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Northern Star (1837-1852), 4th November 1843, Edition 3 of 7, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      STOCKPOST , J GLORIOUS TRIUMPH OVER LEAGUE DESPOTISM . —TREACHERY OF A CHARTIST . DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT' OF A CHAIRMAN . One of ihose scenes -which disgrace humanity , took place in the Court Room , on Monday night . On Wednesday , the town suddenly appeared placarded , stating that a public meeting Wnld be held that eremng , in the Conrt Room , at eight o ' clock , to congratulate the electors of London for having returned a "free trader . " Bui when the people armed there , they were rewarded for their trouble by a placard posted on the Trail of the Court , informing them that the meeting -was postponed -until Monday night , at foe same hour . __ ===

      Mfavntime the Leaguers trere busy canvassing and mustering their forces , which consisted chiefly of baflifls , police , shop-boys , and overlookers ; but all to no purpose , for the people were not to be tricked by the * fxeebooting" slave-drivers . At about five minutes to eight o'clock , the people might be seen standing about the Court Room door in . the wet and cold , while the " gents" who were za > i prepared-with &eir arrangements were comfort * shlj seated in an ante-room . At a quarter to nine ( which shews the punctual and business-like habits of those gentry ) , a whole host of Leaguers ascended the platform .

      A Mr . Baker , an ex-Mayor , was called upon to preside . He opened the meeting by reading the placard calling it , and telling us that he was no public speaker j but of course , he agreed with the £ > bJ 9 ct of the meeting , and would call upon Mr . Holle < 3 , a factory owner , to more the first resolution , which he did in the same style as the Chairman . But now followed the dirty-work-doer of the Xeagae , a man well known for Ms bullying propensities i he entered on the glorious effects free trade would produce , and concluded -by assuring the people it was the only measure which " could procure for industry its full rew ard . The Chairman was about to put the resolution , when

      Mr . Thos . "Webb came forward amid -clapping Bad cheering . When order was partially restored , lid proceeded wish some remarks as to the objects of the meeting , and proposed an amendment , pledging the people tp jure nothing to do with congratulating . any body of ^ elfcctors who would not pledge their Cindida . t 8 to Support ihe People ' s Charter . The Chairman npon hearing the amendment reyi , xoseevideuily confounded , when the following dialogae took placs . Cbjltrxxs— u WiB you favour me with your name V * It is Thomas Webb . " a you an inhabitant t ° B Yea . " Well , I won't put your amendment . "

      u If you don ' s , there is no alternative but to choose another Chairman . " To which the whole meeting Joined chorus . " Ton Chartists are always coming here inter rupting our business . " ** Are men wro come here to be insulted by being told that they hare no right to reply to the false -doctrine you would cram down their throats !" * ' Your amendment shall not be put . " " Are you , whose office of Chairman should enable you to protect the righte of the public after , being elected by the people , going to rob ihem of their only privilege—ihe right to speak at public meetings !" Here several of the freedom-of-speech-loving Xeague interfered , and proposed to take a vote jrhsther Mr . Webb ' s amendment should-be pat or not , when it was decided by a large majority that it should i

      Mr . Webb to the chairman , Axe you satisfied nowr * Chahullh . —I am satisfied that yon shall not speak . Mr . Webb however , did speak- After a"brief but severe castigation of the " free-trade" electors of London ; for iheir nnblushing robberies of the manic * makers , and the grasping propensities of the free traders generally , he concluded amid the applause « f the people . Mr . Joseph Cjlbtbb next came forward to second the amendment , and shewed op the Whigs and Corn Law Repealers in their true colours ; but this state of peace was sot to last ioBg , the "Whigs finding themselves defeated resorted to the meanest tricks they are famed for j one of them was to employ a drunken blackguard , who affected to move another amendment , and always took the opportunity of interrupting the Chartist speakers , hat who met with his desert by being hooted off the platform . All was nproar and confusion when a

      Mr . HrDBOs , a lawyer , in true lawyeriike stile tried to convince the people that the question 'eras not one which the Chartists should interfere with . Mr . Stephen- Clj . be next followed , and cautioned the people not to be led away by the specious pleadiogofthe gentleman who last spoke , Mr . Clark proceeded te address the meeting at some length , daring which time he was frequently interrnpted by fee servile tools of faction . At this stage of the proceedings Mr . John Aliisson made Ms appearance on the platform , To those who had watched for some time his Teering round , it appeared doubtful what course he would steer , especially as he was observed to leave the meeting sometime before the

      busine 53 commenced , with his " cut looker" twho wa the " person who seconded the first resolution ) also as he had been waited on by deputation , from the Chartists , requesting him to take part in the proceedings , whieh he declined doing ; but even the most doubtful were not prepared Tor ihe shock which his treacherous speech produced . He charged the Chartists with ingratitude ; that they and the Tories lad coalesced to upset the meeting j that was not the first time they had done bo , which lie aid he was prepared to prove , but in wMch Inmost signally failed j that they never allowed a -meeting to pass by without violently opposing it , This treacherous betrayal of his old friends deservedy met with such , a volley of kisses , hooting , and

      groaning , that it was several minutes before there -could be any BOrt of order restored . Never did we see such a smile of satisfaction light up the -countenances of the middle classes , who were present as npcnjie accession to tneir ranks of this new ally . ThwBBght being now considerably advanced , The Chaxrmas " proceeded to put the resolution , when osfeof " the amendment" assailed him from all parJaKif tha room . He , however , was deaf to all juBtiee ^ and proceeded to read the resolution . He then pat i ; to the meeting , when the whole of the respectable tribe before mentioned , voted for It ; the amendment not being put , the sense of the meeting was taken to the contrary of ihe original motion , when a forest of hands was held up against it .

      A vote of censure was then moved by Mr ,-Castes on the Chairman , —carried unanimously—during whieh he made M 3 retreat ; meantime the police ¦ were busy putting out the lights and clearing the room with all their nsnal manliness . Thus ended one of the most disgraceful scenes that ever disgraced s public-meeting , and xrae that has certainly given a death blow t « the freebooters of Stockport .

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      the Legislature of these days to protect the poor . They would see if they looked at the rate of wages of those days , that it would take but twenty-four weeks to purchase as much food as could only be obtained now by the operative labouring for seventyfive weeks—( hear , hear ) ; and yet they were loJd that the principles of Free-Trade were to be carried out still further ; and , as a proof of it , Mr . M'Greggor said that the duty on silk ought to be reduced ten per cent—( hear ) . At the last city election the Anti-Corn Law League issued a printed placard upon Free-Trade , in which they s ^ id thatm Spitalfielde , since the duties had been lowered , they were better off—( crieB of "its false . ") They all knew to the contrary . The silk trade perhaps would better

      exemplify the evil effects of Tree Trade than any other branch of manufactures , as , while it had gradually increased fourfold , wages had proportionally fallen . The principles of Free Trade meant no benefit to the working man , it was only intended for the benefit of large capitalists and manufacturers , who by the repeal of the Corn . Laws , knew that they would have the great agriculturists in their power , and then get possession of their estates—( cheers ) . They ought to nrge Parliament to give them protection . It " Should be the duty of all those ¦ wb © lire by their labour to assist in this one great object , for if they did not , they would be overpowered by the Free Trade advocates "—( applause } .. Mr . Show seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously .

