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

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      Untitled Article

      THE SPECIAL COMMISSION TO " PUT DOWN" CHARTISM , C 5 » EB SIB *• POLLOCK , PLAIH JOHN CAKPBELL "

      HATIKG FAILED . SiAr ^ oED , Fsiday Night . —Another alteration has taken place in the proposed arrival of the Lord Justices Instead of twelve , it is now determined that they shall -aeh here at three p . m , by the mall train . It is deemed by the local authorities that inch an hour vrill be snore compatible 'with the hour of their lordships j jjjig . it ia further arranged that the cavalry who are ordered here from Wolvernampton shall be here fcy , an —rlier hoar , « o that their lordship ** corporal existence ujjt be put completely ont of danger and out of the . ggeh of those vile ¦ wretches , the Chartists . By-thev ^ Ta trulj laughable scene was enacted here on last It notified that this week

      Tneday . was on Messrs . Pake and Glencoe Churchill , the revising barristers , vanld open their courta . In consequence of this notifi . —Bon , several saddle or small farmers attended . Their f jaJeaee -was the signal for the immediate cry that the Cksriists were coming . A general hnbbub ensued . The police were on the look , ont—the magistrates were jjje qui cjc * , acd an immediate attack open onr gaol ¦ wis honrly and momentarily expected . At length the wrbear vanished , upon the poor honest farmers taking IvJIr nags and riding home , to the great annoyance of the > lae bottles and their masters , -while the people TPgye con-raised with laughter at beholding the sad Sjjsppointment of the officials . and evinced

      There is much curiosity anxiety respectjm , the trial of Mr . Ellis . His friends may be quite tsfy on one point , as it cannot posribly come on before ten day * after the finding of the bill against him , which ^ UJ 55 a matter of course , take place . He will then be served with a copy of the indictment , with a list cf the jury panel , and the names « f the witnesses , an 4 8210 -B-ed ten days to plead . Messrs . Cooper and O'Veil are the men for whose safety the greatest anxiety should be evinced ; for if convicted they will most undoubtedly be made examples of . If they are sacrificed , the enemies ot the people aDd of liberty sill achieve & signal and decided triumph . To avoid gas dreadful remit , it is absolutely necessary that large ample funds should be forthwith supplied for their defecce , and the defence of the other two hundred and forty-two prisoners . If these funds are not tetbeomk-g , the fate of Messrs . Cooper , ONeil , EUis , jjjd their unfortunate fellow-prisoners , is irrevocably sealed . And -what a crime will not the country have to answer for if such is the case ! ¦

      Stafford , Stjsdat Mght . —It is impossible for Englishmen to read with cemmon patience the recital cf girocities that have within the last forty-eight hours been perpetrated against their liberties , and the . glorious constitution which tbeir ancestors purchased with thar life ' s blood , but which a degenerate and bastard ¦ progeny have not only abandoned , bnt basely outraged , ^ fcue I insult the English nation with this re-Yolting recital , I must be guilty of a digression by givicg an account of yesterday's drama , as it was enacted here by the parties whose performance had been previously , or bills and otherwise , announced for some days past stated that two took in

      I haTs already changes place the mode in Tfhich the judges were to be conveyed . Since then a third and final arrangement was adopted and acted upon . It was deemed infra dig ., and , unworthy of the representatives of her Majesty to be conveyed by either first class or mail trains ; therefore at the snjgestion of the Minister ' s faithful counsellor the Gaoler , who is now swollen into the great personage of a Governor , it was ultimately decided that the three ministers of the Executive should be conveyed from London to Stafford by a special train , at the enormous apense to a , bankrnpt country of at least £ 200 !! ! while their lordships could have been as safely and expeditiously conveyed by the mail trais for a sum not exceeding £ 10 "V 7 by and wherefore it may be asked , all this expense ? What purpose will it

      serve ? What end will this flagitious reckless outlay of the public money effect ? It cannot further the objects of justice . It cannot 6 trike terror into the minds of the people . It cannot add dignity or weight to the commission which those judges are sent to execute . 2 v o . ' the only result it can produce is , , one generaTfeeling of disgust , loathing , and hatred , throughout the country , especially where there are bo many millions in the land sinking into the grave from the ¦ want of the commonest necessaries of life . Well , by the special train their Lordships arrived at half-past four , p . m » Mr . Britton , tb . 9 governor , having previously received a notification that they would be at the railway station at that hour , but that the high sheriff , mayor , and aldermen were to meet them at the same station at four o ' clock . This latter announcement

      favoured a good deal of a " bull ; " but it having been perpetrated by one of the lights of the nation , must , as a matter of course , be pardoned . Arrived aj the station , their Lordships were met by the high sheriff , the under sheriff , the mayor , aiid aldermen , the gaoler , the head turnkey , the rector in his pontificals , three policemen with large poles , and Mr . Superintendent Thompson , looking big , and the javelin men , dressed in their best Before starting from the railway station , their Lordships were ushered into the ladies' room , where they put o n the insignia of office , and then proceeded to the Court-house , the trumpeter announced their arrival at the court Then the usual ceremony of commanding silence , reading the Queen ' s writ , and all the et cetera * for mmting Effect , were gone through . After which the c « urt was adjourned .

      Before the Judges left the bench , 5 £ r . Lee rose , and spnlied to have Mr . Arthur O'Neil admitted to bail . The Chief Justice said he would hear the application in chambers . Upon their Lordships" return to chambers , Mr . Lee renewed his application , to which the Judges paid great attention , especially the Chief Justice , who repeatedly expressed his opinion of the hardship of keeping Mr . 0 ' ^ til in prison , while he was prepared to put in satisfeetory bail . Mr . LEE said that hi 3 client was committed on the 29 th of August , by the Rev . Mr . Cartwright and Mr . Badger " for making and causing a great number of persons to assemble and gather tegether to disturb the public peace at the parish of Rowley Regis . " At that

      time Mr . O'Neil produced two responsible persons an his bail , namely , Mr . Truman and Mr . Page . But in consequence of one of these gentlemen having taking a part in a Chartist meeting , and the other having signed a requisition for the use of the Town Hall for a similar meeting , these sureties were rejected . Two applications for a habeas corpus in his favour were unsuccessfully made to Mr . Justice CresswelL A third application was made to the same Judge for a habeas onFriday , which his Lordship granted . On that habeas Mr . O'Neil appeared that day before their Lordships to be admitted on bail . Mr . Lee , in conclusion , dwelt rery forcibly upon the hardship inflicted upon his client in keeping him incarcerated , and thereby preventing him making that preparation for his trial , which he would otherwise hsTe done .

