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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, JUNE 13. 1840.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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PVDEET , £ Pubuc Meetikg ln Pcdsey ox behalf of Ms Feabgits O'Cossoe . —This Mtkerto dormant plais now beginning to stir itself in favour of the principles so strenuously advocated by the incarcerated patriots , of which Mr . O'Connor is oae . who = e inhuman treatment _ bas awakened them from the i ^ nargy by which they havo been constantly overwbelmed . A requisition was drawn up , and si ^ ed ^ ^ " ¦^ wof . ^ MBnoldere , aud sen ; to the chief constable , desiring him to call a meeting to consiffikf ? ' ^ ? $ petitioning Parliament , for a total liberation of Mr . O'Connor , but the constable stated that he had not the power to call a meeting ¦ ae said that we must go to the magistrates , and the ' v wight call one if they pleasedbut the friends of ^ Public Mei ^ kg i * PcdseyV behalf of Mr .
, -Mm thought they had as much power , in regard So calling a public meeting , as the constable believed tee magistrates to hare , and on these grounds they called a public meeting without taking the trouble to Tisit a bench of magistrates for that purpose . Notwithstanding the shortness of the notice , and the unfavourable time on which the meeting was held , ( bang on Friday evening , when the ' manufacturers were preparing iheir goods for market , ) yet there was a very numerous attendance of the indusiri ous cl&Sses , who listened -smh deep attention- to the recital of the fonl indignity heaps-d on Mr . O'Connor , by a liberal Whig Government . The people were generally of opinion ths . ; a r : ore unmerited panishinent was psrhaps never iuiiicieJ upon an aliegtd political offender , that so msch degradation was
Bever before endured , by a gentleman of the bir : h and education of Mr . O'Connor . A lar ^ e number that attended ; he meeting , and whose minds had been continually poisoned by the Whig and Tory calumnies heaped upon Mr . O'Connor and his cause , began to inquire wers these , things so , and on their misrepresentations being ably jefu' . ed , produced a favourable impression on the people ' s mind , in behalf of Mr . O'Connor and the Charter . The people were shocked at the treatment of Mr . O'Cou-Bor , which led them to inquire what has lie done to deserve soch an extremehumiliauon ; ihtvwere ir . v mediately informed that it \ ras for seeking ' to . obtain therighte of the people , for being so deeply interested in the cause of the suffering poor , and for
proclaiming unsullied ^ the truth to the sons of toil , wfcich , with the "W- nigs , the greater the truh , the more enormous the lioel , showing the people that the sympathy . that would bu most acceptable to Mr . O'Connor , would be to perform every constitutional endeavour , to obtain their right , which is Universal So&a ^ e , and no surrender , and that while the leaders are inearcerated , that they with redoubled rdour pureae the glorious object the patriot had in Tifiw . Afterjthe petition was moved and seconded , in speeches of a very interes : ing nature , the Chairman put the same , which was passed without a dissentient voice , and to s * ve time the-petition was Signed by the Chairman , in behalf of the meeting , tod sent to Sir William Moleswonh for presematieo . —Correspondent .
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SCABCITY OF PROVISIONS IX 3 BSLA > T . P 1 " 1 ^ " PISTBESSfOF THE POOF . J ^ OutbkejlK ' £ i > " Lijiebicii .- — -A military ~ guard mounted it the Hall of the Exchange upon Tuesday , "W-wlaesday , and Thursday Bights , -which is now relieved by a small police party . The labours of the police force under Chief ConstaMe "Will-mis , fur three days and three nights , during the : \ ver of the ei . icuie , -we ' re incessant , and almost beyond human endurance . This active and useful body of men were never an hour off duty , even to stretch upon a guard bed for ene minute of that period . We heard , with regret , that in the ¦ mutes with the rioters at William-street , on Tuesday ,
the Hon . J .-P ^ Tereker , when assisting the Major to ¦ scare a ringleader of the mob , received two blows from stones . The injury was not serious . There is abundant cause to be thankful to Providence for the Bring influence of the ilathew principle . Had any of the populace indnlged in the use of intoxicating liquurs in the midst of tireir excesses , noti-ing under heaven ooold h&Ye withstood their snad career but themusiet and the sword- Then what a calamitous spectacle -would X » Te presented itself in the streets of Limerick ! "VYf did m » obserre » drunken person in the riotous crowi Hoi tzxrvraed the city .
The following have already given notice of applying for compensation to the Grand Jury for damage and loss of property by the rioters : —Sir David Roche , £ 29 ; Mr . Newsom , £ 38 ; Mr . Poole Gabbett , £ 1 S . The committee for the management of the relief fund now being collected for the poor of the city , sent one ton of oatmeal to the Mendicity . The potato market is this day ' Saturday ; most abundantly stocked with provisions from tie country . — Limerick Chrottide . Friday morning Capt . Campbell and company , 38 th , with Lieutenant Wnriafa , marched h * nce foi . Croom , tc support the magistrates In preserving the public peace , as it waa apprehended the people -would attack the flora
TniUs of Sir David Roche , at Carcass . A mob had previously brtisB in the kennel of the eounty club , and robbed it ofjSght bags of meal , and some 6 &ck 3 oi coarse floor , intended fox messirg the -hounds >! . ' A deiatehmeo 5 fBfet } ia / 8 SJ ^ sbdar lieutenant O'Connell , marched beace-Ier KewcaiUe , in this county , to aid thi 6 vfl power wffpRtect the peace . Lieutenant Evans a Serjeant , and ^ twnnty rank and file of the 3 bih 3 Bard $ &- « & six o ' clock on Thursday morning-from N » w Castle to RxfoWw-in , in sid of the civil power , it beinj reported tistthe mob intended to attack Mr . Browne " . mill . The party remained in the police barrack unti evening , when the tvwn being quiet , they -were bil letted off The military returned to quarters at New castle resterdaj . —LitnerickChnmicle of Satordav .
