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Northern Star (1837-1852), 17th September 1842, Edition 3 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      PAKISH OF ST . MARYLEBONE

      nrEEBFEKENCE BY THE POOR LAW COMMISSIONERS TO PRETEXT OUT-DOOR ffRl . TRV . On Tuesday , & general meeting of the directors and pardians of tie poor of the pariah of St Marylebone took place at the -workhouse in the New-road , to consider the propriety of confirming or not confirming a a minute passed on the previous Friday of a resolution to be sfnt to the Poor Law Commissioners declaratory of a determination of that board to mist any attempt on the part of the Commissioners to interfere in any ¦ way -with the administration of parochial relief in the parish of St Mirylebona . Mr Culley having been appointed to the eh air , called upon Mr . Theme , the secretary , to read the communication from the Poor Law Conmissioners , which -was as follows : — "Poor Law Commission-office , - "Somerset-house , Auc . 26 .

      " Sir , —I am directed by the Poor Law Commissioners to inform you , that they have under their consideration the case of Thomas Paillips and his family , as detailed in a letter of the 29 th of July , from the Bicester Board of Guardians ( of which a copy was transmitted to the directors and guardians of the poor of Marylebone ) and in the letter of the Marylebone directors and guardians of the 13 th iast ; and the Poor Law Commissioners feel bound to point out to the directors and guardians , that the course which they adopted in reference to Thomas Phillips and his tami-y was illegal and otherwise improper . The facts

      of the case appear to be as follows : —On or previous t 9 the 16 th of last May , Thomas Phillips applied for relief in Maryrebone parish , and as it seemed to result from his statement that Bicester King ' s Ead was his place of settlement , a letter was written on the subject to the Bicester Board of GuardianR , who returned an answer , That Bicester Kin d ' s End would not be willing to accept Thomas Phillips and his family without orders of removal , as they were not at all satis&ed about his settlement , and that no relief granted by the Marylebone authorities could be repaid by the Bicft&ter "Union , "

      " Subsequently , oh the 5 th of Jnly last Thomas Phillips applied to Mr . Collet , one of the inspectors of the out-door poor of St . Marylebone , for relief , which was administered to him casually . On his examination being taken , his settlement was ascertained to be BJcester Kinj ' B Bnd , to which parish it was proposed he should be removed under orders . He alleged that if he could only get to Bicester , where he had friends and connexions , he was sure of obtaining employ , and should stand in no further need of parochial relief . His wagson fare waa paid by order of the directors and guardians ; not , it is alleged , with a view of irregularly passing him to the place of his settlement , for the purpose of becoming ehargeable , but with a view to enable him to migrate frou a place where he could obtain no employ , to one where , through the medium of his connexions , he alleged he was sure of obtaining it , and by which he could prevent r"m ^) f and family from being further pauptn ' zdd .

      . m On this statement of facts the Poor Law Commissioners desire to point ont , in the first place , that the relief afforded in thi * case having been advanced with a ¦ view of enabling the pauper and his family to travel to some other place , aeema to have been illegally given . It was not merely a relief of the present necessity of the pauper , but money was placed into his hands for the purpose of travelling—an object -which is not within any of the provisions of the Poor Laws , except in pursuance of an order made by justices in the regular form . " The Poor Law Commissioners likewise desire to

      observe , that this mode of relief is otherwise « psn to serious objections . When a stun of money for travelling is intrusted to an individual in the situation cf Themis Phillips , he has it in his power to misapply it by expending the greater part of it in liqnor , and then throw-ing himself for support on some other parish , so that the tendency of this mode of relief is to afford facilities for vagrancy . « ' The above observations apply generally to any case in which money for travelling expenses is granted to any pauper , even although the effect of it , in some peculiar cases , might not be to make a pauper chargeable to any other parish ; but in the instance now under consideration the Poor Law Commissioners cannot refrain from pointing out that the directors and guardians of Marylebone acted unfairly in supplying Thomas

      Phillips and his family with money to proceed to the parish of Bicester King ' s-end , when the Bicester Boa- d of Guardians had so expressly stated that the parish was net satisfied about his settlement , and 'when the obvious tendency of supplying him with money to go there was to make him chargeable to it For although it seems that Thomas Phillips had alleged th * T if he could only get to Bioester he was sure of obtaining employment , the Poor Law Commissioners do not collect that the directors and guardiais of Marylebsne toui any steps to ascertain whether his statement was true or probable ; and the Poor Law Commissioners -think that no reliance ought to have been placed on the unsupported statement o ! the paaper himself ; and the effect of the course followed by the directors and guardians has been to make Thomas Phillips axd his family chargpable to the parish # f Bicester King ' s 5 nd .

      " The Poor Law Commissioners , in conclusion , desire to remark , that if boards of guardians generally were to set on the same principle as was adopted by the directors and guardians in the present instance , the effect would often be to deprive parishes of the protection now tfforded them by the law of removes .- For although the Poor Law Commissioners do not dispute that the directors and guardians acted hona fide in giving credence to the apparently unsupported and ( as the event proved . ) untrue statement of the pauper , that he was sure of finding employment at Bicester ; yet they cannot disguise from themselves , that if such evidence were generailj acted _ upon in a mmilar manner , it would be possible in numerous instances to evade altogether the law respecting removals , and parishes might be able clandestinely to shift the burden of maintaining paupers upon distant parishes from which paupers , from a » y particular reason , might be desirous of receiving relief . " I have the honour to be , Sir ,

      " Your most obedient servant , 11 TV . G . LT 7 MLY , Assistant Secretary . " The Clerk to the Directors and Guardians of St . Marylebone . " Mr . Thoexe then read the report of a committee appointed by the beard to draw up a resolutions in answer to the foregoing commonicatios , which was as follows : — " That the communication of the Poor Law Commissioners be acknowledged , and that they be informed that this board having dealt with the case of Thomas Phillips and fiinily , with a view to their moral anvaatace , and that upon reconsidering all the circumstances as ~ detai ! ed , this board diffsra with the Commissioners as to the illegality or impropriety of the course pursued ; independently of which , from experience , numerous instances cculd be adduced whereby a timely administrativn cf casual relief , deserving families have been preserved frcm protracted pauperism .

      " The Board further take occasion to observe , that any interference with their decisions by the Poor Law Commissioners is uncalled for , and calculated to subvert their independence . " ( Loud cries of •" ' Hear , hear . Tha Chj irmbn having put this resolution for confirmation , Mr . W . Eyre said , he Ehould move that tbi 3 resolution be non-confirmed . He o id so on the ground that the Poor Law Commissioners , finding the Bo ^ rd had committed an illegal act { cries of " So , no , " , had , in a very courteous and proper manner , communicated with them , in order to set them right ( Laughter . ) ...

