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TO THE EDIT0B OP THE NOETHERN STAR.
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Co 2aea&ir$ atti> &orr?$pon&eut0.
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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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HAKGH OF MACKINEBY . nffOBTANT " SBW INTESTI < MfS » ON THE EYE OF INTBODTJCTION . ji b ehoves tie mannfaetnimg operatives te be on f telooi-ont' Thej have been kicked about in the j 2 jjjost -nuinertafuDy , in consequence of machin-Ju riiij ; psruallj superseded their labour in the - reduction of manufactured fabrics ; and what they Wre been forced to submit to and bear , in the ihape j hardship and suffering from this cause , s&ems to v bnt # * beginning of what they will haTe to snbnitt « and bear , unless a ntw direction \ x > given to rtjg productive energies of the people , accompanied v- » n iteration in oar distributive arrangements . ___ ^ - — - — ¦ * '
_ - * __ __ F ______¦ ___ ___^ L __ « ^__ . ___ . _¦____ a « h ^__ ^__ m ^ ^ i ^ l __ «_ , __ . —__ _ JV _ ¦ _ , This qtresfion of machinery is a puzzler and a --ggj . It las already worked some most astonish-IJjT reTrinhoBS } changing the whole aspect of tt&zij , and the relative position of entire classes Ioward 3 each other ; and it seems to be destined to -uii many more . It baffles the efforts of the salesman ; sets at uonjjht the calculations and jj ^ tions of the Legislator j renders law abortive ; jjjjjjjiilates emiom j interferes with habit ; and ^ jisettlea and unfixes all that is " settled" and sable . " It is tbe innovator of the age ; the lerefler which the " conKitutionalist" affects to ij ^; the destroyer of institutions ; and fee introjooer of new habits and new feelings amongst aU * f society objected to its influence .
la jnarch apon us has been sudden and rapid , rewjreSj speatog- I * is kot as yesterday , when the Bjjde-sp inniiig wheel stood in the cbimnty-nook . jsd its tusy ham was heard in the home of the lajjpjujj ^ -inaa . li is but a& yesterday when the card-• £ - « 4 ocfc occupied a place by the side of the spinningwlieel ; sad ^ S ^ houawife , aided occasionally by jjer pro ;» itor , prepared the ieecy wool for the IP *** -
.. . 3 ju ibe sp inning-jenny came and pnt aside the emjaun g-TThed . The mule followed , and superseded iae Ejanniflg- ^ y * ^ carping-engine came , and Vhe c ardiBg-Etock disappetj ^ d . These tkree new TtmAines irerfcd a complete revolntion in the old process of J > reP ™ S * * spinning wool into warp jad sn& if * ^ 8 1 ise of tie "weaver . 50 _ __© in the doth finishiHg deparhnenl . It is « itiin tie memory of thousands now existing when
B ruaBJj " 1 Tas ^ £ ) ne by hand , wiih " handJes" and * ends" upon the " nelly" 5 and when aU the croppsg w cone by hand , with the shear" worked by the " nog" upon the shear-board " . Bni the " rjiisjjg ^ jg" and ihe ** shear-frame" were introduced ; a&d the " nelly" and tha " shears" soon w hid their fiaiMied heads . " The " Lewis-machine ** followed , jeeompanied by the M Perpetual" ; and then the dsw-frame" Ehared the fete of the " hand-Ehears . "
An entire revelation in the mode of finishing was tfcustfiected ; and that too in a very short space of £ ne . fffi might describe a similar sort of operation in -jnxnj other walks of industry , if it were needful to be ray precise . We might look at ihe calico and fosiaa wearer , throwing the shuttle by hand , iriikmt" picking-peg ^ 5 and then look at the steamloom , working by means of inanimate power . "We
night eTen instance the mechanic himself , chipping sad Sing by hand j and then look at the planing soehine and ths self-acting turning lathe , doing M » work with scarcely any attendance . Nay , we might instance scores of other cases , and show that complete re volutions in the mode of working np raw Tny ™ U into manufactured fabrics and articles of sse , Lave been effected by means of the introduction -ot new and improved machines .
Bat enough has been said for our present purpose . It is only our aim to « aH up the recollection of parties now firing in the several trades enumerated , ulo vhai fozj been already effected in ihe way of change hg meant of Machinery . The progress of machinery , however , is not at an cad . The changes that have been effected by its means , are ton as ant hSls compared to mountains , when coBVnsied with the changes that circumstances warrant ns to expect from its fntnre operations . lsdeed , the age of inrentioa and improvement may be said to have only dawned . "The morning has not nenyetseiin J
Tbe working man knows but too well the eSbcts » iiei the introduction of this new machinery , and £ hs application of ihe sew improvements , have ilracy had upon his veil-being and physical con-Sion . From that knowledge he may infer what theiffecisof fnture improvements and new inventions mU be upon his present deteriorated position , aksshe can by some means or other change Ms eireniastances , so that these thing 3 Ehall work to his badh-instead of his injary : and it is thai he may be « tire of what there is in store for him , and thus be induced to work heart and soul to remove him-Jelf from under the terrible load of accumulated and still aeeamnlaong evils , that we cell him of the facts which this article will shortly disclose .
