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    NATIONAL CONVENTION . SBIDAY , APRIL 15 . Mr . Duncan was elected to the chair , llr . leach to the ¦ nee , and Mr . Campbell Secretory , who haying called tberoii , 31 essra . Campbell , Le&ch , M'Pherson , Duncan , M'Dsaall . Morgan Williams , Bi&iey , Stallweod , Beesley , and Halson were present . The minutes having been read and confirmed , Jlr . Laach delivered in petition-iheets from ths following places : — Mitidletcn , with 3 . 200 signatures . Lcgb , do . S . 400 do . Kr . cliSe , do . 2 , 008 do . Cnowbent , do . 2 , 200 dc . 5 ? eywood , - da 6 . 4 S 0 do . Oi-iham , do . 9 . 970 do .

    Droylsden , do . 2 600 da F ^ Iiaouth , do . 1 . 200 do . Eccies , do . 2 , 600 do . H-jilis Green , dc . 800 do . Briton , da 18 , 500 do . Rochdale , do . 19 . 609 So . -A-tlfey , do . 3 . 000 do . PwsiEgtoa , do . 3 . 36 S do . Piestwich , da 1 , 200 do . " \ Yig _ , - do . 8 . 5 C 0 da Siiford , da 19 600 £ o . Askton , da 14 200 do . ?; l : mehester- do . 92 2 S 0 do .

    I \" orth Lancashire , da 52 , 000 do . Kewton Ht-ath , do . 1 . 900 do , T Tiiniilow , da 1 . 200 da K . -ie , da 7 . t > 0 d . do . yi -izlsgrove , da 1 , 600 do . l »\> w Mills , do . 1400 do . Canglcton , do . 2 , 400 do . Chester , do . 2 , 374 do . G usrop , do . 5 , 600 da l = lc . stsr , da 15 GOQ do . I . . uahborougb , da 7 6 oO do . D-iioj , do . 3 , 700 do . Tsurtoa-oE-Trent , da 3 400 do . D-kinfisld . do . 3 , 600 do .

    Mr . Morgan Williams presented petitions from Msrtbyr Tydvil , with 19 , 200 signatures . Tredegar , da lo . OPO da AbtnSare , da 4 166 da >' r-s-br idgeaEdDinnas , do . S 550 da Cardiff , da 2 , 000 do . Hr . White presented petitions from Birmingham , with 32 , 000 signatures . " Pnrai Xotts county , - - srith 40 . 000 signatures . Boston , do . 1 400 do . Stockport , do . 14 , 000 do . 3 iaec ! esfield , do . 9 , 000 do . J \ i . > ithwich , da 1 COO do , - Cspst&ll Bridge , do . 1 . do . Dcing the day many other petitions ¦ were receivec tui the number of EijH £ . tutes they contained , and it diitri ^ is they were received from , care not yet bee reported ..

    Xrtisrs were read from Messrs . Shannon Cr&wforc sB < i Biacombe , M . P . " s , ' £ a answer to communications from lbs Secretary . Mr . Sliarman Crawford ' s letter stated he had conamU ' Eicated with a body of his Chartist constituents at Rochdale , and had stated his willingness to receive anj comirunlcation from any Convention of their body , hut that he could not delay his motion later than the Slat ¦ f April , provided the forms of the Honse would &dmi- _ of it coming on at that period . He thought it desin-ble to inform them that his motion would include $ he sx points of the Charter . Mr . D'xncombe ' s letter stated that he should be happy to receive a deputation from the Convention , at 11 o ' elOii .

    ilefsrs . Leach , H'Douall , and M'Pherson , -who -were the deputation appointed , rtceived ' rave tf absence at tlii- V-rliod , A Kej-ort vras , ih . en received from the Committee for Dra-srins -up the Knies and R ^ guiatior . s for the guidance C-f th = C&nventian , ¦ which -were read and discussed , tcri' jtm , and were ordered to Lc brought np for confirmation -s 2 Iond 3 y morning . 2 ar . O Connor moved that the deputation sett to Mr . X ) unc' = nibe be paid their cab hire , they having a considerate cistasce to go , and being pressed for time , he br-oUiiit it forward thus publicly , rather than it should J > e brought forward privately in committee . Mr Bairstow seconded the motion . He was in favcur of all Euros being thus publicly granted . Mr . Riiiity moved that as the deputation might have started s . t an earlier period , tiat thtxr expenccs be not defrayed . Mr- Stillwood seconded the motion . ? of

    Sir Thomason thcu ^ hi that , many them were stEUUiis in London , that , wbtn on the business of the Convention , the expences of the delegates should be paid-Messrs . Lowrie , Mason , aud Philp supported the motion . Jlr . Moir and Hr . Beealey , thonght that delegates shoni-i be very careful how they entered into any expenses oE this description . It wa 3 decided that npon thin occasion the expenses of tha deputation be paid . Credentials were received from ilr . iloir , of Glasgow . - Mr . Roberta read a portion of a private letter from Bronterrs O'Br . en , stating that ho should be unable to attend during the whole of the sitting of the Convention , but shtn'd be able to devote a portion of his time to it . A statement had been previously made by ilr . O'C nnor to the rame effect from Mr . Pitkethly .

    Mr . Philp moved that * ach delegate do now report the state of Chartism in the district which he represents , tad g-. vs hia opinion of the best method of answering the success of the causa . Hr . Tiosaasson seconded the motion , which being acceded to . it was arranged that the delegates should delJTsr their reports in the order in ¦ which their names Etood oa the roll call . 5 Ir . AbrsmBuncanrepreserted the men of the "Western and Midland districts of Scotland ; he was happy t ; state ihatLtaeir organisation was la an exceedingly satisfactory state ; in the smallest Tillages , they had halls far themselves , in which lectures were delivered generally once a week . He might almost say that their organisation was complete ; they were in possession of a vast amount cf public opinion , indeed they might say that no other public opinion existed , save that in favour of Chartism ; theil number of signatures were donble

    those they had contributed to the List petition . " In Arbroaththe causeTs-as progressing well ; they had a finTI , capable of holding six or seven hundred persons , ¦ which was their own property . They had two excellent meetings in thsir hall last week , and had sent four thousand signatures to the petition . In Forfar their progress tras not so satisfactory ; they hart been deluded by tie idea of a repeal of the Corn Laws ; since then , tiiey had progressed ta ilr . Sturge ' s I > cclaTatioii , and ¦ were beginning to perceive the superiority of Chartism : for this place he had bronght three thousand five hundred signatures . TaMng his district as a whole , there ¦ w as an excellent spirit manifested in the good cause ; they had everywhere triumphed over opposition , and had removed all obstructions from their path ; one good feature in their agitation was , that they observed peace , law , and order ; they had been guilty of no folly , but hid acted wisely , prudently , and firmly .