      Mr . Peket would second the non-confirmation . It ¦ was clear that the board , in the casa of Thomas Phillips and hiB family , had acted in . defiance of all law . ( "Oh , oh ! " ) They bad no right to remove any pauper without an order of removal , by which he might become chargeable to another parish- He thought the Commissioners , possessing the power tkey did , had acted most courteously to the board in calling their attention to the subject ; end the Board , instead of sending such an impertinant answer , was bound to act with equal ourtesy .

      Mr . Bcshill must express his utter astonishment that Mr . Terry should second the motion for non-confirmation , seeing that he was one of the committee of three who had drawn up the resolution just read—( cries of " He « . " ) Mr . Perry agreed in the general principle of the answer which had been drawn up to the communication of the Poor Law Cemmissioners . It was not considered necessary to go into all the details of the case for the information of the gentlemen of Somersetrhouse , and that answer which had been drawn up was quite sufficient to indicate to them the epuit of that board— ( bear , hear . ) motion

      Mr Rathbose was well aware that the would indicate to the Poor Law Commissioners the spirit cf the board , bnt it wonld not refute the declaration which the Commissioners had made , that the course the board had adopted was an illegal one—( cries of " Oh , oh . " ) It mattered not whether Marylebone was a Poor Law Union or not , there was a certain law for the relief of the poor affecting certain cases which applied to aU parishes , and which the Poor Law Commissioners hid declared that board had infringed . Since the decision of Lord Denman with regard to tha operation of the New Poor Law generally , he thought the b « ard ought not , if they wished to preserve their independence , do anything to provoke the Poor Law Commissioners to send an anistant oommiiaioner to take his seat at that board—( loud laughter . ) Gentlemen would not pretend to say that they would have the power or tie courage to eject him . . Mil Bushix-l—Bnt we would eject ourselves—( cries

      of " Hear , hear . ") Mr . Rathbokb would put it to the board if they were to adopt such a course of resistance to *^ *~« J ** Commissioners , in what a state the administration of fee Poor Law iD the parish would be . It would be perfectly at a stand-still , and the poor would be starving ! - (« Oh \ ob . - ) He implored the board , if theyhad any wish to preserve their independence , to treat the commutation of the Poor Law CemmiBsioBera respectfully —( laogifcer . ;

      Untitled Article

      LAWS AGAINST POLITICAL SOCIETIES WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED AS ON THE POINT OF BEIxN'G REYITED . ( From the English Chartist Circular . ) Political societies are regulated and controlled by two acts of Parliaments , namely , 39 G » o . 3 , cap . 79 , passed in July , 1799 ; and 57 Geo . 3 , cap . 12 , passed in March . 1817 .

      The act 39 Geo . 3 , is "An Act for the more effectual Suppression of Societies established for Beditictis and treasonable Purposes , and for better preventing seditions and treasonable Practice * . " " It enacts that every society ( political ) shall be deemed an unlawful combination and confederacy in any of the cases following : — . 1 . "If any member take any oath or test , subscribe any declaration or engagement not required by law . " 2 . " If the names of any members be kept secret from the society at large . " 3 . " If it have any committee or select body , the members of which are not known to the society at lp . rce to be members of such committee er select body . " 4 . " If it h' -ve any President , Treasurer , Secretary , Delegate , or otber officers , whose election shall not be known to the society at large . "

      • 5 "If sny of tbo names of the committee , select body , President , Treasurer , and other officer , be not entered in a book or books open to the inspection of ail the members . " This act ppecially named the " London Corresponding Society , " as one of the societies to be put down . This society had no secret proceedings , and might therefore hvre continued in existence under another name : but it had " Dlvir . ons , " or branches , and held intercourse with other societies as thus connected , in various parts of the country . Its purpose was to obtain ADnaal Parliaments , "Universal Suffrage , and Ballot It was therefore to be extinguished by law , and for this purpose was

      aacea—6 . " Any society composed of different divisions or branches , or of different parts , acting in any manner separately or distict from each other , or of which any p ^ rt shall have any distinct President , Secretary , Treasurer , Delegate or other Officer , elected or app&inted by or for such part , or to act in any office for such part " ¦ Having declared the cases in which political societies thail be deemed unlawful combinations and confederacies , it farther enact * .

      7 . " That every member of every such society , and every person who Bhail directly or indirectly maintain correspondence or intercourse with any such society , or ¦ with any division , branch , committee , or otber select body , president , treasurer , secret iry , delegate , or other efficer or member thereof as such ; or who shall , by eontributicn of money or otherwise , aid , abet , or support such society , or any member thereof as such , shall incur certain peualties . " The penalties are of two kinds , viz . 1 . " By summary pn cess or information before one Justice of the Peacs , ou conviction , a fine of twenty pounds , or three months imprisonment in tht common gaoL "

      2 . " By indictment , on conviction , transportation for seven years . " It will be seen that this Act prohibited , 1 . All societies kaving oaths of any kind , or any teit or declaration , or engagement—which the law does not direct to be taken or subscribed . 2 . All societies having branches or divisions , or parts . 3 . All deputations to or from such societies . 4 . AU contributions of money or other assistance of any kind . 5 . All correspondence with any such societies or any member thereof ai such . This Act had—first—no relation to separate and distinct societies which had no secret proceedings . 2 . It did Hot prohibit the appointment of delegates , * C by such societies .

      ... 3 . It did not prohibit correspondence between or with such societies . Thus the law remained until 1817 . It had become convenient to the Castlereagh Administration to promote and encourage riots and conspiracies , asd Castles , Olivera , Edwards , and others , were employed in consequence . Prosecutions became common ; men were transported , hanged , and dismembered ; green bags , secret committees , contrived attack ! upon the Prince Regent , reports to both Houses of Parliament ware resorted to in aid .

      These contrivances frightened and stultified the nation as it ^ as intended they should , and gave the then administcatioii the power to introduce the Act of 1817 ,

      Untitled Article

      which , be it remembered , was at first supported by the Whigs , and , to the moment of its enactment , waa opposed more in form than in reality by them . The result of these proceedings was the Aet 57 Gee . III . c , 19 . It enacts that every society ( political ) skall be comprehended under the provisions of 39 Geo . 3 , before recited . The enactments are in the following words , namely , 1 . " i-very society or club that shall elect , nominate , or employ , any committee , delegate , representative , or missionary , to meet , confer , or communicate with any other society or club , or with any committee or delegate , or induce or persuade any other person to become a member thereof , shall bt liable to the penalties of the 39 Geo . Ill , cap 79 , " —namely , fine , imprisonment , and transportation for seven years .

