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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd September 1843, Edition 3 of 4, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      TOTVSB 5 AL BROTHERHOOD . 1 ETIEB XXF . TO THB SDITOB . OP THE MOfcTHEXK STAB . Sib , —Tie receipt of your paper to-day lisa induced Be to select for consideration , as tie next remedy that ha bera proposed ior the removal of what has been found © ppresdve , that of the Cb&rtists . Ta those who have watched the progress of theagitoken for the Charter , it must be evident that , as a jjoSSai movement , It is one of the meet important 4 rer iffidertatonlgr the people of any coantry . Differing ** entirely as I do -withtixe b&da of individval and personal rights on ^ rhicn it stands , in

      -eem-B 0 B -with erery other political institution at present existing , I nay perhaps be allowed a greater freedom is oSsrlng those rem&tks "which occur to me , in&sxnueb as tfcej J * riH I * 6 kno ^ n to emanate not from any desire w intention to take part in the mevement ; but that I vaj , if possible , render thai assistance by way of sag lartdoB j which it is the common dsty of jevery indi-• fubai in sodety to give to his fellow-men at all fimea ; gad whidi tsiow so much more imperiondy demanded , iX a period when It must be allowed by all , that we are in the midst of the most extraordinary events that -era occurred in snyage , or in any ountry .

      That a bony of people who tare , when an emerleucy required it , registered themselves to the number of fines mlflioDS of persons , shall calmly agree , without gte slightest distension er confnrion , to-organira them * jelres under the laws d * the country , for the objects , by peaceful and legal means alone , of 1 st Bettering tke condition of man , by removing the eases which have produced moral and social degradation ; 2 nd . Pro-riding far the unemployed , and to give means of support to those who are deaireus of locating upon the land is an event of no ordinary nature ; and one that will be looted to most anxiously for its results by all Tanks , classes , sects , and parties , not only in this country , bnt throngboat the emlized world . When those pgrsens further take is their principles : —

      1 st That it is necessary to subject those who have the power of making the laws , to a strict responsi bility to those who are required to obey them wien made . 2 nd . That _ this responsibility can be best enforced through the instrumentality of a body emanating from , and subject to , tha -whole people . 3 rd- That this representation must include rite suffcsgeef aSl tootles -who hare azrrred at the &ge eflwentycne . _ _ . 4 th . That the trust shall be confided to the representative for one year only . ath . That the Tepresented shall be protected in the exercise of bis right to private voting . 6 th . That tbe xholeejof the electors alone is a sufficient test for qualification . 7 th . That tbe elected shall receive payment for their services .

      8 th . That there be equal electerial districts ; they take a stand or position from which nothing that hat hitherto appeared is the political world can possiMy dislodge them . There is , however , one word contained in these principles on which I must male a few remarks ; not with BBjTifiw of fault-finding at the coarse taken ; for I have no doubt bat the policy , ot otherwise , has been well considered by those who have drawn up the Ooostitatioa and laws j bat it is worthy of onr most serious conHderatiQii , that it has been deemed necessary to pat lie word * ' males" in the third clause instead -of " persons . "

      Bisection on the nature and coostxtatiQn of man or society most tend to convince all of as that our race will never be far -progressed in the true path unt 3 the ctS disSncSons of sex , as well as all other distinctions , ire abolished . The reformer who can leave one half of the hirmm race to draw down and weaken tbe other , by remaining either in ignorance or subjection , so as to be deprived of what are considered the just rights of hamsnity , -will find , in anage likethe present , that be has not that generous confidence in the true state of tbe psbHc mind that is necessary to allow him to bring all

      oil power into the field .. I know it may be urged , and perbapsrtraly , that women are sot yet in a state fit for tbe exercise of these rights ; and it would tend to bring tits present movement into confusion to admit them ; but M this be the greater stimulus k > us individually ind collectively , immediately to set ourselves to tbets&k of making women fit to be our companions , associates , and adviser * in everything wenndertikei for we may dtpend on it that we are acting contrary to those immutable l&ws which gevern tbe universe , if we ever expect to elevate tke condition of man , and in our attempt leave woman -unnoticed or unattended to .

      Tins jaatter appears to me so vitally important that I cannot refrain dwelling npon it at some length . We ill know that women are , by the laws of our being , in possession of great power over every action we perform ; sod if their faculties are not cultivated to the highest Extant , morally , intellectually , and physically , we shall in vain look for ttat superior degree of existence which , in tie eloquent language of the address of the Conference , ia now shown to be bo easily attainable . A body so numerous and intelligent as the Chartists ire , with such ' objeets and principles before tbe world , cannot fail to obtain what they seek , provided their Organization and Executive are equal to the other portions of the machinery .

      With regard to the Orgsnlzinon , your readers will all tabw that it is not on thst principle which I consider 2 a best j bus I mnst freely own that it is far in adlanee of what any one had a right to expect would lave been obtained in so fbort a timej and it shows aa advance in the "right direction * o rapid as will not fail to strike awe and trembling into the minds of those vfco have , hitherto laughed at the efforts-of the multitade ; and they will , in their turn , begin to examine & £ manner in which they can-best prepare for changes vnicn xmly aahort time anee they would have thought 2 madness to have supposed would happen , at the Jest in tfceir generation .

      Let the Organisation which is nowiramed be honestly x * d efficiently carried into operation , and cordially supported by every member of the Association , and it wil ] le found toiij adequate for every purpose that will be Rgujred to remodel society : for whenever truth and jotice Ebill hays been found really to have erected a emjoint standard , every thing will so rapidly flock wmndit , that all the elements for providing every tiasg necessary for human redemption , will be readily npplied by those who possess them . In ail movements that-have hitherto occupied the pablic attention , too much stress appears to me to have iees jaid to the procuring of fnnda , to attain that object in the readiest manner . Those who have not JEaasr , fancy that those who possess it cannot be in-^ ral ^ opaifRith it in any mannerj whereas nothing jf , in iact , more erroneous . A lair vcr centage and

      food security , will always command capital , whatever Esybeihe object to which it may be applied ; and at & * present period , when the state of the money Jtoket is , as it is described to be in the extract ysa have made fcjm Mr . Alsop ' s Circular , to fear an * 2 £ qnate supply cf capital , is to express a doubt of tbe Edligence or integrity of those to -whom any busineBS-&tter i « to be entrusted ; or to fear that the capital bo sspbjed casEot be nsed so us to provide ^ officieni xsEEestlon to pay for its use . In addition to the money » 1 « obtalne- ! from capitalists , and as a Kore Jmme-« &ly available resource , you wHi have as your com-TS&i the iub&crjptions and donations of lie members ** friends of the Association ; and if tfee Executive Sfido their buEneaa in that nnity , that will be ultis&ly arrived at , these two sources will render tbem ^ Srely independent of the necessity of applying to sjo-Jsei .

