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

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      STOCKPOBT , G 1-OBIOT 73 TBIUMPH OYER LEAGUE DES- j POTISM . —TREACHEHY OF A CHARTIST . DISGRACEFUL CONDUCT OP A CHAIR- j MAN . . j One of tiose scenes which disgrace hnmaniiy , took p lace in the Conrt Room ,-on Monday night . On i Wednesday , the iovrn suddenly appe&red placarded , ] elating ihat a public meering would be held than eraiing , in the GourtRoonii as eight o'clock , to congratulate the electors of Xondon for having returr ^ a " free trader . " But when the people arrived t ' jere , ihey were rewarded for their trouble by a placard posted on the wall of the Conrt , informing t ^ m that the meeting "wasiKBtponed until Monday Q . ghl , at the same hoar .

      Meantime the Leaguers "were bnsy c anvassing and mnstsring their forces , -which consoled chitfly of baiiiiE-, poiiee , shop-boys , and overlookers ; bni . all to no pnrpose , for the people were ' J 0 t 10 be tricked by the " freebooting" slave-driver ^ At abont five minntes to e _ gat o ' clock , the people Eight be seen standing abo ^ i the Conrt Room door in the wet aad _ coldj vrhi ' . e the " gents" who were not prepared with their r / rrangemenis were comfortably seated in ~ an ante- -room . At " a quarter to nine ( which shews the ~ pnn '^ t nal and business-like habits of those gentry ); a \ ffboleno 5 t of Leaguers ascended the platform . A Mr . Bases ., an ^ -Msyor , was called upon to presde . He opened the meeting by reading the placard calling it , and telling as that he tras no pnblic speaker ; bnt of eonise , he a ^ resd with the objsci cf tfc _ - meeting , and would call upon

      3 ir . 3 . o \ £ 3 Ss , a faciory owner , to move the first resolniio-, 1 , which he did in the same style as the Chairman . But now followed the dirty-work-doer of the League , a ni&n well known for kid -bnllying propensities j he entered on the glorions effects free trade -would produce , and concluded by assuring the people it was the only measure which could procure for industry its full re's aid . The Chairman was about to put the resolution , when Mr . Thos . Webb came forward amid clapping and cheering . When order -was partially restored , he proceeded with some remarks as to the objects of the meeting , and proposed an amendment , pledging tfce people ro hare nothing to do with congratulating anybody of eLctors who would not pledge their candidate to support the People's < Jharter .

      The Chiurman npon "hearing the amendment read , rosa ^ Tiieatly confounded , when the following dialogae took place . CuATxais—* Will yon favour me with your name !" " 1 * is Thomas Webb . " M Are you aa inhabitant !" * Yes . " * Well , I won't put your amendment . " M If you don ' t , tliere is no . alternative but to choose a&oiher CBainnaa /* To which the whole meeting joined ehorns . " Yon Chartists are always coming here interrupting our business . " _ - " Are men wro come here to be insulted by being told thai they have no right to reply to the false doctrine you would cram down their throats V ** Your amendment shall not be put . "

      " Are you , whose office of Chairman should enable you to protect the rights of the -public after , being elected by ihe people , going to rob them of their onJy privilege—iha right to speak at public meetings V Here several of the freedom-of-3 peech-loving League interfered , and proposed to take a vote whether Mr . Webb ' s amendment should be put or not , when it was decided by a large majority that it should I Mr . Webb to the chairman , " Are you satisfied J 3 CW i ' Chakxas . —I am satisfied that you shall not speak . Mr . Webi * however , did speak . After a brief but cetera castigation of the " free-trade" electors of London ; for their unblushing robberies of the mahtnamakers i and die grasping propensities of the free traders generally , he concluded amid the applause of the people .

      Mr . Joseph Cahtkb next came forward to second the amendment , and shewed up the Whigs and Ctrn Law Repealers in their true colours ; but t >> i = i state of peace was not to last iosg , the ' Whigs finding themselves defeated resorted to the meantst tricks . . they are famed for ; one of them was to employ a drunken blackguard , who affected to move another amendment , and always , took the opportunity of interrupting the Chartist speakers , bnt who met with his desert by being hooted off the platform . Alt was uproar and confusion when a Mr . Hrosox , a lawyer , in true lawyer-like stile , tried to convince the people that the question was not one which the Chartist 3 should interfere with .

      Mr . Stephes Cllrk next followed , and cautioned the people not to be led away by the specious pleading of the gentleman who last spoke . Mr . Clark proceeded te address the meeting at some length , during which time he was irtqaently interrnpted by the servile tocla of faction . At this stage of the proceedings Mr . John Allisson made his appearance on the pisiform , To those who had watched for some time his Teering round , it appeared donbtfnl what course he wcnld steer , especially asie was obserred to lea-re the meeting sometime before the "business commenced , with his " cnt looker" ( who wa the person who seconded the first resolution ) also as he kad been waited on by deputation , from the Chartists , requesting him to take part in the he but

      proceedings ^ which declined doing ; even the moJt doubtful were not prepared for thB shock which hi 3 treacherous speech produced . He charged the Chartists with ingratitude ; that they ano the Tories haA coalesced to upset the meeting ; that Was not tbefiist time they had done so , wiueh is said he was prepared to prove , bnt in which he most signally failed ; that they never allowed a meeting to pass by without violently opposing it . This treacherous betrayal of his old friends deservedy met with such & volley of Msses , hooting , and groaning , that it was several minntes before there eonld be any sort of order restored . Jvever did we

      see such a smile of satisfaction light np the countenances of the middle classes , who were present as uprn the accession to their ranks of ih ™ new ally . The night Taeing now considerably advanced , The JCbxlbuljls proceeded to pat the resolution , when cries of " the amendment" assailed him from all psrt 3 of the room . He , however , was deaf to all jasiice , and proceeded to read the resolution . He then put it to the meeting , when the whole of the respectable tribe before mentioned , voted for it ; the amendment not being put , the sense of the meeting was taken to the contrary of the original motion , when a foresi of hands was held up against it .

      A vote of censure was then moved by Mr . Castes on the Chairman , —carried unanimously—during winch he ; made his retreat ; meantime the polics were bnsy pumng out the lights and clearing the room with all iheix usual manliness . Thus ended one of the most disgraceful seenes that ever disgraced a public meeting , and one that has certainly given a death blow to the freebooters ofS : ockport .