      2 . " Every person who shall become a member of any such society or club , or shall act as a member thereto —every psrson who shall directly or indirectly maintain correspondence or intercourse with any such society ox c ub , or with any committee , delegate , representative , or missionary , or with any officer or member thereof as such , shall be liable to the same penalties and punishments . " 3 . " Every p . rson who shall by contribution of money or otherwise aid , abet , or support any such seciety or club , or any efflcer or member thereof as such , shall be liable to the same panalties and punishment . " Such i ? the law . It has , however , no relation to public meetings , or the appointment of delegates at such meetings . It relates solely to societies or cluba ; and , therefore , whatever could be done before the 39 Geo . 3 , by public meetings , can be done now .

      Every administration for a century past has , whenever it suited any purpose , employed spies te get up societies , clubs , &c , to induce the commission of illegal acts , and then to imprison , transport , and put to death , those among the offenders who were most obnoxious . What has been done , it may be concluded , may be done again .

      Untitled Article

      A BRUTE IN OFFICE . On Friday , a poor woman named Catherine Fillis , with three children , one of them an infant in arms , applied to Mr . Henry , at Lambeth-street , for his assistance under the following circumstances : —The applicant , who was labouring under serious indisposition , stated , that about twelve months ago , in consequence of the desertion of her husband , she was compelled to apply to the parish « f Whitechapel for relief , and was taken into the workhouse . Her two children were removed to the Spitalfields house , which formed a part of the union , and she herself , with her iufant , was placed in the receiving ward , which is underground , and kept there from that time to the present . The dampness of the place and the want of proper air had such an effect upon her that she felt her health gradually declining , aud she had latterly become bo excessively ill that the infant at her breast was affected , and Bhe

      begged that some assistance might be afforded her to wean her child , but this was refused to her . She also begged of the parish doator , Mr . Foster , to have her r-moved to the Bick ward , where she would have the benefit of pure air , but he paid no attention whatever to her request . She further begged of both the doctor and Mrs- Mursell , the matron ef the house , to be allowed a little tea or something to drink , as she could not take water-yruel . Mrs . Mursell said ahe considered water-gruel quite good enough for her , and that she would not get so good in Ireland ( the applicant being an Irishwoman | . Tne applicant further said , that finding her health got daily worse , and feeling confident that if she remained much longer in the house , her death must be the consequence , she made up her mind to leave it , and , on mentioning her intention , she waa obliged to take her two children with her out of the Spitalflelds workhouse .

      In reply to the question of Mr . Henry , the poor woman said the father of her infant was her second husband , and an Englishman . Mr . Henry perceiving the poor woman was really so ill that it was with some difficulty the could speak , desired Saundera , one of the summoning officers , to go to Whitechapel workhouse , and direct the attendance of Mursell , the master . In about an hour he made his appearance , and , upon being informed of the nature of the application and complaint of the female , he at once commenced an attack upon her about her lazy habits while in the workhouse , and her not doing any work . Mr . Henry , to Mursell . —Dj you think she is in a fit stats tb work now ? Any one must see that she is very ill , and , whatever may have been her conduct heretofore , this is not a proper time to abuse her for what she may have been guilty of . She is evidently very ill , and requires some extraordinary care .

      Mcrsell . —The fact , Sir , is , that she is a very troublesome person , and I understand from the doctor that she has had the modesty to ask tot tea , porter , arrowroot , and even port wine . Mr . Henry . —Well , suppose she did ask for thene things ; there can be no doubt of her extreme illness , and I suppose the parochial medical attendant has the power of ordering theso things in cases of illness like hers . Mursell—Ob , yes , your worship , it is the doctor ' s business to order it , and he has not ordered anything for this woman . Mr . Henry—But I suppose yon have some discretionary power as master of the workhouse ? For instance , in cases of illness , have you not the power to order tea to the afflicted pauper ? Mursell—Oh yes , Sir , plenty of it , and this woman was allowed plenty of milk .

      Applicant—Yes , I got a little milk , but what was the use of that when there was no fire allowed in the ward , and I could not wean a child with cold ailk . Mursell—Well , it was the doctor ' s business to attend to you , and he has done bo ; but the fact is , you are a very troublesome person . Mr . Henry—Mr . Muisell , persons in your situation ought te act kindly to those poor persons . Depend upon it , by treating them with kindness you will acquire much more than by harsh treatment- You should also make some allowance for persons in a state of illness like the applicant , and not take effence at what they may uttei while labouring under affliction of body and mind .

      The applicant said , all she wanted was to be moved to the sick ward , and to be allowed tea or something else to drink besides water-gruel , which Mrs . Mursell had told her was quite good enough for her , and better than she could get in her own country . Mursell here laughed aloud , upon which Mr . Henry told him such conduct was anything but decorous , and that he I Mr . Henry ) did not sse anything in the matter to laugh at . The poor womun was very ill , and he must say there was some ground for her complaint , Mr . Mursell begged pardon , but said he could not help laughing at such a charge made against one who was the kindest woman in existence ' . Mr . Henry observed , be had not the power , by law , to compel Mursell or the parish officers to treat the poor woman as she required , but he wou'd ask it as a personal favour to himself tbatsuch should be done .

      The poor woman poured forth a thousand blessings on his worBhip , and was told to go back to the Louse again . Mursell , when about to leave the court , said , he was sorry his timb should have been so taken np ; upon which hir . Heury expressed some surprise at such conduct , tailing him if he bad not attended he should have written to the Poor Law Commissioners on the subject .

      EXTENSIVE FIRE AT LIVERPOOL . The promptitude , energy , and fearlesB activity of our admirably or ^ anizad police force have made fires of an extensive and destructive character of but rare occurrence in this town for several years past . On Monday evening , however , a fire took place near the Prince ' s Duck which for a long time baffled all their skill , energy , and courage , and occasioned , we are sorry to say , the destruction of a large amount ot valuable property . The firo in question took place at a large bonded warehouse situate in Galton-street , Dandee-street , and Glasgow-street , aid is , we believe , the property of Sir John Tobin . It is called Tobin ' s bonded warehouse ,

      Nv . 212 . The front , or gable end , which looks to the west of the warehouse , is in a narrow street called , we believe , Glasgow-street The south side of the warehouse is in a rather broad street , now called Galtonstreet , but better known by its former name of Robertstreet North . The north side of the warehouse is in a narrow street called Dundee-street , on the opposite side of which is a long range of lofty warehouses . On the eastern end , the warehouse adjoins private dwelling-houses . The upper stories of this extensive warehouse were filled with cotton , coffee , sugar , rice , &e . The vaults , we believe , ate stored with materials of a still more inflammable character , such as palm oil , turpentine , and rum .

