Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 10th September 1842, Edition 3 of 4, Page 7, Untitled Article

Page 7
Page 7
7 of 8

On this page

  • Text (5)
  • Transcript

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

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

      Untitled Article

      WATKINS LEGACY TO THE CHARTISTSIKIEODUCTOaT LECXDaS TO CHAHTISM . KO . Yl . —F 4 BT . II . Of all the points of the Charter the "No Property QoaMcati en" point i » ' the most important , for it is to property or class legislation that the griefs of England aw owing . Our lapsided laira hare been enacted by sslf-interested parties in the -wont spirit of favouritismttiey have earned that reverence for property which ahoBM always be reserved for merit A worthiest man ^ tb the insignia of wealth , is sure to meet with consideration and respect , while a man of worth in the garb of poTerty , is soorned and spurned even by the unworthy . And not only do our class-made laws operate to exalt the worthless rich and to debase the worthy poor , bat they absolutely treat poTerty as Tics and property as virtue . They feed the pride of the _ _ . <^^^ b __^ h ^ * V _ ^» S 4 0 ^ ¦ 4 V ^^^ V ^^ B ^^ ^^ K ^ P * ^ H ^ b ^^^» a ^_~ . __ . _

      rich and encourage them to nse thiir snperior advantages , not to help but to further oppress the disadvantageous poor . Rich men without the poor man ' s plea , necessity—commit an tempted crimes and yet find the law a cobweb ; the poerare always wronged , suspected , » ad hardly dealt with . Prevented by law from obtaining a livelihood , they are next pnnished by law lot not obtaining it Just like the Israelitss from ¦ whom the same quantity of work was expected after straw had been -withheld as before—as if the doom of misfortune ¦ was sot miserable enough of itself , but it must be increased by additional hardship and insult Pharaoh ' s heart was not more hard than are the hearts of our lords and bishops , who though they provoke God ' s judgments oa the land , take care to keep themselves exempt Wkat chance is there of softening them to mercy—of bringing them to reason ! Nothing but fear on operate on their mean Tninrin ,

      Considering that Government can rob us of foreign respect and of domestio tranquillity that—it can cause the very breaking up of society by convulsive distressthat it is not only the arbiter of a nation ' s prosperity in peace or war , but also of iti character and of the spirit and manners of the people—considering these things , shall we not consider it to be of vital importance to us til that we have a good Government—that the laws which are -to regulate our customs and habits be good ? The aborigines of this island lived according to naturethe Roman * civilized them and then the Saxons conqaered them—both Saxons and Danes colonized Britain , yet there was room enough for the Normans , who introduced the feudal system , and mdae But two claw * in society—lords and vassals . Few arts were then known

      save these of agriculture and war : but foreign settlers came who brought "with them trade and manufactures , said from them a middle class sprung up which gradually brought its influence to bear on Government These ¦ were the burgesses , who at first were called into Parliament merely to vote supplies , but finding their own importance thejBoon refused to do this until their intererts as traders and their rights as men irere co : > aidered . The Lords having weakened themselves by continual wars and pageants , and being moreover weakened by a jealous monarchy which had eften been made to feel their power , the Commons led by Cromwell , were enabled to get the upper hud , and after expatriating the chief nobility they executed King diaries * Hiid the tears of a pitying populace .

      John Lilburne , the oracle of the people in the time of the Commonwealth , Etiove in vain to bring the Protector within the rule of reason , the pale of patriotism . The necessary consequence was a reaction in favour of monarchy . Charles II . was called in by the glad acciaim of the very voices which had followed his father to the block with execrations . In his dissolute and disgraceful reign it is disgusting to find that those whs , in his father ' s time had manfully foutht against bigotry and tyranny ; were reduced to plotting and scheming , by which their lives were placed in the hands of spies ; and thus basely fell a Russell and a Sidney .

      Religions and civil liberty , like two birds , had lived tegether . Religious liberty brcks loose first , and was soon followed by civil liberty ; but the latter -was again ewight and confined , and the former now hovers o ' er the cage of its mate tempting it to renewed freedom , and unwilling to take flight without it . Strange , that a nation religiously free can endure a civil yeke I Yet the Reformation « f Henry VIII . did but allow of Protestant freedom- It was reserved to the Revolution of William IIL to free Protestant Dissenters , and this was done more out of fear of the Catholics than out of love to religious freedom . The Plantagenets were despotic mon&rchs , who seized property and took life arbitrarily . But more cunning were the Tudors ,

      " Who worked their wantonness in form of law . " The Stuarts were not more tyrannical than their predecessors had been , but the nation had grown Jets willing to submit to tyranny , and the Stuart was ultimately compelled to abdicate , while the Prince of Orange , chiefly because he was a Protestant , was called to fill the vacant throne . The Hanoverian line succeeded , under whose selfish sway the nation has rapidly dwindled from a giant nobleness to dwarfish littleness . There was formerly some excuse for the submission of

      the people to their kings , for there was something manly , nay heroic , in the chnracty * and conduct of some of our former kings—but monarehs now have littls power in ^ ng't" » f?—ministers rule all . Harley , WaJpote , Chatham , Pict , Castlereagh , Peel , and Wellington , have all swayed more or less the destinies of Great "PrfU '" and with , perhaps , the singl * exception of Chatham , who was hated by tha king because the people loved him , have all traded , by their pernicious counsels , to accelerate the decline and fall of the English empire .

      Now those who have the management of our public affairs , that is of our private affairs—for the well-being of our private affairs entirely depends upon the right management of the affairs of the public— -those in whose bands our interests , our happiness , our temporal , and eternal concerns are placed—who have the yery virtues In their keeping—should not they be men venerable for years and piety—men who had approved themselves through life the friends of all mankind—beneficient , faithful man ? Yes ; but if there be any such the people are forbid to choose them—the people are forbid any choice at all—property is the only qualification allowed ; it is the one thing needful in voters and candidateswhat wonder that its base influences , whether by bribes or baits , determines all elections—

      gives them - all a false bias—and that , consequently , Parliament is filled by those who , having bribed their electors , are themselves ready to be bribed by ministers ? But base as our present elective fran chise is , it is wisdom , compared with the hereditary principle ; for whereas the one ensures a House of knaves , the other ensures a House of tools . The education of our aristocrats is such as totally to unfit them for senators , or even to play the p » rt of men . What wonder that under such a legislature industry starves patriotism is scoffed , and vise and folly are rampant ? The solemn sanction of law , the awful force of sovereign power , is given to acts which forbid the common offices

      of humanity—which subvert every principle of justice Were the tables turned—were the aristocracy to fall into distress , and the people t « rise to prosperitythe nation might become " great , glorious , and free ;" for when France had rid herself of her ancient noblesse and priests , she conquered almost the whole of Europe . When TingitLnri , in the time of the Commonwealth , had , in like manner , vomited her aristocracy into the lap of France , she grew so great that the name of an "RnpTi «> iwt | m was synonymous to that of a Roman , and America is now the foremost country in the world , chiefly because she is the freest What are our lords and bishops bat weeds , warts , files that tease the noble *" 'Tn » . i \ rhoae blood they suck !