      Chief Justice Tisdax and Mr . Baron Rolfe were of ccinion that the application should be granted . MrrBironPABKE differed with his learned brethren , as he was impressed with the conviction that once the commission opened they had no jurisdiction in the case , and could Dot , therefore , take bail . i ! r . Hlebeet , a Birmingham attorney , said that he appeared for the prosecution , and that he opposed the application both on account of the politics of the proposed bail , and in consequence of the little inconvenience that would arise from Mr . O'KeiTs being imprisoned for the few days that wonld intervene between his trial . Chief Jnstice Tindal said that politics had T . oihii , g vfcilner to do with bail , the srFFiciEKCT OF ¦ which should alo > " £ be cosiDZSED . He conceived it a great hardship that Mr . O'Neil should , under the circumstances , be kept in prison . Mr . Baron Rolfe agreed with the Learned Chief Justice . Mr . Baron Parke had no desire to inflict unnecessary pnniEhmen ^ upon the prisoner , but he was strongly of opinion that they could cot take bail , as the assize had opened .

      The Chie 7 Justice called for the Habeas Corpus Act , in the perusal of which he and his learned brethi en were for half an hour attentively engaged ; after which , scd with Hiuch seemiDg regret , the Judges deceided that they could not interfere . Sir . O ' iel , who heard the decision with great calmness , was immediately recond acted to his- dnngeon . It cannot be denied that their Lordships paid every attention to his case , and their whole conduct as yet is landed everywhere , and gives confidence" that their judgments will be tempered with mercy .

      The Solicitor-General , Mr . Sergeant Ludlow , Mr . Sergeant Talfourd , Mr . Godson , Queen's Counsel , Mr . Tslbot , and Mr . Maule , are here for the prosecution ; Mr . Roberts , from Bath , attends for the prisoners generally , and , with few exceptions , is engaged by them . He is indefatigable in his preparations for their defence . Since his arrival amongst the poor fellows they have becaae high-spirited , as before it they looked upon themselves as deserted . . , A curious scene , occurred upon his first visit to the gwl He told the turnkey that he wished to see Mr . Cooper , and that his name was Mr . Roberta , Turnkey— Oh , yes , you are Mr . Roberts . Why , the attornies here say that yon are no attorney !! Mr . Robests—Indeed ! do they say so ? I will give them an opportunity of provirjg it ; for I will act as aa attorney , and for every act of mine as such they &n , if I am not an attorney , sue me for a penalty oi £ 50 .

      Turnkey—Deal me ! that wDl settle it ; but I assure you that we are told that you are not an attorney . However , I shall tell the Governor that you are here . And no sooner said than done . Old Cerberus , whose tee is as red as a full moon , and "who weighs about sixteen rtone good weight , scampered off to the Gaoler , —I beg his pardon , '' the Governor , " and made the communiektion . Upon which Mr . Roberts was admitted first to see " the Governor , "—and then the prisoners . . On this morning , the Ju dges , Sheriff , Lord Liente-BantMayorAldermen&c went ia lUte to Christ

      , , , Church . The usual prayers having been read , a prayer » as offered up for the Queen , PriDW Albert , the Prince of Wales , the Judges , the Higb Sheriff , the Mayor and Aldermen , the Church and Ttate , and aU ehosen in hijh station ; but not a word was introduced into that prayer about the poor of fi » e land , who are groaning beneath the most insupportable sufiexinga They were left to pray for themselves . Prayers concluded , the Rev . W . E . Coldwell , M . A . preached , taking for bis text the 1 st and 2 nd verses cf Paul to Titus , chap , iii .: " Put them in Blind to fee eubject to

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      principalities and powers , to obey magistrates , to be ready to do every good work , to speak evil of no man , to be no brawlers , but gentle , showing all meekness unto all men . " He then launched Into an « mpassioned phillippie against the prisoners aad parties engaged in the late riots , denouncing their leaden and themselves as rebels , anarchist * , deists , and infidels , who aimed at the destruction of the altar and the throne . He compared them to Voltaire , Paine , and Hume , against whom , forgetting the old principle which Christians as well as Heathens adopt aad adhere to , de mortuis nit nisi honum . he vomited the

      whole measure of bis bile . After giving his audience a quantum suf . of that unhappy tirade against the dead , be commenced , having tor the moment lost sight of Poseyism , boasting of the wonderful advances that the Church bad made within the last two years . As an antidote against Chartism , he recommended a good supply of the needful to the church , and a plentiful distribution of bibles and prayer books . He finally wound up his address by a side attack upon the Church of Rome . After this exhibition the Judges returned in procession-order to their lodgings , and thence , if report is accurate , they made their way to Earl Talbot ' s , where they had a good spread

      out-The promised dragoon guards have arrived , and occupy the George . Detachments are also stationed at Stone and Pensbridge , to protect ail parties who may have to come here as witnesses . Every day fresh victims are brought to our gaoL On Saturday ten were brought in , handcuffed . Their appearance was pitiable in the extreme , and even excited the compassion of the soldiers and turnkeys on duty at the prison . An application will be made to-morrow to allow Mr . O'Neil to traverse to next assizes . If that ia not granted , he will not be tried before Wednesday , as bis counsel will pray for a day to be appointed .

      Hoxba . 1 . —Before ten o ' clock this morning , the Court House , which is a large aDd most convenient structure , was crowded almost to suffocation , by individuals whose sympathy or curiosity had induced them to attend the hearing of the trials of the prisoners . At ten o ' clock the Judges appointed to try the poor fellows entered the court Sir Nicholas Tindal , Chief Justice of the Common Pleas , presided , and was assisted by Mr . Baron Parke and Mr . Baron Rolfe . The proceedings kave excited considerable interest In the town . The prisoners were brought iB companies , escorted by parties of the 3 rd Dragoons . There were a considerable number of ladles in attendance . ' On the Bench we observed the Earl Talbot , Lord-Lieutenant of the county ; the Earl of Dartmouth ; the High Sheriff , J . E . Pierey , Esq . ; the Mayor of Stafford , J . Rogers , Esq ., and several of the Magistrates of the county .

      The grand panel having been called over , the following Noblemen and Gentlemen answered to their names , and were sworn on the Grand Jury .