    Mr . Beealey Tepresented the district of North Lancashire , which he ¦ was happy to inform them was in a flourishing state . They had withstood temptation in every form ; and their numbers Were greatly increased . Th 8 opposition they had received from the middle class -was being rapidly removed ; and pn-jndice was fast dying away . . A short time back they were not able to prvcure places of meeting , now , in most districts , they were allowed the use of Sunday schools to hold their meetings in . The agitation for the cern lawi was dyicgaway . Instead of men beiEg now tnrredaway Jor joining the Chartists , taeir employers now actually advised the mea to b * ve nothing to do with humbug , int to keep to their Charter . He was sorry to hear that in many places the middle class had been denounced as their enemies . He knew not bow they were in other

    parts , but , in North Lancashire he be ltved , the middle elasse * were honest in their professions . There had been soms little discussion resptcting the condnct x > l some indivigualg attending the Birmingham Conference , but it was xiow the general opinion of those who had denounced them , that thtsy ha 4 don © them injustice , and that they had been actuated by the purest motives . He could net state the exact number of signatures from his district ; He had bronght 52 000 and he expected to receive 50 , 000 more . The petition would receive the signatures of the great majority of the whole male population . They had penetrated also into the surrounding districts , and- had opened localities in Cumberland , and at TJlverstone and KendaL They had Tte&ived invitations from various mountainous districts

    in Westmoreland , and he trusted that by the aid of lectures , tracts , &c they should speedily be enabled to organize the whole of Westmoreland . Mr . Beesley then detailed the alarming destitution and misery which pre-Tsiltd in Korth Lancashire . They were compelled to lie on shavings ; they had no covering for the night save the lags -which they -wore dnring the dsy , and vrere comDfelled to have their shirte washed on a Saturday night , to appear decent on a Sunday ; and were destitute of food during a considerable portion of the week . In some places the authorities had done all that laid in their power to put Chartism down ; taey bad threatened to stop the relief of all who were Chartists ; one individual , who was in the receipt of S 3- 6 d- per week from the authorities , was informed by them , that they had beard he had subscribed to the

    Chartist fund ; if be continued this they would give him no more relief ; but he boldly told them that'be wonld support the Charter until they cad gained their rights as Englishmen , and if they stopped his relief , they should take him and his wife and five children into the workhouse . This Bhowed the de termined sp irit evinced by the men of North Lancashire ; if Bometiring was not « peedfly done to remove the present distress , something would take place which would be Tery . disastrous to the cause of Chartism ; for the men a ffirmed tliafe i % was better to risk everything than to die of hunger . In proof of the feeling evinced by the middle class , he lrould instance , that in Blackburn they allowed them the we of the Music Hall on any evening ; in Clitfceroe « o 4 o&e * place * . * &ej had the Infan gchoolsj and they bad an Infant School capable of

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    holding 1 , 860 persons , let to them for 205 . per quarter . He trusted that they woxild unite firmly together for the Chatter . ilr . SialJwood was one of the representatives of Middlesex , Surrey , Kent , and Essex . He would commence with Middlesex : in London , Chartism was in a healthy ftate ; ths Tower Hamlets district , which last year only furnished 2 . 400 signatures , had already procured upwards of 40 , 000 . He was not aware of the numbers obtained in the other districts ; but he believed tnat they trere propcrtionably large . Unfortunately , in the other parts of Middlesex , they had bat few associated bodies : this arose not for want of a proper spirit , but from a deficiency of means , to send lecturcT 6 to them . In Surrey , a great deal remained to

    be done ; they had about nine localities , but these lay chiefly in the metropolis . They had made a good open--ing at Croydon ; and if they could raise the necessary funds , might eficct great good in Ktnt They had a good locality at Greenwich and at Chatham , Canterbury , and he believed at Tunbridge ; but still a wide field was here open for their exertions . Essex was in a still worse position ; with the exception of Stratford and West Ham , no place appeared to be making any efforts . They had on the previous evening held a large meeting there , and an euthuaiistic feeling was exhibited . He believed they were also arousing themselves at Chelmsford . Throughout the greater portion of these districts distress prevailed

    amongst tie working classes to an unprecedented extent In the 5 p : talficli . 8 district distress was equally prevalent as in those districts spoken of by Mr . Beesley . Toe tailors , printers , shoe-maters , and other bodies had never be ' ure experienced iu ; h a state of total destitution . This state cf things deprived them of the necessary means to support the asutatkn ; the spirit was good , but the pecuniary difficulties deprived them of the means of exerting it . In London , whatever differences of opinion might exist , they were always unanimous "when their opponent * were before them ; at every public meeting the Chartist flag had waved triumphant We have ever met and carried in all meetings the National Charter Association in opposition to the Com Law humbug , the Sturge , or any other humbug .

    Mr . Rjbtrts protested against bad motives or insinceritj being attributed to any puty . The Chairman stated that he hoped Mr . Stall wood would net make nee cf tha word humLug , neither w < is he justified in sttribnting insincerity to any puty . Mr . Stallwpod said he should bow to the decision of the Chairiiian , but he was a working man , and he expressed his feelings in the language of working men . He " should conclude by informing them that in London they had upwards of forty localities , and they only wanted the necessary re cans to spread Chartism through tha feur counties .

    ] Mr . Leach said he was the delegate for the Sou ' . h j Lancashire district . Chartism never stood better in this district than it did at present ; this would be confirmed by the 250 , 000 signatures which he had brought attached j to the petition , and . bfc expected to have about 60 , 000 , more seat him previous to its presentation . Lika other | districts they had received mu-h opposition ; their most j powerful opponent was the Anti-Cum Law League ; j wheth-.-r their motives were good or bad , he would j"leave to themselves ; they had fought them under 1 cover , and not in an open manly manner ; but they ' had ovtrcome all opposition , and the aiiU-Com liiiv ? j party ecu ! - ! sot now call a meeting , unless it were by j ticket This arises from a ft-eling that we have upset

    : and disturbed their meetings ; but , for the credit of ' Lancashire , I deny that we ever attended one of their I meetings to give a factious opposition . We hav ^ gone \ for the purpose of discussing the subject . Tiielr refusal to do this hastened to nproar . Our cause progresses well in Manchester . We have six meeting placts . The Carpenters have laUly joined us as a bo ; y , and we are to ha ? e the nse of thfir Hall , which is oIlb oE Uie Isr ^ est buildings in Manchester , free of tspence . The Chartists have also engaged ft on Sunday morning fur s > ix months . In the whole of South Lircasliire the cause looks well , but at the same time 1 am directed to dra-ff the attention of the Convention to devise such methods as sLall still further increase our prosperity by creating a union am-jngst all rants of Rifjruier ? .

