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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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3 TOCKPOBT . GLORIOUS TRIUMPH OVER LEAGUE DES POTISiL—TREACHERY OF A CRa RTIST 1
DISGRACEFUL CO 2 TOUCI OSA CHAIRMAS . . One ofth 038 scenes which , disgrace humanity , took place in the Court Room , on . Monday night . " On Wednesday , thelomi Fnddealy appeared placarded , Elating that a public meeting would be held that evening , in the Conrt Room , at eight o ' clock , to congratulate the electors of London for having returned a "free trader . " But whenihe people arrived there , thej were rewarded for their trouble by a placard posted on the wall of the Court , informing them that the meeting Tra § postponed nntil Monday night , at the same hoar .
Meantime the Leaguers were busy canvassing and mustering their forces , which consisted chiefly of bailiSs , police , shop-boj 3 , and overlookers j but all to no purpose , for the people were not to be tricked by the " freeboofiiig" slave-drivera . At about five minutes to eight o ' clock , the people might bs seen standing about the Court Room door in the wet and cold , while the " gents" who were not prepared with ibeir arrangements were comfortably seated in Jan . ante-room . Ai a quarter to nine
( which « hew 3 the pnnctual and business-like habits of these gentry ) , a whole host of Leaguers ascended the platform . A Mr . Bases , an ex-Mayor , was called upon to preside . He opened the meeting by reading the placard calling it , and telling nstha > Be was do public sneaker j but of course , he agreed -with the object of the meeting , and wonld call upon Mr . Hoixis ? , a factory owner , to move the first resolution , which he did in the same style as the Chairman .
But now followed the dirty-wqrk-doer of the League , s man well known for his bullying propensities j he entered on iha glorious effects free trade would prodnce , and concladed by assuring the people it was the only measure which could procure for industry its full re * ard . The Chairman was about to put the resolution when Mr . Thos . Webb came forward amid clapping and cheering . When order was partially restored , he proceeded with some remarks as to the objects of the meeting , and proposed an amendment , pledging the people to have nothing to do "with congr&tulaung any body of electors who would not p ledge their candidate to support the People ' s Charier . The Chairman noon hearing the amendment read , toss efideutly confounded , when the following dialogue ^ ookplaee .
Csxnosxs— B Will you faTour me with your name V 14 It is Thomas Webb . " " Are you an inhabitant !" B Tes / J ~ Well , I won't put your amendment . M If you don ' t , there is no alternative but to choose another Chairman / 7 To which the whole meeting joined choros . . u Chartists are always coming here interrupting our business . " " Are men w > o come here to be insulted by being told that they hare no right to reply to the false doctrine yon would cram down their throats P 4 i Your amendment shall not be put . "
" Aie you , whose tffioe of Chairman should enable you to protect the rigats of the public after , being elected byihe people , going to rob them of their only priTilege—the right to speak at public meetings !" Here several of the freedom-of-speech-loving league interfered , and proposed to take a Vote whether Mr . Webb ' s amendment should be put or not , when it was decided by a large majority iha * it should I Mr . Wkbbio the chairman , "Are you satisfied now ? ' . Chaqjulx . —I am satisfied that you shall not
Mr . Webb however , did speak . After a brief bnt severe casiigation of the ** free-trade " . electors of London ; for their unblushing robberies of the mantra , makers , and the grasping propensities of the free traders generally , he concluded amid the applause of the people . Mr . Joseph C&bixb next came forward to second the amendment , and shewed up the Whigs and Corn Law Hepealers in their true colours ; but this state of peace was not to last ioEg , the Whigs finding themselves defeated resorted to the meanest tricks they arc famed for ; one of them was to employ a drunken blackguard , who affected to move another amendment , and always took the opportunity of interrupting the Chartist speakers , bat who met with his desert by being hooted off the platform . All was noroar and confusion when a
Mr . Heikok , * lawyer , in true lawyer-like stile , tried to eoETinee the people that the- question wa 3 sot one which the * Chariiste should interfere with . Mr . Stephen Class next followed , and cautioned the people not to be led sway by the specious pleading of the gentleman who last spoke . Mr . Clark proceeded te address the meeting at some length , during which time he was frequently interrupted . the ^ errUe tools of faction . At this stage of tfle proceedings Mr . John AlliBson made hi 3 appearance on the platform , To those who had watched for some time his veering round , it appeared doubtful what coarse he would ste « r , especially as he was observed
to leave the meeting sometime before the business commtnecdj with his ** cut looker" ( who wa the person who seconded the first xesoluiaoE ) also as te fea 3 been waited on = by deputation , from the Chartists , requesting him w > take part in the proceedings , wbich is declined doing ; bnt even the- most doubtful wexe not prepared for the shock which his treacherous speech produced . He charged the Chartists "with ingratitude ; that they -and the Tories had coalesced to . upset the meeting ; that was not the first ; time they had done so , which he said he was . prepared to prove , bnt in which he most signally failed ; that they never allowed a meeting to pass by . wiihoafc violently opposing it . This treacherous betrayal of his old friends deservedy
met wiib . such a volley of hisses , hootlnjg , and groaning , that it was several minutes before there could "be anysort of . order restored . J ? ever did we sea Fuehasmile of satisfaction light up the countenances of the middle classes , who were present as np&n the accession to tneir ranks of xhis new ally . , The night being now considerably advanced , ' Hbe ChIibxas proceeded' to put the resolution , when cries « f " ihe ^ amendment" assailed him from ; all parts of tfce room . He , however , was deaf to ' all justice , and proceeded to read the resolution . He then pet it to the meeting , when tha whole of ! the respectable tribe before mentioned , voted for ] it ; the amendment not being put , the sense of the ; meeting was taken to the contrary of the original ] motion , when a forest of hands was held up against li . A vote of cen ? nre was then moved by Mr . Castes on the Chairman , —carried unanimously—during which he made his retreat ; meantime the police were busy putting -ont the lights and clearing the room with ail their usual manliness . Thus ended one of the most disgraceful scenes that ever disgraced apublie meeting , and one that has certainly given a death blow ts the freelfoofcers of Sioekport .
