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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th December 1841, Edition 4 of 5, Page 7, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      fBE O'BRIEN PRESS FUND COMMITTEE 1 OF LO > T > ON . j jO THE RADICALS OF GREAT BRITAIN , ; WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF SECT , PABTY , ' OB OPINION . <> Chained " , eabin'd , cr ibb'd , confined , j ^ st too much light should bant on the etherial mind . * - — Byroa PSILOW-Mxx , —Impressed with * sincere desire to jjomot * the political freedom and social happiness of ^ r wnntry , and to witness the extirpation of all sys-^ jm and rices which impede oar moral and political regress , with a belief , that the chief impediments in Seway of oar political and social progression -would ^ reaored by tbe spread of knowledge , and with a ggiTietiea that a goood press , advocating sound demo-—tic principles , and conducted by the hand of a longjyjed * nd talented friend of the people , would go far towards the diffusion of that knowledge , the want of _ Hca we , at present , so much deplore . " _

      VTe are , therefore , led to address ourselves to you , in upjer t 3 impress upon your minds the necessity of com- tog forward and exercising yoor utmost energies to assist bi in tbe establishment of a press , for that noble patriot , gronterre O'Brien , whose pen so boldly and indefati- pZXj defended the rights of labour in the Poor Max ' t gjHjtfwn , the London Dispatch , the Operative , &c , vno has suffered both persecution and prosecution , and I voo bas but lately broke forth from the bonds of the moat accursed and brutal faction ( calling themselves gbenl ) that ever disgraced the annals of our country ; vbo with the name of liberty upon tfceir lips , peraejnted the bestfrieBds of freedom , and imprisoned the noblest of patriot * Need we then to wonder that the » e&t r ""» of the people are dissatisfied with the Legiswith the Executive with the

      ^ jure— - —nay , even j Grown itself ! when wa seethe working men—the pro- ; gaeers o ! all wealth—labouring under a distress un- ¦ . osrslleled in the history of our country , while assumed , representatives are wasting the time of the public in ; discussing questions in which the mass of the people , tave no interest , or ia voting away , with a reckless ' tai extravagant profnsIoB , that wealth which has been j extracted from the blood and sinews of those who are i ( because unrepresented ) famishing unheeded . A line j of demarcation has been drawn by class legislation , between the opper and middle , and the working damns . HI feeling baa been engendered , and who but the par > tan Whig , Tory , and sham-Radical press , have Reaped calumny upon calumny on the injured people , ud ' Ssttered and caressed their oppressors . '

      Fellow ceuntrymen , let « s take a brief leaf from our en emies * book , let us at once resolve to have a press . - Their jrnsw , " they maintain , even at a great pecuniary loss . Let us , being sensible how great the influence of the press is in the direction ( or rather the mis-direction of public opinion ) and that no system of government an long exist in opposition to so formidable a foe , let b withdraw our support from the interested thick and flna supporters of those factions who rob the producers of all wealth of their comfort * , trample on theii rights , and scorn their petitions , and at eoce tallying

      r # nnd a press which will remove ignorance and correct the misdirection of pablk opinion by spreading political information and right principles among the mass of the people , which will assist us in hewing down the huge ¦ pH tree of comtption , and enable us to replace it with t soon from the sacred plant of liberty . Let that press be to the Southern counties of England what the Star is to the North , a faithful sentinel , to watch the motions Bd expose the deformities of the present Tile and selfish ijstem , whkh has hitherto existed , but by the culpable ud apathetic saferance of the working class .

      Shall we then longer allow ourselves to be led blindfold , as it were , as sacriflcers to the great Moloch of Oppression t Shall we allow the few to wallow in vealth and idleoee , to gratify their aznbitkKi and lust of power , at the expence of the many ? Shall we quiescently allow the misrepresentations of the press to bolster up a system , which has its ramifications in the pulpit , wd among the members of tbe law , the trmj , and the navy , and to disseminate its poison among the masses of the people , perpetuating i g n orance , repersiitkm , and corruption , at the same time precluding them from that knowledge both political and religious , which would open their eyes to their condition ? No ! 2 we are men and Britons , we shall at once energetically cTfi ^ i -m and that such may fee the response te this humble address is the most sincere wish of eur

      We remain , Tour sincere Brother Democrats , J . Watis , Jas . Smith , The Member * of the O'Brien Press Fund Committee , London . William Hogg , Dispatch Coffee House , Secretary . Bride-lane , . London .

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      TO THE RIGHT HONOROrBLE THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN . Mt LOBD , —As yonr Lordship has doubtless perused Sbe Star newspaper of the 27 th ult , and in so doing hive perhaps seen in its columns a letter addressed to your lordship , of which I am the humble author , md having by this time , perhaps , considered the nature of the questions therein asked , and the objects for which is was written , and not hsTing seen in any of the public posts , an attempt to answer or object to its contents , I like it for granted , that the hints therein contained , orried conviction to your Lordship ' s heart . I shall sow beg to remind your Lordship that it is many years race my countrymen , stimulated by your Lordship ' s sample , commenced theii great system of moral

      imitation , and long &s that period has been , and much u they have been opposed by the many and mighty Bemies of their country , they have still resolutely Eiintained their position in the ranks of political warfrre—they have withstood the multitudinous attacks ci Toryism and bigotry , and hare outlived the fury of the contest , and are still resolutely determined to obtain that liberty which they are so devotedly attached to . Having thus given them credit for perseverance and eaastetency , it may be asked how much have they pined by the struggle , and what is still to fee sought to ? Without entering into a detail of their many Tsetcries , or the consequences resulting from them , ( as Sissy must be familiar to every Irishman ) , I will only ay , that it has ever been stated by your Lordship , that "ia agitating for Catholic 1 mancipation , you had therior measures in view , the principle of which was a

      Sepeal of the Legislative Tnion . " TCis , then , may be Bid to be \ y >* f )'""^ of my countrymen ' s hopes—thin the main-spring of all their political actions , and the Knci-Ioved object of their unceasing pursuit Here , thin , arises a question , "Which is the best method to obtain i t , or are the people of Ireland convinced that fear mode of seeking Repeal is the surest as -well as &s most wise they could adopt ? To the latter part of 4 e question I will simply say , if it is the surest , it is feridedlj- the slowest they could adopt ; for , according fcjotr Lordship ' s fiat , " they will have to wait vrJil the joung Prince of Wales will open the Irish Parlia-JMEt as Viceroy at Ireland , " or , in other -words , a period of twenty years , before there will be a chance of fining ii . Terily , my Lord , your measure of Repeal 2 viierioT indeed . ' or so much valuable time would not be expended talking about a question which might profc&klj be spent in action !