Ttajl—Already the price of provisions has risen to an unexampled height : at so e&riy a period of the season the worst description of potatoes bere today are selling at 5 . jd . per £ * . <» : ; e . ' Tr . e prospects of fche poor are truly alarming—the want of employment adding considerably to their destitution . We bad hoped that the building of the poor house would have commenced long since ; by which the labouring classes would have been much benefited ; but vre see as little prospect of its commencing now , &s was SCTeral months past . —Tuam Herald . Mastbosocgh . —There was a meeting in Maryborough laat week to relieve the distress of the neighbouring poor . The sum of £ 44 was subscribed in the room . Abbtletx . —A meeting of the spirited inhabitants © f Abbyleir was held on Monday , to take into consideration the distressed state of the poor , in consequence of the very V . gh price of provisions , the Hon . and Rev . William Wisgtieid in the chair . Upwards of £ 80 was subscribed at the meeting . —Leinster Ejrpress .
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WESTMINSTER COURT OF REQUESTS . MB- POTTES again . —Mister Potter , -who appeared at ifcs Middlesex Court of Requests a few days ago , to demand " a suv * rin fer coring a >* ewfunland " pup , " and who "treated hia doga as -well as dogs could -wish to be treated , " presented himself at the Westminster Court as plaintiff , ia & case against- Mr . Harriscombe , for 7 s . for a certain surgical operation which he had performed , and certain attendance he had made upon tbat person ' s dog . A CommiasioQffl '—What operation was it that you performed npon the defendant's dog , Mr . Potter ? Mr . Potter—Why , I may say as I se-wed his c hindleg on pretty weD .
CommissioDer—What have you to say , Mr . Harliseombe , against paying 7 * . for this extraordinary operation ? " Extraordinary operation ! " exclaimed the defendant , " There wornt no operation a ; & 1 L " Mr . Patter—Do you mean to say as I didnt cure the 4 og ? Mr . Harrisoembe—Core ! Why the dog never was ted . * " My eye « I" aaid Mr . Potter , " only jist let the haai-Bal answer for nimselt Where is he . ? I see him in out set a minute ago . " " Oh , dont pat yoozself in a foMttptte . , - ulwwswi Ihtf detatdM )^^ I aHrteotne without the do ? , I-eaoJeU you . Here , Bea * tp , Btd 3 t ty , ¦ ' said he ; sad . a'i Li ^ gy , a ^ yteokutg brate , of a Tery suspicions appcitanceP ^ scat of hrjeher- made bis appearance on th * » dge of tbe wttaeatbes a * if by miacte . "
" Too see , gentlemsn , " said tie defendant , giving Beauty" a hearty enff on the side of the head , whieh bid him prostate vpoa the commissioners * table , I wa » st a sbooting in the mashes ( marshes ) , agin Chinford Wood A Oonmd « icmer—What ; with that dof ? Jkten&MMt—That dog \ { patting Beauty with great aftwWoa , whioh indtified the handsome brut * to get upon Vm lep , * nA perform a gambol or two . ) Lie down , Bawrij tsJTjpf Mm aaother enff ¦¦ vaOa the log" ) . ' Now I AoaldftVvsiHierM yon thinks his looks is agin him < wiakiB « bdi « ye rather knowingly ); but 111 back him Is fad » bi * d , jiad foBow any thing- from a stag to a tthUt , at a fax to ft ist , with any dog in this blessed tf * u& 7—I wottd , jm old rawal ^ risg Beauty another ¦ feattanata eaM on the head ) . Wei ) , gentlemen , I'd
) uk eto—d th * traprtlle , agin Cow-bridge there at the mi flf ft * lam , w&ea a—a—( and here the -sportsman teofcad bac « HtVbm « ommteion « n)—a stray pigeon come % & * wr ¦>•—cp p > w ths jan , and down ooinei the dafoa" & * s ttoi . A ConnalMioDet—What time of the year do you say fetodkplaet ? Ihtetet ^ a 3 dn { hU bead Tery wrioiaiy )—I dldnt mV * a * mm of the year st alL The bird fell in the *«»»( th « L ») , ¦ ndBeaatywasafteritina " . oonple m tw » Iwoa . " Xdw it so happened , rety Ttnforfnately , Hat old Shstr ai « m rented the water a while ago —• » y » josi ftfec h » w »» too ; » >> "' llLlB £ ? " ^ " ~ sad tt » t water befog f arySw , Be « rty oqp&i&B on the ¦ take , lad eatdtea one < rf hit land legs iirtrfenter hook . A Commisaoner—I belieTe you ' re a bit of as angler , met T 0 B « Wf- Hasuoombe ?
Bgfenmnt ( eyeiBg fee Commissioner with much tBXistof )—Yes , I trolla a little in the winter months . • _ Xbe Comntiwidnffr—Tour dog neTer a&aists you in Su absHows , I suppose ? God Wess yea , Sir , ( said the defendant , scratching fall head;—A bit of a i » Ti . iing xi ^ t ' s all I use .
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Tne Commissioner—A jlue would be of no service to you ? Never carries such poaching things in my possession , da I Beauty , ( said the defendan coaxing his shaggy companion . ) The Commissioner—It is a pity your dog cannot answer a question so affectionately put Proceed with your defence , Mr . Harriscombe . Tho defendant proceeded to do so . He said that before he could extricate Beauty , the animal had torn th 9 skin of one of his hied legs , and that upoa meeting Mr . Potter at a certain blacksmith ' s shop , and mentioning the fact to that good dog doctor , he pulled out a needle and thread , and a , t once sewed up the wound . - And this is the bit of a tear in the skin as he wants me to pay 7 s . for , " said the defendant , dexterously turning Beauty upon his back , and exhibiting the sear . t ^^ ^ Jl * *^ be of no service
The plaintiff declared that the dog ' s leg was all but off -K-hen the animal was brought to him ; while , on the other hind , the defendant produced a witness who spoke to seeing Beauty on the day of the accident , and that the dog , although it had been " hunting" all day and had travelled " right in and out" twenty-three ailes ' walked without limping , and appeared to have mothing whatever the matter -with rfc . Af ter some squaboiing oetween the parties , a verdict wa 3 giTen for the defendant . " Well , " said the plaintiff , as he left the court , " if I aint down upon you and Beauty afore the 1 st of September , why success to poaching , I say , that ' s all !"
The Northern Star. Saturday, June 13. 1840.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , JUNE 13 . 1840 .