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      MEETING OF BROAD SILK WEATERS OF SPITALFIELD 3 . ATery numerously attended and highly important meeting of the Broad Silk Weavers of Spitalfields ¦ was held at the Girls' School Room , Abbey-street , Bethnal-green , on the 25 th ult . ; Mr . Delalore being called to the ehair introduced the proceedings by by a few excellent remarkB . The Seckexabt then delivered his report , and read the memorial which was signed by 8 , 949 -weavers requesting that the cause of their distress might be enquired into . He said that at the interview which took place en the delivery of the memorial by the depntation , they saw Mr . M'Greggor , and informed him" that they found the distress among

      the weavers to be most extensive , as there were many who were in work had not a bed to lie upon Formerly , when their trade was protected , there ¦ was about £ 20 , 000 weekly expended in wage 3 , wherea 3 since the repeal of that act there is not above £ ; i ) , 000 received weekly by the operatives Mr . McGregor said lhat he knew smuggling was carried on to a great extent to the injury of the silk trade , and thaS one plan of improving the trade would be to redece the dnty on silk to ten per cent , while it was his opinion if some allowance was granted by Parliament to the journeymen weavers , that wonid assist in removing the evil complained of . Tee report having been received ai > d adopted

      , r . Shebxaud moved the first resolutioa , which was to the following effect : — '' That this meeting is decidedly of opinion , which opinion is the result of twenty years' experience , t 2 &t _ the doctrine and , practice of Free Trade , so far as they have been allowed to be carried oat , have been productive of more phyacal injury to the gi'eat mass of the people of this country th > m an inv& 4 * ing « my ; and more subversive of every principle o ? znoraiity and of onr holy religion than could have been effected by the inirodacEioh of the abominations SF Juggernaut . The principles of Christianity are ircthjaftice .-oharlty , and good-will to all mankind ; while Free Trade teaches every species of lying and fraud

      . Instead of jnstiee it sanctions jobbery , especially thejrobbery of the poor ; instead of charity ituaicis crael : y of the worst species ; and instead « good--siH to . all manMad , inflicts evil upon the Diaaa of the community , benefiting only bloated opiums whose gold is their god ? ' He observed that toe ^ oefcrin es of Frea Tra < lehadhad a fair trial , and « ey found themselves ina most deplorable condition —( cries of * h = ar , hear ) . The priciples of protection Tu * ^ ? carried om in the reigns of Edward ff - ' Sicbard II ., and sneceeding reigns . It appewed er ^ a in those days of feudal barbarism , the jf- \ ° ^ ti < eir ac { s ^^ tJ ^ sys to protect labour , waueth-re were also acts regelating the price of pro-Tiaoi ^; so that there appigr ^ d a desireon tnc part of

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      tne Leg'slaturi of ; h- , sa days to protect the poor . They would see if ^ ocy looked at the rate of wages of those days . t ^ aiit wonid take but twenty-fonr weeks \ o purc ^ age ^ 3 mnch food as coul d only be obtained now ijy theoperative labouring for seveutyfiva w « -ck > - \ iiear , hear ); and yet they wereiold that the . principles of Free-Trade were to be carried out s t jil further ; and , as a proof of it , Mr . M'Greg g ° r said that the duvy on silk ought to be ra-^ . aced tea per cent—( hear ) . At the last city election ihe Anu-Corn Law Lsague is 3 ued a printed placard npon Free-Trade , in which they s ^ id that in Spital-SeldB , sinca the du'ies had been loi ? ered , they were . better off —( cries of" its false . ") They all knew to

      the contrary . The riik trade parhaps wonid better exemplify the evil effecis of Tre « Trade than any other branch of manufactures , as , while it had gradnally increased fourfold , wages had proportionally fallen . The principles of Free Trade meant no benefit to the working man , it was only intended for the benefit of larg ^ cipitslists and manufacturers , who by the repeal ef the Corn Laws , knew that they would have the great agriculturists in their power , and then get possession of their estates—( ehters ) . They pn ^ hr to urge Parliament to give them protection . It should be the duty of all tht » se who lire by their labour Jo assist in this one great object , for if they did not , they would be overpowered bv the Free Trade advocates" —( applause ) .

      Mr . Snow seconded the motic » n , which was carried ¦ an animou ^ ly . Mr . PmTor moved the second resolution , which is as follows : — n That it is the opiuion of this meeting that the suggestions of Mr . M'Greugor relative to the rednemg the duties on lorcign wrought silks to ten per cent , and the allowing of a sum per week to the present iand-loom weavers , equal in amount to half their earnings , wornd , if carried into effect in the present £ ta * e of cold-blooded Free Trade depravity , not only soon reduce the weavers to a state of misery equal to that they at present suffer , bnt annihilate their trade altogether ; and thereby totally deprive their helpless offsprings of the nicans of subsistence , and eubjrot them 10 the merciless Malthnsian crnelties that are inflicted upon the inmates of those dens of infamy—the New Poor Law Union Ba . stile 3 '' H « remarked that

      Government must be aware that they ought to do something for the starving popal&tion . By the present system of Free Trade , millions of money were taken from the working classes —( hear , heaTj . He hoped that the Government would see that the working cla ?? e- ; tad justice . Mr . Malpa ? , in seconding the motion , Eaid that they onght to recollect that 55 r . M'Greggor W 3 s in office when the Whigs were in power , and there was no doub : he wouid impress hi 3 opinion on the present Government . WiihreBpect to the allowance proposed to be granted by Parliament , and which was to be given only to those who were now employed as weavers , that would tend still further to destroy their trade , as it vronld cause an increased importation of for «^ n filis , &ud thus their wages ¦ wonid again be- reduced—( hear , hear ) . Another effect wonid follow , namely , their children , who were now at work at the looms , would be without employm-nt—( hear , hear ) .

      Mr . Berry observed that Mr . M'Greggor , on a former occasion , when examined before one of the Commissions of the Whig Government , asserted that his object in proposing to give a sum in lien of wares , was in order that foreign goods might be imported . Mr . Hatch said that the aim of the Free Trader 3 was their own aggrandisement— ( hear , hear . ) Mr . Cobden had not denied , at & meeting held at Doncaster that ho had reduced the wages of his

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

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

      Mr , Shehrabd here entered into a long argument on the doctrines and practices of the Free Tr&ders , showing the evils that would result from them , if fbJIy carried into effect , not only in thiB country bnt any other . As a powerful illustration of this be quoted part of a speech delivered by Dr . Bowring in the House of Commons , where according to the language of the Governor General , 12 , 080 of the people of Dacre in India , had literally died of starvation through the introduction of cotton goods manufactured by the power looms of Manchester , and yet the

      liberaj-niinded Christian gentleman , made no other use of this than to say that private interest must give way to the general good —( cries of shame , shame ) . He concluded by administering a severe cassation to the free-booters , and sat down amidst great applause . The resolnrion was ably seconded by Mr . Mcffat , aad corried with applause . Mr . WETB £ RiiiGToy moved the adjournment of the meeting to a future day , to take into consideration the answer to be returned to the board of trade , foccded npon the snggestions of Mr . M'Gregor , seconded by Mr . Lane , and carried unanimously .