      The warehouse , we understand , was closed at the usual hour , four o ' clock , and all was then safe , as usual , in little more than an hour after , or about twenty minutes past five o ' clock , smoke was observed to issue from the door ef the jigger loft , and very speedily the flames became observable , and spread with remarkable rapidity . Information of thiB was promptly communicated to the nearest police station , and at halfpast five , Mr . Whitty , Superintendent Leverett , and other officers were on the spot Engine * quickly followed , and though the fire had then gained considerable head , it might probably have been subdued before it had penetrated to the story underneath , had there been an

      abundant and ready supply of water . Bnt this was not obtainable . In the course of time , however , the watermen arrived , plugs wore opened , water carto , and the huge tank belonging to the fire police , drawn by seven horses , were put into requisition , and a plentiful iupply of fresh and salt water was obtained . The tank and carts drew their supply from the dock , the tide being nearly out , and the basin almost empty . Three engines were also placed at the dock , to furnish a tupply for the working tngin . es , of which there were , including one or two belonging to insurance companies , no less than fourteen or fifteen at work within an hour or bo after the commencement of the fire .

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      Mr . Hewitt , Mr . Whitty , and the men under their command exerted themselves with all the dating and akill « i « which they have become celebrated , in order to anest toe progress of the destructive element ; but it nevertheless gradually descended into the lewet apartmente , and began to assume a terrific , though magnificent aspect Men were briefly employed in emptying the stores to those rooms to which the flames bad not penetrated , and a good deal of cotton and other articles were , g « t out , and deposited in an adjoining street Whilst engaged in this work , some of the bricks forming the arch of the uppermost doorway fell down upon one of the poor and toiling labourers , who waa crashed to the earth , apparently lifeless . He was qaickly taken up by some of bis companiena . and , though severely brutoed and crushed about the lower part of the body , his head escaped with a slight contusion , and he is , we believe , not fatally injured .

      The roef of the warehouse fell in about half-past eight o ' clock , and from that time the prospect of saving the lower part of the building seemed almost hopeless . The fire police , however , mounted on tall ladders to the upper doors and windows , and directed the hose of the various engines to those parts where the oonflagratlen wa ? the fiercest The vast mass of water thus steadily directed upon the blazing pile seemed at one time ( about ten o'clock ) to be slowly obtaining the mastery over the fiery element , and a confident expectation was entertained that it would bo prevonted . from progressing below the third or fourth story . At one time the mass of flame emitted from the glowing pile extended nearly across Galtonstreet , and some fear was entertained for the safety of one or two of the houses on the southern eide of the street A report , in fact w&a circulated that one house had actually taken flre ; but this was not correct The

      aheet or wane of flame speedily became contracted in volume , and all fear of the south « n side of Galtonstreet was at an end . The inhabitants of the houses on the north side of Galt « n-street , adjoining the burning warehouse , naturally became soon alarmed , and removed the whole of their effects . In the midst of the awful and solemnly Imposing scene , a circumstance of an almost ludicrous character took place . A considerable quantity of the half consumed coffee was ejected into the street ; the heated water thrown back from the glowing walla of the filming interior , poured into the channels , and . carrying with it the wasted coffee and quantities of melted sugar formed a beverage which some portion of the vast crowd of spectators were eagerly employed in scoop-Ing up in the hollow of their hands , and drinking . — Liverpool Times .

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      " 27 th . At twelve o ' clock , p . m ., commenced light winds and pleasant weather ; made all possible sail , plying to windward . At four o ' clock , Her Majesty's brig Fantome spoke the captain , kindly offered us assistance , and sent a boat aboard , with one'lieutenant and surgeon to inspect the state of the ship , and there were no symptoms « f the fire to be saen . The Fantome ' s boat left the ship . At eight o'clock light winds and dear weather ; no appearance of fire ; employed throwing water over the burnt part of the ship . Midnight , ditto weatfw ; threw mere water over the ship . At four o ' clock tun ., a moderate breezs from W . S . W . running along the land ; set all studding-sails . At noon no appearance of flre .

      " 28 tk . Lat observed 23 30 , long . 28 , commenced with a fine breeze and pleasant weather . At three o'clock , p . m . found the wool to be on flre in the hold in the same place as before . All hands were immediately ordered to pour water on the fire , and to take the burning wool on deck . At four o ' clock p . m . there was no flre to be seen but some of the wool was still very hot . At eight o'clock light wind and cloudy 1 no appearance of flre ; set a watch in the hold to watch for the flre breaking out again . At daylight saw the entrance to Rio harbour , bearing N . E by E . At noon appearance of flre . Lat . 23 9 S ., at four o'clock p . m ., anchored in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro . "

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      PERSECUTION OF MR . JOHN DUNCAN . AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN . Brothers and Sistehs . —We adopt this method of appealing to your sympathies , and love of justice , and fixing your attention upon a most important case , in the hop * that your desire to protect the innocent and defend the good , will operate bo strongly upoayoar minds that you will ba induced , from the purest motives , to sacrifice self-comforts in order to save a friend . Many of you are already aware of the fact , that that man and patriot , John Duncan , has been arrested by the authorities of Dundee ; that he has been confined eleven days in gaol ere he was permitted to get out upon baiL He is charged with offences whioh we not only believe , but from a thorough knowledge of all the c ' -rcumBtances , are prepared to prove that he is altogether and entirely Innocent of .

      At the three meetings of the unemployed , held on the Magdalen Green , at which Mr . Dunean spoke—we maintain that he n , v « r condescended to appeal to the passions of mankind , but addressed himself altogether to the intellectual faculties of the people ; he advised them to crucify every passion , and to let reason and mind only rule . By arguments plain , but pointed , he reprobated all wars and tumults—taught the duties of the ruled as well as ot the rulers—showed the majesty and power of the law—the rights of property—the saciedness of human life—vindicated the character of the Dundee magistrates from charges made against them . He advised the people to consult the proper authorities as to the legality of any step , before they ventured to take that step ; and by all the tender ties of children and parents , and the holy and saerod spirit of the Christian religion , he appealed to all to be wise , prudent , cautious , sober , temperate , while energetically persevering for the attainment of their rights .

      Brothers and Sisters , —We assure you the above is the true and real spirit which breathed in all Mr . Duncan said at these meetings ; and it is acknowledged by all , except - — .- — - , that he acted a wise and

      a prudent pirt at these meetings . The spirit and disposition of the people themselves is clearly proved from the fact , that after all the noise that has been made about riets and such like , we are not aware of a single pane of glass having being broken by them in Dundee . We have facts which vt e could detail , that would prove that the success attending Mr . Duncan's labours as a Christian teacher is at the bottom of much of his persecution . These we will make known at the proper time . Brothers and Sisters , —Shall the innocent be left

      undefended—shall the shepherd be torn from his flock—Bhall our church doors be bolted—shall our Christian union be broken up—snail the voice of him who has proved himself a practical Christian be made muteshall his person be confined in the cold and lonely cellshall virtue and truth be treated like felony and crime , and we be heedless?—No ! it shall not bY ; we love him as we love ourselves , and shall prove it by our works . Wo shall do cur duty . Friends and countrymen , we claim your assistance to provide for him the moat eminent Counsel at the Scottish bar .