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the IrHtie - latnr 01 ih-se days to protect the poor . They would see if They looted at the rate of wages of those days that it -would take but twenty-four weeks to purchase a 3 mnch food as could only be obtained now by the operative labouring for seventyfire wef ks—( hear , hear ); and yet they were told that the principles of Free-Trade were to be carried ont still further ; and . a 3 a proof of it , Mr . M'Greggor said that the c , uiy on silk ought to be reduced ten per ceat— ( hear ) . At the last city election the Anti-Corn La ^ League issued a printed placard upon Free-Trade , in winch they s * id that in Spitalfields , EineB the dunea had b ?* n lowered , they were better off—( cries o { »• h 3 fa W ) They all knew to
the contrary . The * iik trade perhaps would better exemplify the evil effects of Tree Trade than any other branch of manufactures , as , while it had gradn&lly increased fonrfoJd , wages had proportionally fallen . The principles of Free Trade meant no benefit to the working man , it wason ^ y intended for the benefit of large capitalists and manufacturers , who by the wpeal of the Corn Laws , knew that they wonld hive the great agriculturists in their power , and then gr-t possession of their estates—( cheers ) . They oujjht to urge Parliament to give them protection . It should be the duty of all those who live by their labour to assist in this one great object , for if they did not , they would bo overpowered by thp ~ ree Tradf advocates "—( applacse ) .
Mr . 5 > ni w seconded ibe motion , "which was carried unanimously . Mr . PtJnpor moved ihe second resolution , which IB as follows : — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the suggestions of Mr . M'Greggw relative to the reducing the dunes on foreign wrought silks to ten per cent , and the allowing of a sum per week to the "present kand-loom weavers , equal in amount to half their earnings , wou-d , if carried into tffect in the present state of cold-blooded Free Trade depravity , not only soon reduce the weavers
to a state of nrsery equal to that they at present suffer , bnt annihilate their trade altogether ; and thereby totally deprive their helpless offsprings of the m ? ans of subsistence , aod suljeot them to the merciless Malrhusisn crnelties that are inflicted upon the inmates of those dens of infamy—the New Poor Law Union Bastile 3 . " He remarked that Government must be aware that they ought to do something for the starving population . By the present system of Free Trade , millions of money were taken from the working classeE—( hear , hear ) . He hoped that the Government would see that the working elates fead justice .
Mr . Malfas , in seconding the motion , said that they oufcht to recollect that Mr . M'Greg&or w& 3 in office when the Whigs were in power , and there was no doubi he would impress his opinion on the present Government . With respect to the allowance proposed to be granted by Parliament , and which was to be given oniy to those who were now employed as weaver ? , that would lend etill further to destroy their trade , as it would cause an increased importation of foreign silks , and thus their wages would again bej r-dueed—( hear , bear ) . Another effect would follow , namely , their children , who were now at work at the looms , would be without employm- nt—( bear , hear ) .
Mr . Bersy observed that Mr . M'Greggor , on a former occasion , when examined before one of the Commissions of the Whig Government , asserted that his object in proposing to give a sum in lieu of w&ses . was in order that foreign goods might bo imported . Mr . Hatch said that the aim of the Free Traders was their own aggrandisement—( hear , hear . ) Mr . Cobden had not denied , at a meeting held at Doncaster that he had reduced the waxes of his
workmen Eve pence out of every eigirteen pence —( hear ) . It w&STBry plain to him that the object of his agitation in favonr of Free Trade was , that the promoters of it might obtain the power of Government ; and , when once they possessed that , the working classes would find themselves in a far worse condition than they even bow were—( hear ) . It was the Whig Governmet assisted by the Free Traders , who ¦ passed thePoor Law Amendment Act , which measure had assisted to bring about the present state oi ' things .
Mr . Shebbabd proposed theihird resolution which was to the following effect : — K That this meeting is of opinion that prohibition is the most effectual remedy against smuggling , and this meeting iB further of opinion that machinery which throws out-of employment human skill and human industry , should be regelated by law , in something like the following manner : — v 1 st—All goods made by snob , machinery to be taxed , and the money derivable therefrom to be devoted to the purchase of Land upon which to establish , as small farmers , the able and willing of those whose labour the said machinery had superseded . ' 2 nd—No person to be allowed to work at the said machinery more than ten hours a-day . * 3 rd—No married woman to be allowed to work at machine labour at all . ' -4 th—No children to bs allowed to work under thirteen years of age , "
Mr . Shereabd here entered into a long argument on the doctrines and practices of the Free Traders , showing the evils that would result from them , if fully carried into effect , not only in this country but any other . As » powerful illustration of this he qnoted part of a speech delivered by Dr . Bowring in the House of Commons , where according to the language of the Governor General , 12 . 0 W ) of the people of Dacre in India , had literally died of starvation throngh the introduction of cotton goodB manufactured by the power looms of Manchester , and yet the liberal-minded Christian gentleman , made no other use of this than to say that private interc-st mnst give way to the general good —( cries of shame , shame ) . He coDclnded by administering a severe castigation to the free-booters , and sat ^ own amidst great applanse . The resolution was ably seconded by Mr . Moffat , and corried with
applanse-3 ir . Wi . THERiXGTos moved the adjournment of the meeting to a future day , to take into consideration the answer to be returned to the board of trade , founded upon the suggestions of Mr . M'Gregor , seconded by Mr , Lane , and carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was given to the chairman and the meeting separated .
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and in other fabrics " » e are receiving Ies 3 by 4 a . ' than we were in 1840 . What has been stated clearly proves , said the speaker , that what haB be 8 n put forth by an enemy la incorrect , and the ¦ weavers could not de bttter than fonn themselvea into a union to look after Bach publications of their enemies , and on their appearance contradict them . He trusted that the principles and rules of the unieo wonld be zealously and parseveringly carried out . The meeting was afterwards addressed by R . Kennerdale , I Holt , and S Bromiley ; the former of whom recommended the
meeting' to act agon the advice given by Sir R . Peel on presenting a petition from the silk-weavers ; be said , " I wish the people could see their own Interest , and take the management of thei ? affairs into their own hands . " If , eald the speaker , this advice be followed , our condition would be materially altered : and had it been followed years ago , we should not have been as we are now—pining in poverty , whilst our employers are wallowing in luxury . After a number cf persons had enrolled themselves as members of the Booiety , the meeting separated .
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to be goodlaud sufficient , aud-tliavihe Saenff had not return ^ the jurors so impartial as the primitive features of the ca ? e of the criminal law required . , ™ ' f ? 2 AU aaid he ^ surprised that it should H » Z , ? ° 8 h a lOT ° « onatyasthe Solicitor-General , that a challenge cannot be made to the arraign ; the « J ? Ww J , r ^?* to avail himself of any privilege the law piovided him , and his objection to that pannel as not _ having been made and chosea indifferently and impartially , was a suffiVtent aqd valid objection . This argument occupied nearly two hours . Their Lordships consumed theobjeettop was not made out , aa uo speci . fled fact had been ehewu that the psnnel had not been Z f ° fh « V ^^ lft > I «« Wly . and the challenge Sed t 0 °° ttllD * The case then p ™' The prisoner , who is a hale , powerful , and goodlooking young farmer , appeared to take much interest In the choice of the Jury who were to try him .