      So » , njy Lord , to a mmi like yonr Xerdship , "who fcu by in infinity of ways become possessed of not only &e Eecessaries , but the luxuries of life , a period of twenty years may not appear long , but to the many kEodred thousand of your countrymen , who are even Jew starving out of existence , it will be a long and tedious interval . How many thousands of brave spirits o ! Ireland will be quenched before toe expiration of &&i definite period ? 2 for can your Lordship be cerbin notwithstanding your many comforts and honours

      «* t long before that period has expired , your may not « numbered with the " tenants of another woria , " » 4 cot even like Moses " be blessed with a sight of 2 * promised land . " How wise such a course of prot&fczg is , I leave to the world to suppose , but for my f * a part , I held it would be a greater part of wisdom a ny countrymen , did they take the trouble to think ja ^ wt for themselves , instead of yielding blind and mplicit obedience to the will of a man , who , under » B cream stances , considers his own interest before all CthfeH .

      f the " Repeal of the Union" is so desirable an jjjeet to Irishmen , I see not why they should refuse we co-operation of their English friends , the Chartists , ¦ * no are to a man desirous to assist them in their effoits , » obtain it , or if jour iord « hip ia BincereJy a Bepealer , " finely , if yon wish to obtain Repeal in the most ; "peed y and fcff&ctual manner , you ought to join issue ^ Chartists , for your Lordship has often said , % The greater the moral power is , the greater the certainty of success . " >¦ Y ° sr Lordship knows that Chartists are not tha I Physical force men" you would make it appeal , and i JEaeereij- hope , that the uncharitable assertion that * — / ™ i » i uiai me unr . imrname ukiuuu iubk

      „ § JWj * Lordship is deferring the repeal to continue the tribute- is unfounded . Be that as it may , it is certain ' > ' 7 ** nine ran have passed since the last " premature " fosenssion of the question , and twenty are to come » nf ^ there ' be another , and during that time there i will be a eoutinual drawing from the pocketa of the I Itor to rwell the coffers and the dignity ef your Lordi * "P > whilst by embracing the principles of the Charter , S Peeple of Ireland and England would , by their S-worts , be in a very short period able to obtain their i ^ ery object by legal and constitutional means and . with : wely a nominal expence . " ? J- * f > my Lord , not a little surprised that the sober-: f « S ! kmg men of Ireland cannot see that the wiodkies

      1 * °° Witry and sect are passing away , and that Englishl ! f ? . ire capable of being theii friends , and are woithy |» tteir confidence ; and that the sialieiou * report * ^ "ch have been circulated in reference t » Chartinn , are . * Wttounded as they are vile and contemptible . It is ^« ^ e hope that my countrymen will be led to in-: * " « for themselves , and to adopt a more certain and ¦ r * £ * ay mains of obtaining their lone-lost rights and ^ wv * that r ^^ trespass on " your Lordship's l ^ n xble time , and trusting that my humble efforts will P *> me measure lead them to do so is the sincere wish I v My Lord , I i cor Lordship ' s most obedient bumble servant , I W . H . Cliftos .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE OPERATIVE MASONS OF LONDON . Fellow Coc . vtetmks , —Having read the particulars respecting your struggle Against a combined system of tyranny , and believing yon to be actuated by really bonett motives , both to yourselves and your fellow men , is my reason for offering you my opinion as to the steps to be adopted in order to secure a victory on the tide of right against might Happy am I that job bare maimtained your position Eke honourable and brava men , and bare given no reason to be pounced upon by the servants of the law . From my knowledge of sober , honest , and industrious men , I am certain that they would sooner be employod than seen walking the streets . My object then in this communication is to lay down a plan by which you all might be aet to work . Suppose

      ) j i j j then , that you were to make a call upon your friends in the ether trades for a loan of coney towards your support , and I &xn very glad to beat they come forward liberally ; raise , say a thousand pounds , to purchase a plot of land ; after which you might borrow seven or eight thousand pounds more on interest , with which I you may aet to work immediately ; and build a large j working-sun ' s hall : and , by so deing , you would be : enabled to pay your men wages for working for themi selves , instead of , as now , walking about doing nothing . j You would then have a commodious building wherein i to meet for the mutual improvement of each other , . without being dependant on other parties at times for a i Toom . When erected , it would pay good interest ; it

      would tend to insure victory over youi oppressors by opening a market for labour . The working men and trades would be relieved of their subscription * , and would willingly give a loan for such a laudable purpsse ; because the men , instead of receiving money for doing nothing , would be creating wealth for what they received . Then what man would sooner work for an oppressor than himself ? I merely throw out this hint to remind you of what might be done . Having bad some experience with strikes , I am afraid that the trade * ¦ will fall off in their subscriptions , ualess they see a chance of success . If you could accomplish the above object y » u would give tyranny a mighty shake j and that you may do so is the sincere wish of Tours , faithfully , Wk , Geiffin .

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      Wolverhampton , 1 st Dec . 1811 . Mr Dear Sis , —In reply to your second letter , ( I have not received your first 11 beg to say , that owing to tfce precariooa state of my health , I cannot pledge myself to visit Aberdeen , or even the south of Scotland , before next s ummer , lest I « ho « Jd be obliged to disappoint my Scottish friends , as I have already feeeB to the men of Oldham . I have undergone a deal of fatigue since my liberation , having attended not leas thwx sixty meetings , tince the 2 tUi September , tA each of whica , I spoke on the average , not less than three honra .

      I am sow on my way to Manchester , wfeere my family are residing temporarily , and should a week's quiet have the effect of recruiting my health , so as to tillable me to resume the agitation , I shall most likely proceed northward , to Edinburgh and Glasgow , and if the weather be not very inclement , shall endeavour to visit Dundee , Aberdeen , he , fee ., before my return to England . Bat as already observed , I don't like to pledge myself , lest I should be compelled , bj ill health , to disappoint my friends , after putting them to the trouble and expense of preparing for my reception . I am bow nearly two years away from my family , who havs suffered many inconveniences and privations on my account , I must therefore think well on it befere I leave them again , and especially for » tour ia the north of Scotland , which at this season of the year , might prove fatil to me , owing to my state of health .

      ¦ Under these circumstances , all I can promise is to cemply with the kind invitation of my Aberdeen friends as soon as my health and circumstances will permit , and to give timsly notice when they may expect me , either through the Northern Star or by private letter . If I visit Scotland before Christmas or soon after , I shall have to take Mrs . O'Brien with me , ( which would make the journey more expensive , ) and I dare not leave her for a long absence at this season of the year , —1 am therefore desirous to pat off my Scottish , tour till uext

      spring or summer ; but nevertheless , should health and circusostancas permit , I shall be in Scotland before Christmas , accompanied by my wife , rather than have my Scottish friends suppose for one instant , that I make light of their invitations , or entertain any other feelings than those of respect and gratitude , for the many disinterested proofs they have given in my absence of theii sympathy and good will towards , Their and your very obedient servant , And fellow-labourer in the Rood cause , James Bbontebrb O'Bbibk . Doacan Nieholson , 37 , East North-street , Aberdeen .