      Now , it is very evident that tbe people want power to expel the vermin that corrupt the state , and to choose proper men ; the People ' s Charter will give them this power . All the Bound and intelligent part of the population see the remedy , and are resolved to obtain it They hare united in a National Association , tor the purpese of bettering themselves , and of saving the country—of obtaining justice by means of truth . The Association is constructed thus : —Every man who takes a right view of the cause , and is wishful to lend hiB co-operatioB to effect it , applies to the Secretary of the Branch Society in his locality , to bave his name enrolled ; Bed takes out a card of membership . He attends the -weekly meeting of the Society , subscribing one penny , and taking part , if he chooses , in the debates or business

      that is going on- The accredited organs of the Association are the Evening Star , a daily paper edited by Feargus O'Connor , ant the Norther * Star , a weekly paper edited by Mr . Hill—the former published in London , the latter in Leeds . The talents and capabilities of every member have a free field for exercise , and are scon bad in requisition as lecturers , councillors , committee-men , fce . &c Every member has & - ? ote . The funds of tbe Association are applied to defray the local and general expences attendant upon it , and the surplus is voted to such other uses as the members think most conducive to the interests and honour of the cause , defensive or charitable . A General Council is nominated by the members of the Association , out ef which a 8 pecial Council , consisting of five , is elected to serve as an Executive , with salaries ; all other officers are volunteers . The duty of tie Executive , which 1 b chosen annually , is to waUh over the general interests

      of the Association—to direct its movements , and bo on ; tat they are subject to the censorship of the press , and their chief utility is as lecturers . The Association is strictly legal , and secresy is prohibited . Perhaps the most needful advioe at present is that every locality should attend first to itself—to the spread of Chartist princples in its own neighbourhood by addresses , by tracts , and by every other method of increasing its own numbers that may be thought best adapted to that Purpose . Its surplus funds will be most usefully applied when applied to this .- See how many each branch can bring into the field ; and let the number be great before any attempt is matte tearing the whole together fc * any great design . There ' has hitherto been too much time v 4 money sacrificed in premature national efforts : grand demonstrations are exciting and attracts 6 ; bat they are also frft * " » "g when got up without rnafcme means .

      "In great attempt ! " Us glorious e ' en to fail ;" bet sarely it is mash more glorious to succeed . Let as have no rash g ^ m-Ievied troops—no hasty and ineon-«« raJe mustering . —but let them be numerous and well-«» £ pQ&ed , —let us make sore , £ ves in Chartism there ar « parties . A f" * ' minority flf tbe Cfest irts an what may be termed middle-etas

      Untitled Article

      Chartists ; but the great majority are working-class Chartists . Ths Cnartista can do very well without the oo-operation of the middle classes—society can de well without a middle class . We have seen what Chartism and what the Charter is—we have likewise seen what the Chartists are . They are " men associated to obtain the Charter , comprising chitfly the great bulk of non-electors . No one can deny the justice of the Charter , though some doubt its practicability , and ethers doubt the possibility of obtaining it . Let those who donbt lessen or remove their doubts by joining in the cause . Who are not Chartists T The ignorant , the apathetic , the prejudiced , the proud , the malignant , tbe Tain , the self-interested , the duped , the diverted . We will proceed to show who they are who ought more particularly to be Chartists . ( To be concluded in our next . )

      Untitled Article

      TALES WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE " NORTHERN' STAR . " BY CHABTIUS . NICHOLAS POSTGATE , THE OLD CATHOLIC

      PRIEST . " Sharp biting statues . That long have Iain in dusty archives hid , He doth unmuzzle . " I was born in the church of England , and bred in all its silf-interested prejudices against the Church of Rome ; but having lately read several sound expositions of Cuholic doctrines , I have conceived a respect for the priests of that persuasion , both as men 2 nd as Christians , and am as prsportionably disgusted at the

      misrepresentations that have been imposed upon me by protestant preachers . In the wish , therefore , to atone according to my poor ability , for the wrong that I have unwittingly done to the Catholic Church by prejudices which , however , muBt have more injured myself , I have written the following tale , founded » n historical and traditional facts , which occurred in the neighbourhood of my native place . I would dedicate it to any true Chartist Catholic minister , and beg him to lay it upon the altar of his forgiveness , as a simple , but sincere offering of contrition .

      The English are said to be a people who think tor themselves ! Were this really the case , would they be so easily and so often deluded by misrepresentation aid facVious calumny ? In truth they are as credulouB as they are generous , —they delight in being duped by the marvellous , and in aggravating their own false impressions , especially if extraordinary false . Ring the alarm bell —cry out "The Church is in danger , " and Instead of coolly considering the case , as becomes a nation of philosophers , they immediately exaggerate their groundless fears till a contagious panic is produced ; and , as nothing ia more cruel than cowardice , woe to the innocent objects of their dread ! Whether it be a sta ; e of security that causes this sensitiveness to alarm , as silence makes sound be better heard ; or , whether it arises from a love of indulging prejudices against supposed enemies , we . will not determine ; but certain it is , this trait in our national character is a very disgraceful one , and never was it more shamefully exemplified than on occasion of the bugbear misnamed the Popish plot !

      At the period of the Reformation which might be more properly termed the Deformation of religion in England , the popular mind or wind , veered against the Catholic doctrines , and many believers in them suffered for their fidelity . The . tide turned under the auspices of Queen Mary , and the cruelty of the Protestants was too readily retaliated by the exasperated Catholics . It was not a divine , but a diabolical spirit tbat prompted these outrages which , as long as human nature remains sensible to pain , must be abhorred by human beings . The Protestant faith again ascended with El-wbeth ,

      who was more sanguinary than her sister had been , because the enmity of the parties had progressively increased . Not only were the Catholic priests persecuted , "but tteir very religion was rendered penal Tbe terrible public spectacles in these reigns of rigour agitated the memories of men unto tbe third and fourth generation , and some weak-minded persons are still susceptible of the fear that shook their forefather ' s minds ; but a better acquaintance with the Catholic doctrines and with their believers would dispel those unjust prejudices , and unite Catholics and Protestants in mutual charity .

