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Northern Star (1837-1852), 5th March 1842, Edition 4 of 7, Page 8

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    • SECOND EDITION
    • NEW YORK PACKETS;
    • Leeds :—Printed for tie Pioprietor -FBABflUS
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      THE VESSELS selected to form this Line are all American built , and of the first and largest Class , ar d are commanded by Men of acknowledged Skill and Talent , thoy Sail punctually at fixed periods , ( Wind and Weather permitting , ) and are not surpassed , if equalled , by any other Ships in the Trade . Passengers will find the Accommodations in Cabin , Second Cabin , and Steerage of the most puperior Order . Families can have Private State Rooms . Passengers are allowed their Expenses if detained after the Day appointed for sailing . The following Ships will be despatched in MarohV

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      MR . JAMES LEACH , of Manchester , wishes thus publicly to announce that he has become Agent for the sale of the Vindicator , Commontvealthsmah , Chartist Circular , and all the London Weekly Periodicals , and can supply News Venders on the-. same terms as any other Agent . Persons giving orders for the same must address for him at No . 110 , Tib-street , Manchester . He wishes further to inform his Chartist Friends and the Public generally , thai ha has opened a Shop for the Sale of STATIONERY ARTICLES , and engages to execute orders for Printing , Boekbinding , and Ruling ' Also Picture Frames , on the most prompt ani reasonable terms . : P . S . The first ' number of the Commonteeailhsmio * Edited by Messrs . Bairstow and Cooper , will , in lts improved shape , be out this week . ^

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      REFORMERS OF ALL CREEDS , CLASSES , AND OPINIONS—Should promote the « fculation of the National Associatiom Gazbt ^ which advocates cheap , jpst and popi / lab Government—the political , social and mobal inJP «> ve ' ment of the People ^ -the Universal Edueation or the Millions , —the Equal Rights of Women ,- — ^ the Abolition of all Monopolies , Legisl » M ^» Clerical , and Commercial . It is published WeeVJ * PRICE l ^ d . > y ^ n ^ By H . Hetherington , 13 and 14 , WaeW *? Court , Fleet Street , and Sold by all Booksdlers m Town or Country , w ,

      Second Edition

      SECOND EDITION

      Untitled Article

      BXSISIN"GHA 2 X . GREAT CHARTIST HEETIXQ IN THE TOWN

      TTAT . T ,. One of the roosi numerous meetings ever held in this Town Hall , took place on Wednesday evening last , which for order , unanimity , and enthusiasm ^ has never been surpassed . The meeting was " originally intended to take place at eleven * o'clock , bu ! although the use of the room had been kindly granted by the High Baiiiff . yet as a poll for the church-rate question was being carried on in the body of the Hall , it could no : be procured until four o ' clock , a : which , time ths poll closed fcr the day . The Ccminittee , therefore , resolved to hold tne meeting at six o'clock , for tha accommodation of the working men .

      Tae meeting vras called by requisition to the Mayor , signed by nin > t : ? n AWcrmen and Town Coaneillors , and 35 ^ ckciors andhouseholder ? . The deputation from the " Cominrtee , composed of members of the Chartist Association , waued several tinie 3 on the Mayor , and ultimately received a very iiisjlen ; letter , refusing 10 caJl ihe meeting aud stating that he had doutts of the " legality" of the Karional Charter Association . The rcquisitionis ^ s there-fore caused Jar ^ e placards to be posted , announcing ihe meeting , to which the names of 10 U elec : ors were atucaei , and si ; fuifyijjg that Feargus O'Connor , E 50 ., aud ovher friends of the people wonld address the meeting .

      The Com-iittee mtt in the Town Hall at five o ' ciosk ; and , after ice Snal arrangements had been Esadcs , the doors Were thrown open to the public . The Hall , capable of holding 10 , 000 people , wss splendidly h ^ iiieJ , and various flags wera" extended from the galleries . Frost ' s Committee caused two to be suspended from the great gallery , on cna or ¦ whi ch was the following motto : — " We meet to secure the return of Frost , TVillisins , asd Jones . " A beautiful Union Jack was suspended in front of the hustings , and the besmiful banner of the National Charter Association , with the emblem on the Association ccos painted on it in excellent sivle , ¦ was hoisted over the Chairman—the whole having a most splendid appearat : ee . The . Comrsiitf-e deserve infinite crerfis for the manner in which the whole business was arranged .

      At half-pass five the tail b ; gm to fill rapidly . The galleries were soon crowded , and the immense building was Slisd at a quarter pas * six . Mr . Pags , town councillor , wa . ? unanimously called to tha chair , and was received with loud cheers . He said it wa ^ wi : h feelings of great pleasure he ross for the purpose -of addressing them on the subject of the People's Charter , which wa 3 so dear to them all , and he hoped to see the day when all classes wonld espouse iis just principles . . The subject on which they had met was nor a narrow one , it was one on which ths welfare of the nation and the happiness of all classes essentially depended

      —( cheers . ) Suppose the Queen was to adopt those principle ? , she would endear herself to the' people ; and if the Government were to lake thesi up , they would be rewarded with an approving conscience , and confer a blessing on their country . There should be no division on this question between the middle and working classes , as thev were equally interested in carrying it into effect . Tiere was one elass of society whose du ; y it was above all othera to assist them on the present occasion , bus they held aloof from ihose rhrouga whom they derived their influence . He meant the preachers of the gospel . The Charter vr& 3 founded on th ± truths laid down in the

      gospel , and was therefore worthy of their attention . 'Ihe gospel even went further ihin the Charter , for it inculcated the doctrines of love and mercy ——{ Mr . O'Connor made his appearance at this part of the business , and was received by the most enthusiastic cheers , ten times repeated . The scene was truly astonishing ; every part of the immense baild . ng being crowed to suffocation ; in fact , it was admitted by all to be the largest meetic ^ ever held in the Town Hall . ) The Chairman then dwelt at great len ^ rh oa the truths laid down in the Bible as a reason why re igious teachers should advocate the People's Charter , and concluded amidst loud eheors

      The Chairman then introduced ilr . John Hhsoa , to propose the first resolution . Mr . Masox then came forward and said , —Mr , Qairman , and Men of Birmingham , I feel proud of the honour conferred on " me , to move this resolution , and fspecially so , when I reflect on the great character , associated with the came and exertions of the Birmingham people . Whe . a he ( Mr . Masot ) witnessed ihe immense assembly then before him , when he reflected en their condition and suffering , and contrasted those with their ingenuity aad laborious habits—™ hen he rcSected 02 the affluence of tbs idle , and contrasted it with the indigence of theindnstricus—TfLen herefltcted on ths resources of these

      realms , ana tae masses of wealth which sprung from the fingers of the valuable artisans , and contracted it w : ta thtir nohappy homes 83 id starving children , it w&s certain the . government muit iave robbed them to an awful extent . ( Loud cheering ) If , saivi he , we survey past history , what a scene does it present . The happiness of nations and empires immolated to promote the gl-irj uf conquerors , or the ambition of monarch * , ana the pomp , the equipage , the exuava ^ ance , of heartless aristocracies —( cheer ? . ) Ar-d why ! because those great rights we this r- 'slit assert as the icali ^ able rights of man , "have aot b : ca established as the basi 3 of civil government . If mankind had enforced those lights , cauld an