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O'CONNOR , IN HIS DUNGEON , AND HIS WHIG PERSECUTORS . O'Ccxnob yet remains in his dungeon . So far as the supply of merely animal necessities are concerned hia condition has been Somewhat alleviated ; but he is still subjected to indignities which have been hitherto unknown in this country only in the treatment of felonB . H » ia , as stated in out last , permitted to occupy and to furnish at his own
expense , a room on the felons' side of the Castle , called the Hospital ; he U permitted to provide hia own food , ia exempted from the performance of meinal offices , to have books and newspapers , and to see his friends , ( in the presence of the gaoleb ) at all reasonable and convenient times . His letters , whether going out or coming in , are still subjected to the Bcrntiny of the Governor and Visiting Magistrates , and he is mot
PERMITTED TO WHITE OR COMMUNICATE ANY THING FOK the tress . So that until some further alteration in his treatment shall have been effected , the people must expect to hear no more of him—not even of the state of his health . He is , during the ascendant reign of treachery and despotism , politically and socially dead . His situation , as to personal comfort , is accurately described in hia letter published in our last number ; to that letter therefore we must refer our readers ; for we can give them no further information . It will be seen from our Parliamentary
Report that an inspector of prisons has been sent down by Government purposely to enquire into and report upon his case ; we understand that the enquiry was gone into at considerable length on Tuesday ; so thai -ire presume the xchote facts of the case will sp « edily be laid before Parliament and thus become public property . Till then , we shall Bay nothing . We perceive that portions of the correspondence between the Home Office and the Visiting Magistrates have been published , by order of the Visiting Magistrates , for the
purpose of exonerating them from the blame , thrown upon them , by Fox Mawlb , in the name of Government . They certainly succeed in making NoaMANBT pitch the lie direct bang into Fox Maule ' s chops ; leaving hia honest (!) chum to deal with the douceur as he may choose . This published document includes a part of Mr . Chawfoeds several examinations of witnesses , & . C ., in this case . We choose , however , t « wait till we have his revelation to Parliament of the whole cask ; ( for we know that the whole case must come there , ) and
then we promise Bay Lord Nokma . nbt , Mr . Fox } Iaul £ , Mr . BxEX ^ BD H&QVB , and the rest of the whole gang of gentlemen « on # pJr » U > rs such an erp % » as shall mike their teeth tingle and thoir coward hearts quiver . The wretches ! Hitherto we have been all but silent . A very large portion of the . presB , seeing this to be a matter in which all were interested , has Bpeken freely ; while we have been anxiou 3 to afford the blnnderers , if it were indeed a blunder , the fullest opportunity ol rectifying their mistakes , and have contented
ourselves , therefore , with informing them of tb * facts ; waiting to see what they would do . But , though we have said little , we have looked on ; we have seen what was doing , and how it was done ; aud , when Mr . Crawford ' s budget shall have bee : i fairly emptied before the House of C ^ mmous , it wili be ou . turn to open out . Meantime , the ptop ' . -. ' must not relax one particle of their exertions . Whatever is done will have to be doiie in obedience to the irresistible fiat of the public will ; not to any sense oi honour , much less of honesty , in the baee wretches by whom Downing-street is haunted .
The little amelioration v » hich has been wrung from them does but shew bow deeply rooted is their hatred and their fear . Our contemporary , the Scottish Patriot , after commenting , not more severely than justly , upon the conduct of the Government in this transaction , asks : — "But what effect is this extremity of Whig vindietiveness to have ? Will it prove an antidote to the Government ' s worthlesiness ? Will it amend their treacherous perjuries to the authors of their greatness ! Will it nullify the ruinous effects of their wretched Administration ,
and reanimate the drooping energies of the country ? Will it restore harmony to society ? Will it banish discontent from amongst the people , © r make the condition of the working man any better ? No ; none of these will result from the disgraceful line of of policy which has marked the last year oj the Whig Administration . But it must surely have some effect—something must be in tended by it . Will it stifle the cry for freedom which is ringing thnmgh the land \ Wil ! it again chain the arm of liberty which has at last broke loose from the power of princes and the custwi ** & m t TfaiB effect ariffrt perhaps Bg taHuifad batJww miserably . itjfcsll Jgl of te jofc i gfitiA *
. years - will 1 rmtnijfTiti \ YfhiJ fjt ^ jftii ^^ these political persecntioni tare f One effetjf sb ^ U they have , and no other—vdi a mightj effeo ; it isthey shall render ihe name of WKggery cverlartingly detested—they will maie "Whig "* -fool epithet , than which bo man can apply * fohkr to his enemy—it will be abhorred 4 ad timed by after generations , till » uniTemlVlekftatioa Met * it out ef the English Tocalmlarr . Apd tfa » effect will go farther than thV-ii wftl raae louder the voioe of popular d * art » tent—k wfll add to that flame which will aofe cwiimt
the very relics of exctesiTV gortrnmeBt—it witt spar on the people to migliiMr axwdmir-ft will stake ' them cling more tenaeieasly to ibafer &MB& , tfaeir principles , and to eaok othvr—* a 4 it ^ dttetwioe with , the noblest feelings of the heart * Vfcp nnaifti ef the Chartist martyrs . Tbe . memoTJ of ft FtOK , ft Coujxs , ft Lotbtt , and an O'Cohhob , will be be-Iored and honoured as long as history tells her story ; while that of a Mkxbowb , a llva&su * ft&d f t . Johii Caxpbell , will descend to posterity toukd with the execrations of an injured people , and the names of
these latter individual * will stink m tlw nottriUof imssk . * m » mkm ^ beir team have rottid 1 » tb « grave . Saeh are ever the consequences of political oppression , exercised by those in power . " We have do doubt that our contemporary predicts truly tbe judgment of posterity ; « pd we do hope that the men of this generation will justisy his good opinion , and give posterity no reason to blush for their degenerate forefathers . We repeat , that if the people now suffer their energies to slacken , we despair both for and of them .