      1 hsve not heard who are the Executive , nor am 1 a *» tbether onB has yet been fonntd ; for J have Saposdy avoided Icoking into the details , that I may - * ^ nconsciocsly be biassed by any peKocal consider-*« o 1 b mj remarks : but wheever they are , I woujd ^^ to fpeak in tbat antrersal spirit which J liepe ^ soon actuate us all in tb . 3 great dnties -which are **» eviaenUy being prepared for us , and through which * ispe we s ^ ftTl all soon be fitted for She t **> n we Cave * Perform . friends , you nave taken npon you dnties of the bisjb .-* importance for the welfare of our common country , ^ tne eyes of all classes in every civilized country * 2 be npon yon to see the manner in which yon per-« a them . Allow me to urge npon yon in the strong-* » sd most emphatic mancer , the necssaty of your i 3 ag to yoar task with that Jove for all men as yonr * 5 iinai that shall make yon lay aside all aircgance

      ^ Krlf-conceij , that may be . in your -minds . Xet ns fi Jtm « nber thatthe talents we may respectively have ^ committed to onr care ars the creation of one power ?~* ia entirely incomprehensible to us ; and that * 33 n £ ih this power alone are we daily and "hourly ^¦¦ unea and preserved , let ns Tememteer that this - *» b has abundantly provided ns the elements of sup-™ -derail its creatures , air , water , land , labour and |*^ asd that our fathers and bro th ers have already £ p : euse efQiose elements provided a large capital ; h ^ j ioBe things a 2 t £ oagh" now held conventionally by gtiSnals , can of right belong to no created being , and J ^ jon have taken npsn you to commence a very consT * 1 ^ 8 sltersKon in the hitherto established « onven-^ of tin * country . Pursue you * business with that ~| j * oa energy which is necessary to ensure success in r * iarit , and you win not lone be wanting every

      i ** -T *** " necessary for your work . If you can f «* atethe willinginstrnmoi ^ of the Great Power that | L ^ of necessity acknowledge , and can submit » Mm Ta * ° ^ in Btrici McordSEce with its immutablt IW ^ S 1 * 1 ^^^ depead t > n it- that-your efforts will be * b »^ r ^^ « uccess ; but on the other hand , if the I k ^—^ OD of your natures shall draw y 6 n aside into ^ ^ rf Peaonal aeljSdmess , ambifion , orany otb « r ? * toi * ^ l 6 ad to P * " ^ ' Partial , or sectarian ' w » *^ ° " * ^ nwnpported by yonr Mtow-roen , k , a ^^ T ' inevitably resulfc , whatever maybe for rjT , * Pparent prospect * in yonrf » Tonr . Above ^ teSm ^^ ^ fse ^ pon you to avoid internal dis-: *^ toT £ l t ? ilica il > Jonreonnefla J for if those occur . BeriSSP ^ ** * " Mdeed - - ' a * h ? ^ waarki to t he Erecntive I may per-: ^ oe ttaaed lor ofeiing & few to the General ' ^ i ^ 7 'v ' nas : had Jsom 8 ¦ ! JIJi " In Ti mi i TTTi r * * enflt ? ^ * <* dntie « of yonr office wifl i ^ T » 7 materially the progress of the present * 7 ***! ^ ^ " 7 wifi require all the talent * yon I FW 8 e * « owerer vast . The irrt gr » t * Jn ? to fce

      Untitled Article

      takes will be to secure an efficient registration of all the members ; for onlesB this be done you will have no compact mode of distinguishing between those who aid yon and those who do not . By this atepalene can yon always haYe before you for the use ef the Executive , the relative claims which the various members have npon the society for the regularity and attention which they have given to its objects . The nex » is to Becure . with rejmlarity and promptitude the collection of those funds which each member agrees to contribute , and injustice to all this should be enforced by each ¦ during the time he remains a member . The third

      , point I would roggert , is tbe value of the * greatest regn-I larity in publishing the accounts of the society ; and i that this be done in the most plain and simple manner , | exhibiting both the receipt and expenditure in such a I form that all may understand them ; and tbe fourth is I the value that arises from the correspondence to your j office being replied to regnlarly . For this latter purj pose the columns of the Northern Star will afford much j valuable assistance . There are of courae an immense number of other matters that require your careful at-: tention , and I hope yon will have the suggestions of ; all who wish well to humanity ; for your situation is one on which much depends .

      ; . To the Chartist body generally I would , say , friends , 11 do hope the day has now arrived when personal dissension will cease in your ranks . Remember each of ' you that provided good can be effected , it is of little : importance who shall be the agent for the purpose ; Spu rring to the jealousies exciting among his dis-¦ ciples , a Reformer to whom we are now taught to refer \ with Teneation , bat one who in bia own day was persecuted unto death , said : " be that would be great i among you , let him be your servant : ** and it is not

      unlikely that such advice if practically acted upon , would be highly serviceable in the present day . Ycur weakness has hitherto arisen from a struggle for precedence , which will be sure to be awarded to you eventually if yon are found fit for it ; for you may all depend that there is work enough to be done to occupy the undivided energies of every member of the present and many succeeding generations , before man wiU be at all satisfied with tbe position in which he is placed , either with regard to Mb moral , intellectual . or physical wellbeing . -

      Yoar Conference have put forth a talented address to the industrious classes of the United Kingdom , to-which tfeey will of necessity respond , as soon as full confidence isrreposed in the Executive ; but there is one passage in it to which I mast call attention , as it appears to me to contain a serious error . Tbe address states , " We have only the fatal obstacle of UDjust and usurped Governinterposing between as , nature ' s munificence , and the enjoyment of those btessiegs which the greatest efforts of national ingenuity have ao magniaciently accomplished . " This paragraph appears to me to overlook tbe entire cause of the eviL It cannot be in the

      Government solely ; for this is a thing of our own Conventional creation , and if we were all good ; and wise , we should make a corresponding government to-morrow . The ^ vil is in ourselves ; and we must search deeply in oar own hearts fer a portion of the remedy ; the other portion must be supplied by altering the conditions or circumstances in wijich all are placed ; and our daily increasing experience will be sure to point out tou » the manner in which this can be done , more especially if we can aetabout it with that universal love to which I so often revert , as 1 know it ib in reality toe only thing wanting .

      We may depend on it that the government of thU country is , at tbe present moment , too much intimidated by the aspect of foreign affairs to desire to be estranged from tha people at home . Could they aee how to ac : complish -what all desire , they would be ready to make the attempt ; but they have bees trained and educated in a manner that leaves tbem unfit to guide the helm of affairs in a crisis like the present . We have , however , no reason to despair j there is a power directing and controlling aH these events for our good , in a manner which , although for the present mysterious and ineom > prehenslble , is not the less « ure in its operations . Pursue , as you have lately done , you onward coarse calmly and confidently ; be assured tbat the universal laws are becoming daily better understood , and the nivr in which we approach them must regulate the degree vl happiness we obtain . I am , Sir , your obedient Servant , WlLW-iH GiXPIH . ConeonJinm . Ham Common , Surrey . Sept If , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      TO TBE CHARTISTS OP NOTTINGHAM AND SOUTH DERBY . Brother Democrats . —I now resume the pen in order to give you a brief account of my labours since I wrote my last lfctter . On Monday the 4 th of September , I delivered a third lecture in Derby Market-place , upon one of the remedies propounded by a certain party in this country , commonly called free traders . I had an excellent meeting , and spoke an hour and a quarter , during which time I endeavoured to lay bare tbe many fallacies waicb bare been spouted forth by the persons employed to agitate tbe public mind in fovour of a repeal of tbe Corn Laws , and a further extension of trsde ^—not only those employed by the league , and paid oat of the bard earned pence of the poor and much oppressed factory operatives , but belchei out by the teairoe itself .