      Alexander have inimdaied this miijuinceiit . gk-ba with bk-odj to gratify-the inhuman desire of glory I No ! M-m would have resisted the desolating progress of unnecessary wars , and hare main ; a . 3 ed the supremacy of government—( loud chu--rs . ) Review the hisiory of ihe Bniish axistccra .-y and their crimes against suffering humanity , when France rose an' ! overixsw the regime of { hi priveleg ? d orders , and proclaimed her liberty I" Did not- the aristocracy of this coanwy plange us for yeai-3 into a war ¦ with the bra ^ s French people , wasted the treasure our industry had created , and compelled us to pour forth car blood to crash the rising Iibeit ; e 3 of tha * great people—( cheers . ) Bat ths ' day is pa . it when they could make us Ihe means to execute their

      TiHanons designs—( hear . ) We are now too intclligem . We assemble in the exalted character of men to demand justice ; every feeling which dignifies man , and ennobles his nature , animates us in the accomplishment of this glorious un dertaking . We ( said Mr . M . ) have suffered much in this struggle ; tnt , certain of the justice of our prisciples ,- we did not shrink : no dungeon has terrors for the patriot . It has sealed the triumph of those principles—( cheers . ) Lord John Russell tiff , red us cheaper bread ; but our reply was , " We demand justice i " This offer could not seduce us from our cause , even when suffering ; the working men were too intelligent . They have been betrayed ; they never will be bo again —( Hear , hear ) . Ko , we will have nothing

      Ies 3 than that liberty Gcd has conferred on manthat liberty no man has authority to violate . But they say the working men are not educated . Why ? because they are stripped of those rights ¦ which should secure to them the advantages of superior education . Why are ihe otter classes in possession of this attainment 1 Because they enjoy those rights so uEJustly withheld from us . Again , they say we have no property ; bat why arc we without prdpertj It i 3 our industry which has given esiitence to every fraction possessed by the propertied classes . We demand the Charter 10 enjoy the privilege of acquiring property , as well as those who have accumulated so much—( cheers ) . Is it not our toil which has cultivated their vast estates , and stamped value on the

      soil ! Ib it not our toil which has opened up the stupendous railways , with all facilities of transit ? Is it not our toil which has erected oar' large and magnificent cities ! Is it not our toil which ha 3 filled the warehouses with the richest of manufactures t Is it noi our toil which has erected the navy that guards our shores ? Yes , we are the source or British wealin and greatness ; and shall we toil and perish ? No ; heaven has stamped a nobler character in the breast of man—( cheers . ) We hoped , when the middle classes acquired th ; ir enfranchisement , that some great reforms would be effected ; it has faVTed to confer the benefits anticipated . And snre 3 y , we did not expect they should cf £ sr 50 many oppositions to the enfranchisement of ns the working men ; but . the day 13 now armed "when every class must blend their exertions for the redemption of ' our common couatrr—( . tremendous cheers . ) The interests of

      all would be promoted by the establishment of the Charter—the interest of ail are suffering without it . Bnt if wo are tohave a nnion , let it be an honourable one . It musS ; be for the Charier , the whole Charter . Mr . Sturge had proposed complete suffrage . He hoped no attempt would mutilate their ( the Chartists ) principles . He admired the men who would step forth to aid the working men in this straggle . It was a proof of great benevolence when men of rank and wealth came forward , to advocate the claim of their fellow-citizens , aid whatever had occurred , he ( Mr . M . ) was tolling to forget for ever , when justice was made jfne basis of an honourable union , amongst all classes—( Loud cheers . ) He would now read the resolution , and begged leave most respectfully to move it . He hoped the day was cot far distant , when all classes would m&et to celebrate the jubilee , the freedom and redemption ef this mishtj empire—( loud cheer ? . )

      Mb . Follows seconded the reselniion . Heheaztilj approved of its contents , and should not trespass oz their time , as so many able advocates of the peeple ' i © anse had to address them . He would tnexefoxi content himself with seconding the resolution . Fka&gus O'Cokkob , Esq . then stood forward t < sapport the resolution . He was received witl deafening cheer ? , waving of hats and handkerchiefs and every possible demonstration of attachment which continued for several minutes ; when orde : was restored , he commented at some lengthy on th resolution , and then said who will deny-itspro priety ! Let every man in this meeting who doe not consider himseJf entitled to , or capable of ex ersisiag the right of Suffrage , hold up his righ

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      hand . What ! not one hand held up ! and scarcely a voter amongst you , and all considering themselves entitled to it ! Now , are you not slaves and bondsmen \ Englishmen ! ronse then , tear the slave mark from your foreheads , and if yon wish for freedom , declare yourselves freemen . —( loud cheering . ) How do we fctand to-night i What is our position now ? and what wa 3 it before the rrajority of 123 ! For seven long years we were outcasts ; our principles repudiated , and their advocates spit upon % while now , the ' same advocates of the same principles , are courted by tho very men who prosecuted us—( loud chf 3 rs)—and the very factions that contended against tboso principles now profess to be converts to them ; but take care , and be

      ware ! Their conversion is too sudden to be em cere ; and , if they do join in the movement , let them fall iiuo the shafts , wMia you remain in the traces ; and , I as a wagsroner , keep those behind up to the collar—( great cheers , and laughter . ) They will chatter foi the Charter , if they can use you as Chartists to effect their own purposes ; but , if once you merge your strength iuto their factious agitation , having achieved their cbjeet , they will ?~ suredly thrcv you overboard— ( cheers . ) To obviate this is my duty , and shall bo mv cart —( loud cheers . ) If they could get rid of Ftargu ? , they foolishly suppose that they cuuld waro the public mind to

      factious purposes ; but they shan't get rid of Fcirgus —( Tremendous cheering , and cries of " no , never . ") I rc-iiiud myself of tho old Irish lady ' s red cat . ( Roars of laughter . ) It' a jngwas missing , Molly , says tne lady , wheTe ' s the blue jus ; ? Wisha , Gcd knows , your honour ; but that thief of a red cat broke it " , ( llane- ^ ed laughter . ) Molly , where ' s the little brswn jng 1 Why , then , I declare but that red divll of a cat made smthcresnsof it . ( Convulsive Idughter . ) Well , at la . ' . ' t the old lady w ; is ubii ^ ed to give the red cat to a n ? : ghbour ; and , but sure the tsy-pot was missiug . Weil , it was the red i * a . t cuin back and broke the tay-pot . ( B- "ars of laughter . ) At last it . waa decided that the red cat should bo killed .