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THE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE TO THEIR FRIENDS . Wo have received , on this subject , the following Bpirited appeal , which we give just as we got it ; commending it to special attention : — Slave Classes ov England , —All haters of liberty » Te laughing at us , and our conduct is making the hearts of the virtuous and the good sad . The wives and families of the men who are in felons' dungeons , THE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE TO THEIR
and living , or Blowly dying , on felons' fare , for speaking our opinions , are suffering negleot from us , who did applaud and cheer their husbands on . Was there ever such short-sighted injustice 1 What wife will now suffer her husband to risk bis liberty , and her and her children ' s bread , fpr oar sakes ? What good husband , or kind and loving father , will now dare to fight our battles ? Fellow workmen , this should not be . Our cause is a just and righteous one , aud must prevail , if we are only JQBt to ourselves and to our class ; but , believe me , we must ourselves learn to be just , before We can become a terror to our unjust and heartless oppressors , and before we can or should get our liberties .
We cannot afford it . 0 ! this is a bad pica . Surely we can better afford something weekly , than those men can , fob our sakes , afford t& lie in prison , and imbibe , in their constitutions , the foundation of deadly diseases . Come , it requires not much from each , if all will only give a little . Let each do his share according to his means . Suppose we determine to give upon some sueh Bcale as this ; letting the top line represent the weekly wages or income , and the bottom one the weekly subscription : — 83 . 10 s . 12 s . 14 s . 16 s . 18 s . 20 s . 24 s . 28 s . 32 s . 35 s . 433 . 50 s id . Id . l ^ d . 2 d . 3 d . 4 id . 6 d . » d . 12 d . l 5 d . 18 d . 24 d . 30 d !
If we are in earnest , we can afford thia ; if we are not in earnest , after cheering on our victor * to the ruin of themselves and their families , let Jus not blame the Government , our mastors , nor the System . We shall continue slaves , and are pot ^ i 0 tffng of of freedom , until we learn * to protect ihoto that fight our battles . Let me tell you , fellow workmen , the supporting in comfort of the families of the incarcerated , and the determination to throw the shield of our pennies around all our oppressors try
to victimise , will do more to make the Charter the law of the land , than all the arms we could purchase . We are ten to one^—millions to thousands ; it needs only that we stick to each other—that we be not frightened from meeting often and , speaking about our wrongs , that we be careful to keep within the laws , and we must , ere long , have a voice in the making of the laws . Trusting this , or some other as good or better , plan , may be adopted before it is too late , I am , One op Yourselves .
In connection with this subject , we have also received a communication from Birmingham urging on all the Radical Association of England , Wales , and Scotland , tho necessity of sending delegates to Birmingham , for the grand demonstration there , on the 27 th of July , in honour of the liberation of MesOT * . Ix > vettand tallins ; proposing that like honours be accorded to all the victims as they emerge from their dungeons ; and that the meeting of Delegates at Birmingham bo' also made available for the establishment of a National Victim Fund , whence al at bo
an e ^ uprovision much , per head per week might be accorded to the family of each victim ; with a certain sum for « ach on the day of his release ; to be on a footing of perfect equality to all , to be managed by a treasurer and trustees , for the whole conn try : and for devising the best means to secure the return of Frost , Williams and Jones-We most heartily approve both these suggestions , and recommend then to the attention of the country . One thing is clear , that something must and ought to be done , and immediately .
We have been called on , in order , we presume , to some organised mode of offering relief to the families of the incarcerated victims , to furnish in the Star a full return of all the incarcerated Chartists , libellers , or political offenders throughout Great Britain , tho term for which they were sentenced , the time nnexpired , the treatment I&unf . have , and are likely to receivo , the number , sges ^ nd condition of their families , if any . mid whjtfWp ?| HJ £ tft «^ 2 have , and how it haaneen obtained . VWe have not by ua the necessary docuiwats w information for any such return ; though we-eeefl to be most desirable . We request , therefore , that tbe
friends of every imprisoned Chartist will at onee send us , by post , the necessary information , that we may give a full and entire list of all the victims of Whig tyranny , specifying the name or each ; the precise offence of which ho hasbeeu convicted ; the place where , and the Judge before whom , he was convicted , and all the other information above requested . Let no time be lost , but as Boon as they get the Star , let them set about giving us this information ur the next post , so that , in eur next paper * , we may make the return complete . We cannot do »© , unless we have the information in the beginning Cv the week , as we shall need some time to look over and arrange it .
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THE UNFLINCHING PATRIOTS . We rejoice to see , at the present day , a firm and resolute spirit of patriotism abroad , which has taken possession of many breasts , and which is tending to tha development of those principles , on whioh lift and happiness depend . Neither the enervating effects of refinement , luxury , and civilisation , nor the " whips and scorns o' th' time , " nor the threats and penalties of bad men , and worse rulers , oau make them yield one jot from that course which
ihey conscientiously believe to be the fa ^ e road to rational freedom . rl ¦ f ; •'¦ The same holy zeal which influenced- » e Bartms in demanding the Magna Charta , MfOip in fjf £ which impelled the sons of liberty to | B ( tO )^ H petition of right from Charles the FiitT , and" to dethrone him , as a traitor to bis oounVty * whiej » urged Englishmen to obtain the Bjjl of Rights tt& William and Mart , that hol ^ Wjgl" sttt | lHw £ | some of their posterity , and Btifi ^» o % tii oo | fox tpti admiration of the age ,, men whtfftft deteminedlive and to die " unflinching patrifttK ? J [ I'I
In a far advanced period , and pit higiUfjWYilfapd country , when human bajngs Ought jjfPfepNlii&i Tftioe of their righto , Aere yea ^ jj | ^ fc | p ®* &&m *>*< m * m <* zwj&PwEBmto it
^^* h » « tmmj ^ w ^^ n &m forward is the f *» of ( laagers , 4 o Uftfth fttfeStifK owmbrnnaitbeir privileges , their potrtti , fat demw the iafoe ^ e pf tyranny , to scatter * fowa < ttboaoia of jo * io « an ** guaii * yy to de « ead 4 he wwi ^* nd to *« te the pootv | j& JPttb * *§ £ ^ % oroady bftcfcejl&j ( hit i&pb whom he wo « i lft ^ owa his li ^ t » 4 K ^» irf W him irtinrae ^ oae « ri 5 iy aoneat mmT M ^ fujf * Him , eiwwfo * iteitWr to the rm ^ m ^^ W ^^ *^ thoir #% I | WcAKiI w « h » # many euoii patriot *