It is ourpurposefhal the working-man shall be duly forewarned of what there isin immediate preparation Jbr biD , ihat hemay be on the hoi out ; and prepare himself to meet the circumstances which will shortly OTErtakenims and which , if they find him xtnprepvrf , frill in all probability overwhelm him in utter eonfhaon and ruin . "We ha » e spoken of entire revolutions having been efecied in processes of manufacture by the means of Dew and improved machinery . We believe that a great branch of oar present manufacture is doomed
to aperrence a greater , more sweeping , and more entire revelation , than any yet efected in any branch . We believe that the present mode of pro dnemg wooDen cloth , from and up to certain points , is as rare to be entirely superseded , and done aw » j * iih , as it iB certain that the spinning jenny and Bde hare supplanled the single-spindled spinning-¦* i > £ el "We firmly and sincerely believe that this « H shortly be the case ; not from a desire iJiatii ** " * & be so ; bat from facts and evidences which ia ^ e kea seen with our own eyes and heard with
wowbws . 5 iose ficts and evidences shaH bs detailed as te&Hfr S and fnlly as it is posable ; and then the ^ ct can judge for himself , as far as an impei-« ct relation will enable him to do so . J& >* T « oplB have heard of the » ' new Felting "Ote&f but very few people know what has been * as a relation to it . It is only some four Jots snoe a mode of applying the principle to tie msBufacture of Woollen Cloths was diBtoyfTM . The discovery was made by a gentleara ia Aaerica of the name of Wslib . He found » to answer ha expectations ; sad he came over to -Eagjaa to Becnre to himself the beneSt of his ihi 3 was
^^ ra ia couatry . A company formed «» earry oat" his project : and that company have * M * working establishment in Leeds , producing «^ qnantides of doth Iby means of the maeiina n invented by Mr . Wells . _ J& * iBvmtioB sneceeded so iar , as to demon-^* &e poEibility of producing cloths at a ^^ P " rate . Toe first application of a new
A ^ 1 taftff ^ applied to this manufacture)—^ w tiisjaoEt coaclusively . It is-trne that the ™ **» ml * H that could be desired . It is trne ^ J * ltxd defeete and imperfections : but the g ^ 7 % of the new process was at once estab-Seftiw ^ ^ ^^ ^ tfltction "was "well satis-* « ocb » v * ^ experience , and ingenuity wonld tedr ^ r * ^ Sealfies that presented themselves , i . JZr ^ kfects tha t were known to exist . 3 aftnniw 7 " tuat were Jcnown to exist . > Tk
^ eeJ ^ T 2 * * ' « - Th * diffi 6 Blties * pim e < ^ . ^* Pondered upon , and plaas and »» irei OTBrBOae ftem isTe b 6 en formad * y tva __ "f *« eowcJanetopsrfonn the process of « «» coiiseguecce . TBtt-ih 1 ° adliae W 8 iaw wen » operation . We ' tf " 1 » t ^ ^ ^ ° ^ wool , composed of a number jj ^^^^ ^ scribbIingmachbie , " andmak-2 ' W ***** ^ looBe wool , with the fibres diBenlt * ' ^ btened 3 ^ d laid parallel to each other . ftin&T 3 Uit hai * « « : tnt 3 wi ® 0 ^ ™ d suit . ** " toni n asnDder « ^ w wool > in Ais ^ aw Placed bet een tw ; e » es Of linen
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slightly wetted ; and then submitted to the action of the machine , which is exceedingly simple , being mainly composed of two boxes of iron , with their planed surfaces placed parallel to each other , and a slight tremalous , Tubbing , round-abont sort of motion commnnicated to them by means of the requisite pullies , wheelg , and pinions . These boxes are heated by means of Eteam admitted to their interiors ; and between them wasj > laeed the wool in the condition , we have before described . In one minute and a-half that wool was converted into a piece of woollen cloth , ready far the Milling Stocks I And it was cloth ! It would bear pulling , and handling , and washing , and wringing , as soon as it left the machine . It was a faster and firmer fabrio than any ** raw-thread" we eyer saw . ¦ ¦
That the general reader may the more easily comprehend the nature of this new process , and judge of the effect which its extensive introduction and use must have upon the class now engaged in the production of woollen cloths , we shall endeavour to describe the several processes that hare to be used in the ordinary method ; and show how many . of these processes the new one entirely dispenses with .
We will suppose , then , that s Clothier —( a race of men fast passing away from off the stage of manufacturing and commercial life)—wishes to make four Ends of broad-doth , of a middling quality . To do this , he will require aboat thirteen stones of wool , at 161 bs . to the stone , Before the wool comes to Mb hands , it has been sorted by the wool-sorter . It has then to be scoured , to rid it of the grease and dirt it contains when bought from the grower . When dry , it goes to the willeying-machine , which tears it open , and dears it from extraneous substances that may be mixed with and adhere to the fibres . There is an improved " willey , " which some manufacturers
nse , called a Devil . Tha woollen manufacture has its Devil , as well as the cotton manufacture . When willied twice over , it is spread upon the floor ; and Olive or Gallipoli Oil applied to it , by means of a sort of watering-can . The thirteen stones will require 5 | gallons of oil . This application ia necessary , or the wool could not te " worked" through the remaining processes . When the oil has been applied , the wool is again subjected to the action of tbe willey . ' From this machine it goes to the scribbling machine , which lays the fibres of the wool Btraight and open , and forms it into a bow of sheet , or bat . " In this state it hangs loosely together .
The operations hitherto described , are reqnired t be performed for both modes of making cloth , excepting the application of the oil , which is not reqeired for the felting process . In the ordinary process the next operation is to submit the scribbled wool to the action of the carding engine , which finishes into a sort of loose roll Lke a rope , technically termed a " carding . " From this machine it goes to the Blubbing billy , where all these u carding" are pieced together , and spnn into a continuous thread of Borne little firmer texture than the eardings . From the slubber it goes into the hands of
the spinner , who , as the name implies , spins the slubbiegs into threads for warp and weft . From the spinner , one portion ef it goes to the warping-mili , where it is made into a warp . Then it has to be " sized , " that is , thoroughly wetted in animal size * When dried , it goes to the weaver , who has to - ** wind it on" the beam of his loom , and ** tye it in ;" that is , each thread has to be tied to another passed through tbe M healds , " and also through the "slay " or " reed . " Then it has to be woven ; and when it leaves the weaver ' s hands , it is a piece of cloth , in that state of progress known technically by the name
u raw thread . " It is then scoured to rid it of the oil it was n . e « essary to apply to it , to enable it to ** work" up to this stage . When " scoured" it is called a u scoured thread ; " asd while in this state , the little bits of shives , and straws , and cotton or linen threads , or donble ihreadB , which have been woven in with it , are picked out , by means of a pair of burling-irons , made something like a pair of tweezers ; only that the burling-irons are pointed . This operation is called " burling . " It is now ready for the "fuller ? or ** miller . " The cloth is submitted to the action of a machine , called the u fulling stocks . " There is a sort of box , into which the piece of cloth is put , and a certain quantity of liquid soap iB
"lecked on" to it . Then two pieces of heavy wood are alternately raised by tbe machinery connected with the stock ? , and let fall upon the cloth in the box . This process * fulls" or " miils-up" the cloth ; altering or changing the character of the texture altogether . Indeed , this milling is nothing more sor less than a felting process . The fibres of the wool are interlaced the one amongst and in the other ; so that that which was an open woven texture is , now a close ^ and firm f elted fabric . " This process eauses the peice to " run up , " as it is termed : that is , it becomes narrower ^ and shorter . Wh ? n it leaves the loom , a "Broad" is twelve quartern or three yards wide ; when milled or fulled , it is only some fifty-eight inches wide .