    Mr . M-Phtrson , de ' egata f . * om Aberdeen and the surrounding districts , said—With respect to Eome part of his district , he had not been previously much acquain-ed with it ; but if he might jadije of their strength from their ability to cope with other parties , they -sr-re the triumphant party . They carried their orjects at every public metting . Their greatest opposition was from paitiea professing to act on similar principles . These were origuialiy anti-Corn Law nitn , now they were Sturgites : but , finding we were the strongest party , they agreed to u :: iie "with us on coamon grouat ?; aacj , to show ws -srero cot actuate . ! by faitious motives , we agreed to meet them ; but I am eorry to say they did not act in the f jir , eaudid way we expected . From what has fallen from the Chairman , we

    are not allowed to ttficct on other pait-es . yet , I must say , their conduct has bten anything but fair . In Inverness , Meath , &c , Chartism is not so flourishing . These places have nut yet been properly organised , bnt means were being taken for that purpose . If missionaries could not be supported in these thinly populated districts , tracts might , with great advantage , be distributed as forerunners . In Aberdeen , Chartism was in a very very flourishing Etate , and they ¦ were endevonriiig to increase this "by a system of co-operation ; Englishmen should endeavour t > j all means to bring about a greater intimacy of fetling with thtir Scottish brethren , that they might act with greater unanimity bo as to give more force and vigour to their proceedings ; he was

    instructed by his constituents to request their atte tion to the Issuing of tracts showing the present distressed state of the country , and pointing oat an efficient remedy . Mr . Harrison represented , with his colleague , Sir . Bairstew , the counties of Nottingham , Leicester , Lincoln , an-i . Rutland ; with Rutland hi was unacquainted , never having visited that district la Lincolnshire skere -were but tbree associated bodies ; from Boston he had brought 1 , 400 signatures . With Nottingham he was more acquainted than with Darby or Leicestershire ; he should therefore confine himself more to that district , leavhjg the others to his colieagne . In Nottingham , to say the lowest , they had eight or nine hundred members ; he thought he should not even exaggerate the nnmbers if he estimated them at one thousand two

    hundred , bu * on this subjecshehad written for information . They were in possession of a chapel which would hold more than eight hundred persons ; in this place lectures were delivered during the week , and preaching on the Sabbath . We here perhaps carry oa our agitation different to what they do in some parts of the country ; we know the strong religious feelings which actuate a large portion of the community , and we endeavour to prove to them that our principles are those advocated in the Bible , and hitherto we have . done-Bo with iomplete success . We have eight localities meeting in different public-houses , besides our chapel . We

    have associations in between twenty and thirty villages in the county , each of them having on an average fifty members altogether . We have between two and three | thousand members in the county . He had brought np j 40 , 400 signatures to the petition . We have now reguj larly employed one missionary for nine months , | who has been of the greatest utility ; if we had means ' we have plenty of opening for three lecturers ; poverty I alone keeps us back . As soon as we have means we I intend organising Rutland and Lincolnshire ; we are | all unanimous , discord is out of the question . We keep on in one straightforward manner , endeavouring to canse . the People's Charter to becomo the law ot the

    land . Mt . BaArstow said , for the last thirteen months he had been labouring in Derbyshire and the surroundiEg country . When he commtneed his labours there were only three localities in Derbyshire , now there were fourteen ; the number of members "Was then one hundred and fifty , now , in Derbyshire , was six hundred . The old adage ef Deibyshire was , " Derby bred , thick in t ^ e head , " and considering the hardness of- the material upon -which they bad to work , he must congratulate them npon the pleasing aspect of Chartism in this part of the country . Leicester occupied the proudest position of any town in the kingdom ; the seeds of Chartism were early sown in this town by the immortal Robert Hall , and the result was that the

    different sects of religionists in this town were more liberal t « . an in aDy other part of the kingdom . The Rer . Mr . Murcell , and Mr . Miall , Eflitor of the Nonconformist , were examples of this . Mr . Bairetow then read extracts from a letter he had that day received from Leicester , giving s glowing account of Chartism in th-t town , and alluded to the words of one John Winks , who ' might be regarded as the thermometer ef middleclass opinion and feeling in Leicester , and his advice to the -woriiag men , at the late meeting , was to remain firm to thtir Charter . They had two associations in Leicester , the one numbering about 400 , the other about 1 , 140 members . Their organization vras the most perfect of any he had yet witnessed . Their books were kept with the most scrupulous exactness . The state of

    feeling bct-ween them and the middle class was very good , and he could give no better proof of their power than the manner in which ilr . Biggs ' s Midland Counties Charter fe ll , still-born , to the ground . Mr . Biggs was one of the largest and most opulent glovers and stocking-makers in the town ; he was respected by all parties ; he had always endeavoured to keep np the Vages cf the working men ; yet , with all this influence vrith the aid of his taleit » d brothers , and the approbation of the dissenting ministers , to whom he committed his bantling , with all , it fell without a struggle before the genius of Chartism . He had established a Sunday school in Leicester , and the last time fce was there lie waited opon Mr . Biggs , who gave £ \ for that object , as did likewise each of his two brothers , and they then told him that if we would not

    go to the middle classes , they most corns to u& They had also established & library , containing many volumes of books , and an adult female schoel in Leicester , and taken as a whole , they held a proud position . With regard to the Corn Laws , if they held a meeting , they came to them and begged them not to oppose them , thus showing that as a party , they only existed by sufferanee . Mr . Bairstow then gave instances of the great diitress endured by the working classes of these districts . It ¦ was impossible for ¦ words to describe or pen to pourtray the destitnte condition of many districts ; but amid all , they remained true to the Charter . They had extended their association into two of the most aristocratic towns ; SI at lock , famous as a fashionable watering place ; and Melton-Mowbray , equally celebrated for its foxhunting . From Leicester he had brought 16 , 000 signaturee , Longhborough , 7 , 600 ; Derby ,

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    3 , 700 ; tha majority from this place had been washed away by the great flood ; in the whole he had brought 32 . 000 signatures to the petition . Dr . M'Douall wag one of the delecates for the Metropolitan Counties ; the position of Middlesex , and more especially London , was better than it had been at any former period ; still many improvements might be effdeted in its organisation , * He was averse to giving a flattering report , bnt from his own experience , it was in ft better position now than at the last Convention , asd much better than at the first Convention . They were now forming Central Monthly Councils , to which delegates from the whole ot the four counties could be deputed . This , in his opinion , -would materially assist in spreading the cause in the country districts ; some

    difference of opinion txisted , but it was founded on snch trifling circumstances that were it not for the irritation it produced , he should not have mentioned it ; in fact , H was founded upon nothing ; and he trusted this monthly council , by uniting them , would allay this unpleasant feeling when fairly organised-There was a great body of men in London devoted heart and soul to the Charter . He had the honour of giving the first lecture in Canterbury ; a large number Of the middle class town councillors and others assembled in the Town H . ill . Since then a good association had been formed at Chatham . They had formed an association , and got up large meetings at Deptford , and at other places there . were associations . In Essex they bad only one ; but they were raising one at