      And another jug was broke . Molly , who done that ? says the Mistress . Wisfca , God knows , your honour , bu : it was that divil of a cat that cum to life again ; and sure I always hear they had nine lives , but I never believed it before . ( Immense laughter . ) Well now , I am the red cat , and if you are sold , it ' siha red cat ; and if there ' s physical force , it ' s . he red cat ; and if there ' s a broken mug or a broken head , it's all the red cat , but believe me if the red cat W 2 S gone to-morrow , ths heads would be broke ; for as long as corruption livis , there will beared bull in the china shop- ^ Ciremtndous laughter ) . Now , do away With corruption , and then thoy nerd neither fear tho cat or tho bull ; but until that is done , Feargas will be the bull in their china shop —( great

      cheeritig ) Now , come , continued Mr . O'Qmnor , let us so fairly into tho account and examine the bargain that is to be struck . The Cors Lasv Repealers say " join us . " " Dona ! " say we , " that is what we want ; come along for the Charter . " "No , " say they , " we only waut a repeal of the Com Laws , and wish to obtain your assistance to effect it "—( cheers , and" Ay 3 , that ' s it . ") "Aye , " says I , " but that's not not fair ; you ask for union , while ycur terms are compromise , and a'l the compromise upon our part . Now we dunt ask you to give up a pin ' s point of your principles , and why should you ask us to surrender ours ?"— ( cheer .-, aiid " We never will . ") Now when an Irishman is about making a bargain , the puchaser says "

      Bunnayk ( / hnghe , that ' s value it—daughter)—and if tne vev . der says " very well , " the purchaser having so far beaten him down says , '' a ^ us . SknHerichee " that ' s divide it again ; so that you see if wo halved it , they would quarter it , and in the end we thould not know our om child —( cheers . ) No , no , working men , we have often been about the thing , but now we are about to do the tbiag , and its the vsry thing they have always dreaded—( kud cheers , and hear)—and now let us see what the thing will do ; it will simply do this . It wiil increase and multiply the produce of that land which is now locked up by the restriction of landlords ; while it will cause a more equitable d ; siribntjon of that produce , and also of the wealth derived from our

      present system of artificial production —( lord cheerins , and ' That ' s it . ') Now , I will nhew you wherein lies your complaint . We will take one capitalist , Arxwright , who has made his all by machinery . Now , suppose Arkwr-ight to be worth fire mlilions of money , which he is , and more , and suppose that , in the accumulation of thai property , he employed one thousand hahds , and supposa Arfcwright ' s share to have been only a million ( pretty good for speculaiion ) , the other fuur millions divided amongst tbe thousand who made aii , would amount to £ 4 , 000 ahead , which , at five per cent ., weald be £ 200 a year for ever , as a retiring pensirn for the labourer—( irernenuous cheering ) But , alas , the labourer is never superannuated and

      receives no retiring salary , save that which tbe interior of the cold Bastiie affords , — ( aye , and shame)—and when the jolterheaded Kirg of Prussia landed upon the carpeted town of Greenwich , to witness the ceremony of the christening oca young Praico , he was shown Greenwich Hospital , the comfortable refuge for the retired sailor , and Chelsea Kospiu . 1 , tbs sweet retreat for the retired soJdfer , but they took him to no cold Basiilfc— that enamel house , where ha who supports all is doomed to eke out in sclitude premature old age , brought on by ihe heliibh lust of those who have crippled him in his youth , blasted his manhood , and then , last , wi : en he required solace , tore him from all that was dear io him . and ruthlessly consigned him to

      the tender mercies of the iell destroy tr—( Tremendous sensation ) . Aye , aye , these are things agiiinst which I war , and this is thesiate f ; um which , vith God's bless-in * , I will rtlease you . ( Great cheering . Mr . O'Connor ihen in a most cl (»^ and forcible manner shewed how the inu .-rcit 3 of tbe manufacturer by Bteam , and those of the shopkeeper , were at complete variance , while the interests of tlie shopkeeper and the working-men are so bound up together , that if the belly of the rue is empty , tbe till ef the other is sure to b 8 so too He then entered into an analysis of the whole Charter ; and shewed , to the satisfaction of the meeting , that to be complete i ; must be entire , and that any curtailment must stilt perpetuate the abomination of cliss legislation . Ha

      then let fly right and left at the Old Corporatiinmongers of Birmingham , who had fled from the people to enjoy the sweets of office . ( Great cheering . ) And now , baid he , having directed your attention to the question of English abuses , and the only means fur their destruction , let us see whether or no a mere Repeal of the Union , and an Irish Par-Jiament , withont the guarantee of the CharJer for its purity and jnst representation , wonld destroy any one of those grievances of which the Irish people jusiiy complain . Let us take the greatest grievance of all—the State Church—and sea how , without the Charter , the Irish Catholic people could destroy the nuisance . The Irish land is in possession of Protettmts , who look to the Church as a

      refuge for their de-titute , and the land is the thing that must confer the franchise ; and who amongst you is mad enough to suppose that the Protestant landed prcprie . or will allow bis Protestant land to be carved into Catholic votes , for the purpose of destroying his Protestant Church patronage—( hear , hear . ) Well , then how would the Charter destroy , the nuisance . Why , thus ; it would enfranchise the Catholic man , instead of the Protestant land—( tremendous cheering and " bravo . ") Now , just see what the Reform Bill haa done for Ireland . It has increased the clearance and depopulating sys : em from the mere dread of giving votes to Catholics . A Repeal of the Union without the Charter would considerably augment the practice . Whereas , if

      every hone 3 t Irish Catholic cairicd his title deed to the franchise aboat with his person , the laud having lost it representative quality , vengeance would lose its sting . The Catholic man would deal with the Protestant church as becometh justice , and the Protestant landlord well knowing that none were more industrious than the Catholic peasantry , would say , " Now that yon have the vote , come cultivate the land ; multiply and be fruitful , and replenish the earth "—( load and indescribable cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor then paid a most flattering compliment to the Chartists 01 London . He described , in animated and glowing term 3 , the glorious triumph of the men of Marylobone , and the no less splendid victory of the tailors on the same

      night ; and after entering into a clear and perspicuous illustration of the principles of Free Trade , he aroused every sympathy of his audience by a heartrending picture of the factory system , which he followed by an impassioned deccripuon of the sufferings 01 his countrymen at Rathcormac , and after swearing that Eagland should never have juBtice unless li eland had it at one and the same moment , ho coacluded thus : —Chartists cf Birmingham , 1 have stood by you long ; I have stood by you well ; and I will stand by you still , when the storm rages , when the tempest blows hardest , when the fury of the breath of contending factions swells the hurricane to its height , then you will Bee me at the helm proudly

      steering the vessel through the shoals , and if she should strike , so help me God , I will sink with the wreck —( the deadest silence was here followed by an outburst of the most general and enthusiastic applause it has ever been our lot to witness . ) The above is not even an outline of Hi . O'Connor's Bpeech , which was universally admitted to have been the most powerful of his many triumphs in Birmingham , and the question now throughout the town is , in the xmmtn of every middle class man , O'Connor has made the working classes too powerful for us , we must join them or surrender to the Tories . Mr . O'Connor addresses the people to night , at the Mechanics' Institute .

