directors made an appeal to the delegates , to assist in raising funds to ' carryon operation * . I am not so unthinking as to suppose that they can do without funds ; but 1 contend , if it can be shown ( and there were parties in attendance at tho Conference to prove ) that substantial and more useful houses can bo built at half

      the cost of the present ones , it is _ the duty of the Directors and Mr . O'Connor , in justice to himself and the company , to adopt this mode of building , in order to locate the members faster , and this it would do to a great amount by having them built by eontract ; saving by that method the payment of many useless foremen and deputies , as well as time and tronble to Mr . O'Connor , the contractor looking to his own men and work . Consider , my friends , what a difference it would make in . o ' ur funds . Instead of being in so crippled a state as at present , that only in the building of 210 cottages you would have had a saving of from fifteen to sixteen thousand pounds . Will vou not think that worth saving to buy more

      land ? And according to amount saved in expenditure , you will save from three to four pounds a year in rent . I think Mr . O'Connor cannot have any objection to this , as it will enable him to a great extent to carry out liis plan ; and he lias often told us to get the liiiid , and then you can improve or enlarge your houses after , but that building an expensive house will not enable you to buy land . I might say much more to show you the justice and necessity of adopting this . I hope the different branches will meet and

      discuss it , and , if they think as I do , they will pass resolutions respectfully requesting Mr . O'Connor to adopt this plan for the luture , or some other as cheap . Iii the plan of tho house named they will be built together . Jf separate , tJiey will cost about £ 10 each more . They would consist as follows , and be built with brick walls : Kitchen , twelve feet square ; cellar under this . Back-kitchen or wash-house , fire feet by nine . Cow-house , seven feet by nine . Two bed-rooms ; one over the kitchen , the other over wnsh-house and cow-house . Piggeries , bog-holes , tanks , yard- ' , and wells . have

      Brothers , I now leave it in your hands , I onlj- done what I consider tho duty and right of every member—to point out anything he may conceive of advantage to the company . I remain , yours , &c , Birmingham , Dec . 4 th , 1848 . G . P . The only comment I shall make upon the above is , that I never will undertake to supi ply the allottees with cottages built by contract ; that is , a contractor undertaking to supply materials and build a . certain description of cottage at a certain rate , and for this simple reason — because there is as much difference between a . contract on paper and a contract in building , as there s between chalk and cheese . No

      contractor will write himself down for a knave , but every contractor is a system-made rogue , and every contractor would scamp the work ; and , if lie had his profit , he would not care if the houses tumbled , after the money was in his pocket ; and as to the expense of overseers referred to—from October , 1847 , to the beginning of June , 1848 , a period of eight months—I built 165 cottages and two schoolhouses , and the cost for overseers was £ 84 , or about 10 b . » cottage . I take care to have the best timber and materials—a contractor would take caro to have the cheapest materials and best profit . Aa to a cellar under the kitchen , it would be more expensive than any other room , and would occasion greater damp ; and as to a bedroom over tho

      washouse and cowhouse , I think , m the long winter nights , the occupants would be engaged in cursing me instead of saying their prayers , and in the h ot summer ni ghts they would be engaged in stopping their noses , and I should be sot down as a second Drouct ; aud then the saving of the lesser sum , £ 15 , 000 upon 240 cottages , would amount to £ G 2 a eottagc , and over ; a saving which , if effected , would not at all reconcile tho tenant to his hovel . Then as to building two houses together , it was the plan that I tried at O'ConnoTvillo , and which caused the greatest dissatisfaction , a » even Socialists are anxious to have the wh ole of the back of their houses to themselves ; while one of the principal advantages of the Plan is the placing of the cottage in the centre of the allotment , a , ud . every occu-

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      pant having his frontage for a garden . Nothing would give me greater pleasure than the adoption of a system which would lead to fair economy , and through that economy to the more speed y location of the members ; while nothing would more tend to ckmago the Plan , and give a handle to its enemies , than the location of honest Englishmen in beastly Irish hovels , by the Irish jiifcrlor ,

