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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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PABISH OF ST . MARYLEBONE . jj ^^ RFEBEKCE BY THE POOS LAW COMjUSSIONERS TO PREVENT OUT-DOOR RELIEFOn Tuesday , a general meeting of the directors and -ariians of tie poof of the parish of St . Marylebone £ jt place at ths workhouse In the New-road , to confer the propriety of eonfirainjr or not confirming a fjiinntB passed on the prrrions Friday of a resolution te Bent to the Poor Law Commissioners declaratory 5 % determination of that board to mist any attempt j , the part of the Commissioners to interfere in any -jy with the adminiitrstlon of parochial relief in the -nsb of St . Marylebone . ^ jlr . Calley having been appointed to the chair , called jpon Mr . Theme , tie secretary , to read the communijjaon from the Poor Law Commissioners , which -was n fallows : — "Poor Law Commission-office , " Somerset-house , Aug . 2 « . - ~ " "
Hg-r , —I am directed by the Poor Law Commisponers to iuforni yon , that they hare under their conpdEration . the case of Thomas Phillips and his family , U detailed in a letter of the 29 : h of July , from the jjoestar B ^ ard of Guardians lof which a copy was ^ ansmitted to the directors and guardians of the poor i Marylfibune ) and in the letter of tho Maryle ^ one £ jgctoxs and guardians of the 13 th inst ; and the poor Law Commissioners feel bound to point out to gg directors and guardians , that the cour&e which they adopted in reference to Thomas Phiiiips and bis hmily was illegal and otherwise improper . The facts
uf the ease appear to be as follows : —On or previous < p the 16 th of last May , Thomas Phillips applied fa relief in Marylebone parish , and as it seemed to jasalt from , his statement that Bicester King ' s End xa his place of-aettlement , a letter was mitten on the iaiij ; ct to the Bicester Board of Guardians , who returned an answer , That Bicester King ' s End would not be . willing to ao # ept Thomas Phillips and his family without orders of removal , as they were not at tU satisfied about bis settlement , and that no relief panted by the Marylebone authorities could be repaid by the Bxeiter Union . '
" Subsequestly , on the 5 th of July last Thomas Phillips applied to Mr . Collet , one of the inspectors cf Ihe out-door poor of St . Marykbone , for relief , -which wxiadministered to him casually . On his examination being taken , his settlement was ascertaiufed to be Bicester King ' s End , to which parish it was proposed he shoald be removed under orders . He alleged that if be could only get to Bicester , where he had friends jad connexions , he was sure of obtaining employ , and ihould stand-in no further need of parochial relief . His irsggan fere was paid by order of the directors and guardians ; not , it is alleged , with a view of irregularly passing * " ™ to the place of his settlement , for the purpose of becoming chargeable , but with a view to enisle him to migrate from & place where he could obtain bo employ , to one where , through the medium of his connfTP " " . he alleged he was sure of obtaining it , and bj which he could prevent himself and family from Wig further pauptrized .
" On this statement of facts the Poor Liw Commiajionera desire to point out , in the first place , that the relief afforded in this case having been advanced with a rkw of enabling the pauper and his family to travel to » me other place , aeems to have been illegally given . It was not merely a relief of tha present neo-ssity of the pauper , but tooaey was placed into his hands for { be purpose of travelling—on object which is not vithio any of the provisions of the Pt > or Laws , except in pursuance of an order made by justices in the regular form .
" The Poor Law Commissioners likewise desire to observe , tfeat this node of relief is otherwise « paa to serious objections . When a sum of money for travelling is intrusted to an individual in the situation of Xh » mas Phillips , he has it in his power to misapply it by expending the greater part of it is liqnor , and thin throwing himself for support on some other parish , so that the tendency of this mode of relief is to afford facilities for vagrancy . " The above observations apply generally to any case in which monay for travelling expenses is granted to say pauper , sv&n although the effect of it , in some peculiar cases , might not be to make a pauper chargeable to any other pariah j but in the instance now under consideration the Poor Law Commissioners cannot refnin from pointing oat that the directors and guardians of Marylebone acted unfairly in supplying Thomas
Phillips and his family with money to proceed to the parish of Sweater King s-end , when the Bicester Boa d of Guardians had so expressly stated that the parish waa nit satisfied about his settlement , and when the obvious tendency of supplying him with money to go there was to make him chargeable to it For although it seems that Thomas Phillips had alleged that if he could only get to Bieester fa © was sure of obtaining employment , the Poor Law Commissioners do not collect that tha director ! and guard iam-s of Maryleb « na took any steps to ascertain whether his statement was true or probable ; and the Poer Law Commissioners think that no reliance ought to have been placed on the unsupported statement of the pan per himself ; and the effect of the course fallowed by the directors and guardians has been to make Thomas Phillips and his family chargeable to the parish ef Bicester King ' s Lnd .
" The Poor Law Commissioners , in conclusion , desire to remark , that if boards of guardians generally were to act on the same principle as was . adopted bj the directors and guardians in the present instance , tho effect would often be to deprive parishes of the protection now afforded them by the law ot removals . For although ths Poor Law Commissioners do not d'sput ^ that the director * and guardians acted konajide in giving credence to the apparently unsupported and ( as tha event proved . ) untrue statement of the pauper , that he ni sure of finding employmant at Bicester ; yet they cannot disguise from themselves , that if such evidence were generallj acted . upon in a similar manner , it would be possible in numerous instances to evade altogether the * law respecting removals , and parishes might be able clandestinely to shift the burden of maintaining paupers upon distant parishes from which paupers , from asy particular reason , might be desirous of receiving relief . " I have the honour to be , Sir ,
" Your most obedient servant , " W- G . LUM . LY , Assistant Secretary . " The Clerk to the Directors and Guardians of St . Marylebona . " Sir . Thoe . >* e then read the report of a committee appointed by the beard to draw up a resolutions in answer te the foregoing commanieatdon , which was as follows : — " That the communication cf the Poor Law Commissioners be acknowledged , and that they be "informed that this board huvicg dealt with the case of Thomas Pniliips and f * mily , with a view to their moral advantage , and that upon reconsidering all the circumstances as detailed , this coard differs with the Commissioners a to the illegality or impropriety of the course pursued ; independently of which , from experience , numerous instances could be adduced whereby a timely vdministratien of casual relief , deserving families have been Tsressrved from protracted pauperism .