      Mr . Ptrspox moved the second resolution , which is as follows : — u That it is the opinion of this meeting that the suggestions of Mr . M'Greggor relative to the reducing the duties on foreign wrought silks to ten "per cent , and the allowing of a sum per week to the present hand-loom weavers , egual in amount to half their earnings , would , if carried into effect in the present statB of cold-blooded Free Trade depravity , not only soon reduco the weavers to a state of misery equal to that they at present suffer , but annihilate their trade altogether ; and thereby totally deprive their helpless offsprings of the means of subsistence , and subject them to the merciless Malthusian cruelties that are inflicted upon the inmates of those dens of infamy—the New Poor Law Union Bastilea . " He remarked that

      Government must be aware that they ought to do something for the starving population . By the present system Of Free Trade , millions of money were taken From the -working classes— - ( hear , hear ; . Ha hoped thai the Government would see that the working classes had justice . Mr . Malpas , in seconding the motion , said that thpy ought to recollect that Air . M'Greggor was in office when the Whigs were in power , and there was no doubt he would impress his opinion on the present Government . With respect to the allowance proposed to be granted by Parliament , and which was to be given only to those who were now employed as weavers , that would tend fitjll further to destroy their trade , as it would cause an increased importation of foreign silks , and thus their wages wonld again be ] reduced —( hear , hear ) . Another effect would follow , namely , their children , who were now at work at the looms , would be without employment —( hear , hear ) .

      Mr . Behby observed that Mr . M'Greggor , on a former occasion , when examined before one of the Commissions of the Whig Government , asserted that his object in proposing to give a sum in lieu of wa * es . was in order that foreign goods might bo imported . Mr . Hatch said that the aim of the Free Traders was their own aggrandisement—( hear , hear . ) Mr . Cobden had not denied , at a meeting held at Doncaster that he had rednced the wages of his

      workmen five pence out of every eighteen pence—( bear ) . It was very plain to him that the object of his agitation in favour of Free Trade was , tbat the promoters of it might obtain the power of Government ; and , when once they possessed that , the working classes would find themselves in a far worse condition than they even how were—( hear ) . It was the Whig Governmet assisted by the Free Traders , who passed the Poor Law Amendment Act , wMch measure had assisted to brag about the present state of things .

      Mr . Shkkrakd proposed the third resolution which was to the following effect : — " That this meeting is of opinion that prohibition is the most effectual remedy against smuggling , and this meeting is further of opinion that machinery which throws oat of employment human skill and hnman industry , Bhonld be regulated by law , ia something like the following manner : — * 1 st—All goods made by such machinery to be taxed , aad the money derivable therefrom to be devoted to the purchase of Land upon which to establish , as small farmers , the able and willing of those whose labour the said machinery had superseded . 2 nd—No person to be allowed to work at the said machinery more than ten hoars a-day . * 3 rd—No married woman to be allowed to work at machine labour at all . * 4 tb—No children to be allowed to work under thirteen years of age . "

      Mr . Shebsasp here entered into a long argument on the doctrines and practices of the Free Traders , showing the evils that would result from them , if fully carried into effect , not only in this country but any other . As a powerful illustration of this he quoted part of a speech delivered by Dr . Bowring in the House of Commons , where according to the language of the Governor General , 12 ? 0 © 0 of the people of Dacre in India , had literally died of starvation through the introduction of cotton goods manufactured by the power looms of Manchester , and yet the

      liberal-minded Christian gentleman , made no other use of thi 3 than to say that private interest mu 3 t give way to the general good —( cries of shame , shame ) . He concluded by administering a severe castigation to the free-booters , and sat down amidst great applause . The resolution was ably seconded by Mr . Mofltat , and corned with applause . Mr . Wexhebjsgtos moved the adjournment of the meeting to a future day , to take into consideration the answer to be returned to the board of trade , founded upon the suggestions of Mr . M ' Gregor , seconded by Mr . Lane , and carried unanimously . A vote of thank 3 was given to the chairman and the meeting separated .

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      and in other fabrics -we ate receiving less by 4 s . * 6 d , than we were in 1840 . What has been stated clearly proves , said the speaker , that what has been put forth by an enemy is incorrect , and the weavers could not de better than form themselves into a union to look after such publications of their enemies , and on their appearance contradict them . He trusted that the principles and rules of the union would be zealously and peraeveringly carried out The meeting was afterwards addressed by R . Kennerdale , I Holt and S . Bromiley ; the former of whom recommended the

      meeting to act upon the advice giveu by Sir B . Peel on presenting a petition from the silk-weavers ; he said , " I wish the people could see their own interest , and take the management of their affairs into their own bands . " If , said the speaker , this advice be followed , oar condition -would be materially altered i and had it been followed years ago , we should not have been as we are now—pining in poverty , whilst our employers are wallowing in luxury . After a number of persons had enrolled themselves as members of the society , the meeting separated .

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      THE " REBECCA" MOVEMENT THE WELSH SPECIAL COMMISSION . . The Special Commission for the trial of the Rebecca rioters opened at Cardiff , on Thursday , the 26 th , at eleven o'clock in the forenoon . The presiding Jadges were Mr . Baron Gurney and Mr , Justice Creaswell . The usual preliminaries having been gone through , the Commission . was opened pro forma , after which tbeir Lordships attended Divine Service , at the parish church of Saint John . The court again ie-opened at two o ' clock . The Grand Jury having been sworn in , Mr . Baron Gurney proceeded to deliver hia " chares" aa follows : —