At length tae following persons were sworn on the petty Jury : — William Jone 8 j of Cardiff , gentleman ( foreman ); Thomas Williams , of Merthyt Tydvil , grocer ; David Jones , of Merthyr Tydvil , draper j David Lewis , of Heoi Worm wo id , druggist ; Samuel Savis , ot Merthyr Tydvil clothier ; Thomas Heatpe , of Cardiff , draper ; Jacob Jacob , of Cardiff , maltster ; WUUatn Williams , of Ettt . Village , cordwainer ; William Richards , of Cockhf rbtown , timber merchant ; Philip Taylor , of Harwaln
, ohopfceeper ; George Price of St . Nicholas , gentleman ; and John Roe , Cockherbtown , gentleman . The indictment having been read , which charged the prisoner John Hughes with having , on the 6 t& of September last , feloniously begun to demolish and destroy a certain , kouse , described in various counts as a honse in the parish of Llandilotalyboiit , as a { Iwelling . house , end designated in the different counts as the property of Thomas Ballen ( the toll contractor ) , of thb trustees of the turnpike-road , aad ef William Lewis ( tollcontractor ) .
The ATTORUE- x-GENERALthen proceeded to address the Court and Jury . It was his painful duty , he said , to appear for the prosecution . It was most necessary that the law should take its course , and he would endeavour to point out to them the nature of the charge alleged against the prisoner . . The charge here ¦ was founded upon an Act of Parliament which had passed in the reign of George IV . By that law it Mte 8 enacted that persons tumultuonsly assembled proceeding to pull down a house , dwelling-house , ot office o ? any description , should be guilty of a felony . The crime was at the passing of the Act punishable by death ; but since then the person fouutl guilty of violating its provisions was subjected to a minor punishment . What bad occurred in tbia case ? Had there been a riotous
and tumultuous assembly ? He should proceed to show them what had happened . On the night of the Cch of September , or rather on the nioriiiu « of the 7 th , boi-weea the hours of twelve and one o ' clock , a number ef persons , at least from 100 to 200 , wero assembled , many of them were on horsebadk , and they proceeded to the Pontardulais-gate—which he understood was one of very ancient date" ; be believed that it was one that had existed within the memory of most persons acauainted with that part of the country . He had
next to call the attention of the jury to the sppearanca of the mob , and to the manner in which they had provided themselves with arms and implements of destruction . It appeared that some of the mob were disguised , so as to give them the appearance of women —they were arrayed in female attire ; they had their faces blackened , and many of them had arms . Shots ¦ KexQ fired , aud in one instance , wljeve a gun had been tak' n , it would be shown that it was loaded , aud then the mnrk 8 of shots would be proved to them to have been visible on the toll-house . It would be also shown
that tba mob had implements of destruction of various kinds . Sledge-hammers , and pickaxes were found upon tbein . With these weapons the werfc of destruc * tlon was commenced . All the windows were broken , and the endeavour was made to pull down the house . That work would have been completed but for the interruption given to it by Captain Napier . There could be no doubt of the riotous character of this assembly . Tken comes the most important question , what has the prisoner to do with this ? It would be shown he was not merely present , but Was taking an active part in
all tbia . Hla dtess was disguised , h \ a face was blackened , when arrested by the police , who bad taken measures to prevent that riot , which was anticipated , from being completed . The Attorney-General went at some length further into tho case , expressing his assurance that the Jury would weigh dispassionately in their minds the evidence that Would come before them , and return their verdict agreeable to their conscience ; if there could exist , or there should exist a doubt in the proceedings , to give the prisoner the benefit The Learned Attorney-General was more than half an hour in his address .
Capt Napier being called and sworn , was examined by £ jir W . Follett—Is the Chief Constable for the County ; went on the 6 th of September to Pontordulais , accompanied by Mr . Llewelyn , Mr . Dillwyn , aud Mr . Moggridge , arid six police constables ; we went across the country ; started . at ten o ' clock at nigbt ; when proceeding on out route , - we beard guns firing , and horns sounding In different places several times . We halted in afield about 600 yards from the gate ; while there we beard noises , and shots fired , and a number of hones trampling on the opposite side of the river which divides the county of Glamorgan from Carmarthen ; the parties appeared to be going towards the Red Lion Inn ; I distinctly heard a voice saying , " Come , come , come , " and they appeared to proceed
towards the Pontardulais Gite ; aud I hearA some say , " Gite . " . It was about ten minutes to one o ' clock , when we arrived at the place . After the parties had arrived at the Gate , I heard a noise the same as breaking of glass ; I desired mj men to fo ) l « w me ; we went into the main road ; I saw three men on horseback with their faces blackened ; they were on this side of the gate that is in Glamorganshire ; there were many more on the other side ; I should Ray from 100 to 250 ; I saw and heard tbem pulling the Toll House down ; the disguise by the three men was particular , and I took notice of them ; they appeavad to me to be directing the other parties . I ordered my men to fall in , and we proceeded towards them ; I called out " stop /' when one of them on horseback turned round and fired at me ; I was hot hit . I desired my men to mark that man , and I went up to his horse and fired at it . In endeavouring to make off , one of the parties fell
from bis horse , and I afterwards saw the same man , whom I believed to be the man that fired at me ; while scuffling with him he was shot in the arm , bnt by whom I ao not know . There , was more firing after this . I did not succeed in capturing the man at that time , because I was struck down . The dress the man wore was a particular sort—a Druid ' s dress ; the most of them were disguised in various ways ; I had time to distinguish the dress of the man who shot at me , and recognised him again when shewn to me by one of ray men . The mob afterwards retreated over the bridge ; I saw some in custody that night at thb toll-gate ; the prisoner at the bar was one ; he vaa the man whom I have described as being in the eciiffl i with me . There were , two other uien also taken ; they were also in women ' s dress , with bonnets on , and pieces of fern stuck in them . After the mob had dispersed , I observed the toll-house doer was broken in , and the windows wholly demolished . ; the floors were torn up , and the gate
broken down . Cross-examined by Mr . Hiix—• It was about ten o ' clock when we set out from the toll-gate . Had to go ten or eleven miles . Did not go the nearest way , and were all on foot They bad not arrived at the field spoken of five minutes before the people came . Received the information on which they acted about four o ' clock in the afternoon . The field was about 400 or 500 yards from the toll-house . Heard the noises as of moving towards the gate when in the field . It was there also witness saw and heard the signals . It was about au hour in point of time , and fire miles in point of spaee , before thta that they first heard them . When they arrived In the field and became stationary there , the mob appeared to be upon a road on the other side
of the river . They there beard them attacking the tollgate . The three men on horsebaok were on the Swansea side of the toll-gate . The mob appeared to halt at the Bad Lion , and there fired ; a volley and cheered . Was a yard ot two in advance of his men when the pis * tol was fired at him . Did sot . recollect that be then gave the men any other directions than to " mark" the man . Had previously given them general directions how to act . Still believed the man fired at him with a pistol . The affair between them was the work only of a moment The mart fell from his horse from the effects of shots from behind . His men were behind . Had not given thtm instructions to fire , nor any instructions , save general orders for the occasion . There had been all the time a continuous dropping fire .