"TheBoard further take occasion to observe , that say interference with their decisions by the Poor Law Commissioners is uncalled for , and calculated to subvert their independence . " ( L ^ ud cries of "Hear , hear . ") The CHiiRMEX having put this resolution for confirmation , Mr . W . Etbe said , he should move that this resolution be non-confirmed . He did so on the ground that the Poor Law Commissioners , finding the Board had committed an illegal act ( cries of " No , no , "; had , in a very courteous and proper manner , communicated with them , in order to set them right ( Lanj > hter . i
Mr . Pebbt would second the non-confirmation . It » is clear that the board , in the case of Thomas Pciilips t = d his femily , had acted in defiance of all law . ( "Oh , ob r ) They had no richt to remove any pauper without an order of removal , by which he might become chargeable to another parish- He thought the Commissioners , possessing the power tiey did , bad acted ttost courteously to the board in calling their attention to the subject ; and the Board , instead of sending such a iicpertinant answer , was bound to act with equal ourtesy . . . . t
Mr . Bcshill must express hia utter astonishmen that Mr . Perry should Becond the motion for non-confirmation , seeing that he was one of the committee ot three who had drawn up the resolution just read'cries of Hew . " ) Mr . Perry agreed in the general principle of the answer which had been drawn up to the eommunicatisn of the Poor Law Cemmissionern . It was not considered necessary to go into all the details of , the ease for the information of the gentlemen of Somerset-bouse , and that answer which had been drawn up was quite sufficient to indicate to them the spirit of that board—( hear , hear . ) the motion
Mr . Rathbo > e was well aware that would indicate to the Poor Law Commissionera the * pfrit of the board , but it would not rtfute the declaration which the Commissioners bad made , that the worse the board had adopted was an Illegal one—( cries of " Oh , oh . " ) It mattered not whether Aiarylebone was i Poor Law Takm or not , there was a certain law for the relief of the poor afieeting eertain eases which applied to aQ parishes , aad which the Poor Law Commissioners hid declared that board had Infringed . Since the decision ef Lord Demua with regard to the operation of the New Poer Law generally , be thought the beard ocfhtnot , if they wished to preserve their indepen dence , do anything to provoke the Poor Law Commis doners to send an assistant commissioner to take his ¦ eat at that board—tfoud laaghter . ) Gentlemen would not pretend to ay that they would hare the power or the eoarajfe to eject him . _ , Mr . BtgHiLL—Bat we would eject ourselves— ( cries of *• Hear , hear .- )
' Mr . Rath bokb would pot it to the hoard If they were to adopt such a course of resistance to the Poor Law Commissioners , in what a state the administration of tie Poor Law in the parish would be . It would be pefeetly at a rtand-rtUl . and the poor would be starving —! " Oh , <* . " *> He implored the board , it they had any with to prwerve their independence , to treat thecomannication of the Poor Law CemmluioBers reBpeccally — > l » a * hAet . )
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Mr . Soden said , it was really laughable to expect to maintain the independence of the board by succumbing to the dictation of the Poor Liw Commissioners . ( Loud cries of Hear . ) The course proposed by the movers of the non-confirmation was just the very one to help the three kin / js cf Samerset-bouse in their attempt to get the thin edge ef their wedge into Marylebone , which they were seeking to do at every opportunity—( hear , hear . ) _ Was it not sufficient for them to carry out their most inhuman laws and orders in their own union , bnt they must attempt to introduce them into parishes over which they had no control ?—( hear , hear ) . Because that Board had acted in the « se of Phillips with the proper feelings of humanity , and had used thtlr endeavours to prevent the reduction of a distressed family to
a permanent state of pauperism , the Poor Law Comm i ssioners forsooth dec ? are the act of the board illegal and improper—( hear ) . What right had they to interfere in any way with the adminls : ration of out-door relief by that board ?—( bear , hear ) . What had the bnird really done f Instead of pauperizing Phillips and his family for twenty-one d 3 ys in tte workhouse , which weald have cort the parish the sum of £ 6 , they had committed the monstrous crime of paying 36 s . to pass him to a place where he had no doubt ef getting employment himself , and his wife and children a respectable asylum amongst her friends—( hear ) . The latter had really been done , but this proceeding did not please the Poor Law Commissioners . They did net do that in the unions under their control , but they did that which was infinitely worse ^—( hear )—they delighted in pauperizing families and getting them into union houses The poor creatures and their families are induced to
make their way int « the manufacturing districts , not with 36 s . to assist th 6 m in their progress , but without a single farthin * in their pockets , and they were forced to beg to alleviate the pangs of starvation—( hear , hear ) . These were the men who dared to call that board to account for committing aa act of humanity—( hear ) . He was sure that the course they had pursued met with the support of the rate-payers , and he cared not how soon th& Poor Law Commissioners tried their strength , for it was high time it should be known whether they had the power to interfere with an independent board—( hear , hear ) . Let the board assert its independence , and if tho Poor Law Commissioners ventured to interfere by walking in , let the fceard as a body walk out—( hear , hear ) . He should be happy to see this , for he believed that the Poor Law Commissioners by their arbitrary conduct would soon lasa even the favour of the . few members of the board who now supported them—( hear , hear ) .
Mr . Grange said , they were either an independent board , or they were under the contronl of the Poor Law Commissioners . If the board allowed the letter , the dictatorial letter of those gentry , to pass without remonstrance , it would appear that the latter was the cas 3 . ( Hear , hear . ) The object was to aim a blow at the Fystem of out-door relief . ( Hear . ) If the system p { out-door relief were abolished , to that workhouse , large as it was , three more acres of land must bo added . ( Hear . ) The Rsv . Mr . Scobeli , thought the board were not called upon to argue the legality or illegality of the
course which had esen pursued with the Poor Law Commissioners . The question he thought was , had they the right to interfere with the bo 3 nl in the manner they had done ? He would he one of tha last te throw away a jot of the Independence of that board , but he looked upon the Poor Law Commissioners as a superior authority , and as such they had merely informed the Board that the course they had pursued was illegal . ! ' -Oh , oh ! " ) He thought that at all events the ktter portion of the resolution , declaring the interference of the Commissioners uncalled for , might be omitted . ' .
Mr . Pottes considered that the course proposed by those who moved the rejection of the answer to the Poor Law Commissioners was , to call upon the Board to kiss the hand that held the scourge . ( Hear . ) The Poor LaViDommissioners told them they had acted illegally . He vould deny the assart ion , as if so , they , the Poor Law Commissioners , themselves were acting illegally fey making paupsrs emigrate into over populated districts . ( Hear . ) He would maintain that the act of the Board i = this ins-ance was not only legal but strictly moral ( Hear . )
Mr . Asdeesos said , there was a wilful misreprese-tation of tkis case by the Poor Law Commissioners , Phillips had not the money placed at his own disposal , bu' his waggon expenses were paid by the officer of the board . It was infinitely better that the man ' s wife and three children should have an asylum amongst her own friends than that the course suggested by the Poor Law Commissioners should be carried ont—( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Gibson was delighted that the Board would not cor .-ent to pauperize whole families or suffer them to
starve as the Poor Law Commissioners did . He could only Bay , that in ever / such case that came before tha rota , when it came to his turn to Bit there , he ihculd act in precisely the same manner as bad been done in the case of Phillips , in defiance of any order of tfce Poor Law Commissioners to the contrary . — I Hear , hear . ) Mr . Eyhb having replied , The quettion was put from the Chair , and the nonconfirmation declared to be negatived . A division was demanded , when there
appeared—For the confirmation of the resolution ... 21 Fur the non-confirmation 4 Majority declaring the interference of the Poor Law Commissioners uncalled for , aad tending to subvert the independence of the board —17 The announcement of the numbers was received with cheers , and the board broke up .