      A vote of thanks was given to the chairman and the meeting separated .

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      and in other fabrics we are receiving Iys 3 by 43 . -6 d , than we were in 1840 . What has been stated clearly proves , said the speaker , that what haa been put forth by &n enemy is incorrect , and the weavers could not do better than form themselves into a union to look after such publications of their enemies , and on their appearance contradict them . He trusted that the principles and roles of the unien would ba zealously and perseveringly carried out . The meeting was afterwards addressed by B . Kennerdale , I Holt and S . Bromiley j the former of whom recommended the

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

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      THE "REBECCA" MOVEMENT THE WELSH SPECIAL COMMISSION . The Special Commission for the trial of the Rebecca rioters opened at Cardiff , on Thursday , the 26 th , at eleven o ' clock in the forenoon . The presiding Judges were Mr . Baton Gutney and Mt . Justice CresaweiL The usual preliminaries having been gone through , the Commission was opened pro forma , after which their Lordships attended Divine Service , at the parish church of Saint John . The court again re-opened at two o'clock . The Grand Jury having been aworn in , Mr . Baron Gurnoy proceeded to deliver hiB " charge" aa follows : —

      " Gentlemen of the Grand Inquest , —We are assembled at this unusual season of the year under Her Majesty ' s XJommission of oyer and terminer , to inquire into the cases of persons charged with felonies and misdemeanours arising out of , or connected with , the disturbances and outiages lately commuted in this county ; and to deliver the gaol of persons who are detained therein under such cbarges . It is but too notorious that In other parts of South Wales there have been for several months past tumultuary proceedings , large assemblages of persons , generally by night , for the destruction ef turnpike-gates . These proceeding . ; , unfortunately , did not receive a check at their commencement , and therefore they gradually increased until they attained a considerable height It might have been expected that the exposition of the law , the salutary cautions , the solemn warnings of tbt > learned Ju ^ gd who presided in South Wales on the summer

      circuit in the two neighbouring counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke , would have been effectual in bringing the people to a sense of their moral duty s 01 , if that failed , of their personal danger , from a pereeverance In the s ^ ' practices ; but , I lament to say , instead of decreasing , thuae offences have increased in number , in extent , and in enormity , and have at length reached the county in which we are assembled . Excesses of this kind are never committed without some grievance , real or pretended . Tue alleged grievance on account of which they commenced , and have continued , was heavy tolls at tnrnpike-gatea . When turnpikes were first established in England , about a century ago , it is matter of history tbet a large proportion of the farmers were hostile to them . They , with sort-sighted policy , preferred bad roads prepared by the parishes to good roads which were repaired by the exaction of tolls . Wiser counsels , however , prevailed , and to those wiser counsels we are indebted for those roads which have

      been gradually improved , and have , at last , in many parts , almost attained perfection . By the turnpikexo&da many districts had been made accessible which were net so before : they have stamped an increased value on thousands and thousands of acres of valuable land . But good roads could net be constructed except by means of a large' outlay ; for that outlay money was necessarily borrowed , for the payment of the principal and interest of which tolls were necessary , and gates for their collection . The Principality , has , I believe , largely benefltted by this system . The improvement in the roads b&s been beneficial to all classes . It haa opened important communications fur trade , for agriculture , and for pleasure . The facility afforded to travelling haa brought into your country , so rich in scenery ,

      numbers of persons who would otherwise never have visited it If , in the execution of plans for the improvement of the roads , any error has been committed—if the toils imposed by act of Parliament have been too heavy—or if , where trustees had discretion Tested in them , they have erred in the exercise of it , it -was equally the doty and the interest of thoBe who felt any burden which they thought they ought net to bear , peaceably to prefer their applications to the Legislature or to the trustees ( as the ease might be ) for relief ; and if they believe that any illegal exaction took place , they had in their own bands a prompt remedy by application to the magistrates in petty sessions ; or , if they preferred it , either by indictment or by action , when a trial would have

      taken place at the aaaiaea ; and I will venture to say , that the appeal for justice by even the poorest member of the community would never have been mads in vain . I have always found that tne claim of an oppressed man was listened to with favour in a court of justice , and ample redress afforded . If , therefore , any grievance existed in the shape of oppreasion or illegal tolls , there was a legal remedy . ' If , indeed , there are persons who , after the money h&B been lent for the making the toads , and tolls imposed for repayment , have -wished to break faith with the creditors by destroying their security , they must be disboht-st characters . Many a widow , and many an orphan , are dependent upon these securities for their subsistence . Instead of that peaceable application f * r redress which I have pointed out , there have been large and tumultuous assemblages of persons , generally in the night , disguised bo as to escape identification , armed in a manner to defy resistance , provided

      with implements for the destruction of gates and even bouses , and who have carried their unlawful and wicked purposes into execution by terror and by violence , extending even to an attack upon the lives of pe ^ ce-officers in the actual execution of their duty . In & country 'which is governed by law : such excesses as these must be put down with a strong band ; they are sure sooner or later to bring ruin on ' those who engage in them . The Learned Judge then referred to the nature of the precise cases as laid down in the calendar , and dwelt upon the peculiar features of each aa they are set forth , observing that he felt assured gentlemen like those whom he had Ihehonjur to address on the present occasion , would enter upon their inquiries and investigation nnder a full conviction of doing their duty both to their country and themselves . With these remarks the Learned Judge closed his address , and the Grand J ; ry retired .

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

      morning . FRIDAY . The Learned Judges took their seats on the bench at nine o ' clock this morning , and immediately afterwards the prisoner John Hut ; hea -was arraigned at the bar for having nnlawfuUy , ri « tonsly , and tumultnously assembled with other persons to the disturbance of the publio peace , and feloniously , unlawfully , and with force began to demolish the dwelling-house of one Wm . Lewis , at the parish of Llandilotalybout The prisoner twho appeared at the bar with bis arm in a fcling ) pleaded " Not Guilty . " The Attorney-General , the Solicitor- Ganeral , Mr . Chilton . Queen ' s Counsel ; Mr . J . Evans , Queen ' s Counsel ; and Mr . £ . V . Williams , appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr . M . D . Hill , Queen ' s Counsel , and Mr . M . Chambers for the prisoner .