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      ^ TRIBUTE TO WHOM TRIBUTE IS DUE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE KORTBERTi STAB . Sia , —An anti-Cora Law tea party , was held on Tuesday the 7 th inst , at Stroud , after the baby meeting ; it took place at the Victoria Coffee Rooms . I was anxious to hear the arguments of the speakers and went to the meeting . I assure you , Bir , not one of the speakers produced a question to prove the good or evil of the present Com Laws . After tea , the Rev . W . Tates was appointed chairman . After a few remarks upon the need of nnion . he sat down , after calling utx > n the

      Ke v . -B . Parsons , who rese and said , Sir , I am here this evening to heu and not to speak , I know not what to say on the occasion . If I had been left until some one had spoken upon the question , I could have picked up a speech . Aftsr a time he spoke ; the arguments of the speaker went to prove that of all monopolies , class monopoly was the most cruel , uDJust , and severe , in its operations , and contended that without the destruction of class monopoly , every other monopoly would still exist . Scripture said , " Put not your hope in princes . " And if we look to Kings , Queens , Dukes , Marquisses Ear la , Lords , Nobles , or the Commons House of monopolies , we shall in all be disappointed . I conttnd , said the speaker , that Property Qualification is quit * as unjust , as to Beltct a party of cobblers , who pretended t j be shoemakers , yet could not mend a shoe ; and the patching of our rulers shows the want of knowledge on their parts , and until the people put the question to themselves , who must do the work , and demand their rights , nothing would be done .

      W . Hopson , E-q , next addressed the meeting , and distinctly laid down the plan of Mr . O'Connor , as to small farms being let to the poor . He could by manual labour produce thirty bushels of corn per acre , ind tbst upon land which seven years ago , would yield . onl y fifteen . One thousand five hundred acres of land were now lying watte in the borough of Stroud , and if we put one family to cultivate an acre , Poor Xaw Commissioners , Assistant Commissioners , and Rite Collectors would not be needed . I maintain that the land of England could , by proper cultivation produce corn for more than treble its inhabitants , and if pat into use , England coald , in a few years , export instead of Import This sentence did not meet tbe approbation of the Plague , who began to cry '' We do n&t want to export . " The Speaker said , If yon do net wish to export , why do you agitate for free trade ?

      The aj of " Import , Import , " drowned the voice ot the Speaker , and he left tbe room . Mr . Ferribee then explained the plan of obtaining members by way of collectors goicg to the factories with books , and mo'ved " That a meetiDg be called at the Subscription Rooms , to hear the opinion of the M P . ' the Borough upon the question of the Corn Laws , and if not in accordance with a majority of voters and rate payers , to demand their resignation . " A long debate ensued as to the plan best to be adopted to excldde the Chartists from the meeting . It was at last carried to admit all persons . Chartists , will you go ? The Rev . Mr . Mound , represented tbe monopolies to be as pernicious as the Upas tree , and urged upon the meeting a netd of union , to destroy the power of all monopolies .

      Mr . Paris , Secretary to the Association , was called upon . He thought as he had to work he oug ht not to speak , and tendered his service in the way of work , and sst down . Rev . H . Griffith rose , and af tei reviewing the government plan of erecting barracks and transporting the poor , under corer ot emigration , he _ stated that much had been said against a dasi of persons called Chartists , and he thought if he was placed in the same situation as the Chartists , he should act upon the same plan they did with regard to public meetings . If we look at the difficulties under which they labour , aad consider the oppoaition against which they have to contend , we ought rather to give them an opportunity to be heard in public , than shut the doors of publio meetings against them . Do we go

      to tbeii meetings to beai the question of the Charter explained ? No ; nor do we ask ourselves what the Charter is ; and I therefore think the Chartists are justified in theii coming to all public meetings , aad urging their questions npon the pnblio attention , persecuted as they have been , and still are , but witheut whom the monopoly of corn , nor any other monopoly , cannot be destroyed ; and I hope , at your meetings , you will give an opportunity for them to explain ti ? e question , as to the grievance under which they ( the Chartists ) hare long bad to labour . An individual once or twice interrupted the speaker , by exclaiming aloud " Draw me out , draw me out . " This person is an individual of very mean principles , and of smaller understanding ; his name is John Lewi * . The Rev . G « &tkman proceeded to ^ viaik , ttat the person before

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      him was a true evidence « f the opposition the Chartists had to contend against ; and , in hopes of a union , in place of opposition , the Rev . Q « atteman sat down much applauded . The Chairman urged npon all present to bring all they could to tbe meeting , and show theii strength by Bombers ; and , after singing two verses of tbe anti-Corn Law Rhyme , the meetisg was dissolved , and your humble servant left for his home . - * *

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      TO HAMER STANSFELD , ESQ . " All classes will prey npon all other classes just as much u they can aad dare . " —Hamer Siansfeld . Sib , —I endeavoured in ^ my last letter to jron to draw tbe inference from the words which I had cheaen as my motto , land which words I have taken fairly from your pamphlet , entitled *! Monopoly or Machinery , "! that , as all classes would prey upon all other classes just as much as they can and dare , supposing that all the Benefits would flow from a repeal of tbe Corn Laws which yon talk as if you anticipate , still

      those who had the power would , aa you say in another part of your pamphlet , " work underneath , and reap even more than all the advantages" which could be derived from the measure . I also endeavoured to impress upon your mind , and the minds of my readers , that if you were an honest and consistent man—that if you really wished to destroy all monopolies and their effects , you would at once strike at the master monopoly , the root from whence all other monopolies spring , the very fountain whence they have their being , the monopoly of legislation .

      Taking this view of the matter , and I cannot con * celve how , after your declaration as above , you can come to any other , it would appear to be entirely useless to say more upon the matter ; but as you , and those who act with you , tett ub what great effects would flow from a repeal of the Corn Laws , it perhaps may not be altogether unneoeasary to give tbe subject a further consideration . There is such a discrepancy in the statements of the advocates of Repeal , that it is almost dangerous to Ex upon any one . M'Gregor says , in his official « x"n < nation , the difference which the labourer pays in money is from forty to Bixty per cent more than the foreign consumer . A pretty decent range this , one would think , for men who deal tu figures . Dr . Bowring

      appears to estimate the rise in price for all kinds of grain at 5 s . per quarter . The two statements appear so preposterous , when placed side by side , that one ia almost ready to conclude , that , at the least , one of the parties did not know what he was talking about But , boweve r , as M'Gregor seems to speak more positively than Bowring , I will take his estimate ; and , as put together and divided , they would make the average difference paid by tbe Bnglish consumer over -the foreign one , to be sixty per cent , I , for the sake of roundness of numbers , will take the average difference to be fifty per cent , and then see what it amounts to , as compared with the taxes ; and then see if it would be possible to carry it into effect under the existing circumstances of the country .