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which , be it remembered , was at first supported by the Whigs , * nd , to tke moment of its enactment , was opposed more in form than in raality by them . The result of these proceedings was the Act 57 Gee . III . C , 19 . It enacts that every society ( pelitlcal ) shall be comprehended under the provisions of 39 Geo . 3 , before recited . The enactments are in the following words , namely , 1 . " tvery society or club that shall elect , nominate , or employ , any committee , delegate , representative , or missionary , to meet , confer , or commuiicate with any other society or club , or with any committee or delegate , or induce or persuade any other person to become a member thereof , shall be liable to the penalties of the 39 Geo . Ill , cap 79 , "—namely , fine , imprisonment , and transportation for seven years .
2 . " Every person who shall become a member of any such society or club , or shall act as a member thereto —every psrsen who shall directly or indirectly maintain correspondence or intercourse with any such society or c ub , or with any committee , delegate , representative , or missionary , or with any officer or member thereof as such , shall be liable to the same penaitiss and punlshments . " 3 . " Every prrson who shall by contribution of money or otherwise aid , abet , or support any such society or club , er any officer or member thereof as such , shall be liable to the same penalties aad punishment " Such it the law . It has , however , no relation to public meetings , or the appointment of delegates at such meetings . It relates solely to societies or clubs ; and , therefore , whatever coald be done before the 39 Geo . 3 , by public meetings , can be done now .
Every administration for a century past has , when * ever it suited any purpose , employed spies te get up societies , clubs , && , to induoe the commission of illegal acts , and then to imprison , transport , and put to death , those among the offenders who were moat obnoxious . What has beea done , it may be concluded , may be done again . A BRUTE IN OFFICE . On Friday , a poor v oman named Catherine FiJlis , with three children , one of them an infant in arms , applied to Mr . Henry , at Lambeth-street , for bis assistance under the following circumstances : —The applicant , who was labouring under ^ rious indisposition , stated , that about twelva months ago , in consequence of
the desertion of her husband , sho was compelled to apply to the parish £ Whitechapel for relief , and was taken into the workhouse . Her two children were rer moved to the SpitalSelds house , which formed a part of the union , and she herself , with her infant , was placed in the receiving ward , which is underground , and kept there from that time to the present The dampness of the place and the want of proper air had such an effect upon her that she felt her health gradually declining , and she had latterly become ao excessively ill that the infant at her breast was affected , and she begged that some assistance might be affjrded her to wean her child , but this was refused to her . She also begged of the parish doctor , Mr . Foster , to have her
removed to tho sick ward , where she would have the benefit of pnre air , but he paid no attention whatever to her request . She further begged of both the doctor and Mrs . Mursell , the matron ef tho house , to be allowed a little tea or something to drink , as she could not take water-gruel . Mrs . Mursell said she considered water-gruel quits gw > d enongh for her , and that she would not get eo good in Ireland ( the applicant being an Irishwoman ) . The applicant further said , that finding her health get daily worse , and feeling confident that if she remained much longer in the house , her death must be the consequence , she made up her mind to leave it , and , on mentioning her intention , she was obliged to take her two children with her out of the Spitalflelds workhouse .
In reply to the question of Mr . Henry , the poor woman said the father of her infant was her second husband , and an Englishman . Mr . Henry perceiving the poor woman was really so ill that it was with some difficulty she could speak , desired Saunders , one of the summoning officers , to go to Whitechapel workhouse , and direct the attendance of Mursell , the master . In about an hour be made his appearance , and , npon being informed of the nature of the application aud complaint of the female , he at once commenced an attack upon her about her lazy habits while in the workhouse , and her not doing any work . Mr . Henry , to Mursell . —Dj you think she is in a fit state to work now ? Any one must see that she is very ill , and , whatever may have been her conduct heretofore , this is not a proper time to abuse her for what she may have been guilty of . She is evidently very ill , and requires some extraordinary care .
Mursel ! . —The fact , Sir , is , that she is a very troublesome person , and I understand from the doctor that she has had the modesty to ask for tea , porter , arrowroot , and even port wine . Mr . Henry . —Well , suppoie she did ask for these things ; there can be no doubt of her extrome illness , and I suppose the parochial medical attendant has the power of ordering these things iu cases of illness like hers . Mursell—Oh , yes , your worship , it is the doctor ' s business to order it , and he has not ordered anything for this woman . Mr . Henry—But I suppose you have some discretionary power as master of the workhouse ? For instance , in cases of illness , hive you not the power to order tea to the afflicted pauper ? Mursell—Oh yes , Sir , plenty of it , and this woman was allowed plenty of milk .
Applicant—Yes , I got a little milk , but what was the use of that when there was ne fire allowed in the ward , and I could not wean a child with cold milk . Mursel!—Well , it was the doctor ' s business to attend to you , and he has done so ; but the fact is , you are a very troublesome persen . Mr . Henry—Mr . Mnrsell , persons in your situation ought to act kindly to those poor persons . Depend upon it , by treating them with kindness you will acquire much more than by harsh treatment You should also make some allowance for persans in a state of illness like the applicant , and not take offence at what they may utter while labouring under affliction of body and mind .
The applicant said , all she wanted was to be moved to the sick ward , and t'j be allowed tea or something else to drink besides water-gruel , which Mrs . Mursell had told her was quite good enough for her , and better than she could get in her own country . Mursell here laughed aloud , upon which Mr . Henry told him such conduct was anything but decorous , and that he ( Mr . Henry ) did not see anything in the matter to laugh at The poor woman was very ill , and he must say there was some ground for her complaint , Mr . ilursell begged pardon , but said he couid nothelp laughing at such a charge made against one who was the kindest woman in existence ! Mr . Hen * y observed , he had not the power , by law , to compel Muraell or the parish officers to treat the poor woman as she required , but be wou'd ask it as a personal favour to himself that such should be done .