      The Grand Jury brought in true bills against John Hughes , charged with beginning to demolish a tollhouBe at Pontardulaia , for a misdemeanour ; against Jonn Hugh , for being concerned in firing on tbe police at Pontardulais , for felony ; against the same Jobn Hugh , for being concerned in demolishing the tollhouse at Pontardulais , for a misdemeanour ; on the same charges . For the defence an objection was set up in respect of the pannel , which was contended to be invalid ; being charged -with not having been made indifferently and impartisliy by the Sheriff , according to the statute . A considerable discussion then arose as to the time and legal features of the objection , in which their Lordships participated . The Learned Baron Gurney referred to the statute , and between his Lordship and the Attorney-General Bome considerable argument arose , and points of law propounded .

      Tee Learned Attorney-General contended that the law required Bome positive proof that the pannel bad not beeu properly made , and mere allegation was not a sufficient objection . Sir W . Follefc followed the Attorney-General , and contended aiso that there were no proper objection proved « s to the illegality of the Sheriff ' s pannel , and observed that , if similar objections were to become a precedent , the time ef the court would be expended in discussion alone , and prisoners in all cases ¦ would » vail themselves of the . system of challenging the attaign , whether there be ground or not Sir William explained at considerable length , and considered the prisoner making a challenge to the arraign , was not well grounded ; and the objection waa net tnfficient .

      Mr . D . Hill , for the defence , contended the prisoner had a legal right to challenge in as much that the pacnel had not been indrferenlly and impartially made , and ^ tipon these grounds he contended at considerable leBgth , that the prisoner was entitled to the benefit of th » objection ; he did not intend to impeach the conduct or intentions of the Sheriff ; but when an informality « x « sted whether emanating directly from the Shtrff , notwithstanding tfee functions of his high office , or from his subordinate officer , it must be weighed for the benefit of the subject The Solicitor-General bad talked abont the trouble that courts of justice would . be subject to in admitting a challenge to the arraign ; but be trusted their Lordships were , as he felt assured they were , the last men on earth to think 0 / trouble when the interests of a fellow « reatnre were at stake ; he considered tbe grounds of ins objection te the pannel

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      ? £ S ^ ££% ^ »«» Scitriff not of the case of the ctirtfe ^ 1 ^ P" 0 " ^ feafc « eB Mr . Chambers said ^ e ** ^ l" ?* ' - t ., comefroov bo high a fnucTiorZ 8 8 ar ? n 8 ed thafc lt stottId that a challenge cunnorb ^ Tfe * 'J " ¦ % ***»*»>** . prisoner hart I right to V « uSi £ it ^ arrftl ^ ., ^ not havmg been made and chosen indifiSe ^ Tnd impartially , waa & suffisient and valid objection . - shi « argumen ^ upied nearly two hours . Theft ^ ordahip ! considered the objection was not BKifie out . as no specifled fact had ; b ^ n shewn that the pannel had not been ™« tZ ?'?' * I ? ' P artl »» y . m the challenge must therefore fall to nothing , The case then proceeded . ; . The prisoner ; who is a hale , powerful , and goodlookmg young farmer , appeared to take much interest in the choice of the Jury who were to try him .

      At length ; the following persons were sworn on the petty Jury : — William Jones , of Cardiff , gentleman ( foreman ) ; Thomas Williams , or Mertfayr Tydvil , grocer ; David Jones , of Mertbyi Tydvil , draper ; D ^ vid Lawis , of Heoi Wormwood , druggist ; g anwel Savis ^ of Mertnyr Tydvil . clothier ; Thomas Hearne , of Cardiff , draper , ' Jacwb Jacob , of Cardiff , maltster ; William Williams , ° 1 „ ¦ ' , ' £ : y illa « ' °° rdwainer ; William Richards , of Cockhtrbtown , timber merchant ; Philip Taylor , of Harwain , shopkeeper ; Geor « e Price of St . Nicholas , gentleman ; and . John Roe . Cpckherbtown . centleman .

      The indictment having been rea < 1 . which charged the prisoner John Hughes with having , on the 6 th of September lost , feloniously begun to demolish and destroy a certain , fcouse , descrjhed in various counts as a house in the parish of Llandilotalybout , as a dwelling-house , and designated in the different counts as the property of Thomas Bullen ( the toll contractor ) , of tht trustees of tfee turnpike-road , and sf William Lewis ( tollcontractor ) . The Attornev-General then proceeded to address the Court and Jury . It was his painful duty , he said , to appear for the prosecution . It was most necessary

      that the law should take Us course , and he would endeavour to point out to them the nature of the charge alleged against the prisoner . The charge bf . re was founded uponan Act of Piwliameut which had passed in the reigp of George IV . By that law it was enacted that persons tumaltuously assembled proceeding to pull down a house , dwelling-house , or office of any description , should be guilty of a felony . The crime was at the passing of the Act punishable by death ; but since then the person found guilty of violating its provisions was subjected to a minor punishment What had occurred in this case ? Had there been a riotous

      and tumultuous assembly ? He should proceod to show them what had happened . On the night of tho C-h of September , or rather on the morning of the 7 th , between the hours ol twelve and one o ' clock , a number « f persons , at least from 100 to 200 , were assembled , many of them were on horseback , and they proceeded to the Pontardulais-g&te— which he understood was one of very ancient date ; be believed that it waa one that had existed within the memory of most persons acquainted with that part of the country . He hud next te call the attention of the jury to the appearance of the mob , and to the manner in which they had provided themselves with arms and implements of destruction . It appeared that some of the mob were diBguised , so as to give them tbe appearance of women

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

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

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

      towards the Pontardul . iis Gite j and I heard someeny , " Gate . " It was about ten minutes to one o ' clock , when we arrived at the place . After the parties bad arrived at the Gate , I heard a noise the same aa breaking of glass ; I desired my men . to follnw me ; we went into the main road ; I saw three men on horseback with their faces blackened ; they were on this side of the gate that is in Glamorganshire ; there wore many more on the other side ; I should say from 100 to ISO ; I saw and heard them pulling the Toll House down ; the disguise by tbe three men was particular , and I took noUe 6 of them ; they appeared to me to be directing the other parties . I ordered my men to fall in , and we proceeded towards them ; I called out " stop , " when one of them on horseback turned round and fired at me ; I was not bit . I desired my men to nark that man , and I went up to bis horse and fired at it In endeavouring to make off , one of the parties fell