      On Sunday the 10 £ h instant , I attended three camp meetings which were held on Greaaley Common , a place justly celebrated by the < Jhartists of the neighbourhood , in consegne' ce of Mr . John West being tried at Derby for a sermon which he preached on tbe above named Common ; the which sermon was set forth in the indictment as seditious , but as yon all know , my friends , was Dot substantiated by evidence . Mr . West was therefore honourably acqnitted . Tbe first meeting took place about eleven o ' clock , a . m . Mr . Harrison opened tbe business by giving out a hymn . He then stated the objects Tot -which they were called together ; and called upon M - D ^ Tiiian to address them . Mr . Dorman . made a very effective speech which told well upon his hearers . Wbea he had finished , tbe people sang another by&n , and immediately separated for Sinner .

      As . two o'clock in tbe afternoon , the second meeting took place , and tbe same preliminaries gone through . Mr . Harrison thtn introduced Mi . Tickers , who preached an excellent democratic sermon . Your bumble servant also addressed ihe people npon the character and conduct of the Christian Ministers throughout this country . I endesv&ured to do justice to their reverences , Tbe people tbtn withdraw to take tea , and assembled again by « x o ' clock , when Messrs . Harrison and Dorman delivered two very spirited disconrEes , after which the people returned to their

      homes , highly delighted with the day ' s proceedings . The people of Greasley are principally engaged in making pots , er eartbenware , and getting coal . I am sorry to say , like all other places , they are oppressed , and grounfl down by those who have power over tbem , particularly tbe colliers . One of the masters gave ^ orders to his overlookers and pitmen tbat they must not attend toe Chartist camp meetings , and that if such oTdera "Were disobeyed , if any man went to the meetings , sad be found it out , he wonld instantly discharge him from his employment . And yet , my frisnd 3 , this master ia a Christian , at least , a professing

      one . On Monday , the 11 th , Mr . Harrison and myself proceeded to Burton-npon-Trent , and arrived there about i-yax in tbe afternoon . On our arrival , we learned that tbe antb ' -riUss had gjren orders to the constable to stop our meeting in the Market Piace . I immediately weal lo tbe constable . As soon as he saw me , be said : ¦ " you the person who is to lecture here ? "' " Yes . " ' Then I sm authorised to prevent yon . " " By whose iuifaoritj , pray ? " " ~ &j the anthority o' the Mayor . " I thru asted if the Market Piace -waB private propertj ? He answered that it belonged the Alaiquis of Ancie ? = y . In tbe course of a few minutes , the people

      a * s * niM- « i : and I informed them that the meeting was not iiiowed to be htld there , but that I would proceed to rhe T 3 ter side , a distance ol about two hundred yar- ! s . 3 Dd eddress them . They followed , and we bhA z . splendid nieeiinjt . My friend Harrison acted as chai-muD . ted opened the bmdnesa in an excellent speech : after -which I spoke an hour to the people , fcut ¦ v ^ s c . tiris m tbe time frequently interrupted by the eoi ^ taMe ' a son—a young man -wbose " bump" of ignora ce tras immensely deTtlrptc ! , ai . d , I assure you , I dir ? n ^ t forg et to tell him so . Toe people of Barton Bi 6 much oppressed and tyrannised over by their employtra , ? niH 9 of whom tbrrattnod the poor fellows witb instant dismissal , if they dared to attend the

      meetins . On Tusday night , I delivered a lecture in Tulbury to a Bumersus meeting , on cbm legislation . Tbe peep ? e were very attentive to the discourse There are a few sterling Cbartiats in the above village whese hearts are -warmiy attached to ths sacred < ause of political freedom . The great bulk of the lafeoureis axe in a state of poverty , being miserably paid for their labour . On Wednesday night , I delivered another lecture in Daifey Market-plaoe , upon the Corn Laws , and bad a goodly mutter of workies . The cause in Derby is beg inning to revive . Or- Thursday night , I addressed the people of Ilkeston

      in tbe open air , npon the evil tffrcte of class legislation . Tbe meeting was an excellent one , and a very en » husiastie feeling in favour of dtiaocratic principles was manifested by my bearers . The land in and about Ilkeston belongs to tbe Duke of Rutland . MaDy have gardens attached to Qieiinousea , \> T cottages , aBtbey axe termed ; the rent averages twenty shillings a year for a cottage and one-fifth of an acre of land . Of course the parties who noid or live in the cottages have built them themselves , « o that the pound a year charged , is to pay the ground rent . Oil would that thousands of the poor fellows jd Lancashire had their gardens to grow vegetables in the same manner as the men of Ilkeston .

      On Siinrday , I lectured to the people of Borrowash . Themeeting was not numereus , being the first held there for Osartiat purposes for many months ; another reason assigned for tho thirness of tb » numbers was , that the people had been often disappointed by the lecturers who promised to attend , but failed in performing * uefc promise . I would advise my brother agitators , above all other things , to be punctual to-their engagements . On Sundsy momisg last , the following resolution was proposed by Mr . R . T- Morrison in tbe Deaocratie Chapel , and seconded by Mr . WaJ 2 i " TfcaS we adopt tfe $ PIan of Organization asserted upon at Birmingham , and wDJ «« t ourselves to CSTTJ it into feff ^ t as soon aa it » eBJXteent is procured . *'

      Untitled Article

      Brother Democrats , the Plan is now before you ; examine it carefully , and if you believe that it is calculated to forward the great sai glorious principles of human liberty , act up to it Carry out as far as lies in your power its every clause , and then you have the consolation to say , that if it failed it was not through yon neglect I remain , as usnal . Your fellow labourer in the vineyard of Chartism , CHRISTOPHER DOtLE . Nottingham , Sept 17 th , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      NEWS PROM NEW ZEALAND . The following interesting extracts are from letters just received from Mr . George Bisms , late of Sunderland : — Port Nelson , Feb , 10 th , 1843 . ' What would I not give to wander " Where my old companions dwelL *'—BayJey . " You will all be anxious to know how I progressed towards my adopted country . We Bailed from the West India Decks on ths 1 st o ! August , 1842 , and arrived in the Downs a day or two afttr . We -were about a week in the Channel , encountering adverse winds one day and a gentle and favourable bietza tba &ext , wben tbe broad Atlantic opened to our view , and left behind us the dim and distant outlines of my fatherland . < Home with all its enchantments rushed upon my mind , and

      as each , trace of England faded from my view , the warm and guishing tear that unbidden rose , in vain gave calmness to my troubled breast . My doom is fixed . New Z-mland must be worse , if once again I tread my native shores . To think about return were madness ; and to weep over what we cannot now avert were folly . Courage ! weak heart ! said I , though it be the courage of despair ; for it were better to receive the stroke of fate with noble bearing , than to shrink and cower beneath its falling blow . We got a distant view of the coast of France in sailing through tbe Channel ; but on passing outside the Bay of Biscay , along the coast of Spain and Portugal , we did not see a apeck of land . The weather was delightfully mild , the skies were dear , a * : d the waters comparatively still ; but not still enough