The poor woman poured forth a thousand blessings on his worship , and was told to go back to the house again . Mursell , when about to leave the court , said , he was sorry his timb should bave been so taken up ; upon which Mr . Henry expressed Bome surprise at such conduct , telling him if he bad not attended he should have written to the Poor Law Commissioners on the subject
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Mr Hewitt , Mr . Whltty , and the men Under their eomraand exerted themselves with atl the dating and skill for which they have become celebrated , in order to arrest the progress of the destructive element ; but it nevertheless gradually descended into the lewer apartments , and began to assume a terrific , though magnificent aspect Men were briefly employed in emptying tae fctores to those rooms to which the flames bad not penetrated , and a good deal of cotton and other articles were gat out , and deposited in an adjoining street Whilst engaged in thia work , some of the bricks forming the arch of the uppermost doorway fell down npon one of the poor and tolling labourers , who was crushed to the earth , apparently lifeless . He was quickly taken up by some of hw companions , and , though severely brnlsed and crushed about the lower part of the body , his head escaped with a , Blight contusion , and he is , we beKeve , not fatally ipjured .
The roef of the watehoase fell in about haif-paBt eight o'clock , and from that time the prospect of saving the lower part of the building seemed almost hopeless . The fire police , however , mounted on tall ladders to the upper doors and windows , and directed Ihe hose of the varioua engines to those parta where the conflagrstlen was the fiercest Tae vast mass of water thus steadily directed upon the blozing pile seemed at one time ( about ten o ' clock ) to be slowly obtaining the mastery over the fiery element , and a confident expectation was entertained that it would bo prevented from progressing below the third er fourth story . At one time the mass of flame emitted from the glowing pile extended nearly across G-iltonatreet , and some fear was entertained for the safety of one or two of the houses on the southern side of the street . A report , in fact was circulated that one house bad actually taken fire ; but this was not correct The
sheet or wane of flame speedily became contracted in volume , and all fear of the southern side of Galtonstreet was at an end . The inhabitants of the houses on the north aide of Galttn-atreei , adjoining the burning warehouse , naturally became soon alarmed , and removed the whole of their effects . Iu the midst of the awful and solemnly imposing scene , a circumstance of an almost ludicrous character took plaoe . A considerable quantity of the half consumed coffee waa ejected into the street ; the heated water thrown back from the glowing walls of the fliming inttrior , poured into the channels , and , carrying with it tha wasted coffee and quantities of melted sugar formed a beverage which some portion of the vast crowd of spectators were eagerly employed In scoopinsj up in the hollow of their hands , and drinking . — Liverpool Times .
THE LATE STORM . —LOSS OF LIVES OFF THE COAST . From the varions accounts received from different parts of the kingdom we regret to state that the storm which visited the metropolis on Wednesday night , and the hurricane of i the following day , have been felt thronghoufc the kingdom , particularly along the coast , and have been attended with the loss of a vast deal of property , besides human life . During the whole of Wednesday and Thursday thu wind blow a gale from the
W . 8 . W . to S . W ., which did considerable damage amongst the shipping on the Eastern ejast , several having their whole suite of sails , rigging , anchors , and cables carried away , and were obliged to put back in the Yarmouth Roads , Margate , and Harwich , being unable from the damage sustained to proceed on tbeir destination . Off Melford , on Thursday , Captain Rees , of the Fair Hope , of Aberavon , passed a a mack on shore in Ramsey Sound , and a schooner on the recks of Skomer Island , both deserted ; aud also the moat ; and port of the hull of a smack , N . E . of the North Bishop , which is supposed to have foundered , and the crew perished .
So violent was the gale that the Pi : cenix coasting vessel , belonging to Cotton ' s-wharf , while off Folkestone , lost one of her men of the name of John Button . The poor fellow was reeflug the mainsail , when he waa blown over and lost , the mate nearly experiencing the same fate , he being washed overboard , and saved with considerable difficulty . Between the night of the 8 th and the morning of the 9 th the Haloyon , loaded with salt , from Glocester , was wrecked on the west end of the Gore Sands , and the whole of the crew , supposed to be nina in number , met with a watery grave . In the course of the day two of the bodies were picked up on Blenheim Strand .
On the Welsh coast the loss of life has been considerable . The Miiford packet lost a man of the name of Williams , a native of St . Divid ' a , Pembrokeshire , when the vessel was about four miles west of the Smalls . In consequence of the terrific violence of the gale , the poor fellow was blown from the crosstrees , and although several spars and ropss were thrown ont , these , exertions were ineffectual . From the state of the sea , arising from the fury of the gale , it was found impossible to lower the boat ; within a few mirutes after the accident the you fellow disappeared . Off Cardiff , theDe Esterning , bound from Amsterdam , had a seaman washed overboard ; and at Madoo , the following melancholy event occurred :--Iu tke morning of the 8 th a boat left the port , containing three young lads , amongst them was the son of Mr . Rees Jones , for the purpose ef
mackerel fishing , in which the party were very successful , having , in the course of two hours , loaded tfeeir boat On returning with the boat a sudden tquall arose , which caught the boat and turned her over . Assistance immcdlaUily put off , but only two of the youtha were saved—the son of Mr . Jones mot a watery grave ; the other two were completely exhausted when rescued from their perilous situation . Along the Scotch coast the same calamitous results took place , a number of vessels were damaged ; and at Bude a large vessel laden with grain was wrecked near Sharp ' s Nose , and with one exception the whole of the crew were lost ; the poor fellow who was washed ashsre was in so exhausted a condition as to be uinble at the time to give any information as to the name of the vessel or number of the crew .
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PERSECUTION OF MR . JOHN DUNCAN . AN APPEAL TO THE PEOPLE OF BRITAIN . Brothers and Sisters . —We adopt this method of appealing to your sympathies , and love cf justice , and fixing your attention upon a most important oas 9 , in the h « p « that your desire to protect thu innocent and defend the good , will operate so strongly upon your minds that you will be induced , from the purest motives , to sacrifice self-comforts in order to save a friend . Many of you are already aware ot the fact , that that man and patriot , John Duncan , has been arrested by the authorities of Dundee ; that he has been confined eleven days in gaol ere he was permitted to get out upon bail . He is charged with offences which we not only believe , but from a thorough knowledge of all the circumstances , are prepared to prove that he is altogether and entirely innocent of .