Lewis 'Llewellyn Dillwyn , examined by Mr . J . Evans . —Accompanied Captain Napier on the 6 th of September . He heard Captain Napier call upon the men who were destroying the gate to desist Did not know whether the shots which / were then fired proceeded from the men who advanced against Captain Napier ' s party . He flted at one man ' s horse in the hope of being able to captnre the man . ( Toe witness here detailed the particulars of a struggle he had with another of the meu , who was captured ) . His name he found to be David Jones . H © saw the prisoner at the bar also in custody of toe police ' His face was blackened . The gate and toll-house , which he afterwards examined , were in the state described by the two former witnesses .
Uuss-examined by Mr . M .. CHAMBERt—He had loaded pistols in bla band when he advanced upoathe field . Did not know whether the policemen , when in ( he field , had their pistols in their hands or not Believed they hod them about them . It was when they were close to the crowd that Captain Napier called upon the rioters to desist . He ( the witness ) bad four pistols . He Mas close to the horse at which ho fired—in fact , touched it—aiming at the side of the borse . He was much pressed upon by the crowd , but he was sure that tbe ball of the putol could not have hurt any one about
him , unless it passed through the body of the borse Had no doubt that the bullet entered the ribs of the hofse . The horse got away . Hia itfee witness ' s ) evidence had cot been taken before . the magistrates , and the present was the first time he bad been examined . Henry James Peake , examined by Mr . E . TaPGHaN WiLfcUMS ;—Was the superintendent of the constabulary forcu of the county , and on the 6 th of September at ni *; ut accompanied Captain Napier , &c . ( Here the witoebs confirmed the evidence of the preceding witnteses respecting the poises and firing of the mob
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already diBorioed , tae i aiiv-iico of Uuptaiu Njpior iina party ; the destruction ^ of tbe toll-hou 3 e , and of tbe gate , &c . ) He thoughttthe mob was composed of about 250 persons . Whon the R ^ baccaites at the gate were called upon to desist , ; they fired upon , and rode towards , Captain Napier's party . There was a general scifflo , and he saw Divid Jones , one of the rioters , taken into custody . ] ( The witnesB here tiroiluced some powder-horns , a shot-bag containing some shirt , taken from the rioters , also a variety of articles composing the dress and disguise ot the Rbbeccaltea , all of which wejee taken from them by the police . He also produced some tin-horns , aud two or throe cow-horns whlcn had been likewise taken from them . Two large sledge-hammers , a pickaxe , a crow-bar , a cleft ; , —a sort of minor battle-axe , — used for cutting iron , two old guns , and other weapons were also produced . The hammers and cleft were weapons of a most formidable description . )
John Price , examined by Mr . Evans . —Is one of the Swansea police , and was at the Pontardulais-gate . As he approached the gate ho heard the sound of horas and the firing of guns ] by a number of people . He heard tbem demolishing tb . 9 gate , and saw a great number ot pesona oa horseback on the Swansea side of the gate . He heard Captain Napier say " Stop firing . " He then saw a man discharge a gun at Captain Napier , dressed In white , and something red round his neck . H ! b face was blackened ; After the man flred , somebody
in the mob cried out 't Pigbt to the death . " A great many guns were then fired . After the police fired , the horao of tho man wlio fired at Captain Napier staggered and turned round , and the man fell off . I followed him and took him . That man was John Hughes , the prisoner , who got ¦ wounded . He Baid " Let me go , 1 st me go , my good fellojw ; you have broken my arm already . " He said to { him , Where did you get It broke ? " Over yonder , at the gate . He was quite sure the prisoner was the person he saw fire at Captain Napier . j
Cross-examined by Mr . Hill . —Did not recollect the first time that ho told the expression " fight to the death . " This was not in the first edition of his story . Ha did not state it thjen , because he was in 3 hurry ; he was not in a hurry when he gave bis second story . Mr . Hn . L—O ! ¦ William Robertson Williams , examined by Mr . E . B . Williams—Is one of tho police force , and accoinpanied Captaia Napierjto the Pontardulaia-gate , ( The witness then described the same evidence before detailed ) . The prisoner at the bar was the man that fired at Captain Nupier . He received orders to flr « ,
and fired . He saw Captain Napier fire a pistol at the horse under the prisoner Joku Hughes . The horse turned round three times , and the prisoner fell off . He did not see Captain Nipier struggling with him ; he first saw the prisoner in custody . He saw Divid Jones in the toll-house pnlljng up the boards of the tollhouse . Jones struck him on the shoulder with an iron bar . He iminediatly put his pistol in his left hand and drew his cutlass , with which he struck Jones on the head . He picked up the bar afterwards , a tin horn , and a broken powder jffif-k ( produced ) . Jones was afterwards taken into enstody .