      " Gentlemen of the Grand Iuqnest , —We are assembled at : this unusual season of the year under Her Majesty ' s Commission of oyer and terminer , to inquire into the cases of persons charged with felonies and misdemeanours arising out of , or connected with , the disturbances and outrages lately committed in this county ; ahd to deliver the gaol of persons who are detained therein under snch charges . It is but too notorious that iu other parts of South Wales there have been foi several months pask tumultuary proceedings , large assemblages of persons , generally by night , tor tee destruction of turnpike-gates . These proceedings , unfortunately , did sot receive a check at their commencement , and therefore they gradually increased until they attained a considerable height It might

      have been expected that tee exposition of the law , the salutary cautions , the solemn warnings ot the learned Judge who presided in South Wales on the summer circuit in the two neighbouring counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke , would have been effectual in bringing the people to & sense of their moral duty ; or , if that failed , of their personal danger , from a perseverance in thess practices ; but , I lameut to say , instead of decreasing , these offences have increased in number , in extent , and in enormity , and have at length reached the county in which * we are assembled . Excesses of this kind are never committed without some grievance , real or pretended . The alleged grievance on account of which they commenced , and have continued , was heavy tolls at turnpike-gates . When turnpikes were

      first established in England , about a century ugo , it is matter of history that a large proportion of the farmers were hostile to them . They , with sort-sighted policy , preferred bad roads prepared by the parishes to good roads which were repaired by the exaction of tolls . Wiser counsels , however , prevailed , and to those wiser counsels wa are indebted for those roads which have been gradually improved , and have , at last , in many parts , almost attained perfection . By the turnpikeroads many districts had been made accessible which were not so before : they have stamped an increased value on thousands and thousands of acres of valuable land . Sat good roads ceuld not be constructed except by means of a large outlay ; for that outlay money was necessarily borrowed , far the payment of the principal

      and interest of which tolls were necessary , and gates for their collection . The Principality , has , I believe , largely benefitted by this system . The improvement in the roads has been beneficial to all classes . It has opened Important communications for trade , for agriculture , and for pleasure . The facility afforded to travelling has brought iiito your country , so rich in scenery , cumbers of persons who would otherwise sever have visited it If , in the execution of plans for the improvement of the roads , any error has been committed—if the toils imposed by act of Parliament have been too heavy—or if , where trustees had discretion vested in them , they have erred in the exercise of it , it was equally the duty and the interest of those who felt any burden which they thought they ought net to bear ,

      peaceably to prefer their applications to the Legislature or to the trustees ( as the ease might be ) for relief ; and if they believe tbat any illegal exaction took place , they had ia their own hands a prompt remedy by application to the magistrates in petty sessions ; or , if they preferred it , either by indictment or by action , when a trial' would have taken place at thaassiaes ; and I will venture to say , that the appeal for justice by even the poorest member of the community would never have been made in vain . I have always found tbat the claim ot an oppressed man was listened to with favour in a court of justice , and ample redress afforded . If , therefore , any grievance existed In the shape of oppression or illegal tolls , there was a legal remedy . If , indeed , there are persons who .

      after the mosey has been lent for the making the roads , and tolls imposed for repayment , have wished to break faith with the creditors by destroying their security , they must be dishonest characters . Many a widow , and many an orphan , are dependent upon these securities for their subsistence . Instead of that peaceable application for redress which I have pointed out , there have been large and tumultuous assemblages of persona , generally in the night , disguised bo as to escape identification , armed in a manner to defy resistance , provided with implements for the destruction of gates and even houses , and who have carried their unlawful and wicked purposes into execution by terror and by violence , extending even to an attack upon the lives of

      peace-officers in the actual execution of their duty . In a country which is governed by law : such excesses &s these must be put down with a strong hand j they are sure sooner or later to bring ruin on those who engage in them . The Learned Judge then referred to the nature of the precise case * as laid down in the calendar , and dwelt Upon the peculiar features of each as they are set forth , observing that he felt assured gentlemen like those whom he bad the concur to address on the present occasion , would enter upon their inquiries and investigation under a full conviction of doing toeir duty both to their country and themselves . With these remarks the Learned Judge closed his address , and the Grand Jury retired .

      The names of the petty Jurymen were called over , and , the panel having been formed , they were ordered to attend the Court at a quarter before nine to-morrow

      morning

      FRIDAY . The Learned Judges took their seats on the bench at nine o ' clock this morning , and immediately afterwards the prisoner John Hughes was arraigned at the bar for having unlawfully , riotously , and tumultuously assembled -with other persons to the disturbance of the public peace , and feloniously , unlawfully , and with force begun to demolish the dwelling-housa of one Win . Lewis , at the parish of Llandilotalybout The prisoner ( who appeared at the bar with his arm in a sling ) pleaded " Not Guilty . " The Attorney-General , the Solicitor-General , Mr Chilton , Queen ' s Counsel ; Mr . J . Evans , Queen ' s Counsel ; and JHr . E . V . Williams , appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr . M . D . Hill , Queen ' * Counsel , and Mr . M . Chambers for the prisoner .

      The Grand Jury brought in true bills against John Hughes , charged , with beginning to demolish a tollhouse at Pontardulais , for a misdemeanour ; against John Hugh , for being concerned in firing on the police at Pontardulais , for felony ; against the same Jobii Hugh , for being concerned in demolishing the tollhouse at Pontariiul&is , for a misdemeanour ; on the Bame charges . Por the defence an objection "was set up in respect of the pannel , which was contended to be invalid ; being charged with not having been made indifferently and impartially by the Sheriff , according to the statnte . A considerable discussion then arose as to the time and legal features of the objection , in which tbeir Lordships participated . The Learned Baron Goroey referred to the statute , and between his Lordship and the Attornej-General some considerable argument arose , and points of law propounded .

      The Learned Attorney-General contended that the law required some positive proof that the pannel bad sot been properly made , and mere allegation was not a sufficient objection . Sir W- Follet followed the Attorney-General , and contended also tbat there were no proper objection pioved rs to the illegality of the Sheriff ' s pannel , aDd observed that , if Bimilar objections were to become a precedent , the time ef the court would be expended in discussion alone , and prisoners in all cases wonld avail themselves of the system of challenging the arraign , whether there be ground or not Sir William explained at considerable length , and considered the prisoner making a challenge to the arraign , was not well grounded ; and the objection was not xnfficient

      Mr . D . Hill , for the defence , contended tbe prisoner bad a legal light to challenge in ftsmncb that tbe panne ' i bad not been ituliJF erenllp and mpariiaUp made , a ^ d upon these grounds he contended at considerable length , that the prisoner was entitled to the benefit of tho objection ; he did not intend to impeach the condriCt cr intentions of the Sheriff ; but when an informality xlsted whether emanating directly from the Sheriff , notwithstanding the functions of Mb high office , or from his subordinate officer , it must be weighed for tbe benefit of tb& subject The SolieltoMJeneral had talked abonfc the trouble that courts of justice would be subject to far admitting a challenge to the arraign ; but be trusted their Lordships were , u he felt assured they weie , the last men on earth \ q think of trouble Tfben the interests of a fellow creature were at atbko : llfi considered the grounds of his objection to the parniel