At the three meetings of the unemployed , held on the Magdalen Green , at which Mr . Duncan Spoke—we maintain that he never condescended to appeal to the passions of mankind , but addressed himself altogether to the intellectual faculties of the people ; he advised them to crucify every passion , and to let reason and mind only rule . By arguments plain , but pointed , he reprobated all wars and tumulte—taught the duties of the ruled as well as of the rulers—showed the majesty and power of the law—the rights of property—the sacredness of human life—vindicated the character of
the Dundee magistrates from charges made against them . He advised the people to consult the proper authorities bs to the legality of any step , before they ventured to take that step ; and by all the tender ties of children and parents , and the holy and sacred spirit of the Christian religion , he appealed to all to be wise , prudent , cautious , sober , temperate , while energetically persevering for the attainment of their right * Brothers and Sisters , —We assure yon the above is tho true and real spirit which breathed in afi Mr . Duncan said at these meetings ; and it 1 b acknowledged by all , except— — , that be acted a wise and at
a prudent p ^ rt these meetings . spirit disposition ot the people themselves is clearly proved from the fact , that after all the noise that has been made about riets and such like , we are not aware of a single pane of glass having being broken by them in Dundea We have facts wblcb « e could detail , that would prove that the success attending Mr . Duncan's labours as a Christian teacher is at the bottom of much of his persecution . These we will make known at the proper time . Brothers and Sisters , —Shall the innocent be left undefended—shall the shepherd be torn from his flockshall our church doors be bolted— shall our Christian union be broken up—shall the voice of him who has
proved himself a practical Christian be made muteshall his person be confined in the cold and lonely cellshall virtue and truth be treated like felony and crime , and we be heedless ?—No I it shall not be ; we love him as we love ourselves , and shall prove it by our works . We shall do our duty . Friends and countrymen , we claim your assistance te provide for him the most eminent Counsel at the Soottish bar . Scotland now makes her first appeal . Englishmen , Irishmen , Welshmen , listen to her call , lend as your aid , contribute your mites , that we may be able to bring forward a powerful array of witnesses aud able council , to prove the real character , and secure the liberty of our common friend , John Duncan .
A few weeks will bring round the day of trialhasten then—send your communications and contributions to Robert Lindsay , secretary , Jackson ' s Lund , Scourlngbum ; or , to Robert Kidd , No . 7 , Wellgate , Dundee , treasurer . Signed in [ name of the Christian Chartist Congregation , Robert Kidd , Isaac Peterkin . Robert Lin say , fee .
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THE LATE STRIKE , ITS CAUSES AND EFFECTS . BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A LECTURE DELIVEBED IN LONDON BY JOHN WATKINS . PART II . "He tbat will not work shall net eat , " says the Scripture , but man has reversed thia ordinance of God . Our Lords aud Dukes toil not , neither do they spin , and yet So . omon in all his giory was not arrayed like one of these . The working men who dig—who weave—are unfed , unclothed , and could not be worse off were they indeed the idle and disorderly persona that Government , to serve a factious purpose , says they are . While tfcere is bread enough and to spare , they ought not to perish with hunger .
It was noble of the turn-outs to elevate tbeir Strike from a Strike for wages to a strike for freedom . Had they succeeded in their object , posterity would have hailed them as the saviours of tbeir country . That Strike was tantamount to a declaration of war against the Government , and who will say that such a war would not be juat—is not necessary 1 ; When any foreign power injures or insults this country it is the duty of Government to demand redress or apology , and if refused to declare war . Government did so with respect to the Emperor of China , who , in his fatherly care for his people , having caused a quantity of poison which certain English merchants bad sent to bis Empire for sale , to be destroyed , thereby to prevent the destruction of bis subjects by it , -compensation was
demanded by the British Government , which bsing refueed by the Chinese , was was straightway declared against them , and the British troops are now ravaging their country with fire and sword , doing the work which the poison was prevented from doing . Surely , if our Government deems such a wax justifiable , T ? ell may the people , who have time after time petitioned for redress in vain , who have been answered only by additional oppression and insult , well may they think themselves justified in proclaiming war against tyranny and monopoly . Such a war is more than just , it is glorious . But in declaring war it is not only necessary that we have a just cause , but also that we have tha means of carrying it on to a successful issue ; else , instead of exterminating tyrants , we shall but
give them fresh scope and greater power . The Chartist Executive appointed to direct the movements of the people do rig ^ t in encouraging a spirit of freedom , but they did wrong in encouraging a strike at this particular time when prudence saw no likelihood of its success . For let us just look at the result of their advice—they must have known that a people off work are off wages—when off wages they are off fond , and bow can they obtain it except by force ; this brings them into collision with the military , and not having the means of defence , much less cf attack , they are slaughtered at ease , while all the while their injudicious advisers are ensconced behind their own unsigned and irresponsible document , leading net , acting not , sharing not .
T&e people were out , without leaders and without provisions . What had Government provided for them —Government that had driven them to the distress and desperation bad provided for their destruction , by Sabres aud carbines , bludgeons , pistols , and bayonets , and , more than all , by artillery to sweep them from ofi the face of the earth in iiumbera together . At sight of the villanous tools of tyranny—the human butchers sent to slaughter them , the people nttev a volley of execrations—they caanot contain tbeir indignationthey cast stones—the riot act ia rea- - ' . —the soldiers are ordered to flre , an order which they gladly obeymany of the people . are . wounded—they drop—they expire—the rest disperse to avoid a similar fate .
And who are the soldiers , —what manner of men are they , —what are they made of ? The m&jority of them are from the people ; they were once in similar distressed circumstances , and regarded it as a dire alternative that they must either become the victims or the tools of their oppressors Meuof a rightly-constituted mind would not bave hesitated a moment in their choice ; or if they did list into the army-they would still remember they were enoa working men ; they would remember the brethren they bad left , and they wonld never suffer themselves to become the willing instruments of the tyrants who had cureed them with the necessity of such a state ; they would never willingly identify themselves with those whom they had been accustomed to regard with scorn , aer do tiie . Yery deeds which they bad one * abhoned others for doing .
But every pains is taken to fit them for the bloody uses for which they are designed ; they are separated from their fellow men—distinguished by their ( tresstrained in arts of butchery—taught to regard brutality as their duty—the will of their commanders ( however revolting to justice ) as law , which , if disobeyed , will subject them te the severest punishment ; in short * they are transformed from men to monsters , and become homicides , fratricides , and even parricides at the bidding of their officers . Now , no consideration on earth ought to induce men to engage in a line of life that requires these things to be done ; and what is the paltry consideration which induces these men?—a shilling per day—mere subsistence—the fare of a wild beast , and the dress of a showman I And they arc liable to have their fleah flogged off their bones for every
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trifling breach of discipline—for every little impurity in the routine of their poppet- ife . What ouglit to prove still more galling to a generous spirit , they are bought and sold by their officers or drivers like a ? ang of negroes ; aud it matters not what merit a man possess even in that abominable calling , nor what the length of his services , he constantly sees younger and leasable men preferred over his head , just as birth , interest , or flatter ? happens to promote them . Men who can enter such a way of life , who can submit to all its debasing requisitions , its degrading duties , are jost the men , out of a desperate spite against human nature itself , to do such things aa these men , these murderous machines are set to do ; bnt all the bad passions of one
nature are fostered in them , are incited by method and rewards to fit them for such neadishnesa . It could not else be that we should bear of these men firing at their brethren , whom they ought rather to soothe—to sucoonr , firing at them by the command of those who iiifl . ct the miseries which drive the people to madness —miseries which tney themselves once knew , « cct felt , and were refused redress , relief : firing at them not constrainedly , bnt willingly , and afterwards boasting of it , even exceeding the bloody instructions which they have been taught . Why , if they were men , they would rather turn and execute those oniers on the monsters who can issue them—who alone deserve to suffer by them .