    Chelmsford . All bid fair , if a plan of central agitation could be carried out With regard to the trades , five or six trades had come out , as trades , in favour of the Charter . He had addressed a trades ' meeting on the Charter by merely voting the chairman out of the chair and voting him in again . They were all aware of the support they had received from the masons in the last presentation of the petition ; and the masons were now determine' to walk as a trade in proc-ssion to the House . Bodies of the shoemakers , the tailors , tbe basket makers , the hatters , and a body of carpenters were now actively working in support of the CLarter : he need not dwell upon this subject , for he was happy to announce that a deputation from these trades would lay their views before this Convention . With regard to the middle classes in London , he "was fearful they could not look to them for much support ; they had many electors who were Chartists , but the gteat body of tbo liberal shopkeepers were in favour of Sturgo ' a plan ; another large

    body in favour of Lovett ' s plan ; but taking them as a whole , a vast number entertained Chartist principles . They had in connection with the National Charter Association , a good body of electors , more especially iu Southwark and Marylebone . He had the pleasure of addressing a large meeting in Southwark attended by many of tue niidule class , where the national petition was adopted with two dissentients . They had a large body of the trades , aud they had the great majority of the working classes . They had a body of delegates meeting weekly at 55 , Oid Bailey , who , for intelligence and iuduitry , were not inferior to any body of men . This body might be said to form a sort of weekly ConventioD , for they might with propriety be called so . ThiB body , in connection with tbe Surrey Council , was the ceutve from ¦ whence leciuiting parties issued to agitate the various districts . The Metropolis was in a tetter state than it had ever yet been , and in a few months timo he bud no doubt but London would

    contain quite as mcay active intelligent Chartists as any other district of the s ^ nie number of population in the kingdom . Sir . Doyle said , in the district whicli he represented , previous to him th ^ re had been no lecturer . Save in two or three places there had been no organizition . Stockport had long been a Radical town , but this was the only place where Chartism was in a flourishing condition . About thrte mouths ago , he went among them as a ltcluTtr ; jfc was almost purely an agricultura } district , and they -were mostly of the old Tory school if politics , imbued with those aristocratic notiens which our principles are calculated to remove . I found the larmers in the district , aUhough they wtre electors , very ignoraut , yet they were anxious to obtain

    information , and a good supply of tracts , if thty could be procured , -would be calculated to produce a goed result . We have now fcurttea districts in Cheshire sending delegates to n County Council , held once a month . At our last mt-ttiug we took steps efficiently to organise the whole county ; and I have no doubt but in nine or ten months Chaitvsm will be in ths ascendant in this ceui . t 7- In tbe t > wn of Chester we are getting on pretty trell . We have considerable opposition , and have no men who are bold enough to face the Whigs . r . t . 1 Tories of the town , or wa should progress faster . In Stockport Chartism is in a fl rarishing condition . We have about 700 members . At every public meeting we have successfully carried our principles , except on one oautsiua , when their cowardice ltd them

    to call meetings at an hour of the day when they were well aware that the working men were locked up in the factories ; fearful of trusting to argument and reason , they haw then resorted to-cunning . The more it was possible for their principles to bt > made known , the Taster would they be enabled to get on : nettling could assist the movement more than the distribution of cheap tracts and publications , and he hoped the Convention tPould lay down apian upon this subject , or get the Executive power to doit . The phjsical condition of the population in the large towns was truly deplorable : in Has ' egrove the silk-weavers Only obtained 13 s . 4 d- for weaving eighty yards , and out of this

    they had to pay 3 s . for rent of loom , < kc , leaving them only 10 s . 4 d . ; and to earn this they were compelled to work fourteen hours a ilay for a fortnight ZV ' ever had he seen families worse off than in this district . If Cheshire was well agitated , Chartism would be triumphant ; but if the fire was allowed to go outif it was not continually renewed , they would lose ground . The opposition they met within this ceunty was generally very weak ; mere was to be dreaded from the apstby of the people themselves . la Stockport they had attempted to put them down , but they had signally failed . In Congkton , owing to the tyranny of tue masters , they were weak ; but in Maccltsfieid , and other large towns , they were triumphant

    Mr . Morgan . Williams taid the district he represented was South Wales ; he had also been nominated iu Hertford and Monmouthshire , but they had not proceeded to the election . Of North Wales ne could say nothing , He would commence with Pembrokeshire . There was no Association in that county ; he beluved that a lecturer had never been there ; in the lower part there were many English , but in the upper part the population was chiefly Welsh . A lecturer here would do much good , but nothing could be done without one . In Carmarthenshire , at one time , CbartiBm "was flourishing , but new it had quite declined . Mr . Hugh Williams , who once roused it » p in these parts , bad lately taken no activo steps . The population waa chiefly agricultural , and were living in a state of

    destitution surpassing all belief . In Cardiganshire , the po ^ pulaaonwas also chiefly agricultural , and were very bad oft Mr . Hugh Williams had formerly employed at his own expencs a lecturer to travel through this county ; but though a good spirit was raised , yet he had not succeeded in establishing any associations on a firm footing ; he feared not a single signature to the petition would be obtained from Cardiganshire , yet it was not from the want of proper materials , for the people were more intelligent than the generality of their neighbours , and only wanted to be properly agitated . In Brecknockshire they had not a single association , it bad not been visited by a lecturer , aave just on the confines ^ the population was chitfly agricultural , and in intelligence were far behind the other counties ; he feared that

    if a lecturer was sent among them he would not be able to raise an association , they were so bouud to the aristocracy that they would not listen to any one their employers might choose to denounce—tbei * word was entirely law . In Glamorganshire , tbey bad only one association , at Merthyr Tydvll ; formerly they had one at Swansea , but though they had a large meeting there with the Mayor in the chair , a short time back , and carried the six points of the Charter , yet they had allowed it to rest without forming an association ; they sadly wanted lecturers and the means to pay them . In this district tbey had difficulties to contend with which did not exist in England . They were compelled to have two lecturers , one who spoke Welch and the other Enziish , or one who spoke both languages . Merthyr

    Tydvil was tbo only place were Chartism eould be said to exist , and in no place in the kingdom did a better apirit prevail ; the signatures from this place were 36 , 000 , and before the petition was presented he should receive Borne thousands more . They had a great desire to hear and see some of the Executive or other friends ; himseif and Messrs . Vincent and Philp , were the only persons who had visited them ; they were pretty weil off for lecturers , having eight or nine who were capable of addressing a public meeting ; they commanded the whole of public opinion . The middle classes , in fact , had never tried their hands at getting up public meetings ; when any had been called to congratulate her Majesty , < tc , tbey had always carried tlieir amendments by immense majorities . They tad totally annihilated all other parties It would not avail to talk to them about Complete Suffrage ; they were for the whole hog , snout , bristles and all , and desired him to express the same to the Convention . They entertained strong feelings regarding the three men who had been transported . This wasnatural , as two of their wives resided in that town ; with regard to the support which they received , Mrs . Williams was as well supported in her business as could be expected . It had fallen off lately , but that was owing to the slackness of employment which prevailed , and in supporting these persons , they were only doing their duty . Williams was a man that was generally liked . He bad had upwards of a thousand men under his direction , and there was not a Bingle man who did not say that he was a good man and a good master . —( hear , hear ) . They also entertained tbe most reverential respect for Mr . Frost as far as men could do so ; they might be said to adore him ; they desired me to express this to you , and urge yen to employ e ^ exj mean * to procure their return . Chartism here is in such an excellent state , that if any of aj brother delegates could visit us we could get a . meeting of fifteen hundred or two thousand men at a few hours notice . At least ten thousand men accompanied him to the railway station , carrying their petition in front . In Abergavenny , there was a ¦ little division existing , but anyone not connected 'with them could be sent among them much good would be done . They bad & good association , aud were very active in spreading their principles in the villages around . In Pontypool , at whieh place there were many large iron works , Chartism is not in so good a state as when I last vis ' te > d them ; there has been some little divisions which

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    have been prejudicial to the cause , but with a little discretion and the aid of a lecturer , the cause would abundantly ' . prosper , H « now came to Monmouthshire ; therehad used to oa a good association , at Newport ; this town , they knew , had been the residence of John Frost ; here the feeling iu hia behalf was equal to that at Merthyr ; his name would be ^ respected in that place as long as Newport should .:: exist . " - He was regarded with feelings of the deepest reverence by man ; woman , an * child , who all bore teatimouy that he evet took the part of the poor man against that of the rich oppreBand with

    sor , yet this strong feeling existing , he was sorry to say that he found no association in existence , and they had not obtained a single signature to the petition . On the night I lectured here I had a most numerous attendance ; I get them to talce petition sheetSi and we shall eventually , I believe , have 10 , 000 signatures from Newport ; the great , and the only want , throughout the districts which I represent is , that of lecturers who UDderhtand the two languages ; it was not so material that they should be eloquent men , as that they should be able to lay down the principles in language all could understand .