      Viscount Ixgestbe , M . P ., Foreman . Viscount Sandon , M J ? . H- J . Pye , Esq . Hon . E . R . Littleton . William Ley , Esq . E . Monckron , Esq ., H . Hordem , Esq . W . F . Chetwynde , Esq . Thomas Salt , Esq . H . Chetwynde , Esq . Taos . Cartwrigbt , Esq . Francis Eld , Esq . J . 0 . Oldham , Esq . Thos . H . Parker , Esq . C . Coyne , Esq . Ed . Grove , Esq . Thos . Powis , Esq . H . H . Williamson , Esq . S . S . Bristowe , Esq . 6 . T . Whitegrave , Esq . C . S . Forster , Esq . C . B . Adderley , Esq . Thos . Hartehorne , Esq . Her Majesty ' s most gracious proclamation having been read , Lord Chi 6 f Justice Tindal delivered to the Grand Jury the following charge : —

      " Gentlemen of this Grand Inquest , —It is with unfeigned regret that those who have been appointed under her Majesty ' s special commission to inquire into , and adjudicate upon , the numerous offences committed within this county since the last assizaa , are called upon to meet you , the grand jurors of the county , on the present occasion . It is at all times a painful and distressing occupation for the mind of the Judge to pursue the investigation of charges of guilt , and to apportion the just measure of punishment to be awarded against each individual offender ; and if thiB be the case in the comparatively few instances which occur in the ordinary Administration of criminal justice at the assjzss , much mare is it so upon the present occasion , when the number of offenders is so large , the nature of the alleged offences so injurious to the welfare of society , and the offences have been committed , not by single individuals , or even small numbers of persons , but by large masses of the community impelled by one common motive , and labouring to effect one cemmon object

      " Gentlemen , it is not our design , nor indeed have we sufficient information on the subject , if we proposed to do so , to trace , with any particularity , the origin or exact progress of those violations of the law which have taken place within this county , and which will shortly be brought under your consideration . It 1 b fully sufficient for our present purpsse to give a general outline of those transactions , drawn from the depositions taken before the magistrates , the enly legitimate source of information to which we have had access . '' It appears that about the middle of the month of August last the workmen employed in many of the collieries , and also in many of the varions manufactories established in this county , had become dissatisfied as well ^ rith the amount of wages allowed by their

      employers as in some instances with certain regulations under which they were placed in the course of their employment ; and that for the purpose of cempelliDg their masters to allow them greater wages , and to alter the regulations by which they thought themselves aggrieved , they refused to continue to work at the various employments in which they had been engaged ; that in a short time , not contented with simply refusing to work , they proceeded , by threats , intimidation , and violence , to compel other workmen , who were willing te continne to work , to join the number of those who were discontented . It appears farther , that whilst large bodies of the workmen , perpetually increasing in number , were thus collected together in a state of idleness , and of consequence destitution , certain strangers , persons altogether unconnected with

      them in interest , appeared amongst them , and by addresses made to them against the religion , the law , and the Government , excited them to a state of dissatisfaction with all the established institutions of the country , and laboured to persuade them to persist in their refusal to return to their employment , as the sure , and effectual , and only means of redressing the evils by which they were oppressed , and of obtaining their just rights , called by the speakers the "People ' s Charter . " It appears that after such addresses had been made , in some places tumult and disorder forthwith ensued amongst the assembled multitudes , to the great terror and alarm of the quiet and peaceable part of the community , In other places large bodies of the workmen , so collected together , proceeded to acts sf open violence and breaches of the law , in some instances against the persons of the subjects of the Queen , by beating some , cutting and maiming and

      robbing others , and sometimes against their preperty by act of theft and plunder , by forcibly breaking into the dwelling-houses , by actual demolition or by fire , beginning with the houses of magistrates and other public functionaries , and soon caarying the work of ruin to the dwellings of private persons ; and it is impossible to foresee to what extent the rapine and devastation of a lawless and misguided mob would have proceeded in the land , if it had not been met and countervailed by the zeal , activity , end firmness of the magistracy of the county , aided by the unwearied exertions and courage of the military and yeomanry , who lent their effectual assistance , when called upon for that purpose , in repressing violence and disorder , and in givicg security to the lives and property of their fellow-subjects , by whose combined efforts the work of further destruction was rnspended , the fearful and ominns results which seemed to impend were averted from the county , and the law was restored to its just supremacy .

      • ' Gentlemen , it has already been intimated mat we conceive it to be no part of our province on this occasion to discuss the justice of the complaints made by the workmen against their employers , or to decide on the merits of the dispute existing between them . Neither is it pait of our duty to show by argument that the course pursued by parties who thought themselves aggrieved was of all others the least calculated to atcomplish—on the contrary , perhaps , the most likely to defeat—the Tery object which they wished to attain . Nor , again , are we called upon to suggest or te discuss any remedies—which may be provided by law for the psevention of similar mischief , if , unfortunately , at any

      future time , the same ground of dispute should arise between masters and workmen—a discussion which is better fitted for a legislative assembly than for the members of this tribunal , to whom the only duty allotted is that of dtdaring the law as it stands at present Our direct and more useful course will , therefore , be to endeavour to expound the law as it applies iteelf to the several cases arising out of these unhappy transactions , upon which you will be required to exercise your judgments , in order that you may arrive at a just conclusion whether sufficient appears in each individual case to call upon the paities accused to appear before a jury of the country ,

      " Axd the first observation that arises is , that if the workmen of the several collieries and manufactorier , who complained that the wages which they received were inadequate to the value of tiwir services , had assembled themselves peaceably together for the purpose of consulting upon and determining the rate of wages ot prices which the persons prtBent at the meeting should require for their work , and had entered into an » greement amongst themselves for the purpose of fixing such rate , they would have done no more than the law allowed . A combination for that purpose , and to that extent ( if indeed it is to be called by that name )

      is no more than is recognised as legal by the statute 6 Geo . IV . ; by which statute also exactly the same right of combination , to the same extent , and no further , is given to the masters when met together , if they are of opinion , the rate of wages is too high . In the case supposed—that is , a dispute between the masters and the workmen as to the proper amount of wages to be gi-ren—it was probably thought by the Legislature , that if the workmen on the one part refused to work , or the masters , on the other , refused to employ , as such a state of things could not continue long , it might fairly be expected that the party must ultimately give

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      way whose pretensions were not founded in reason and justice—tiie matters if they offered too litUe , the workmen if they demanded too much . " But , unfortunately for themselves and others , those who were discontented did sot rest here . Not satisfled with the exercise of their own . right to withhold their own labour , if they were discontented with the price they received for it , they assumed the power of interfering with the right which others possessed—of exercising their discretion upon the same point ; and accordingly you will have numerous cases laid before you in which large bodies of dissatisfied workmen interfered , by personal violence , and by threats of intimidation , to compel others , who were perfectly willing to continue to labour in their callings at the rate of wages then paid , to desist from their work , to leave the mine or manufactory , and against their own will to add themselves t » the numbers of the discontented party ;

      than which a more glaring act of tyranny and despotism by one set of men over their fellows cannot b * conceived . If there is one right which , beyond all others , the labourer ought to be able to call hiB own , it i s the right of the exertion of his own personal strength and skill , in the full enjoyment of his own free will , altogether unshackled by the control or the dietites of his fellow-workmen j yet , strange to say , this Tery right , which the discontented woikman claims for himself to its fullest extent , he does , by a blind perversity and unaccountable selfishness , entirely refuse to bis fellows who differ in opinion from himself . It is unnecessary to say , that a course of proceeding so utterly unreasonable in itself , so injurious to society , so detrimental to the interests of trade , and so oppressive against the rights of the poor man , must be a gross and flagrant violation of the law , and must be put down , when the guilt is established , by & proper measure of punishment .