      I will only take a few of the leading taxes of the country . Then Bay gross revenue 60 , , 000 j tithes , fcc 10 , 006 , 000 ; poor rate , county rate , rural police , Ac ., BaylO . 040 , 000 more ; which would , in tbe gross , amount to 80 , 000 , 000 . Now then suppose that we consume 1 € million quarters of wheat , say at an average of 60 s . per quarter , 60 per cent of which would be 24 millions ; aad if we consume 30 million quarters of other kind of graia at aa average of 25 s . per quarter , 50 per cent of which would be about 19 millions ; these together womld amount to 43 millions ; and suppose that the amount of labour , after paying for the raw material contained in all our exported manufacturers , should amount to 35 , 600 , 000 ; both being puttogether , 50 percent . up » n all the corn consumed and the whole of the labour contained

      in our exported manufactures would be less by £ 2 , 000 , 000 than the amount of taxes . And if we take the average price of grain for the last twelve years , before the deficient harvests , the 16 millions quarters of wheat at 56 s per quarter would be about £ 45 , Q 0 « , OO # ; and the 30 millions qmarters of other grain at Sis per quarter , would be about £ 37 , 000 , 000 ; or both together , say £ 82 , 000 , 000 ; or the whole cost price of all the grain consumed in tbe country about 2 , 600 , 004 more than the taxes of the country . And yet these men tell u that the taxes are nothing , aad that the Corn Laws are every thing ! But now as to the practicability of Repeal with this amount of taxation ; and according to the statements put forward by the leaders of your class .

      It will be necessary , perhaps , before I proceed further , to state that tbe taxes are a fixed monetary amount , and that in none of the plans put forward by Corn Law Repealers is it ever purposed to reduce them . Indeed so far from proposing to reduce them , Lord Jehn Russell said , in his speech to the electors of London , that" it is as absolutely requisite to preserve the public faith as it is to preserve the power of the country . " And Lord Morpeth said , in bis West Riding address , that" the safety of the nation required that the revenue should

      be raised . " It roust be borne in mind that these men are locked up to as leaders of their patty ; and therefore , it is completely fair to say , that there is no reduction of our fixed monetary payments in the least contemplated . Nay , Lord Morpeth tells us that the " safety" of the nation requires the present gross amount ; and Lord John Russell says that it is as absolutely necessary to preserve the public faith as it is to preserve the power of the country ; and tbe public faith cannot be kept without the present gross amount of taxes .

      It will also be requisite to state , in the onset , that the price of wheat and all other agricultural produce , is made np of rent , profit , and wages of labour in its production and conveyance to market . The wages of labour are made up partly of the amount of remuneration neeessary t j procure the absolute necessaries of existence during such production ) and partly of the taxes which are " required by tbe safety of the nation . " The taxes of all description amount at least to one-third of the sum expended in tbe wages of labour at the present prices of labour ; and the taxes , being fixed monetary amounts , would not be reduced in consequence of the fall of corn . It is granted en all hands , by the most sangulpe of those in favour of Repeal , that the farmer and labourer do not receive too much remuneration ; therefore , the only available resource in the price of corn appears to be in the rent

      Let us then , Sir , endeavour to trace , if we can , what would be tbe effect of a Repeal of the Corn Laws upon the farmer and labourer , if th « se consequences followed which are so pertinaciously assserted would be tbe result , allowing our fixed monetary payments to remain as they are . I shall not pretend to any very great accuracy in quantity , and will take the load of wheat at one pound per load , instead of by the quarter , in order that the calculation may be more easily followed , just premising that tbe result would have appeared worse if I had taken the higher price , and by the quarter , but the calculation would have been rather more difficult to follow .

      Suppos e , then , that an acre of land produces ten loads of wheat , at three bushels to the load ; and suppose that the wheat sells at one pound per load , the produce of an acre will thus raise £ 10 . Now , then , kt us suppose the rental of the land to be one peund , to be , of course , taken from the £ 10 raised by the sale of the -wheat There will then be £ 9 left , to be divided between the farmer and the labourer , for profit , purchasing the necessaries of life , and paying their taxes . Well , then , let us take from the £ 9 the £ 3 which will be required as their share of taxes ; thus leaving £ 6 , or the value of six loads of wheat , as the net share of the farmer and his labourer , for profit and wages . And let us always bear in mind that the £ 6 , left after tbe rent and taxes are paid , will purchase 240 lbs . of American cotton at sixpence per pound .

      Suppose then , now , that the Corn Laws are repealed , and that , in consequence , the price of wheat is reduced one half , or from 20 s . per load to 10 s . per load , ( and that is only a trifle compared with what some of the lecturers talk about ); and , to make tbe best of it , let us suppose that the landlord has reduced his rent from 20 s . per acre to 10 s . per acre . Well , then , as tbe acre produces ten loads , and as the price is 10 s per acre , the gross amount raised by tha acre will be £ 5 ; from which take tbe 10 s . reut , and it will leave £ 4 Its . as the gross amount to be divided between tbe farmer and his labourer for profit , wages , and tbe payment of taxes , instead of tbe £ 9 , which they had before the repeal . A pretty decent pull this one would think ; and it would appear scarcely possible , even for a political economist , to enable the farmer and his labourer to have as much out of £ 5 10 s . as they had of the £ 9 before .

      But this is not quitejthe worst of the matter . It will be recollected that I stated , at the outset , that the taxes were a fixed monetary amount , * nd that they will not lower with tbe price of corn ; and if we are to take tbe authority of the leaders of the corn repeal party , it 1 b impossible for them to lower . You , Sir , well remember that Lord John Russell said , that " it is as absolutely requisite to preserve tbe public faith as it is to preserve tbe power [ by which I suppose he means the independence ] of the country ; " and you will also remember that , Lord Morpeth said , that " the safety of the nation required that the revenue should be raised . " These names , with you , will be high authority ; and if their opinions be correct , will prove tkat tbe " taxes are a fixed monetary payment , that Will not lower in consequence of tbe fall in tbe price of corn ; in short , the full amount of the bond must be raised , or Shylock

      will have the pound of flesh from our bosom * . Therefore , as we supposed the amount of taxes to be paid by the farmer and his labourer to be £ 3 ; and as that amount is a fixed one , and will not lower with tbe price of corn ; that £ 3 taken from . the £ 4 10 b which , after tbe repeal of tbe corn laws , the produce of the acre , deducting rent , would amount to , will leave only £ 1 14 s , or the value of three loads of wheat , iiutsad of £ 6 , or tbe value of six loads , which the fanner had before tbe repeal , for profit and the wages of labour . But , Sir , you must bear in mind that although the £ 1 10 s will ' purchase half as much wheat as the £ 6 , it will purchase only one-fourth as much American cotton ; or as waa shewn before , he can now purchase 2401 bs of cotton after be has paid his rent and taxes ; but after tbe repeal he could only purchase with his £ l 10 s , 60 Lca of cotton . A . very eavtebte gftu&ttoa trail .