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

      Cross-examined by Mr . HILL—It was about ten o ' clock when we set out from tbe toll-gate . Had to go ten or eleven miles . Did not go the nearest way , and were all on foot They bad not arrived at the field spoken of five minutes before the people came . Received tbe information on which they acted about four o ' cleck in the afternoon . The field was about 400 or 5 D 0 yards from the toll-house . Heard the noises as of moving towards the gate when in the field . It was then * » iso witness saw and board the signals . It was abtmt an hour in point of . time , and . five miles in point of space , before this that they first heard them . When they arrived In the field and became stationary there , the mob appeared to be upon a road on the other side

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

      Lewis Llewellyn Dillwyn , examined by Mr . J . Evaks . —Accompanied Captain Napier on the 6 th of September . He heard Captain Napier call Upon the men who were destroying the gate to demist Did not know whether the shots which were then fired proceeded from the men who advanced against Captain Napier ' s party . He fired at one man's horse in the hvpe of being able to capture the man . ( The witness hero detailed the particulars of a struggle he had with another of the men , who was captured ) . HiB name he found to be David Jones . He saw the prisoner at the bar Uiso in custody of the police . His face was blackened . The gate and toll-houoe , which he afterwards examined , ; were in the state described by the two former witnesses .

      Uv-ss-examined by Mr . M . CHAMBER!—He had loaded pistols in his hand ween he advanced upo& tbe field . Did not know whether the policemen , wben in the field , had their pistols in their bands or not Believed they had tbem about them . It was wben they were close to the crowd that Captain Napier called upon the rtotefs to desist . He ( tbe witness ) bad four pistols . He lias close to the horse at which he fired—in fact , touched it—aiming at the side of the horse . He was much pressed upon by the crowd , but he was sure that the ball of the pistol coald not have hurt any one about him , uuleas it passed through the body of the horse . Had no doubt that the bullet entered the ribs of the horse . The horse got away . His ( the witness ' s ) evidence bad not been taken before the magistrates , and the present was the first time he had been examined .

      Henry James Peake , examined by Mr . E . TauOHaN Williams . —Waa the superintendent of the constubularyfurctoof the county , and on the 6 th of St-ptember at tight c « conjpanied Captain Napier , &c . ( Hero the witness confirmed the evidence of the preceding wit-Bt&sea respecting the noises and firing of the mob

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      already dt scribed , the &dv » aca of Captain Nupwr and party ; the destruction of ( the toll-house , and of the Bate , & . & ) He thought the jrndb was composed of about 250 persons . When the Rabeccaites at the gate were called upon to desist , they fired npon , and to 6 e toward 3 , Captain Napiefa party . There was & general 8 cuffl > , and he saw David ] Jones , one « f tbe rioters , taken into custody , ; ( The witness here produced seme powder-horns , a shot-bag containing some sh « t , taken froni therioUra , also a variety of articles composing the dress and disguw , Of the Rebeccaltes , all of which were taken from them ky the police . He also produced some tin-horns , and two-w- three cow-horns which had been likewise taken from itx ** ru Two large sledge-hammers , a pickaxe , a crow-bar , a ojeft , —a sort of minor battle-axe , — used for cutting iron , two old gun 3 , and other weapons , were also produced . The hammers and cleft wero weapons of a most formidable inscription . )

      John Price , examined by Mr . Evans . —Is one of the Swansea police , and was at the Pontardulais-gate . As he approached the gate ; he beard the sound of horns and the tiring of guns by , a number of people . He heard them demolishing this gate , and saw a great number of pesons on horseback on the Swansea side of the gate . He heard Captain Napier say " Stop firing . " He then saw a man discharge a gun at Captain Napier , dressed in white , and something red round hi * neck . His face was blackened . After the man Sred , somebody in the mob cried out " Fight to the death . " A great many guns were then fired . After the police fired , the horse of the man who firodi . it Captain Napier staggered and turned round , and the man fell off . I followed him and took him . That man was John Hushes , the

      prisoner , who got wounded . He said " Let me go , let me go , my good fellow ;; you have broken my arm already . " He said to him , ' Where did you get it broker" "Over yonder , at the gate . " He was quite sure the prisoner was the person he saw fire at Captain Napier . Cross-examined by Mr . Hill . —Did not recollect the first time that he told the expression " fight to the death . " Tijis was not in the first edition of his story . Ha did not state it then , ] because he was in a hurry j he was not in a hurry when he gave bis secend story . Mr . Hill . —O ' !

      William Robextson Williams , examined by Mr . E . B . Williams . —Is one of the police force , and accompanied Captaia Napier to the Pontardulais-gate , ( The witness then described the same evidence before detailed ) . The prisoner at j the bar was the maa that fired at Captain Napier . ] He received orders to fire , and fired . He saw Captain Napier fire a pistol at the horse under the prisoner , John Hughes . The horse turned round three times , ' and the prisoner fell off . He did not see Captain Napier struggling with him ; he first saw the prisoner in custody . He saw David Jones in the toll-house pulling- up the boards of the tollhouse . Jones struck him Jon the shoulder with an iron bar . He inimediatly put his pistol in his left hand and drew his cutlass , with which be struck Jones on the head . He picked up the b * r afterwards , a tin horn , and a broken powder fltsk ( produced ) . Jones was afterwards takeu into custody .