Mr . Hjll objected , that this was evidence against Jones , and not against the prisoner . Mr . Baron GURNEY .-j-He ia responsible for the act of the erowd of which he was one . Examination resumed . —He saw the gate broken . He afterwards fonnd the pickaxe produced . Cross-examined . —This was a pick-axe , such as were used for mending the ' roadB , and snob aa were laid about . First mentioned that HugheB was the man on horseback when he ! saw him apprehended on the bridge . There was a considerable bnstle at that time . He did not see any other persons . He had orders from Captaia Napier tcj notice thiB man above the rest . He did not notice either of the magistrates doing anything , or firing . There were many reports of guns firing . Would state that there were not twenty men on foot on his side of ] the gate . There was no Bcuffld between the magistrates and the men on foot . Tnere
were two men on horseback , the prisoner and another . He did not know what became of the other . The reason was that be was wounded—not by the crowd , nsr by his own party , j His sword fell out of the scabbard as he advanced . It fell on tbe ground with tbe point upwards , and he wounded himself with his own sword in the thigh in advancing . This was before tbe attack . Will not swear tbe greatest number of men at the gate bad not straw-hats on ; had not time to reckon them . Stated to Captain Napier that the prisoner was the man who fired at him . Did not state he could recognisa any feature . Has been out of court during the examination . Was only examined once before tbe magistrates . Th « signature to tbe paper produced was his . [ The witness ' s deposition before the magistrates was read , but there was nothing about the prisoner in it . ] He only answered before the magistrates the questions that were put to him . Several other witnesses were examined , and
The Attorney-General here pat In several papers wbich were found upon the prisoner , one containing a 5 s , -piece , the paper fn which it was wrapped containing a statement to the effect that it was a payment for services . It was addressed to " Mrs . Rebecca /' The Court was then j adjourned until nine o ' clock tomorrow , i
SATURDAY . The Court opened at j nine o ' clock this morning , and thd evidence for tho prosecution was resumed . William Lnwis , collector ef tolls at Pontardulais Gate ; John Morgan , a land-surveyor ; and William Cox , governor of the j Swansea House of Correction , were exnmined on the part of the Crown . Mr . HILL then commenced his address in behulf of the prisoner . After some introductory observationB he Baid v—It is to ma a circumstance of unparalleled astonUhmunt , to which I can make no comparison since my long pr&cticu in the profession , that this Commission should have been called , yea , I repeat it fearlessly , why it should have been instituted at alt for the purposes for which it has been designed . It was notorious ¦
now all the world -over that certain tumults had been created in the hitherto peaceable districts in the Principality , in consequence of tbe existence of popular grievances arising from a heavy impost on the community in tbe way { of tolls ; and it were better bad the proper authorities i endeavoured to have appeased the disaffection by redressing their wrongs , if any existed , rather than fly j to the assistance and interposition of Government , in sending its Solicitor General and Attorney General and so many or her Majesty ' s Counsel , to settle by law those matters which a more congenial method might probably have obviated . I must confess , said the learned counsel , that I have been drawn into considerable surprise daring this investigation ; and from the opening ! of the case by my Learned
Friend the Attorney ! General , I bad expected eowe most henieous offence had been committed ; for what else bad I to dread after the powerful description given by him in tbe indictment of filing , shooting , and riotously demolishing a c ! welling house and a turnpike-gate , and that tbe prisoner at the bit did aid and abet in these most serious depredations . A great deal had been set up by the prosecution for the Crown to enlarge upon and magnify this most dreadful and bloody occurrence —tbia most unprovoked outrage —thb spoliation of property ; but he would ask , what after all did It amount ) to ? Where was it ? Why , at Pontardulaia toll-house and gate , which up to this moment no one knew to whom they belonged ; why had not a witness been called to enlighten the Jury
upon this important point ? Again , what tittle of evidence was there to show the participation of his client , the prisoner at -the bar , as having been implicated in this tumult ? Witnesses had been produced who , he contended , had failed to establish any proof ef that nature . It had been said that on the night in question a certain mob had congregated together , end with guns and other offensive weapons had committed certain depredations ; that many were on horseback , and others on foot in great numbers , disguised for the better purpose of carryine their depredations into effect ; that this mob , or some portion of it , attacked tbe tollhouse and gate and demolished them ; but I will fearlessly assert , continued ' the Learned Counsel , that the evidence produced has failed to establish that
fjtct , as will be seen by tbe many discrepancies to which I shall have j occasion to advert Again , wUh respect to the j prisoner at the bar , he would also contend that no case had been actually made out , eo as to bring him within the sense of tbe indictment It was true certain witnesses spoke to the circumstance of three men on horseback being seen on tbe Glamorganshire side of the Toil-Gate at tbe onset of thia affray , or rather on the first appearance of the police force at the Toll House , and that firing had taken place , but it is not exactly satisfactory by whom or which party first Now in this evidence there is some contradiction , for the number of th . ee so mounted was shortly reduced to two , and subsequently to one , and who was tfeat ione ? the prisoner at tbe
bu ? No ! lot a policeman who was very particular and certain In his testimony has sworn it was a man by the name of Hugh , and not Hughes , the prisoner at the bar ; there were two names , and two distinct persons , —Hugh and Hughes in the proceedings , Tbe learned Advecato then went on to show that in his opinion , and be thought ; it would be that of th 9 Jury also , that the Police bad been tne aggressors ; for it was their duty to have prevented the outbreak , instead of waiting as they did ( altb <> ngb armed by the Liw } , until the alleged demolition was completed . Was this consistent ? Wo ! Again , some of these ^ very armed authorities , possessed of ] pistols , and balls , a&d cutlasses besides , declare that upon the first volley being fired by them , that these poor deluded people , who , be it recollected , bad given every publicity of their approach —ran off as many as could , except those nnfortunate
onea who were captured . Had their rystem of tnai « euvrelng indicated anything like a muiderona mob , beut on the most horrible crime *; as the learned Counsel for tha prosecation tpow ! have It to be thought ? Certainly not j They had been excited by ' sn opinion of existing wrongs , ' aad they Bought to remedy them , though , I admit , not by the best of means Thatpublio opinions nave created public outrages I 3 not a new feature in this country ; bnt to reconcile them by tbe strong arm of the law ; has not always been recommended , as he would shew , by" authority ef ' orle of tho wisest and moat humane men that ever lived : I mean , said the Learned Counsel , JLordCobe . Here he entered into a moat elaborate display of eloquence , wnicti -was listened to with marked attention , in which he touched upon every topic of feeling and bumaDity , and-derelepedinamost mas eriy manner the general detail of the outbreaks , their cause ]¦ and effects ; after whieh be j
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Wmi tar ^ h the claa-n ¦>[ uv-i ^ sce adduced , nuk ' . ng h's remarks ppon every point and turn of sentiment likely in any way to benefit th « defence . 16 cad bp-ia « aid in evidence , continued Mr . Hill , that the tollhouse had been dem .. Visb , - > d— that the gable end v ? as torn down—tho window ami window frames frittered to pieces—and shota and eiu ^ s found in the sashea and other wood work ; but when the deaf surveyor was called , who . belt recollected , had not seen thshouse from the 5 th to the 7 tb , tha v . is the day before , and after the tumult , he swore that the uprights of the wir . dows were not down , bat that they were then standing ; that the- great pulling down of the house , consisted of a few stones being loosened from one of the quoins tor corners ); and that instead of ihe gable-end being in
danger of momentary demolition , there was not a hole big enough for a moaga ts ereap through , much less a man . Now , let me nsk you , geutt « tnen , said Mr . Hill , how do we know feut this qaoin , or corner of the toll-hou 3 e , more properly speaking , mi ^ bt h ave been a nuisance , as projecting further into the road than it ought to have done . The Surveyor has said that the bovr-w'n dow is parallel with the ros ; i , but I am not satisfied which road he means ; and I consider his map a very fallacious one , for in it there are two roads laid down by the toll-house , the high-ro-id to Swansea and Carmarthen , and also a byet / msa road to a mill Now , if this projection , ( and thit is what appears to » n >) ifl into the side road , I mean to contend that no ace baa a right to build upon public ways , and a toleration may
be hbW out to some extent for tbe taking of that nuisance down . There is an special Act of Parliament the Tom understood to mean the Turnpike Act , nn ^ ef which such nuisances were mr . de unlawful , and Ifaei'efote moveafole . Ha v ; ou \ ft -. v ^ am tepeat that , if there were exactions which became- too heavy to bear , it was but right that they should be immediately removed for public benaflt , and for the security of po . b ' . ic peace ; for if things contimi .-A on as they had doDe , wa should shortly arrive at a state of thiugs equal to the iusnrrection in France . I say agaiu , said he , moat emphatically , tbat the magistracy in this case , with th It Captain and Police , were more the aggressors tnar . tlitse
misguided people ; for had they txercisad discretion with their military tactics , the affray might bavd bten prevented before the mob , v-s it is called , cauld nsve come near the scene of action ; he did not know what the Magistrates of Wales might think of their country , but he was bappy to say BuclaixX was not like it . la the latter part of his address , which was embellished by various quota ' cior . s from high Uw and other authorities , tha learned and indefatigable pleader refetvod to the decisions in criminal cases of Judge Foster : md Russell , aud In a most touch-na : aud pathetic appe « . ' . to the minds and feelings of the Jury trusted on a ver < uct of acquittal .