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      I date not trespass further upon the space of a weekly journal which ha * such heavy demands npon ita columns ; bat by the kind permission of the Editor 1 win resume toe subject at another tone . Yours , &c James Pbnht , Millbridge , December 6 . 1841 .

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      — ^ . ' TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . brother Democrats , —The Executive have come to theconcbasion to publish weekly In the Star , Piniioater , and Chartist Circular , the weekly receipts , and by thla meaaa the country will be more satisfied as regards those places that pay and those that do not I am glad to find that the suggestions I have thrown out last Saturday , are being acted on ; letters now sent to me have'the proper address to them , besides I have received several papers from Scotland as well as England , when sneers have been thrown out against us . Two copies of the SUtford&ire Advertiter have been sent me by some kind friend , in both of which we axe attacked . This betokens something good—it clearly proves that out numbers are making the venal and corrupt press of England begin to quake . Look to the two important meetings and triumph for our cause .

      that have lately taken place in the great metropolis , viz the ene at Southward , and the other at Lambeth . Observe how Spun , Ridley , Maynard , and others made the immutable principles of truth triumph over cant and humbug . Here was a meeting called to inquire into the present distress , the returning officer in the chair ; everything was right enough until Mr . Maynard moved the two members be requested to support the Petition , when Alderman Humphrey said that he would not support the Petition , because there were statements In It , with which he did not agree . Then came the storm from the toil-worn , til-treated working men , aye , and because It Is mentioned that Prince Albert has £ 104 per day , be would not support it Why really the Alderman might not be afraid ot the country , knowing hew much per diem the Prinoe

      However , the Alderman may rest assured that all England , Scotland , Ireland , and Wales shall know how nmch per diem Prince Albert has , and not only shall the Chartists take steps in letting the country know this matter alone , but also to inform tbe peoplo that Queen Adelaide has £ 273 per diem , that the Queen has as much for pocket money in one year , as would pay the entire salary of the President of America for twelve years . Aye , aye , Mr . Alderman , we will ere we end this sort of information , let tbe people know all these things , and I am sun it will require more logic than Alderman Humphrey possesses , to convince the people that such intolerable grievances ought not to be mentioned . Every praise I * due to Messrs . Maynard and Rogers , for the exertions they have been at , to get up the above meeting .

      The Doctor made an excellent address bat the dailies would not report him . The other meeting at Lambeth was called to pass congratulatory addresses to the Queen , Prince Albert , and the Duchess of Kent , on the auspicious event of a Prince of Wales being born , ( what a sublime happiness to the Spltalfields weavers 1 ) Dr . Bedford in the chair . Addresses were moved aad seconded for the above . purpose , which were met by counter resolution , that the addresses be dlscuaeed that day nine months . The < Cbartt 8 t ame » dmoiit ) were triumphantly canted . I have received letters from London , speaking in very high terms of Dr . Bedford and the High Bailiff of Southwark ,

      One at the best features in our agitatloa is , that 4 he London Trades are beginning to move ; the masona , the tailors , tbe shoemakers , and tbe batters are at thegsod work ia their respective trades . Let the trades but come o « t for the-Charter , and we are sure of success ; let us be united amongst ourselves , aad I defy the united power of Whig and Torv to arrest our progress . It i » now past'five o ' cloc k , -and I have to be in Todmorden at half-tpart seven ; so I bid you good night , by again pressing on you the necessity of union . I remain , Your brother democrat , Johh Campbell , Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      MEETING OF THE DISTRESSED SPITA&-FIELDS WEAVERS . Last Saturday night , a numerous meeting of tbe distressed Spitalfields weavers was held at the Crown and Anchor , Waterloo-town , Betbual-green , by adjournment from the previous Saturday , to receive tba report of the deputation which waited upon the L « rd Mayor , for the purpose of bearing from fais Lordship his intentions as to the appropriation of the funds in his hands for the relief of the SpitalfleMo weavers . Mr . Boddington having , about nine o ' clock * been appointed to preside , Mr . Fox , on the part of the committee , said , that he and two of the committee waited upon the Lori Mayor , on Thursday last . The committee were aware that a meeting had been held iu tbe vestt ? -room of theihureh , at which meeting several elenrvnien of the district , and

      some gentlemen connected with Um Adelaide Society , attended . The committse were informed that an intention was then expressed to devote tbe monies raised for the relief of the Spitalfielda weavers to tbe support of all persons in distress , of whatever trade . Tbe committee recolved , in consequence , that a deputation should wait upon the Lord Mayor . The deputation saw his Lordship at the Mansion-house , and his Lordship expressed his surprise that there should bo an attempt to appropriate money in any other way than the donors intended . They observed , that they called to express their desire that the money should not be parted with by tbe Lord Mayor until a proper committee had beea appointed . His Lordship said that such

      was his Intention . While they were in conversation , Mr . Wen wood , from the Adelaide Committee , and Mr . Brydges , entered tbe room , when they stated what had been done at the vestry , and what were their intentions as to tbe disposition of the funds . Tbe Lord Mayor having stated his objections , recommended tbe deputation to get up a district meeting , w hen , if they bad a responsible chairman and au efficient committee , who would apply the funds judiciously , he would then give the money out of his bands . He stated that he had about £ 1 , 000 . , but which , he observed , he knew was not near sufficient to supply their urgent necessities . The committee bad since waited on Mr . R . Hanbury , who had declared his willingness to become their chairman at the district meeting . ( Hear , hear . )

      Mr . Claisse , the Secretary , said , that he was happy to find that they were in a course to obtain some assistance for tbe starving Spitalfields' weavers . It was new out of the hands of the Committee . He assured them , that in the City and at tbe West-end tbe best disposition was evinced on their behalf by all parties , and he believed that now that tbe opinion of the Lord Mayor was known , that many of the gentlemen who met at the church had fallen in with his views . The distress , he was sorry to say , was increasing to an alarming extent

      Since their last meeting , tbe Committee had had above 300 pe r sona l a pplications ; while tbe landlord of the Knave of Clubs , where the Committee meet , is called upon all day to know when the money will be distributed A few days ago be saw Mr . Brutton , the vestry clerk , who stated that there were about 1 , 000 in the bouse , and 1 , 300 who receive out-door relief . ( Several exclaimed , " Nearly 3 , 000 ; " ) and a weaver Bald that Barton , the relieving officer , informed him a few weeks ago that there were above 2 , 000 receiving out-deor relief .

      Mr . Fox said , that a fortnight ago there were 854 in the house . He believed the out-door relief was about

      3 , 000 . Several weavers addressed tbe chair , after which the report was unanimously received ; when , thanks being passed to tbe Chairman , who replied , the meeting broke up .