The doth , when " tentered , " is ready for the hands of tbe " Finisher " . Now let ss Bee the expence of this process , as near as we can fn time and labour , from the moment it leaves the scribbling machine to the time it is ready for the falkr . The carding and Blubbing , then , wi 1 ocenpy some two-and-half d * ys ; and will employ one " carder " ( an infant ) , who * ' fills " the carding engine . There are three ** piecenera" linfants of course ) connected with the Blubbing billy ; and one man to
work tbe machint . He is called a slabber . Tae carder will be paid a shilling a day ; the " pieeeners " eight-pen ( JB a day each ; aod the slubber will earn four-and-sixpence if he be a workman . ( He is paid by the weight of wool heslubs . ) The spinning will occupy about two day 3 . Tnis process employs also two ** pieeeners" and the Bpinner . Of course the ** pieceners" are children ; and they will earn about eleven pence a-day each , and the spinner about ionrand-sixpence a day ; for he too is paid by the Wright . -
The time reqiired for warping depends upon circumstances ; but the expense will be from a shilling lo eighteen' pence a warp . The "sizing" and * beaming" and " tying-in , " are paid for in the price of tie weaviDg : and to perform these several operations , will take the weaver better than four weeks ; and he will earn about 153 . per week . Tha scouring will perhaps cost Borne eighteen pence an " End , " and will employ a man some half-a-day . These differept processes , then , will take some five-and-a-half weeks to perfect ; and the cost in labour will be about £ 5 . f > s .
To this must be added the cost of the oil , which is necessary in the one process , and entirely dispensed with in ibe other . Galiipoli Oil is 4 a . 6 d . per gallon . Five-aud-half gallons are needed ; so the total cost of the old process , in labour and oil , will be about £ 6 10 s .
THE FELTING HaCHIKB . Now for the New Process . The sheet of wool is taken from the scribbling machine , without oil , and senl at once to the ** Felling Machine" whfcrein two minstes it is converted into cloth ready Iot the Fuller 1 Not the entire four " Ends" eertainiy ; but as mueh as can be submitted t » the action of the Machine at ence ; wh . ch is about two yards . Two yards , then , can be made in two minutes ; without the interrention of * carder'" pie * enerB , slubber , " " spinner , " " warper , " " sixing-boiler , " " sizer , " " weaver , " or scourer . " Two yards in two minutes is a yard a-minute ; or 60 yards per hotr . But say it only does half this quantity ; or 30 j-ards per hoar : it does this with the attendance of one man and a boy 1
Thirty yards per hour , at ten hours per day , is 310 yards a-day !! But say the machine can only produce Aa //" , even , ofthi 3 quantity . Eventhenit would produce at the rate of more than ox& htj . « deed amd fifty tards a pat I Here is & revolution J Here is an " improved" process ! Here is a monstrous addition to our producing means . '
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And what will be the cost of labour in attending npon this new maobine , while it produces more than three " Ends" of cloth a-day ! One man and a youth will be all , if not more , than the machine will require .. Say the man is paid five shillings per day and the youth two and sixpence , making the cost of attendance but seven and sixpence per day . Let the > carder , the piecener , the slubber , the spinner , the warper , and the weaver look out ! What is to become of them !! What are they to do ? 0 ! " turn
to the new means of employment" ! Bah ! If every man and child now engaged in the several old processes , " betake themselveB " to tb . 8 working of the new machines , why we should be obliged to " stack " woollen cloths in the open air for want of warehouse room ! and where the deuce ia a market to be found for them when produced , seeing that even with our present means of production , every market in the world is glutted with our manufactures ? !
But we have not yet seen the whole of the revolution whioh this new process is SURE TO EFFECT . Leok at the number of machines it will supersede . There will be no use for the carding engine , the slubbing-billy , the spinning-mule , the warping-mill , or the loom , either hand-loom or steam-loom . These all cost money ; and the making and repairing of them employ many "hands . " The cost of them will be saved in the production of cloths ; and the expease of the rtom they occupy in the mills , and the power to work them , will be saved also ! Why here , in these particulars alone , i > a revolution in itself . •*¦¦
The expence of the new machine will be very trifling , comparatively speaking . The space it will occupy , and the power to work it , will also be but inconsiderable . Tho doth , as it is manufactured * will go at once from the machine into tbe fullingmill , which is to be placed juat by its side . As fast as it is made it is fulled , aud ready for the hands of the finisher ! Tell us not that this machine will not succeed ! This was the cry when the idea of employing
strain as a motive power . was first started . This was the cry when the spinning jenny was first announced . Tnis was the cry when the power-loom was introduced . This was the cry when the shear-frame first raised its head . And this has been the cry upon the introduction of every new invention and "improvement . " Aye , and this cry , too , has been fostered and encouraged amongst the labouring men by their employers : because it disarmed opposition to the introduction and use of the machines J
Not succeed , indeed ! Tho very day we saw this new machine at work , we saw a great-coat on the back of an American gentleman of some celebrity , made of cloth manufactured by the process discovert d by Mr . Wells . This coat the gentleman had worn for three years . He travels incessantly . The coat had been put to hard service . It scarcely looked any the worse for wear . It certainly was not threadbare . ' Not a stitch had given way . There are many more years wear in that same coat .
Not succeed , indeed . ' That same American gentleman told us that he had a dress-coat , made of superfine blue cloth manufactured by tbe same process ; and he declared he had never been able to procure a coat of cloth manufactured in the old manner , that wore anything near so well , or preserved anything like so good a face . And these cloths were manufactured by the first discovered process I We believe the new machine to be calculated to produce cloibB of a much more satisfactory character .