Soldiers have generally been complimented with one virtue in the absence or at the txpeuce of all others—¦ with bravery—but what bravery is tbere in men going armad and accoutred on horseback—confident with impunity and concert—against an unarmed , a defenceless , a naked crowd on foot , fainting with famine ? Surely the bravery ia on the opposite side—the bravery is on the aide of the poor starving but patient men , women , and children who boldly face the gallant warriors that attack them . The fact is , it ia never courage , it is invariably cowardice that prompts these attacks and can be no other . Certain timid old men called magistrates , hear halloes and are alarmed—they get panic-struck—they lose all presence of mlnd- ^ they send for soldiers , the riot act is read , and under cover
of that the soldiers , fire ; for cowardice is always cruel —it dare not trust 'tsslf—it dare not trust others —the timid , the terrified are always suspicious and vindictive . But ; all men nre net alike—some even among the soldiers revolt agaiust the . duty assigned them—sicken at itthey refuse to flre upon their unarmed , unoffending fellow-countrymen . One hundred aud fifty , it Ib eaid , grounded their arms , and they are to be punished for their humanity—for tbeir trne bravery—they have been lodged , heavily ironed in the Tower , and will probably be shot for refusing to shoot their own sisters and brothers ; their own fathers and mothers , whoa-. ; sole crime was the madness of despair . But the people will hoHonr those clement men—the people I trust will save them .
These soldiers have shewn themselves worthy of a better lot—pity it is that their freeborn limbs should ever have been cosed in the hellish livery of tyrantsthat they should ever have worn the tinselled sanguinary garb of war—that they should ever have suffered the image of God in their persons to be strapped , buckled , bedizened , and thus befoooled . In ancient Rome the soldier who saved a citizan ' a life was rewarded with a crown—these saved by sparing the lives if many cltitjna— -let them be crowned with glory—may they be crowned immortally .
But the police have no such scruples of consciencethey feel no such compunctious visltmgs—they have said , and I heard many of them avow it , tbat if the soldiers refu 3 e to fire on the people , we'll smash their beads for them . The police are paid by the middle classes , and this may uiake the difference in their sentiments , for the seldiera probably remembered that they are kept in idleness by the labour of the working classes , and could they shoot those who bad worked to feed and clothe them , and would still have been working had not oppression made them mad ? But for that oppression , this blood would not have been shed —the Isle would not bave been " frightened from its propriety" —and while that oppression continues , who can ensure the country from a recurrence of these horrors—from a constant recurrence of them , or the more fearful horrors of assassination and incendiarism ? . '
Bsfore we tint this part of our subject , it may not be amiss to state what are the real duties of soldiers and police . Soldiers should be raised for the protection of the people , not for their redaction—to shed the blood not of their countrymen , but of their country ' s foes—they are to preserve us from foreign invasion and domestic tyranny , to fight in defence of liberty—not on behalf of tyranny , ' for then they cease to be soldiers , they become mercenaries , cut-throats . They are properly the servants of the state , not of the Queen , or of
Government—they are supported by the people , although our cuuning tyrants have constituted themsolves their paymasters , and thus make it appear that the pay comts out of their pockets , when in reality it comes from the pockets of the people . British seldiers formerly knew their duty better—they knew their duty wall , and did it , too , when in the reign of James the Sscond they sided with the people against that bigotted king , and forced him to abdicate the throneaye , expelled the tyrannical race of Stuarts for ever , even aa the Tarquins were expelled from Rome .
Aa for the police—no one would object to the men if they kept withintheir proper bounds—if they contented themselves with being the guards of life and property , but when they provoke the people to break the peace , in order that they may have a pretext for breaking their heads and bringing them before the bench for committal to prison , that they may show tbeir seal and obtain preferment—they clearly overstep the legitimate lino of their duty and are themselves the criminals , deserving of the severest punishment . So far from doiiw injustice , they should see that none » ia done—ao far from interfering with the people when peaceably met to discuss their grievances , they should sea that none else interfere with them , and should always guard those liberties which ; alas , they too often violate .
Biood has been shed—blood that calls I will not say for more blood , but for tears . For who were the victims—what waa tha crime—why did they rise—wherefore did they-riot . ? Tiiey rose that they might not be entirely pressed to earth—ground to dust They were provoked to it—forced to it Once risen they took the f « od which they could not earn—they committed some outrages—some acts vt vengeance not indiscriminateacia of retaliation , of retribution . Far less outrages were committed by the men on their masters , than the masters bad previously committed on the men ; for the
people are alv . ays more ready to forgive that ! to punish , and are seldom vindictive , often goodbnmoured . — Though they had taken the law in their , own hands , they exercised their Irresistible power with justice , with mercy . Will the middle-class juries be so forgiving ? will the judge on his jutigment-eeat be so merciful ? Will he in cold blood be so sparing as they in hot blood were ? I am afraid not The men struck for liberty , and Government can least forgive a strike for freedom . Tke civil authorities will finish the work begun by the military . The blood that bas bean shed will nofc be deemed sufficient to atone for the
offences of the , people ; there will be imprisonments and transportations . Oh ! should not our hearts bleed for those who bave bled ? It is our duty to consider their cases seriously , solemnly . The most worthy have fallen —the warmest-hearted , the bravest , the foremost have been marked—were singled out and shot—suot through the brains , through the bowels , through the heart , through the liver , through the lungs—horribly shot ! The poor fellows writhing in the agoniea of death are borne home . What an increase to the
afflictions of a pining family already overwhelmed by misery ! They went out for bread for a brokenspirited wife and squalid children , and are brought back to them wounded , bleeding , expiring 1—tbeir biood flows and cannot be stanched . They die , cursing the demons who had shot them , while their bereaved aud destitatefamiliesmourn , but the legislators , whose class-laws—the millowners , whose selfish love of lucre caused this pretty Work , should be tbcra to witness it . If they were , would they not be touched with pity ?