      \\ hat would the Press say jf thoy heard of the Irish demagogue- subjecting an English mother to the horrors of being confined over a ft cow-house ? It is quite true that , by a niggardly economy , a certain amount of capital may be made to locate a greater number ; but it is equally true—that economy , which would destrov comfort , would justly subject tha

      plan to the abuse and contempt of thu press and the public . All tho work is done by contract—and always has been done by contractwith tho exception of the bricklayers' work at O' Connorville , and at the lowest figure , subject to the most critical survey , and ( lone in the best manner ; and as long as I have anything to do with the buildings , I will take

      care—Firstly , —That they shall be such that the occupants shall have a pride in ;—Secondly . — Such as the Tress and the enemy cannot find fault vrith ; and Thirdly . —Such as the HONEST CONTRACTOR shall not make dishonest profit of . Feargus 0 ' Connor .

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      ¦ <» . The following appeared in our Town Edition of last Saturday . The Tooting Chow . ra Casks . —Yesterday , tha adjourned inquest on the four children who died in the Free Hospital , after removal from Mr . Drouut ' s establishment at Tooting , was resumed before Mr . Wakley , M . P ., at the Globe tavern , Derby-street , Gray's-inn-road . Several witnesses were examined , including the resident surgeon of Mr . Drouet ' s establishment , MesrS . Pophiuu , lUilcy , and Penny , surgeons , and several of tl \ e children . " Tlie inquest was again adjourned to Tuesday next . A lull report of the evidenco of yesterday will be given in next Saturday ' s Star .

      Great Fire at Paddixgtox . —Last night , between 7 and 8 , a fire , involving a destruction of property valued at some thousands of pounds , broke out at Irongate Wharf , Pmed-strcet , Paddington . The premises in which the disastrous event occurred were in the occupation of Mr . Wra , Buddie , and were well known as the steam saw mills : and marble works . The firemen laboured without intermission , until nearly eleven o ' clock , when the flames at length succumbed . Mr . Huddle informed the reporter that the madnnovy , which cost him a short time since , upwards of £ 5 , 0011 , was insured for only £ 1 , 000 , and the insurances effected upon the stockin-trade were not one tithe of his loss .

      The j , ate Fins is Lincoln's l . v . v Fields . —During yesterday the firemen succeeded in turning up umons ; the ruins a parchment package , not in tho least degree injured , which proved to be the- titledeeds of an estate , left in Messrs . Jones , JJeinictt i and Bateman's care , amounting to £ ' 27 , 000 . A mortgage deed of dE 10 , 000 has also been recovered , quite uninjured ; and another of £ 12 , 000 , together witli a number of smaller amount . The late Case of Destitution at Westmixster . — At the inquest held on the body of Mr . E . Williams , artist , whose sufferings arising from destitution will be found detailed in our police report , the jury returned a verdict of " Died from tlie want of c-om nion necessaries , tlio wants of tho family having been concealed from tho parish . " In the course

      of the inquiry , Emily Williams , the daughter of the deceased , stated that for some weeks past they had been in want of the common necessaries of ' food , firing , and clothing , but did not make application during that time to the parish authorities for rejjic . f , because her father strongly objected to tUcir doing so . The little food the family got was by knitting articles , which she sold in the streets . Her father often went without victuals nil < l ; vy . Neither he nor the rest of the family had had any meat for a long while . Her father had no covering when he laiu down but the clothes he wore , and he used to go without while these were cleansed . For eight days previous to his death lie had had no bread , only tea and watel . Thovo was some bread , but he would not touch it , because there was not enough for tlie children .

      The Irish State Trials . —On Thursday Mr Duffy was again placed at tho bar , vrJien Mr Justice I'errin said the Crown hud nvnyuu final judgment , and the prisoner insisted that he was entitleil to plead , and several cases had been cited at both sides . At the desire of the prisoner they should allow him to plead to the felony , and the Clerk of the Crown would ask him whether he was guilty or not . Mr Duffy then pleaded not guilty . —Mr Justice Porrin : We shall adjourn the commission now to the Cth of , February . It would be quite impossible to have a trial now .

