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i^MyKK«T. COMMITTEE. . FOB SrPKEIKTBKDIRG THB MATIOMAL PETITIOS.
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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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THURSDAY , MAT 20 . Mr . Skevington in the chair . The Hall was unusually crowded -with strangers . Several of the minutes having been read and confirmed : — Mr . Ridley asked Mr . Wall if he , as member of the London Committee , had promised to take care of the petition ? Mr . Wall—I nerer had any conversation , npon the subject Mr . G alien received two letten from Glasgow . As they were rather complimentary to himself , he declined readine the m .
l > r . M-DouaJl received a letter from Shrewsbury , announcing that the petition contained 1 , 100 signatures , and that Chartism was progressing rapidly there . Another letter from Maedesfield stated that the petition from that town , had 1 , 612 signatures . He then read a letter from the Executive of Salford , signed John Campbell . This letter stated that it appeared injudicious for the Convention to sit longer , and regretted that a more constant correspondence had not been kept up between the Convention and the Executive , which ironld prevent mistakes . —It also stated that the Executive scarcely knew what advice to give , as one member wrot * that it would be well for the Convention to continue its sittings ; and another wrote that it would be to no good to do so . Dr . M'DoaalLmoved that the secretary be directed to reply to that letter . The motion was seconded by Mr . Smart , and carried .
Mr . Martin was sorry that individuals bad written , while no official correspondence was kept up between the Executive and the Convention . ( Hear , hear . ) It was toe oountry , however , that was to decide what course they should pursue . As a member authorised to advocate the Charter , and as one pledged to twenty-five imprisoned Chartists , to struggle for their liberation , he ¦ would remain in London until the petition be presented , and until he redeemed his pledge . Dr . M'D'mall never communicated with the Executive . The letters from it merely happened to be directed to him . He always carefully abstained from writine as a private individual upon the afiairs of the body . " Dr . M'Douall moved , and Mr . Rose seconded , that the lett-r . which a resolution of the Committee directed te be MTl-. ' -en to the Executive , relative to all correspondence between it and- the members of the Convention , should be forwarded to the Executive .
Dr . 31 'Donall then read a draft of the letter to the Executive , in answer to the one received . The letter tated the Committee had considered it their duty to continue their sittings until the business for which they were sent ¦ was concluded , and that they threw themselves up ^ i . n the country at large for support . The le'rer having been approved of , was , on the motioji of Dr . M'Douall , seconded by Mr . Smart , unanimously aivpted , and accordingly forwarded . " Dr . M-Dauall reported that , in compliance "with a , resolution jf the previous evening , he and Mr . Morgan waited uvon Sir John Guest , who asked them if they
were a deputation from Mertflyr . They replied in the negatiTe . stating that they were members of the Convention . He said that they should have brought Mr . Morgan Williams with them , and asked if he was afraid to come . He behaved very courteous , and said that he ^ -uuld most respectfully present at the throne any memorials from Merthyr , as it was his duty to do so . He was then asked if he would present Mr . Morgan Williams to her Majesty , to afford him an opportunity of submitting to her Majesty the memorials confided to his care for that purpose . He wished Mr . Morgan Williams to call upon him . and expressed awillingnesi to present him . ( Hear , hear . )
Dr . M'Douall further reported that he had waited apon several other Members of Parliament , the majority of whom were from home , or eould not be seen . Mr . Wall had an interview with Mr . Leader , and asked that gentlemen to present him , or other members of the Convantion to her Majesty . Mr . Leader replied that he himsplf had not been presented since her Majesty came to the throne . Although he did not like it , he would , if required , go and present any person to he / Majesty . Mr . . Martin said that Mr . Leader stated that the usual "sray in such cases was for the members to place the in . iiTidual's name to be presented on a card , and to leave it before presentation . General Evans was applied to . He refused to present
Mr . Rose tras deputed , with Mr . "Williams , to wait upon Mr . Wakley , who was from home . They then waited upon Sir BeDJamin Hall , and w ^ s surprised , after trhit Mr . Hall stated , to find that he would neither present an individual or the memorials , with the exception of one from his Berough / . Mr . Cullen called upon Mr . Leader , but did not see him . He then sraited upon Sir We Molesworth , and requested his support of the petition in favour cf the impris ' -T-cU Chartists , and to present memorials for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Joces . He first saia tL-. t he wonld deliberate whether he woulti present tLe L c-3 s petition or not . He then said that he could ii _ -i Support the petition , or present the memorials . He , how . Ter , said that he was bound to present them if thev inline from Leeds . They then went to Lord John Russell's house ; they sent in their card . Hia Lordsliip sent for answer "that he was busUy engaged .
Dr . M'Douall met with Mr . Walter at the " Old King ' s" mansion . He was to draw cp a statement for Mr . Wu / . ii who would not only vote for , but would also , he was confident , make a speech in favour of the National Petition . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Ridley moved that a Committee of three be appointed to draw up for Mr . Duncombe , a statement of the mmber of prisoners , their names , the charges against them , their sentences , their condition , and the sufferings to which they were subjected . Mr . Cuilen seconded the motion . The motion appointing the Committee to report upon the prisoners was then passed , and Messrs .- Callen , Martin , and M'Douall were elected members of the Comnnitee . It was resolved that the Secretary write to the Marquis of >' ormanby to know from his Lordship when he would be ready to receive a deputation from the Committee .
After the disposal of Borne routine business , the Com mitttse
adjoumed-FRIDAT , MAY 21 . Mr . Morgan Williams in the chair . Mr . Duncombe entered the Hail for the purpose of conferring with the Delegates upon the best mode of seeuring a successful presentation of the petition , to obtain full information on the present state and number ef prisoners , to make arrang ementa for getting the petition to the House , and to receive final instructions respecting its presentation and that of the Memorials . Mr . Duncombe having examined the number and the wording of the petitions , expressed himself pleased with both . He then read over the list of prisoners as prepared by the Committee , and after its perusal returned it to the Committee for revision . He then described the peculiar situation in which the delegates were placed in consequence of the approaching dissolution ,
which would certainly take place in a fortnight , and might occur immediately after the debate on Monday night . If the petition could not be presented on next Tuesday , there would be but little chance of its being presented in this parliament . As it was , he was certain that every thing would be done to interfere with its presentation . ( Hear , hear . ) Still he could not suppose that the House would insult the country by refusing to allow of its presentation , when he was enabled to state that it contained 800 , 000 signatures . { Hear , hear . > The orders of the day might be moved ,. and such « imiiar obstacles thrown in hia way ; still he hoped that he would be enabled not oqjy to present it , but to obtain a discussion npon it He could not speak positively about the memorials . He wished to know whether he should run all hazards and present the petition at that late moment .