" Yea , as rocks are ; For when tae widow ' s cries assails their eara Aad undone orphans wash with tears their thresholds , They only think what'tis to be Styled Honourable , and 'tis a powerful charm Makes them Insensible to remorse or the Ltiast touch of pity . " Now what were the crimes of those poor people thus suddenly sent to an untimely grave , wrapped in a bloody shroud ? They were uffoetionate to their wives , whom they wished to make more comfortable ; they loved their children , and -wished for the means of educating them end settkig them forward virtuously iu tho world ; they wished for a furnished hoaie with a stored cupboard ; to b-3 decently clothed , to are respectably ; and for these good wishes , for being good fathers , good busbar , ds , good citizens , they were ruthlessly shotmiseries vio
an end was put to their wants , to their , by a - lent , a dreadful death . Will Government provide for their widows and ' orphans—Government that barbarously deprived them of their national protectors ? It would be well for the soldiers to know that not oue of the victims thus shot for ¦ wishing to have wages that he coui * live by , but would have assisted those soldiers had they been in similar distress ; would have gives them alms had they been disbanded and sent abont the country a-begging , after being crippled or disabled in the service of Government ; a parallel case . It would be well for Prince Georg * . of the bloo * royal , who thirsted te dye his g word in their blood , to know that any one of them wonld have been too foolishly loyal had he wanted their services . See what crimes it costs to support injustice 1 These are its Results , and these results will happen again and again , until the accursed system is reformed by Utt People ' s Charter . ; ' . '• - ¦ ¦
^ What allegiance is due te a Government who , after reducing a people to this pass , ends them thus horribly 1 8 ociety is dissolved by it Say that the interests of tin aristocracy require these bloody sacrineeB t Oh , surely the interests of humanity should take precedency OTer every other interest Perish the ; aristocracy , if its splendours canbe maintained only by shedding the blood of the unfortunate and the miserable—which they call justifiable homicide I fTo be concluded in our next . )
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On monday morning the body of a wall-dresssd woman , with several rings on her fingers , waa U ^ en out of the river , off Cuckold ' s Point , Eotherbiobt , and convoyed to the dead-house .
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A SHIP OF FIRE—PERILOUS SITUATION . ( From the Liverpool Albion ) The following extract from the log-book of the ship Rsnown , Captain Hosken , on her passatre from Sydney , New South Wales , to this pott , with a cargo ef wool , gives an account of the breaking out of a flre in the hold , from the spontaneous combustion , it is supposed , of the wool ; of the perilous situation of the crew and the passengers ; and of the skilful and persevering manner in which the parties on board subdued the fhmes , thereby saving the vessel and her cargo , as well as their own lives , The narrative is highly interesting : — " June 24 . —At eigbt o ' clock , am ., moved the spars on the larboard Bide , and in so doing perceived a curious smell . At nine o ' olock , a . m ., remarked the same kind of smell in the cabin . Overhauled all the ship , but discovered nothing . At noon , a similar smell . Latitude obtained 25 26 S ., long . 38 43 .
" 25 th . At half-past twelve o ' clock , p . m ., cleared the sail-cabin , store-room , and evtrytbing out of the berths , and in so doing found the smell proceeded from the hold , between the bulk-heads of tbe cabin and quarter-deck . The smell increased , having every symptom of the wool being on fire . Pressed the people to work to get part of the provisions on deck , all the spirits , oil , rope , &c . ; closed all down , and made all as air-tight 03 possible , and kept tho ship before the ¦ wind for Rio . Pumpa duly attended to , and all possible sail set to advantage . Clcartd away the longboat and pinnace , got the tackle rovo , and all ready for gettine the boats out Latitude 24 , 20 , long , — .
" 26 th—At 12 o ' clock , p . m ., commenced moderate breeze and cloudy , all sail set to advantage , standing : towards the load . At four o ' clock p . m ., smoke was observed coming through the break of the second deck , and smelling like the smoke of wool . At six o ' clock p . m ., tho smell increasing very much , aud every symptom of the ship being on fire , the captain ordered the longboat and pinnace to be hoisted overboard , with masts and sails , and sent the most useless of the passengers in them . The boats being ready , were put astern of tbe ship , with a cask of water , borne provisions and spirits , two chronometers , aud what was required tot navigating the boats to land . At this time the brass of the sky-light and wood of the companion appeared red-hot . Covered the coats
of the masts , skylights and companion with blankets and sails which were constantly kept wet . At half past eleven P . M ., fire was discovered bursting through the starboard side , a little before the main chains ; water was thrown in to stop the flames . The boats were now ordered alongside the ship for the remainder of the passengers , and some of the ore w sent into them , except two of the passengers , who txerted themselves in a most able manner for the safety ol the ship , namely , Dr . Hampton , R . N ., and Mr . Joseph Lane , the captain having determined to remain by the ship , in hopes of aavina her and eargo , keeping the mate and seven of the crew on board , who wera employed pouring water into the holes made by the fire , at the same time constantly keeping the companion , skylights ,
and coats of the masts and deck wet At midnight , light breezes and fine weather : towing the boats astern with passengers , the flre still Increasing from midnight to four o ' olock a . m ., when the crew that were in the boats were ordered to oome on board to relieve thosa that had been working all night . At daylight , being in sight of land , the Captain determined to break into the ship , by cutting away the eovering board where the fire appeared to be most rapid . Got some casks of water filled on deck . At six o ' clock am ., all ready , and the ship ' s company all en the spot , also Dr . Hampton and Mr . Joseph Lane to assist , commenced cutting away with the broad adse , and pouring water into the hold . At eight o ' clock am . the fire appeared to be abated , and the half-deck hatches were broken open to find the extent of the fire . The hatches being broken
open , water was thrown down as fast as possible . Cleared away the half-deck , and feund nearly all the sails were burnt and the ship's stores and provisions all spoiled by the fire . At nine o ' clock a . m ., the fire appeared to be extinguished . A sail in sight inshore : seat away by Mr . Lane and five men in the ship ' s gig to provide a passage for some of the pascengers , the ladies having appeared to suffer much from alarm and being in the boats all night At eleven o ' clock a . m ., returned , and reported the vessel was beund to Rio , and that the captain would take about six passengers . Captain Hosken then put on board Mr . and Mrs . Bradley , Mrs . RoBe , Mr . Garrett , Mr . Perry , and two Bailors . At noon tbe captain returned to the ship , hoisted up thepinnance and gif , towing the longboat astern of the ship . Pumps duly ' attended to .
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" 27 th . At twelve o ' clock , p . m ., commenced iiguc winds and pleasant weather ; made all possible sail , plying to windward . At four o'clock , Her Majesty ' s brig Fantome spoka the captain , kindly offered ns assistance , and sent a boat aboard , with one ; lieutenant and Burgeon to inspect the state of the ship * and tbere were no symptoms « f the fire to be sann . The Fantome ' s boat left the ship . At eight o ' clock light winds and clear weather ; no appearance of fire ; employed throwing water over tbe bnrnb part of the ship . Midnight , ditto weather ; threw mere water over the ship . At four o ' clock son ., a moderate breez * from W . S . W . running along the land ; set all « tuddinf-sails At noon no appaarance of flre .