      " But , even without any evidence that combination ia the object or purpose of the meeting , if a large body of the people assemble themselves together for the purpose of obtaining any particular end , and conduct themselves in a turbulent manner , either accompanied with acts of violence , or with threats and intimidation calculated to excite the terror and alarm of the Queen ' s subjects , that is in itself a riot , whether' the end and object proposed be a just and legitimate one or not If , therefore , bills should be brought before you charging individuals with riot , for the purpose of raising the rate of wages , and the evidence should show the conduct of the paities to have been of the description just aderted to , the offence of riot is complete in point of law .

      " Gentlemen , there is another description of offence which will probably be submitted to your consideration —namely , the exciting aad encouraging large masses of the people by means of seditious and inflammatory speeches to commit actB of violence and to break the peace . If such cbaTges are bronght forward it must be left to your own good sense to distinguish between an honest declaration of the speaker ' s opinion upon the political subjects on which he treats—a free discussion on matters that concern the public , as to which full allowance should be made far the z ? al of the speaker , though be may somewhat exceed the just bounds of moderation ; and , on the other band , a wicked design by inflammatory statements and crafty and subtle arguments , to poison the minds of the hearers , and render them the instruments of mischief . He that addresses himself to a crowded auditory of the

      poorer class , without employment or occupation , and brooding at the time over their wrongs , whether real or imaginary , will not want hearers ready to believe , and apt followers of mischievous advice . You will consider , therefore , the language that ia employed on such an occasion ; if it consists of broad and bold assertion , unfounded in feet ; if , in discussing religious topics , you find the speaker endeavouring to be sprightly and facetious on those subjects which make wise and good men Bfcrious ; if , instead of aignment , he deals only in sneers and sarcasm , it will be for yourselves to say whether , under such circumstances , the party charged with the offence is an honest but mistaken man , or whether he is wickedly intending to bring the religion , laws , and Government of the country into contempt , and to teach the hearers to despise all those institutions which it is their duty to hold in respect and veneration .

      " Gentlemen , it has been already stated , that in the multiplicity of charges which spring out of the transactions above adverted to , some will appear for assaults ; some for the felonious offence of cutting and maiming with intent to do some grievous bodily harm ; soms for robbery by violence and force ; some for theft ; some for breaking into the dwelling-house by night or by day ; some for a riotous assembling , and beginning to demolish , or actually demolishing , the dwelling-houses of magistrates and clergymen , the offices connected with the police establishments , and the private houses of individuals ; some charges also for effecting similar workB of destruction by means of . fire . But it would be tediona , and , at the same time , altogether unnecessary , to

      enlarge upon the law by which those offences are regulated , more especially to gentlemen so well experienced as yourselves in the ordinary business of the assizss . One observation only shall fca made which , relates to every apeciea of offence committed by several uctiDg in concert and company together , —namely , that if many are present at the time when the breach of the law takes place , having one common design in view , and acting with common consent , although they do not all take share in the performance of the very act which is the subject of the indictment , yet by affording countenance , encouragement , and protection to the persons who actually perpetrate the crime , they are all equally guilty in the eye of the law .

      "But there is one case in the calendar to which , for the purpose of avoiding any interruption in the general view of the transactions which have taken place in this county , I have not yet adverted—I mean the case of one William Ellis , who has been committed by the magistrates on a charge of high treason ; and as we are not aware whether bills of indictment may not possibly be presented against that person , and perhaps others also who appear upon the depositions to stand in the same predicament for the offence of high treason , it becomes necessary that the principles of tbe law , so far it relates to the species of treason upon which the charge , if preferred , will probably be founded , should be laid before yen with sufficient precision to enable you to determine whether the accusation is so far established that the parties accused ought to be put upm their trial for that offence .

      " Gentlemen , tbe precise species of high treason upon which the charge , if made , must rest , is either that of levying war against Her Majesty in Her rtalm , under tbe statute of Edward III ., ot that for which Ellis was committed , —viz , " tbe compassing and intending to levy war against the Queen within her realm , in order by force or constraint to compel her to change her measures or counsels ; " which latter offence was first made substantive treason by the more recent statute 36 th George III ., c , 7 , made perpetual by a subsequent act _ "Gentlemen , yon are well aware that , at least as early as the statute 25 th Edward III ., and thence down to the present time , the bare compassing or imagining the death of the Sovereign , when proved by any open or overt act , has amounted to high treason . For ,

      where the life or personal safety of the Sovereign is concerned , so precious has it always been held in the eye of the law , that the bare intention or imagination of the heart to put it in jeopardy , although no injurious consequences follow from such intention , when proved by an overt act , has , of itseif , and alone , constituted the treason . By that statute also , the levying of war within the realm , when proved by an overt act , is made a distinct and substantive species of treason . Bat the mere " compassing" or " intending to levy war , " that is , the mere purpose or design of the mind or will to commit that crime , was never made a specific treason until the statute 36 th George III ., c 7 , and then only " where such compassing or intention is expressed , uttered , or declared , by publishing any printing or writing , or by any overt act or deed . "

      " Now , the only or principal evidence of treason stated in tbe depositions is the uttering of violent and inflammatory speachea to the assem led multitude . But it is to b * observed , that the mere speaking and uttering of words , considered by itself , and abstractedly , and without reference or connexion with any act or design , however wicked and atrocious those words may be , ia not an act of treason- The Judges , on a reference made to them in the 4 th year of Charles I ., upon the subject of words spoken by one Pyne , certified unanimously , ' that though the words were as wicked as might be , yet they were no treason , for unless it be by

      some particular statute , no words will be treason . " On the other hand , however , where words are uttered and spoken with reference to any treasonable plan or design already laid , and in the contemplation of the speaker , if they are words of exhortation or encouragement to carry into effect such plan or design , such speaking and utteriug of words is strictly and properly an overt act of treason , being the means made use of to effect the treasonable purpose ; although , even in that case , the more precise and accurate mode of expression would seem to be , that the plan or design is the treason , and the words of encouragement and encitement are evidence of the existence of it

      " It will be for you , therefore , to say , supposing no further evidence is given than that of words uttered , supposing there is no proof laid before you of any existing plan , to subvert the authority of the ( Jneen , the established order of government , or the laws of the land , —whether , from the mere speaking and nttering of the words by the party charged with treason , yon can feel yourselves authorised to infer that at the time the words were nttered there did not exist a deliberate design in the mind of the speaker to effect any of those wicked purposes , and that the speech was made by him to indnce the hearers to take up arms , or to use

      force and Tiolence for the purpose of carrying such design into effect ; you must determine for yonrselTes whether such is the safe conclusion at which yon can arrive upon such evidence alone , or whether the words are not rather to be considered as the production « f a heated and distempered mind , thrown out at the moment rashly and hastily—words , indeed , " as wicked as might be , " as was said in Pyne's case , but words spoken withaut reference to any formed design or settled purpose hi the heart of the speaker . In the latter mode of viewing them they would not constitute an act of treason , but be punishable as a high misde meanour only .