The process is sure to succeed 1 Only look J cloth by it can be produced at a Ies 3 coss than the cost of the oil necessary to be used in the old method ! to say nothing of the amount of time , and labour , and expensive machines , with which it entirely dispenses . Its success is certain ! Wo would implore of the labouring people not to hug themselves up in fancied security , uttering the senseless jargon of " it cannot be done "I They will find to their cost that it can be done , and will be done ; and we wish them to be prepared for their altered position . Bat this Felting Machine is not the only new invention on the eve of introduction into active use . Ou the same day that we saw that machine in operation as above described , we ako saw a new
bhjch making machine which will work a complete revolution ia that department . A description of the arrangement , and a st&tement of the effects the inventor stateB it is calculated to produce , will enable the public to judge bow far this opinion is warranted by the facts of the case . We cannot better describe the form of the machine than to request the reader to suppose that he sees before him an immense coffee mill , with two hoppers attached to it ; the one placed over the other ; and that the necessary motion is communicated to the machine by a shaft which passeB over and across the upper hopper .
The clay is wheeled into this appermost hopper , oat of which it passes between two rollers , which crush it and makes it adhere together , into the lower hopper , down tbe centre of whteh . a shaft revolves , to which are affixed a quantity of cutters , which work the clay throughly , and make it ready for the moulds . As it is thus prepared , it is forced out at the bottom of the hopper , in lumps , ready for the moulds , which are affixed round the circumference of two large rollers or drums , and which revolve in opposite directions , and respectively press the clay into the mouldB with a very heavy
compression . A boy stands at eaoh side of the machine , to take the moulded bricks as they are delivered from the revolving cylinders , and lay them upon barrows to be taken to the dryingground , and prepared for , the kiln . This preparation does not take as much time as in the ordinary mode ; for the clay . can be worked with much less water . The less , the better ; and if warm water , or water from the condenser of a steam-engine can be used , the dryiug process occapies very little time indeed . This machine will require fourhorse power to work it ; and , at the very least ,
12 , 000 bricks can be moulded by it in one day ; in many cases , more could be produced . The expence of la-boar with the machine will be 2 s . 8 d . per 1000 j while the present expenoe is 7 s . 6 d . per 1000 . In the ordinary mode of making bricks , the clay must be dug , and allowed to lay for some six months , before it can be used . With the machine it is best when used as soon as it is dog . Tae brick made by the maohiue is much superior to the one made by hand . Tne heavy pressure to which it is subjected ,
makes it closer in grain ; more compact . A brick made by the machine will weigh from two to three pounds heavier than one made from the same clay by ha -d ; and the advantage derived from this on the score of durability and resistance to wet and damp is immense . A common ordinary brick will absorb some t ; vo or three pounds of water ; tbe compressed brick will absorb very little . The face of the machine-made brick is much finer than the faoe of the hand-made brick .
One of these Machines has been ordered by tbe Government , for the purpose of moulding an artificial fuel , which ib made by the convicts at Goaport , for the use of the Government Steamers . It is made of small toal , tar , and some other substances ; boiled together , and then made into blocks , like bricks . This , too , is an improvement . " Three tons of it will go as far as four tons of coal ; and it can be afforded for 23 a . a ton ; about the price of coal at Portsmouth .
In addition , to this" monster machine " , the inventor has another to be worked by hand . With the handmachine two youths and two boys will mould 4 , 600 bricks a-day : two to work the machine , and two to carry them off as soon as they are moulded . One great advantage attending this machine is , that the brick is ready for the kiln ag soon as it leaves the hands of the moulder . Eaoh brick has four tons of pressure applied to it ; and this makes it bo compact , and drives out the moisture so effectually that it is ready for the fire immediately . With this
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machine , too , tiles for draining can be made , by its means , better than it is possible to make them by hand ; and in quantities quite equal to the superiority , the " moaster machine" possesses over tbe hand-prooesa in the making of bricks D / aining tiles , too , of a certain and useful shape can be made by the great machine " . Here , then , is another " improvement" which will have its effect upon a pretty numerous class of labouring men ; for' it also 13 sure to b& successfully introduced . Indeed , it is already at work in several places .
But these machines are not all . On the same day we saw another , which will have some effect upon the bakers employed in biscutt-makiog . A machine has been made , and is now in operation , which will reduce their work to a baro attendance upon the oven , and mixing of the dough . The
BISCUIT-MAKING MACHINE performs the laboV of rolling out the paste , and stamping out the c kes . The dough ia put ia at the upper end of the machine , where it passes between two rollers which compress it to the required thickness ; and the sheet of thin paste then travels beneath two stampers , which are continually rising and faling , cutting out two cakes at eaoh fall ; these cakes pass away ( on the risiDg of the stamper ) by means of an endless cloth , to the boy who takes them at the low end of the machine as they are delivered , and places them upon the oven plates ready for baking . By means of this machine four stones of biscuits can be made in ten minutes ! Let tha Bakers look out ! While engaged in penning this article the Post brought as a aemmanication from our Manchester
Correspondent , whioh details some most important facts bearing on tho very question we are discussing From it we give the following : — " Improvement 1 b still going on in this town and neighbourhood . In one of tbe largest mills in tbe neighbourhood of Great Ancoats , tbe number of bands employed have been reduced to less than one-half within tbe last ten years ; and yet , at the same time , there are more goods made in the establishment than there ever were at any former period ( The wages of the few that , are employed at pr-seat , have , daring the same time , been reduced nearly ONE third ! At tbe time we write this , tbe mechanics are fixing up in tbe same
mill a number of new frames , by the use of which six out of every ten now employed will be thrown out of employment ! These frames are expected to be in operation at tbe beginning of next week . In another mill in the some neighbourhood , they are putting up frame * U ) ftere 6 y tht to / iofe of Hie STRETCHERS will be dispensed with ! The wages of tbe Stretcher would average about £ 1 12 s . p r week ; but with these new frames the same amount of work will be done by a young woman for about nine shillings , or nino-ands'xpeacel Knowing the above to be facts , we wonld be much obliged to the advocates for a Repeal of the Cora Laws , who ate
constantly bawling that " a Repeal would Jind employment for all those that are at ihe pi * - sent time walking the streets unemployed , to show us how a Repeal will operate so as to reinstate the Stretcher in his employment , and give him bis thirty-two shillings a-week again I The master niaiiufactmera say that they cannot compete with the continental manufacturer even now , that they ore gutting about the same amount of work done by a female for less than ons-third of the money recently paid 1 There is another knotty point we could also like them to loose . It is this . They are continually ringing in our ears that " when bread is cheap work , is plentiful , and wages high . ' And when
asked to give us something like & proof of their statement that a low price of food raises wages : — " Oil , " say they , *• Look back to the years 1835-6 ; food was cheap then ; and the consequence was that all were employed , and wages advanced . Now , if this be a criterion to goby , we would call the attention of these gentlemen to one or two foots that cannot be denied . Ia 1843 bread is as ' cheap" as it was in 1835—6 . But have wages advanced ? Not a bit of it 1 Trade has increased . Is employment more plentiful ? No I On the contrary , in the town of Manchester alone there ate at the present time 20 , 000 persons out of employment ! And instead of wages advancing , tbe following will show that a low price of bread is not a raiser of wages .