      Scotland now makes her first appeal . Englishmen , Irishmen , Welshmen , listen to her call , lend us your aid , contribute your mites , that we may be able to bring forward a powerful array of -witnesses and able council , to prove tho real character , and secure the liberty of our common friend , John Duncan . A few weeks will bring round the day of trielhasten then—send your communications and contributions to Robert Lindsay , secretary , Jackson ' s LaniJ , Scouringburn ; » r , to Robert Kidd , No . 7 , Wellgate , Dundee , treasurer . Signed in fname of the Christian Chartist Congregation , Robert Kidd , Isaac Peterkin . Robert Liksay , &c .

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      THE LATE STRIKE , ITS CAUSES AND

      EFFECTS . BEING THB SUBSTANCE OF A LECTUBE DELIVERED Ifl LONDON BY JOHN WATKINS . PAET II . " He that will not work shall net eat , " says the Scripture , but man has reversed this ordinance of God . Ouv Lords and Dukes toil not , neither do they spin , and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these . The working men who dig—who weave—are unfed , unclothed , and could not be worse off were they indeed the idle and disorderly persons that government , to serve a factious purpose , says they are . While there is bread enough and to spare , they ought not to perish with hunger .

      It waa noble of the turn-outs to elevate their Strike from a Strike for wages to a strike for freedom . Had they succeeded iu their object , posterity would have hailed them as the saviours of their country . That Strike was tantamount to a declaration of war against the Government , and who will say that such a war would not be just—Is not necessary ? When any foreign power injures or insults this country it is the duty of Government to demand redress or apology , and if refused to declare war . Government did so with respect to the Emperor of China , who , in his fatherly cara for his people , having caused a quantity of poison which certain Engli&h merchants had sent to kis Empire for sale , to be destroyed , thereby to prevent the desttuction of his subjects by it , compensation was

      demanded by the British Government , which b « ing refused by the Chinese , was was straightway declared against them , and the British troops are now ravaging their country with fire and sword , doing the work which the poison was prevented from doing . Surely , if our Government deems such a war justifiable , well may the people , who have time after time petitioned for redress in vain , who have been answered only by additional oppreasiou and insult , well may they think themselves justified in proclaiming war against tyranny and monopoly . Such a war is more than just , it is glorious . But in declaring war it is not only necessary that we have a jusfc cause , but also that we bave the means of carrying it on to a successful issue ; else , instead of exterminating tyrants , we shall but

      give them fresh scope and greater power . The Chartist Executive appointed to direct tho movements of the people do rig ^ t in encouraging a spirit of freedom , but they did wrong in encouraging a strike at this particular time when prudence saw no likelihood of its success . For let us just look at the result of their advice—they must have known that a people off work are off wages—when off wages they are off fond , and how can they obtain it except by force ; thiB brings them into collision with the military , and not having the means of defence , much less of attack , they are slaughtered at ease , while all the while their injudicious advisers are ensconced behind their own unsigned and irresponsible document , leading not , acting not , sharing not

      The people were out , without leaders asd without provision * . What had Government pr « vided for them —Government that had driven them to the distress and desperation bad provided for their destruction , by sabres and carbines , bludgeons , pistols , and bayonets , . and , more than all , by artillery to sweep them from off the face of the earth in numbers together . At sight of the villanous tools of tyranny—the human butchers Bent to slaughter them , the people utter a volley of execrations—they cannot contain their indignationthey cast stones—the riot act is reas!—the soldiers are ordered to flre , an order which they gladly obeymany of the peuple are wounded—they drop—they expire—the reafc disperse to avoid a similar fate .

      And who are the soldiers , —what manner of men are they , —what are they made of r The majority of them are from the people ; they were once in similar distressed circumstances , and regarded it as a dire alternative that they must either become the victims or the tools of their oppressors . Men of a rightly-constituted mind would not bave hesitated a moment in their choice ; or if they did list into the army they would still remember they were « nce working men ; they would remember the brethren they had left , and they would never suffer ttwmselves to become the willing instruments of the tyrants who had cursed them with the necessity of such a state ; they would never willingly identify themselves with those whom they had been accustomed to regard with scorn , nor do the very deeds which they bad once abboned others for doing .

      But every pains is taken to fit them for the bloody uses for Which they are designed ; they are separated from their fellow men—distinguished by their dresstrained in arts of butchery—taught to regard brutality as their duty the will of their commanders ( however revolting to justice ) as law , which , if disobeyed , will subject them te the severest punishment ; in short , they are transformed from men to monsters , and become homicides , fratricides , and even parricides at the bidding of their officers . Now , no consideration on earth ought to induce men to engage in a line of life that requires these things to be done ; and what is the paltry consideration which induces these men?—a shilling per day—mere subsistence—the fare of a wild beast , and the dress of a showman I And they are liable to have their flesh flogged off their bones for every

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      trifling breaca ot uiseiidi ^ e—lor every littl-- ia . c ^ .:. xtiij In the routine of their puppet-. if © . What ought to prove still more galling to u generous spirit , thoy are bought and sold by their officers or drivers like a gang of negroes ; and it matters not what merit a man possess even in that abominable calling , nor what the length of his services , he constantly m&s younger and less able men preferred over bis head , just as birth , interest , or flattery happens to promote them . Men who can enter such a way of life , who can submit to all ita debasing requisitions , its degrading duties , ar ^ just the men , out of a desperate spike against human naturo iteelf ,. to do such things as these men , thess murderous machines are set to do ; but all the bad passions of our

      nature ore fostered in them , are incited by method and rewards to fit them for such aeadishness . It could not else be that we should bear of these men firiog at their brethren , whom they ought rather to soothe—to succour , firing at them by the . command of those vho icflict the miseries which drive the people to madness —miseries which they themselves once knew , enca felt , and wfcre refused redress , relief : firing at them not constrainedly , but willingly , and afterwards boasting of it , even exceeding the bloody instructions which they have been taught .. Why , if they were men , they would rather turn aud execute those orders on the monsters who can issue them—who alone deserve to suffer by them .