      «• Gentlemen , I cannot close the observations which I haTe thought it right to submit te you without expressing the eirnest hope of my brethren and myself , that the administration of cri ™< Ti * l justice under the

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      commissions which have been specially issued into this county , and into others where similar enormities have taken place , may have the wholesome effeot of teaching aU who need rach warning , flrrt , that in this country tbepnnishiaMt ot crime will follow tbe commission of I m w rorO t " > Btoad y' «* "peedy , that he guilty can have no ckauoe ot escaping ; mnd econdly , the more important lesson , that whatever attempta may be made by discontented persons to sttb-Tert the Government , the laws , or the religian of their country , and to establish a new order of things in their stead , they will fina the law of the land too strong for them ; and that thehoneat partof the community , the lo-T l * f ? ? £ !***' ' wm at a 11 ttn *» unite themselves with the established authorities of the GoTemment to render their attempts futile and abortiveand to put

      , down auch evil-doers with a strong hand ; and I would ,, in conclusion , farther suggest that the effectual , and only effectual , method ef counteracting tbe attempts ef wicked and designing men to undermine tbe principles of the lower classes , and to render them discontented with the established institutions of their country , is the diffusion of sound religious knowledge ( in which there can be no excess ) amongst those classes who are the most exposed to their attempts , and the educating their childr en in the fear of God , bo that all may be taught that obedience to the law of the land and t » the Government of the country is due , not as a matter of compulsion , but of principle and conscience . " Gentlemen , her Majesty ' s Judges will be happy to render you any assistance in the performance of your duty , if any difficulty should arise "

      The counsel retained for the Crown are Sir W Follett ( Solicitor-Genera !) Mr . Sergeant Ludlow , Mr . « rg ™ " ? K v Blfourd ' Mt- Godson , Mr . Waddington , and Mr . Talbot Mr . Sergeant Murphy is retained for the defence . , The unavoidable absence of Mr O'Connor is greatly regretted . Hib presence would cheer up the poor prisoners , toe defenoB ^ ^ ° ' ^ tnde * S able in getting up At the time of writing there are eight bills before the Grand Jury , but not as yet brought into court . The bill for treason against Mr . Ellis has not yet been presented . The first case to be tried will fee that against the men charged with setting fire to Dr . Vale ' s house at Hanley . [ In reference to the " Judge ' s Charge" given abeve , the Evening Star of Tuesday has the following just and appropriate commentary , it is well worthy attention : —

      •« The charge of Chief Justice Tindal to the Grand Jury is what we expected from him , clear , calm , and lawyer-like , but filled with that general kind of censure and sweeping denunciation , ia which it is the custom of Judges to deal agaiust all , who are even suspected of having violated the law . There is none of that nice discrimination of cirenmstances , none of that extenuation arising from the peculiar faots , which would have been urged by a man of the world and the world's experience , but which cau seldom be obtained from the mere lawyer . We must protest against the facts as

      stated by his Lordship from the depositions , and which wouldjlead to tbe belief , that until the Chartists came among the workmen , who had struck for wages ,: there were no riots , and that to the Charter must they be attributed . In the first place , as all the working classes are Chartists , the influence of their politics was present at the time of the strike , and did not commence afterwards ; secondly , the outbreak never did assume a political aspect , but was throughout the struggle of workmen for just wages , thongh of course their political opinions could not be altogether silent at such a time .

      " His Lordship having then stated that workmen or masters may assemble peaceably together , and agree among ihemtBlves on tbe rate ot wages , tor which fch « y will be employed , or employ , and having distinguished between inflammatory speeches made by honest , if mistaken , men , and those made by men whose design is to subvert the Government , next proceeds to the case of William Ellfs , and dilates on the law of high treason . He shows that by stat . 26 Edward III ., an overt or open act of treason was necessary to constitute the offence , but that the mere " compassing" or " intending to levy war against the Sovereign , " that is , the mere purpose or design of the mind , or will to commit that crime , was never made treason until tbe vile and unconstitutional statute of 36 Gao . III . c 7 , was passed . However , by this act , * such compassing or intention must be expressed by publishing some printing or writing , or by some overt aot or deed . '

      " Now Ellis is eharged only with uttering violent speeches ; and words do not amount to treason , either at common , or by statute , law . " In the fourth year of Charles ; the First , the Judges certified unanimously , that " though the words were as wicked as might be , yet they were no treason , for unless it be by some particular statute , no words will be treason 1 " There is no statute declaring them to be so ; and therefore we must protest also against the law of Chief Justice Tindal , when he endeavours to draw the subtle distinction ( which he takes from Foster's Pleas of

      the Crown , p . 200 ) , that words exhorting to carry out a treasonable desi gn amount to an mxrt act of treason . W hat authority is there for this ? None . What against it ? Reason—justice ; the above unanimous opinion of the Judges , who made no such distinction ! By their test we try it ; there is no statute making words treason ! If there were , we had better go back to the reign of Edward IV ., when one man was executed for saying he wonld make his son heir to the Crown , ' being the sign of the house in which he lived ; and another , whose favourite buck the King had killed , for wishing it , horns and all , in the King's belly !

      '" Words , ' says Blackstone ( vol . 4 , p . 80 ) 'may be spoken in heat , without any intention , or be mistaken , perverted , or misremenibered by the hearers ; their meaning depends always on their connexion with other words and things ; they may signify differently , even according to the tone of voice with which they are delivered ; and sometimes silence itself ia mote expressive than any discourse . As therefore there can be nothing more equivocal and ambiguous than words , it u-ould indeed be UNREASONABLE to make them , amount to high treason : ' Such is the opinion ef the great commentator on the laws of England ; and being ' unreasonable it is illegal ; ' for we are told Maw is the perfection of reason , 'and 'the law only recognises what is accordant with reason . ' In this age we cannot , we must not , allow any new " constructive treason" to be invented by any man , be he Judge or King ; for , as it has been truly said by Montesquieu , tbe crime of high treason being unascertained , is alone sufficient to make any Government degenerate into arbitrary power . " ]

      Th e Lord Ch ie f Ju s tice Tindall , Mr . Baron Parke , and Mr . Baron Rolfe , took their seats in the Nisi Prius Court a little before two o ' clock , when the Grand Jury returned several bills .