The Learned Connsel occupied two hours aip Sto minutes in his address , of wlr . cb . the above is bat a
uaort outline . Mr . Chambers then proceeded to call witnesses to character , when Mr . David Jones , of Lanon ; J ^ fcn Roea , par ' sh of Lantily ; John Jones , Mansel Arras ; Joshua Je .-. 'fe ' ns ; Robert Jones ; Wm . Thomas , Ty ' r Ciawdd ; David Richards- Daniel Jenkins ; J . 'bn Jenkins , and J hn Rees , appeared and united in giving the priajntu the best of characters . The Solicitor-General then addressed tha Jury in reply ; he spoke an hour and ten minutes . Mr . Biron GURNET then summed up . The Jury retired at a quarter paat four o ' clock , and , after little more than half an hour ' s absence , returned ^ Rith a veidic t of Guilty , recommending the prison ? r to mercy on account ef his previous good character . The Court thon adjourned until Moniay .
MONDAY . Tbe Court was opened at nine o ' clcck tMs morr . ing , and immediately aftecwar . ia David Jonea ami Jo » iu Hugh were placed in the dock . An indictment was then read charging them with baving unlawfully , riotously , and tumultuously assembled , with divers others to the number of 50 , and feloniously begun to demolish and pull down a certain house in the pariah of LlanHlotolybont , the property ef William Lewis and others . The prisoners first pleaded " Not Guilty ;" "butr after a short conversation between their counsel and Mr . H . Williams , their attorney , they withdrew their plea , and pleaded " Guilty . " The Attoruey-Generai . then said , the prisoners having pleaded " Guilty , " he did not mean to press in aggravation of punishment . Mr . H ill then addressed the Court at considerable length in mitigation of punishment .
John Hughes , who was convicted on SxtuTday , having been placed with the other prisoners at the b » , Mr . Baron Gurnet , then addressed the pn . vners , and said they stood severally convicted of a felon ? , and a felony of a very aggravated description . The Jury , after a long and patient hearing , bad founri John Hughes Guilty ; and the prisoners , David Jorss aad John Hugh , had pleaded Guilty to an indictment 'if . a similar description , and their Learned Counsel , in his address U the Court , had very properly impressed upon it the contrition of Jones and Hugh , waieb they had manifested , and which was intended to recmmend them in some measure to the mercy of the Court . This circumstance was net forgotten , but still an txample was necessary . They , from , the respectability
which they had formerly maintained , and the rank of life which they occupied , were persons of wboia it was par ticularly necessary that an example Bhoutd be made , to deter othew from a repetition of theie crime . They were all liable to be transported beyond the seas for the term of their lives ; but , considering all that had been stated with respsct to Dxvid Jones and John Hugh , the Court was of opinion that it was impossible to pass a less sentence than that which he was about to pronounce ; which was , that each of them should be transported for the term of seven years . With respect to John Hughes , the Court amid not entertaiu tile same view of hi" ? case . He appeased to be one in a station of society far above tbe rest : one . not likely to be misled by otters ; and yet upon the evidence proved to be a leader , if not tha leader of ibis lawless multitude . His conduct at the time , as well , as the papers found is bis pocket > demonstrated , at least .
that be was a leader—that he was active in collecting adherents and associates , and that something like threats had issued from him against those who were not forward in joining his illegal course . He had been recommended by the jury to the mercy of the Court . The Court felt extreme difficulty in any degree lessening the punishment whfch the law awarded to his offence . The law Baid be was liable to transportation for life ; but giving all consideration to the recommendation of the jury and to all the circumstances which had been eo ably stated by the learned counsel for the prisoner , the Court was of opinion that he be transported feeyond the seas for the term of twenty years . As to any further extension of mewy , the prisoners must recommend themselves to the grace and mercy of tbe Crown j but that mercy could not he expected if offences ef this kind were repeated aad the peace of the country were not fully restored .
In the case of David Lewis , a labourer , against whom there was a charge of feloniously and malicious y cutting and wounding . The Attoenet-General sai < 2 thai , on looking over the circumstances , he felt disposed to eater a nolle prosequi . The prisoner was then discharged . Lewis Davis was then indicted , upon the oaths of William Chambers , the younger , of LlanelJy , in the county of Carmarthen , gentleman , and another , witb unlawfully and maliciously throwing down and destroying a certain turnpike-gate in the parish of Llaudilotoiyfaont " The prisoner having pleaded Guilty .