    Mr . Pimp said he was , with his colleague Mr . Roberts , the representative of thorflen of Gloucester , Somerset , and Wiltshire ; they had been electt'd at large meetings , and were , he believed , the realrepTe-Bentatiyes of those counties . In Bath they had many intelligent and influential persons -who had espoused their principles ; in this place there had been some disunion between the different tanks of Reformers ; but steps had been taken to lecohcilo this division , to cause a firm union between the two classes of society , and , in a few weeks time , lie believed that Bath would present a favourable example to the surrounding distriots . In Bristol they had great divisions ; he bad endeavoured , but in vain , U diBCOver the cause . It appeared to be caused by personal jealousies . In

    Gloucester , Chartism was almptt unknown . In Stroud they were progressing . la Cheltenham there were many professing their principles , and it only ¦ wanted union and exertion to render it a flourishing association . There were numerous towns in the neighbouihopil which would form excellent auxiliaries , if proper means were t . iken to arouse them . If the persons who at present were devoted to our principles would but unite to remove all obstructions , immense goad might be effected . He hoped that the Convention , during its sitting in London , would adopt measures to heal the divisions which had occurred , and would also consider the propriety of arranging an orgariizad system of distributing tracts , cheap publications , &c He feared there was something wrong In our present system of organization . . He bad always discovered ¦ ¦ t hat in those places where Chartism had been lately planted , it flourished to a ' greater degree than in the large towns where it bad long existed . These new districts were

    enabled , inniany instances , to surpass the older . '¦ and better organized towns , but scarce were-they established on a firm basis , than divisions rose up among them . This was the case in the Daverills , and other places in his district : instead of being as they once were , united , he found one party espousing the cause of one man , ami another party the cause of some other man , thereby falling into the same divisions which existed in the older localities . He w ,-is sorry to be obliged to make this statement ; it would be far ttiore pleasant to him to be able to give a ple asing account , and would reflect more credit on himself and his colleagues . But it was for the best to give a correct statement . of . the district , and to adopt ineasure 3 to reniady the evils he complained of . He shonlH not say nroro on thin subject at present , but pr&viouBto the Convention . dissolving he should propose some nieanB to heal the ¦ differences ; arid diviaions which existed . This was a duty not only incumbent on him but on them all .

    Mr . O'Connor moved , and Mr- ' Roberto seconded , that the deputation appointed to wait on Air . JDancombe , do now report Carried . Dr . M'Djuall stated that in the interview with Mr . Duncombe , they had informed b ' ihi of their intention to present the NationalPetitipn to the House of Commons on Monday , May 2 nd , and they likewise requested him to move that a deputation , on behalf of the -working classes , should be' heard at the Bar of the House , iu support of its allegations . Mr . Sunco . iube informed them that Monday being a Govariinu'nt day , it would be imr possible for him to present it on that day . They then explained to him that Monday was the best day for the procession , and that they bad finally agreed in favour of that day . The deputation and Mr . Duncombe then arranged that the procession should tako place on Monday , and that on that day he would , ( if

    the House did not proven' him , ) go into the premiats of the question ; and on Tuesday he would move that a deputation from the working ctusses be heard tit the bar of the House . With regaid to the procession , it vras Mr . Daiicombe ' a opinion that unlesa it was a splendid one , it would not ben * fit the cause . ( Men of London , rally round it ! aud make it , aye , even more thun splendid !!) Mr . Dunconibe also advised the deputation to wait on Sbarman Crawford ; and request him to postpone his motion until after the presentation of the National Potition ; he had no doubt be would consent Dr . M'Douall atattd that he informed him of the contents of Shariuau Crawford ' s note , but Mr . Duncombe was still cf opinion that , from the friendship Mr . Crawford professeii to entertain for Mr . O'Connor , if a deputation , consisting of that gentleman and others , waited on him , he would withdraw his motion , until their petition was presented .

    Mr . Moir moved a : ; d Mn Thoniason secended , that the deputation which waited on Mr . Duncombe should also now wait on Mr . Shanuan Crawford . Carried unanimously . Dr . M'Douall expressed bis opinion that if Mr . Crawford did not accede to their request , it would prove the hollowness ot those professions of union which of late tbey had so loudly professed . Mr . Crawford , of course , would abide by the instructions of the Birmingham Conference Committee . It was quite consistent with tke forms of tbe House of Comniona to postpone hia motion . Mr . O'Connor also coincided with the sentiments expressed by Mr . M'Douall . A member of the Hcu 3 e could , if he thought proper , postpone any motion : The Secretary having called the roll , and the whole of the members being present . - .- ¦ ¦

    Mr . O'Connor movud that the Convention be adjourned until nin 6 o ' clock on Monday morning—then to proceed with the reception of the reports from the various delegates . Mr . Roberts seconded tbe motion , whicli was carried unanimously . The Finance and other Committees remained until the evening transacting their several duties . Saturday , April 16 . This day having been set apart for the transaction of business by the Committees , the several gentlemen composing these Committees were busily engaged iu considering and arranging the various plans necessary for the facilitating of business during the . ensuing week . We are happy to Btate that the greatest Unanimity and cordiality of feeling exists : every personal fetling has been cast aside , and all are intent on the one grand object of adopting . the best means to promote the welfare , aud ensure the freedom of their common country .

    Monday , April 18 . Mr . Duncan was called to the chair , Mr . Leach to the vice-chair , and Mr . Campbell as secretary . Tbo roll being called , Messrs . Campbell , Leach , M'Pherson , White , Bairstow , Duncan , M'DpuaU , Woodward , O'Connor , Morgan , Williams , Ridley , Doyle , B ^ esJey , Halson , Lovrry , Mason , and Thomason werepreaent , Mr . Roberts was called upon to report , but net having arrived , the Chairman called upon Mr . White to repoit .