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      T ^^ n ^^ Sufficient ' and that the Sheriff had not returned the jurors so impartial as the primitive features of the case of tbe criminal Hw required . conififrnm , f M , f , ldhe was 8 I « Pri 88 d that it should thS aXiL W 8 h' funo «<™ ryas the Solicitor-Genera ! , orSoLrhl ? ^ u be made t 0 th 0 Mrai S ° i ^ e prisoner had a right to : avail himself of any privilege as noTL v - ° ' ^ m ' and his obJe 6 tion to tt » t- . i » ni 5 hr . n ^ nrDg Mn ma < le and caosen indifferently and SrS ! Waf a 80 ffieient and valid objection . This cS ! . ° i ° U lef 1 'ear iy two houra . Their Lordships « ered the objection was not made out , asnospecim * L > ££ 8 Q Bhewn that fche P annei nad not b « en mmt % r » e ^ 0 P Npatffally . and the challenge Sed to a ° tWn « - The ^ then Proloiwl ? 80116 '; ls a bole - VOverW , and goodn ° 7 h ^ J ^ 8 . « m w , appeared to take much interest in . the choice of the Jury who were to try him

      . petty J ™ ' . ^ . * 6 followinS Pe « ons were Bworn on the Th ^ IU'l » ? Ile 8 ' Oa ^ diff ' gentleman ( foreman ); Thomas Williams , of Merthyr Tydvil , grocer ; David Joues , of Mertbyr Tydvil , drape *; » a * d Lewis , of Heol Wormwcna , druggist ; Samuel Savl * , of Mertbyr Xydvil clothier ; Thomas Hearne , of Cardiff , draper ; Jacob Jacob , of Cardiff , maltster ; William Williams , tn uu y illa 8 e « eordwalnet ; William Richards , of Cockberbtown , timber merchant ; Philip Taylor , of arwain

      H , shopkeeper ; George Price of St . Nicholas , g entleman ; and John Roe , Cockherbtown , gentleman . Xhe indictment having been read , which charged the prisoner John Hughes with having , on the 6 th of September last , feloniously begtin to demolish and destroy a certain feouse , described in various countB as a house in the parish of Llandllotalybont , as a dwelling-house , and designated in the different counts as the property of Thomas Bullen ( the toll contractor ) , of thb trustees of the turnpike-road , and « f William Lewis ( tollcontractor ) .

      The Attorney -General then proceeded to address the Court and Jury . It was his painful duty , he said , to appear for the prosecution . It was most necessary that the law should take -its course , and he would endeavour to point out to them the nature of the charge alleged against the prisoner . The charge here was founded upon an Act of Parliament which had passed in the reign of George IV . By that law it was enacted that persons tumultuouBly assembled proceeding to pull down a bouse , dweiHng-house , or office of any descripUon , should be goitty of a felony . The crime was at the passing : of the Act punishable by death ; but sicce then the person found guilty of violating Hb provisiona was subjected to a minor punishment What had occurred in this case ? Had there been a riotous

      and tumultuous assembly ? He should proceed te show them what had happened . On the night of the 6 th of September , or rather on the morning ; of the 7 th , between the hours of twelve and one o ' clock , a number t » f persons , at least from 100 to 200 , were assembled , many of them were on horseback , and they proceeded to the Pontardulais-gate—whfch he understood was one : of very ancient date ; be believed that it was one that bad existed within the memory of most persons acquainted with that part of the country . He had next t © call the attention of the jury to the appearance of the mob , and to the manner in which they had provided themselves with arms and implements of destruction . It appeared that some of the mob were disRuistd , so aa to give them tbe appearance of women

      —they wrere arrayed in female attire ; they bad their faces blackened , and many of them had arms . Shots were fired , and in one instance , where a gun had been taken , it would be shown that it was loaded , and then the marks of shots would be proved to them to have been visible on the toll-house . It would be also shown that the mob bad implements of destruction of various kinds . Sledge-hammers ,, and pickaxes were found upon them . With these weapons the work of destruction was commenced . All the windows were broken , and the endeavour was made to pull down the house . That work would have been completed but for the interruption given to it by Captain Napier . There could be no doubt of the riotous character of this assembly .

      Tken comes the most important question , what has tbe prisoner to do with this ? It would be shown be was not merely present , but was taking an active part in all this . His dtess waa disguised , his face was blackened , when arrested by the police , who had taken measures to prevent that riot , which was anticipated , from being completed . The Attorney-General went at some length further into the case , expressing his assurance that the Jury would weigh dispassionately in tbeir minds the evidence that would come before them , and return tbeir verdict agreeable to their conscience ; if there could exist , or there should exist a doubt in tho proceedings , to give the prisoner the benefit The Learned Attorney-General was more than half an hour in his address .

      Capt Napier being called and sworn , was examined by Sir W , Follett—Is the Chief Constable for tbe County ; went on the 6 tb of September to Pontardulais , accompanied by Mr . Llewelyn , Mr . Dillwyn , and Mr . Moggrtdge , and six police constables ; we went across the country ; started nt ten o ' clock at night ; when proceeding on our route , we heard guns firing , and horns sounding in different places several times . We baited in a field about 600 yards from the gate ; while there we beard noises , and shots fired , and a number of horses trampling on the opposite side of the river which divides the county of Glamorgan from Carmarthen ; the parties appeared to be going towards the Red Lion Inn ; I distinctly beard a voice saying , " Come , come , come , " and they appeared to proceed

      towards toe Pontardulnis Gite ; and I heard some say , " Gate . " It was about ten minutes to one o ' clock , when we arrived at the place . After the parties had arrived at the Gate , I heard a noise tbe same as breaking of glass ; I desired my men to follow me ; we went into the main road ; I saw three men on horseback' with their faces blackened ; they were on this side of the gate that is in Glamorganshire ; there were many more on the other side ; I should say from 100 to 150 ; I saw and heard them pulling the Toll House down ; the disguise by the three men was particular , and I took notice of them ; they appeared to me to be directing the other parties . I ordered my men to fall in , and we proceeded towards them ; I called out " stop , " when one of them on horseback turned round and fired at me ; I was not hit I desired my men to mark that man , and I went up to his horse and fired at it In endeavouring to make off , one of tbe parties fell from his horse , and I afterwards saw the same man ,

      whom I believed to be the man that fired at me ; while scuffling with him he was shot in the arm , but by whom I do not know . There was more firing after this . I did not succeed in capturing the man at that time , because I was struck down . The dress the man wore was a particular sort ^ -a Druid ' s dress ; the most of them were disguised in various ways ; I had time to distinguish the dress of the man who shot at me , and recognised him again wben Shewn to me by one of my men . The mob afterwards retreated over the bridge ; I saw' some in custody that , night at tht > toll-gate ; the prisoner at the bar was one ; he was the man whom I have described as being in the scuffle with me . There were two other wen . alBO taken ; they were also in women ' s dress , with bonneta on , and pieces of fern stuck in them . After the mob bad dispersed , I observed the toll-bouse doer was broken in , aud the windows wholly demolished ; the floors were torn up , and ' -he gate broken down .