      BURNING OF THE REV . DR . VALE'S HOUSE . The Petty Jury panel having been called over , and the Jury empaanelled , the following prisoners were placed at the bar : — John Harris , Richard Wright , George Colclongh , John Williams , James Saunders , John Winston , Hamlet Jackson , Thomas Wagstaff , James Millington , Joseph Saunders , Sampson Whitehouse , Thos . Cotton , Samuel Heat on , William Shaw , William Bradbury , Richard Edge , Josiah Gilbert , William Cartledge , Thomas Banks , John Owen , John Powell , William Hollins , Thomas Jackson , Edward Smith , Henry Dimmock , Joseph Lofc , James Hurst , Joshua Hurst , and Jabez Phillips , were indicted for riotou s l y and tumultuously assembling on the 15 th of Asgust last , and beginning to demolish the dwelling-house of the Rev . Benjamin Yale , of Longton , in the parish of Stoke-upou-Trent .

      Most of the prisoners were young men , and s om e of them mere boys—they completely filled the dock , and some of them were placed behind the bar in front of the dock . John Williams , a respectablelooking man , with one leg and a crutch , was , oo the application of his Counsel , accommodated with a chair . The prisoners severally pleaded Not GnUty . The Solicitor General , Mr . Serjeant Ludlow , Mr . Serjeant Talfourd , Mr . Godson , Queen ' s Counsel , Mr . Warriagton , and Mr . Talbot appeared as counsel for the Crown . The prisoner Winston was defended by Mr . Price . Mr . F . V . Lee represented Toft , Smith and Phillips . Mr . Meteyard appeared for Shaw , Jackson , and Dimmock . Mr . Allen was counsel for Cartlidge , Edge , Harris , Millington , and ( with Mr . Neale ) for Williams ; and Wright and Jackson were defended by Mr . Huddlestone . The other prisoners had not the assistance of counsel .

      The Solicitor-General opened the case to the jury , recapitulating the leading features of the late riots in the Staffordshire district , and then detailing the circumstances of the attack upon the Rev . Dr . Vale's house on the 15 th of August . The Learned Gentleman then referred at some length to the law as it bore upon the indictment preferred against the prisoners , all of whom he stated would he identified by the witnesses he should call before them , and it would be for them to say whether the prisoners were guilty of the offence charged against them . He prayed of the jury to dismiss from their minds everything they had heard outside that court , and to confine themselves strictly to the evidence which should be laid before them .

      The following witnesses were then examined : — Mrs . Mary Anne Vale deposed that she was the wife of the Rev . Benjamin Vale , of Longton . On the 15 th August she saw a mob approaching the house , and immediately proceeded to close the shutters . The mob , however , reached t be house before she was able to do so . She was greatly alarmed , her husband not being at home . They demanded money and drink , which at first she refused , but she afterwards gave them her purse , containing 5 s . or 6 s ., and desired the servant to give them some drink . They proceeded t o t he stud y , and commenced d e s t royin g and hornin g thebooksand furniture . Some of them then went up stairs and set fire to several of the rooms ; others followed the servant to the cellar with a sheet , which they set on fire , and they commenced drinking whiskey . Witness fled as soon as she saw the whole house in flames , and took tefuge in an adjoining cottage , when Jabez Phillips , one of the prisoners , came op , and said , "They were going to London to burn , and bring all things to their proper level . " The witness then proceeded to detail the several facts

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      connected with the destruction of the property , and w hio h h ave be e n a lr ea dy p ublished ia de t ail i n all the public prints . The Rev . Benjamin Vale was then called and examined . He stated that he was absent from the vioarage when it was attacked by the mob . On his return he saw the house surrounded by a large mob , and the furniture and building in flames . He w&b prevented by a friend from going into his house . Sarah Tomer , servant to tbe Rev . Mr . Vale , corroborated the evidence of Mr . Vale as to the condu o t of the mob , a nd the de s tru ct ion o f the property . The- gardener of the Rev . Mr . Vale identified Shaw and Bradbury , Phillips , Willi a ms , and W i ns to n , as being actively engaged in the demolition of the house and fnrnitnre . ¦>

      After tbe examination of one or two other witnesses , who spoke chiefly as to the identity of the parties engaged in the destruction of the properly , The Court , finding that a large number of witnesses were still to be examined , adjourned the proceedings at a quarter past six o ' clock , and the jury were given in charge to three constables , and locked up for the night in the Sun Inn . The court was extremely crowded during the day .

      TUESDAY . Ocr . 4 th . The court was opened this morning at half-past eight o ' clock , and shortly afterwards the three Judges entered the court , and took their seats on the bench . The prisoners having been again placed at the bar , and the jury called over , A large number of witnesses were examined , by whom most of the prisoners were sworn to .

      STAFFORD , Wedm-sday Morning . The work ia going on as I predicted . The Grand Jury are doing their duty , and bringing down bills of indictments in loads , to the great gratification of those whose interest it is that such things should be done swimmingly . The people are , however , taught by this wholesale bnslnes * . that their mutera will , if possible , force them to obey , their mandate , ; and If . they dare to obey their mandates , will make them feel the effects of the power which the constitution of this great , free , and glorious nation boa conferred upon them . This I believe the people fee ] , and feeling it , have made up their minds as to how they ahall act , and what course they shall pursue .

      The trial of the twenty-nine unfortunate wretched men and boys , for the burning of the Reverend Mr . Vale ' s house , is likely to occupy two days longer . Aa a matter of course , a number of witnesses have been found to identify them by the colour of their jackets , and that of ihe ^ r neckerchiefs , as being concerned in the fire . The evidence is so much of a piece that it is almost useless to go over the whole of it , as the Crown has so admirably arranged the prosecution that of the forty or fifty witnesses who have appeared in its support , they all ; agreed upon , the main statements made by them . There is one fact which stamps with its proper weight the credibility of some of those witnesses—it is their denial of the slightest knowledge of a proclamation having been issued , offering a reward of £ 50 to those who give evidence against the prisoners .

      One fellow , named Cope , who gave evidence , so insulted the counsel for the defence , by his laughing , that he was compelled to appeal to the Bench to keep him within the bounds of deceram . This fellow actually refused to state within a week , how long he had been in Stafford before the trial . At length he acknowledged that he had been for a fortnight in the gaol to which be was brought to identify whom he could . Another fellow , upon being asked how he gained his livelihood , replied in a moat inaslent manner that he gained it by eating and drinking . The Bench had also to restrain this fellow's audacity .