      to keep away the nanseous filthy sense of squally seasickness . The worst feature of a sea-voyage is ( barring sickness ) -the dull monotony , boundless as ocean ' s self that prevails around you . Nothing interesting to the mind , unless it be tne few phenomena presented like *¦ angels' visits to the eye of Hie naturalist Here we see a troop of porpoises , perhaps four or five feet long , leaping two or three feet above the water ' s level , and posting through the mighty ocean like couriers bent on Borne hasty mission of importance . They come very near the vessel , and are easily caught by the harpoon . We caught several , and most delicious food they are . Sometimes we saw sharks , grampusscs , and whales . Within the tropics swarms of flying fish were glittering , with their transparent wings , in the burning sun . In

      doubling the Cape of Good Hope we encountered some severe weather , sometimes going at nine knots aa hour , tender Jjare poles , with seas that threatened to bury the old Bombay lot ever . In the Indian ocean we were all alarmed by the bursting of a thunder-bolt on the deck of the vessel , which came down the mainmast , burnt tbe sails , and would have set the ship on fire , but for a torrent of rain , which providentially extinguished it at tbe moment The explosion was terrific Two men were brought into tbe cabin nearly dead , but ultimately recovered . I was just falling to sleep at the time , and when I heard that tbe men were struck by the electric fluid , I was on deck in an instant , discharging my duty in assisting to carry them to their berths , and administering restoratives . We arrived in sight of New

      Zealand , after traversing 20 , 000 miles of water in about five months , and were landed ( after heaving too for the night ) in Tasman ' s Gulph . : The country is very mountainous . With almost & tropic sun scorching us , we have mountains covered with everlasting snow . Immense forests of trees , some HO feet high , extend for miles over mountains and valleys ; and the climate is delightfully pleasant , with skies clearer than in Epglaud , and the winter milder . The natives are a fine race of people , but in danger of corruption from the influence of a pssudo civilization . Tall , * stately looking people , they carry on a traffic with our colony , and trade in potatoes , onionB , melons , fish , &C-, all of which they catch , rear , or grow themselves . They are not very nice about their dress . Sometimes you will Bee one

      with a coat without his trousers , or wearing a hat without any shirt ; sometimes one shoe t > n , sometimes one stocking only . They are remarkably peaceable , bave a place of worship bare , arebonest , and always refuse intoxicating drink . They respect people who treat them well , and would break their hearts to see us leave their ^ land . They respect people in authority , and call our Governor Wide awake ! ' TWe is now the 26 « h of January , 1843 , and I have waited till tbe present time for employment The Company had no vacancies , though I got a promise from the Captain for the first In the meantime a gentleman here , Mr . Ross , a storekeeper , kindly offered to build a store and stock it if I would go into partnership with a friend of his , a Mr . Campbell , of Edinburgh . I have accepted the offer ,

      and we wul start id a few weeks as cntcbers , bakers , and general storekeepers . I have paid , while here , 103- a-week for a room , exclusive of board . I realised 30 per cent by tbe goods I brought out , after paying expenses of sale . I am very comfortable , considering the distance from my native land . Mr . Ross has taken a liking to me , why , I cannot tell : it was not for my money , as my pockets ^ were completely empty 7 but , I suppose , he has traced some lines of candour and honesty in my looks" ? * * » It is now midsummer , and ever since I landed our rainy days have not averaged Biore than one in ten . We are not troubled with storiuy winds at this time , and even gentle breiz ^ are Bcarce . " * * " Capital is wanted in New Zealand—labour is too- abundant proportionately

      to tbe capital—numbers of men are compelled to work on tee roads , and wages are falling , as tbe number of such men are rapidly increasing , and unless jbrming capilalisls are multiplied , the resources of the colony may be soon drained . The celony has participated in the depression at home . The wages of the Company ' s men now zie 14 s . per week , and only one-half their lormer ratioos ; whilst mutton is selling at Is . per lb ., ork 8 d . and the fonr pound loaf Is . 2 d . . Labour must be limited unless more capital is sent StilJ tbe Company ' s labourers are better off than many In England : their condition would be materially improved were more capital embarked in agriculture . Tbe attention of the Company will doubtless be directed to this matter . The excess of labourers , compared with the demand for them , though it makes their labour cheap , and Is apparently , therefore , a benefit to the

      agriculturists and employers of labour , is nevertheless found to be a serious practical injury . Under such circumstances the labourers may produce but cannot consume ; and without the latter the former must stop . Experience , however , will seen correct onr youthful errors as a colony . We have energy and enterprizs , hope and strength , an uncultivated country and a splendid climate ; our wants ere few ; our living simple and rational ; we ate not borne down by state debts and heavy taxes : we will therefore su mount existing difficulties . Our course ia en ward . Urn in good health and excellent spirits considering that I am an exile from my friends and country . My food is miik and bread twice a-day , and I dine on pancakes ot pudding . I abstain from flesh meat , and am growing fat on this fare , and water beverage . " " Geobge Biwns . "

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      THE OPPRESSIONS OR THE "COAL KINGS . " TO THB EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Respj . cted Sir , —Knowing your willingness at all times to take up tbe cause of the oppressed against the oppressor , I tak& the liberty of soliciting a place in your invaluable journal for the iusertibn -f the unclosed address , which has been extensively circulated ii > Wiprn and the neighbourhoed , by the " Coal Kings " and their tools , whereby the public have been

      ledastray as to the cause of the coal miner ' s grievances . At the same time a base attempt has been ruado to got tbe coal nnnt-rs to mix up their question with that of defunct WbJggery . By inserting ti ^ e address , and jay rtp = y . Jon wi ) l greatly oblige yours in the cause of suffering humanity , The Coal Miner ' s friend and the Public ' s Obedient ssrvant , William Djxon . Manchester , Sept . 18 th , 1843 .

      A » DRESS TO COLtlERa . As you are absnt to convene a meeting of the Coal Miners in Lancashire , to consider your present distressed condition , and to adopt such piiins as may tend to iwprove your circumstances , permit one who is s well wiiber to you ana your families to suggest a hint to yonr leaders and to yourselves in general . You appear to forget , or -wilfully keep ont of view the main source of your misery—a depressed and ruined trade . You kruw , or at least your leaders well know from what quarter this ruin of irads , especially

      the foreign trade , proceeds . A very great majority of your class of suffering operatives was determined by bludgeons , as far as your assistance could go , to place the individuals in power who bave stopped the current of demand for your labour . They have Imposed a doty which precludes a foreign trade ; and yet , with a strange infatuation of conduct and reasoning , you support the men who have done It , and throw the odium of this depression upon the masters , who could net , without bringing themselves into your situation , and thus destroying both parties , carry on their business with a higher rate of wages . :