Messrs . Wall and Ridley recommended that it should be presented , and its presentation prepared by all means . Dr . M 'Douall—The country w * uld be sadly disappointed if the petition was not presented . Mr . Cullen—By all means press the presentation of the petition . If they refuse to hear the petition of 750 , 000 , the Government will be placed in an awkward position , i Hear , hear . ) Dr . M'Douall and Mr . Skevington insisted upon the petition being presented . Mr . Dnncembe—Well then , I am to bring on the motion if I can ? " . Dr . M-Douall—Take any course that will secure the presentation of the petition . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Cullen—Ton can present the petitien , and , in all probability , bring on the motion .
Mr . Duncoinbe—If I cannot bring on both , I am , at all events , to bring before the House the petition . 1 cannot say how long the debate upon the sugar question ¦ will fee carried ; but the moment it is over I will present the petition . ' . Hear , bear . ) I must take care to make an House . I am aware that many applications will be made for me not to press the petition , but I shall be decided , and shall give the go-by to the orders of the day . ( Hear , hear . ) I am anxious to understand the question so that there shall be no misunderstanding or misrepresentation . Dr . M'Douall—How long wUl the Parliament
continue ? , Mr . Drpteombe—It may last a fortnight or three weeks , and it may not continue four days . Mr . Morgan Williams—Present this petition . If it fails , we will inundate the House with petitions . Mr . Duncombe—Individual petitions are of no use . Mr . Skevington—Thousands have declared that they will never sign another petition . Mr . Wall—Will you receive the petition in the lebby of the House ? Mr . Doncombe—If you please . I will take it there it four o ' clock on Tuesday . Mr . Wall complained of the door-keeper of the House refusing to take twenty-four letters to Members of Parliament Dr . M'Douall—We were thinking of a procession to accompany the petition to the House .
Mr . Duncombe—There would be no use in that Do it as quietly as possible . Those with the headings shall be presented by themselves . Besides the National Petition , fee had upwards ^ f 80 , 000 signatures to pefci . tiou left with >< iTn-
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Mr . Wall eraiplainsd of the aristocratic conduct of Mr . Wakley , who could not be seen unless the applicant stated in writing what be wanted . Mr . Duncombe attributed bis not being so easily seen to his being coroner , which left him little or so spare time . Dr . M'Douall said thai they would have the support of Mr . Walter . Mr . Duncombe—No , no , he will not support yon after you disturbed bis Poor Law meeting . ( A laugh . ) Mr . Martin—Mr . Ward will vote for the release of prisoners , except Holberry , who was sentenced to fomr years at Nerthallerton . Mr . Wall—He said at a meeting that he would not mind being Ward's executioner . Mr . Duncombe—We must endeavour to present , if possible , the petition and the memorials . ( Hear , hear . )
Mr . Wall—Any one who has been at Court could present another person . Mr . Duncombe—Certainly . But that person must have been twice at Court Again , he should be at two levees , and those levees only take place every fortnight It also remained for the Ministers to erase the name after it appeared in the Lord Chamberlain's book . Mr . Cullen—The country decided that the memorials should be presented by a deputation of working men . The Birmingham Frost Committee having been in . formed of the difficulty which the deputation experienced desired that every effort should be made to present them to her Majesty ; bat failing in that they desired that they should be returned , and not be confided to the Marquis of Normanby . Mr . Duncombe—He is bound to receive and present them .
Mr . Cullen—We applied to a number of gentlemen to introduce the deputation . But they all opposed some difficulty . Mr . Smart—If Mr . Walter , or the other Member for Nottingham , oppose the petition , they may take up their sticks and walk . ( A laugh . ) [ Mr . Bailer here entered the room . ] Mr . Wall—If Mr . Buller exerts himself , we will succeed , for he has great influence . Mr . Buller—It was not by individual exertion they could succeed . They should work together . Mr . Martin—If Fox Maule and Lord John Russell were out , we would succeed . Fox Maule said , in the House , that he knew nothing about my case , when Mr . Duncombe stated it ; and at that moment , he ( Mr . M . ) had a letter from the Home Office , to ascertain if he had any Parliamentary influence . ( A laugh . ) Mr . Duncombe—He supposed that you were a Boroughmonger . ( Laughter . )
Mr .- Martin—When I was a prisoner it was deemed criminal if I coughed , spit in an improper place , or stepped awkwardly . Mr . DuDcombe—What was the charge against you ? Mr . Martin—I made a speech against the Tories . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Duncombe—Let » e have the paper with your trial in it It was not formerly the custom to send political offenders to Bouses of Correction . Mr . Duncombe said that Lord Waldegaave complained much of his treatment ( Loud laughter . ) Mr . Buller—Why , he is very comfortable and lives in the rooms formerly occupied by Sir F . Burdett He ( Mr . B . ) understood that Mr . O'Brien ' s health was not bo delicate as represented . Mr . Martin was twelve weeks with him . His cell had no window , and the only passage for the air was through an opening over the door .
Mr . Duncombe—The Government cannot of its own accord release prisoners . Mr . Buller—How many prisoners are there ? Dr . M'Deuall—Forty-eight Mr . Martin—Fox Maule is our greatest enemy . Messrs . Duncombe and Buller recommended nothing to be said or done to taunt or exasperate the ministers . The Chartists should as much as possible conciliate t . h « m . Mr . Buller advised a few eases of peculiar hardship to be selected , and the names of such as had only a few months , as well as of those who had a longer period to remain in jaiL Mr . Ridley—I am afraid there is no use of pressing the presentation of the Memorials to the Queen . Mr . Buller—I think there is no use . Messrs . Buller and Duncombe then withdrew , after repeating their pledges to support and press forward the petition .
On the departure of the above gentlemen , the committee resumed business . Dr . M'Douall read a letter from Salford , in which the Executive regretted the cssflicting statements forwarded to them by the members of the Convention . It admitted that it would have been better if the Executive had not interfered with the Convention . It also stated that it would have been well if the Executive and the Convention had kept up an official correspondence , and concluded by Baying that if the Convention thought better of it , they should stay ; but if not , they ought to break up their sittings . The letter was signed James Leech , Wm . Cartledge , R . Littler , and John CinipbslL
A letter from Mr . Cordeox stated that the petition from his place contained 1 , 227 . A letter from Caerleon stated that the petition from that place bad 322 signatures . A letter from Norwich announced that the petition had appended to it the names of 5 , 489 males , and 4 , 80 * 2 females . A letter from Brampton eulogised the conduct of the Convention , and expressed the pleasure evinced v the men of Birmingham at the manner in which the delegates managed business . A letter from Lasswade stated that the petition from that district had the signatures of 516 men , and 330 women . Mr . Barmby read a letter from Ipswich , highly flattering to the cause . Mr . Garrard , the writer , stated the names to the Ipswich petition to be 2 , 50 * . Mr . M . Williams read a letter from Bristol , containing the pleasing intelligence that the petition from that influential city had the names of 5 , 309 men , and 1 , 150 women attached to it
Mr . Ridley meved a resolution that in case that all attempts to see the Queen failed , that they should go in a body and demand an interview with her Majesty ' s Ministers . Mr . Rose seconded the resolution , which was then carried . Mr . Smart was fully aware of the peculiar circumstances under which the Manchester Executive was placed from monetary matters . Hence it was incumbent upon the delegates to come to a definitive resolution , as they were without funds or means . The question was , whether it was the Executive or the country sent them . That question required no answer . ( Hear , hear . i However , as they were without funds , and even without the means of obtaining funds , he moved that the Executive , and the Northern Star , be requested to forward to Mr . Jehn Cleave , their unanimously elected treasurer , all monies contributed for the support of the Convention Committee .