      The Chaiuhah then put the resolution , which was as follows : — Resolved— " That Governments ought to exist for the benefit cf the governed ; and that any deviation frem this principle is an infringemeat of the most sacred and inalienable rights of man , as thero can be no sufficient guarantee for liberty , life , or property without tho recognition of those fundamental principles . " That no portion of society had at an ; time a right to osurp authority which essentially belonged to the whole , unc " er pretence of superior wealth , or inteliigtnee : such usurpation being in fleet a dissolution of

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      the social comp-. ct , for where iiopv ?* ectidn- is given , no allegiance can reasonably be expected , - . " That , as the hiatory of the world , and past expe . lerca , clearly demonstrate that all irresponsible Government mato ess of their power for their owu aggrandkemeiit . It is thersfore necessary to the welll : ing cf tociet 7 that they should be made responsible to and hold their power from the wholg people , as the only guaranta for the honeat discbirge of the duties confided to them . " The resolution was carried unanimously amidst loud . cheers . ¦ The Chairman then called upon Mr . George White to move the second resolution .

      Mr . White was received with loud cheers . He said they had assembled that evening for the purpose of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the People ' s Charter ; and as the -resolution which ho had to propo ^ s referred to that document , he would endeavour to explain it to tho best of his ability—( a slight interruption was here manifested by a few persons under the gallery ) . Mr . White pro cr ; ded . He knew that considerable prejudico existed against hvm in the minds of Boms individuals , en account of what had formerly taken place in that hall ; but it should bo remembered that they were not met there that evening to indulge in paltry personal feoiing ; they were assembled for the purpose of endeavouring to remove tho evils which caused

      tens of thousands of their felfow creatures to be famished for want of tho common necessaries of lifo . If any man wished to reply to anything advanced by him , he would no doubt receive a fair and impartial hearing ; and , when that was the case , no man had any ri&ht to interupt another , but in all cases where a hearing was refused to any individual , they were justified in their interruption . The Chartist cause depended Eolely on frte discussion . Tbey admitted the right of all men to speak at their meetings , and 2 : e had no doubt their worthy Chairman would claim a hear ' iRg for any mau who might wjsh to state his sentiments—( cheere ) . Ho would , without further preface , enter on tho subject which he was appointed to lay before them . Some parties

      were now getting up a cry in favour of Universal Suffrage , no doi : b ; fancying thereby to entrap the working men , but , a moment ' s consideration would satisfy them that were every man to have a vote without the protection of the ballot , it would be a curse instead of a blessing , for -their employ era would be enabled to deprive them ? of tho means of living , were they to vote in opposition to his wishes , and were they to be possessed of the Baliot , they would then be no better for they would stiil be forced to elect either a Whig or a Tory , and he thought that no man of common sense would walk a yard to decide which faction should have the privilege of-robbing them , as the present property qualification would deprive them ol

      the power of making a- fair selection . They would thus see the indispensable necessity of haying those tlireo points of the Charter . And supposing them to be granted without the other point ; 1 , they would not secare a fu ! 3 , fair , a . id free representation of the people ; for , under tLe present system , Parliaments vni 3 liable to exist seven years : so that , if they once returned a man to represent them , no matter how they might object to his vo ; es , they would have uo power to remove him . They would , therefore , see tlie necessity of Annual Pavliamants . And if lhat were allowed there would still remain the injustice of small towns returning two Members , the same as the immense population of Manchester . Birmingham , Glasgow , and Leeds , thus establishing |

      the necessity for dividing tho cour . try into equal Electoral Districts according to the number of adult male ? in each District , giving to each 20 . 000 the power of returning one member to Parliament . No man could question tho justice of such a step . It therefore required no further explanation . He had thus clearly shewn the absolute necessity for the establishment of five points , and considered the sixth as the key-atone . One oJ the motto ' s of ifio Chartists was , " A fair day' 3 wages for a fair day ' s work , " and as the Charter would give them full power to choose any man whoso honesty and ability should cause them to select Liu afi thtir representative , they would see the necessity of paying him for his services , a 3 it would bo doing a diuu an injury to take

      him from his business without remunerating him for his services . ( Hear , htur , and loud cheering . ) Besides that , by paying him , they made him what a representative ought to be , namely , a servant to tho people instead oi being a master , as at pre&ent . He would advise the working men to examine tho Charter , to weigh it well , and they would find that ' . i any one point contained in it wero to be excluded it would not give them the necessary power to send men who would rr . ake laws for thuir benefit . Some people objected to Annual Parliaments , stating as u reason that it v . ould c ^ use turmoil aud confution , of course tupposiig that the business of elections

      would be a iistue of absurduies and intricases , as was the case with the Reform Bill , which neemed to be framed for the purpose of feeding a herd of briefless barristers , rather than benefitting tho people ; and in order to see the fallacy of ihis , ho referred them to the Charier itself , where they would find tho whole laid down in a clear , pcrepicsuous , and straightforward manner . In fact , he had never yet seoa a man who could ttsind before the public an <) object to any part of the Charter ; it would be therefore supeiiluous in him to occupy their time any further , as there were several other resolutions to be brought before them . Ilo would most cordially move the second resolution : —

      " ThaV as tbe Government of Great Britain haa proved itself inimicsi to the best interests of the nation , by the enactniert of unjust and arbitrary laws ; by . the contempt with which they have treated the lawful and reasonable pttitious of a suffering and oppressed people ; &r . d as the Rvfotin Bill has failed in remedying those grievances , it btixi 3 a heartless mockery of justice , inasmuch as the present , so called , House of Commong , is as corrupt as auy herttofore in existence , a majority of tent House being elected through tho influence of meat hers of tbe House of Peers , and a large portion through the instrumentality of wealthy individuals ; thereby proving a complete failure , « o far as tbe interests

      of the people are concfrned ; we are therefore of opinion , that nothing short of a complete cbunge in the constitution of that House can secure to tho whole people the blessings of &uif government , and the consequent happiness resulting therefrom ; and in order to secure those desirabl 9 objects we are determined to exert ourselves by all peaceful and legal means for the establishment of Universal Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , Vote by Ballot , Equal Representation , the Abolicien 01 the Property Qualification , and Payment of MtmbciH of Parliament for their services , as defined in the document entitled , the People ' s Charter ; ' and we solemnly pledge ourselves never to cease our exertions until the same be established as the law of this realm . " :

      Mr . Emes seconded the resolution . He thought that tho resolution which he had the . honour to second , was so well explained , that little would be required from him . Hia voice was not very strong , but he would endeavour to make himself heard , lie had now been forty years before them , they had an opportunity of judging uim , and it was liis pleasure to be able to say that he had always advocated those pr inciples . He then entered into an exposition of the conduct of tho parties who had formerly pretended to be the people ' s friends . He gave a

      pathetic description of the people ' s suffdrings ; and hoped the time was not far distant when those parties who had formerly left them , would return and take their place in the ranks of the people . He had always held thoso principles , and always should ; he was then seventy-tour years of age , and would hold firm by the principles of the Charter ; believing it to be the only means of delvverint ; the people from the miseries they so uajustly endured . Mr . Ernes made several other observations and concluded amid loud cheers . - . -