      Conscious of the popular prejndice against Catholics , many politicians have taken advantage of it to increase their power . None did this more effectually than the Eari of Shaftesbury in the reign of Charles tbe Second . Shaftesbory hated the Dake of York , on account of his religion , and still more on account of his influence over his royal brother . In the hope of lessening that influence 1 which counteracted his own ) and of excluding the Duke from the succession to the throne , Shaftesbury encouraged an infamous fellow , named Titus Oates , to publish a narrative of his discovery of an intended Popish plot against the King , the Government , and the Protestant religion ; aided by several singular coincidences , this forgery was remarkably successful—it greatly inflamed the people against the Catholics , many of whom were brought to a mock trial and pat to

      death . But this pretended plot recoiled upon the headB of the inventors who ultimately met the retributive fate which they so richly deserved . Since then , there has been no Popish plot in England , nor will there ever be another ; for though some of our present politicians would fain revive the once popular prejudices of Protestants against Papists , as they are called , the pecpta -will no longer listen to them—they will no longer suffer themselves to se made tbe tools either of political or of religions faction , the most hateful of all ; the people are now disposed to view the Catholics candidly and charitably . They now turn upon those who would urge them against their unoffending brethren , and resent the imposition practiced on themselves by atoning the injary which it has led them to inflict upon the victims of their misguided zeaL

      Among the many good men who fell a sacrifice to the Protestant plot 'for such in reality it was ) Nicholas Postgate was not the least deserving & crown of martyrdom . He was above eighty years old , and lived in a little cell in the midst of a wide moor . I have visited that cell , for it still stands where it stood . It is one of the poorest huts of the poor—a hovel like that which King Lear housed in from the storm—a mere cattleshed in appearance—its little chimney alone denoting it to be a human habitation . There are two or three old ashen trees ( probably planted by the old priest ) that berd their blasted forma and point with their bare branches , like the shrivelled witches on the heath , as if to indicate the spot to the bye-way traveller . Looking towards the North , tbe West , and the South , a black

      and bleak moor everywhere presents iU desolate aspect ; but , on the East , a long tract ef cultivated land stretches itself like a promontory , before whose brow a small seabay is visible . Vessels diminished in the distance to the sizi of sea-birds , seem stationary as they skim with whits wings across . After the eye has wandered like a dove , seeking in vain for a green oasis to rest on , it dwells with pleasure on the fields , the woods , the park of JIulgrave , with its castle crowning the ridge that bounds the horizon , and looking over land and sea with the pride of its lordly owners who distinguished themselves on both—all but the present degenerate scion of that house who was rewarded for his servile adherence to the late Whig Government by the title of a Marquis —a good name for a cur .

      I stooped to enter the Jowly hnt , where pride must be put off with the hat It consists of two small apartments , one emphatically styled " the house , " in which tbe domestic duties are done ; the other a place for rest ; both are on the ground , which is paved with uneven stones . The thatched roof is just overhead ; the latticed windows are very narrow and deeply indented in the clumsy walls . There is a hearth for a peat fire . Yet piety dwelt peacefully in this humble abode , and the sunbeam that shed a ray of glory within was a heavenly halo round its head . I was shewn the spot where once " the garden smiled ; " but no garden flowers remained ; a few daffadils had long survived the rest , but the mistaken reTerence of some visitors had led them to transplant those perennial relics into their own gardens .

      No sounds , no sights now denoted that a reverend hermit had passed his patriarchal days in this lonely cell ; and yet there was a time when he was seen and heard by all th&rustics around , all of whom had received his blessing . Many pious persons , wko clung closer to their religion because it was proscribed by the rulers of this world , oft came in secret pilgrimage to this cell , and revered the good father all the more because he was content to rerder himself obnoxious to persecution foi their sakes . Not a shadow of his person—not an echo of his voicenothing remains to tell of these tilings ; but they bave not passed away : tradition has treasured them up , and they were the treasures -which the holy father laid up for himself in heaven , when , leaving the poor hut that was his earthly abode , he should enter an habitation of glory . Let us go back to tbe time when the good father lived —let us enter his solitary hut ; let us do more : let us identify ourselves with him ; we «> W > find tbe change all the better .

      " Here am I , then , in a poor cot , which , poor as it is , affords me a shelter from the weather , and a palace could do no more . It is my home , more endeared to me than yon castle to its lord , who , were he benighted in this moor , would also acknowledge my sheltering shed to be dear to him . The moors are bleak , but they supply me with fael ; and I have a little garden that exercises my body after my mental exercises , and yields me simple food . I have bat few neighbours , and those far between ; bat their society is more desirable on that account I should be lost in a large town , but

      here I know everybody , even as I am known . They are my spiritual children , adopted by me , for I found them orphans and outcasts ; bat , by God' s grace , they will be heirs of bis salvation . I look at Ibe sheep on the moor as their emblems , and 1 feel myself to be their shepherd , whose time Is spent in going among them , comforting , advising , and encouraging thtm , both in their earthly and heavenly career . Til true I am old ; but as the value of this world lessens the value of the next increases , and there I look for the reward of my ftelf-denM here , and of my disinterested services to others . "

      Thus might tbe good man emmnne with his own thoughts when be had no other comany bat that blessed band . He had made a vow of poverty , and his path , of life ,-though so lowly and lone , was a glorious path , for it Jed towards heaven . The alms which he received be g * Te to thow pooc penitent * who bad con-

      Untitled Article

      fessed to him tbat poverty had caused them to sin . He imposed a heavy penance upon the guilty , but made it light by doing the greater portion of it himself ; and he was rewarded by witnessing the compunction of the sinner , who felt remorse on seeing the innocent old man a voluntary sufferer for his sake . He encouraged tbe diffident by confessing to them bis own sins . Those disagreeable duties which others shrank from doing , he did for them , and sometimes seemed to go along with the sinner in bis ways , that he might insensibly lead htm off into the path of righteousness . His crucifix was a better peace-maker than the constable's staff . The humanity of the man overcame the prejudices against tbe priest , even in triumphant and intolerant protestant minds ; and he made strangers first friends and then Christians . Bad men he treated as though they were good—those who bad reviled him as though they had praised him—and those who had injured him as though they had benefiitted him .

      This was his method of reclaiming them , and it generally succeeded . He regarded the persecutions against his church as judgments sent for the amendment of her children—that they might better consider their waysand he conducted himself with a more perfect resignation , because be was under the ban of the law . Being the victim of prejudice , he felt the value of candour and was particular in practicing it How happy tbe man who could smile in the midst of misfortune—who saw God ' s favour in his chastenings—who was proof against every earthly evil . A long course of religious experience had made him already a saint—he was truly a Jesuit , one of the BOciety of Jesus , abjuring the world for the sake of heaven , and imitating the example of bis great master as closely as a mere mortal can imitate what is divine .

      Father Postgate was born near Edgton , in a cotnge called Kirk bouse , which is now literally a cattle-shed . His parents had suffered persecution fur their religious opinions , but that did not deter them from sending tbeir eon to be educated in the Catbolio College , at Douay . After completing his studies , he came over to England , and laboured many years as a missionary in his rative parish and county . In those days the Catholics had no Chapels—their religious rites were oolemnised in private dwellings . The priests wera either domesticated in some family mansion or hermitages , and went about doing good among the neighbouring poor . Of this latter class was Father Nicholas , and such was his benevolent esal , that some say he made above a thousand converts . However that may be , the majority of the people in that district are Catholics to this day .

      One of the laws enacted in the reign of " good Queen Bess ! " doomed to death all English Catholic priests who should be convicted of performing the rites of their religion . This severe law had not been enforced since the accession of Charles 11 ., who was an indulgent king and a secret convert . The G&tholica had , in consequence , begun to exercUe their worship rather openly ; and , therefore , the persecution that suddenly commenced under the auspices of the devil and Dr . Oates , was like drawing a sword that had long been sheathed , and was thought too rusted for use . Nicholas Postgate was . warned of tbe revival ef this obsolete law ; and though he eared not for himself , yet , for the eake of his friends , he removed at their entreaty frem bis abode on the moor into a cottage in the village of Littlebeck , at the bottom of a neighbouring dale called Iburn Dale .