      Cross-examined by Mr . Hi ix—It was about ten o ' clock wben we set out from the toll-gate . Had to go ten or . eleven miles . Did not go the nearest way , and were all on foot They had not arrived at the field spoken of five minutes before the people came . Received the information on which they acted about four o ' clock in the afternoon . The field was about 400 or 500 yards from tha toll-house . Heard the noises as of moving towards the gate when in the field . It was there »< bo witness saw and heard the signals . It was About an hour in point of time , and five miles in point of space , before this thavtbey first he&Td them . When they arrived in the field and became stationary there , tbe mob appeared to be upon a road on the other side

      of the river . They there heard them attacking the tollgate . The three mea on horseback , were on the Swansea side of the toll-gate . The mob appeared to halt at the Red Lion , and there fired a volley and cheered . Was a ; yard or two in advance of his men when the pistol was fired at him . Did not recollect that he theu gave tbe men any other directions than to " mark" the man . Had previously given them general directions how to act Still believed the man fired at him with a pistol . Tbe affair between them was the work only of a moment Tbe man fell from his horse from the effects of shots from behind . His men were behind . Had not given th ; m instructions to fire , nor any instructions , s&ve general orders for the occasion . There had been all the time acontibuotu dropping fire .

      Lewis Llewellyn Dillwyn , examined by Mr . J . EVAfiS . —Accompanied Captain Napier on tha 6 th of September . He heard Captain Napier call upon tbe men who were destroying the gate to demist Did not know whether the shots which were then fired proceeded from the men who advanced agaiuat Captain Napier ' s party . He fired at one man's horee in the hope of being able to capture the man . ( The witness here detailed the particulars of a struggle ha had with another of tbe men , who was captured ) . His name he fouud to be David Jones . He saw tbe prisoner at the bar aiso in custody of the police His face was blackened . The gate and toll-house , which he afterwards examined , were in the state described by the two former witnesses .

      Cwsa-exannned by Mr . M . Chambers—He had loaded pistols in his hand when be advanced upon the field . Did not know whether the policemen , when in the field , bad their pistols in tbeir bands or not Believed they had them about them . It was when thwy were close to the crowd that Captain Napier called upon tbe rioters to desist . Be ( the witness ) had four pistols . He mub closo to the horse at which ho fired—in fact , touched it—aiming at the side of tbe borae . He was much pressed upon by tbe crowd , but ha was sure that the ball of the pistol co * W uoi have hurt any one about him , unless it passed through tue body oi ihe horse . Had no doubt that the hullet entereu the ribB of the horee , The horee got away . Hia uhe Witness's ) evidence had not been taken before the magistrates , and the present was the first time he had been examined .

      Henry JameB Peake . examined by Mr . E , YaCGHan WltLlAMS . —Was tho fcuperintendent of the constabulary fotco of the county , and or tbu 6 th of September at night lUieumpauitid C ;> yt ; un Napier , &e . ( Here the v « itnt ; i = 8 confirmed tLe evidence of tho preceding wit-Hisses respecting tii < - ;;

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      already described , the advance of Captain 1 ripit * and party ; the destruction of the tollhouse , avid of the gate , ice . ) He thought the mob wss composed of about 250 persons . When the Rebeccaites at the gvte were called upon to j desist , they fired upon , ano' rorie towards , Captain Napier'B party . There was » goneral Bcufils , and he saw David Jones , one of the riciers , token into custody . ( The witness jhere produced some powder-horns , ashot-bag containing some shot , taken from the riot&ra ,. also a variety of 'articles composing the dress and , disguise of the Rebeccaites , all of which were taken from them by the police . He also produced some tin-horns , and two or three' cow-horns which had been likewise taken from them . Two large sledge-hammers , a pickaxe , a crow-bar , ! a cleft , —a sor t of minor battle-axe , — used for cutting iron , two old guns , and other weapons , were also produced . The hammers and cleft were weapons of a most formidable description . )

      John Price , examined by Mr . Evans . —la one of the Swansea police , and was at the Pontr . rdul lis-gate . As he approached the gate he heard the sound of boras and the firing of guns by a number of people . He heard them demolishing the gate , and saw a great number of pesons on horseback on the Swansea side of the gate . He heard Captain Napier say " Stop Sring . " He then saw a man discharge a gun at Captain Napier , dressed in white , and something red round his neck . His face was blackened . After the man fired , somebody

      in the mob cried ' out " . Fight to tha death . " A great many guns were then fired . After the police fired , the horse of tbe man who fired at Captain Napier staggered and turned round , and the man fell off . 1 followed him and took him . That man was John Hughes , the prisoner , who got wounded . He said " Let me go , let me go , my good ] , fellow ; you have broken my arm already . " He said to him , " Where did you get it broke ? " ' Over jyonder , at the gat ? . " He was quite sure the prisoner was the person he saw fire at Captain Napier . t

      Cross-examined ! by Mr . Hill . —Did not recollect the first time that he told the expression " fight to the death . " This was not in the first edition of his story . He did not state , it then , because he was in * hurry ; be was not in a hurry when he gave his seeend story . Mr . Hill — O ( "William Robertson Williams , examined by Mr . E . B . Williams . —Is one of the police force , and accompanied Captain Napier to the Foutardulais-g ( tt 6 , ( The witness then described the same evidence before detailed ) . Tbe prisoner at tbe bar was the man that fired at Captain Napier . He received orders to fire ,

      and fired . He saw Captain Napier fire a pistol at the horae under tbe prisoner John Hughes . The horse turned round three times , and the prisoner fell off . He did not see Captain Napier struggling with him ; he first saw the prisoner in custody . He saw David Jones in the toll-house ] pulling up the boards of the tollhouse . Jones struck him on the shoulder with an iron bar . He immediatly put his pistol in hia Iefc hand and drew his cutlass , I with which he struck Jones on tha bead . He picked ] up the bar afterwards , a tin horn , and a broken powder flask ( produced ) . Jones was afterwards taken into custody .