Dr . M'Douall seconded the motion , which was then carried . The General Committee then rose .
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ANTI-CORN LAW MEETING AT STROUD . On Thursday evening week , a public meeting was held at the Subscription Rooms , in the Borough of Stroud , for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament for an alteration in the Corn Laws . The time fixed for the commencement of the proceedings was six o ' clock , and a proof of the interest the subject had excited , was evident by the immense multitude which by that hour thronged the spacious room and galleries , and even crowded all the approaches leading to the building .
A rumour was prevalent that an organised opposition had been resolved upon by the Chartists of the borough , led od by persons of that denomination from a distance ; and the truth of this report was soon made apparent by a scene of uproar , turbulence , and confusion , such as we have seldom seen paralleled . Of the scene which presented itself during the progress of the proceedings , any description we can give would be faint in the-extreme compared with the reality . Advocates as we are for popular rights , and sincere haters as we are of the tyranny of the f « w over the many , we could not contemplate the aspect of this meeting without being struck with the wretched consequences which must result from the furious unreasoning tyranny of the
many over the few . Looking down from the platform npon the immense mass of human beings which filled the body of the room , the majority of them with inflamed faces and cracked voices , yelling their discordant disapprobation at every speaker whose person they disapproved of , for they would not listen to his words ; they seemed like the hundred-armed Briareus , ready to commit any violence and any folly that their excited passions might suggest to them . Their fickleness and inconsistency , too , were strongly exemplified during the discussion , if discussion it could be called , in applauding the most opposite and fallacious arguments , and cheering sentiments uttered by their Chartist leaders , which they hissed down and reprobated when put forward by the gentlemen who had called the meeting .
The first decided outbreak of the prominent feeling of the meeting was given » n the entrance of a leading manufacturer of the neighbourhood , who would seem to be unpopular on account of having reduced the time « wages of his workmen ; we could not exactly understand which . The next tumultutus ebullition was on the voting a chairman to the meeting . Joseph Watts , Esq . moved , and Mr . Wm . Lewis seconded the proposition that Charles Stanton , Esq . be called to the chair . No opposition was offered and Mr . Stanton took his seat , but he had scarcely done so and was about to open the business of the meeting by some prefatory observations , when he was assailed with hissing , at first from a few persons , but which was soon joined in by a far greater number , and cries were raised
that he had not been duly elected chairman , and insisting that the question of who was to preside shonld be put to the meeting . Everysyllable that Mr . Stanton attempted to utter was drowned in the interruptions he experienced ; and during the tumult a person , in appearance diminutive and quite youthful , and rather shabbily dressed , came forward on the platform , and was received with a good deal of cheering from the Chartists , which demonstration he seemed very willing to understand was intended to signify that he should act as chairman ; accordingly , after a brief space , be very coolly appropriated to himself a seat close alongside Mr . Stanton , and announced himself as joint chairman with that gentleman ; and there he sat , affording throughout the evening a marked contrast in appear *
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anoe and demeanour to almost every person around him . It seemed the triumph of the principle ef democracy , a resuscitation of the tans adotie ascendancy of revolutionary France . The Chartist chairman , we believe , did not belong to the neighbourhood , nor did he seem to be known to any of the respectable people around , for we inquired of several , and no one could inform us who or what he was ; but some of the mob addressed him by the name of Paul . His demeanour evinced a strange combination of arrogant assurance and confidence of support from the crowd , and of shamefaced consciousness of the anomalous position into which he had impertinently obtruded himself .
During the prevailing uproar , Charles Stephens , Esq . stepped forward and asked whether they would permit this to be an orderly and quiet meeting for the discussion and examination of an important question in which their interests and welfare were involved , or wonld they resolve that it should be one of unruly confusion and interruption which must end in nothing . Mr . Stephens ' s appearance for a moment calmed the tumult , and he was received in a manner which showed that his character stood high in the estimation of all present ; but no sooner had he ceased speaking than his advice was disregarded and the most disorderly tumult again reigned throughout the meeting .
Mr . An thont Fewster having been called on to move the first resolution , he came forward and was received with a g » od deal of cheering , but he soon found that he had to address a very , impatient audience , and his remarks were consequently very disjointed . We will endeavour to give tho purport of them , omitting many of the interruptions , which , if introduced as they occurred , would make our report as much a chaos of confusion as were the proceedings of the meeting . He was a man of peace and order himself , and if be had not thought that this would be a peaceable meeting he would net have attended it He had been requested to propose the first resolution , and if they would allow him he would do it ; if they would not hear him he had no ambition to speak and would at once sit down . ( Cries
of "go on , go on . ") In order to prepare the way for a few observations he would zead the resolution . It was " That the present graduated duties on corn are highly injurious to the country , operating as a prohibition till prices ore oppressively high , and preventing , by the fluctuating nature of tie . . scale , the exchange of manufactures fur corn , which , when most needed can only be obtained by draining the countrjLof its gold . " ( Hear ! and cheers ) He heard somu one sayjust now that they did not want cheap bread . He would tell them what they did want : —They wanted a gosJd trade . ( " And good wages . ") They wanted labour for every man ' s hands , and a fair and just reward for that labour . ( Cheers . ) Now it was apprehended by a good many persons that the present fluctuating duties on corn—the
present high graduated scale of duties—had a direct tendency te injure the trade of this country , and to keep down the rate of remuneration for labour . ( " We don't want cheap bread till we have got the charter !") According to tho present rate of duties , foreign corn could not be admitted to the English market till the price became very high—the resolution said , " oppressively high . " Let them take the present prices for example . At this time the average price fur the last six weeks was , he believed , 63 s . Sd . per quarter , and the duty on foreign corn was 22 a . 8 d . per quarter . (" Shame , shame ! " ) The object of the present meeting was , if possible , to alter that He would tell them the way in which these duties were regulated . One hundred and fifty of the principal towns
in the country sent a return every week to the Corn Inspector General of the corn sold every market-day ; and then the Inspector General every week took from these returns the average of price for the six preceding weeks , and according to that average the duty on foreign corn was increased or reduced . At the present average of 63 s . 8 d . the duty was 22 s . 8 d . which acted as a prohibition , instead of being merely a fair protecting duty for the lauded interest , for it , was next to impossible that corn could be imported and sent into the market at the present high rate of duty . But when the price rose much higher the duty was taken off ! n a far greater proportion ; for as corn rose Is . per quarter , the duty fell 3 s . or 4 s . Suppose the price or corn should be 6 « s . 8 d . to-day , then the duty would be 16 s . 8 d . only ,
instead of 22 s . 8 d . They would thus see bow the present Corn Laws operated as an encouragement to speculation , lending a direct bonus to gambling , instead of causing regular trade ; and giving rise to fraud , falsehood , and dishonest returns . They would thus see that there were rogues in grain , as well as in every ether trade . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) There were a great many large speculators in London , who , supposing the average price to be 60 s . 8 d . endeavour to cause a fictitious rise in prices anl thus to bring down tho duty . If they could raise the price Is . the duty would be taken off 8 s . and it would be then 13 s . 8 d . per quarter . If they could raise the price another shilling , then the duty would be reduced to 10 s . 8 d . Now to effect this , they make false returns . A . B . sells to C . D . a large