The attorney-General said that he had given his best attention to this case , and did not feel it necessary to press for the judgment of the Court upon it , as he should consider it sufficient that the pmmer should enter into bis own recognizisces to appear aud receive the judgment of the Court , if called upon , Tho prisoner then entered into his own recognizances for £ 50 , and was discharged . Morgan Morgan and Esther Morgan also pleaded " Guilty" to an indictment tor being feloniously present and aiding and assisting Margaret Jlorgnn to maliciously cat 3 nd wound Charles Frederick Napier , of Swansea , gentleman , with Intent in eo doing to prevent ths apprehension of one Henry Morgan .
The Attorney-General said , that he would ez ' a nolle prosequi to the cfearge of felony against thuse prisoners . Considering their advanced age . and other circumstances connected with the case / he should be satisfied if they were discharged after entering into their own recogHlzmces . The prisoners , having entered into their own iecognfzinces for £ 50 each , were accordingly discharged . Margaret Morgan , Bees Morgan , and John Morgan likewise pleaded " Griilty /' . the * first to an indicttiifcnfc charging her with maliciously cutting and wounding the before-mentioned C F . Napier , and the otherpria' . nfttB with having been feloniously present ) and aiding aad assisting her to commit the said felony .
The ATTORNEY General entered a nolle pro ^ qui so far as regarded the felonious charge against the prisoners , and observed that , having ascertained iUt circumstances under which this aggravated assittlt bad taken place , he aid believe tba t tbey were under a mistake with respect to the right to resUfc Tfod £ r these circumstances he was not disposed to press for a severe punishment in thia case ; but , as the law had been re-Ststed , the" offence must ; at the Bame time , be marked by some sentence which would manifest the acrvere displeasure of the Court .
The Learned Judge then addressed the prisoners and sentenced , Margaret' at ^ rgati to imprisonment for si * months , and Rees and John Morgan . fpr tweite months . The Learned iBaion " ftaf&er ofcaeryed , tb ^ V the Court had received information , respecting tb . e > , goodness of their charactersrprevipusiy to 1 these Qffences . ajidr that that was the only Reason . why be' ^ had ^ Bbt con . aideredifc necessary to sentencef them tbOhard iaboui also . .. " . ' ¦ ' _ ' ' ' - ; ; ~~ -1 '•" : ;¦ - ' - ¦ - " ¦' ¦ ' _ . ¦ : ' \¦ " \\ - ^¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦ , Mr Baron Gcrney ; then ^ a ^ d ^^ g ^ Gra ^ i Jury thanked them in the nam ^ of the cottntyj Iw vices tbejihM performed , and dfecb ^ ged thfemi Hta Lordship also , In ^ iscbirging trie . pett ^^ Jury ; espR 38 ed bis regret that theyShould ha * e $ eeii take * fibm their homes at ah umisual period of the yeiw ; tiiaoidng them at the same time for the iuanner in . which they bad per : formed their duty . T ' ! '' C - The juries thed retired , tod Uxepifoceediags of the commission ; terminated . - ; ' - ' ( Continued in our Eighth page . )
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THE BOLTON HAND-LOOM "WEAVERS . We have received the following Iqttg and accom panying report . We can see no reasfflPwhy both were not sent on Tuesday , the 24 th , Instead of Saturday , the SSth , in which case the report would have appeared in oar last : —
TO THE EDITOB OP TBE NOBTHEKN STAR . Sib , —You wonld oblitre the Committee of the Hand-Loom Weavers , by inserting tbe enclosed report Cjpies have been sent to several papers , requesting insertion ; bnt knowing that yon go to press early in the week , we deemed it useless to send yon the report for the present Saturday . Hoping that you will give publicity to it in your next , you vf 111 oblige , Yours , &c , Isaac Holt , Secretary . Bolton , October 28 th , 3 S 43 .
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MEETING OF BROAD SILK WEaVERS OF SPITALFIELD 3 . Avsry numerously attended and highly importantmeeting of the Broad Silk Weavers of Spitaifields ¦ was held at the Girls * School Boom , Abbey-street , Bethnal-green , on the 25 'h ult . ; Mr . Dels / ore being called to the chair introduced the proceedings by by a few excellent remarks . TbeSECHKTABT then o * elivered his report , and read the memorial which was signed by 8 J 349 weavers Xeojiesting that the cause of their distress might be enquired into ^ He aid that as the interview which took place « a the delivery of the memorial by ihe deputation ^ they sa ^ Mr . . M'Gieggor , and informed Urn thai tfiey found the distress among
She weavers to be mest extensive , as there were many who "were In "work had not & bed to lie upon Formerly , "when their trade was protected , there was abont ^ 29 , 009 weekly expended in wages , whereas since the repeal of that act there is not above £ 10 , 000 received weekly by the operatives . 3 < Ir . _ M'Gre » or said tbat he knew Bmugglnig was carried on to a great extent to the injory of fee alk trade , and thai one plan of improving the trade vrooldJbe to reduce the duty on Bilk to ten per tent , while h ; was his opinion if some allowance ¦ was granted by Parliament to tbe-journeymen ¦ weavers , that would assist in removing the evil complained of .