      George Barlow , a fellow who gave his evidence offhanded against the boy , James Millington , aged 17 , acknowledged that he had been twice in custody for highway robbery—once for stealing a tambourine , and at another time for thimble-rigging and cheating at that goxna This pure character positively swore that he had not heard that the £ 59 rewards had been offered by the Government for detecting and prosecuting rioters . He had . been moat innocently engaged for nearly an hour in visiting the several rooms of the Rev . Dr . Vale . Enoch Maher , who gave evidence against Loft , a lad enly twenty years of age , bad been charged with attachin ; the police station at Stoke . He was subsequently released , and admitted as evidence against tbe others .

      He at first said that be bad not been out of work . He then acknowledged that he had no employment for a fortnight before the fire , and that he had all hia goods packed for starting to America since June . His house was searched , when some fringe was found in it . This fellow , whose effrontery in the witnesa-box disgusted every one , had been , it appeared , for two hours and a haJf traversing the several rooms of the Rev . Mr . Vale ' s house while they were on fire . Sampson Whitehouse cross-examined this fellow at great length , and with great ingenuity , to prove that he had been charged with firing the Rev . Mr . Atkin's house ; that he was called by the police a very useful and handy man , and that he was to have bis liberty if he gave evidence agaiust others . .

      Richard Bailey was the next distinguished character who figured in the witness-box . He gave evidence against Joseph Hunter . This fellow stated that he had been twice in prison for robbery . For the first robbery be suffered fourteen days , and for the second two months ' imprisonment . He was told thai he would be taken unless he went and told something about somebody else , and that if he did so , he wou' d be pardoned . It is impossible to read t ' ais latter evidence without feelings of horror , disgust , and indignation . It is not sufficient to put into the witness-box one fellow who had been charged with the highway and other robberies , but another fellow who bad likewise suffered for his

      robberies , is not only allowed to pollute that place which hitherto Englishmen have been taught to resprct with a veocratien the most sacred , and which they hitherto approached with awe and trembling ; but this fellow is actually coaxed into it under a promise of a free pardon for his crimes , if he gave evidence against others . Not only that , but he was threatened with being placed in the dock , unless he did so . This reminds the people of the glorious days ot Orange ascendancy in Ireland , when the wretched peasant was flogged at the triangle until his pains and excruciating tortures forced him to declare that A , B , or C were rebels , and who , an rebels , and upon such evidence , were sent to dangle from a gibbet

      In the case of James Hurat , there was an occurrence which calls for the moat general aud most unqualified reprobation . This child , who is only twelve years of age , could not be identified by the witness adduced against him . The latter , in order to assist him in the identification , was bronght from the witnessbox to the table near the dock . Even then he could not identify the child . What then was done ? Will —nay , can—Englishmen believe it ! I The child Hurst was actually marched to the front of the dock , and eloae to the witness . And then the witness swore to the poor child . After this specimen of th » evidence against the hapless accused , it cannot be denied that the police have raked up the filthiest purlieus of vice and crime to get up witnesses for the particular purpose .

      On tomorrow , the prisoners will enter upon their defence , when it is expected that they will shatter to pieces a great portion of the evidence adduced against them . There will be at least fifteen witnesses examined for the defence . It ia dubious whether the trial will close even to-morrow night Mr . Roberts ib working day and night for his clients . It was most unfortunate that be was not here earlier , or at least a fortnight ago , for he now has scarcely time to get up proper defences . He has four clerks working late and early , and is leaving no stone unturned in the discharge of his duty . On last Sunday he applied to see Mr . O'Neil , when he was told by the turnkey , that

      it being Sunday , he could not be allowed to see his client;—a beautiful illustration of the Christian spirit which actuates Lord Sandon and the other saints who have the superintendence of this prison . How truly ignorant must they be of the Sacred Scriptures of which they speak so much , and which teach them that on the Sabbath day we ought to assist even our neighbour's dumb animal if it sustains an injury 1 And if that is the case , how much more are we bound to assist our fellow-beings on Sundays when they are in trouble ? How better cau we do so , than by performing a corporeal work of mercy in visiting and " assisting those who are in prison . "

      The latest intelligence from South Wales that baa reached here , states that Chartism is in the zenith there , and that iti Bupporters are daily holding large meetings to advance it by every means . In this town , notwithstanding all the efforts that are making to strangle it , Chartism is gaining the possession of the habitations of the working classes , and in no few instances is creeping into the dwellings of the middle

      men , STAFFORD , Thubsdat . CLOSE OF THE TRFAI OF THE PRISONERS CHARGED WITH DEMOLISHING AND FIRING THE REVEREND DR . VALES ' HOUSE . Last night concluded the evidence for the defence . The Soucxtob-Gehbhal rose to reply , when The Chief Justice submitted to him whether it wonld be right at that Jate hour ( seven o ' clock ) to addr e ss the Jur y u pon a sub je ct whi c h involved t h e interests of so many prisoners . The Solicitob-Gbnebai , said that he was prepared to proceed if the Jury desired it . The Jury replied that they were most anxious to retire after tbe fatigue of the day . . The C ourt w a s according ly adjourned to half-past nine o ' olock this morning . The Jurors were a third time looked np for the night in the Snn Inn . _ After Mr . Axlbm had concluded his address m defence of his clients ¦

      . „ . __ , . Mr . Huddleston made a powerful appeal m behalf of the prisoner Wright , and ^ n a very bold and satisfactory manner , exposed the corrupt and the suspicious evidence that was bronght into action againet the prisoners .

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      Toe Chief Justice then asked tne undefended prisoners if they had anything to say . James Saunders s aid t h at h e co u ld n ot g et any one to speak . for nim , as he was suddenly taken away by the police . J . Cotton and Samuel Eaton most solemnly pro * tested that they were hurried away by the mob to the scene of destruction . Thomas Wagstaff , and S . Whitehouse would call witnesBses to prove their innocency of the charge preferred against them . Messrs . William Owen , Charles Hackney , Robert Simpson , Thomas Fenton , of the police , James Buck , and — Pool , knew Whis to n u p war ds of seven , ten , and fifteen years , and during that time he bore a most excellent character .

      Mr . and Mrs . Nathan , Mr . Cleft , and Constable Benton , gave Toft a oharacter for quietness , industr y , and sobriety . Mr . Bennett proved that Phillips was forced from his work , on the 15 th of August , by the mob . Ho knew him for twenty years to have been a quiet , inoffensive man . ' Mr . Joseph Mills , Mr . Cartiedge , and Mr . Saunders corroborated Mr . Bennett ' s testimony . Mr . William Fetlow and Mr ; Barker gave Smith an excellent oharacter . Thomas Hartshorn , Esq ., a magistrate , Mr . Geo . Paddock , a yeoman , ana Mr . Oldham , testified to Shaw ' s excellent conduct during the last fifteen years . Mrs . Susannah Booth knew Dimmock from hia infancy . He was always well conducted . Messrs . Bradbury , Halfpenny , Jenkinson ; and Potts gave similar testimony respecting Cartledge . Messrs . Hill and Sneyd spoke in similar terms of Edge .