quantity of corn , a return of which sale , which is merely a fictitious transaction , is made to the inspector , the average is thus brought down , and the speculator has less money to pay into the Treasury , the duty is reduced to almost nothing , gold is suddenly drained out of the country to buy up corn and bring it here in a glut to take advaiitng'j of the corn duty ; a regular trade is prevented , instead of commodities and manufactures being exchanged in tho way of commerce , bonajide money is paid , and the : u > ticuiturists are not protected , but find the markets rising and falling suddenly , injurious to their interest , and deranging all the regular industry of the country . So skilfully indeed had these rogues ingrain conducted their speculations , that since 1823 , when the present Corn Laws were passed , the average duty
that had been paid was only 6 s . per quarter . Some unpleasant feeling appeared in the meeting juBt now ; but he hoped to see them in a better huraaur by and bye . An unpleasant feeling seemed to exist between them and some parsons on the platform . Perhaps they thought that clothiers were selfish people—( " Yes they are ")—perhaps they thought that farmeis were selfish and that the upper classes were selfish people . ( " Yes , yes . " ) Why so they were , and so were they who called out " yes , yes , " We were all selfish people ; for he must tell them that selfishness was in the heart of man , and there it would remain and rankle in his bosom till the evil principle was subdued by a higher principle from above . ( Chetrs . ) He would not detain the meeting by dwelling any longer upon this topic ; but it must
be quite clear to them from past experience that we do require an importation of foreign corn , for the sustenance of the multitude of inhabitants of this kingdom . ( " We want to have wages to buy it" ) Well , and you ought to have it—every honest man has a right to s fair subsistence . Since the year 1815 , 25 years ago , 35 millions of quarters of foreign corn had been introduced into England , at the rate of a million and a half quarters per aim . on an average . Now , how were they to do without this ? (•¦ Oh , let us have the Charter . ") Farmers told them that they could grow sufficient corn for the consumption of the country ; and indeed every one knew that during the last few yean an immense impulse had been given to agriculture ; so much so that in some instances the productiveness of the land had
been increased nearly three-fold , by improvements in the modes of culture , by the application of chemical discoveries , by the employment of new manures , aiid in various other ways . But they must recollect that although the productive powers of the country had been thus rapidly increased , and were likely he hoped to increase more and more , and who was there that did n » t rejoice thereat ?—( " We don't ; we want the Charter ! " )—yet the population of the country also goes on rapidly increasing , at the rate of half a million a year , and therefore the necessity for an importation of foreign corn . Then came the questionwhat was the best manner for the people—what was the best manner for the manufacturers—and what was the best manner for the farmers themselves that that
which was indispensible for the food of the inhabitants should be introduced into the country . A proposition wonld be made to the meeting presently , that instead of the present fluctuating duty a fixed duty should be substituted . ( " Ne , no ; we want no fixed duty ; we want no duty at alL" ) Well , he ( Mr . Fewster ) was not bound to a fixed duty ; he was rather in favour of a sliding duty , sb that when the price was very high there should be no tax at all ; but the difficulty was to prevent fraud . He thought that if the duty was wholly taken off when the price was at 71 s . and . that for every depression of Is . in price , is . duty should be added , there would be little encouragement to fraud , and would be a great relief to the public . For instance , the present price being 63 s . the duty would be 7 s . which would be 18 s .
less than the duty now existing . The farmers said , that that that would be too low , but he thought it would amply remunerate tbe home producer . Perhaps it might be asked , how would that benefit trade ? for that was the great point . If they had more trade , they would have more money to buy butter , and cheese , and mutt » n , and beef with . He was afraid very little mutton and beef came to their share at present (" Too little , we can tell you that" ) Well then , the decided object , the only object , the exclusive object , as he understood it , of the gentlemen who bad called this meeting , was to increase the trade of the country , in order that employment might be be found for every individual , and that he might receive a fair reward for his labour . At present , a great quantity of com was introduced into
the country , but it produced very little to the revenue . ( " If they want revenue , let them tax steam—let them tax machinery . " ) The farmers say they do not want high prices—they knew that the maintenance of a high price of corn was altogether incompatible with the commercial and manufacturing interests of this country they knew that all these interests and their own were all bound up together in one bundle , and that they must all rise or fall , flourish or decline together ; and even the landholders were beginning to see that it wonld be for their ultimate benefit that sjme alteration in the present system should take place . Now , a few words with regard to wages . ( Hear , hear . ) Suppose that by the
present measure , or any other that could be adopted , the staple trade of this district could be increased —suppose , instead of a thousand piecea ^ f cloth , fifteen hundred pieces should be required , was it not plain that those who made the cloth must be benefitted ? He was sure that * those who inflamed the minds of the workmen against their employers , or against the farmers , or against any class of men , were the wont enemies they could have . He should have been glad if this question could have been discussed in a quiet and peaceable and rational manner , and that it might have been the -nieaaa of promoting a compromise between the manufacturing and the landed interest For his own part , he had no wish bnt that they shonld become
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an industrious , a virtuous , a happy , and a united people . Mr . Fewster concluded by proposing the resolution . Charles Hooper , Esq ., rose to second the resolution , and was received is a manner which must have been gratifying to his feelings . He was enthusiastically cheered from all parts of the room , and was sainted by the title of " the King of the Clothiers . " He said , if they wished him to address them they must hear him quietly , for he had neither health nor strength to speak through such ft tumult as had been continued up to that time . No ona could accuse him of being an enemy to any one of them , and he begged of them , as Christians and reasonable people , to conduct themselves like peaceable men . He bad two or
three great secrets to tell them , and he hoped they would hear them quietly , for he was in too delicate health to use much exertion to make himself beard . He heard some one say they wanted good wages . He wished every man in this country had good wages . ( Chetra ) But he thought he could do something more than that—he could tell them how they could get good wages . They must knew this , that if a manufacturer wanted a servant , and servants were scarce , —if only one man wanted the situation , that man could say , " no , I wont take ten shillings ( or whatever the sum maybe , ) give me fifteen shillings , or I wont work for you . " But if the manufacturer wanted only one servant , and two men applied , then the case was very different (" They must depend upon the honour of the
gentleman . " ) Yes , and it depended also upon the dishonour of the servants . They talked about weaving . He had never reduced bis prices since he commenced weaving . ( Great cheers ) But be could tell them this , it weuld have been their own faults if he bad done so , for hundreds of times men had come to him and said , " Do let me have work , and I will do it for less money than you are paying now . " ( Hear , bear . ) Whose fault was it then that masters reduced wages , but the fault of the men themselves ? ( Cheers . ) They talked about their Charter and their political reform : he would tell them that they knew nothing at all about it Let them stand firm to themselves like Britons , ' and that would be the best reform they could have . ( Cheers . ) The Charter was all
bumbug till tbay could get something to live upon—till they could get a loaf of bread at a reasonable price . Talk to him of a starving man wanting tbe Charter , —he wanted something in his inside . ( Cheers . ) What could a man do for his breakfast , with bis wife and half a dozen children crying for bread , if , instead of exerting himself to improve trade and raise his wages , he did nothing but call out for the Charter . If they could tell him how to extend manufactures , he would tell them how to get good wages . These two things were intimately connected together , but wages and cheap bread had nothing at all to do one with the other . Many of them recollected the year 1835 : wheat was then 4 s . 6 d . to 5 s . a bushel , and he would ask any working man who heard him if he did not get better wages then than he got now .