      The Chairman then introduced Mr . Baibstw , of Leicester , to support the resolution , who was received with loud and long continued cheering ' , and '* poke as follows : —Men of Birmingham , this is tha first ti * ae I ever stood before you , I embrace as a moat fitting occasion for the exchange of mutual congratulation , as well as for taking a review of our pa ^ t , and rejoicing in the present proud position we . occupy , ( cheers . ) Why do I see this vase ocean of intelligence , this undistinguishable mass of heads . 'beipro me \ Why have you left your cottages to assemble hero ? Why is the dinsry charnel house of poverty vacant and noiseless 1 To what shall I attribute the commotion of this world of human beinga—this intense interest felt in politics , but to the face that you arrived

      at the conclusion , thai until you take your affairs into your own hands you will ever be sacrificed at the shrine of class cupidity , or Bectional interest 1 The reason why you have lett your homos—have denied domestic felicity its teinpory gratification , is because the source of social happiness has been dried up ; your homes have been blighted into barrenness .-your hopes have been first daiiied with by faction , then delayed and betrayed ; and , anon , blasted for ever . ( Cheering . ) Yee , my friends , I see here before ma to-night , the effect of that master curse , that demon-Cerberus , clasa legislation—( cheers)—but I see , likewise , the very spirit in this vast assemblage that will ultimately overcome , the baleful cause of its existence , "for poverty ere it be quite overthrown , shall prove itself yet valiant "—( cheers ) The resolution i hold in my hand charges the present Government with as much corruption , and of

      being as inimical to the peoples interests as any that ever existed . In that condemnation he most unequivocally and cordially concurred , Aye , he , the Tory Chartist , too—( laughter and cheer 8 ) He heard , when he rose , a voice in the meeting , "' 0 that ' s ' t Nottingham chap "—( laughter . ) Ho understood the ¦ whole meaning of tnat expression , and he would reply to it , though in the heart of the . antir Tory and Whiggifiedtown of Brummageni-Koheera . ) When be assittad to return Mr . Walter at the first Nottingham election , he did it not from any love of Toryism ; no , God knew he hated that bloated thing . He did it in the consciousness that the Whigs hung to office bat by one thread , and that the return of Mr . Walter would cut that last link by which the despicable Whigs kept themselves there . Well , he suoceeded in severing that thread , —down fell the whole pile of imbecility they had been ereotins for

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      eight years;—ignominious , great , aud eternal was that fail —( Loud applause . ) He did it to force out 1 the treacherous Whigs once more upon the 'vantage ground of Eadical principles ; and had he not succeeded ?—( shouts of " Yegj yes , " and tremendous cheering . ) Aye , to Nottingham he " went , fought , and conquered" — - ( renewed cheering . ) Now , was that enough for the snarling Whigliug below him , who yelped out Nottingham }—( laughter . ) Now , look at our altered ; but proud position . Be fore , we were Jack Cades , Wat Tylera , Robespierre ? , and levellers : the Whig press teemed with the most virulent vituperation that ink of gall , a poisoned pen . ^ and hireling , perjured penny-a-liners could scribble , ensconced behind the editorial" We . "

      They ( the Chartists ) were misrepresented , maligned ; the foul fiend of persecution was invoked ; 500 of the bravest men who ever inhaled the light of heaven were immured in damp and putrid jgfrayes , and the noble chief tain at hia right hand ( O'Connor ) , was choked in the suffocating " Hell" at York—( loud applause . ) Look no \ v at VVhiggery , and its counterpart , Chartism . "Plain John , " after smacking hb lips , after the &p : cy wines of a WhiK feed iii the " Modern Athens , " had boasted that Chartism was dead , and the sentence had been re-echoed through tho realm ; but that night , before 10 . 0 DO people , he would stand upon its obsequies , and Tinging his voice through its death caverns , he would shout" Chartism ! come forth !"—( tbundera of applauso ,

      for some minutes . ) No ,- but while the very destroyer of Chartism was chuckling in the frenzy of viotory —while revelling in the blind enthusiasm Of heralding itB requiem , beheld ! the mighty giant rose , struck a blow , and at once levelled its antagonist , entombed Whiggcry , and rung its death peaK Would the meeting pardon a parodyJ —( ye ? . ) Then he Would ask not " Adam" but " Whiggery , — where art thou V A nd not one solitary tongue ejaculated— - " Lo ! here am ( I . /—( Loud and long coutiuu ^ d applause . ) Where we were formerly deiiouticed ji denunciation has given place to courtship , and the lips that were yet quivering and bloodless in theeffirs to stammer out " guilty" in the jury box against the Chartist victim , were now lined with silk velvet— ' ..- ¦ -

      " Bagging with baited breath , In bondman ' s key . " "O ! we can do nothing without you—unite with us , or wo must perish'' —( shouts of applause and laughter ) Ah ! ah ! but rather perish our ^ right anna than that our subserviency should be purr chased by compromise —( renewed and deafenirig cheers . ) ' What ! had they e-pqused tho Charter when every 0113 despisedjt ^ had they embraced it , when it was rejected by courtly sycophant ? , placehunting tools , and richly clad wealth , when power frowned upon it , when adversity scowled upuii it , when persecution shot its envonemed shafts at it , and would thoy now desert it ?—( shouts of' ' no , no , " and great cheering ) The thunder of that indignant ne / : ative he would prolong and reverberate . No ' , after we had seen Chartism springing out of the soil watered by the blood of patriots who bad dLdTon the field , or suffered death on the scaffold . After

      we had sheltered it from the attempts to strangle it by the juggling of Whiggisra ; after we haTd purified its a < ivosate 3 by passing through the ordeal of the dungeon ; after an unparalblled eclip 3 e of its central orb , O'Conno / , for sixteen mouths ; after the dark deeds of blood perpetrated by the spies of a corrupt government in Newpor ' , Sheffield , Bradford ; Dewsbury , in their own Bullring—after they -had been spat upon and reviled , while caressing and hugging it in their arms—after the dungeoned body of a Clayton had released its imprisoned spirit to ascend to its father and its God , to plead thero in its defence—after the noble soul cf a Shell had burst its mighty energies and left tho last drop of his heart ' sj blood to blacken upon the streets of Newport in defence of it— -after the patriotic but entrapped Frost , Williams , aud Jonca had been driven from their homes to the

      autipodiesi their wives made widows , and their children orphaned—after every cloud of despair had rolled away from the firmament , and every vicissitude of uitsfortune had been chased awaynow , when trembling hope had been converted into realisation and triumphant certainty , when opposition quailedaad perfection staggered , when proposals for uuiou were tendered from every quarter- - w as Vhatthe hour for compromiso ; he stood there firm to every principle and detail of the Charter , and would swear , by every difRcuity vanquished , every enemy conquered , every hope of success cherished before the God of heavon , each and every g Ui m that vast

      assemblage , as he would pour forth his whole spirit in that Baored and irrevocable oalh , never to give up their agitation for tho whole entire People ' s Charter , till death put a period to thoir struggle , or victory closed it for over—( tremendous applause , during which , Mr . O'Connor rose and waved his hat most enthusiastically ) . Mr . Bairstow went on to argue tho necessity of firmness with conciliation—the value of un , ion among all Reformers for the Charter , entered into a beautiful strain of apostrophe and invitation to all classes and parties , and concluded a most splciK . 'id speech amid the most enthusiastic cheering , by giving flU cordial support to tho

      resotipn . We cannot give one titho of tho effect produced by it ; tho whole mass assembled were apparently electrifiid almost at the close of every seuteno :. Mr . Smith Lindon then presented himself to propose the National Petition , and was received with louil cheors . He said it was very rare to see a working man like him , in a fustian jacket , appear in the Town Hall , as tho mover of a rescliiaon . He appeared before them on that occasion for tho purpose of moving tho adoption of the National Petition , and hoped that it would not only meet with their cord'al apprbaticn , but that every man and