      Messrs . Heath and Jenkinson ( in the Duke of Sutherland ' s employ ) , Marsh and Plant gave Harris a character for quietness , sobriety and industry . Satinders also received an excellent character from several ' witnesses . The appearauoe of these respectable persons in court on behalf of the prisoners , had a most talismanic effect upon the Judges , the Jury , and even upon the counsel for the prosecution , and seemed to shake to pieces a great mass of the evidence that was brought agaiust the prisoners . Mr . Allen , when pleading the cause of his clients , brought in front of the dock James Hirst , a sickly child of eleven years of age , who waB one of them , and called upon tho Jury to say if they could suppose for one moment that a child of such tender years was guilty of arson and demolition . An involuntary reply in the negative echoed through the Court . ¦¦ '¦ . ' "

      Mr . Allen made a powerful and heart-stirring appeal on behalf of his clients . When he described the wretohed condition of the prisoners , and of their b e r e aved fam i l i es , the Court , Judges , Jury , Counsel , and spectators were moved to tears , and the wretohed prisoners themselves were eo overcome that they sank upon the floor of the dock , while their sighs and sobs were distinctly heard throughout the Hall . The scene was truly appalling . _ Towards the close of the day , a * fresh bundle of bills ware found and brought into court . Amongst which were bills against O'Neil aud Cooper , for sedition , and against Ellis for every crime short of high treason . It was from the beginning dreaded by the friends of Ellis , that the indictment against him for high treason would not be found and that one for a minor charge would be substituted , as it was admitted by all that in a Court of Justice an indictment for high treason could not be sustained , while a pliant Jury could be induced to return a verdict of guilty against him for a minor charge .

      It is now reported that it is the intention of the Crown to put upon their trials at this Special Commission the 180 prisoners committed for the Sessions . If this is the case it will prove a great hardship to those prisoners , as they must be so taken by surprise , that they cannot be prepared to defend themselves . Mr . Roberts is , however , doing his best" to- prepare for every extremity . He has engaged Messrs . O'Neil and Allen to defend the prisoners . It is impossible to describe the sensation caused in the court by the Solicitor-General calling upon the Judges to turn out of the dock the two prisoners , William Hollins and Thomas Jackson , declaring that he could not send them before a jury on the polluted evidence that bad been produced against them . The Chief Justice concurred with the Solicitor-General , and ordered them to be discharged .

      • During the three days' trials the Rev . Dr . Vale , the prosecutor and hiB wife , occupied conspicuous seats under the- Benoh , and in the presence of the unfortunate prisoners : such conduct on the part of the rev . prosecutor and his lady , was the subject of the most unqualified reprobation , as exhibiting , to say the ' east of it , very bad taste . If an opinion is to be formed of the Rev . Dr . Vale ' s popularity by the humbler of his congregation , it must be admitted that it is not very great . If report speaks truth , his congregation . reckons only twenty individuals , while the Dissenting preaching-house in his parish is crowded to excess . That he is not a

      teetotaller is equally clear , by the quantity of whiskey which was fouad in hia cellar , which whiskey was the real origin of all the excesses that were committed , as the mob never attempted firing until their brains were fired by that demoniacal spirit , which they found on going into the house to ask money from Mrs . Vale . It is now absolutely necessary that the people should immediately contribute funds amply towards the Defence Fund , asit is more than exhausted . If money is . not generously supplied , victims upon victims will be made , and thus a stab will be inflicted npon the cause , which it will be difficult for it ever to recover .

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      THE STAFFORDSHIRE - ' TREASON" PLOT . As we yesterday anticipated , tho charge of high treason against Ellis could not be supported ; and the Counsel for the Crown have therefore wisely withdrawn it . We do not , however , regard this act in the samo light as tbe Times does , " an act of leniency" but one of neoeasity , to which they were driven . But ' w e do regard the . having committed him at all on such a charge as cruel and unjustifiable . Was it to give a pomposity to the calendar , or to make the charges more formidable , so that the jurors might think there really was something in them 1 Thus magisterial treason sinks into a shadow ; and thus , perhaps , their misdemeanours may . turn to nothing . "The mountain labours , and a mouse is born I " Some men cannot distinguish between " Reason " and " Treason ; " but we wish they would begin to learn , both for their own sake and the sake of others . —Evening Star . Wednesday ,

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      On Sunday ^ n the Christian church held in the Chartist Hall , Leith , the son of Mr . Lauchian , was named Henry Hunt Welsby M'Gregor , by Mr . John Taukard , minister of the above place . Theophenia , the wife of Mr . William Ranford , oi Kidderminster , was delivered on the 1 st of October , of two fine boys , who were registered on the 3 rd instant , one Emtnett Feargus O'Connor , the othei M'Douall Feargus O'Counor . Mr . Ruiford has now three boys living , all of whom are rfgistered Feargus O'Connor .

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      DEATHS . On Tuesday last , suddenly , at Harrogate . aftei t very short illness , Mr . James Clarksoo , oi Bradford , solicitor , aged 37 . He was a young nan of considerable talent and acquirements iie was the son of the late Mr . John ClaTkson Airmerly a respectable woolstapler at Wakefield vlr . Clarkspn was articled to Mr . Robinson , oi Wakefield ^ solicitar , and after the expiration ol lis clerkship , wa 9 for soma years in the office o Vlr . Hailstone , of Bradford , solicitor . He hac ieen in business for himself in Bradford , abou ive years , and acquired a practice whiot ¦ vas already respectable , aud promised to become iterative . He was a Radical in his politics , and

      iad , daring late years , frequently taken a proainent part in the meetings of the Radicals , particularly of that large section , the Chartists , vhose doctrines , he , wi t h man y m e n , of mor e elevated rank in society , contended were the iootrines of the English Constitution , as well as che doctrines of all just and wise men . He was in extremely pleasant associate , and bis infornation , which was both various and extensive , vas always at the service of his friends without he tax of a professional fee . He has left some elatives . who will have great reasons to deplore lis loss , for a great portion of the emolumen lerived from his labourg was devoted to theii isaistance .

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      "" On Thursday , the 18 th of September , t hat old Radical Reformer , Mr . John Marsland , of Broor .. lane , Haughton , in the 84 thlyear of his ^ , / On Monday last , aged 66 , deeply r ^ tQ by all who knew her , after a long ^ painful mn ^ Bl Hannah , the wife of Mr . tfOgeph Armitage , < lottdreager , of Little O ^ -street , m this town .

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      THE NORTHERN STAR . 5

      $&Ove F^Mus I$Atv(Ot8.

      $ &ove f ^ mus i $ atv ( ot 8 .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 8, 1842, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct774/page/5/