(" Better ; a great deal better . " ) Very well ; he would ask them how was it , now that the average price of wheat was nearly doible what it was then , that their wages had not risen with the price of wheat ? ( " They never do . " ) Why that was his argument : they never did ; and it was for this simple reason that wages and cheap bread had nothing to do with each other , They must get a demand for their labour , and then cheap bread will be of some advantage to them . The way in which the Corn Laws operated against the working man was this : they precluded the people of this country from sending their manufactures abroad , because they could not bring back corn in the place of them . He himself was at that moment suffering great depression because he could not find a vent for his goods in foreign
countries . If the duty was low , he could send his goods abroad and get paid for them in corn , which he could sell here at a moderate price , and then trade would be improved , and cheap bread would behadatthesametime . He would show this by stating a simple fact Some of the finest cloth that was manufactured in that neighbourhood went into the American market He employed people to work up that cloth . Suppose he should say to them on Saturday night , " I cannot pay you ; I have not got any money ; " they would naturally inquire how that was ; and he might tell them , " I am owed £ 5 , 000 in America , and my customer says he has got no money , but that he will send me so many thousand bushels of flour instead . I tell him , I cannot Uke his flour . He says , his offer is all fair ;
he has no money , but he has plenty of flour , and is willing to pay in that way , but I tell him I cannot take it , because the law will not allow me to bring it home , if I had it , without paying 23 s . 8 d . a quarter duty upon it" And thus it was that the manufacturer was ruined , workmen were thrown out of employment , and their children were starving , because this corn was not allowed to be brought into the country . ( Shame , sham a ) One would think that every man of common sense who had to get his bread by his labour would see the point ef that argument ( Cheers . ) What had the Charter to do with that ? What had political Refomi to do with that ? He was neither a Whig , Tory , liadical , or Chartist ; he was only a plain commercial man of business , and if they could not sea
and feel the effect of the Corn Laws In the simple statement he had made , nothing eould convince them . ( Cheers . ) Now , if they would hear him patiently he would just touch upon a tender subject with them . They condemned machinery , but it was in most perfect ignorance . He could tell them that if they had no duty on corn , or only a duty of 8 a . or 10 s . a quarter , that very niaahinery which they condemned would bring riches and comfort to all their homes . They condemned steani machinery and the power loom ; they might just as well condemn the plough , and say that the whole land of the country should be dug up with a common spade . If there was a demand for their manufactures , tbe more machinery they had , the better would their situation be . Did they want to be common slaves ,
working and toiling with common spades , and the rudest implements that could bo devised ? No , many of them were men of intelligence , adapted to higher branches than the commonest and hardest kind of labour ; and by the aid of that intelligence and the advantages of their machinery they would be able to compete with foreigners if they could get their corn , their sugar , their coffee , and their timber , free from an exorbitant duty . ( Hear , bear . ) There was another point which he would just touch upon . They all very well knew , though perhaps the poorer classes did not feel this quite so much as those a little above them , that they had to groan under a heavy burden of taxation . But though this was hard to bear sometimes , yet did they not receive some advantages in return ? If one man lifted
his hand against another , or robbed him of hisproperty , the law afforded the injured party a recompense : was net that worth paying fur ? He would toll them that notwithstanding everything that could be said they still lived in the very best country in the world—there was nothing they need be bo proud of as of being Britons ; and if it were not for the Corn Laws , which would not admit corn till it was at a starvation point , they would have reason to be the happiest people on the face of the earth . Now , many thousands of pounds were lying idle , or instead of being expended in trade , the money was locked up till a favourable moment , and was then all sent away to the Continent to buy corn and bring it here , when it would produce little or no
benefit to the revenue . What the people wanted was food , sustenance , plenty to eat , plenty to drink , and clothes to wear ; and if they were disposed to labour for these benefits , they must join heart and hand , not to support Whigs , Radicals , Tories , or Chartists , but those men who would really endeavour to bring these benefits within their reach . ( Cheers . ) They weuld very soon have an election , and for his own part he should refuse to vote for any man who would not promise to support the repeal of the Corn Laws or to reduce the duty to a certain sum . He would invite all present to do the same , to be united and firm , and not quarrelsome , and all would do very well . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Hooper concluded by seconding the resolution .