      Untitled Article

      STATE OF THE COUNTRY . Gentlemen , —Since I last wrote about the distress at Mansfield , some of the operatives have returned to work or rather half employment . Others are still employ ed at the Bat tile whither their necessities placed them . And now I will glance at the sufferings endured by my fellow townsmen during the last seven or eight months . The Guardians as I before asserted refused to allow outdoor relief to any but married men with families , and tbe relief allowed was utterly insufficient for the support of their families . Very many refused to go at all , and endured all the miseries of their fate at home .

      Some have cultivated small plots of Forest ground and have grown crops of potatoes , and this has been the fare of many families to every meal for many a day . I shall never forget a scene that I was made the spectator of : —A family of six persons had had the swinish fare above noticed , for four days successively when one day they were at dinner ; after the meal , the mother fetched the remnant of a small loaf out and snared it amongst her children , reserving the smallest share for herself . I am personally acquainted with a man and his wife , who have had only a quarter of a stone of floor per week , for a many weeks past .

      Begging has been the order of the day ; scores of parties of from two to six , or seven , have distributed themselves up and down the country , humbly asking for a trifle to just spin out life , upon whom , if brigand laws had not interposed betwixt them and nature ' s ordinations , themselves and their starving families might be living in health and plenty upon the uncultivated park , and thinly-manned farms , through which they passed in their amateur mendicant excursions . I cannot refrain from expressing my surprise at the

      almost entire absence of sympathy on the part of tbe wealthier portion of our towns peop le . At a meeting of a few benevolent and influential gentlemen , ( last noticed ) a deputation from themselves waited upon those public functionaries whose especial duty it Is to manage towns' meetings , and wished to call a pnblio meeting for the purpose of devising some means for meeting the exigencies of the case ; but they refused to call the meeting . A requisition , got up by Borne working men , and signed by a Magistrate , for the same purpose , had no better success .

      Untitled Article

      Amidst some kind and sympathising individuals there were some who"Xflre the rede Corinthian boor , Against the houseless stranger shut the door . " One man of this sort , a parson , living at a Tillage nek many miles frem Mansfield , actually slammed his door in the faee ef fin highly respectable working men whilst they were respectfully sitting their case ; and these men actually returned home with twopooe each , after a day ' * exposure to the most inclement weather : they were all married men . forking men are often taunted with their immo : raiitles and their ignorance . I should like to know how many of those bewailers of onr moral aberations , were they in like circumstances , would be better specimens of human greatness ?

      There has been an immense amount of unseen suffering and out-of-slght misery endured in this neighbourh ood , and when the thousand little sympathies that bind a man to his own fireside , and make life worth living , are broken ; when the rnddj glow of health forsakes the cheeks of his half-starved children , when he . has to meet the mournful eye of her who has pinched herself in order that her children might know somewhat less of want ; and when tbe many discomforts of his wretched cellar-house , where rags and fiithand poverty are his lot , instead of the joyous smiles of happy children , and the kindly sympathies of an affectionate wife , with the plenty that nature sent for all , is it surprising under tnfese circumstances' that he should resort to the pot-house to drown all remembrance ef his woes , in the most vicious and criminal pursuits .

      And yet the distress that now obtains in all our manufacturing districts , does but display the sufferings of the useful classes in a little bolder relief . We have been for years but just vegetating , and col * and selfish calculations about how we should get over the next day have

      " Kepress'd our noble rage , And froze the genial current of tbe souL " The higher ends of our existence have been forgotten amids £ tbe crime and turmoil that society has forced us into ; but notwithstanding the degradation im which what are called the higher classes have plunged as , we have been visited by some glimmerings of the great and good , and , despite our distresses , nothing can divert us from the pursuit of our full rights . In answer to the crotchets of expediency-mongers , tbe people , ia a voice of thunder , demand their Charter , as the first , tbe only thing they will contend for : and the wrongs that crush us , though they are keen to bear , yet evea they point out the ephemeral character of the horrid system that entails them ; and they clearly foreshow the coming—the speedily coming time when the present barbaric Btate of society shall be matter of history , until historians shall refuse to record ita crimes . I am , Sir ,

      Your obedient servant , j . W . Smith Ratcliffe-gate , Mansfield .

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      ADDRESS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL COUNCIL TO THE CHARTISTS OF SHEFFIELD . 11 Awake I arise I or be for ever fallen I " Bk-other Democrats , —Appointed by tbe National Charter Association to watch over tbe safety , and do all that in our power lies to promote the success , of the democratic cause in this district , we deem it our duty is briefly addr * ee you , shewing the necessity of immediate exertion -on your part to place Sheffield in that position which , as one of the principal Jrfves of British industry , it ought to occupy in the glorious movement now extending 'through 'the length and breadth of the land—a movemaat for the establishment of the rights of our order , and the restoration of national greatness and . prosperity , based upon the equal lights and equal enjoyments of all .

      Brothers , the kite Ceneral Election saw the wretched Whig faction driven from power , and for ever destroyed as a party . Their end was just—their doom well-merited : they had betrayed and insulted the people ; and when , in ttiie hour of their need , the miserable hypocrites appealed for help to tthose whom in the . plenitude of their power they had trampled upon , the derisive laugh of a nation ' s scorn w . i * the only answer ^ given : the tricksters of 1831 perished , and one national shout of exaltation hailed their fall . Then was restored to power the Tory faction , the conservators of , because the profiters by , every abuse . If the Tories imagUed that ( because the people rejected

      the Whigs they ( thepeople ) had any love for tbe rival faction , miserably bare tbey deceived themselves , as the future will . show . No ; had rthe people possessed legislative power they would have driven both factions to destruction . Not possessing that power , they destroyed the traitor parts , leaving enly the avowed supporters of tyranny to battle with ; tbe party with whom there cm be no compromise , who will themselves be crushed striving to uphold the present canibal system : or , conquering us will being tbe now aroused millions under a military despotism , from which thete will be no escape but by and through a straggle , such as the heart and the mind sickens to contemplate , and instinctively prayeth may never come .