      Mr . Hill objected , that this was evidence against Jones , and not against the , ' priaoner . Mr . Baron Gueney . —He is responsible for the act of the crowd of which he was one . Examination resumed . — He saw the gate broken . He afterwards found the pickaxe produced . Cross-examined . —This was a pick-axe , snob as were used for mending the roads , and such as were laid about First mentioned jthat Hughes was tbe man on horseback wben be saw him apprehended on the bridge . There was a considerable bustle at that time . He did not see any other persons . He had orders from Captain Napier to notice this man above the rest . He did not notice either of tbe magistrates doing anything , or firiug . There 1 were many reports of guns firing . Would state that there were not twenty men on foot on his side of tbe gate . There was no scuffle between the magistrates and the men on foot . There

      were two men on horseback , the prisoner and another . He did not know what became of tbe other . The reason was that he was wounded—not by tbe orowd , ner by bis own party . His sword fell out of the scabbard as he advanced . It ] fell on the ground with the point upwards , and he wounded himself with his own sword in tbe thigh in advancing . This was before tbe attack . Will not swear the greatest number of men at the gate bad not straw-hats on ; bad not time to reckon them . Stated to Captain Napier that the prisoner was the man who fired at him . Did not state he could recognise any featnre . Has been out of court during the examination . Was only examined once before the magistrates . Tho signaturei to tbe P ^ Per pxoduoed was bis . [ The witness ' s deposition before tbe magistrates was read , but there waa nothing about tbe prisoner in it ] He only answered before the magistrates the questions that were put to him . Several other witnesses were examined , and

      The Attorney-General here put in several papers which were found upon tbe prisoner , one containing a 53 .-piece , the paper in which it was wrapped containing a statement to the effect that it was a payment tor services . It was addressed to " Mrs . Rebecca . " Tbe Court was then adjourned until nine o ' clock to < morrow . I

      SATURDAY . Tbe Court opened at nine o ' clock this morning , and tbe evidence for tbe prosecution was resumed . William Lewis , collector et tolls at Pc ? ntardalais Gate ; John Morgan , a ] land-surveyor ; and William Cox , governor of the Swansea House of Correction , were examined on tbe part of tbe Crown . Mr . Hill then commenced hi& address in bebalf of the prisoner . After some introductory observations be said-. ' -It is to me a circumstance of unparalleled astonishment , to which I can make no comparison since my long practice in tbe profession , that this Commission should have been called , fyea , I repeat it fearlessly , why it should have been instituted at all for tbe purposes for which it has been j designed , It was notorious

      now all the world over that certain tuiaults had been created in the < hitherto peaceable districts In tbe Principality , in consequence of the existence of popular grievances arising from a heavy impost on the community in tbe way of tolls ; and it were better had tbe proper authorities endeavoured to have appeased the disaffection by redressing their wrongs , if any existed , rather than fly bo the assistance and interposition of Government , in ] sending its Solicitor General and Attorney General and so many of her Majesty ' s Counsel , to settle by law those matters which a more congenial method might probably bave obviated . I must confess , said tbe learned counsel , that I have bees drawn , into considerable surprise during this investigation ; and from the opening of the case by my Learned .

      Friend the Attorney r General , I bad expected some most benieous offence bad been committed ; for wbat else bad I to dread after the powerful description given by him in tbe indictment of firing , shooting , and riotously ^ demolishing a dwelling-house and a turnpike-gate , and ; that tbe prisoner at tbe bar did aid and abet in these most serious depredations . A great deal had been setup by the prosecution for the Crown to enlarge upon and magnify this most dreadful and bloody occurrence—this most unprovoked outrage —this spoliation of property ; but he would aak , what after all did it amount to ? Where was it ? Why , at Pontardulais toll-house and gate , which up to this moment no one knew to whom they belonged ; why had not a witness been called to enlighten the Jury

      upon this important point ? Again , what tittle of evidence Was there tosbowj tbe participation of bis client , the prisoner at the bar , { as having been implicated in this tumult ? Witnesses bad been produced who , be contended , had failed to establish any proof ef that nature . It had been said that on tbe night in question a certain mob had congregated together , and with guns and other offensive weapons bad committed certain depredations ; that many ; were on horseback , and others on foot in great numbers , disguised for the better purpose of carrying their depredations into effect ; that tbia mob , or some portion of it , attacked the tollhouse and gate and demolished them ; but I will fear , lessly assert , continued the Learned Counsel , that the evidence produced has failed to establish that

      fact , as will be seen by the many discrepancies to which I sball have . occasion to advert Again ' , with respect to tbe i prisoner at the bar , he would also contend that no case bad been actually made out , so as to bring him within the sense of the indictment It was true certain witnesses spoke to the circumstance of three men on horseback being seen on the GtamoTganfihUe side of tbe ToU-CUte at the onset ot this affray , or rather on the first appearance of tbe police force at the Toll House , and that fixing had taken place , but it is not exactly satisfactory by whom or which party first Now in tbis evidence there is some contradiction , for the number of tb . ee so mounted w / a shortly reduced to Jtwo , and subsequently to one , and who was tkat lose ? the prisoner at tho

      bir ? No ! ? or a policeman who was very particular and certain ia bis testimony haa sworn it was a man by tbe name of Hugh , and not Hughes , the prisoner at the bar ; there were itwo names , and two distinct persons , —Hugh and Hughes in the proceedings . The learned Advocate then went on to Bhow that in bis opinion , and be thought ! it would be that of the Jury also , that the Police had been the aggressors ; for it waa their duty to have prevented the outbreak , instead of waiting as they did ( although armed by tbe Law ) , an . til the alleged demolition was completed . Was this consistent ? Vo \ Again , some of these very aimed authorities , possessed of pistols , and balls , and cutlasses besides , declare that upon the first volley being fired by them , that these I poor deluded people , who , be it recollected , bad given every publicity of their approach —ran off as many aa could , except those anfortunai . e

      ones who were captured . Had their system of matCBimeing indicated anything like a murderous mob , bent on the most horrible crimes , as the learned Counsel for tbe pvosecutvon . would have it to be thought ? Certainly not They bad been excited by an opinion of existing wrongs , sad . jthey sought to remedy them , though , I admit , not by the best of means ! That public opinions have created public outrages fa not a new feature in this conntry ; bat to reconcile them by the strong arm or the law , has not always b ^ ifi « or # - mended , as he would shew , by authority « fpa « of the wisest and most humane ] men that ever IWeflVlmean , said the Learned Counsel ; , Lord Coke . Here he entered into a most elaborate display of eloquence , which was listened to with marked attention , in -which he touched upon every topic ot feeling and hnm&nfty , and deve- ' laped in a most n-ap ' erly manner the general detail of the outbreake , their cause and effecte ; after which ha