      Mr . Hill objected , that this was evidence against Jones , aud not against the prisoner . Mr . Baron Gurney . —He is responsible for the act of the crowd of which he was one . Examination resumed . —He saw the gate broken . He afterwards found the pickaxe produced . Cross-examined . —This was a pick-axe , such aa were used for mending ( the roads , and such aa were laid about First montioned that Hughes was the man on horseback when he saw him apprehended on the bridge . There was a considerable bustle at that time . - He did not see any other persons . He had orders from Captain Napier to notice this man- above the rest Ho did not notice either of tbe magistrates doing anything , or firing . | There were many reports of guns firing . Would state tbat there were not twenty men on foot on his side of the gate . There was no scuffle between the magistrates and tbe men on foot . There were two men on horseback , the prisoner and another . He did not know what became of tha other . The

      reason was tbat he j was wounded—not by the crowd , ner by his own party . His sword fell out of the scabbard as ha advanced / It fell on tbe ground with the point upwards , and be wounded himself with his own sword in tbe tbigh in advancing . This was before tbe attack . Will not swear tbe greatest number of men at the gate had not straw-hats on ; had not time to reckon them . Stated to Captain Napier that the prisoner was tbe man who fired at him . Did not state be could recognize any feature , Haa been out of court during tbe examination . Was only examined once before the magistrates . The signature to the paper produced was his . [ the witness ' s deposition before the magistrates was read , but there was nothing about the prisoner in it ] He only answered before the magistrates tbe questions that were put to him . Several other witnesses were examined , and

      The Attornev-General here put in several papers which were found upon the prisoner , one containing a 53 .-piece , the paperjin which it was wrapped containing a statement to the effect that it was a payment for services . It was addressed to " Mrs . Rebecca . " Tbe Court was then adjourned until nine o ' clpck tomorrow , i t SATURDAY . The Court opened at nine o ' clock this morning , and the evidence for the prosecution was resumed . William Lewis , j collector ef tolls at Pontardulais Gate ; John Morgan , a land-surveyor ; and William Cox , governor of the Swansea House of Correction , were examined on the part of the Crown .

      Mr . Hill then commenced his address in behalf of the prisoner . After some introductory observations he said : ^ -lt is to me a circumstance of unparalleled astonishment , to which I can make no comparison since my long practice' in the profession , that this Commission should have been called , yea , I repeat it fearlessly , why it should have been instituted at all for the purposes for which it has been designed . It was notorious now all tbe world over that certain tumults ' had been created in the hitherto peaceable districts in the Principality , in consequence of the existence of popular grievances ^ arising from a heavy impost on the community in the Way of tolls ; and it were better had tbe proper authorities endeavoured to have appeased the disaffection by redressing their wrongs , if any

      existed , rather than , ay to the assistance and interposition of Government , in sending its Solicitor Giueral and Attorney General and so many of her Majesty ' s Counsel , to settle by law those matters which a more congenial method might probably have obviated- I must confess , said thele&rned counsel , that I have been drawa into considerable surprise during this investigation ; and from the opening of the case by my Learned Friend the Attorney General , I bad expected some most henieous offence had been committed ; for what else bad I to dread after the powerful description givea by him in tbe indictment of fliJDg , shooting , and riotously demolishing a (' welling house and a turnpike-gate j and that the prisoner at the bar did aid and abet in these most serious depredations . A

      great deal hart been set up fey the proaecutwn for the Crown to enlarge upon and magnify , this most dreadful and bloody occurrence—{ bis most Unprovoked outrage —this spoliation of [ property ; but he would ask , what after all did it amount to ? Where was it ? Why , at Pontardulaia toll-house and gate , which up to this rooaifcDt no one knew to whom they belonged ; why had not a witness ] been called to enlighten the Jury upon this importantjpoint ? Again , what tittle of evidence was there to show tbe participation of his client , the prisoner at the jbar , as having been , implicated in this tumult ? Witnesses had been produced who , he contended , had failed to establish any proof ef that nature . It had been said that on the night in question a certain mob had congregated together , and witti guns

      and other offensive { weapons had committed certain depredations ; that many were on horseback , and others on foot in great numbers , disguised for the better purpose of carrying their depredations into effect j that this mob , or some portion of it , attacked the tollhouse and gate and demolished them ; but I will fearlessly assert , continued the Learned Counsel , tbat the evidence produced j bas failed to establish that f * ct , as will be seen by the many discrepancies to which I a ' lall have occasion to advert . Again , wi-h respect to the prisoner at the bar , he would also contend that no case had been actually made out , so aa to bring him within , the sense of the indictment . It waB true certain witnesses apoko to the circumstance of three men on horseback being seen on the

      Glamorganshire side jof the Toll-Gate at the onset of this affray , or rather on the first appearance of the police force at the jToll House , and that firing had taken place , but it ia not exactly satisfactory by whom or which party first . ] Now in this evidence there ia some contradiction , for the number of th ; ee so mounted was shortly reduced ( to two , and subsequently to oue , and who was tfcat one ? the prisoner at tka bir ? No . ' lot a policeman who was very particular and certain in hia ( testimony haa sworn it was a man by the name of Hugh , and not Hughes , tbe prisoner at tha bar ; there were two names , and two distinct persons , —Hugh ao-i ; Hughes in tbe proceedings . The learned Advocate then went on to show that in his opinionand he thought it would be that of the Jury

      , also , tbat the Police bad been the aggressors ; for it was their duty to have prevented the outbreak , instead of waiting as they did ( although armed by the Law ) , until tha alleged dbinohtiou was completed . Was this consistent ? No « Again , some of these very armed authorities , possessed of pistols , and balls , aad cutlasses besides , declare that upon the first volley being fired by them , that t ^ ese poor deluded people , who , be it recollected , had gvsbn every publicity of their approach —ran off as many sa could , except those unfortunate ones who were captured . Had their system of macooixvreing indicated ) anything like a murderous mob , bent on the most horrible crimes , as the learned Counsel for the prosecution would have it to be

      thought ? Certainly not The ; had been excited by an opinion of existing wrongs , aad they Bought to remedy them , though , I admit , not by the best of means That public opinions have created public outrages is not a new feature ia this country ; but to reconcile them by the strong aim of the ] lavr , has not always been recommended , as he would shew , by authority ef one of the wieest and most humane men that ever Jived 11 mean , said the Learned Counsel , Lord Coke . -Here he entered into a most elaborata display ot eloquence , which was listened to with marked attention , in which he touched upon every . topic of feeling aud humanHy , and developed in a moat mas terly manner the general detail of the outbi ! aka , their eauea ma «^ 6 | b : after which ha

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      Wjnt through the chain of evidence addu ^ d , maiuag his remarks upon every point and turn of senfameafc likely in any way to banefit the defence . It had been said inevidence , continued Mr . Hill , that tho tollhouse had been demolished—that the gable end was torn down—the window and window frames battered to pieces—and shots and slugs found in the sashes ar . d other wood work ; but when the deaf surveyor waa called , who , beit recollected , had not seen the house from the 5 th to the 7 th , tbat is the day before , and after the tumult , he awore that thy uprights of the windows were not down , but that they were then standing . ; that the great pulling down of thehcQse , consisted of a few atones being loosened from one of the quoins ( or corners '^ : and that instead of the gable-end being in

      danger of momentary demolition , there Wiv » not a hole big enough for a mousa te creep through , much lees a man . Now , let me ask you , gentlemen , said Mr . Hill , how do we knsw but this quoin , or corner of the toil-house , more properly speaking , might have been a nuisance , as projecting ftirther Into the road than it oni ? Kt to have

      be held out to some extent for the taking of that nuisance down . There is an especial -Act of Parliament ( he was understood to mean the Turnpike Act , under which such nuisances were made unlawful , and therefore moveable . He would again repeat that , if there were exactions which became too heavy to bear , ifc was but right that they should be immediately removed for pnbiic benefit , and for the security of public peace ; for if things continued on as they had done , we should shortly arrive at a state of things equal to the insurrection in France . I say again , said he , most emphatically , that the magistracy in this case , with their Captain and Police , were more the aggressors than these

      misguided people ; for had they exercieed discretion with their military tactics , the affray might have been prevented before tbe mob , as it is called , could have come near the scene of action ; he did not know-what the Magistrates of Wales might think of tbeir country > bttt he Was happy to say England waa not like it . In tbe latter part of his address , which was embellished by various quotations from high law and other authorities , the learned and indefatigable pleader referred to the decisions in criminal cases of Judge Foster and Russell , and in a most touching and pathetic appeal to the minds and feelings of the Jury trusted on a verdict of acquittal .