      None but tbe most obdurate can -witness with apathy tbe distresses and privations to which your class are at this time reduced . Though we are compelled to admit that much of this is attributable to a wasteful and wanton expenditure of your card earnings ; yet it is well known from undoubted facts that the most industrious among you cannot obtais a comfortable subsistence for your families in the present state of the coal trade . Bat let se advise yon to lock fairly at the matter in all its bearings Do not suppose that Masters can , by a sort of TDBgic , conjure money to satisfy a htavy wages JUt ; or raise the produce of ycur labour to the top of t he ground without a market , and without a suitable

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      ! Z ^ wh £ f c tothemBe ; ves to kwpthe . wy-ertabllsh . opTration " PP ° 'V ln a COttre * Bttcce 6 sfa » « J ^ f Sft ? ^ y ° on the wpacity and ty-ESE I ?? Cf rlet r tlw Qnl * ^ y ° « a * toss ; but a Uttlejiober reflection must convince you t SE ! P W fr Mnterwovea with that of your « « T- ^' n . 1 If ? me 8 t ^»* ton *! ^ d absurd expecta-2 *? £ " P ! ^ * ° «« PP <>*> that they can sink a large « f ^ S 5 rl ? " ^ ^ ottered or entirely flourishing and extensive trade would command . You therefore , with jialngulw inconsistency , arraign the Tery parties atthe very bar of your judgment , who in a certain sense are yoar fellow sufferers , and exonerate those who have contributed to lay this embargo on" your prosperity and comfort

      Your meeting together for the purpose of considering your situation and prospects is perfectly right and proper . None car * justly condemn it But your principal attention ought'to be directed to the spring of your grievances . Without this , you may adopt a thousand expedients , and your remedies will only be superficial in their character and temporary in their duration : resembling a wound slightly healed , but still rankling m all its virulence beneath . Let your leaders be consistent with their professed sympathy for the poor . Let them not be continually descanting on your snffenDgB , whilst they are lending all their energies to the support ef the system which Is withering by its pestilential influence the best prospects of both employers and employed .

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      stones . " And whilst he is horror-stricken at a few of the miners bating the audacity tp use their truncheons on the putting booth , when the i decision was given in favour of the Conservative candidates—< a few of the coal miners were guilty of the unpardonable crime of beating with their truncheons on the booth something like the tune » f the " Rogue ' s Marclrt " l—has he forgot that the faction to which he belongs have Inundated the country with " bludgeon men , " and that they carried out their " bludgeoning" propensities even to the sacrifice of human life at that election ?

      In the third paragraph of this address the author commences in the first sentence with a vast amount of sympathy for the " distressed condition * ' of the miners ; and in the next , tells us that their miseries are attributable to a wasteful and wanton expenditure of their wages . He then goes on tK ^ eay , the most industrious amongst them cannot obtain a comfortable subsistence in the present state of the coal trade . I wouM be muoh obliged to him if he would reconcile these contradictions in his next I regret as tnucb as our Anonymous Author can do the existence of intemperance amongst the colliers . But , thank God ! there is a change coming over the minds of the working people ; and I trust the time ia not far distant when they will be aa sober and Intelligent as they are useful to society . Then I am of the 01 the

      convinced that it will then be out power " coal kings" to deprive thtm of their just rights , as they have done fee the last twenty ysars . But this sympathizing gentleman cauuot bat to cognizvat of the fact tbat the coal masters themselves have been the determined patrons of intemperance amongst their workmen . In fact , if a maa | should atop from his work for a day , the beat excusa . he can make is to say fee was drunk over night : and this would be considered a sufficient apology tor the master . How different if he dared to say he hod been to a meeting to consider what plans would be the best to adopt in order to improve the moral and social condition of himaelt and fellow workmen ! The consequence of such an avowal would be his immediate discharge from bis employment . He is also aware , if he knows anything of the doings of tbe coal masters in the neighbourhood , of Wigan , that several of the matters , notwithstanding they have goad

      and convenient offices at the werks where they could pay the men ( as they ought to do ) , aend tbeir hands to a public house , and there keep tbem waiting for hours bnfote paying them tbe scanty pittance coming to them iq the shape of wages . Can it be wondered at , taking all the circumstances of his lot Into consideration , if be should spend the whole of bis earnings before he leaves the house that the master was the means of bringing him into . Nay , I have known many miners who had such a dread of this temptation that they bave sant their wives to draw their wages ;| and often bave I seen these poor females standing round the door of a public bouse , betwixt ten and eleven o ' clock on a cold winter ' s night , waiting for the wages which waa to provide tbem food for the sabbath and the following week . Therefore it would b » well for our author and those in whose behalf he -writes , " to cut the beam out of their own eyes before they presume to pluck the mote oat ot their brother ' s . " r

      We are next treated with a vindication of the " Coal Kings" and a precious rigmarole ) about tbe prosperity of the miners being interwoven with that of employers , the sinking of capital , * c dec . I would be glad if he would prove , to the satisfaction j of the miners and a thinking public , that our prosperity and that of our employers is reciprocal . Experience tells us that just in proportion as the coal owners have been storing up wealth , in the same ratio bave their workmen sunk in poverty , wretchedness , and misery . One of those men that has " sunk so much capital" was a hand-loom weaver : he ia still living , and is now a large coal master . He has also accumulated landed possessions . I would ask the simple qaeation , from whence did this gent , get his capital to sink ? Many a poor collier can answer the question . I will give the public a speci men of this gent ' s sympathy for those whose labour bave made him what he is . i

      Some few years ago an explosion of fire-damp took place in one of bis pits , whereby several of his men were severely burned . It is a common practice in cases of this kind to give tbe men that are burned , buttermilk mixed with boiled oil to drink , in order to kill the fire in the mouth and throat Tbe poor people had sapplyed one of the poor fellows , ! who was burnt , with all the HiilB they had ; when this was done , one of them took a can and went to tbe master's to beg some for him : but what was the master's reply ?—( I hope the public will mark it well )— " TVe h ive some buttermilk , but we sell it—we do not give it away 1 " This was the return tbe poor miner got for braving the jaws of death , in order that this man might accumulate wealth , and become what he is . Another of those men

      who ( have suffered so much by " sinking their capital , " was , a Very fow years ago , a journeyman sawyer ; and now behold he has got a large colliery , keeps his gig , and considers himself of some consequence , and is a very tyrant The next we shall mention was a brewer's clerk . This person seeing that ; the coal trade was one that mode gentlemen very rapidly , contrived to get two pits which were finished ! about the year 1837 or 1838 . One night having got as much drink as made him talkative , he said to a few of his workmen " never mind , lads , wben the pits are done I have got an odd £ 50 , 000 , and that will put a hole down somewhere else . " He baa been as good aa bis ward , and commenced another large colliery . [ Another gentleman , who twenty years ago would have considered himself

      rich if he had had a thirty pound note in his pocket is now one of tbe largest coal masters in the Wigan district , having coal works in every part of the neighbourhood , and has got a handle to his name in the shape of aa E-q ., a carriage to ride in , and livery servants to attend him . Now we would ask with these facts before them , what is the conclusion tbe public must come to , especially wben they see that year after year the wasting miners ; have been si ; king deepeer and deeper in miseryj wretchedness and want ? On the other hand the masters have been rising in affluence and wealth , and accumulating princely fortunes for their children . Can they come to the conclusion of our author , that the prosperity of the coal miners is and has been interwoven with that of their employers ? Certainly Dot ;