The hand-loom weavers in the quitting department were , last week only , teduced one shilling in seven , # k nearly fifteen per cent ! The Dyers h « ve bad , vtry recently , to submit to a reduction of 25 per cent j and they are now bid to prepare for a furthet reduction of fifteen per cent . At the present there is not one-half of the usual number of bauds employed ia many dyeing establishments . The same rule of reductions in wages and number holds good in almost all the foundries and machine shops in Manchester . We should be much obliged to tbe Corn Law Repealers to make these facts harmonize with tbe doctrines they have been ' 'in tee habit of epeutlng to the people . "
Ought not the operatives to be on the look out ? . ' Yes ! and ought' they not to b © preparing tt > meet the additional evils evidently coming upon them ! 1 They may ask " what are we to dol" We answer " g et upon the LAND ! " A wis « application of the physical energies of tbe worker to the cultivation of the productive energies of the soil is the only means of escape out of the trouble , misery and want which the progress of machinery hitherto has produced ; and , from the tenfold amount of both which its future progress bids fair to bring in its train , if the present system be maintained . How on earth is it possible to give benefic'al and permanent employment to the labourer , but by tbe means here pointed oat ?
THE LAND is the only remedy for the evils with whioh we are afflicted ; and the only escape from the evils with whioh we are threatened . - To get upon tub lind should therefore be the object of the displaced and superseded labourer . To secure a wise application of the soil , the only remedial measure worth attention , should be the aim of every man who loves his kind and his country . By a proper combination on tub land , all " improvements" may be made to work to the ad vantage of all the producers and consu mers of wealth This general advantage will be secured , whenever
we have sense enough to cause machinery to bs worked FOR thb people , inbtoad of being worked against them . Then , every " improvement" will be an additional blessing . Then , evejy new invention will be hailed with delight , instead of being dreaded as a bitter curse ! The first stop to enable us to attain this desirable object , is the obiainmeut of the soil , whereon to employ the unemployed people . That step gained , ail tbe rest will follow : fur the Mahch op Machinery itself will drive us on , whether we be inclined to go or not !
Let the cry , then , be : the Land ! the Land the Land !" The Laud is tbe only possible means of Salvation ! !
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Mb . Wm . Dixon would be obliged to Mr . P . M . Brophy if he would , correspond with him as soon as possible . Air . Brophy ' s children have come from Dublin , and are now with Air . Dixon ; and , as neither he nor they know where to write to him , they hope he will see this , and write directly . They have been in Manchester since the 2 nd inst . Mb . Con Mtnuuy whhes us lo stale , for the information of hit , friends , that he will he in Cumpsie on Afonday next , in Glasgow on Tuesday , and the Vale of Leven on Wednesday . Charles Taylor . —No .
C . Fell . — His very excelU it letter is received . He may rely on aur keeping prominent the subject matter of it , in such way as our best judgment shall dictate . Erratum . —In the letter of Mr . Thomas Davies , inserted in our hist , M * : Nee ^ om ' s name was printed instead oj that of Air . Hemmings . Ann Yates , Shelton . —Air . Hill ' s books are pub lishedby Mr . John Cleave , I , Shoe lane . Fleetstreet , and map be had through any bookseller . JaIIES Hkaton . Clitheroe . —His request in complied with . There is no expence attendant on it , as the ¦ letter was not in type . Johh Copp , Bristol , says the Bristol Chartists are very anxious to see Afr . O'Connor . Robert Allen , Edinbo . gh . —His letter is received . He hoi ear thanks for his honest expression of opinion . He may rely on our continuing to go
on , striving to merit the approbation of good men and reckless , as fearless , of the rage of bad ones . NOTICE . —All communicalionsfor Airs . Roberts ' * Committee in future must be addressed to Mr . John Neichcuse , secretary ^ No . 11 Court s Upper Tower-street ^ Birmingham . Vebiias . —His letter is received . Thanks for his f riendly information . Nothing is more necessary , and for the very reason he assigns , than that we should know all these little things . John Bbown , Slnderland . — We have received several communications on bath sides . We shall give none of them . Sheffield Chaktistb Fig-tree lane , must etrcuse * s : we cannot insert their resolutions on the Executive The Northern S-. ar has done tvith the matter . Tht tame answer must be taken by several other parties . Richabd RaJISDjsn . —Has letter is forwarded .
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C . J . Smith . — We have no room \ f <> r his comments though we may make some use of them hereafter . John Durham . —Mr . Roberts , solicitor , of Bath , will do . D . Swallow . — . 4 // passwords arid secret signs arc illegal . \ Larry Toole . —Thanks for his letter . They are not likely to get O'Connor till afier the tiiuL S . J ., Bristol . —Thanks .