A Chartist , who was announced by the name of Charles Harris , then came forward to move an amendment He said he was not an enemy to a repeal of the Corn Laws ; he hated these cursed laws ; but let them be . repealed entirely upon the best principles , so as not to injure the revenue , nor the working man , nor the rich man . He proposed as an amendment— " That we , the working portion of this meeting , consider that an adequate representation of the people in the House of Commons is the only means by which labour can be efficiently represented , and the burdens of the state lightened . That we were induced to believe that the Reform Bill would accomplish such a state of things , and did assist to carry that measure ; but inasmuch as its effect has been to make the rich more wealthy , and
tbe poor more poor , in violation of all the promises held out to us , we have come to a firm- understanding with our order throughout the country , never again to sanction any general principles except those which are clearly laid down in the People ' s Charter . ( Cheers . ) We should , therefore , hold every working man , who , either directly or indirectly joins , sanctions , or countenances , any less important measure than the People's Charter , either a willing slave , or a hired fool . " ( Cheers . ) Having moved this as an amendment to the resolution , he wished , he said , to set the matter right as to machinery . He believed that some persons then present felt a hatred against machinery . He did not care if there were ten times as much . It was against the appropriation of the profits of machinery that he
objected , and not to machinery itself , [ The speaker then read a statistical return of the exports of machinery from England to Russia , Prussia , Germany , Holland , and Belgium , during the last ten years , shewing a very large annual increase ; and tbe conclusion he drew from the return was , that all those countries were determined to manufacture tor themselves and that now they had begun to do so , they would not come to the English market for their goods , nor trouble themselves to raise corn in exchange for goods , which they were determined to make at home . ] He would tell tile meeting what the gentlemen wanted who called for a repeal of the
Com Laws—they did not want cheap bread , —they wanted cheap labour . ( Hear . ) They found they could not compete with foreign manufacturers living in countries not half so much taxedjas this , where food was cheaper , and where the raw material grew upon their own soil . These people would always be able to manufacture cheaper than the people of England , and it was an absurdity to call that meeting together , and to tell them that a repeal of the Corn Laws would bring back foreign trade . He could tell them what it was . Lord John Russell and the Queen ' s Ministers knew they could not step in office much longer , and they wanted to get up an agitation , and to persuade the people to support
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them in power ; but they would find themselves mistaken , after having forfeited every pledge they ever made to the working peopla When they carried Lord John Russell to power on the summit of their sheulders—( " Yea , and we will again , " " No , no" )—he told them that by means of the Reform Bill their houses should be tiled with pancakes , and their streets paved with plum-pudding ; but instead of houses they had had bastiles erected to take them In the last stage of life , and Rural Police sent down to imprison every one who was disposed to grumble . The Ministers were out popularity-hunting , as much as any gentleman went out fox-hunting in the morning . They knew that a dissolution of Parliament must take place soon , and they knew that the Tories were stepping upon their heels ,
aiid that if Lord Melbourne and bis party should oace get off the Treasury bench they would never get on again . But the people were not so easily gulled . There was no question that the Corn Law was a most obnoxious law . Taking Lord John ' s principle for a text , that "Taxation without representation is tyranny , and ought to be resisted , " by that principle no Parliament had a right to tax the poor man ' s loaf . ( Hear , hear . ) He was sorry they had not given Mr . Fewster a better hearing . He ( Mr . Harris ) had heard Mr . Fewster speak much in behalf of the poor man many times , and it was a pity he had not had a better hearing now . He would now say a word about machinery . The poor man ' s labour was bis life , and it was as much a felony to rob him of his property in that
labour , as it would be to cut any of those gentlemen ' s throats . ( Hear , hear , and'disapprobation . ) He contended that when any new machinery was introduced which took away the labour of any man , that man should have a per centage allowed to him out of the income of that machinery sufficient to maintain him . Then the introduction of machinery would be ablessing to the country , but they would never be able to accomplish this till they carried a mighty agitation for a full share of political power . ( Cheers . ) He did not wish to see a Parliament of all poor men , all middle-class men , or all rich men ; but he wanted to see a Parliament where all classes would be equally represented , and then every one ' s interest would be watched over with the same care . Lord John Russell , when out of
office , was a desperate democrat ; but when in office , he was that that would disgrace a Tory . Those manufacturers , too , that were supporting Lord John Russell , were as liable to be gulled as any person in that meeting . He did not believe that the Ministers ever intended to carry this measure out : but it was just something to gain a little popularity , and then to dissolve Parliament But if it should be carried , it would do no good to the working man I for the very day that the Corn Law would be abolished would see the manufacturers combine together to lower wages . ( Cheers and cries of "No , no . " ) But let him tell the meeting to look out , for they were living at a very critical
moment ; the nation was on the eve of a revolutionnot a physical resolution , but a moral one , —one that would sink them in a state of degradation never to be retrieved , or one which would enable them to hold up their heads like men , which would fill their cottages with prosperity , and make the people look again something like tbe old ancient Britons . Before he sat down , be would tell them that if they stopped short of con * stant , persevering agitation fora full share ot political rights as men and Britons , they would stop short of removing the greatest of their evils , and would still continue in a state of starvation and misery . The speaker concluded amidst the cheers of the Chartists .
Another Chartist , who was announned as Mr . Bol-Well , then came forward and said he appeared before the meeting for the purpose of seconding the resolution that had been read by the previous speaker . He did so as an honest man , as a Christian , as a citizen of the world , as one whose religion was to do good to the whole of the human family . He believed that if that resolution was carried out , the condition of the people of England , the poor and rich , would be better . He believed if that resolution were carried into practice , namely , if the principles contained in the People's Charter were established as law , there would be little or no reason to come there to petition parliament for the repeal of that abominable , that obnoxious law called the Com Law . He bad no doubt that many of the
gentlemen who convened that meeting had the beat of motives in view . He firmly believed it , though , being a stranger to Stroud , he was not acquainted with the character or political opinions of any of the individuals who had signed the bill convening this meeting . But though he believed this , he also believed that if they carried a resolution that night for a repeal of the Corn Laws , they would have met for no good purpose whatever . He believed the repeal of the Corn Laws was brought forward for nothing else than a mere party hubbub . It was true they were told that Lord John Russell was now ready to make this a ministerial question , that he had put it into the budget—and a pretty budget they had made of it He wished to God Lord Finality was sitting on that platform now , and if he had not a heart like adamant
he would make him writhe beneath the castigation . — ( Laughter and cheers . ) Lord Melbourne , too , he was for a repeal of the Corn Laws now . Why it was but two years ago when a portion of gentlemen belonging to the Anti-Corn Law League waited upon his Lordship and asked him if he was willing to make the Corn Law question a ministerial measure , be was astonished at their impertinence . Make it a ministerial measure ?—no , indeed—he treated them with disdain and sent them about their business . The secret was , that Lord Melbourne and Lord Finality -commonly called Lord John Russell—that these two distinguished individuals thought they were safe in office , and that they could refuse toruake it a ministerial measure . Then again this Corn Law question wasa middle-class question . ( No ! i
He said it was , and he was prepared to prove it . He was a poor man , an uneducated man—he did not know how to use sophistry—he was not educated for it ; but be had his opinion , and he would hold that opinion till he was convinced by sound argument that he was in the wrong . He said the Corn Law question was a middle-class question . The object of the individuals generally who supported it , and more particularly , the object of the ministers who brought it forward at the present moment , was not to raise the condition of the poor , to extend trade , or to raise wages , but to give greater power into the bands of the moneyed aristocracy of this kingdom . They heard a great deal about the wickedness , tho vices , and the villainy of the landed aristocracy , and God knew their conduct was quite bad
enough ; but look at tho conduct of the moneyed aristocrat , and compare it with the conduct of the landed aristocrat , and they would find that the moneyed aristocrat was a worse tyrant than the other . These gentlemen wanted to make England a manufacturing country—they would not be able to do it ; and he would tell them the reason;—former misrule had done the mischief , and it could not be remedied . It was impossible that England could compete with countries with little or no national debt , where the people were not taxed , and where they could work for three sailings a week . He said , repeal the Corn Laws certainly ; but at the same time , regulate the currency question ; if not touch the currency , then leave the Cora Laws
alone . He said the present government was not qualified to legislate upon this question . He would not have the Corn Laws repealed till he saw the millions fully and fairly represented in the Commons House of Parliament—it was only when the millions had power that they would find men who would work for the people universally , and not for distinctive classes . He was fully satisfied of the necessity for the working classes to have political power , but they had been lately addressed by Mr . Vincent upon tb&t subject , and it weuld be vanity for him to go over the same ground . He would , therefore , thank them for the patient hearing they had given him , and would wish them good evening .