      Excisemen have often considered themselves as particularly called upon to favour the prosecutions set on foot by Government A person of this description , named Reeve ? , at that time stationed in Wbitby , hearing that a reward of £ 20 had been proclaimed for the apprehension of any Catholic priest , this hireling immediately sought out Father Postgate , as though he were a contraband article . Tbe old priest did not take much pains to preserve a life that must soon end by the course of nature—indeed he did not pretermit his pastoral duties , and was actually apprehended while performing them . It would seem tbat the statute law in this inbtmce was resolved to aid tbe Gospel , by compelling the poor Papist priests to perform their acts of charity in secret Out upon laws tbat never conform with

      Christianity except to frustrate its spirit I Oar old priest was taken to York , and tried—for what ? Not surely for visiting the sick , clothing tbe naked , feeding tbe hungry , and comforting tbe broken , hearted . ' No , these are not crimes ; but a colourable pretext was needed , and , accordingly , high treason was imputed to him . He , an old man , who had lived the life of a holy hermit , was indicted for conspiring the death of the King ; for endeavouring to subvert the Government ; and for attempting to destroy all Protestants ! Tkis , it stay be said , was a mere form ; but it is not a form devoid of power . An ignorant countryman , on hearing such dreadful charges solemnly alleged

      in a court of justice , would conceive horrible ideas of the prisoner ; but no : one glance at his saintly aspect would dispel them all : in his tranquil demeanour be would read a silent refutation of the guilty charge . It is tbe usual practice for the accused to prove bis innocence by tbe aid of counsel or witnesses ; but in cases of treason this rule is reversed ; and for no other apparent reason than that the charge is of the greatest magnitude- Prejudice is thus created against the prisoner , which , with the other extraordinary disadvantages under which he labours , it is generally found impossible for | him to remove . Does not the law in these cases put on a Gorgon ' s mask to deceive , to frighten , and to mock justice ?

      Never did innocence more truly plead not guilty , than in the person of Father Nicholas , and never was plea less available . The lawyers maintained their wellearned reputation . Sanctioned by the law , they put away every sentiment of justice , and indulged the natural social inhumanity of man to man , heightened as it was by tbeir zsal for the crown , for the law , and for their own credit as clever lawyers . They knew the popular prejudices against Catholics ; and took care to ir . fldme them in tbe minds of the Jury — calling on them as true Protestants to preserve themselves and their religion » y exterminating all papists and traitors . The Judge , like a scarletted huntsman , cheered on the pack , and their feeble prey was run down by scolamation . He stood like a victim bound to tbe altar , and never lost bis composure but once , while hearing the evidence of one of his own converts—one to whom his charitable hand had often been extended , but who now witnessed against him I His lips then quivered for a

      moment and bis eyes shed tears ; for who can withstand the force of ingratitude ? His Bimple statement in bis own defence did but vex his persecutors the more for its truth ; fer they were bent upon bis destruction , and by outrageous clamour they silenced a witness who had spoken in bis behalf . All the evidence of bis guilt was , that be had baptized a child in the Catholic faith—its mother swore to the truth af this . Surely the zeal of Protestants against Catholics is not a Christian , but an unchristian seal . The Protestant cause is more indebted to prejudice and ignorance than to its intrinsic merits —to a prejudice which none but the ignorant can entertain . I am not a Catholic , neither am I a protestant , except so far as this , I protest against the illiberal usage experienced by Catholics , who have proved themselves as good citizens , though tried by much severer tests . " Persecution has taught them mercy . " They might now , in their turn , reform the State-religion of England . But

      " A plsgne oT > otb their heuses ;" It is best to belong to neither—every man should be his own priest—let reason be bis teacher , and conscience his spiritual gni&o . Whilst there remained a hope of his acquittal , for what human being could be thought so fiendish as to condemn him ? the old , father felt a desire for justification ; but no sooner was all hope denied him by the verolict of the jury , than he resigned himself to his f ite . It seemed a voiee calling him from earth , and he thanked God !

      Tke lawyers left tbe court and went to celebrate their victsry over a bottle of wine , while the poor prisoner was conducted back to his cell—nat thai on the moor which had been so long sanctified by hi « abode . He was visited by the woman whose testimony had been most nn ^« y ^ i against him—she came with remorseless tears to beg his pardon—he blessed her , and gave her money to bear her expenses home—money that bad been given him to provide himielf coaaforts with , in this his hour of need . In due time , the holy anchorite was laid upon a sledge and 1 rawn to the gallows . With hands clasped and eyes lifted to heaven , the saint invoked blessings on the people , who crowded to ask them , and to bid him farewell , as be was thus departing on bis upward journey home . He felt tbe vanity of tbeir lives more than of his own ; for he had all his life been learning to die , and his death showed him perfect in the lesson .

      Many wonld bave died with him , could they have been assured tbat they would live again with him . He kissed the gallows , for it was bis cross of martyrdom . He turned to the populace , and disowned the bloody maxims imputed to bis order , and begged the sheriff to assure tbe king tbat he bad never , in all bis life , wished him any ill , and that he prayed for him with his latest breath . After he had hung for about two minutes , tbe rope was cut , and his body was hurried away to a fire kindled at a little distance for the purpose of barning bis bowels . Tbe keen knife of the hanjtman brought him back to consciousness ; but , just God I what to seer his own bowels throws into the fire ! What did he do t He forgave the wretch with his expiring sigh I Hysterica patriot ¦

      Thus was added ens mote name to the Catholic book of martyrs—a record more bloody than tbat of the Proteatanta—tbas occurred another instance of the persecuting spirit of all state religions . Tbe iwarr of Fattier Nicholas is still shown as a relic in the CathoUe chapel at Wkitby . , . . . . . Instead of receiving the blood-mosey , Reeves received odium , which envenomed the stings of his con science . He thought be saw the old priest constantly looking at him-witb serene benignity , which was \ o him the bitterest reproach . He could not rest , night ner day . As if tbe -purposes of retrlbatiousfaomld be strictly fulfilled , he went to the very place-where he bad apprehended his victim , and drowned hiaaself in a pool formed by the concussion of- « moontaln cataract that forces oat a basin where it falls , and is called the Devil's Dump—a pool that has since been-fatal : to sevarsl anglers . The continual hisa of the waters seems to sound bis reproachful kxwll ; bat lew who visit the spot know of the wrekh who perished there is his despair . J ¦

      Untitled Article

      Cross-examined on behalf of the prisoners—I am a weaver . Tbe deceased and myself both worked in tbe same shop , for my uncle , Thomas Austin . I do not think tbe prisoners were drank . The deceased had not given me any thing to go with him . I did not hear him say he would cet ' a champion to meet the Briggs's . I did not hear him say he expected to tneet tbe Briggs . 's . I did not hear him mention tbe name of Brings at all ; I am sore he did not ofler to fight Briggs—he did hot challenge him in any way . I never had any quarrel with the Briggs ' s , or with Gay . I have not been mixed up in any way with them . I have been charged with an offence , bat they were not witnesses against me . I was not convicted of the offence with which I was charged . The deceased was a quiet man ; but when he got beer bewasjoviaL M ^ tf ^ . ^^^—^^^^^ ¦ " ^ m ^^^ m ^^^^ - fc ^—_—_