      The War in the Pp . vjauc . —Intelligence from India , to tlie 18 th of December , has arrived , announcing the retreat of the Sikh army under Shero Singh from the banks of the C'henab , along the mountain chain towards the Jheluin . There had been some fighting previously , in which Brigadier-General Cureton was shot through the heart , while leading a charge of cavalry . Several other officers were killed and wounded . Lord Gough has crossed the Chenab with his camp , some ten miles . Frascv .. —Bavbes , Albert , Blanqui , Sobrier , llaspail , Courtais , Louis Blanc , Caussidieiv , ami others accused of being implicated in the attiiir of the loth of May , are to be put on their trial i > m ; u diatei }\ On Tliursdav the government presented the names

      of M . Houlay ( de Meurthc ) , General Harajruay d'Hilliers , and M . Vivien , out of which the National Assembly is to select one as Yiee-1 ' rusiilent of tho French ftepublie . Rome . —The Pope has published an address to the Roman people , threatening excommunication to all who should take any part in the election of persons for the Constituent Assembly . In retaliation , the Romans took from the hatters' windows nil the cardinals' hats , and , having carried them in procession throughout the city , singing funeral hymns , they proceeded to the bridge of Sixtus , where they threw them into the Tiber . The liomnn ministry have abolished tlie law of primogeniture by . i decree , in virtue of a preceding decision of the Chambers .

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      • ¦ ^— Geokge the Second ' s OnxioN' of Bisiiop IIoidley . —A Domhtic PiCTBia . —About nine o ' clock , every night . the King used to return to the Queen ' f apartment from that of his daughters , where , from the time of Lady Suffolk's disgrace , he used to pass those evenings he did not go to the opera or play at quadrille—constraining them , tiring himself , and talking a little indecently to Lady Ddoraiiie , vrho wai always of the party . At his return to the Queen's 3 ide tho Queen used often to send for Lord Hervcy to entertain them till they retired , which was generally at eleven . One evening among the reat , a » soon as Lord Eervey came into tlio room , tha Queen , who was knotting whilst the King walkod backwards and forwards , began jocosely to attack

      Lord llervey upon an answer just published to a book of his friend Bishop Iloadiey ' s on the Sacrament , in which the Hishop was very ill treated ; but before she had uttered half what Bhe had a mind to say , the King interrupted her , and told her aha always loved talking of such nonsense and things sho knew nothing- of ; adding that if it were not for such foolish people loving to talk of those thing * when they were written , tho fools who wrote upon them would never think of publishing their nonsenae , 2 nd disturbing the governmont with impertinent disputes that nobody of any sense ever troubled himself about . The Queen bowed , and said , " Sir I only did it to let Lord Merrey know that his friend ' s book had not met with that general

      approbation he had pretended . '" Apretty fellow for a friend , " said the King , turning to Lord llervey . " Tray what is it that charms you in him ? lli » pretty limping gait , ( and then he acted the bishop ' s lameness , ) or his nasty stinking breath ?—pliaugh ! —or his silly laugh , when he grins in your faco for nothing , and shows his nasty rotten teeth ? Or is it his great honesty that charms your lordship ?—his asking a thing of me for one man , and when ha came to have it in his own power to bestow , refusing the Queon to give it to the very man for whom he had asked it ? Or do you admire his conscience that makes him now put out a book that , till he waa Bishop of Winchester , for fear his conscience might hurt his preferment , he kept locked up in his chest ! Ia his conscience so much improved beyond what it was when he was Bishop of Bangor , or Hereford , or Salisbury ? ( for his book , I hear , was written so long ago ); or was it that he would not ri&k losing a shilling a-yeav more whilst there was anything