      Are we mistaken as to the character of the ruling faction ?—No . Without reverting to their former deeds , without rehearsing tbe bloody records of tbe past , a glance at one or two of the leading members of the cabinet , will show the real character of the present Government Who is the Dute of Wellington ? Who ? Let the tens of thousands of victims of kingcraft and aristocracy who sleep 'neath the blood-stained sod of Europe ' s fields , and Asia ' s plains , answer . Who Is Sir Robort Peel ? " One ( to quote a certain writer ) of tbe most Jesuitical and of heartless men . He hates and despises tbe people , store cordially than even the vilest ef tbe vile Whigs . He is a man without heart , without human sympathy , without any political affection in common with the masses of humanity around him . He may be said to embody all tbe bad qualities of both factions , and the good of neither . " We need proceed no further with our description of the present Government , save but to remind

      you of tbe Duke of Wellington ' s ignorant and heartless assertion , that there was no distress in the country ! And that every man who chose to labour might earn a sufficiency of the necessaries and comforts of life ! The tery reverse of this being as notorious as the su at noonday . To which wemay add the arrogant declaration of the Duke of Richmond , to the effect , that the power that made should unmake the present Government , unless that Government did the work of the landed aristocracy I Are ye Englishmen , and blush not to bear this aristocratic insult , that it is not ye , the people , that make the Government , but your lordly oppressors ? And told this , too , by one who owes his titles and wealth , tbe power to starve English paupers , and grind Highland serfs , to the fact of tbe first noble mother of his line having been the accommodating mistress of a royal debauchee ; to tbe arrogant tyranny of such shall we patiently submit ? Forbid it , Heaven ! Forbid it , every remembrance of our sires' deeds . '

      " We have too long Knelt at eur proud lords' feet ; we have too long Obeyed their orders , bo-wed to their caprices—Sweated for them the wearying summer ' s day , Wasted for them the wages of our toil ; Fought for them , conquered for them , bled for them , Still to be trampled on , and still despised ! But we will burst our chains . " From eucb a Government can we expect ought of goo d ? No , we turn with loathing disgust from tbi liberal knaves , who tell us t >> give Sir Robert Peel a fair trial . We call upon you to be up and doing , and be ready to oppose the measures of the Government , if

      when brought before the country , they are found t >> be as rumoured " national emigration , and tbe building of more barracks , " that is , transposition for those Who may be driven from home and kindred and bullets for those who may notl But , brothers , remembering the mistakes and failures of tbe past , let us , reaping wisdom from experience , fail not to combine prudence with determination in giving battle to the common foe ; we have to contend with a paity , crafty as well as cruel , cunning as well as strong . But , brothers , only Itt us be united and energetic , calm and resolute , and we may laugh the power of faction to scorn , and despite the strength of tyranny , win the freedom of our

      fatherland . We deeply regret the necessity we are under of telling you plainly , that hitherto , the Executive Council have not found that support on the part of the Chartists of Sheffield they had a right to expect Remember , brothers , 'tis not in the power of leaders , no matter bow talented , courageous , and incorruptible to accomplish of themselves a nation ' s regeneration . It is the severreign people , the mighty masses who must will by their apathy or energy , the slavery or freedom of our country . We have to complain that a considerable number of the association have fallen into arrears with their contributions . We know that this may , in a great measure , be attributed to the want of employment in tbe

      town . But , as it is necessary for the carrying on of the agitation with vigour , as well as to ascertain the real strength of the association , that the said arrears should be obtained , we have resolved to send a circular to each member indebted to the association , stating the amount by him due , and fixing a limited time far the payment of the same ; where , owing to the want of employment or other causes , inability to pay maybe shewn , we shall be ready to extend the time specified in the circular . If there is any man whose name is enrolled on our lfct , who will neither make good bis arrears , n « r state why be ia unable to do bo , we shall consider that man to be no real Chartist , and as such unworthy to have his name longer on our roll .

      We now turn to these who , professing the principles of Chartism , have not as yet joined the ranks of the National Association . Brothers , we appeal to you to shake off yonr apatby , aad at once enlist under our banner . He who is aet for os it agJnsfc as . In your countless thousands ye thronged the streets to welcome , and hailed with rapture every word from the lips of your champion , O'Connor ; that undaunted advocate of the poor man ' s rights will shortly again visit your town . Come , then , join the Association , and prove to O'Connor , that his past labours have not bees la vain ,

      Untitled Article

      During the week of the Christmas holidays , we shall take active and energetic measures for obtaining signatures to the -National Petition . In , the meantime the names of persons holding sheets tat signatures will be found in another column of theSter . Lectures are delitered every Sunday eventa * ¦**•« - past six o ' clock , In the Asssodation Room , Fig Treelane . Meetings are also held in the same place every Monday and Tuesday evenings , when new members at * enrolled , and every information as to the rules of too Association given . : _ - ' Upon the necessity of signing the National Petition and supporting the forthcoming Convention , we shall hereafter address you . By order of the Committee , Gbobge Julian Habnet , Sub-Secretary . Sheffield , Deo . 13 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      BRUTAL MURDER AT ST . HELEN'S . It is our painful duty to record the facts of a moat diabolical and barbarous murder which has been committed on a highly-respectable fanner residing at Rainford , about two miles from St . Helen's , whose nama was Henry Grayson . About five o ' clock on Sunday morning , a man , employed as ostler by the Denton ' s-green Brewery Company , was proceeding to his stables , when be discovered the body of a man lying in the centre of the highway , and bis suspicion was that he was drunk and asleep . He , however , raised him ap ; aad , finding him Incapa ble of either speaking or helping himself , carried him into a barn Immediately adjoining , which belongs to tha landlord of the Gerard's Arms public-house , DeBtoH ' sgreen . There the man left him , suppoiisghe was still

      asleep , but returned some time after with a lanthern , when be found that he bad been dreadfully wounded in bis bead and other parts of his body , and if not then dead , was utterly insensible . He immediately gave the a \ axm , asdaaalBtanee waa pvywred ; but tl » rafcitaLnate gentleman was dead before it could be of any avail . A report of the transaction was Bpeedily con * veyed to Captain Woodford , the Commander of the County Constabulary Force , whose head quarters are at Preston , asd who lost no time in repairing to the scene of murder and outrage , for the purpose of rendering advice and direction . The result of his exertionB , together with those of Superintendent Storey , of the St Helen ' s division , is , that six persons , who are supposed to be implicated in tbe inhuman and bloodthirsty deed , are in custody .

      The following are tbe particulars of this dreadful deed : —The deceased , Mr . Henry Grayson , was a highly respectable farmer , residing at Rainford , a village about four miles from St Helen ' s . ' He was about sixty-four years of age , and was reputed to be worth considerable property , some say to the amount of £ 200 a year .. Part of this property consisted of cottages in St . Helen's , the rents of which be was in the habit of collecting weekly , and for that purpose he generallyatteaded every Saturday . On Saturday he was in St Helen's , and had called on several of his tenants , but so far as it is at present ascertained he had only received , in the course of the day , the sum of 12 s . 4 d . Between eight and sine o'clock he was seen in a beer house in the town , and in the course of conversation with Borne persons who were

      aware of his resldeuce and the road he had to traverse , knowing also of a gang of poachers , reputed bad characters , who were in the habit of frequenting that part of the country , he was cautioned to desist from his common practice of returning home at such late hours , as , in all probability , on some occasion the " long company , " as the gang in question are generally designated , would attack and rob him ; but so little suspicion had he of such an occurrence taking place , that , in reply to the caution , his observation waa , " Oh , no ; I know them all ; they'll not meddle with me . " He left the beer-bouse between eight and nine o ' clock , and called on a respectable tradesman , with vhose family he remained until about midnight , and partook of supper with them . He was seen about one o ' cloc k at t he