£ ^** 4 fMi » tof » » P <» lto * a ** i wilkngto i |» W £ ^^^^ ^ ^ 5 , ge « r of Or t < n » lgei& Tft . p ^ l ^ xM ^ WeroU . eyta ftiitw « h « ^ « ar * uiK £ ^* iwpt , ft » dfa M | to * T % ithoi *^ b * dhferitft {*>*«»» of P <»* ie imtottpto * of public fyiap «« ir , tow e ^ ltfw UF * W , *« old ftppeu th * naus ^ that wouli ^ i ' « pport « r » only in th * time of j « wp « ityl ^ 4 j wbwi ibt ittniwmed and the vofl ^ riu eaa jhk " T ** BhftdT *| itj tri « friends , We fiadih « i « £ forth iBinjiMd Iw the tert . " wImb th * r eu tM
* £ ! W ^^^^ fl ^^^^ H ( ipSJB | H | w ^ i ^ " »/< S ^ RftOw vO'i f ^ BWfiW ^ it & duMaiaatod Hu and wide , when they hear borne npon the bnete ikrwgh the prison bats the shouts of prate * to * tt | rif noble eosdaet , and of execration agattet their % jge teorB ; then they can osclaim— "We have not S »») J in wda . W » do not aufferin vain ! There is a glory in suoh martyrdom , for our countrymen teHus wehave done right , and the means that are e «|> loyed to crash us will usher into light new and numberless patriots . Our dry crust is sweetened by these thoughts ; oar hard
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couch is as a hed of down ^ when blessed by these dreams ; our dungeon is a palace with our principles unspotted , while a palace would be a dungeon , is purchased at the expense of those doctrines , which are so essential- to the welfare of the great human family . What is it that supports us in our afflictions » What preserves ua from despondency , from misery ! It is the people ' s love ! but , above all , it is their cause—the Charter ! " This is the language of the captives , this is tho language of all men , who behold the popular fervent affection for their oppressed co-patriots . couch is as a bed of down , when blessed by these
While these ornaments to their country thus exist , favoured and supported by the working classes , we still believe that every check and rebuff will pass away as a summer cloud , and the light of freedom will burst forth with renewed and increased radiance . Let public opinion , then , still be fearlessly expressed . Let meetings be held , and petitions poured in , for the better treatment of the political prisoners , and for the furtherance of our cause . Perseverance and determination in a good undertaking never . yet failed of success .
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THE CONSTITUTION . It is important that men should have a definite and an accurate idea of those matters which closely concern them , and upon which they naturally reflect and converse . Psrhsps there never waa a word , more frequently used , and less understood , than that of " the Constitution of a country , " and yet it is absolutely necessary that all should understand the very essence of this term . We shall briefly endeavour , first , to give a definition of the word Constitution , and , secondly , to point out the nature of the British Constitution .
Some persons seem to imagine that " Constitution" means the best laws of a country—but this is ptsurd . Russia , Turkey , Spain , and other despotic nations have a Constitution , though , probably , it would be a difficult thing to find ' 1 three really good laws amongst them . The most aocurate definition of the word seems to be the following : — *? The body of those . written aud unwritten fundamental laws , which regulate the most important rights of the higher magistrates ,, and the most essential privileges of the subject . *"—Sir James Mackintosh . Wo shall see that this
description includes everything that cau bo desired . The Constitution of a State is the " body" of the laws , taken collectively , but iu an abstract sense it is the very soul and spirit that has grewn up , become interwoven with the Government , and formed a part of the national character , by the influence of those laws . They are the "fundamental '' laws—that is , the chief , elementary laws , which , based upon principle , have been established by time and sanctioned by reason . Thus every law made on emergency , confined to a particular time , and
abolished by express disapprobation , or obsolete by implied contempt , can never become part of the Constitution . Next they regulate the " moat important rights of the higher magistrates , " which having been conferred by the people as a delegated trust , are always to be exerted for , and to be bounded by the " most essential privileges of the subjeotg . " Those privileges relate to liberty , to life , and to property , and any essential violation of these rights , in a country where , by the fundamental laws , they have been respected , is truly unconstitutional .
We shall merely look at the nature of the British Constitution in a general view , as to go into detail might furnish a volume , and as we hav « already treated of the branches in former papers on " The constitutional rights of the people . " We lay it down as an axiom that the Constitution of Britain is of a free , generous , and popular spirit . It may have been debased by false mixtures and spurious matter , but we assert that fundamentally and originally it was , and is , superior in its tone of high and noble freedom to every other Constitution in the world . Tho arguments are numerous , but we shall at the
present moment only notice two species , which we think have not been made sufficiently prominent . First , we go to the fountain head , before the channels were polluted , and under the Saxon and Norman sway , find that the most liberal institutions jtfLthe present day , with many—Mast now no moiri flourished in full vigour . See , for instance , the trial by Jury , the duty of possessing arma , and , above all , Universal Suffrage ! Next wo look at the early constitutional writers , and we learu from iheir opinions the truth of our assertion . Whoever
wishes to pursue this enquiry deeply , and looks iuto Bracton , Biutton , Flkta , Foktkscuk , Selden , Coke , aud others , will often meet with principles laid down , that , at the present day , would expose the writer to an ex offidoinformation , or an indictment . Fortescuk was chancellor , and wrote iu the reign of Henrt VI ., and is always cited as almost an infallible authority . We take two passages from his works as a specimen in support of our proposition . In his " Praise of the English Laws , " he observes : —
" It is plaiu that a power in the king to iujure or despoil men , could never originally proceed from the people , and if not from them , the king could have no such power rightfully at all . " In his " Treatise on Absolute or Limited Monarchy , ' there is this Benteuce : — "The greatest surety truly , and also the most honour that ' may come to the king is that his realm be rich in every estate , for nothing may make his people to arise but lack of goods or lack of justice . But yet certainly when they lack goods they will arise , saying they lack justice . Nevertheless , if they be . not poor , they will never arise , but if their prince so leave justice , that he Qive himself all to tyranny . "f He also shows plainly that the royal prerogative , can never be exercised to tbe injury of the nation .