      The lost paragraph of this address is scarcely worth notice . I will therefore pass it ever as hritfly as possible . The author of it , however , j tells ns we bare a perfect tight to meet : but our meeting will be of no avail unless we go to tbe source of j onr evils . I am ot the same opinion ; but differ from him as to what is tbe " source . " I know he and his party could wish us to mix up our question with their ' | crotchets , " aa witness the doings of the Staffordshire coal and iron masters both in the past and present year . " You have a perfect right to meet" What a change has come over the spirit ; of tbeir dream . ' How woacierfnlly kind they have become , since their friends , tbe Whips , were sent to the bleak aide of the treasury

      bench . How different this , when compared with their doings when in the zenith of their power . The working classes well remember what their actions were then ; and consequently know well how ; to appreciate tbe value of their hollow pretensions now . " You have a perfect right to meet" How very kind . But we bave not forgot the transportation of the " Dorchester labourers , " - and the " Glasgow c otton-B P * nuers . " 1 therefore take this opportunity of telling this " Scribbler . ' ^ and through him the " Anti-Corn Law League , " that the miners will have nothing to do with any other question but tbat of the Miners' ; Union . Therefore such feelers as the one he has thrown out are useless , and wil ] not answer the purpose . <

      I Will now take leave of this Anonymons gentleman and his address . I assert that nine-tenths of the deaths which happen in the mines , from " suffocation by black damp , or carbonic acid gas , " or fro u explosions of " fire damp , ' * are attributable to the cupidity of the coal musters . In fact , nine-tenths of tlio deaths that occur are neither more nor less than sacrifices offered up at the shrine of the god , Gsld . In conclusion , I challenge the author of this address , or his employers , to dispute the truth of the statements I have made , at any time or place , before an open meeting of the public . j On behalf of tke Miners , I am the Miner's Friend , and the Public's obedient Servant . i Wh . Dixoj * . Manchester , Sept . 18 th , 1843 .

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      THE MINERS OF CUMBERLAND TO THE MINERS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IKELAND . 2 \ Friends AND BRETHREN , —Wejhave been now a month without work , in defence of our common cause . Our masters knowing ,, of our depressed circumstances , occasioned by the many reductions ] wbich they bave made in our wages , united themselves in a bond of one hundred pounds , to each and all refuse employment to any man belonging to tbe union . They issued a paper binding us noe to belong to tbe union , which we must either sign ox cease to work . ! We choose the latter alternative and are now wholly depending upon your sympathy for support i Will you allow tbe men of Cumberland to be in battle array against you , as we must be , if pur tyrannical employers force us into compliance ? Wo trust not , brethren . Your own interests demand that we should be aided . \

      We have received the following ) sums , —Wingate £ 10 ; Rainton , £ 6 2 »; East Cramlington , £ b 3 s . 6 d ; CasBop , £ 5 ; New Durham , £ i ; Heaton , £ 3 18 s ; Leaton Dallvel . £ 2 9 s ; Bavenswortb . £ 1133 ; Hebburn , £ 1 8 a . 6 d ; Coxlodge , £ 1 5 s . 7 d ; Wbitley , £ 1 Ss . 8 d ; Walker , £ 1 ; Walldrege ! Fell , £ 1 ; Sbiucliffe , £ 1 7 a ; Oakwellgate , 17 s ; Wylam , I 6 s . 9 d ; West Stanley , 143 . 10 Jd ; SouthPclow , 6 s ; Morpeth 10 s . These are the sums we have received this week for the support of 1 , 500 men . Be up and doing a little longer , and the victory is ours . Onward , and we conquer ; backward , and we falL j John Madine , Secretary .

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      Dean Church—On Saturday last Mr . Swallow lectured to the colliers in the employ of j Mr . Hnlton , ma gistrate . The large room at the Qieen Anne , was crowded , a great number being unable to obtain admission . An a < ij 9 ornment took place to the open air , where Mr . Swallow addreaed the meeting at great length and was loudly cheered . The organisation of tbe colliers is going on briskly here . Six weeks since not one was in the Union , now there is 125 enrolled . \ A large addition to the present numbers is expected the next pay day , which is bat once a month at this colliery .

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      Hamburgh , Sept . 11 . —The disturbances atthe Millerin Gate wrere renewed the evening before yes » terday ; the interference of the military , as on the precedicg evening , soon restored tranquillity . The tumult was the meat violent outside of that gate , where a detachment : Of drageons received orders to use their arms , and several persons were wounded A considerable number of the rioters have beea arrested . Yesterday evening tbe necessary precautions were taken by the military to prevent a repetition of the tumults , and accordingly , though a great number of persons were assembled under the gate , no disturbances took place .

      Death of Voltaire ' s Gardener—Matthew Dail * Iedouze , the gardener at the Chateau of Ferney , who had been in the service of Voltaire , has just died at a very advanced age . He possessed a number of relii * j of the witty Frenchman , and was an admirable cicerone to strangers visiting the Chateau—Galignani ' s Messenger . Naples—The whole of the San Germano and Ceprano road , situated on the Neapolitan territory , is infested by a numerous band of brigands , most of them mounted on good horses , and all of them well armed . All the way from Capua carabineers were echelmnes on the road , but they were unable to check the brigandage , and had been more than onco compe lled to flee before the banditti . At the head of the band are three convicts who have escapad from the galleys .

      RussrA . —We learn from St . Petersburg , August 31 , that on the proposition of the Senate , the Emperor has issued a ukase establishing a uniform postage throughaut Russia and the Grand Duchy of Finland , no matter what the distance may be ; so that henceforward the tax on-letters will vary in ohnrgo only according to their Weight . African Expedition . —Private letters from Jiddah , on the Red Sea , mention that an Englishman , Mr . Mansfield Parfcyns ' , late of Trinity College , Cambridge , is making preparations to aaceud the White Nile , penetrate the Galla country , and sirike across the continent to the Niger ! Our correspondent says , Mr . Parky as is a highly spirited young man , and has been some time travelling in Asia . Minor .

      Col . Sioddakt and Capt . Connolly . —A letter from Constantinople eiates , that " the impression ia every day gaining ground , at this place , that the report of tbo id order of Colonel Stoddart and Captain Conolly , at Bokhara , is altogether unfounded ia : act . All tho Ha-jjis who pass through Constantinople , on their way to Mecca , agree in contradicting this story , and state that , though incarcerated , these gentlemen are still alive . " The Rights of Despots , v . the Rights of Man . —Political incarcerations have taken piace in several provinces of Austria , Italian as well as German . The persons imprisoned are belonging , or suspected of btfJonging , to the sect of the Communists . The member ? of this sect are daily increasing throughout Germany , Switzerland , Tyrol , and the different States of Italy .