      Soldiers have generally been compiimeuted with one virtue in the absence or at the expence of all otberawith bravery—but what bravery is there in men going armed and accoutred on horseback—confident with impunity and concert—against an unarmed , a defence * lees , « naked crowd on foot , fainting with famine ? Surely the bravery is on the opposite side—the bravery is on the side of the poor starving but patient men , women , and children who boldly face the gallant warriors that attack them . The fact is , it is never courage , it is invariably cowardice that prompts these attacks and can be no other . Certain timid o \ u men called magistrates , hear halloes and are alarmed—they get panic-struck—they lose all presence of mind—tbey send for soldiers , the riot act is read , and under cvver of that the * soldiers fire ; for cowardice is always ciuel —it dare not trust itself—it dare not trust others—the

      timid , the terrified are always suspicious and vindictive . But all men are net alike—some even among the soldiers revolt against tha duty assigned them—sicken at itthey refuse to fire upon their unarmed , unoffending fellow-countrymen . One hundred and fifty , it is said , grounded their arms , and they are to be punished for their humanity—for their true bravery—they have beon lodged , heavily ironed in the Tower , and will probably be shot for refusing to" shoot their own sisters and brothers ; thdir owa fathers and mothers , whose sole crime was the madness of despair . But the people will honour these clement men—the people I trust will save them .

      These soldiers bave shewn themselves worthy of a better lot—pity it is that their freeborn limbs should ever have been cased in the hellish livery of tyrantsthat they should ever bave worn the tinselled sang uinary garb of war—that they should ever have Buffered the image of 6 o& in their persons to be strapped , buckled , bedizened , and thus btfoooled . In ancient Rome the soldier who saved a citizen ' s lifo was rewarded with a crown—these saved by sparing the lives « f many citizens—let them be crowned with glory—may they be crowned immortally .

      But the police have no such scruples of consciencethey feel no such compunctious visitings—they have said , aud I heard many of them avow it , that if the soldiers refuse to fire on the people , we'll eniaeb their heads for them . The police are paid by the middle classes , and this may make the difference iu their sentiments , for the aeldiers probably remembered that they are kept in idleness by the labour of the working classes ,- and could they shoot those who had worked to feed and clothe them , and would still bave been working had not oppression made them mad ? But for that oppression , this blood would not have been , shed —the Isle would not have be > a " frighteu-jd fiom its propriety "—and while that oppression coctinuea , who can ensure the country from a recurrence of these horrors—from a constant recurrence of ibem , or the more fearful horrors of assassination and incendiarism ?

      Before we e ^ uit this part of our subject , it may not be amiss to state what are the real duties of soidierg and police . Soldiers should be raised for the protection of the people , not for their reduction—to shed tha blood not of their countrymen , but of their country ' s foes—they are to presenra us from foreign invasion and domestic tyranny , to fight in defence of liberty—cut on behalf of tyranny , for then they cease to be soldiers , th 9 y become mercenaries , cut-throats . They are properly the servants of the state , not of the Queen , or of

      Government—they are supported by the people , although our cunning tyrants have constituted thems « ives their paymasters , and thus make it appear that the pay comts out of their pockets , when in reality it comes from tbe pockets of the people . British seldiersfomerly knew their duty better—they knew their duty wall , and did it , too , when iu the reign of James ¦ the Second tbey sided with , the people against that bigotted king , aad forced him to abdicate tke throneaye , expelled the tyrannical race of Stnarts for ever , even as the Tarquins were expelled from Borne .

      As for the police—no one would object to the men if they kept within their proper bounds—if they contented themselves with being the guards of life and property , but when they provoke the people to break the peace , in order that they may have a pretext for breaking their beads and bringing them before tbe bench for committal to prison , that they may show their aeal and obtain preferment—they clearly overstep tbe legitimate line of their duty and are themselves the criminals , deserving of- the severest punishment . So far from doing injustice , they should see that none Js done—so fcjr from interfering with the people when peaceably met to discuss their grievances , they should tee that none els » interfere with them , and should always guard those liberties which , alas , they too often violate .

      Blood has been shed—blood that calls I will not say for more blood , but for tears . For who were the victims—what was the crime—wby did they rise—wharefore did they riot ? They rose that they might nob be entirely pressed to earth—ground to dost Th » y vrere provoked to it—forced to it Once risen tbey took tbe feod wan they could not earn—they committed some outrages—some acts of vengeance not indiscriminateacts of retaliation , of retribution . Far less outrages were committed by the men on their masters , than the masters had previously committed on the men ; for the people are always more ready to forgive than to panish , and are seldom vindictive , often goodhumoured . — Though they bad taken tbe law in their own hands , they exercised their irresistible power with justice ,

      with mercy . Will tbe middle-class Junes be so forgiving ? will tbe judge on his jotigment-s £ at be so merciful ? Wil ! he in cold blood be so sparing as they in hot blood were ? I am afraid not . The men struck for liberty , and Government can least forgive a strike for freedom . The civil authorities will 3 n ; sh the work begun by the military . The blood that baa besn shed will not be deemed sufficient to atone for the offences of the people ; there will be imprisonments and transportations . Oh ! should not our hearts bktd for those who bave bled ? It is our duty to consider their cases seriously , solemnly . The most worthy have fallen —the warmest-hearted , the bravest , the foremost have been marked—were singled out and Bhot—shot tnrough

      the brains , through the bowels , through the heart , through the liver , through the lungs—horribly shot ! The poor fellows writhing in the agoniea of death are borne home . What an increase to the afflictions of a pining family already overwhelmed by misery ! They wont out for bread for a biokenspirited wife and squalid children , and are brought back to them wounded , bleeding , expiring I—their blood flows and cannot be stanched . Thuy die , cursing the demons who had shot them , while their bereaved and destitute familiesmourn , but the legislators , whoso class-laws—the millowners , whose selfish iovt > of lucre caused this pretty work , should be there to witness it . If tbey were , would they not be touched wita pity ?

      " Yes , as recks are ; For when the widow ' s cries assails their eats And undone orphans wash with tears their tnreahc-lds , They only think what 'tis to be Styled Honourable , and 'tis a powerful charm Mokes them insensible to remorse or the Least touch cf pity . " Now what were the crimes of those poor people thus suddenly sent to an untimely grave , wrapped in a bloody shroud ? They were affijetionate to their wives , whom they wished to make more comfortable ; tbey loved their children , and wished for the mea ~ j > ' of educating them and setting them forward virtuously in the world ; they wished for a furnished home v ' uh a stored cupboard ; to ba decently clothed , to live rer £ >? c !> ably ; and for these good vrishea , for being good fathers , good husbands , good citizona , they were ruthlessly

      ehoian end was put to their wants , to their miseries , by a violent , adreadf ul death . Will Government provide for their widows and orphans—Government that barbarously deprived them of their national protectors ? It would be well for the soldiers to know that not one of the victims thus shot for wishing to have wages that he could live by , but would have assisted those soldiers had they been in similar distress ; would have given them alms bad they been disbanded and sent about the country a-begging , after being crippled or disabled in the service of Government ; a parallel ease . It would be well for Prince Georgd , of theblooi royal , who thirsted t « dye his sword in their blood , to know that soy one of them would have been too foolishly loyal bad be wanted their services . See what crimes it costs to support injustice ! These are its results , and these results will happen again and again , until the accursed system is reformed by the People's Charter .