      Mr . T . P . Teale—I am a surgeon in Leeds . I have examined tbe deceased since death . Externally there were bruises and scratches In the following situations : —In front of the left hip , on the left elbow , beneath the right arm pit , on tbe right eye and temple , the back of the neck , and en the back o { the knuckles and fingers of both bands . These marks indicated severe contusions . In most of these places tbe skin was off . The jugular veins were much distended with blood , and the skin of the back , neck , throat , and face discoloured , not from violence , but from transudation of blood . On dividing the scalp , and- opening the skull , black blood was copiously discharged . Tbe veins of the brain were gorged with black blood , and blood was cxtravasated in tbe pia maier in several situations . Tbe base of the skull was extensively fractured in varieus directions , the principal lines of fracture extending through the left temporal bone and sphenoid bone . No recent disease

      was observed in the chest or belly . The stomach contained a considerable quantity of solid food ; I should think the deceased had not been in liquor at tbe time . The cause of death was the injury to the brain . The brain had undergone severe concussion . The extravasation may have resulted at the time of the injury to the skull . The injury thus given to the brain was the cause of death , from violence . Had a man been knocked violently from behind , I should think the injury on the right temple might have been caused by coming in contact with the ground . The other marks on tho body have been caused by a succession of in juries ; the wonnd under tbe right arm was somewhat singular , and could not bave been produced by a full ; the marks were all recemt . It is possible for the man to have run fifty or sixty yards after tbe injuries described bad been produced ; be baa evidently lived some time after the injuries bad been Inflicted . .

      By a Juror—The marks under the arm I think would not be so likely to be caused by a kick , as by a grasp or scums . - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦•¦• ¦ ' . ¦ . ' ¦ ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ . Reuben Lee . —I am a cloth maker , at Armley . I knew the deceased , and also know the prisoners ; I was in Stoney Top Lane , Armley , Hill Top , about half-past two on Sunday morning ; I heard a great noise , and heard Thomas Austin hhout "They are killing Jack Myers . " He was running when he came to me , and I went with him to Batler ' a house ; we called Batter np , and we three went together to the lane where we found the deceased ; he was laid on the road , with his bead on one side . Thomas Rogerson , the constable came up when we got to the deceased . 1 assisted Batler and Austin to take the deceased home ; we never let him fall . I did not see any thing of any of the prisoners at alL We found his hafc about twenty yards from the body . Myers lived at Batter ' s , bat slept with me , and I was sitting up for him .

      Thomas Rogerson . —I am one of the constables of Armley . I was at Winder ' s puUlic-house , on Saturday night ; I went there about a quarter before one o clock . I did not go when the other two constables did ; I agreed to meet them there ; they were there when I went in ; the prisoners were also there ; they ware sober ; they left about a quarter-past one ; Thomas Hay wood was with them ; I staid at Winder ' s till nearly two . I had not seen the deceased until he was pointed out to me by Thomas Austin ; the persons in the lane were Thomas Austin , John Batler , aad Rsaben Lee ; the deceased was laid on the toad on bis back , with bis head turned a little on one side . H ? had no hat on ; he was alive but

      insensible ; I felt his pulse beat ; I thought he was dead drunk ; I tried to rouse him but could make nothing of him . I went to apprehend the prisoners the same morning in consequence of information I received from Austin ; I found Thomas Brigga at his father's house ; the pruoaer came down in bis shirt ; and James Briggs came down after him ; be was also undxesaed ; I took them both into custody ; I told them the charge on which I wanted them , they gave themselves up quietly . I saw no more of the prisoners after leaving Winder's , until I went to apprehend them . The deceased was a very quiet man , but when he got a little drink he was rather noisy .

      Samuel Stocks . —I am a cloth weaver at Moor-side , Armley . I did not know the deceased , nor do I know the prisoners . On Sunday morning , about two o ' clock , I had occasion to get up and go out of doors , being unweli . I heard a great noise , which I judged to be at the end of the yard where I lived . I went there in a few minutes , and found all quiet , the noise appearing to have moved further up the lane ; I heard same persona say in tbe place from which the noise proceeded , "D—n htm , where is he ? " Who the parties were I do not know .

      Reuben Lee recalled—When we had got the deceased home I ran off for a doctor , and when I got past Briggs's father's houseilsaw Thomas and James going towards home j they were Walking fitstlsh ; I shouted to the father of the deceased , who was behind roe , " see , they ' re here , " and they then got over a gate , and went along a back way ; they ran across , the field in an opposite direction to their house . I saw no more of them . I have never , had : a quarrel with the Briggs ' s 5 I bave never been on bad teims with them . Thomas Wheatley—I am a constable at Armley ; I

      apprehended Guy on Sunday morning , about three o ' clock , on the road in front of this bouse . It would be between nine and ten yards from tbe place where tbe deceased was found . Guy and the two Briggs ' s left Winder's house together , a little before one o ' clock . I told him what I wanted him for , and he said , " Oh , very well , I am ready to go with you . " He was sober . This being the whole of tbe evidence , the prisoners were respectively cautioned by tbe Coroner , and then asked if they wished to make any statement They conferred with their solicitor , and then

      Thomas Brigga said—I left Winder ' s after one o ' clock on Sunday morning . We walked forwards , four of us , in company , till we came to . the new road which leads off to Armley . When we got there , there were nine or ten men knelt down praying ; it was a mock prayer . We stood on the ca \ $ seway five or ten minutes ; they began to break up ; there were five or six men went up tbe branch road towards Armley ; twe of them were Thomas Austin and John Myers ; Austin and Myers had been of the number ef men who were knelt down . When they bad parted and got up the road , I beard John Myers swearing , and saying what he would do to Jossy Briggs ' sons ; that he would pay them all ; he was talking very loudly . We then turned up to go towards home ; Thomas Hay wood was with as part of

      the time when I beard what Myers said . I should have said that I knew a number of the men who were knelt down to be very bad characters . After leaving Hay wood , we met with them again at the joining of the roads ; they were first about six yards ; they went first till they came to Theaker Lane . Top . They wer e talking so loud that we could hear them ; we passed by them at Theaker Lane top , and directly they two came walking quickly past us ; there were some men stripped to right at Cowcroft stile ; they stopped there , and we went forwards . They cams sharp up to ua again when we got to the Mooraide ; when they came up , John Myers said " Thy father ( or Briggs ) had £ 9 to pay , and we'll make him pay again . " He said "It was for calling his brother a rogue . " I

      said it was true . Thomas Austin begun then of saying I was ft rogue , and he would prove me one ; he told me it was I and one of Austin ' s uncles who stole Matthew Moss's weft , some two or three years'ago . We then went forward until we got to Middleton ' s , when Myers said he had . made as pay once , and he could make us pay again . He quavered his bands about before me , and told me if I struck he would make me pay , and pay me , too , or words to that effect . We walked straight forwards up the middle toad , still making the same noise , and calling one another until we came near to Mr . Ledger ' s house . Thos . Austin then came off the causeway , and begun of saying what he would do . Him and me then sparred a bit , and I attempted to strike at him ; he slipped down and I missed him , he then xan

      away , and said he would go and fetch some more ; I looked baek behind then , and saw ay brother rising from the ground . James Guy wished him to come forwards ; they came up to me then ; my brother had been on his back , and we dashed his coat '; we went forwards home directly . I ought to have stated that I was ten or twelve yards before my brother when I saw him rising from the ground . When we got to the Hill-top Lane end , Guy and us parted ; we weat down Heightlane , and said we would watch the potatoes , but instead of doing that we went np our own field to our own home . We went round the house and kneeked at tbe back door ; they let as in , and we went to bed directly . That is all I have to say about it . James Brlggs and James Guy said nothing .