      better to be got than what lie had ? My lord , I am very sorry you choose your friends so ill ; but I cannot help saying , if the ' Bishop of "Winchester is your friond , you have a great puppy , and a very dull fellow , and a great rascal for your friend . It is a . very pretty thing for such scoundrels , when they arc raised by favour so much above their desert , to be talking and writing their stuff , to give trouble to tho government that lias showed them that favour ; and very modest in a ennting hypoeviUeal knave to be crying , ' The Kingdom of Christ is not «/ this worb'J at the same timo that he , as Christ ' s ambassauor , receives £ 0 , 000 or £ 7 , 0 uU a-ycar . Uut lieisjvistthe same th ' uig in the Church * that he ia in the government , and as ready to receive tlio best pay for preaching the Bible , though he does not believe a word of it , as he is to take favours from tho Crown , though , by his Republican spirit and doctrine , he would be ^ j lad to abolish its power . — Utrvey ' tJlkmifSt ' _

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      - < m > TO THE "WORKING CLASSES . Mv Feiexps , my Dear Friends , If ever you read any production vnih . attention , I invite—nay , I implore—your strictest attention to the following ^ communication , extracted from the "Times" newspaper . Do pray read it ; and you mechanics , artificers , artisans , ; uid perfumed Athenseum gentlemen , who would be ashamed to eat a potato or cabbage if you knew they grew in dung , and were produced Ly vulgar agricultural labourrecollect , that if " you turn up your noses at that labour , that nevertheless it is the labour

      —the only labour—¦ which give 3 vitality and briskness to your several trades ; aa the vulgar agriculturist does not make Ms own spade , Mb own shovel , his own rake , his hoe , or his wheelbarrow ; his hat , Ms breeches , or his l > ro < nies ; liis shirt , his flannel ¦ waistcoat , or his stoSrings ; that he does not grind his own flour for which you make machinery—he is not his own butcher , his own baker , or his own maltster , which trades you supply with the necessary implements ; but , though he does none of those things , he coins his sweat into the exchangeable medium which enables manufacturers and tradesmen to deal more extensively with you , to supply his several wants .

      Oh , how I think I see the perfumed engineer or millwright taking his Sunday walk , with his kid-skin gloves , cocking up his nose at the bare idea of being hi any way associated with the vulgar elodpole , who is , perhaps , at that moment cleaning out his pigsty . But , howbeit , this Labour Question must be traced from its source , and that source is the Land ; and it must l > e refreshing to mv many dupes to find that , as I predicted , the Press , of all « lassos and factions , is now beginning to nibble at the Land . But here follows the extract iromthc" Times : "

      P ; '' Lord Palmemou is continuing , trith increased vigour y&e inij . ivitvitttriits on his property in the county of Sli go ! ;* n ' 5 , C ' -n-equcntly . is siwix employment to his tenantry p hsy have ma-Je con . sidcrab ' le progress since I last noticed jjlir ir otienitions . Some of the large fields are made worth £ « O'A ! what thev were . The quantity of stones du <* up , s * a-j guiicrtti out of one field is beyond conception . When 3 * 1- ' '• i--rai ' i ..: if now in jrrogrcsn are cvnijileted it will make l * w < r . i < ierfiil clv . mge to the appearance of the property , and | gt , i .- v . iiu ,- ,, f it ; but all the landlords in the west and a ^ ' : ' ¦ : •»« als .. . are cast into the shade by the exertions of Sgflii Hamilton , of St . Emm ' s , near Donegal . Every 3 tom y , f .. . the last two or three years , I have marked , Jmi ) i !! t . _ n ~ v iut-.-rert and increasing pleasure , the progress : « i = milking . He has now fully 601 ) acres in his own SM 4 :, nearly all thorough-drained ^ levelled , and trenched 3 Ktu'n to twenty inches deep , laid out in large beautiful 3 gMs like a lawn . U pwards of 400 acres will , this rear , : - »^ D - ' - " Uv- - cultivation , and that all b y spade labour W * SeUlil ° SOiae t 0 tffelve ^ k ^ <*« $ fcr 6 s , Bi

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      AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .

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      tol m »» . iii . nimm , sitordii , mm a , m > . ... Brjsss .- .-.

      ¦ • • I-Ssf; | | P The Land Company.

      ¦ • i-SSf ; | | p THE LAND COMPANY .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 27, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1507/page/1/