      . What allegiance is due to a Government who , after reducing a people to this pass , ends them thus horribly ? Society is dissolved by it Say that the interests of the aristocracy require these bloody sacrifices ? Oh , surely the interests of humanity should take precedency over every other interest Perish tbe aristocracy , if its splendours can be maintained only by shedding the blood of tbe unfortunate and the miserable—which thoy call justifiable homicide ! ( To be concluded in our next . )

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      On Mond ay morning the bodj of a well-dressed woman , with several rings on her fingers , was taken out of the river , off Cuckold's Poiat , Rothexbiihe , and conveyed to the dead-house .

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      TEE LATE STORM . —LOSS OF LIVES OFF THE COAST . From the various accounts received from different parts of the kingdom we regret to stite that the storm which visited the metropolis on Wednesday night , and the hurricane of the following day , have been felt throughout the kingdom , particularly along the coast , and have been attended with the loss of n vast deal of property , besideB human life . During the whole of Wednesday and Thursday tho wind blow a cale from the

      W . S . W . to S . W ., which did considerable damage amongst the shipping on the Eastern coast , several having their whole suitB of sails , rigging , anchors , and cables carried away , and were obliged to put back in the Yarmouth Roads , Margate , and Harwich , being unable from the damage sustained to proceed on their destination . Off Melford , on Thursday , Captain Rees , of the Fair Hope , of Aberavon , passed a smack on fchore in Ramsey Sound , and a schooner on the rocks of Skomer Island , both deserted ; and also the mast and part of the hull of a smack , N E of the North Bishop , which is supposed to have foundered , and the crew perished .

      So violent was the gale that the P ! eeuix coasting vessel , belonging to Cotton's-whaif , while off Folkestone , lost one of her men of the name of John Button . The poor fellow was reefing the mainsail , when he was blown over and lost , the mate nearly experiencing the same fate , be being washed overboard , and saved with considerable difficulty . Between the night of the 8 th and the morning of the 9 th the Halcyon , loaded with salt , from Glocester , was wrecked on the west end of the Gore Sands , and the whole of the crew , supposed to be nine in number , met with a watery grave . In the course of tbe day two of the bodies were picked up on Blenheim Strand .

      On the Welsh coast the loss of life has been considerable . The Milford packet lost a man of the name of Williams , a native of St . Divid ' s , Pembrokeshire , when the vessel was about four miles west of the Smalls . In consequence of the terrific violence of the gale , the paor feliow was blown from the croaatreea , and although several spars and ropes were thrown out , these exertions were ineffectual . From the state of the sea , arising from tbe fury of the gale , it was found impossible to lower the boit ; within a few rnirutes after the accident the poor fellow disappeared . Off Cardiff , the De Esternlng , bound from Amsterdam , had a seaman washed overboard ; and at Madoc , the following melancholy event occurred : —lu t >; e morning of the 8 th a boat left the port , containing three young lady , amongst them was the son of Mr . Ilees Jones , for the purpose &t

      mackerel fishing , in which the party were very successful , havirg , in the course of two hours , loaded tkeir boat . On returning with the boat a sudden tquall arose , which caught the boat and turned her over . Assistance immediately put off , but only two of the youths were saved—the son of Mr . Jones met a watery grave ; the other two were completely exhausted when rescued from their perilous situation . Along the Scotch coast the same calamitous results took place , a number of vessels were damaged ; and at Bade a large vessel laden with grain was wrecked near Sharp ' s Nose , and with one exception the whole of the crew were lost ; tbe poor fellow who was washed ashore was in so exhausted a condition as to be un ible at the tiine to give any information as to the name of the vessel or number of the crew . '

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      A SHIP OF FIRE—PERILOUS SITUATION . ( Fiom the Liverpool Albion ) The following extract from the log-book of the ship Renown , Captain Hosken , on her passage from Sydney , New South Wales , to this pott , with a cargo ef wool , gives an account of the breaking out of a fire in the hold , from the spontaneous combustion , it is supposed , of the wcol ; of tbe perilous situation of tbe crew and the passengers ; aud o $ fthe skilful and persevering manner in which the parties on board subdued the flimes , thereby saving the vessel and her cargo , as well as their own lives . Tho narrative is highly interesting : — " June 24 . —At eight o ' clock , a . m ., moved the spars on tbe larboard side , and in bo doing perceived a curious smell . At nine o ' clock , a . m ., remarked the same kind of smell in the cabin . Overhauled all the ship , bnt discovered nothing . At noon , a similar smell . Latitude obtained 25 26 S ., Ion ? . 38 43 .

      " 25 th . At half-past twelve o ' olock , p . m ., cleared the sail-cabin , store-room , and everything out of the berths , and in so doiig found the smell proceeded from the hold , between the bulk-heads of the cabin and quarter-deck . Tbe smell increased , having every Bymptom of the wool being on flre , Pressed the people to work to get part of tlae provisions on deck , all the spirits , oil , rope , &c ; closed all down , and made nil as air-tight as possible , and kept the ship before the wind for Bio . Puiaps duly attended to , and all possible sail set to advantage . Cleared away the longboat and pinnace , got the tackle rove , and all ready for getting the boats out . Latitude 24 , 20 , long , — .

      " 26 th—At 12 o ' clock , p . m ., commenced moderate breeze and cloudy , all sail act to advantage , standing towards the land . At four o ' clock p . m ., smoke was observed coming through the break of the second deck , and smelling like the smoke of wool . At six o ' clock p . m ., tho smell increasing very much , and every symptom of the ship being on flre , the captain ordered the longboat and pinnace to be hoisted overboard , with masts and sails , and sent the most useless of the passengers in them . The boats being ready , were put setern of the ship , with a cask of water , tome provisions and spirits , two chronometers , and what was required for navigating the boats to land . At this time the brass of the sky-light and wood of tbe companion appeared i nd-hot . Covered the coats

      of the masts , skylights and companion ¦ with blankets and sails which were constantly kept wet At half past eleven P . M ., flre was discovered bursting through the starboard side , a little before the main chains ; water was thrown in to stop the flames . Tho boats were now ordered alongside the ship for tbe remainder of the pasaengers , and some of the crew sent into them , except two of the passengers , who exerted themselves in a most able manner for the safety of the ship , namely , Dr . Hampton , R . N ., and Mr . Joseph Lane , tbe captain having determined to remain by the ship , in hopes of savine her and eargo , keeping the mate and seven of the crew on board , who were employed pouring water iato the boles made by the fire , at the came time constantly keeping tbe companion , skylights ,