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      W-irt tasju ^ Q . tin chain avid . nctj adduced , va't-mg his remarks upon every point and tarn of sentiment likely in any way to benefit the defence . It had bean said in evidence , continued , Mr . Hill , that tbe tollhouse had bfen demolished—that the ^ abls end was tora . dowa—the window and window frames battered to pieces—and shots and slugs found in the saabes and other wood work ; but when the deaf surveyor waa called , who , be it recollected , bad not seen the house from tbe 5 th to the 7 tb , thai is the day before , and after the tumult , ha sworo that the uprights of the windows were not down , but that they were then stindinff ; that the great pulling down of thohouse , consisted of a few stonea being loosened from one of the qu < ji' : 3 tot corners ); and that instead of ibo gable-end being in

      danger of momentary demolition , there was not a bole big enough for a mouse to creep through , much lesa a man . Now , , let mo ask you , gentlemen , said Mr . Hill , how do tfe know but this quoin , or corner of the toll-honae , more properly speakin /? , mii ? ht have been a nais . inee-, as projecting farther into the road than it ought to have done . Tbe Surveyor haa said that tbe bow-window is parallel with ther . Tart , but I am not Bati&Swi which road be meins ; and I consider bis map a very fallacious one , for ia it there are two roads laid dovyrj by the toll-house , the high-road to Swansea and Carmarthen , and also a bye parish road to a mill . Now , if this projection , ( and that is what appears to me ) ia into the sida road , I mean to contend that no ono baa a right to build upon public ways , and a toleration may

      be held out to some extent for the taking of that nuisance flown . There is an especial Act of Parliament ( he was understood to mean ' . be Turnpike Act , untiex which such nuisances were mfule unlawful , aad therefore moveable . He would again , repeat that , if there T 6 te exactions which became too heavy to bear , it was but right that they should be immediately removed for public benefit , and for tie security of public peace ; for if things continued on aa they had done , we should shortly arrive at a state of things equal to the insurrection in France . I say asaxa , said he , most emphatically , that the magistracy in this case , with thdis Captain and Police , were more the aggressors than thoaa

      misguided people ; for bad they exerciEed diacretiofc with their military tactics , the affray might have baea prevented before tbe mob , as it is called , could have come near the scene of action ; he did not know what the Magistrates of Wales mi ^ ht think of their country ^ - but be was happy to say England waa not lika it . la the latter part of bis address , which was embellished by various quotatloua from high Uw and other authoritias , the learned and indefatigable pleadar referred to tho decisions in criminal cases of Judge Foster aad Rassell , and in a roost tonchi : ^ and pathstic appt-ftl to the uvnds and feelings of the Jury trusted on a vertUct of acquittal .

      The Learned Counsel occupied two hours and five minutes in his address , of wliich the above is but a short outline . Mr . Chimbera then proceeded to call witnesses to character , when Mr . Divid Jones , of Linon ; J-hn Rees , pari-f ; of Laneliy : John Jones , Mansel Arms : Joshua J ^ ntina Robert Jones ; Wm . Thomas , Ty ' r Clawdd ; David Richards ; D ; niel Jenkins ; John Jenkina , and John Rees , appaarcd and united in giving the prisoner the best of characters . The Solicitor-General then addressed the Jury in reply ; he spoke an hour and ten minutes . Mr . Baro : Gurney then summed up . The Jury retired at a quarter past four o ' clock , and , aft « r littla more than half an hour ' s absence , returned with a verdict of Guilty , reoomniending the prisoiisf to mercy ou account ef his previous good character . ihe Court then adjourned until Monday .

      MONDAY . The Court was opened at nine o'clock thia morning , and immediately afterwards David Jotes and John Hugh were placed in th 3 dock . An iudictmeut waa then read charging them with having unlawfully , riotously , and tumoHuously assembled , with divers others to tbe number of 50 , and feloniously begun to demolish and pull down a certain bouse in the parish of Llaii'Hiotolybont , the property « f William Lewis and others . The prisoners first pleaded " Not Guilty ; " but , after a short conversation between their counsel and Mr . H » Williami , their attorney , they withdrew their plea , and pleaded " Guilty . " The Attornet-Geneeal then said , the prisoners having pleaded " Guilty , " be did not mean to proas in aggravation of punishment . ¦ Mr . HitL then addressed the Court at considerable length in mitigation of punishment

      John Hugbea , who -was coimcted on Sxtaraay , having been placed with the otber prisoners at tne bar , Mr . Baron Gurnet then addressed the prisons and said they stood severally convicted of a felony , and a felony of a . very aggravated description . The Jury , after a long and patient hearing , bad found John Hughes Guilty ; and the prisoners , David Jones anrl John Hugh , had pleaded Guilty to an indictment of a similar description , and their Learned Counsel , iu his address f the Court , had very properly impressed upon it the contrition of Jones and Hugh , which they bad manifested , and which was intended to recommend them in Bome measure to tbe mercy of the Court . This circumstance waa net forgotten , but still an example was necessary . They , from the respectability which they had formerly maintained * and the rank of

      life which they occupied , were persons of whom it was particularly necessary that an example should be made , to deter othew from a repetition of their crime . They were all liable to be transported beyotiS the seas for tha term of their lives ; but , considering all that bad been stated with respect to D ^ vid Jones nod Jobn Hugh , the Court waa of opinion that it was impossible to pass a less sentence than that which be was about to pronounce ; which was , that each of them should be transported for the term of Seven years . With respect to John Hughes , the Court could not entertain the same vtow of his case . He appeared to be one in a station of society far above tbe rest ; one not likely to be misled by others ; and yet upon the evidence proved to be a leader , if not the leader of this lawless multitude . His conduct at the time , as well a « the papers found in his pocket , demonstrated , at lu-Mt ,

      that he was a leader—that he waa active in collecting adherents and associates , and that something like threats bad issued from him against those who were not forward in joining his illegal course . He had ' besa recommended by the jury to the mercy of the Court . The Court felt extreme difficulty in any degree lessening the punishment which the law awarded to his offence . The law said he was liable to transportation for . life ; but giving all consideration to the recommendation of the jury and id all the circumstances which had been so ably stated by the learned counsel for the prisoner , the Court was of opinion that he be transported beyond the seas for the term of twenty years . As to any further extension of mercy , the prisoners must recommend themselves to the grace and mercy of the Crown ; but that mercy could not be expected if offences ef this bind were repeated and the peace of the country were not fully restored .

      In the case of David Lawis , a labourer , against wham there was a charge of feloniously and mallciou 3 y cutting and wounding . The Attorney-General said that , on looking over the circumstances , he felt disposed to enter a nolle prosequi . The prisoner was then discharged . Lewis Davis was then indicted , upon the oaths of ¦ William . Chambers , the younger , of Llanelly , in the county of Carmarthen , gentleman , and another , with unlawfully and maliciously throwing . down and destroying a certain turnpike-gate hi the parish of Llandilotolybont The prisoner having pleaded Guilty .