    Mr . White said ho was the representative of the men of Birmingham and the surrounding district He would commence with Birmingham . The cause in this place was curiously circumstanced . The Chartists of England were greatly Misled regarding the political position of this town . They had supposed it to be t'ut-and-out Radical ; but he bad found that although , at tbe time of the Reform Bill , tlie working men bad been raised to a pitch of enthusiasm by the masters , yet they had in -reality ; no . political ., character of their own . Ever since the establishment of the National Charter As * 9 ociation , tbey had met with opposition from all parties , even from those where they cad least right to expect it . Tho old Radicals were bitterly opposed to them . The Christian Chartism party , and

    their own , was continually clashing . All attempts to unite them had hitherto failed . True , they had held large meetings , at which they promulgated their principles ; they "" ¦ ere sadly disorganised , but steps have been taken to remedy this , and he believed that if the spirit of the people was properly concentrated , it would be found to be as good as thftt of any town in the kingdom . In Worcester a great number of tke men were what were called freemen , and they never troubled their heads ¦ with politics , save : at the time of an election . Since sin association had been established there , sometimes they had gone on weil ,, Bometimes bad ; but they had never made great progress . At a large public meeting , called to consider tbe distress of the country , with the mayor in the chair , they bad refused him a hearing ;

    but still they had Carried the Six Points of the Charter ^ and tbe mayor refusing to put the National Petition , they voted in another chairman , and passed the petition amid great cheering . This showed . th ' a'ta good feeling existed in Warwickshire ; but little had been done . Mr . Dona 2 rison and Mr . French were the only \ active Chartists in the town . Messrs . O'Neil and Collins had lectured in the theatre , but with no permanent result No association had leen founded in Bromsgroye , the inhabitants were chiefly nailers , and they v ? ere in a most wretched state of poverty , i Men , women , and children were compelled to work for the merest trifle . He had Bees women hammering at nails with their children hanging to their breasts , they not haying time to

    snefele , Bfraid of the loss of time further reducing their scanty pittance . They ^ had held several public ^ meetings , aud the general opinion was in favour ; ' of Chartism ; but the association had not greatly progressed . Stourbridge was a great iron district ; they had held several meetings , ^ and obtained 3 , 600 signatures to the National Petition . L-mewasta was an adjoining Tillage , inhabited by colliers ; there was a good feeling in this place , but they greatly wanted a lecturer , which they had not yet been able to supply them with , Dudley was a place of a similar description ; here their principles had progressed rapidly ; they had formed an association ; but it was yet in its Infancy . In Coventry they had carried their principles at several large meetings ; the

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    men at the head of the association in this town were aa intelligent and as active men as were to be found in the kingdom : in this place they were powerful In Nun-( jaion they were similar to Coventry ; chief !/ ribband weavers , and were favourably disposed to the Charter . At Leamington , noted for its fashionable spas , their association was progressing . In Redditch , they might judge of the state ot Chartism , when he told them that they had built a Hall for themselves , and the majority of the population were isalous for the Charter : these were the ten towns of hia district ; the

    chief thing was the want of lecturers ; but the grand point was the payment of them ; they were immersed in such poverty , and some were so apathetic , that they found it difficult to raise funds for this purpose at present ; and unless some other method was devised , they would not make that rapid progress which otherwise might be dece . He could not Bit down without test'fying to the great good Mr . Mason nad done in the twj counties , Warwick anil Worcester , since he had been their lecturer ; he had added much to their strength . ¦'¦ .:. ¦ . ¦ ; ' ¦ .. ¦ ¦; - - ,. ¦¦ ¦ ;' . ¦• ¦ :

    Mr . O'Connor said if he understood the matter right , they were to lay down the best means of advancing the cause ; as well as to report the state of their districts . If the number of persons who had voted for the election of delegates , or the signatures to the petition was any criterion of their strength , Lancashire and Yorkshire might be said to be the hotbed of Chartism : all who had watched the progress of the cause , who had traced it step by itep , to its present position , must acknowledge that , until they met with opposition f torn the Corn Law lecturers and others , they were never enabled to maintain so high and so flourishing a position ; from the date of this opposition might a new era in Chartism be traced ; previous to then , they , were supposed , as a party , to be without union , to have no bond of

    sympathy or concert ; this struggle had brought forth all their latent energies , and enabled them to read such a lesson to that and to ail other paities , as woufd not speeiiily be forgotten ; it had shewn to themselves and to their enemies the powers which , by union , they were enabled to wield ; every attempt to break np their agitation , come fiom what quarter it might , had failed ; let them nevertheless beware bow they allowed that strength to be fritttred away ; Let them be careful to counteract every scheme calculated to divide and disunite them . Let them hold firmly to principle . Fo his own part he would not abandon one single point of the Charter . He would not even abandon that name which had weathered the storm and the calm ; but while ho looked upon the orgariiasd Chartists to be the

    main . urmy in the attack upon the citadel of corruption , yet he recognised all as allies -who bore down upon the same works—who combined in attacking the evils which existed ; and in this view of the questioiij so long db the party connected with Joseph Sturge kept to the line of conduct they hud lain down , they deserved their thanks ; and their co-operation . AH sections of reformers , whether monetary , local , or of whatever tiescriptiorii were abetting the grand cause by distracting « nd barrassing the common enemy ; but ho feared that the effects of a large party would be more directed to the restoratiou of the W&igato office , than to assist in producing benefit to the whole community . He -was sure that the present delegated body , representing the interests of vast masses of men , must have heard with

    satisfaction tho various reports which had been laid before them . TJibra was only one report , at the hearing , of which he experienced any thing like a feeling of dissatisfaction , ha alluded to tho report of Mr . Pinlp . He was sorry he was not present , but sti ll , in his public duty , he should proceed with his remarks . It ' the district which he represented wus in the disunited , the miserable state , in which he represented it—if his statement did not savtur somewhat of di ? appointmeut . it ceitiinly did not ltflyct uiucb . credit upon those -who badbc-en lending men in that district . If you "look in any district you will uaually find that if it is apaltetic , or dlsorgiinjzad , it proceeds from a want of energy and union rMioug the leaders aud not among tho mass . When working men dele-gate that power to leaders , which they have not time individually to exert , they nre too apt to allow tcemsolves to be Jiilied into apathy

    if those leadtra do not act with sufficient energy to arouso them . This did not , however , apply to the whole country . In the past annals of this , or any other nation , there never existed a more intelligent , faonist , and determined body of men than the present Chartist leaders , or lecturers . As a party the Chartists had sufneient power , virtue , and energy , to command the rtspect < jf nny Government , whetht-r it was composed of Whigs or of Tories , and having obtained this position he again warned them not to allow their energies to be frittered away— -to hold out the hand of fellswship to all m ^ n , but to form no xinion which was : not ba . s 6 d on their own glorious , inseparable principles , in defence of which they had fought , had suffered , and had bled . For his oven part he would not abandon one iota of the six points . He ¦ would never fight under any banner ¦ which had not the Charter inscribed upon it .