A Mr . Ingley , as we understood , came forward to support the amendment Ho contended that the Corn Law ought to be abolished , for it tended to subvert for the benefit of a class those blessings which were benevolently showered down by Providence for the sustenance and enjoyment of nil . Therefore , it was their duty to see that those blessings so richly sent down from heaven for all , should not be turned aside into another chanel for the benefit of the few , by means of a cursed Corn Law . The speaker here became confused and attempted to read his speech from a written paper , but sadly broke down , and at length by the advice of some of his brother Chartists , be desisted . The purport of the latter part of his observations seemed to be , that though the Corn Laws ought to be repealed , this ought only to be done by a Chartist Parliament .
The Chartist Chairman then came forward , and said , —not having had an oppertunity of addressing them before , he now appeared before them fur the purpose of saying a few words . Every body must acknowledge and lament the existence of the abominable Corn Laws , but that was not the question . I" Yea It is . "/ Suppose to-morrow , there was a total repeal of tbe Corn Laws , and they could buy a big loaf for twopence ; they would only have to wait till next Saturday night , when their employer would say , " you bought a big loaf for twopence ; allow me to take threepence out of the other
pocket" ( Cheers , and "no , no . ") Need he refer them to an instance of the kind for a proof of what he said ? The worthy gentleman who sat in the chair with himbut he was requested not to be personal—well then , he remembered a circumstance of a gentleman who had a mill just above Bowbridge ; about five years ago . flour fell to 32 s . per sack . What did this gentleman do , but call his weavers together and tell them he could hot afford to pay the same wages as he had been giving . They asked him why , and he replied , " why , can't you get cheap bread ? " ( Great uproar . )
, Mr . Stanton—I deny It ; -I beg the meeting to hear this and my denial of it altogether . The Chabtist—Six " . ' weeks alter thia occurrence , flour rose to 40 s . per sack , and the same weavers appointed a deputation to wait upon the gentleman to ask him to advance the wages he took off . His reply was , " I cant alter my arrangements ; I tell you what you must do : you must live hard , work hard , and do the best you can . " ( Great disturbance and excitement among the crowd . ) This would be ' precisely the case if they had the repeal of the Corn Law to-morrow . He could tell them that the master manufacturers , not only here , but at Manchester , Birmingham , and right through the north of England , were the greatest , set of blacklegs on the face of the earth . Mr . Hoofer here came forward while the excitement of the crowd was at its height , and said he could not sit there and hear the character of any man trifled with . ; . Mr . Stanton -said he was quite prepared to coatradict what bad been said , and he hoped therefore the
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speaker might be allowed to go on withort «*» - » tion . , wv »»«> y . By this time the scene In the body of the » nw most tumultuous , the Chartists becoming eWl **• more excited . 'On the platform , amor / thT ^ < mUB * and respectablepetsoMassembled therf . Se ^ u ^ f * evidently one of great Indignation at theTeE *** the speaker , who on his part became aUmed ^^ storm he haicreated , and endeavoured to anoeaWnl ? re ^ ated ly exclaiming that he retracted whaTae \ 2 said . . He was about then to proceed with hisSeS but his voice was soon drowned in indiflianthi . ^^ he held his peace . "' S ^ iais se , ^ Mr . Stanton again attempted to obtain a he **? but was not successful . He then , in a dnmbshow ^ S the question to the meeting , and the Chartistamenin »» was carried by a large majority . " « unent TbV Chartists celebrated their trinmph by !«„„ ., rounds of cheering , and Mr . Stanton , after a shmTZ declared the meeting dissolved . » wort tune ,
It is right to add that Mr . Stanton conducted him ^ u throughout the proceedings with firmness and mod ^ T tion , and never lost the gentlemanly demeanon , W ; his station required , thus affording » striking contr ^ the violence and abusive conduct of his opponentT ^ is proper also to Btate tbat a great many of the Chart ! , * . who succeeded in disturbing the meeting we ™ y ^ T * entirely unconnected with the borough ; PW "
A3aimn«Pt& Stt
a 3 aimn « pt& Stt
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^ J- > jn n _ r . r- ¦ n n >» f--ji . -i - WJ || ff , frf . j ^ -m I -U +- > - **** ¦ ' r *»** - From the London Gazette of Friday , ilay 21 . BANKRUPTS . R . W . Robinson , sen ., and R . W . Robinson , Jan ., Bedford , grocers , June 18 , July 2 , at eleven . at the George Inn , Bedford . Solicitor , Eagles , Bedford . J . and S . Holt , Liverpool , glass manufacturers , June 1 , July 2 , at the Clarendon Rooms , Liverpool . Soucitors , Robinson , Liverpool ; Vincent and Sherwooa , Temple , London . J . Wynde , Leominster , Herefordshiw , dealer , June 23 , July 2 , at eleven , at the Waterloo Hotel , Lsomm ster . Solicitors , Hammond , Leominster ; Smita , Chancery-laneLondon
, . „ . H . Whittaker , Bury , Lancashire , brazier , June 8 , at nine , July 2 , at ten , at the Swan Inn , in B olton-ie-Moors . Solicitors , WMtehead , Bury ; Clarke ana Metcalf , Liucoln ' s-inn-fields , London . _ J . Macaire , J . Linnemana , and J . C Berger , Lwerpool , merchants , June 3 , July 2 , at ene , at the Clarendon Rooms , Liverpool Solicitors , Davenport and Collier , Liverpool ; Chester . Staple-inn , London . C . Taprell , Bristol , grecer , May 28 , Joly « . « twelve , at the Commercial Rooms , Bristol . S ™ e ™™' Britten , Bristol ; White and Whitmore , Bedfor d-row , London . , - , « . T . Linay , Lynn , Norfolk , draper , June 3 , W '>" . eleven , at the office of Mr . R . Pitcher , King s Lynn-Solicitors , Messrs . Sole , Aldermanbury , London .