Bath . —The Bath Chartists write to correct an error in our Paper of the 28 th . It i was there stated that Bath had given assent \ to Afr . Coopers plan of organ * zilion . Such was not ihe case ' The \ ilh clause was objected to . They recommend to the notice of the Chartist world Napier ' s pamphlet on the Corn Laws ' \ John Bbown , Carlisle . — We cannot interfere . R . T . Morrison . —Next week . ; Charles Cludebat , Holbeck— The money is received , and the advertisement . '
J . D . L . —So much depends on the precise local circumstances , which can only be known by actual observance , thai we can give no opinion . Our friend must be guided by his otim judgment P . OHiggins — His letter is very long . We can often jind room for a short one ; when a very long one is necessarily shut out . We will try \ next week . B . FirtON , Middleton . —He is quite mistaken . We had no purpose in the mailer ; nor have tee had a syllable of information on it . save his own letter . We very often use those adhesive labels , and were quite ignorant of the conienta of the one . in question tilt informed by his letter . We doubt pot thai he will admit the sentiment to be a just one ; and we trust he will now see that we had no purpose to affront him . F . R . S . — We shall reserve his oummunication and malm use of it some day in en article respecting ih * futility of the sort of conduct and reasoning he describes . Philantropus , Sussex . —Perhaps next week .
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FOB THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . . : £ b . d . From M . A . Riddlesden , Morley ... ... 050 „ a friend near Wakefleld ... ... 0 7 10 ^ „ Countesthorpa , near Leicester , proceeds of Mr . P Rigby ' s lecture ... 0 2 6 „ Wm . Thompson , Saltcoats ^ ... 0 0 6 FOB MRS . ELLIS . From Mr . T . Roper , Nottingham ... ... 0 1 3
To The Edit0b Op The Noethern Star.
TO THE EDIT 0 B OP THE NOETHERN STAR .
BlR , —Will you allow me to luy before your readers the following exposure of , and comments upon , the report of tbe discussion beld at Sunderland , between Mr . Kidd and myself . I acquit you of any desire to favour either one party or another by the report That it is inserted exactly as you received it , I Sully believe . Mr . Con . Murray , I Relieve , avows himself ; the author of it . How far be bas fulfilled bis declared ( intention to discharge bis duty impartially must be known to all who were present This I can say , that 1 know several of the " whole hog brigade" who admit ! that it contains much that was never spoken at all , aud suppresses what
was . ; I shall dismiss , as a piece of tha '' whole hog rant , ' the beading of tbe report— " Glorious Defeat «> f all the Robber factions . " To ask what is meant by this bombast would be a piece of folly . ; The report makes it appear that I , without any just cause , or from some improper motive ; refused to make the admission free . Tbe following facts will shew my conduct in its proper light : —About 8 o > 9 o ' clock on Sunday evening , baving gone out to take a short walk , I was stopped in the streets fey two lads , who represented themselves as a deputation from the Brigade , to request that I would make the admission free ,
on which condition tbe Brigade would { pay one-half tbe expences of the room , but not the printing . I replied the deputation were too late , the meeting baviug tu take place the following evening , the cbiinge would not be fully known unless other bills were published ; that I bad not then as opportunity of conBultiog my friends —that I could not personally afford to pay the bills and one-half the otht r expenses myself—that they might also i-ee it would be a physical impossibility to accommodate more than 500 , end therefore , whether it was free or not free , hundreds must of necessity be excluded who perhaps would have come if more accommodation could be afforded . ¦
Id the report of my second speech it is stated that I shewed by my " evasive and sheffl-ng attempts , " that I was writhiDg under the first speech- of Mr . Kidd . " Now I believe tbe shuffling aud evasion was all on tbe other side . Mr . Kidd bad laid it down as a broad rale , apparently without exception , that the majority ouebt always to bind the minority—that by acting in opposition to this rule I j bad violated everyjpttaciple of the Charter . In reply I required him to state whether he really meant to contend for this without exceptions , or if he did admit { exceptions to it , to state distinctly the general character of such exceptions . I stated , if be meant the former , I wu ? prepared to prove ita absurdity ? if he admitted the latter , I would show that my conduct at the [ Conference was one of those exceptions in the conduct of a minority which did not violate the principles and spirit of democracy , i
My arguments in the second speech are reported in a bungling and erroneous style , but I do not on that ground accuse Mr . Murray of wilfully | misrepresenting me . It must be recollected that be is not a short-hand writer , that he can only take rough notes , and has to fill up from memory ; every intelligent person must know , tbat wko tbe best intentions , a man may greatly err on such a question , while , when he bas strong prejudices a partionlas way , he 1 b almost sure to to do so . But I do accuse Mr . Murray , or the reporter , of knowingly giving an unfair report , by reporting what was never uttered at all Matter of this bind will be found in the second speech of Mr- Kidd , where , replying to jny abservationa on slavery ia America , the whole of the plausible arguments reported between the 8 th and 21 st line of this speech were never uttered at all . No one reason was given by the speaker for slavery
in democratic America , except that it was class legislation that caused it In the same speech Mr . Kidd is reported to have been interrupted by { my friends , the respectables—this is most unfair . Very few res > ectable men were present , the hulk of tbe audience were working men . In the third speech of Mr . Kidd , jtbe reporter appears to have divested himself of aii regard for truth , for not one word of the portion reported , between tbe 5 th and 20 th liae , was ever ottered i by tho speaker . During tbe course of the whole debate ho never uttered » wor < l about the non-insertion of my letter . So much for tbe reporter ' s impartiality . The reporter bas also forgot to report , tbat he bad no wish to press bis censure upon me , and intimated his readiness to withdraw it if I would withdraw roy resolution . This I rejected with scorn , demanding if thby , the audience , believed me guilty , that they thould declare it by their vota .
With respect to tbe number , I may be allowed to obgerve that all the local papers represent the division to bave been equal but one , that one gives it in my favour . ' I am . Sir , Respectfully , yours , J : Williams .