      The Corener then proceeded to sum up the case to the Jury , whose duty it was now to determine the cause which had produced the death of John Myers ; and with respect to that cause , he thought tbe evidence of Mr . Teal * went to place it beyond a 4 oubt , that death had been caused tyr violence . Their next inquiry was to ascertain whether the , violence had been acci dental or otherwise , and he thought there was no doubt that the violence had , not been . accldea ^ Uy brought about , hat that it had been inticted by some persons , by whom it would be for them to d etermine . The law , as bearing on the case , was that if two or more parsons suddenly happen to , quarrel , and one

      of them received such injuries aa to , cause death , the offence would be manslaughter ; ' but if tLne elapsed sufflctent for the reason to coof , and for the person to have time to reflect what be was doing , and hetbni deUberatelyeommitted any . injuries to another so as to cause his death , then the offence would assume a more serious aspect , and it would bepeme murder y to constitute this latter oflfence it was not necessary that any premeditation should exist } fo * the law said that if the quarrel was sudden , if a person hs 4 time to refect , and death ensued , the parson inflicting the Injuries cauaiog death would he guilty of murder . The Coroner then went entirely ; thremgh Ibe evidence ,

      Untitled Article

      pointing out , as he went along , such parts oflbe state * ment of the principal witness as was supported by other testimony , and "nflrtwg snob comments as the nature of the evidence seemed to require , and put it to them to say whether in this case they could go beyond tbe crime of m malauthter ; but If they had no doubt , they had ao alternative , ( however pak-fol the doty , than to return a verdict of wilful murder . : The Jury retired at four o ' olock . and after an absence of little better than half an hour , returned and pronounced a verdict of •' Manslaughter" against all the three prisoners ; adding that in their opinion the crime was of a very aggravated nature . _^ ^^^^^^^^^^^_^_ ^^ ^^^^^^^^^¦^^ - ^^^^^ . ^¦^^^ i ^^^ . ^ . ^^^^^^^^^ i ^ - ^^^^^^^^ - ^^^ - ' _

      Untitled Article

      TQ THE CHARTISTS OF SHEFFIELD . Bbothek Democrats , —Permit me to offer to yoa a few remarks relative to onr present portion , and the duty we owe the cause of freedom at the pro * sent crisis . The " strike" manufactured by the " Leaguers" is producing , and will produce , a fearful amount of suffering ., I can afford to smile at the abuse heaped upon me by knaves and fools , having the satisfaction of knowing , that while I have saved you from sharing the suffering , I have kept you in a position to extend the hand of help to your unfortunate brethren .

      The events of each succeeding day cenHnh the sound policy of the step taken by you In the qntation of the " strike . " I am free to acknowledge that bad there been a prospect of making the strike general—carried out voluntarily—I would have joined £ 1 it heart and soul ; but no sane man could come to any other conclusion than that the great mass of the Sheffield Trades were decidedly hostile to any such scheme . Had tbe meeting in Paradise-Bquare decided in favour of a general cessation from labour , I feel convinced that only a few would have carried out such decision , at the best a few hundreds ; these finding themselves not supported by the voluntary turn-out of their townsmen , would bave proceeded forcibly to eject from their employment the opponent ? of the strike ; this would not haVb been tbe easy task it has been elsewhere ; it is the conviction

      of all with whom I have discoursed on the subject , that a collision with the authorities would bave been the immediate consequence , for , though our Magistrates have been exceedingly shy * in provoking excitement , and have wisely done nothing to irritate the publie mind , yet no doubt can exist that whether the Chartists had their machinery arranged , or not , the Sheffield magist rates had theirs ! Policemen's truncheons and soldier ' s bayonets would bave been brought into play against the unarmed people ; some wounded , more Imprisoned , the voluntary turn-oats intimidated and coerced , the men who . bad been forced out wauld have returned to their employment—rvbile those who had pledged themselves " never to return to labour . until toe Charter was law , " would have been derided for tbeir short-sightedness and laughed at foi their folly .

      And upon me would have rested the onus of recommending tbe strike , tbe curses of women and children would have been heaped upon my head as the author of their calamities ; the men who thoughtlessly or knavisbly charged me with a dereliction of duty , in not urging upon them to strike ( in the teeth of the impossibility of any good resulting from it ) would bave been the first to blame me for the bitter consequences of their own indiscretion . On the other hand , the press of the Whig and Tory factions would have at oace'denonnced me as tbe author of all tbe mischief . Tbe Weekly Chronicle of August 20 th , predicted that Julian Harney and the O'Connorite Chartists , would push tbeir fortunes a la Lancashire . It may be well to observe that the Greenacrc Journal of last Saturday , repeats the old lie of Holberry ' s plot to

      burn the town . No one knows better than George Henry Ward , that the so called plot was concocted , not by poor Holberry and his associates , but by certain parties who affected to bless God for their providential escape from the horrible scheme of which they themselves were the authors ; and that instead ef being the author and director , poor Holberry was but the victim of the plot ; but this sneer—this lie comes well from tbe Hon . Member for Sheffield , who , while poor Holberry was yet living refased , though repeatedly appealed to , to do anything to save from a dungeon death tbe martyred patriot whose ashes mouldering in the tcmb he thus dares to insult ; it is certainly very heroic for the living ass to kick at the dead lion ; but if Holberry is no more , there are not wanting men to do justice to his name and memory . It may be , Mr . Ward , "We meet again at Philippi . "

      Cbartists . mark tbe following . Tbe Greenacre Journal , after telling its readers that " tbe Government is strong against' Torh-ontism , ' Chartism , and Incendiarism , because the common sense of the country is with them "which being translated into " common sense , " means tbat the Government is strong because supported by the middle-class , goes on to threaten the Government with the fearful consequences which are U result from any attempt the Government may make to pat down the practical men—the " extension of commerce" gentry , and very significantly adds , that •« Cheap-bread men can handle a musket as well as dear-bread men , and

      have the advantage of being the majority" 2 A precious Bceundrel this to prate about the " O'Connorite Chartists , " the " anarchists , " &c , setting himself up as the moral regenerator of his country ! Don't forget the musket argument , fer depend upon it , it is the unintentional warning that the Leaguers mean to try their hands at another game shortly , in which the Working men ehaU again be the victims , while these muskofe devils will , as In tbe present strike , take precious good care to avoid the suffering , . and using popular tnrbu-Ience * to further their owrr cursed ends , will , if the movement fails , again join the Government , hi prosecuting their victims .