      : The attorney-General said that he bad given his best attention to this case , and did not feel it necessary to press for the judgment of the Court opon it , as be should consider it sufficient that the prisoner should enter into his own recognizances to appear and receive tbe judgment of the Cmrt , if callad upon . Tbe prisoner then entered into bis own recognizir . cea for £ 50 , and was discharged . Morgan Morgan and Esther Morgan also pleaded " Guilty" to an indictment for being feloniously present and aiding and assisting Margaret Morgan to maliciously cut and wound Charles Frederick Napier , of Swansea , gentleman , with Intent in go doing to prevent tbe apprehension of one Henry Morgan .

      The Attorney-General said , that he wonid enter a nolle prosequi to tbe cfearga of felony against these prisoners . Considering their advanced age . and other circumstances connected with the case , he should be satisfied if they were discharged after entering into their own recognizances . Tbe prisoners , having entered into their own recognfziQces for £ 50 each , were accordingly discharged . Margaret Morgan , Rees Morgan , and Jobn Morgan likewise pleaded " Gaiity , "the first to an indictment charging her with maliciously cutting and wounding the before-mentioned C F . Napier , and the other prisoners with having been feloniously present , and aiding and assisting her to commit the said felony .

      Tbe Attorney-General entered a nolle prosequi so far as regarded the felonious charge against the prisoners , and observed that , having ascertained the circumstances under which this aggravated assault hod taken place , he did balieve that they were under a mis take with respect to the right to resist Under these circumstances he was not disposed to press for a severe punishment in this case ; but , 88 the law had been resisted , the offence must , at the same time , be marked by some sentence which would manifest the aervere displeasure of the Court The Learned Judge then addressed the prisoners and sentenced Margaret Morgan to imprisdemenfe for sir months , and Rees and John Morgan for twelve months . The Learned Baron further observed , that the Court had received information respecting tbe goodness of their characters previously to these offences , and that that was the only reason why he bad not considered it necessary to sentence them to hard labour also . - ; " ' , . .. ¦ ¦ . ¦ ' ¦ " ¦ ' - ¦ ' ' - ¦ ' '

      Mr . Baron Gurnett then , addressingthiGrajn * Jary , thanked them hi the name of the county , for the servioes they had performed , and discharged them . Hia Lordship also , in discharging the petty jury , expressed bis regret that they should have been take * from their homes at an unusual period of the year , thanking them at the same time for the manner in which they had peri formed their duty . ' , _ Tbe juries then retired , and tbe proceedings of the corunjission terminated . ( Continued in our Eighth page . )

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      THE BOLTON HAND-LOOM "WEAVERS . We have received tbe following letter and accomjjarjyiDg report We can see no reason why both were not sent on Tuesday , the 24 th , instead of Saturday , the 25 th , in which case the report would have appeared in our last : —

      TO THE EDITOR OP THE NOBTHEKK STAR . Sir , —Ton would oblige the Committee of the Hand-Loom Weavers , by inserting the enclosed report Cjpies bave b ? en sent to several papers , requesting insertion ; tut kuoTtiug that yon go to press early in tbe week , we deemed it nseless to send yon tbe report for ifce present Saturday . Hoping that you will give pnblicity to it in your next , you will oblige , Yonrs , < fcc , Isaac Holt , Secretary . Borton . October 28 tb , 1843 .

      MEETirG of Hand loom Weavers—OnMonday last , a public meeting of the above trade , called by placsrd , was held at tie Lord Nelson pcblic-hoase , to take into consideration the best means to adopt "whereby they might obtain a share of the benefit arising from the present revival of trade . Ellis Gresjson , hand-loom "sreaverj waa called to the chair , and after reading the placard convening tbe meeting , called npsn Isaac Holt , secretary , to read a number of rules and regulations for tht-ir future government and protection , which bad been drawn up by a committee appointed for that purpose , and which were snbmitted to the meeting for their adoption . The roles were accordingly adopted , and it was unanimously agreed that the society then formed Efeonld be called "Ths Hand-loom Weavers' United

      Association for the protection of labour , and for the adoption of any other plan that may be deemed most conducive to tbeir future welfare . " After the readme and adoption of the rules , the Secretary said , their object was to f * mi themselves into a friendly union ; for it was only by irnity and friendship , eo-operationand determination , that benefit was received . The clergy have their unions ; the aristocrey , and in fact all parti-.-s wishing to carry out anv Epeeiflc object , whether it may tend to the happiness or miBery of others , aia banded and united together ; and in "what more holy cause csnld then be united than in endeavouring to gain for their starving wives and children bread to eat and raiment to wear ? He was glad that the rules had received their unanimous

      approval . Thomas Smith was then called upon , and said , a paragraph bad gone the round of the newspapers , ¦ which was calculated to place their present position in a wrongand nnjusJ light before the British public ; and be thought that if the association juat formed only attended to such misststements , and on their appearance exposed them , it would merit the approval and support of the body at large . The statement which appeared in toe Liverpool Times , and since that has been inserted in varions other papers , both local and provincial , is the folio-wing : — " Our readers will learn with pleasure , that that long-snflfering and unfortunate class of workmen < the band-loom weavers ) bave come in for a full 8 hira of th « benefits of ths present Tevival of the cotten trade . Frsm the great demand for those

      beautiful fabrics the { monseline-de-Iauses ) the cloth of ¦ w . tiich is better manufactured by band tfean by the power-loom , they are mostly fully employed and a * e rtceiving letter uagts fhan they have received al mg OiMt previously for the last iek sears . " This , the speaker , denied ; it was a falsehood , and the person ¦ who first Concocted it , mast have known at the time that he was . not stating the troth . Tha following statement wonid tJiow -what they had received , and after the meeting ha / i heard it , they would be able to jadge : —Bolten co" < ints of weds : and prices paid fo ' r different fabrics of wC ^ k during the last ten y earn : Tear . Price . Year . Price .

      e . d . a . d . 50 reed ? pi ? g check 3 B 36 14 6 3813 8 6 50 „ plain sprig „ 12 6 „ 8 0 50 „ tspe check „ 7 6 ,, 4 6 30 „ 1 . no check . „ 0 0 ,, 5 6 66 „ mou ? eiint > -de-laiBe U in dent ) „ 6 6 ,, i °

      Untitled Article

      R u . d THE NORTHER N S T A > 5 i 1 ' = =- ^ TT — - . . . .. . - : j ¦¦ ... ^ gj

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 4, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct979/page/7/