      ( Woman who loved their homes and children would feel it to-be their duty to sign it . He was not in the habit of addressi'ig public meetings , and felt less ou this occasion .: as the principles for tha establishment of which the petition was got up had been so ably explained and defended by the speakers who had preceded him—( hear , hear . ) Ho would , therefore , content -himself- * by reading the petition , which abundantly spoke for itsp'f . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Lindon then read the petition in a clear and audible manner , and concluded by moving that it be adopted as the petition of the town of Birmingham , and retired amidst loud cheers . Mr . Walter Cooper seconded the motion .

      The Chairman then put the petition to the meeting , which was carried unanimously . The Hall , at this time , was crowded to suffocation , a dense cloud of steam , arising from the heat caused by thev pressure—thousands having to depart , whe could not gain admission . Mr . Walter Thobne then proposed the following resolution : — * ' Besolved , That Mr . Gebege White be appointed as a Delegate to the General Convention , on behalf of the town of Birmingham , and that the petiuon be entrusted to his care for presentation to the House of CommopB . " Mr . Walter Coopek seconded the motion , and made a few brief remarks in its behalf . The Chairman then put the resolution , a few hands were hold up against it , amidst the derisive shouts of the meeting . He declared it carried almost unanimously .

      M » . Masom then proposed the followiDg resolution , "Resolved , that this meeting deeply syrnpathiees With those expatriated patrots , Frost Williams , and Jones ; also Howell , Jones , and Roberts ; aud are dttermined never to re 8 t satisfied until they be restored to the bosom of their families . " Mr . Masom made a few excellent observations , and retired amidst loud cheers . Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., seconded the motion . He said it was with paihand sorrow he rose to second the motion . They ought not now to be suing for mercy , they ought to have justice . Ha said he

      " ( vas present at tha whole of the trials , and tfould bear witness of the sjiameful manner in which they had b ecn entrappedi . He thanked the mfch of Engjand for their energ y and perseveranco instanciing firm by those much injured men ; and the men of Birmingham desryed the thank | of the country for their exertions . He had a chest full of memorials to present , and only awaited the return of the Qaeen to ' -the palatse , inv .- * order to do so ; Ho had orderd a cocked hat and Jacod coat to be got ready , and would preseiitthem in person . The resolution was then put and carried unanimously , amid loud cheers . ' : '; . ' . - '¦* . ' - ¦ *¦ * *** - ¦ ' - ¦ ¦'¦¦

      Mr . Stewart moved a vote 6 f thank 3 to the High Bailiff for the kind manner in which he had granted the use of the Town Hall on tne present occasion . . - * . .. -. "** 1 ; -. "¦¦ ' . * . .-. *' ' . **' ; . ' . ' "; , . '¦¦ . *¦ '¦ - . ' -, JBrlr . Follows Seconded the iriotion , and bore testimony to the kind and gentlemanly manner in which the deputatioH had been received by that gentleman , and the promptitude with which he granted its u 8 e- * - ( loud oheers . ) The Chaibuan put the motion , which was carrid unanimously amid loud cheerti . Mr . Page having left the chair , Mr . Follows was called thereto .

      Mr . O'Connor then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman . He was glad to find that men of hia order were no longer afraid to unite with the work ing men . He liked to see it , and to prove that he had no objection to aa honeat union with the middle okyses , he would offer him the right hand of friendship . * . : /; :: ; Mr . O'Connor then Bhock hands with Mr . Pa / je , amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the meeting , Mr . Waltek Cooper seconded the motion , and spoke of the sincerity of the Chairman in the cause of libeitv . , - , ... ' \ . r ' . -- " ¦" , •¦' ¦ ¦ ¦"¦"¦ * - ¦ ' .- ^ -. '¦ ¦ ¦ : > - .. V

      Mr . Follows put the motion , which was earned unanimously , amidst great cheering . - V Three cheers were then given for the People ' s Charter , ' three for Feargua O'Cohnor , three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , and Jones , Howell , Roberts , and Johesi After which notice was given that Mr . O'Connor would deliver a lecture at the Mechanics' Institute on the following evening , when all who thought proper to join the National Charter Association would be supplied with cards . Notioe was also gi ^ en , that any person wilt

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      Ing to join Ihe ^ scdla ^ ' ™ ' « * » J »* tn | : » c « 5 " ings in Aston-strect , on Sdnaa ? \ Monday , and Wednesday eyenh <>< C The immenBe fl 6 R 0 O \ irs& then slowly diepevLed , and thua ended one of the most enthusiastic , rjeaceable , and nnanimous meetinj » 9 ever hold in tae town of Birmingham ,

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      murder . There was another cace oil which it < mn onri" ^ to hufl tbafcjt -wa g $ h ? Ifipftld jmaib aa ob 3 ervadon—a case in . wMcK a person was cuargej with man slaughter from what was caHed siaA * praxis . . In- . this case the person acted a 3 midwife , and w ^ 3 alleged to have acted with Buch want at skill a « to have caused the . death of tho party . Therevwas no doubt that where a persoa undertook to act aa a professional or medical person , and exhibited such gross negligence that there could be no doubt of the impropriety of what he did , and deaih ensued in contequence of-OTeh negligence , that it was manslaughter : "; because when any peKou undertook a case of this description , knowing that he had no skill whatever to go through

      with it , or having the skill , did not choose to exerfc it , the offence was so palpable , that the law considered itas manslaughter . But he ought to caution them that in thfce cases , the question being the quanluyi of negligence , it was very difficult to draw a line a priori with respnt to it ; find it was for them to say whother there was such a' degree of evidence as to show that there was such negligence as to lead to the death of the party . He had looked through two or three other of the greater cases , but they did not appear to him to present any difficulties which it would be necessary for him to dwell npon There Was one case | n which three persona were charged with committing murder , and the difficulty was the apparent absence of motive for

      committing the Crime , but this was not a great difficulty , because if the eyidence as to the fact of the murder being committed by the parties charged was strong , tho apparent absence of motive was not a circumstance which ought to influence their judgment . It was a case depending entirely upon the evidence as to the facts alleged , and there could be no difficulty in point of law . On a oursp ^ view of the cases of a lighter character , or of more ordinary occurrence , he had not hitherto met with anything presenting any point of difficulty to his mindi ^ ^ and -jjrobably they would not present any difficulty to them , familiar as they must be , and many he knew personally , from seeing them on former occasions on the Grand Jury , were familiar with the duties they had to discharge . If , however , any difficulty should arise , he should have pleasure , as it was his duty , to give them his assistance in any such difficulty . A suggestion has been made to him , by