      Ascent of Mont Blanc—A Jotter from Chataouny states that , the ascent of Mont Blanc wa 3 mado a Bhort time since in a most rapid and successful manner , by Dr . * E . Ordinaire , of Besa&oon , and M . E . Tairraz , of Charmouny , and a party of thirteen persona . They , left ihe Prieure at noon of the 23 : d ; at half-past six in the evening arrived at the rocks of the grand mu et ? , which they again quitted the following day at half-past two in the morning . They were aeon ascending by the old road exposed to the avalanches , and where the three guides or' Dr . Hamel were bwallowed up in 1820 . At half-past ten M . Ordinaire , who was in advance of the other travellers with two of his guides , arrived at the i-ummit

      where the rest-of ihe party shortly afterwards joined them . At a quarter past eleven they commenced their descent by the new road , and at seven in the evening arrived at Chamouny . Religious Pebsecution . —Dr . Kalley , a Scotch p hysician , in the island of Madeira , has been thrown into prison for a : tempting to convert the natives to Proiestantism , by preaching to such of them as chose to attend on his sermons , in his own house , and in the Portuguese language . This imprisonment is very naturally denounced by Dr . Kalley ' s friends as an arbitrary and tyrannical proceeding ; but still it is very doubrful whether that geiitleman was not violating the laws of Portugal , which barely toier 3 te the profession of the Protestant religion .

      State op Spain . —The publio diligence from Granada to Mac ' rid was stopped and robbed on the night of the 1 st inst , near Puerto Lapiche . Viscount Bejija and two daughters and twelve other passengers were inside . They were compelled' to alight , and remain with their faces to the ground for upwards of three hours , and were completely stripped , and all their baggage and 1 , 500 dollars in money carried off . In consequence of the great efforts made by the first magistrate of Puerto Lapiche , sevon of the robbers were apprehended , with part of the effects , in their possession , within a few hours of the robbery . A Dl ; C VERY OP A LaBGB RlVBR IN AfSICA .. — Lieutenant Christopher , of the Indian navywho

      , was despatched from Aden upon a survey of the coast of Africa , by Captain Hainea , has succeeded m discovering a splendid river to the northward of tho river Jub , which he entered and traced for one hundred and thirty milea . As he advanced , he found u increase in width and depth , and , according to the report of the natives ( a civil and obliging raeo ) it continued to do to for the next four hundred miles . Theriveri 8 described to be from two to three hundred feet wide , and sixty feet deep ; a clear meandering atream , with banks in a highBtate of cultivation , yielding all kinds of grain , which are abundant and cheap . Lieutenant Christopher has named his discovery the •* Haines River . "

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      Liverpool . —Au inquest was held on Saturday before the ' Borough Coroner , on the body of a boy , eix years of age , named John Hug h Dean , who , while running after a butterfly at the Brunswick Dock , accidentally touched a pile of deals which were lying upon the quay , and which appear to have been most negligently placed one upon another , in consequence of which the whole pile tumbled to the ground , and in their fall broke his thigh , and left arm , of which injuries he died . The inquest wa » adjourned until yesterday , when the jury gave a deodand of £ 3 upon the timber .

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      AMERICAN AFFAIRS . New YoKKt Aug . 31 . There is a warm contest under wei ^ h , in the ranks of the Locofoco party , as to tho manner m which the delegates to the presidential convention shall becfioaen . These conventions are to be composed of as many members aa constitute the House of Representative in Congress , each stata to send as ma « y delegates to the convention as it sends representatives to Congress . , . ' Now , the exciting question in the democratic ranKS is—how ehall these delegates be chosen ! Shall it be in each Bfcate by congressional distress } ( ' shall each state elect the whole number to which it is enentitled on the same ticket .

      The great mass of the friends of Mr . Van Bureil aro opposed to the project of selecting the delegates by Congressional districts ; while , so f ? r as I ant informed , the supporters of all the otber candidates are decidedly for the direct system-It is now certain that both branches of tha Legislature of Tennessee are Whig , and consequently that two Whig senators will be chosen to represent that state in the Ssnate of th '' United States . There is also one vacancy from Illinois in the United States Senate . This will be filled by a Locofoco . The Senate will then stand , until 1845 ( supposing hone to die or resign ) , twvaiy-eignt Whig , and twenty-four Locofoco or Democratic . This result renders any material' ohangc in the

      tariff , in thd next session of Congress , more uncertain than was anticipated . From the New York papers we learn that the agitation for the constitutional reform of the state is going on as warmly as ever . At the Tabernacle a meeting was recently held in pursuance of a call for a mass Convention there , made by the Reforming party . The Mayor of New York city presided at the meeting , and declared his adhesion to tho object of tho Association . The great patronage at present entrusted to the Executive was , he said , one of his chief reasons for advocating a reform . Aa the Constitution at present stands , the Grvprnor of New York is empowered to appoint 1 , 446 officers scattered through every town . This extensive patrons •?(• gi ves

      it would appear , a most overwhelming ii . fli-. nee to the Executive , which is felt but not see a , being secretly applied through the instrumentality of the dependants , and their still more numerous subordinates . But the evil , it is urged , does no :, stop at the vast power wbioh is given to the Exc-cuave ; it also conduces to the filiiDg up of offr ;^ . with inefficient persons . It is impossible for tin Governor really to have a personal knowledge a . d experience of all the individuals whom he is to ypjsoinfc , and therefore he is obliged to depend n . ucti on the advice of others , whose reoomtnendaunus will generally be found interested . Other peculiarities of the present state of tho Executive and of tho Legislature were mentioned as standing in especial need of reform .

      For the last week , wo have experienced some anxiety lest the yellow fever should make its appearance among us . A vessel from the West Indies , loaded with salt , having sick on board , was allowed by the health officer to pass the city and go up the North River fifty ' or sixty miles . Tho country people became alarmed , and the contagion extended with tho rapidity of lightning to the city of New York—not the contagion of fever , but the contagion of fear . AU , however , is now tranquil , it having baeu ascertained that the yellow fever 011 board the West India vessel was not yellow fever . Such is the official report of Dr . Vache , resident physician of this city , sent by tne Board of Health to the place where the vessel lies , to examine as to the character of the disease .

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      THE COLL 1 EBS ANSWEB . Fellow CouNXjiYMEN ,--In replying to the above address to the coa miners which lias been extensively circulated amongatl yon , I am actuated by no other motive than that of doing my duty to myself and fellow-¦ workmen ; and , at the same time , to set the public right as to the statements % bith it contains and the grievances of which we , aa a body , have to complain . I will proceed to examine this wonderful production ; and in doing so I have the vanity to think that having had betwixt twenty and thirty years experience as a miner , I shall be able to expose the false assumptions of its author to the satisfaction of a discerning public .

      In the second paragraph of our Anonymous Author's address , he endeavours to make tbe public believe that previous to the present Administration coming into office , the Coal Kings were conducting their business in such an honest and praiseworthy manner , as to leave us , tbe coal miners , no justifiable cause of complaint ; and , consequently , that onr grievances are of recent date , having had no exfstence before the passing of the New Tariff . I will take a review of the doings of the " Coal Kings , " from the year 1 S 31 to 1840 , during wbich time trade increased to a greater extent than in any previous nine years of our history ; and , be it remembered , that this was before the existence of the present duty upon exported coals . And if I can shew by facts and figures that , year after year , there was as actual reduction in wa ^ ea , what becomes of the arguments of this Anonymous Scribbler , that all our evils have had their origin in , and ate , attributable to , such duty ?