      Tbe Sheffield Independent , of August 20 , told its readers tbat the " real Chartists" had that week preserved the peace of the town , while only one . of the individuals thus described was a ( so-called ) real Chartist , the most active man upon the occasion alluded to In preserving the peace of the town , was a member of the . Council of the O'Connorite Chartists ; but no matter , it suited the purpose of the Independent to describe the peace-preservers as real Chartists , and bad the strike taken place it would equally well have suited the Whig scribe to have stigmatized the O'Coonorites . as the peace breakers .

      Look at the conduct of these real knaves ; they had not the manliness either to advocate or oppose the strike , but while playing tbe part of skulking-cowards themselves they sent their emissaries among the ignorant to excite an ill-feeling against me , and wind up by the follswing piece of vlllany published in the shape of a repert in tbeir fit and worthy organ , the Statesman , of last Saturday : — " A public meeting was called on Monday last to take into consideration the propriety and practicability of a general cessation from labour . Mr . Harney moved a resolution tbat it was net desirable , and was seconded by Mr . Parkea . This caused a misunderstanding between Mr . Harney and the people , and so enraged were they ( justly or unjustly we cannot tell ) at not being called out by him , that be has been in great personal danger , was compelled to close his Bhop , and report says , to have the police to guard both him and it "

      You men of Sheffield know that the above is a tissue of lies from beginning to end ; but no- matter , the author calculated that bis lies might go down else where , if not in Sheffield . Mark how the anonymous slanderer tries to evade responsibility ; " report says , " is the mode adopted of venting his calumnies . He is a reporter with a vengeance . Brother Democrats , these are the base hypocrites wbe disturb your meetings with tbeir treacherous appeals for " union "—these are the plotters that prowling on the out-skirta of your assemblages , testify their' desire for " union" by their unceasing calumnies against nun they dare not face—this " gang , " with hearts of gall and tongues of venom , self-styling themselves " real Chartists , " are indeed the " real" foes of democracy , and the deadly enemies of all who honestly advocate your cause .

      What is oar duty ? Our first duty is to see that the Association is saved from foundering on the rockB of treachery , on which the storm raised by our deadly enemies , the " L 8 aguers , " has well nigh driven us ; it is my calm conviction that the " strike" was a hellish plot invented by our worst and bitterest foes to damn Chartism'and destroy oar organization . If I am not much mistaken influences are even new at work to base upon our hoped-for downfall the triumph of another party . Let us disappoint our avowed enemies , and pretended but false friends . We who have not ahared the struggle , shall we be apathetic in raising the rallying cry f If we hare worked well before , let ua work doubly well n « w ; let the labours of earn , and all be characterised by indomitable energy , and unflinching devotion to the cause—" the good old cause , " and when again our eo-operation Is demanded by our countrymen , we may then be In a position to render it , and not be compelled to bold back , as we have recently done , through a consciousness of oar weakness .

      Secondly , oar daty Is , and the task must be set about immediately ) to do all that in our power lies , to save from the cruelties of the law our unfortunate brothers betrayed into its meshes . Remember that a Cooper ia numbered among the victims of tyranny , and what , though dastards in Sheffield have raised tbe howl of " Tory tool" against him—wretches that dared not face the intrepid patriot they calumniated !—what , though disappointed , furious renegades have shonted " bully , " w ith the view of depriving him of the sympathy of the people , that he might tbe more easily fall a prey to his enemies . You know his worth , you can admire his talents , and duly estimate his patriotism—psove yoa do White

      so by ' sapporttBghlm te the hour of danger . , a victim of the coned spy-system * is another man every way worthy of the support of all true democrats . Leach , Skevington , Richards , Jones , O'NiciL and boo . dreds of our unfortunate brothers look to you for help and aid . Rally , then , to tbe rescue , to save ( if possible ) from chains and bondage onr noble brothers , sufferers in the cause of freedom and of truth . The false step which other * hare indiscreetly taken you have avoided , escaping suffering yourselves . Show that yoa have hearts to sympathise with your suffering brethren . Subscriptions for the Defence Fund must bi raised throughout the land . Let Sheffield doits

      duty l Faithfully yew ' s , r ( GBOBGB JOtl&RrHABMBT Sheffield , AuguBt SI , 184 * ¦ ¦ ¦ '' ¦¦ ' ¦ ' J *

      Untitled Article

      ALLEGED MURDER AT ARMLEY NEAR LEEDS . On TuesdayjTorenoon , an inquest was held at the house of Mf . John Richardson , the Traveller ' s Inn , at Armley Hill Top , before John Blackburn , Esq ., coroner , and a ^ respectable Jury , on view of tho body of JohnMyers , a yoaDR man twenty-four years * f age , who was killed on Sunday morning last . Three men , all of Armley , named Thomas Brig «» , James Bng £ j 8 , ( brothers , ) and James Guy , were taken into custody on suspicion of having killed the man ; and Mr . Booth , solicitor , of Leeds , attended to watch the proceedings on their behalf . The body of the ani ?? miMa P * ** * shocking spectacle . Aa tbe whole drenmstances of the case have caused the greatest excitement in the neighbourhood , we give the evidence of the various , witnesses who were examined at tbe Inquest : they deposed as follows :-. ' C ^^^^^^^* " *^^^* " ***^ M ^ . ~ " ^^~^ - _ ^^^^^^

      John Batler—I reside In Armley Hill Lane , and am a clothier ; I have known the deceased some years ; I am his brother -in-law ; he was a spinner ; he was twenty-four years old last April . I left Armley with him on Saturday night last ; we had been at Leeds . The deceased lived with me , but did not sleep at our house ; we were both sober when we left home ; we did not call at any public house on the road ; we went to a public house near the Central Market , and had three pints of ale amengsfc five of us ; there we met with his father , his step-mother , and one of his brothers at Leeds . After leaving the Cental Market , we all five came together , till we got to Sam Winder ' s / the Rose and Crown Inn , Armley ; the deceased was sober at that time ; the decease d stopped at Winder ' s ; we all went home ; this was about eleven o ' clock ; I was called

      up about three o ' clock on Sunday morning by Thomas Hurst , and in consequence of what he said , I went with him to Armley lane . I found the deceased laid in the road opposite to VVainman ' a field , about three yards from the wall ; be was not sensible ; his bat was « , ff ; he was laid on his back , with his head a little on one side ; Thomas Rogerson came up at the time ; we shouted to the deceased , but he gave no answer ; it was not very light , but we could distinguish that it was him ; we got him up , and took him home as soon as we could . Thomas Austin and Reuben Lee assisted me ; the place where we found him was about 500 yards from his own bouse ; be was dead when we got him home ; he bled from the mouth ; I am sure be was sober when I left him at Armley ; he had not fallen at all then t nor did he fall after we had taken him up .