      door of the King ' s Head public . house , in the company of a friend , knocking for admission , by a policeman on bis beat Tbe polieeman went to the place , but , seeing who they were , left them , without addressing them at all As be was going away he beard some one belonging to the house say that unless they wished to stay all night they could not be admitted . Shortly afterwards he was observed on the highway , leading towards Rainford , apparently sober . This is supposed to have been tbe lost time ha was seen alive , except , perhaps , by the assassin or assassins ; for , about half-past four in the moruing , th e body w a s fo und l ying in the m i ddle of the road , in such a dreadfully mangled state that it could not be recognised , even by those who knew him . The place where the horrid crime was committed is

      called DeEtJii ' fl Green , about a mile from St Helen's , almost in the centre of the village , and within fifty yards of the Gerard ' s Arms Inn . It ia . evident thct either the deceased had been instantaneously deprived of uttsrance , or the storm , which was raging at tbe time , bad prevented his cries frem being beard , for so one in tbe neighbourhood was disturbed until the corpse was discovered . It was found that on the forehead , immediately above tbe aose , a wound was inflicted with ' ffome blunt instrument , which had broken the sfcxU and penetrated the brain . On the back part of the bead was' another wound which had also broken the bone ot the i < kull and penetrated the brain , and the right eye was bu'rst and forced from its position by another blow ot fa *) assassin . But as if the demons in human shape , for U ** on * could hardly suppose them , were not satisfied w / th taking away the life of their victim , they proceed- ** to further violence , for bk

      right shoulder was dislo cated , and six of bis ribs on the right aide , and four on t ^ ' side , were broken , and forced into the lungs . TL « deceased , it would appear , from the gfate of the road , * nd the filth which covered him , must have had a feai . ^ struggle with his murderers , and it ia supposed w . ^ acquainted with all ei some of them . His pocket ' * were all rifled , and the right hand breeches pocket * " ««» turned insideout , and the lower part of it cut off , » DU * " known that they oould not have obtained mote tnan 1 Os ot I 2 " * booty , in silver and copper , and t * ' 8 lga 11 the property that was taken away , so that the . * » nothing which can be identified as belonging to h . '**• So exceedingly cautious had the murderers been i * fcbeir conduct to the d e ad , " that his pocket-handkei "chief , which probably might have been recognised , \* us found thrown into the ditch at the road side , a few y . wds from where the body was found .

      In the course of Sunday morning , M r ; Storey succeeded in apprending two men on susj > tel ° > named Thomas Meadowcroft and Isaac Jacques , » ithin a short distance of deceased's residence . On tfao sma -V clothes of the former were marks of blood about the ki * » which had evidently been attempted to be obliterated I 7 scraping with a kaife or aorne such instrument , and in L k pocket was found a large clasp knife on which were "narks of blood . When they were about to be conveyed to P » son , Jacques was abeut to csmruunicte something , b ^* , was prevented by his companion , and he afterwards dt ^»»« d making any statement at present , although he sa ^ bad something important to communicate . Since k * en » four other persons have been apprehended , whose na , t * * - are Robert Wood , Charles Wo " bd , William Jacques , a ?* Patrick M'Caddon , all part of the gang of poachers abo ** referred to . Thay have all been identified as being L * the neighbourhood within a short time of the murder .

      As a proof of the perfectly reckless character of the gang mentioned above , the following particulars , which bave since come to our knowledge , are given , and will afford a melancholy illustration . On Sunday evening Superintendent Storey met three of them on the road between St . Helen's , and the place where the murder was committad , whom be stepped and searched , but finding nothing on them except some gins , which they admitted they were going to set for bares , he allowed them to depart Within two hours after this a poor labourer was knocked down on the road by three men , robbed of bis little all—half a sovereign—which he was conveying home to his family , and thrown into the ditch . It happened , however , that the party robbed was well acquainted with one of the robbers , -whom he has since identified , and who proves to be part of the same gang—a person named Peter Woods , brother to one of the prisoners in custody , on suspicion of the murder .

      Untitled Article

      Voracious Pike , —A singular instance of the voracity of the pike occurred on the subsiding of the flood from the footpath adjoining Mr . Oldham ' s mill , a few days since . Some lads were engaged in play , and dabbling with their naked feet in the waters overflowing the banks of the Learn , when one of the juvenile party was seized by the foot bv a pike of about 41 b . weight ; and such was the tenacity with which this tyrant of tbe watery element kept its hold , that it was with no little difficulty the boy succeeded in shakieg it off , which having at length accomplished , he carried it to the domicile of his parents , where it formed part of the family meal » few hours afterwards . —Manchester paper .

      Coming to ths Poist . —A . jouns ; gentleman , whose extreme bashfulnesa might otherwise cause serious embarrassment to the fair , takes the following very modest means of breathing hid sighs through the columns of the Carmarthen Journal : — "Open to all South Wales . —Wanted , by a handsome young gentleman of nineteen ( whose bashfulness has caused him to adopt this mode of courtship ) , an object of affection . She most be pretty , not very tall , accomplished , fond of music , and have a good voice of her own ; her age from seventeen to twenty-five . Money of no consideration . Address ( post-paid ) to The utmost secrecy observed , P . S . —Any lady wishing to embrace the present opportunity will meet with an affectionate lover , and , perhaps , wealthy husband . "

      Melancholy aicd Fatal Accident . —On Thursday evening the master of the Kirkcaldy packet , sailing between Leith and that place , fell into Kirkcaldy harbour , between eight and nine o ' clock , and as the night was very dark , bo one saw the acoideat , but his cries for assistance brought David Hogg , one of the men belonging to the flory boat , to the spot , whose endeavours , we regret to say , in rendering asaistanoe , terminated in both being drowned . The captain ' s body was found the same evening , and that of Hogg the next morning . The captain , whose name is Robert Graham , perished within 200 yards of his own house , and we understand has left a widow and three children to deplore bis loss . Hogg has left a widow and eight children . Caledonian Mercury ,

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      THE NORTHERN STAR . 7 * T *^~ " ^ S »»»^ j . _ ¦ "_ _ " ^ ~ " ^ ™ ^ * ' ¦ ¦ ¦ " — ¦ -i ^ |_ . ' I 11 _ , , . - I - ' "' ' ^^ —^^^—^ M _ . II 1 K

      Untitled Article

      TO THB KDITOS OF THE NORTHERN STAB . SlB ., —As no doubt many of our friends in Scotland are awaiting in anxious suspense , for communications from Mr . O'Brien , he being unable in consequence of the bad state of his health , to write them , you will greatly oblige tbe above gentleman and his Scottish friends , by inserting the following letter in the Northern Star . "Jours , very sincerely . Dckcan Nicholson . Aberdeen , December 3 d . 1841 . P . S . The following is a copy of tbe letter received by me , from J . B . O'Bdea . D . N .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 18, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct733/page/7/