      one- ' . of their body , deputed for that purpose he believed 'by . the . others , as to the expediency of having some better arrangement as to the time for taking those ca < es in which the more expensive sort of witnesses were engaged ^ -he meant medical witnesses . It was difficult to say in what case 3 such witnesses would be engaged' , but there were some kind of cases , such as murder and manslaughter—in which it was probable they would be required , and he would give such directions to the officer with respect to those cases as to promote the object ; they had in view of detaining those witnesses as short a time as possible . It was not always popsible to make the objects of justice accordant with the strictest economy , but where they could be combined it ought to be done . Noiie of these cases would be brought before thena at present—they would have before them cases of a more ordinary nature , and in the discharge of that part of thoir d uty , they would now have the goodness to adjourn . * . " . - ' ¦¦ . * . ' -v ¦ ; ' .- * : . / . v ' . '¦'

      The Gentlemen of the Graud Jury theu left the Court to proceed with their duties . I

      . :-. ¦ . ¦ . - . .. . *¦ - ... - ¦ . . judgments . ; . ¦¦¦¦¦ . * - .. ; . - - . -. ** ¦ - ..,, Sarah GotdlhorpeAwho was convicted at the last assizes , for conealing the birth of her child , ) was brought up ; for judgment . The Learned Baron said she was convicted at the last assizesof a very serious offence , concealing the birth of her child , and in her case there were circumstances of great suspicion that a more serioxia offence had been committed . At tho trial a doubt was raised on a point of law , which was reserved for the opinion of the judges . They had duly considered tho case , and were unanimously of opinion that the conviction- was well founded . The sentence of the court therefore was that she be imprisoned two years to hard labour- —to bear date from the time of conviction .

      ROBBERY . Bevjamin Itedgifce , 34 , was charged with having , on the 4 th of June last , robbed William Aroher of four £ 5 notes , two half-ssOTereigos , and 17 s . 6 d . in . silver . .- : ., ' : ¦ . ' ¦ ¦ '¦ ¦'' ¦¦ ¦ '' . ' V ; . .- * ; ""' : ; Sir Gregort Lewin and Mr . Hall were for the prosecution ; Mr . Wilkijjs defended the prisoner . ¦ ¦'¦ ;'; . . ' . ' . • ... ¦¦ ¦ . ¦" : ' ¦ ¦ - ¦ ' , " ' ¦ ¦ - v-- ;; . ' j ¦ - . ;¦ The prosecutor is a jobber , and lives at Flockton Commotv , and it appeared that at the beginning of June last , he became possessed of upwards of £ 20 . The prisoner by some means became aware of that fact , and went to two persons , one of the name of Haigh , who was tried at the last assizes , and the other named Walshaw , to devise a plan for obtaining it . It was agreed that the prisonos 1 should induce the prosecutor to go to a field to cut grass , that Haigh and Walsbaw should ,

      secrete themselves in an adjoining field , and that they should push Redgiko into a ditch , and * rob the prosecutor . Archer wa 3 induced to cut the grass , and was taking it homo ¦ when the robbery was' efiec ' ted in the manner agreed upon . Information was afterwards given by Walshaw to a constable named Scott , who appr&hended the prisoner , and he said to him , " Well , I'll tell you all about it , " and produced the money in the presence of a man named Itirsfc , the note 3 being identified 'by the prosecutor . The constable 1 allowed the prisoner to go home , on promisiDg that he would como to him on the following mOrhing . He however absconded , was subsequently apprehended on a Bench warrant , and a true bill bpittg found against him at the last assizes . The Jury retired , and after an absence of twenty minutes , found the prisoner guilty . ' Sentence was deferred . ¦ ' - .. \ - -- . i ' . ; - ' -. - . ' ' ¦ ¦ :. ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . • The Court rose at four o ' clock . ,

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      O'CONNOR , Esq . ; of Hammeramitn , Cow » I Middlesex ^ by JOSHPA HOBSON , at to P ** ;; ing Offices , N « s . 12 and 13 , Market-street ^ Brifr gate ; and Published , 'V the ' . said Joshua Hobs ^ w , < for the « aid Feargus O'CONKORi ) at bla D ** linjj-house , No . 6 , Market-street , Brfj 8 » te ; M internal Commnaicatioa ^^ existing between the saw No . 6 , karket-afcreet , and the said Nos . 12 »« d j 13 , Market-street-, Brlggate , thus conatitoang tno ^ holeorthesaid Pr ^^ . - onePremiaeB . '¦ ; ' .. ' ; ' : ¦ . ' . ; V :- - : - ;¦ ¦ - - : ; " ' v- . ; :, ' : Saturday , March 5 , 1842 .

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      - S ' - the northern star . " ' . : .. . v ., ., -i -- ; . ; : . ';; ; ' '; V ;^ v ' -:.- ^ v W' £ i ^ . - ¦ •^^ -Cf ¥ ^ K > :-

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      Mr . O'Connor intends to visit Bilston , ¦ W olverhampton , and neighbourhood , on-Monday , Marcb 14 th . He will arrive by the train from London , At noon ; and will accompany the procession to Bilston . Thursday-night , half-past Ten o'clock , Mr . O'Connor has just conoiuded his lecture , and was followed through the streets by hundreds of the working imen , who cheered vehemently and kept up with the carriage , which was going at full speed . He has met with a most enthusiastic reception in Birmingliam . The isaia body of those who ch : ored him through the streets were Irishmen ,

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      YORKSHIRE LENT A 33 IZSS , WEDNESDAY , March 2 . The Yorkshire Spring AsaTzes commenced on Wednesday last , when the Courts for the county and the city respectively were opened by trie ^ Honourable Sir Robert Monsey Rolfe , Knight , one of the Barons of her Majesty ' s Court of iExchequior . The Learned Baron camo to the city by railwav from Darlington * on his return from the Assiziesat Newcastle . At five o ' clock the H ? gh Sheriff , William : St . Quintin , Esq ., and the City Sheriff , Robert Tonge Hor ; jley 3 Esq vtogether with their respective retinues , met at the High Sheriff ' s lodgingsConey-street ,

      , where they shortly afterwards wont in procession to the Railway Station , Tanner Row , to meet Mr . Baron Rolfe , who wa 3 pxpectedbv the North train , which arrives in the city at half-past five . Upon this occasion the ceremony consequent upon the escorting of the Judges to the different Courts was of a much less imposing character than lias heretofore been the case . In consequence of the resolution soine time ago passed by the magistrates at a Court of Gaol Sessions , certain for sag hitherto observed were this day altogether dispensed with ^ and the number of the High Sheriff ' s official attendants was somewhat diminished .