" 28 th . Lat observed 23 SO , long . 28 , commenced with a fine breeze and pleasant weather . At three o ' clock , p . m . found the wool to be on fire in the hold in the same plaoe as before . All hands were immediately ordered to pour water on the flre , and to take the burning wool on deck . At four o'clock p . m . there was no flre to be seen but some of the wool was still very hot . At eight o ' clock light wind and cloudy 1 no appearance of flre ; seta watch in the hold to watch for the flre breaking out again . At daylight saw the entrance to Rio harbour , bearing N . E by E . At noon appearance of fire . Lat 23 9 S ., at four o ' clock p . m ., anchored in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro . ' *
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EXTENSIVE FIRE AT LIVERPOOL . . The promptitude , energy , and fearless activity of our admirably organized police force have made fires of ah extensive and destructive character of but raro occurrence in this town for several yeara past . On Monday evening , however , a fire took place near the Prince ' a Dock which fjr a long time baffled all their skill , energy , and courage , and occasioned , we are sorry to say , the destruction of a large amount of valuable property . Tne fire in question took place at a large bended warehouse situate in Galton-street , Dondeo-Btreet , and Gia 5 gow . 8 treet , axd is , we believe , the property of Sir John Tobin . It is called Tobin ' e bonded warehouse .
No . 212 . The frent , or gable end , which looks to the west of tbe warehouse , is in a narrow street called , we believe , G ! a « gow- £ > treet The south aide of the warehouse is in a rather broad street , now called Galtonstreet , bub better known by its former name of Robertstreet North . Thfl north side of the warehouse is in a narrow street called Dundee-street , on the opposite side of which is a long range of lofty warehouses . On the eastern tnd , tbe warehouse adjelns private dwelling-houses . The upper stories of this extensive warehouse were filled with cotton , coffee , sugar , rice , fee . The vaults , we believe , are stored with materials of a still more inflammable character , such as palm oil , turpentine , and rum .
The warebonse , we understand , was dosed at the usual hour , four o'clock , and all was then safe , as usuaL In little more t >>» n an hour after , or about twenty minutes past five o ' clock , smoke was observed to issue from tbe door ef the jigger loft , and very speedily the flames became observable , and spread with remarkable rapidity . Information of this was promptly communicated to the nearest police station , and at halfpast five , Mr . Whitty , Superintendent Leverett , and other officers were on the spot Engine * quickly followed , and though the flre bad then gained considerable head , it might probably have been subdued before it had penetrated to the story underneath , had there been an
abundant and ready supply of water . But this was not obtainable . In the course of time , however , the watermen arrived , plugs were opeaed , water carts , and ths huge tank belonging to the flre police , drawn by s&ven horses , were put into requisition , and a plentiful supply of fresh and salt water was obtained . The tank and carts drew their supply from the dock , the tide being nearly out , and the basin almost empty . Three engines were also placed at the dock , to furnish a supply for tbe working engines , of which there were , including one or two belonging to insurance companies , no less than fourteen or if teen at work within an hour or so after the commencement of the flre .
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LAWS AGAINST POLITICAL SOCIETIES WHICH MAY BE CONSIDERED AS ON THE POINT OF BEING RE 7 ITED . ( From ihe English Chartist Circular . ) Political societies are regulated and controlled by two acts of Parliaments , namely , 39 Gao . 3 , cap . 79 , passed in July , 1799 ; and 57 Geo . 3 , cap . 12 , passed in March , 1817 . The act 39 Geo . 3 , is "An Act for the more effectual Suppression of Societies established for seditions and treasonable Purposes , and for better preventing seditious and treasonable Practices . " "It tiiacts that ejery society ( political ) shall be ( i temed an unlawful combination and confederacy in any of the cases following : — 1 . "If any member take any oath or test , snbszribe any declaration or engagement not required by law . "
2 . " It the names of any members be kept secret from ihe society at large . " 3 . " If it have any committee or select body , the members of which are not known to the society at lar ;; e to be members of such comniittae er select body . " i . " If it hrve any President , Treasurer , Secretary , Delegate , er other efflcers , whoss election snail not be known to the society at large . " 5 " If any of ths names of the committee , select body , President , Treasurer , and other officer , be not entered ia a'buok or books open to the inspection of all the members . " TLsis act specially named the " London Corresponding Society , " bs one of the societies to be put down . This s- * ci = ty had no secret proceedings , and might therefore Lave continusd in existence under another name : but it had " Divisions , " or branches , and held intercourse with other Eocitties aa thus connected , in various parta of
the country . Its purpose was to obtain ADncal Parliaments , Universal Suffrage , and Ballot . It was therefore to be € x . iBguished by law , and for this purpose was added—6 . " Any society composed of different divisions or braccb . es , or of different parts , acting in any manner separately or distict from each other , or of which any part shall have any distinct President , Secretary , Treasurer , Delegate or other Officer , elected or app&inted by or for such part , or to act in aDy office for such part . " Having-declared the cases in which political societies sball be deemed unlawful combinations and eonfederacles , it further enact ? ,
7 . " That every member of every such society , and every person who shall directly or indirectly maintain c .. ' rrespondtEce or intercourse with any such society , or v ; : th any division , branch , commutes , or other select bo . iy , president , treasurer , tecrttiry , delegate , or other officer or member thereof as such ; or who shall , by contribution of money or otherwise , aid , abet , or support such society , or any member thereof as such , shall incur certain pepaitits . " The panaltits are of two kinds , viz . 1 . By summary prccess or information before one Justice of the Feaca , on convictioii , a fine of twenty pounds , or three months imprisonment in thb common P * - " . .
2 . " By indictment , on conviction , transportation for " seven years . " It will be seen that this Act prohibited , 1 . All societies kaviDg oathB of any kind , or any tett or declaration , or engagement—which tbe law does not direct to be taken or subscribed . 2 . All societies having branches or divisions , or parts . 3 . All deputations to or from such societies . 4 . All contributions of money or other assistance of any kind . o . All eorrespoadenee with any « nch societies or any member thereof as such . This Act had—first—no relation to separate and distinct societies which bad no secret proceedings . 2 . It did » ot prohibit the appointment of delegates , &cby such societies .
, _ _ _ 3 it did not prohibit correspondence between or with such societies . Thus the law remained until 1 Si 7 . It had become convenient to the Castlereagh Administration to promote and encourage riots and conspiracies , and Castles , Olivers , Edwards , and others , were empio } ed in const quence . Prosecutions became common ; men were transported , hanged , and dismembered ; green >» # * , secret committees , contrived attacks upon tbe Pnace Regent , reports to both Houses of Parliament ware resorted to in aid .
These contrivances frightened and stultified thenation as it w 2 s intended they should ; and gave tbe then adminuu&tvon the power to introduce the Act of 1817 ,
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___ THE NORTHERN STAR . 7 *• ^ — - — ¦ ¦ ¦—* — ¦ —p— ¦ ¦¦ ' h - .. _ . . ' . ¦ ¦ . ¦ . _^ ¦ ___ —
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 17, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct905/page/7/
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