      By a Juror—We carried him with his feet downwards , and feia head on our shoulders . On behalf of the prisoners . —His clothes were dirty with being laid on the road ; they were not torn ; it was a dry night . He had on a pair of black trousers , a black wairtcoat , and hU blue smock . I did not see that there was a stone h ^ p about where he was laid , nor did I see any loose stones on the road . Samuel Winder . —I keep the Roso and Crown Inn , at Armley ; I knew the deceased ; be catue to my house alone about eleven o ' clock on Saturday night ; be was sober ; he went into the top room , which was

      nearly filled with company ; he hud two pints of ale ; there was no quarrel between him and any of the others ; he left about twelve o ' clock ; tbe constables , Wheatley , Thrippleton , and Rogerson , came in at twelve aud requested tbe company to go home j the deceased was one of the last who left the tap room ; he went right away ; I do not think be drank more than one pint of ale himself : he asked Joseph Lassey , Laaaey ' s brother , and Williamson Briggs , to drink with him ; Myers was perfectly sober ; I did not see which way he went , nor did I see any more of him . By a Juror—He seemed in good health .

      On behalf tbe prisoner—Tha persons in custody , James Briggs , Thomas Brigga , and James Guy were in the bar all the time that the deceased was in the tap-room ; they were drinking in the bar ; the prisoners did not know that Myera waa in th » house ; they could not see from the bar into the tap-room . By the Foreman—The prisoners might have been out and have seen the deceased ; but as far as my knowledge goes , tbey never did . By tbe Coroner—The deceased , when be was leaving the bouse , said , "There ' s Briggses in the bar , and if I go la I shall grieve them . ' Williamson Btiggs was about twe yards off when he said this , but I do not know whether he beard him or not I said to the deceased , " Thou ' s none going there to-night" He

      did not offer to go in , bnt went out directly . I did not know what tbe observation of the deceased meant I never saw the deceased and the prisoners together in tny life . The prisoners and the constables were in the bar when the deceased went out . The constables asked the Btiggses to stay a few minutes , and they would all go together np tbe hill . I do not think the deceased had seen the prisoners in . the bar ; he might have heard them talking . He had an oppportunity of doing so . I did not communicate to the prisoner what the deceased bad said , nor did I tell any of them that he had been there ;

      nobody else in my bearing communicated anything of it . Tbe deceased bad been quite peaceful during the time he had been in my house ; ae also were the prisoners . They bad bad no previous quarrel ia my house . The prisoners stopped at my house till near one o ' clock ; the constables sat in the same room with the prisoners until that time . The only other peiaon in the bar with . them was Thomas Hay wood , of Armley ; the constables bad nothing to drink ; the prisoners and Hay wood bad a bottle of porter . Hay wood was in company with the prisoners when they went away . The constables followed directly after them . I saw nothing of either the prisoners or the deceased after they left my house .

      By a Juror . —There was a possibility of the prisoners having heard the remark made by the deceased . The Briggs ' s were both sober . I did not hear the name of of the deceased mentioned during the evening . I never saw the prisoners drunk . Thomas Austin—I am a cloth weaver at Armley . I knew the deceased ; I was in his company on Saturday Bight last ; I first saw him about twelve o ' clock , at George Hoyle ' s , the Nelson Hotel ; this is about two hundred yards from the Rose and Crown ; he came in by himself ; he and I , and two or three others , had a pint of ale after he came in ; the landlord then gave up filling . The names of the men who drank of the ale were Charles Armitage , Edward Hoyle , myself , and the deceased . We stopped there about half an heur , and

      then the deceased went home with me and had some supper ; we had beer to drink ; the deceased stopped there probably an hear ; I did not hear him say any thing about Briggs or Guy . It would be between one and two o ' clock , on Sunday morning , when the deceased left my house . When he left my house be asked me to go with him , and to have something to eat and drink at his house ; he was sober . I went with him ; there were several persons at the bottom of the branch road , some without their hats ; they were kneeled and sat down , and were reckoning to pray ; we stopped with them a few minutes ; the three prisoners were there also , standing watching the men who were pretending to pray . Thomas Hay wood was also there , and ottered one of the men something to ge

      and pray in an open grave in the church yard . The man , whose name i » John Briggs , said he would , and me and the deceased then went away to bis house . We left tbe prisoners with the other men . We went up the branch road towards deceased ' s house ; when we got to the top of the branch road , Charles Armitage came op , and walked with deceased and myself te near the New Inn , wher e he left us and went home . We then went on , and saw nobody any more till we got to the Cowcroft stile , leading to Wortley ; when we got there , we found Benjamin Briggs , John Witton , and Joseph Witton ; the latter had bis shirt eff to fight We stopped there a minute or two ; the prisoners passed us as we were standing by the side of Benjamin Briggs and tbe Iwo Wiltons ; I saw nobody with them .

      The deceased and myself then went on , the prisoners being a few yards before U 3 . After we bad got a short distance , the deceased said he had left all his money at my house , and that when be wanted more he could get it by going to Thomas Austin , who be said would let him have any money he wanted . To this remark Thomas Briggs , the prisoner , said , " What , tbat man who employs all tbe thieves ? " We then passed the prisoners , r . nd the deceased said , " Thieves , ye ' ve called my father a thief before , and you had three pounds to pay for it . " We then walked on as fast as we could , the deceased and the two Briggs ' s hatching all the way ; I did not hear fluy , speak at all ; I joined in the conversation ; when we got to Wainman ' s new booses , we beard the prisoners

      talking ; we were then twenty yarda before them , and could not tell what tbey said ; when we were about half way between Wainmon ' s new houses and Ledger's bouse , tb 6 prisoner , Thomas Briggs , ran up to Myers all at once , and struck him with his fist at the bock of his bead , saying , « D—— n thee ; " and , turning to me , said , ? ' thee and alL" I ran away directly and ran up to tbeir house ; it might then be about two o ' clock , but I cannot tell exactly . I am rare it was Thomas Briggs who struck ; it was not so dark but what I could see . James Briggs and Guy were both there , a short distance behind ; they were running towards us ; I did not tee whether deceased fell or not ; that was the only blow I saw struck ; when I ran away I said , " I would

      gofor Jacky Battle , " meaning the witness John Batler , te which . Thomas Briggs said , " Damn thee , fetch Jacky Batler , 1 will thrash yoa all . " I ran on screaming as hard as I could , and got to John Batter ' s house ; I had previously met with Reuben Lee ; Batler got up , and I went first towards the place where I had left the deceased ; we found him laid On his back about three yards from the wall of a field . He was alive when we got there ; Thomas Rogerson , constable of Armley , came up ; we had not touched the body when he came np . I told the constable Rogerson who had done It Myself , Batley , and Reuben Lee , carried the deceased home ; we carried him very gently ; surgeon was sent

      for directly , but he was dead when he got there ; the deceased never spoke at all . When the fralchtng was going on Myers fratched as well as them ; both parties used abusive language . They had some old grievances , and they were hatching about them , ramfuitesare there were nobody bat tbe three prisoners In company together when the blow was struck ; Thomas Haywood had left them at the branch road . There was no challenging to fight j this was the first blow struck . The plaoe where the deceased was found laid , was about 60 or . $ 0 yards from the place where I had seen the blow struck by Brigga . Between the time of the quarrelling and the blew Mag strack wonld be about seven or eight

      Untitled Article

      _ _ __ THE NORTHERN STAR . 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 10, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct615/page/7/