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      CITY ASSIZES , Thursday , March 3 . On Thursday morning , about nine o ' clock , the Right Honourable Sir James Pavke , Knight , one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer ^ attfinded by the City Sheriff , the Rwordsr , the- majjistratea , and the aldermen of the city , entered the Guildhall , and took his seat upon [' the bench . Tfteelerk of the Cpuri then called over the names of tlio raaoistrates , coroners , constables , &c ., after which the Grand Jury were sworn and charged . The Grand Jury then retired > and the Court was adjourned forthwith to tho Mansion House , and thereafter to Wednesday week , the 23 rd instant .

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      CROWN COURT , Thursday , March 3 . Shortly before twelve o ' clock ^ Mr . Baron Rolfe entered the Crown Court and took his seat on tha Bench . The names of the acting-Justices , of the th / ee Ridings , the Coroner ^ Chief Constables , &c . } having bfcii called over , tlie - following Gentlemen were empannelled as THE GRAN > JURY . Sir Or . Strickland , Bart , of Newton , M . P . Poreman . Sir Henry Boynton , Bart , of Burton Agnes . ' ¦ - ' Robert Bower . Esq ., Welhnm . Digby Cayley , Esq ., Ripon . William Currer , E 3 q ., of Clifton Houso . Henry Brewster Darley , Ebq ., of Hutton Hall .

      Charles Fairfax , Esq ., of Brandsby . Francis Hawkes worth Fawkes . Efq-. of Famley . Mark Foulis , Esq ., of Hesieiton Hall . Jamas Hall , Esq , of Soorbro * kicharrt . Hill , Esq ! , of Tfeorntor . Heary Wickbam Hird , E-q , of Low Moor House . John Huttou , Esq ., of Sober Hil ' . Gaprge Lloyd , Esq ., o ? Stockton Hall . Wm . Markham , Esq ., of BecaaHall . Wm . Rutapn , Esq .. of Nawliy Wiske . Philip Saltniarshe , Esq-., x-f SaVtmarshe . John Plumbe Tempest , Esq ., of Ton ?; Hall . Jame 3 Walker , Esq ., of Snnd Hutton . Godfrey Weutworth , Esq . ; of Wuolley Park , Henry Willoughb 7 , Eaq ., cf B ! i Jsall .

      Her . M-jjcsty ' s proclamation against vice , iralnorality , and profa , noiiess , and for the encouragement of virtue , having been read , silenco was enjoined and the Learned Baron proctoded to deliver

      THE CHARGE . He said—Ho Was extrcinely sorry to have to state to them , what they were all probably aware of , that the numbers of cases to be submitted to them for their consideration were both numerous , and he was sorry to say in most cases distinRuishod by circum ^ stances of v 6 ry great atrocity , as exhibited iff the charges against tho prisoners . Whether the charges made against the different prisoners might bo established of course would ba tho resu . ls of their ( the Grand Jury ) investigation and the subsequent investigations when the pribbners vrtre put upon their trial . But if all the charges or even any large portion of them are established according to the way in which they were laid before him , he certainly did say

      that they showed a degreo . t > f violence aad a disorderly stato of mind on the part of thu persons charged . Ho had as far an he had been able since hi 3 arrival in thii city endeavoured to make himself mastfer of the facts 01 ' tho worst casef , in order that he mighty if any difficulty should surest iUelftp him or should suggest itself to them whn they came to consider thecasc 5 , and they should consult him in order that ho niij 4 ht , bo able , asfar as possible , to guide them in tho discharge of thoir dutios . He regretted , however , to say j that the great length of the depositions —he did not say they were unnecessarily so—had rendered it impossible for him to make himself master of rooro than a very ferr cases . Under these circumstances what : he meant to do

      was when he left the Court , both that night and next day , to employ his time in making himself master of the facts ot" the different cases , in order that in case any difficulties should suggest theniselvo 3 to him , or might suggest themselves to them when tho cases came before them , he might have the honour of addressing them again . And he thought it better to adopt that line of conduct , than in the present imperfect information of the facts of £ mahy of the cases , to address the Grand Jury upon those cases , which be thought would be a waste of public time . There weie one or two casos , however , to whioh he bad directed his attention more particularly , and , therefore , upon thorn he was wishful to make an observatien or two . There were

      no less than six cases in which parties were charged with wilful murder , which would come before the consideration of the Grand Jury . One of these cases was one which was very peculiar in the circumstances attending it , inasmuch as it is related to a transaction which is said to have taken place eleven or twelve years ago , tho murder beingalleged to have been committed by the party charged , so long ago as the year 1830 . Now , the circumstances of the caseswere peculiarasd whetherthey werosuqh as would satisfy the Grand Jury that the murder was committed by the person charged would naturally depend upon their consideration , —it would be for them to say whether the circumstances of the case were sufficient to briug home the commission of the

      oriuio to the party charged . The difficulty , however , whioh suggested itself to him— -he did not consider that difficulty insuperable , but still it was one worthy of consideration , —was the difficulty of proving that any murder had in this case been committed . Of course the Grand Jury are aware that in this case there were two inquiries to which they would only have to direct their attention , before finding a Bill ; fi-sc , whether a murder was Committed , and secondly , euppesing a murder had been cominiited was it commuted by the prisoner . Now , most probably they would find that tho question which would cause them tho greatest difficulty was tho first question . This was not generally the ca ? e , for it generally happened that the difficult question was thisi is the party

      charged guilty of tho murder , there being no doubt about the commission of the offence ? but in this Case there happened to be a preliminary dfficulty which would require the best aitention of the jury . The first question for their ooasidevation would be whether the person was murdeted at all . The facta leading to suspicion were very short . The alleged deceased is seen on a paitieular day and since then he has not been seen . In the course of the last summer , a skull and some bones of a human body are tbundi The evidence before them ^ tends to show that th 9 skull thus found was the skull of the party said to have been murdered . Now one important point for their consideration would be whether there was evidence sufficient to sati 3 fy

      them that the skull found wns the skull of the party Who was supposed to have been murdered ; Of course unless they were satisfied of that all further inquiry was out of the question . It is caminonly said , and he ( the Learned Baron ) believed that they would find it bo stated in the text-books , that they could never convict a person of murder until they saw the body of tho person murdered . That ; however , Was perhaps stretching the thing too far , for if they saw a person throw another overboard into tho water aad the body not to be found it would he ridiculous to eay that that party could not be convicted of murder . Or if a man threw asotKer- into a furnace , it fl ^ ould - . ' . be ri ( iiculous to say that he could not be convicted of the same offence . But

      the facts in this case are not so clear as that—a man is last seen on aparticular day , and he has not been seen since . This case would require great attention ou the part of the grard juryv for they might convicVa man of murder ; and after all the person alleged to have been murdered be still living . It would be for them to consider frem the evidence which would be brought before them whether the ekull which had been found was such from its appearances as could be proved to have been that of the person . alleged to have been murdered . Jf they be satisfied on that poiat they would probably cbme to the conclusioa that deceased had died by murder , and if so , the next inquiry for them to determine would be . whether the prisoner waa the person who committed that

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      Leeds :—Printed For Tie Pioprietor -Fbabflus

      Leeds : —Printed for tie Pioprietor -FBABflUS

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 5, 1842, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct744/page/8/