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THE SCOTCH COLLIERS . TO THE EDITOB OF THE NOBTHERN STAR . RiR f _ -Will you have the goodness to a'low me spac « in the Star , ( the only p > or man's advocate ) fo the purpose of ¦ xpnsiug to the indignation of th » wh > l country , the base-unfeeiing conduct of certain P . ans worshipping c « al masters in Scotland , than-wbAcn nothing can be more cruel or antiehristiari . It appears that for 8 oni 9 time past there has been a rtrike am- ng the coliieniof Lanarkshire , and the mastere fin-iintr tbifc neither wheedling or threats , bribes or premises . (; id any effect in inducing the men to comply wsth t > *; ir terms , in fact , rinding that tbe colliers stood th , ir ground like men knowiDg tbeir rights , and that tuoy were 1-keIy to bo defeated in their unholy crut-tde
asainst the workman ' s wage , they have now as a vernier resort , commenced to turn the poor colliers oui of their houses , bouselesss and friendless to the coid winds of heaven ! Yes , hundreds of men , women , and < . h'ldren are now being turned out to the wide work * , at this inclement season of the year , in ord r to gr . tify tbe revenge , or the cursed thirst for gold , ut a fe » v black-hearted coal masters ! Truly we are a Christian people I Are we not a civii . z ^ d nation ? lo £ 01 mer ¦ irticles which I have s ^ nt to the Star , I bave chai-acttriaed the people aa ill-osed men , and their em plovers as a set of merciless oppressors ; to show a proof of tljia , beyond my bare assertion , take the foliowing parairiph which I copy verbatim et literatim , from the Gla ^/ ow Chronicle of last week : —
" The colliers of Lanarkshire . —The ejectment of the colliers and miners of this county from their houses , with the view of bringing them to the terms of tbeir employers , gots on vigorously . We are informed t ? at on Thursday last , about thirty colliers , with their wires and children , bedding , furniture , &c , were turned out at e , colliery above Hamilton ; to day a number k .-re will be similarly ejected ; and on Monday and the early part of next week , about 250 more . " Really Sir , I can scarcely trust my feelings to id -ke any comment on this . The idea of turning out vhule families from their bouses , in the middle of winter , it so repugnant to ones better feelings tbat it appears in ere like a dream than Bobcr reality , did not thu damning
fact stare us in tho face . It will be seen that the at ova paragraph speaks of the coal master ' s tertas . What . ire those terms ? Those terms are a miserable pittancu ( or their labour—not sufficient to ke ? p soul and bndy together ; not to be allowed to join any society without tha masters' consent ; to submit to heavy Sues for the moat trivial ufFencea ; and to deal exclusively at ihe masters' truck-shops . The men , very properly , I think , resolved not to submit to this tyranny ; hwice tbe resolution to turn them out of their houses . These coaluiasters are professors of Christianity t <* o—these arch * hypocrites attend tbeir churches and chapels , &n <\ ; ray to God to forgive , them their sins , as they forgive them { hat trespass against them \—O t ° . mpora ~ O mores ' .
I do hops that the English colliers will stand by and support their unfortunate Scottish brethren , and not allow these coalmastera to ride rampant over the i . oor coi ) ie : s ; indeed , it is a question that affects fcVery trade , because , should the experiment of turning tbe coliura out of their houses , succeed in reducing them to the masters' terms , there can be no doubt but that masters ia other trades Will adopt the same plan in like circumstances . It will be thought by some that these coal masters would feel some remorse of conscience . Not they
iodeud t They could retire to their comfortabie hoti . es , after committing these cruel acts , and there sea their well-fed weil-cUd children , without ' a thought of the poor colliers' children who were exposed to the atv-rra without They could see their wives and chihlren reclining on sofas iu warm carpeted rooms , and ki . ow at the same time that the colliers * wives w » re houseless in the bitter frost and snew—huddled together in mine stable , or outhouse , with perhaps a stone fot their pillow 1 But what was this to them ? Had they nut a right to do as they iiked with their own ?
I intend to return to this subject ; in the meantime , I do trust that this statement of facts will obtain for the houseless colliers the sympathy asd support ot all who have a heart to feel for other ' s woes . I am , dear sir , Truly yours , William Damells . Lasswade , nrar Edinburgh , Fob . 4 . 1843 .
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DREADFUL OCCURRENCE AT LEDBURY . A MOTHER KILLED BY HER SON . f From the Hereford Times . ) Oa Tuesday last an inquest was held in tha town of Ledfeury , at the house of Mr . CL-arfes Roberts , brf « re Nicholas Linwarne , E q , one or the coroners for this county , -and a highly respectable ju .-jr , on the bud > of E zibstb Webb , aged 79 , who resided in a ysr' in Homend-street , and who died on the previous Saturday , in consequence of blows inflicted upo her by uer son , John Wtbb , a ttaatchtr , in a fit of insanity , on tbe night of the 16 th ult .
Sarah Taylor , who has been a neighbour of tbe deceased between five and six years , deposed that John Webb had been considered occasionally deranged for tbe lost four years , and at this season of the yt-ar was worse than at other periods . She never knew him to commit any violence , and he always appeared kind to bis mother . When insane he frequently talked a > v > ut one Hunnah Slater , with whom be had a love affair . His sister , Milborough Webb , is of a melancholy turn , and eceentric in her habits . On Monday night , tbe 17 th u-t , witness and ber son were called up to go to John Webb . They found him in the garden , undressed , in bis shirt , and viith the hand !* of an axe in bis bund . Her son called to him , and he replied , " Gteorge Taylor , I like you trery
well , but don't come near to me , or else I will take your bead off . " Directly after this be v ? e : t into the house and proceeded up stairs , and immediately dreadful cries and screams were heard , Ee came down stairs without tbe stick , and went to the tire , and , whilat there , his sister , Mjiboruugh Webb , came down and ran out of the house in htr night dress , and Mood was running from her bead at the time . John Webb ran out after ^ her crjing «• your eyes , Dime Jukes , I have given you seme , and 1 give will you mora" [ A person of the name of Jukes lives in Ledbury , who was ver" kind to him ] Three men seized him , and secured him with cords j witness then went into tbe house and found a variety of things on tbe fire , which she pulled off , aud afterwards called to
dfcCeased to come down as ber bouse would be 00 fire ; receiving no answer , witness went up ttairs , aud found deceased pquat in ber bed naif-dressed , with her hand against $ l $ k head , bleeding ; ia reply to a question as to who gave the blows she said , * ' her undutif . ul eon" . or " boy . " On the previous nf «? ht ( Sunday ; witness had been called up to qo to John Webb ; he appeared much excited and outrageous , and said tbat people were after him to muTder biiu , and that Hannah Slater and another wore under bis bed . He was praying , and very much afraid . Whilst witness was there , he . got into bed , and remained quiet , not manifesting any wish to commit violence on any one . Witness understood that at times he drank bard .