      As my limits will not allow me to insert the doings of every coal-master in the Wigan district , I will take one as a sample of the rest . This gentleman is one of those canting , feeling , sympathising individuals , who are for ever bawling for a " big loaf" for the poor operatives ; and , consequently ,- our AnoDymous Author cannot say that I bave taken one of tbe greatest tyrants In the district for my specimen . In 1831 the miners were paid 6 s . 8 d . for twenty tubs , each containing three owL of coals . In 1835 , notwithstanding it is generally understood that twenty constitutes a score , ' the coal-master insisted on having twenty-four from tbe workmen , but only allowed for twenty . By this means , be pocketed at the least , onesixteenth from the miner more than in 1881 . This is not all ; each tab was increased from three cwt . to four and a half cwta .: this , too , in time of good trade . Tbe four

      additional tabs , at tbe prices of 1831 , would be equal to Is . 4 d . ; and , fnitber , the tubs being one-third larger , would be for the twenty tubs , to say nothing of the six hundred weight belonging to the four extra tubs , would make 2 s . 2 id . more , being a tetal of 3 s , 6 id ., which , added to the 6 s . 8 d ., would be 10 s , 2 jd . for tbe twenty-four tubs , four and a half cwta . each , according to tbe prices of 1831 . But what is tbe fact ? Why , that instead of 10 s . 2 jd ., the men only received 7 s ., in 1835 , for the same amount of labour that they received 10 b . 2 d . for in 1831 ; or a reduction of 3 s . 2 ^ d . per score in the short space of tour years !! and this , too , with an extending trade , and before the passing of the new Tariff . Bat the redactions did not stop here . The tubs , being in good health , increased amazingly : the consequence of which was , a further reduction of one-fourth ia tbe short space of two years—namely , from the year 1835

      to 1837 . I earnestly request tbe reader to carefully examine this part of the subject , and I feel convinced that he will agree with me tbat thore is no class of men who have been more cruelly treated by their employers than tbe co&l miners . ' I will now endeavour to toy this part of my subject before the public in so plain and simple a manner that it cannot be misunderstood . In 1835 a miner cutting two yards in a face-end , seven feet wide , could send-Up from twenty-three to twenty-four tubs of coal , and bis slack . Bat such was the increase , of measure arising from the tubs being continually enlarged , that in 1837 , for tbe same amount of cutting in the same mine , tbe same length and depth , he could only send from seventeen to eighteen tubs of coal , and his slack . This the public will see was equal ton reduction in the wages of tbe poor enslaved miner of one-fourth of bis entire earnings .

      This manner of filching from the miner , tbe coal master considered himself perfectly justified in pursuing . But ut the same time thought it very wrong to allow the consumer to be a participator in the benefits of such robpery . Previous to this the coals were sold by the tab at the pit . The worthy in question bad the sagacity to perceive that notwithstanding he had the benefit of all that went by water , they being sold , by the pan , there was still tbe consumer in the home market , who was getting tbe increased measure for the same amount of money . To prevent this , he erected a weighing machine , and sold his coals by weight , and consequently pocketed the , whole of the advantages arising from the continual enlargement of measure which the miner was compelled to send .

      Tbe next stratagem adopted to take away oar earnings "as as follows . In order to wake ( as the employer said ) the men be more attentive to their work , as he was in great want of coal , sixpence per score must be paid in the shape of bounty . If a man sent so many scores per week , he must have the seven shillings ; but if he failed to do ' so , no matter what was tbe cause , he must only be paid 6 s . 6 < l > per Bcore . The " coal king" had a double otject in view by this : namely , to reduce wages , and get a stock of coals before hand , so tbat he would be enabled to tyrannize over the men with impunity . Unfortunately , he succeeded ; fer the bounty was fixed at such a standard , it was next t # impossible for a man to get as many coalB as would

      entitle bira to it ; and , being unwilling to lose from Is . 6 d . to 2 s . in the wetk , he was obliged to work almost night and day . Having accomplished his end , the master turned round upon the men , and ea . ld , " Trade is very had ; I have no demand for coal ; I must , therefore , take off tbe bounty ; but mind this is not a reduction ; it is only the bounty tbat I gave you when I wanted coal . " Notwithstanding tbe fact tbat it was part of the seven shillings originally paid f , r the score ; and by this means he only gave 6 s . 6 d . for the same . amount of labour in 1837 ( to say nothing of one fourth of an increase in the size of the tubs ) , thaS cost 10 ? . 2 ^( 1 . in 1831 . The next step was giving out wider riddles . Tha standard width of the old

      riddles was an inch avid one eighth , or 19 wires acrosE . the new riddles were an inch and a half wide , or only sixteen wires across , for which he charged the men 3 s . 6 d ., although many of tbem had riddles that would have lasted tbem for twelvemonths . Tbis was equal to a reduction of sixpence per score , inasmuch as tbe miners are only paid tbreehalfpence per tub for their slack . This was followed by a reduction of threepence ptT yard , or four pence halfpenny per day . All these reductions actually to » k place when trade was good , and before tbe law was' iu existence about which the author if the address makes so much noise .

      But I am forgetting myself . It is time that I returned to tbe tubs again , which continued to increase in 6 ize until they stuck fast in the conducting rods going down tbe pit There ,, bowoveri was only two ways of getting cut of this difficulty : and that was either to make them less , or Widen the conductors ; and I need scarcely say tbat tbe latter was adopted by the conscientisus Coal King of cheap bread ' notoriety . ' The conceque ce vias , that the taking tree was taken up , and tbe pit mouth made wider , and each conductor removed two inches . This was in 1839 . Tbe tabs were now allowed to grow a little more , until tbe pit which teas thirty feet in circumference was too small , and bad to fea widened in several places where they caught against tbe sides . I will now endeavour to show the

      public the real condition of the miners in 1840 , and then leave them to judge if the ground taken by this Anonymons Lcribbler be tenable or not . In 1835 , tbe two yards iu the ; face end made twenty-three or twenty-four tubs of coal . In 1837 , only seventeen or eighteen ; And in 1840 , the same amount of labour in tbe same pit , and tbe same mine would not make more than from fourteen to fifteen tubs . I ask , with these facts before them , can the public come to ; any other conclusion than this , that tbe mast prolific source of tbe miners' degradation has been tbe avarice and cupidity of tbeir employers , who have taken every opportunity in thsir power to render their condition more and more wretched until they have brought them to the lowest ebb of human suffering .

      In replying to this address I have no desire to enter into party politics . But I cannot pass over ; without a ¦ word or two , the reference which tbe writer at it makes to the last Wigan election , and tbe miters : acting in the capacity ef bludgeon men . I d » not deny that there were miners in that capacity on tbat occasion . This Anonymous gentleman knows well tbere are coal masters belonging to both the Whig' and Tor ; factions in the-neighbeurhood . He ia also aware tbat they are Iu tbe , habit , at tbe time of an election , of m&rcfeiog their men into the town , under the respective banners of their " pet caudidatts . " But I wonld advise him for tbe future to remember the old adage of " those who live in glass-houses should beware of throwing

      Untitled Article

      THE NORTHERN STAR * / 1

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 23, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct669/page/7/