I . Secondly—An argument may be drawn from a (^ ^ whiflh h as seldom , if ever , been noticed . We l&lialt ,: that all our greatest lawyers have maintained popular rights aud popular freedom against royal or aristocratic oppression . We hold this to be an excellent argument in favour of our Constitution being of a free and popular nature , for thfcse men had devoted their whole lives to the study of that Constitution , and having chiefly associated with the sentiments of antiquity , were not likely to bo drawn away by the prejudice of tho times , or to ho bliuded fe ; any new-fangled doctrine .
1 Jn addition to the writers we have mentioned , we . JKJr ^ j ? efJjfi 5 'lIi § "iuimortal names drCoKk and JfiSbjtN , ^ O ^ o earnestly pressed the petition of r ^ ght—U ^^ i'M , Halb , who proposed that certain conditions&&old * fc * acopted by Charles II ., before | he reatoriitioft-trag agreed upon , and if his proposal had been accented , all the succeeding acts of tyranny might have been prevented—to Lord Somers , who in a great measure brought about the Revolution of 1688 , and assisted in the drawing up of the Declaration , of Righta—to Lord AaHBuaroii , who ever declared the necessity of rather weakening than strengthening the royal prerogative—to Sir W .
Jones , for the publication of whose composition on the right of resistance , the Dean of St . Asaph was proseouted—to Lord Buskin * , who was a member of " The Society of the Friends to the Peorble , " and who supported erery measure promwing an ^ meliora tion of their condition , and we need onlyrekjkt to these to prove the troth of our proportion . [ Thus , then , the Bpirit of our Constitution is free and toxious for . the national welfare . How miserably has that spirit been degraded ! It is for the highjjftinded , the true-hearted , and the rational Britons m the present day to elevate it to the former height . The preservation of the Constitution . in its native nirity , where it is still left undented , and its reato
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* The words ought to be transposed— " the privilege of the magistrates" and the " rty / fl of the subject ; " but \ w we are not disposed to quibbjp at a word , we leave the passage as we found it . 'tt Sue case of JDeau of St . Asaph , and numberless others of modern date , where men have been proseiJuted merely for asserting that the oppressed may reMflt
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fration to its ancient beauty , where it has been defaced , are duties which every Englishman owes to himself and to hia country—to his ancestors from whom it emanated , and to his posterity , to whom it should be transmitted as the most valuable of birthrights . * fration to its ancient beauty , where it has been de-
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THE VICTIMS OF THE " LIBERAL" u PRISON DISCIPLINE" ASSASSINS . Although Mr . O'Connor is the first instance , so far as we know at least , of a person convicted , on ex officio , of political libel , being made teherd with felons , it must not be supposed that he is the first victim of "liberal" domination who has been subjected to this indignity for political offences . O ! no ; we must not do the " liberals" so much injustice as to say a word wkich may appear to take from tho full measure of their fame . True , we may search vainly through the whole records of the tyranny of the Tories for any such instance , but no sooner did the reign of Whiggery begin , than the march of " liberalism" began to be made manifest in the "improved" treatment of libellous and political offenders .
We here present our readers with the petition to the House , of Commons of a man named Cogswell , a bookseller in Bath , who was convicted in 1833 of publishing a libel , which fully shews that tbef spirit of Whiggery , like that of a viper , begins to shew itself as soon as ever the reptile obtains room and strength to breathe : — To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland , in Parliament assembled .
THE PETITION OF JOHN COGSWELL , OF BATH , PUBLISHER , Humbly Sho tlth , —That your petitioner has read , in different uowspapers , with feelings of regret , the harsh treatment that Mr . Feargus O'Connor and others , convicted of libel , are now undergoing , in pursuance of the respective sentences passed upon them . Your petitioner would respectfully state to your
Honourable Hoas < 5 , that m the year 1833 , he waf apubltohcr , in the city of Bath , and that in the way of business his late wife sold a paper containing a libel , your petitioner being in the shop at-the same time , for the publication of which said libel your petitioner and his wife were tried at the Taunton Spring Arizes , in the same year , and convicted ; that your petitioner was sentenced to six months' imprisonment , and his wife to one day ' s imprisonment , and fined 2 s . 6 d .
That immediately after your petitioner was brought from the bar , after receiving his sentence , he wa 9 heavily ironed by the leg all that night , and the next day at night ; your petitioner was securely locked to a ring in the floor by a strong chain , not more than two feet long , with ten or twelve , convicted felons ; his shoes , coat , and hat , were taken from him ; and at night he had nothing flat a liUle straw to lie down on ; not the least covering except the straw . That after your petitioners' late wife had paid the fine , and was released from custody , she came to the gaol at Wilton , to see your petitioner , with her infant at her 'breast ; as soon as the child saw your
fieU tioner it cried to come to him , and held out its ittle hands ; your petitioner was not allowed to have the child brought near enough to him to kiss it . That your petitioner was taken from Wilton Gaol in the prison van , chained by the leg , with eighteen or twenty male and female convicted felons ; that on arriving at Ilchester Gaol , your petitioner was taken to a shed iu the yard , and compelled to strip and be cropped in the presence of eight or ten convicted felons , and wash in a large trough of water , the same that a convicted felon , with a loathsome disease , had
previously washed in . When your oetitioner had washed , his own shirt , Btockings , an |» hat was taken from him , and the prison shirt , stockings , aud cap put on him . That your petitioner had to undress at night in a stone-floor passage , in the presence of convicted felons , and stand and be searched , with nothing on but his shirt , shoes , and cap , with convicts ; previous to beiug locked up at sunset in the coll , your petitioner had to turn down the straw pallet , and spread the blanket on it , with nothing on but his shirt , shoes , and cap .