William Partridge , another neighbour , deposed tha * he was called to John Webb on tbe night of the 16 th . He saw him in the garden as described by the last witness . Webb " * aid to him " William Partridge , your eyes , you are the worst enemy I bave . You stole half a bushel of potatoes of me , an < 4 if you come near I will slat your bratnB elean out . " Witness ran away . and Webb followed him a short distance , and then returned into-the house , and shortly afterwards witness heard the deceased and her daughter cry " Martlet !"
Iu a few minutes tbe daughter ran out , aud witness lifted ber over the stile . There was blood on Webb's shirt , but he ripped the piece ofi before ho -was secured . About Christmas , 1841 , be went to eburcb on Sunday , and said be was sent by tbe Lord to preach a sermon on that day . He was evidently deranged at tbe time . In New Year ' s week , 18 * 2 , wit : tea was asked to watch him , as he was considered in a state of derangement and dangerous . He occasionally drunk to cseuss . but wituess did not consider him a man out of his mimi .
Caroline , tbe wife of William Evans , another neighbour , deposed tbat on the night of the 16 th sbe heard ! a dreadful noise in deceased ' s bouse . Miltjorough Webbcried ' ! murder , " and her mother cried , " God bless you , come in . for he is killing" Miliey . " Samuel Purnell , constable , Ledbury , deposed tbat on tbe morning of tbe 16 th be was sent for to tbe house of di&eased , where he saw George Webb , who said hi » bro ' . hcr bad murdered his mother . Witness said , " 1 b'ipti not , " when John Webb said , " O yea , she is dead , and I done it : I came down from . London oa purpose . "
William Qriffia , Esq ., surgeon , Ledbury , deposed that be was sent for to the house of the deceased about ha . fpast une o ' clock on the mornicg of tbe I 7 ta , and found her and ber daughter lying in bed covered with blood . There ' was an extensive contused wound on the 1 ft side the deceased ' s head , opposite the eye , producing a fracture of the skull ; there was also a compound fracture of the lower jaw on the same side ; the eye wan also contused , [ & . piece of wood found under the deceased ' s bed was produced , and identified by the witnesses as the one wbicb the unfortunate map was seen to have in bis band 1
Such a stick as that produced would cause the wounds on the deceased ' s head . Witness considered deceased ' s life to be in imminent danger . There was blood on the stick . John Webb stated to witness in an incoherent manner , that be bad bit his mother twice and his sister once ; he appeared very much excited and labouring u <; der abberratitm of intellect Witness continued to attend deceased until the day . of her death . She "wa » quite aeasibla until tha previous day , hat never told witness who gave her the blows * although he asked her several times . The blows on the bead , or either of tb > ra . were sufficient ko c . usa death . D . ceased was a tiin spare woman , and during the tiiiie witness attendee ! her he saw no other cause cf death txcegttng tbe fractures and wounds meatiun&d . The jiquiry being closed , tho Coroner observed up > , n the er ? icit . nce . Tbe Jnry , after aoiae consideration , returned a Verdict , — " That dec ^ asad eama to her c " ea'li from Wo * s inflicted by hMson , JoLnWebb , whilst laboaru . g aader mental dtraigement "
Co 2aea&Ir$ Atti≫ &Orr?$Pon&Eut0.
Co 2 aea&ir $ atti > &orr ? $ pon&eut 0 .
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TRIAL BY SPECIAL JURY . TO TUB EDITOB OF THE KORTBBKN STAB . Sir , —On Monday last , I received two ! lists of Special Jurors , who , I am informed , bave been selected to try me at the ensuing asrges . Each list contains tbe names of forty eight persons , chiefly landed proprietors , with a sprinkling of baronets , bankers , and merchants . How tbe selecting business was managed I don't know , but the public may judge of it from the fact , that several magistrates , who bad previously committed me lo Warwick , were on the list , and also some of tbe parties engaged as witnesses on behalf of the Rev . — Ansty , in tbe Rugby libel case .
Ttiey have done it well . They have taken good care that I shant bave a shadow of a chance . I They may say " Had you not the privilege of striking off twelve from each list ! ' Vtry true ! But then , jthe remaining thirty-six are no better than the twelve jsUuck off , and as Home Tooke remarked , it is like expecting a man to select a sound orange from a batket full Of rotten ones . : 1 protest against the whole lot , and onn see clearly tbat it is the determination of the Guverumtnt to deprive me of the means of a fair triali The offences with which I am charged took place in Birmingham , and in justice to me , the Juiy ought * to have been selected from this town where the circumaiaucta mo best understood . Yours truly ,, George White . ^ _ _ '
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TO THE EDITOB OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sia , —Id consequence of the parties who engaged the Amphitheatre not being able to pay f _ r the tame , a new arrangement bas been entered into between me ucd tbe Chartiats here , to tbe effect tbat I urn to lecture for tbe benefit' of Messrs . West and Jones ' s " Defence Funds" on Sunday evening sext , at nix ! o ' clock , in the All Saints Open , " instead of th « Amphitheatre . I beg leave most respectfully to iafoqm you thai no meetings were gottp in Nottingham en the 2-9 _ li , nor in Darby on tbe 22 nd ult , which are tbefreasona of ni _ making no returns to yon for the General Defence . Yours , in the c&uaa , Petee Rigby . Leicester , February 8 , 1843 . ¦
NB . ^ I hope the Chartist trends will ctt up as many met tings as they can for me to lecture for bte benefit of the Gencrai Defenco , as . b < _ time of cUfenco is nigh at ha « d . I stould Kke to fkul some of tii * beit difcUieta for the above object .
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Bernard M'Cabtnet . —Yes . W . 8 . and J . H ., Belfast—The Plates of Duncombe were delivered to Mr . Cleave in -September last , at tbe same time as those of the Petition . Ttiey were to be sent to Mr . M . Clarke , to be enclosed to Mr . Henderson ; and th- ' s is all that is known about them at the Office , except their ? non-arrival at Mr . Henderson ' a T . Smith , Plymouth — The letter received here on the 9 th was not post paid .
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THE NORTHERN STAR , 5 ~ — - —¦ ——— ¦ ¦ ? -- ¦ - ¦ ' ¦ - ¦ —— ¦ . ¦ — * ~**^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 11, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1199/page/5/
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