      and coats of the masts and deck wet At midnight , light breezes uad fine weather : towing the boats astern with passengers , the flre still increasing from midnight to four o'clock a . m ., when the crew that were in the boats were ordered to come on board to relieve those that had been working all night At ddylight , being in sight of land , the Captain determined to break into the ship , by cutting away the covering board where the flre appeared to be most rapid . Got some casks of water filled on deck . At . six o'clock am ., all ready , and the ship's company all en tbe spot , also Dr . Hampton aud Mr . Joseph Lane to assist , commenced cutting away with the broad adie , and pouring water into tbe hold . At eight o'clock am . the flre appeared to be abated , and the half-deck batches were broken open to find the extent of the fire . The hatches being broken

      open , water was thrown down as fast as possible . Cleared away tbe half-deck , and found nearly all the sails were burnt and the ship ' s stores and provisions all spoiled by the fire . At nine o ' clock a . m ., the fire appeared to be extinguished . A sail in sight in shore : sent away by Mr . Lane and five men in the ship ' s gig to provide a passage for some of the passengers , the ladies having appeared to suffer much from alarm and being in the boats all night At eleven o ' slock a . m ., returned , and reported the vessel was bennd to Rio , and that tbe captain would take about six passengers . Captain Hosken then put on board Mr . aud Mrs . Bradley , Mrs . Rose , Mr . Garrett , Mr . Perry , and two sailors . At noon the captain returned to the ship , hoisted up tbepinnanoe andgia , towing the longboat astern of the ship . Pumps dulyjattended to .

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      Mr . Sodek said , it was really laughable to expect to maintain the independence of the board by succumbing to the dictation of the Poor Law Commissioners . ( Loud cries of Hear . ) The course proposed by the movers of the non-confirmation was just the very one to help the three kings of Somerset-house in their attempt to get the thin edge » f their wedge into Marylebone , which they were seeking to do at every opportunity—( hear , hear . ) Was it not sufficient for them to carry out their most inhuman laws and orders in their own union , but they must attempt to introduce them into parishes over which they had no control ?—( hear . hear ) . Because that Bosjd had acted in the case of Phillips with the proper feelings of humanity , and had used their endeavours to prevent the reduction of a distressed family to

      a permanent state of pauperigm . the Poor Law Commissioners forsooth declare the act of the board illegal and improper—( hear ) . What rifcht had they to interfere in any way with the adminis t ration of out-door relief by that board ?—( hear , hear ) . What had the board really done ? Instead of pauperizing Phillips and his family for tweniy-one days in the workhouse , which wculd have cott the parish the sum of £ 6 , they had committed the monstrous crime of paying 36 s . to pass him to a place where be had no doubt of getting employment himself , and his wife and children a respsctabla asylum amoncBt her friends—( hear ) . The latter had re * lly been done , but this proceeding did not please the Poor Law C jmmlssioners . Thoy did net do that in the unions under their control , but they did that which tras infinitely worse—( hear )—tbey delighted in paureTiziug families and getting them into union houses The poor creatures and their families are induced to

      make their way inU the manufacturing districts , not with 36 s . to assist them in their progress , but without a single farthing in their pockets , and they were forced to beg to alleviate the pangs of starvation— ( hear , hear ) . These were the men who dared to call that board to account for committing an act of humanity—( hear ) . He was sure that th « course they had pursued met with the support of the rate-payers , and he cared not bow soon the Poor Law Commissioners tried their strength , for it was high time it should be known whether they had the power to interfere with an independent boardihtar , hear ) . Let the board assert its independence , and if the Poor Law Commissioners ventured to interfere by walking in , let tho hoard aa a body walk out—( hear , hear ) . He should be happy to see this , for he believed that the Poor Law Commissioners by their arbitrary conduct would soon lese even the favour of the few members of the board who now supported them—( hear , hear ) .

      Mr . Grange said , they were either an independent board , or they were under the controul of tbe Poor Law Commissioners . If the board allowed the letter , the dictatorial letter of those gentry , to pass without remonstrance , it wonld appear that the latter was the case . ( Hear , hear . ) The object was to aim a blow af the system of out-door relief . ( Hear . ) If the system « f out-door relief were abolished , to that workhouse , large as it was , three more acres of land must be added . ( Hear . ) The R ? v . 3 Ir . ScOBELn thougfjfc the board were not called upon to argue the legality or illegality of the

      course which had been pursued with the Poor Law Commissioners . The question he thought was , had they the right to interfere with the board in the manner they had done ? He wonld he one of the last t » throw awar a jot of the independence of that board , but be locked upon the Poor Law Commissioners as a superior authority , and as eucb they bad merely infermed the Board that the conrse they ha-. ! pursued was illegal . { ' Oh , oh ! - ) He thought that at all events the latter portion of the resolution , declaring the interference of the Commissioners uncalled for , might be omitted .

      Mr . Pottes considered that the course proposed by those who moved the rejection of the answer to the Poor L 3 W Commissioners was , to call upon the Board to kiss the hand that held the scourge . ( Hear . ) The Poor Law Commissioners told them they had acted illegally . He would deny the assertion , as if so , they , the Poor Law Cammissioners , them&elves were acting iilecally by making paupers emigrate into over populated districts . ( Hear . ) He would maintain that the act of the Board in this instance was not only legal but strictly moral ( Hear . )

      Mr . Anderson Baid , there was a wilful misrepresertation of this case by tbe Poor Law Commissioners , Phillips had not the money placed at his own disposal , but his waggon expenses were paid by the officer of the beard . It was infinitely better that the man ' s wife and three children should havo an asylum amongst her own friends than that the course suggested by the Poor Law Commissioners ehould be carried out . — ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Gibson was deliehted that tbe Board would not

      consent to pauperize whole fimilies or suffer them to sttrve as ths Poor Law Cammissicners did . He could only say , that in ever / such case that came before the rota , when it came to his tnrn to sit there , he sheuld act in precisely the same manner as had been done in the case of Phillips , in dtfiauce of any order cf the Poor Law Commissioners to the contrary . — ! Hear , hear . ) * Mr . EYK . E having replied , The question was put from the Chair , and the nonconfirmation declared to be negatived . A division was demarded . when there appeared—For the confirmation of the resolution ... 21 For the non-confirmation 4 ^ Majority declaring the interference of the Poor Law Commissioners uncalled for , asd tending to subvert the independence of the board ... —17 The announcement of the numbers was received with cheers , and the board broke up .

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      _ THE NOBTHERN STAB . 7

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 17, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct616/page/7/