That your petitioner was not allowed any books or papers except the Bible and Prayer Book : some books and papers that was sent your petitioner , containing the report of his trial , was detained at the prison lodge ( although your petitioner made application to one of the visiting magistrates for them ) until his release . That a visitor was refused permission to see your petitioner in the conversation cell , ( a place wher » the parties are ) about three feet from each other , with an officer present ; they conversed through a small aperture in the wall strongl y barred , and secured with wire lattice work . * . / - » ¦¦ ; . That wmr petitioner had cash and > " * fi £ a *« ent him by his late Wife , and that he never received it . That your petitioner had to herd with convicted felons ; but they were not cropt , nor did they wear the convict dress . ¦ .
Your petitioner having therefore experienced the treatment of persons convicted of libel , in 1833 , and having every reason to believe ( from reports that he has heard ) , that the same , or nearly the same treatment is now being experienced by various persons convicted of libel , now undergoing their respective sentences , doth hereby numbly implore yeur Honourable House to alter the laws ana rules respecting persons convicted of libel , so that they may not be compelled to herd with convicted felons . And your petitioner , as in duty bound , will ever pray , &c . John Cogswell , publisher , 5 , Chandos Buildings , Bath .
We know nothing of the paper for the sale of which Cogswell and his wife were prosecuted , having never seen it ; but we believe it had never been prosecuted before , and that Mrs . Cogswell , on applying to the parish to have herself and three children supported , was packed off with three ' shillings per week , and repeatedly told she should have no more , even when it was stated that she , the mother , was laid down on a bed of sickness . Under this shameful persecution , the poor woman became sick at the heart , with her husband in gaol , and her children with tho bad prospect of wanting sustenance , and she died just a month after her return from Taunton !
We introduce this case to shew the consistency of Whiggery in 1833 with Whiggery in 1840 . Of Mr . O'Connor ' s case , our readers know , not the half , but all that we can at present tell them . We now give them the petition of Mrs . Roberts , wife to Mr . Roberts , the solicitor , whose offence was attending two Chartist meetings . It was presented on the 5 th instant by Mr . Warburton : — To the Right Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , in Parliament assembled . The humble petition of Mary Roberts , of the city of Bath , gentlewoman ,
SHBWisTH , —That petitioner is the wife of William Prowtiog Roberts , of Biiji » attorney at law , and solicitor , of her Majesty ' s Courts at Westminster , and related to one of tho Judges of the land . 7 ¥ ! riUh * aiM WTflliatn >« # « % Rtftfts ^ waai cbHvioted on a change of sedition ( in conjuuetion with Messrs . Potts and Carrier , tho latter being subjected to hard labour , ) , fen the 11 th of March last , at ( he assize at Salisbury , for attending public meetings at and near Trawbridge ; and in pursuance of the verdict he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment in Fishertpn gaol , in Wiltshire , and to find at the expiration of that term two sureties in £ 250 each , and himself in £ 500 . That the offeucea of the said William Prowting Roberti , for which he was charged , were of the most venial character , as the report of the trial will corroborate .
That your petitioner was present at the trial and conviction , and earnestly entreated the authorities to be allowed to speak to hor hnsband previous to his incarceration , bat which was abruptly refused , With a dacUtraxion that he should not be seen by any one for six calendar months . Th » t an application was immediately afterwar . d . 3 mad * by your petitioner ' s node , to leave with him his great coat , which he had been wearing , and was most essential for hia health , but whioh request was also-refused .
That your petitioner for several weeks had no communication © t correspondence with her husband . That at a Quarter Session held subsequently to the . conviction , Mr . Drake , * magistrate for Wilts , brought the cruel treatment before the notice of the court , and moved that be should be permitted to cor * respond with his family , on the ground that the cruel exclusion was calculated to impair the mental faculties of an educated man like your petitioner ' s husband : the relaxation of the punishment was determinedly opposed by the magistrates present , and the oourt dissolved without making an order on the subject .
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* Considering that the above is a true sketch of the Constitution , and that these principles are also declared by Blackstone . Is it not surprising that the magistrates allowed O'Brien the Commentaries in his prison ?
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That your petitioner understands that in conse quence of the said discussion , the visiting magistrate permitted your petitioner ^ hu sban d tO wnte hoiM once a week , on the education of his children onlr which letters pass under the surveillance of tfia gaoler , and his name and initials are attached to ever * page of the correspondence . * That your petitioner ' s answers are in like man . ner conveyed to her husband , subject to the same restrictions . That the cruel indignities and privations to whieh your petitioner ' s husband is subjected , your petitioner has always been led to believe was that only inflicted on the worst of felons . That his hair upon which he used to pride himself , was for thwith cut and cropped close , as is usual with the feloas ia the said gaol . ' Thatyour petitioner understands that in con *
That his clothing and money were taken fron him , and the indiguities of a prison dress fofjtei upon him . That he was limited to thg ^ wrdinja ? prison diet , which consists of bread an ffgrsjeL That he is confined in a separate celL and-when exercising the silent system is enterced , not beiB * allowed to converse with any one , though walking in the same court yard . That he is not allowed the Q 86 of pen , ink . or paper , with the exception aforesaid : and that all books , even those requisite for his profession as a solicitor , are refused him , and those only allowed are what the chaplain furnishes . That ho is labouring under a pulmonary complaint , a disease of which two of his brothers , so me time since , died ; and that near two years ago he applied to the greater number of . the Insurance Offices in London for an insurance , on his life , which was refused on the ground that his life was not insurable .
i our petitioner , therefore , humbly prays that tha liberation of her husband may forthwith take place on the ground of the cruel indignities to which he has been subjected ; or that the common orderly mtflS of humanity , which have been grossly violated ia his person , may be extended to him ; or that , is the event of your Honourable House not being induced to extend this mercy towards a memberof the legal profession , your petitioner prays that aceeas to his friends may be granted at reasonable boon . that the silent system may not be enforced on hiw , and that he may not be confined in a separate cell : that he may be allowed the use of law books , and pens , ink , and paper , otherwise he may be seriously damaged in his profession at the expiration of his long sentence ; and that he may be allowed bis ova food , bedding , and clothing . .