      The Learned Counsel occupied two hours and five minutes in his address , of which tte above is but a short outline . Mr . Chambers then proceeded to call witnesses tocharacter , when Mr . David Jones , Sof L 3 non ; J * hn Reesr , parish of Laneiiy ; John Jones , Mansel Arms ; Joshua Jenkins ; Robert Jones ; Wrn . Thomas , Ty ' r Clawdd ; David Richards ; D ' iniel Jenkins ; John Jenkins , and Joan Rees , appeared aud united in giving the prisoner the best of character ? .

      The Solicitor-General then addressed the Jury in reply ; he spoke an hour and ten minutes . Mr . Baron Gurney then summed up . The Jury retired at a quarter past four o ' clock , and , after little more than half an hour ' s absence , returned with a verdict of Guilty , recommending the prisoner to mercy oa account ef his previous good character . The Court then adjourned until Monday . MONDAY . The Court was opened at nine o ' clock this morning .

      snd immediately afterwards David Jones and John Hugh were placed 3 n the doek . An indictment was then read charging them with having unlawfully , riotously , and tumultuously assembled , with divers others to the nnmber of 50 , and feloniously begun to demolish , and pull down a certain house in the parish of Llandilotolybont , the property « f William Lewis and others . The pri ? oneiB first pleaded " Not Guilty ; " but , after a short conversation between their counsel and Mr . H . William * , their attorney , they withdrew their plea , and pleaded " Guilty . "

      The AiToaNEY-GEMEBAL then said , the prisoners having pleaded " Guilty , " he did not mean to press ia aggravation of punishment . . ¦ Mr . Hill then addressed the Court at considerable length in mitigation of punishment . John Hughes , who was convicted on Saturday , having been placed with the other prisoners at the bar , Mr . Baron GURNET then addressed tbe prisoners , and said they stood severally convicted of a felony , and a felony of a very aggravated description . The Jury , after a long and patient hearing , had found John . Hughes Guilty ; and the prisoners , David Jones and John Hugh , had pleaded Guilty to an indictment of a similar description , and their Learned Counsel , in his address t » the Court , had very properly impressed

      upon it the contrition of Jones and Hugh , which they had manifested , and which wbb . intended to recommend them in some measure to the mercy of the Court . This circumstance was net forgotten , but still an example was necessary . They , from the respectability which they had formerly maintained , and the rank of life which they occupied , were persons of whom it was particularly necessary tbat an example should be made , to deter others from a repetition of -their crime . They were all liable to be transported beyond the seas for tha term of their lives ; but , considering all that had been stated with respect to David Jones and John Hugh , the Court was of opinion that it was impossible to pass a less sentence than that which he was about to pronounce ; which was , that-each

      of them should be transported for the term of seven years . With respect to John Hughes , the Court could not entertain the same view of his case . He appeared to be one in a station of society far above tte rest : one not likely to be misled by others ; and yet upon the evidence proved to be a leader , if not the leader of this lawless multitude . His conduct at the time , as well as the papers found in his pocket , demonstrated , at least , tbat be was a leader—that he waa active in collecting adherents and associates , and that something like threats had issued from him against those who were not . forward in joining bis illegal course . He bad been recommended by the jury to the mercy of t the

      Court . The Court felt extreme difficulty in , any degree lessening the punishment which the- > law awarded to his offence . The law said he was liable to transportation for life ; bnt giving all consideration to the recommendation of the jury and to all the cir « umstances which had been bo ably stated by the learned counsel for the prisoner , the Court was of opinion . that he be transported feeyond the seas for the term of twenty years . As to any further extension of mercy , tho prisoners must recommend themselves to- the grace and mercy of the Crown ; but that mercy could not be expected if offences ef this kind were repeated and the peace of the country were not fully restored . .

      In the case of David Lewis , a labourer , against whom there waa a charge of feloniously and'inalieious . y cutting and wounding . The Attor ' net-General said that , oa looking over the circumstances , he felt disposed to enter a nolle prosequi . The prisoner wss then discharged . Lewis Davis was then indicted , upon the oaths of William Chambers , the younger , of Llanelly , in the county of Carmarthen , gentleman , and another , with unlawfully ahd maliciously throwing down and destroying a certain turnpike-sate in the parish of XJaudilotolybont The prisoner having pleaded Guilty .

      The attorney-General said that he had given his best attention to this case , and did not feel it necessary to press for the judgment of the Court upon it , as he should consider it sufficient that the prisoner should enter into his own recognizances to appear and receive the judgment of t&e Cjurt , if called upon . The prisoner then entered into his own recognizances for £ 50 , and was discharged . . Morgan Morgan and Esther Morgan also pleaded " Gnilty" to an indictment for being feloniously present and aiding and assisting Margaret Morgan to malicionsly cut and wound Charles Frederick Napier , of Swansea , gentleman , with Intent in so doing to prevent the apprehension of One Henry Morgan .

      The Attorney-General said , tbat ho would enter & . noUe prosequi to the charge of felony against these prisoners . Considering their advanced age , and other circumstances connected with tbe case , he should be satisfied if they were discharged after entering into their own recognizmces . The prisoners , having entered into their own recogn ' zwees for £ 50 each , were accordingly discharged . Margaret Morgan , Rees Morgan , and John Morgan likewise pleaded " Guilty , " the first to an indictment charging her with malicionsly cutting and wounding the before-mentioned C F . Napier , and tbe other prisoners with having been feloniously present , and aiding and assisting her to commit the said felony . ¦

      The Attobhet-General entered a nolle prosequi so far aa regarded the felonious charge against the prisoners , and observed that , having ascertained the circumstances under which this aggravated assault had taken place , he did believe that they were under amistake with respect to the right to resist- Under these circumstances he waa not disposed to piesB for a severe punishment in this case ; but , aa the law had been resisted , the offence must , at the same time , be marked by some sentence which would manifest the servers displeasure of the Conrt .