    Mr . Roberts—He with his colleague , Mr . Philp ^ represented the district of Somerset aud Wilts . Iu Mr . Pfjilps . ' statement he recognizad the true position of those Counties ; but be would refer to a few pkces which Mr , Philp had not noticed . There was Dov'zes , a place famous , or infamous , for the treatment which he and others had there experienced . It was situated in the centre of an agricultural district , tlie population of which was deplorably ignorant , who tvere willir . g- to act in the pay of either party who would best remunerate them . By the aid of these men they had driven Chartism out of Deviz 9 S , iand imprisoned him and othero for a riot , of which tbey were the victims and not the creators ; but be was proud to inform them that a better spirit now existed in this place ,

    produced , perhapa , by a recollection of the injustice they had been guilty of . Mr . Vincent had since lectured in this town . A spirit of inquiry was abroad , and if Mr . O'Connor thought it worth his while to visit that district , let him iave a short notice to beat up the surrounding districts , and he would procure him a warm reception .. At Salisbury they had an association , which though few in number was coniposed of as determined and good men as any in the kingdom . A large mass , too , only vranted the excitement of a public meeting or two to declare boldly in their favour . If some lecturer of note , some one whose name was calculated to arouse their dormant energies , was to visit them , great good would be effected . Salisbury was in the centre of a lot of small villages where Chartism

    was uuknown , ¦ where they were taught by the parson to live and die content in poverty . This neighbourhood , he thought , was deserving hot only cf local but general agitation . A better spirit : now existed than when the Me riots occurred ; they would then have thought it good sport to stone a man to death at the bidding of their masters . He would now refer to general matters , and he would say that it was l : heir duty to look their evils in the face ; they were not assembled far the purpose of praiaing each other and of giving flattering reports . From boiuo of the reports given on Friday his only surprise was , that the Charter was not the law of the land . From those statements it would appear that it wanted a drag to hinder it from progressing too fast He looked

    upon Chartiera as a thing yet to be won . If the only object of their asseiubiin ^ ' was to present the petition one half the time and one half the number of delegates would be amply sufficient ; he thought it to be their province to consider- tbo best means of removing obstructions from their path . There was evil that permanently and progressively impeded the cauae of Cbartism , and if they had not been aided more by circumstances than by their own exertions , it would have still more hindered the progress of the cause . ; He . alluded to the general disposition on the part of the Chartists to interfere with the sanctity of private opinion ; he admitted th « -vtif they ; approved of a man ' s conduct they would be justified in expressing it if they thought a man not honest , they had a right to say so .

    So far bo good ; but they were not content with this , they gathered together knots of individuals , and immediately passed Votes of censu e . These were immediately sent off to the Northern Star , the only public organ they possessed ; and by this means a man who , on Monday was considered of sterling honesty , on Saturday , found himself denounced over the whole kingdom as a spy and a traitor . Individually , perhaps , this was not so important , for when a raau truly entered the ranksef the pt'ople , he should be prepared to sacrifice even h > s life in the cause ; but the mischief did did not rest here , it drove good men from the ranks—it caused bad blood among those who ought to be united , and hindered many from joining our ranks . Mr . R . then went into a long detail of the circumstances connected

    with hia election , and the election for Bristol of Messrs . O'Connor-and Leach , and stated other circumstances connected with the subject . The cheapest and ths readiest way of obtaining popular favour was by laying hold of some prejudice and fiddling on that string , —( laughter ) , ^—he at least b « . d-f < und it . so . ¦¦ The readiest way to raise your own fanie was by denouncing the conduct of your brother Chartists . Mr . Roberts then / referred to bis being questioned at Birmingham for going to the Chartist Church . If he was asked to what he should attribute this inteifsreDce with public opinion ; he knew not what to answer . For three years the leaders had no jealousies among themselves ; they were everywhere received with equal warmth ; but about a year and a half ago , this feeling sprung up ; ¦ whether it

    cumo by intuition or by atmospheric agency , he knew not , but from that time the feeling had existed , that all who did not think similar to the Northern Star were traitors ,. dec ., to their country . He did not bo much Sad fault with this species of despotisia ; if . the tirue was one of action , it might , by circumstances , then ; be necessary , but the present waa the time not of action but of thought ; cniEcident with the origin of thia feeling , v : as the denunciation p * ured out against those who signed Mr . Lovett ' 8 document . Many signed that "without a thought perhaps of its tendency . The condnct pursued on that occasion gave him great grief ; he felt that many left the ranks whom a little courtesy

    would have retained . If opinions were to be interfered with to this extent , let it be done by a deliberate assembly like the present ; let them lay down a rule of what we ate to think ; how far we are to go , and when to Stop . If this assembly decided that a Chartist should not join another association , he should to a great extent bow to it ; this would be far better than leaving your conduct to be judged ot by the eyer-varying state of public feeling . He wished this to be fairly considered , be wfahed that when Mr . Bairstow had given his report , he had alluded to the qaarrel between Messrs . Cooper and Markhani , and in conclusion he should like to see a map of Cbartism drawn up , showing the particular shades cf opinion in each district . To soma they could

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    then send lecturers , who would l » y down , the first broad principles } ether districts wonld require the services of men of a more philosophic cast . He would conclude by giving them the words Mr . O'Connor had expreiBed ia his report , " That he was willing to co-operate with any section who held , the principles of the Peapie ' s Charter . " ¦¦ - ' : ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ,- ¦ ' ' . " ' . . ; - \ '" ..-: ¦¦' ¦ ¦ :,. "' " ' - " ¦ - . Messrs . Bahrtote and White stated thai as Mr . Roberts had alluded to Birmingham and Leicester--they would explain at a fitting opportunity . ; MnTTpod ward was the representative of the Sussex dietxict ; with the more Southerly portion of Shropshire he was not bo well accqaainted , but he should leave that to Mr . Bartlett , his colleague , who he trusted would arrive in time to report . ; Chartism in bis district must

    not be estimated by the amount of the population ; his district was the retreat for the aristocracy , and the residence of royalty ; except at Brighton they had not any body of great strength : in Brighton they bad no differences or division ; it any occurred they took care -to settle them , and not to make them public . The population of Brighton was 50 , 000 , and out of thi * number one Mif was coispoaed of the aristocracy , their servants , aud dependents , and the wealthy shopocracy ; they had not therefore the materials to work on which existed in other placea , but still no public meeting : could be called at which Uieir principles were not advocated , and Chartism rendered triumphant . Previous to the establishment of their association , many pf the mWdle class professed to be Radicals , but they enly

    made uqe of the working men for their own purposes ; when they choose to rest quiet all was dormant until they again wished to raise an enthusiaam for the attainment of some local or other benefit From this Radical body of middlemen they had expenenced great opposition . They had " q ' niy one place of meeting taken . A member took a large room for the meetings . He was turned out aad ruined . They could get noplace . They were then forced to adopt the only plan left , that © f attexading ail meetings and conveiting them to their own ends . This had answered bo completely , that they were now glad to let them have the use of tie Town Hall . Atv the Town Hail they had adopted the National Petition , all cxpences being paid out of the town funds . To this petition they had 10 , 000 signatures attached . In the villages round , they had a ! so 800 signatures . To the last petition , including the villages , they bad only 8000 . At Lewes , which was the most corrupt town in England , they had

    1200 signatures ; to the last , only 200 . At this place there was a real contest at elections as to who should give to the voters ; it was truly a paradise for the voters . They had spent many pounds in agitating the villages round ; yet -such was the opposition , , that they were fearful whether greater evil than good wa 3 not the result . Mr . Woodward then detailed > ratiuy instances of dreadful revenge taken againsfrpariies in these country districts who dared to take ; afty part in the agitation . At Cbichester , a meeting having been calltd to find some means of relieving the destitute poor , a gentleman of the town proposed the six points of the Charter , and told them they did not want charity but justice . This was responded to by loud cheers , and the six points wer » unanimously carried . This showed that even in this P ; irei on-ridden town a strong feeling existed . Mr . W . coneludei by aliuding to their approaching electioa contest , they having proposed a strong Chartist .