And your petitioner , as in duty bound , will ever pray . Makt Robebw » We will not , we cannot , outrage the common feelings of our readers by attempting to comment oa this simple document , but we bey them to read it , and to mark it . We now give them another instance of the anxious care of Lord Normanbt " that punishment may not , in some instances , be disproportionately severe . " ' " \
They remember the case of George White ; t&m whom a more honest hearted and truly respectable , man does not exist . Geobgb Whitk is a poor man , a woolcombor ; he is an intelligent , poo * man , and , of course , a Chartist . He and another man were appointed by the Leeds Radical Association to wait upon the middle class « s to solicit contributions for the Chartist cause . They were foolish to carry with them two books ; in one of which they put down the names of their con * tributors , and in the other the names of those who did not contribute ; this was construed into
intimidation , and they were convicted accordingly at the last assizes of conspiring to extort money by threats and intimidation . They were sentenced to six months' imprisonment in York Castle ; but wen speedily removed to Wakefield , and of the treatment of poor George our readers will judge when they have read tho following letter from his heart-broke * old father : — Bradford , June 10 th , 1849 . ' TO THE EDITOR OF TUB NORTHERN S'fAB . Sir , —I understood from the different public journals , fr « m persons who attended the last York Assizes , and particularly from tho lawyer who was engaged on the part of my son , George White , that his sentence was
for six months in tbe county prison at York , no hard labour attached ; and I believed it to be so , until Friday , tbe 15 th of last niontk , when a ™ w , who had come out of Wakefield prison on the previous Monday , informed me that my son , George White , was removed from York t » Wakefleld Prison ; that he waa in a bad state of health when he came there , yet was obliged tcr tread the mill , and that he fell off twice hi one day through sheer ^ weakness , and in the end was borne away to bod on men ' s shoulders ; and that he winhed him to inform me , his father , that he . still continues in bad health I bad the advice of a lawyer , who advised me to get an order from a magistrate to « e » bim , and know from
tateglf U wbaUJftflTbewii Sam otixeri w » troft and Who promised that if what I heard was fact , he would draw up a petition for me to th * House of Com mons . Accordingly I . applied for a note of admissiaa from Mr . Whitehead , a magistrate of the West Biding , which was granted immediately . On Monday afte * . noon , June 8 th , I set off for Wakefield , on foot , there being no other conveyance that evening , and arrived there at nine that evening , too late to be admitted into the prison , and lodged at the Angel Inn . Next momiBft at ten o ' clock ( Tuesday ) I approached the prison , and
was introduced to Mr . Edward Shepherd , the prison keeper ; who , after he read the Magistrate ' s order , asked me what I wanted to see my son for . I told him I had several reasons for wishing to see him * and several questions to ask him . He asked m « wh » t they were ? I told him , in the first place , I understood he was in a bad state of health ; and , in the next , I wished to know from him how he came to be im * prisoned there to hard labour , after being sentenced to six months in York Castle . He said I must be misinformed about his sentence , for he was then in hk
custody , and no mistake . He then asked a man * present the state of George White ' s health , who said it tos good . And he said the Judge considered there was n » punish , ment for him in York , and sentenced him to Wakefield prison . Ho told me I should not be permitted to see my son during his confinement , unless he was in a bad state of health , and then I should be informed ; neither would he be allowed to see any letter I might send to him , nor would he be allowed to send me one during bis imprisonment I thought there was no use in my
informing him any more of my business to my son tnd withdrew . On my going out of the outward gates the gate keeper asked if I was permitted to see my son I said no . He said , he thought so , as there waa an Act of Parliament against it If similar punishments are to be inflicted on all her Majesty subjects tor so trifling a political misdemeanor as that of which my son was c « n « victed , they may reasonably expect to have good loyal subjects to protect her crown and dignity in tima of need . ¦
Your insertion of this in your next paper wl traSl oblige your humble servant , Richard White . % * if To these add the case of Vincent ; who has deserved as well of the people as any man , and wkosa condition and treatment was described in tho Parliamentary conversation respecting him , given ia our bet number , and a hundred others which neither time nor BpaceVill now permit us to enumerate , and then say whether it be time the system which can authorise these atrocities , should be put an end to ! In reference to the case of Mr ' . Roberts , the 8 m
says : — / ^^¦ L ^ K ^ SwWm and crnelties ; pjiw& 1 * ob the PMwiJy the Emperor ¦ WRussia , ^ who * » a »* to himself , have roused the indignation of ail Europ * Public meetings have been held , and no bounds bite been set to tbe vituperation justly heaped on the laws and practices of the Russians . Similar , but not won * indignities , and for offences not more venial , inflicted on men with skins of a sable hue , kindled by joat and holy zeal of our humane and Christian people , and Uwf res ^ not tUltheNeff <> e 8 w © Mremedfromtl » ep » Ml tribunals and severe punishments of the West indi » p lanters . But an indigity , clothed with the nasw « law , and a cruelty , sanctioned by the forms W technicalities of our Courts , ana supposed to P * necessary to preserve the present distribatioBof *• : ii
uou . power , < nr toseeure society against sow » £ » - those changes whieh nifex ^ Jus decreed 1 » tewi >' evhable lot of every aocietjTllRmgh ^ gntwiiut fw » vindietivenees , are practised without » shadow . ** repugnance by the Terr men who loudly denounew similar conduct in tbe West India , planters , and u » the Muscovite cw » r . Th » t mwh practices •» Mnctwned by our enlightened countrymen , bwsw » they are inflicted in the name of the law , and »« oiotuig to its ordinary forms , shows that we are allliaftte to be bo treated ; for the instrument of protection ^ made the means of annoyance . We know th » t ff » a common opinion , that what the law ordain * «» be reverentiall y submitted to , but justice is off * higher authority than the law , and when thej ** r commands or inflicts what is anjust , to revereeot its decrees is not s > duty but a crime . "
We tell the Sun and all its compeers sad asso ciates in Liberalism , that until the law be A * creature of the whole people , it will be tlwaJ 8 * K ° » used as an instrument of tyranny in the hands of faction .
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Fkabgcs 0 'Connob . —The petition from Birn « n / tham received 14 , 000 signatures in four days , tnon » n it was never allowed to bein the streets for signM «" A petition fronv Cttmmersdale , near Carlisle , MB been sent to , and presented by , Mr . Ag lionby .
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S T . i 4 THE NORTHERN TAR . __ 1111 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 13, 1840, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2688/page/4/
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