      The Lsarned Judge then addressed the prisoners ana sentenced Margaret Morgan to imprisonment for aix months , and Rees and John Morgan for twelve months The Learne

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      THE BOLTON HAND-LOOM WEAVERS . We have received the following letter and accompanying report . We can Bee no reason why both were not sent on Tuesday , the 24 th , instead of Saturday , the 28 th , in which case the report would have appeared in our last : —

      TO THE EDITOB OF THB KOBTHKBM STJLR . Sib ., —You wonld oblige the Committee of the Hand-Loom Weavers , by inserting the enclosed report . Copies have been sent to Beveral papers , requesting insertion ; fent knowing that yon go to press early in the week , we deemed it useless to send yon the report for the present Saturday . Hoping that yon will give publicity to it in yonr next , yon will oblige , Yours , &c Isaac Holt , Secretary . Bolton , October 28 th , 1843 .

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      Mebxisg of Hasd-loom Weavers . —On Monday last , a public meeting of the above trade , called by placard , was held at the Lord Nelson public-house , to take into coiisidtTation the best mesas to adopt whereby they might obtain a share of the benefit arising from the present revival of trade . Ellis Gregson , hand-loom weaver , wss called to the chair , and after reading the placud convening the meeting , called npen Isaac Holt , secretary , to read a number of rules and regulations for their future government and protection , "which had been drawn np by a committee appointed for that purpose , and which -were submitted to the meeting for their adoption . The rules were accordingly adopted , and it was unanimously agreed that the society then -formed rfinnld ha called " The Hand-loom Weavers * United

      AsBociation for the protection of labour , and for the adoption of sny other plan that may be deemed most condncive to tbeir Suture welfare . " After tbe reading and adoption ct the rules , the Secretary said , their object wss to ferai themselves into a frieDOly union ; for it was only by nn : tyandfrieDdshiprco-operationanddeterin 2 nation , tbat benefit was received . Theclergy have their unions ; the aristoercy , and in feet ail parties wishing to carry oni an ^ specific object , whether it may tend to the happiness or misery of others , are baDded and nnited together ; and in what more holy cause ceuld then be united than in endeavouring -to gain for their starving wives and chUdren bread to eat &x > d raiment to wear ? He was glad that the roles had received their nnanimona approval Thomas Smith was then called upon , and said ,

      a paragraph had gone the round of the newspapers , which was calculate * to place their present position in a "wrong and nnjust light before the British public ; and ba thoashs that if the asseciation just formed only at * tended to such misstatemects , and on their appearance txpesed them , it would merit the approval and support of tbe fcody at large . Tbe statement -which appeared in tfce Liverpool Times , and since that has been inserted in various other papers , both local and provincial , is the following : — " Our readers 'will learn with pleasure , tbat tb ^ t long-suffering and unfortunate class of workmen ( the band-loom weavers ) have come in for a full share of tho benefits of tbe present revival of the cotten trade . Frsm tbe great demand fox those

      beautiful fabrics the { mouseline-de-laints ) the cloth of which is better manufactured by band than by the power-loom , they Bre mostly fully employed and are receiving better veagea than ihey have received at vug time previously for ihe last ten years . " This , the speaker , denied ; it was a falsehood , and the person ¦ who flifct concocted it , nvust have known at the time that he was not stating the truth . Tbe following statement wonld show what they had received , and after the meeting had heard it , they would fee able to judge : —Boiten counts of reedB : and prices paid for diffoceat fabrics of work during the last ten years : Year . Price . Year . Price , a . d . s . d .

      50 reed spi : g check 1836 14 6 1843 8 6 50 „ plain sprig « 12 6 ,, 8 0 50 „ ttpa ebeck „ 7 6 ,, 4 6 30 „ l . nocLect . ,. 9 0 ,, 5 6 G 6 „ Ewro ^ fcaoc-de-laine tl ia cesji ,.,,., ,. 6 6 ii 4 0

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      MEETING OF BKOAB SILK WEAVERS OF SPITALFIELDS . A very nnmeroTjsly attended and highly important meeting of the Broad Silk Weavers of SpualSeld 3 was held & . the Girls' School Room , Abbey-street , Betnnal-green , on tbe 25 : h nit . ; Mr . Delafore being called to the chair introduced the proceedings by iy a few excellent remarks . TbeSECHETABT then delivered his report , and rtad the memorial vrlrich vvas Eigned by 8 , 949 weavers requesting that the cause of their distress might be enquired into . He said that at the interview which toofc place en the delivery of the memorial by the depntation , they saw Mr . M'Sreggor , and informed him thai they found % h& distress among

      ihe weavers to be most extensivej as there were many who were in "work had not a bed to lie upon Tormcriy , wh ? n their trade was protect-ed , there was abant £ 20 , 000 weekly expended in ' vuges , wherea ? since the repeal of that act there is not above £ ' 0 , 000 received weekly by the operatives . Sir . M'Gregor said that he knew 6 nmg { £ ling was carried on to a gieit ezteut to the injury of ihs silk trade , and that one plan of improving the trade would be to rednca the duty on silk to ten per tent , while it was his opinion if some allowance fvas granted by Parliament to the journeymen weavers , that would assist in removing the evil complained of . The report having beenTeceived and adopted , '

      Mr . Sherxa » d moved tae first resolution , which was to the following effect : — "That this maeting is decidedly of opinion , which opinion is the rea ^ ls of twenty years' experience , that the do « rn > es and practice of Free Trade , so tar as they have been allowed lo be carried oat , have been prodnc ; Ive of more physical injury to the great mass of the people of this country than an invading army ; and more subversive of every principle of laoralhy aad of our holy religion than could hs ^ e bsen effected by the introduction of ihe abominations of Jnggprnant . The principles of Christianity are truth , justice , charity , and good-will to all mankind ; wifle Free Trade teaches every species » f fring and

      fraud . Instead of justice it ssnetions rob&ery , espsciailj the xobberj of the poor ; instead of cr . arny It infiicis croeltj of the worst species ; and insiead of good-mil to all mankind , inflicts evil upon the mass of ihe community , benefiting only bloated cspitiliats whose gold is tneir god ! " He observed ihat the doctrines of Free Trade had had a fair trial , and ihey found themselves in a most deplorable condition — -Gsriea of" hear , hear ) . The priciples of protection were fully carried oat in the reigns of Edward HL , SJchard IL , and succeeding reigns . It appeared even in those days of feudal barbarism , the first of their acts was always to protec : laboar , whQ e there "were al « o a ^ fs regelating th » price of pro-¦ riaaasrsotaai there c"p ?^ red a desire on the V-xil of

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      == ^__ : THE NORTjnj ^ RN STAR ,: j /

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 4, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct675/page/7/