    Ruffy Ridley coincided with his brother delegates in their statement regarding the four counties . As far aa tlis . country districts were concerned Chartism waa almost unknown . They had associations inCanterbury , Chatham , and other places , but they were so crippled for means that unless the Convention could lay down solus plan of agitating them , he feared they would not progress : In Surrey , Chartism was established in a few towns , but a vast extent of ground was yet entirely unoccupied . In Middlesex they were in a similar position , and likewise in Essex . In that hot-bed of corrupr tion , London , at all public meetings the working classes : attended and ^ xpressed their sentiments , and were always triumphant ; still Chartism was far from being so flourishing as it ought to be . We were deficient

    in HalJa and places of meeting in which to assemble . They might in some degree be said , to resemble what the working classes had bee ? taunted with , that of being pot-house ; politicians . But had they not entered these 'houses and drawn men from ( the pot and the pipe , to a knowledge of their true position , they would never have numbered the large body tbey kid at present A good spirit existed among all their advocates . He found even tee-t jtallfcra , much as they abhorred betr and tobacco ,- & . i ~ , entering tbese houses for the purpose of promulg , jting Chartist principles . A strong feuiiisg also existed for the Welsh martyrs and other political prisoiers , and urgedsomq decided steps to be taken to prpcura their release . Upon the whole , though not flourishing in the counties , in London it occupied a proud and prominent position .

    Mr . Powell , delegate for Cornwall , Dorset , and Devon , said , that with Dorset he waa notacquainted . At Truro , in Cornwall , they had got up several meetings , and had done much good . This town wasa hwtbed of Toryism . At Radruth he had met the great Corn Law agitator , Mr . Paulton , and , in a set discussion , completely defeated him—not twenty hands being held up in his favour . Previous to this they conld obtain no place to meet . in . At Cambourn , when ; he first went , they had not a Bingle Chartist . ; Now he had left them upwards of seventy ttrong , and had received a cheering letter from them on that morning . At Hay they were doing * , nothing . There were a few liberal men , but they wt-re connected with Mr . Lovett ' s party . At Peuziince , St , Columbs , Weybridge , Padbridge , Newby ,

    Eisione , aud . -- -other villages round , good had been effected , and Bmall localities raised in most of them . At S ^ . Day and St , Ann ' s there was a prospect of haying an abundant harvest . At Plymouth tkey were going on auccesafully . At ABhburton they were in a very destitute condition ... Many were leaving tbelr own soil to till that of other lands . At Buckley there was a good spirit , but they wanted enrolling . At Tiverton they had many good members ; and the whole of these Bounties , by exertion , might be made to stand in a prominent position in the Chartist came . If member of the Executive , or a man of note , could go amongst them , much good would be effected , more

    especially among the miners—many of these were now on strike for wages . Another party had struck against the tyranny of their master . He had several times lectured " to them > and showed the inefiicacy of combinations without political ' power . He : had at first experienced much opposition and much ill-treatment Ho ceuld get no one to print his bills , nor the crier to cry his nieetings—so that he was compelled to cry them himself ; but opposition was now vanishing ; he had only to tell the boys , and they would soon get him up a meeting . He hoped some friend fr » m the Convention would visit that district ; he would ensure him a good reception .

    Mr . Mason , delegate for Staffordshire , had chiefly laboured in Stafford , Wolverhampton , Dudley , and Bilston . With the Potteries he was hot so well acqiiainted ; ' but he knew ^ that the j ' had excellent meetings , that a good disposition was evinced , and that thefeeVuog . of this district was decidedly democratic . Their organization was far from being perfect ; in very few places was it bo perfect ; as to give them that command of public opinion to which , if it was , they might attain . There is a want of some method of concentration , which defect , he trusted , would be remedied . At Bilston the organizition was more perfect than that of any town in the kingdom . Previonsl y to the formatloQ of an association in this place , it waa enveloped in the grossest ignorance and political delusion ; they had been debased tbeir

    by brutal toU , and the ignorance iu which they had been kept ; Few could read or write ; but they were animated with , the true Chartist spirit . At Wolverhampton the organization was hot good - bub at pubiic meeUngs , their principles were triumphant . At Wedneabiiry the cause progressed well . At Stafford the feeling was good ; but they were not orgar « ized sufficient to command public opinion . They had lately alarge public meeting . Divisions had been alluded to ; he must say , , that there was a / want of a feeling of charity ; many who had dared to give vent to feelings contrary to the majority had been denounced in the Potteries ; there bad been some paltry differences , but to no extent ; but in the other districts we have not the least division . The manner in which the working clashes have been treated has made them very jealous of every action , the object of which they cannot clearly ascertain ; this he considered to be . ' one of the greatest

    bulwarks to the working classes ; it prevented them from the danger of being deluded ; but at the same time , he disapproved of any interference with private opinions . He would have aigned Sturge ' a declaration , and have attended the Conference ; the men of Coventry were anxious to elect him ; but he feared if he teofc this step he should have been denounced ; and knowip g how essential it was : that a lecturer should possess the confidence of the people , he had twarted his inclination and had not attended tho Conference ; he had also been elected for Shropshire ; put had not visited that district ; bat from information he had received , they were essentially democratic in principle . Mr . Prow had several times Visited that di&trict ; at his first visit he had been much illused , but now he was everywhere received with respect With respect to hia district as a whole , Staffordshire was well-organised , and in Bpirit was not inferior to any district in England .

    Mr . Lowery , delegate from Edinburgh—He was delegated from a very ; aristocratic town ; one-half pf the population were parties ' living upon their means ; it was divided into two towns , the old and the new , and contained a population of 250 , 000 . of whom 150 , 000 were living without any business . They had few public works or manufactories ; and the refore there was not that discontent existing from which the desire for Chartiam arose . They would perceive that in Edinburgh they oad not the same material to wort on as In Glasgow , or in other large manuficturihg towns . In Edinburgh they rented a large chapel , in which lecturt « were given once a week . A discussion was also held

    once a week ; and on Saturday evenings they had * spclal festival , at whieh they usually cleared a profit A £ \ 1 « 3 n They had aBsociaUons at Musselbargb / I >» ifeeiih , Gilaahiels , lAsswade , and other places , and in each place they were capable of commandija p-ablio opinion . The profits of theif festival they devoted to the spread of Chartism In the surrouuding •'/ ilia gee . They were not able to carry their principles to an y great extent of ^ distance into the country from wa at of suflBcient funds . The villages ^ ere ii most ir . 6 Kes isolated , oaA locked np between hiUs and mp ontains ; anii being a ^^ thinly scattered aRtieultu ^ dkir '^ vl ^ wide XCQnivmedvnour ! sm ^ page . J

    Untitled Article

    6 _ THE NO RT HE R N S TAR . _____ ' ' * ~ ~ ' ¦ ¦ . ** ' . ' .., " .. .. ¦' - i ~^ i ^ ..- ' ¦ -,,-., , ., - - ir" ¦ ' " ; viii -rs _ . "¦ ' -- . -- ¦ y i '> ¦¦ ' - - ^ » - ¦ ¦ Tr-- " -n «»^ ^ . . ; : ^ ^ ¦ ¦ „ - > \

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 23, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct427/page/6/