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^ I From ih « GmziUeof Tuesday , Map 25 . ¦ BANKRUPT ? . ¦ J . Andrews , schoolmaster , OngM , Essex , j ^ 'l July 6 , at eleven , at the Court of Bankruptcy ^ ^ w ^ ' ¦ Finsbury-square , London , official assignee ; WW m Potter , King-street , Cheapside , London . % m J . Doughty , licensed victualler , ^^ J ^ i ^ l M two , July « , at one , at the Commercial Booms , »» m Solicitors , Pinppen and Craven , BristoL ^ . m VT . Brown , cattle dealer , Sotton-undtf ^ W m Yorkshire , June 4 , July 6 , at ten , at ft "*™ 11 . ,, Inn , in Northallerton . Solicitors , Mewbum . « W ' Winchester-street , London Mewbum and Hute ^ " * Darlington . ¦ — . vi— Tnss 22 , l J . Walford , grocer , Wybunbury , Chest ^ ^ « : July 6 , atone , at the White Bear Inn , M « W » o « Cheshire . Solicitors , Graham , Ironmonger-lane , ^^
don ; Jones , Hongh , near Nantwicn . janelM \ G . Dixon and R . Glover , spice M ^ X oolB July 8 , at one , at the Clarendon »« % SfS 3 B Solicitors , Taylor , Sharpe , Fleld . and J ?» SolHP ford-row , London ; Harvey and Falcon , ""g ^ tfl j W . Thompson , ship builder . MonkJ ^ m Shore , Durham , June 4 , July < 5 , » tJJ £ lf | Moat * , Thompson Arms Hotel . Sunderlani J&U" ^^ » Cloak-lane , London ; Wright or Brown , ISon « w ¦ ^ m J . Porter , victualler , Houiton , Devonslura , J te , m July « , at eleven , at the Old I «*» Jj Bhod <*» Solicitors , Smark , Flood , and Mules , Homton . J » ¦ Beevor , and Lane , Cb"W " ^ SSwtfA J <^» , R . Bnckell , merchant , Newport ,. Isleof ^' * a * 8 , at two , July ( J , at twelve , at the g ^ - Jt , „<» port , Isle of Wight Solicitors , H ? S ^ Nei « Young , New-inn , Strand , London ; B ^ WF ™ m port , Isle of Wight w « ah » o , M « J . Beardsworth , timber merchant , ^ Tr ^ WiM bighabire , Junel . July 6 , at twe ve , <*™ J £ ^ 1 Arms Inn , Wrexham . Solicitors . . 57 ]^ tward »( Westmacott . Gray ' s-inn ^ quare , Iondon , «
Oswestry . v-sMar Monk Wea gH * C . Andrew and J . Potts , « Wp buJder , » ^^ , m mouth Shore , Durham , W . %£$ L £ a . Sal *""* the Thompson ' s Arms « - ^> , Moss , Cloak-lane , London ; Brown , eun ^ ^ n f ** , A . Mills and W . Grimshaw Seed , cjw jt tlfl - turers , Manchester , June 8 . July 6 , gdBd Ws . KM | Commissioners' Booms , Msncfaesie * . » ° ^ BadV Barlow , and Aston , Manchester ; Bower J * Chancery-lane , London . ___ ,. ^ nra . M « ° " ? B | W . Grimsbaw Seed , ^ ¦¦ "fSSJtt ** T »« ter . June 8 , at tea , and July 6 , * ** $£ * % X sioners'Rooms . St JmesVsquare , Manco ^ Wdle « | citors , Makinson and Sanders , E ^« jforfolk »> temple , London ; Atkinson and Sannaei * g street . Manchester . H :
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JS : TIE NORTHERN STAR . ^^
I^Mykk«T. Committee. . Fob Srpkeiktbkdirg Thb Matiomal Petitios.
i ^ MyKK « T . COMMITTEE . . FOB SrPKEIKTBKDIRG THB MATIOMAL PETITIOS .
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In addition to the above report , which we Ji « copied from the Gloucester Journal , ** havereceirlS a tsommunicatien from our own correspondent /» i states that : — h fflM " Mr . Stanton was never put to the wnse of rt , meeting ; but , as soon as proposed and seconded took to the chair , and began to address the meetin . The people would not h « ar him , as he waBnouS to the sense of the meeting . Mr . Paul was n « :
posed and seconded , and put to the meeting » U a forest of hands was held up . The room ™ » i crammed to suffocation , and hundreds could notMf ! admission ; the room , with gallery , is estimated ! . hold eighteen hundred , or upwards . Mr . Marlim ? clothier , a noted person for reducing wages w £ greeted with such hisses on entering the room ' thS he got on the platform , and crept behind his fa low gents . Mr . Stanton attempted to addressthi meeting , but could not be heard . At last he cm ! sented that Mr . Paul should preside over his putt and he would preside over his , which Mr ; Fd { agreed to . During their conversation , which wu very polite , the cries from the meeting were "Don't be bought , Paul . " Tbe people got tired of M ,
t ew ster , and began to cry " Enough of the old sta £ we want our Charter . " Mr . Hooper took very well ! ( as he pays the best wages of auy of them , ) till he dipped his fingers in the Charter , and reco mmended the people to "have nothing to do with a merescrofl of paper . " When Mr . John Harris moved the amendment , the clapping of hands and shouts wm almost beyond description . When silence was restored , Mr . Harris said it was not a usual oocorrente-for a day labouring man to stand alone ride of the great manufacturers of this Whig-ridden Borough to address a public assembly , it being the first time , but nobly did he do it ; he has gained laurels for the class to which he belongs . Whea
Mr . Bolweil rose to second the amendment , he was received with tremendous applause . He made an excellent speech , which the reporters hare eat down . He said the gentlemen convening the meet * ing might have good motives ; but they wero completely gulled by" Finality , ' commonly called Lord John Russell . The assembly were very attentive while the Chartists spoke . The Whigs were com . ' pletely confounded ; they looked down their noses . Mr . Bolwell cball < nged any person in the room to discuss the merits and demerits of the Com Laws .
but the cowards would not accept the challenge . Mr . Stanton tried every effort toget rid of ouraaiendment b coaxing , butatlastfoundit ofnoavail , a « lrose to put his resolution . He wa 3 met with shouts of disapprobation , and a few of their tools held up their hands , but the poor shopocrats looked confounded , and they were ashamed to hold up their hands before the sovereign people . Some of their tools grinned like savage hyeosea ; when they found they had lost their trick , they begun to skulk off .
Mr . Paul then rose to put the amendment , and was saluted with shouts of applause . The amendment was then put , which was carried by a forest of blistered hands , and many more delicate ; for the females took an active part in support of the Char tist amendment . Mr . Hvmphreys said , "it would be a Newport job . " Mr . W ^ rrs , to his honour , said " No , " and requested him to withdraw hiB words , which he accordingly did . Mr . Paul then addressed the meeting , and gare the lordlies a severe castigation . He told them of their misdeeds .
The Journal says , that the Chartists bad mustered from a distance . The only individual from a distance was Mr . Bolwell , of Bath . Three cheers were given for the brave Feargus , three for Frost and the imprisoned patriots , three for the Star , and three for the People ' s Charter . " P . S . The lordlies were obliged to solicit our Chairman to dissolve the meeting . The Journal might sneer at Paul . He was decently attired ; he is small in size , but s > bit of the right stuff . —Mr ,
Stanton is a stout corpulent man—well enough be might—and lives out of the blood and vitals of ite workies . He is a large manufacturer . The ltst Corn Law meeting ( two years ago ) he said , "he could not proceed without some of that which they had given him on former occasions . It was some of the oil of their applause . " What popularity he must have lost ! I was present and was disgusted to hear it—so was the people . He has some candour , for he told the meeting if they could net get bread cheaper they would have to take less wages !! .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 29, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct551/page/6/
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