Tee report having been received and adopted , Mr . Sbsbju « 3 > moved &e first resolution , which was to the following effect : — ^ That this meeting is decidedly of opinion , wlich opinion is the result of twenty years' experience , thai ibs doctrines and practice of Free Trade , EO far as they have tap . allowed to be carried ohs , have oeeu pfroancilTB © f more physical injury to the great mas of ibe people of this conntry than an invading armyj and more subversive of every principle of morality aud of oar holy religion than could h&ve been effected by Jhe introduction of the abominations of Joggeroant . The principles of Christianity are truth Justice , charity , and good-will to all maaJrlnd ; while free Trade teaches every species of Iving and frand
. Instead of justice it tan&rions robbery especially the robbery of the poor instead of charity itmaiws cruelty of the worst species ; sad instead * f good-will to all mankind , inflicts evil upon the pifcs of the comninnity , benefiting only blostea wpi-H&ste wLose gold 5 s their god V He observed that w doctrines of Free Trade had had aiair trial , \ and x *? yfaiin& themselves in a most deplfcrable condition —icries of "hear , hear ) . The prieiples of protection Trf It ? carried oat in the reigns el Edward Ail-, Biehard 1 L , and succeeding reigns . It ap-PeMea even in those days of feudal barbarism , the ^^ th err acts vras always to protect labour , wkiiethere were aT = o acts regBlstiugthe price of pronsioas : $ p % ' ait thera appeared a desire on the part of
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HEETirG OF Haxd-loom We ^ vehs —On nday last , a public meeting of tbe above trade , called by placard , -was held at the Lord Nelson public-housa , to take into consideration the best means to adopt whereby they might obtain a share of the benefit arising from the present revival of trade . Ellis Gregson , band-loom weaver , tiu called to the chair , and after reading the placnrd convening the meeting , called up # n Isaac Holt , secretary , to read a Dumber of rules and regulations for their fctnre government and protection , which had been drawn up by a committee appointed for that purpose , and -which were submitted to tbe meeting for their adoption . The roles were accordingly adopted , and it was TinanimoTisly agreea tbat the society then formed
raould bs called "The H 3 nd-loom Weavers * United Association for the protection of labonr , and for the adoption of any other plan that may t > e deemed most conducive to their future welfare . " After tbe readina and adoption of the rules , the Secretary said , their object was to f » rm themselves into a friendly nnion ; for it was only by unity and friendship , co-operationand determination , tbat benefit was received . The clergy have their onions ; the aristoercy , and in fact all parlies HjisbiBg to carry ont &nv specific object , whether it may tend to tbe happiness or misery of others , are banded and united together 1 and hi -what more holy cause ceuld then be united than in endeavouring to gain for their starving wives and children bread to eat and raiment to -wear ? He was
glad that the rules had received their nnarumons approval Thomas Smith wts then called npon , and said , a paragraph had gone the round of the newspapers , -which -was calculated to place their present position in a wrong and nnjasi light Before the Britinh public ; and be thought that if tbe asseciatioi ? just formed ouly attended to snch misstatements , and on their appearance exposed them , it -would merit the approval and support of the body st large . Tbe statement v * . *« ch appeared in the Liverpool Times , and since that has been inserted in various other papers , both local and provincial , is the foi ' . owing : — «« Our renders will leasn -srilL pleasure , that thit long-Bnffaring and unfortunate class O * workmen ( the hand-loom weavers ) iave come ia for a fall
share of the benefits of the present revival of the cotton trade . Frem the great demand for those beautiful fabrics the ( monseline-de-laineB ) the cloth of ¦ which is better manufactured by hand than by the power-Joom , they are mostly fully employed and are receiving beiicr wages Vtan they have received at try time previously for ihe text ten years . - ' This , the speaker , denied ; it was a falsehood , and the person ¦ who firtt concocted it , must have Jrnown at the time that he was not stating the truth . The following statement worrld show wbat they had received , and after the meeting Tiad beard it , they would be able to judge : —Bolten counts of reed * : and prices paid for different fabrics of work during tbe last ten years : Yea * . Mea . Year . Price .
8 . d . s . d . B 0 iced sprig check 18 S 6 34 . 6 3843 8 6 50 „ p' -ain sprig ... ..... „ 13 8 „ 80 50 „ ttpe check „ 7 8 ,, 4 6 30 „ 1-no check „ 9 0 ,, 5 6 66 „ mon ? elin » -de-laiiie ( 1 in dest ) ,,.... „ 6 6 „ 4 0
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THE " REBECCA" MOVEMENT THE WELSH SPECIAL COMMISSION . The Special Commission for the trial of the , Rebecca rioters opened at Cardiff , on Thursday , the 26 th , at eleven o ' clocfc in the forenoon . The presiding Judges were Mr . Baron Qurney and Mr , Justice Cresswell . The usual preliminaries having been gone through , the Commission was opened pro forma , after which their Lordships attended Divine Service , at tbo parish church of Saint John . The court again re-opened at two o ' clock . The Grand Jury having been sworn in , Mr . Baron Qaraey proceeded to deliver his " charge" as follows : —
«• Gentlemen of the Grand Ic quest , —We are assembled at this unusual season of the year under Her Majesty ' s Commission of oyer and terminer , to inquire into the cases of persons charged with felonies aud misdemtJanours arising oat of , or connected with , the disturbances aad outrages lately committed in this county ; aad to deliver the gaol of persons who are detained therein nnder such ebargtB . It is but too notorious that in other parts of South Wales there have been for several months past tumultuary proceedings , large assemblages of persons , generally by night , for the destruction of turnpike-gates . These proceedings , unfortunately , did not receive a check at their commencement , and therefore they grudually increased until they attained a considerable * height . It might
have been expected that the expositiou of the law , the salutary caucions , the solemn warnings of the learned Jut-lgs who presided in South Wales on the summer circuit in the two neighbouring counties of Carmarthen and Pembroke , would have been effectual in bringing the people to a sense of their moral duty ; or , if tbat failed , of tbeir personal danger , from a perseverance in thbB ; practices ; but , I lament to say , instead of decreasing , thwse offences have increased in number , in extent , and in enormity , and have at length reached the county in which we are assembled . Excesses of this kind axe never committed without some grievance , real or pretended . The alleged grievance on account of which they commenced , and have continued , was heavy tolls at turnpike-gatea . When turnpikes were
first established in England , about a century ago , it is matter of history th&t a large proportion of the fanners were hostile to them . They , with sort-sighted policy , preferred bad roads prepared by the parishes to good roads which were repaired by the exaction of tolls . Wiser counsels , however , prevailed , and to those wiser counsels wa are indebted for tbose roads which have been gradually improved , and have , at last , in many parts , almost attained perfection . By the turnpikeroads many districts had been made acct-Bsible which were not eo before : they bave stamped an increased value en thousands and thousands of acres of valuable land . But good roads could sot be constructed except by means of a large outlay ; for that outlay money was nbeessariiy borrowed , for tbe payment of the principal
and interest uf which tolls were necessary , and gates for their collection . The Principality , has , 1 believe , largely benerltted by this system . The improvement in the roads has been beneficial to all classes . It has opened important communications far trade , for agriculture , and for pleasure . Tbe facility afforded to travelling has brought into your country , bo rich ia Bcentry , numbers of persons who would otherwise never have visited it . If , in the execution of ptanafor the improvement of the roads , any error has been committed—if the toils imposed by act of Parliament have been too heavy—or if , where trustees had discretion vested in them , they have erred in tbe exercise of it , it was equally the duty and the interest « f those who felt any burden which they thought they ought net to bear ,
peaceably to prefer their applications to the Legislature or to the trustees ( as the case might be } for relief ; and if they believe that any illegal exaction took place , they had in tbeir own hands a prompt remedy by application to tha magistrates in petty sessions ; or , if they preferred it , either by indictment or by action , when a trial wonld have taken place at the assists ; and 1 -will venture to say , that the appeal for justice by even the poorest member of the community would never have been made in vain . I have always found that the claim of an oppressed man was listened to with favour in a court of justice , and ample redress afforded . If , therefore , any grievance existed ia the shape of oppression or illegal tolls , there was a legal remedy . If , indeed , thero are persons who ,
after the money has been lent fur the making tbe roada , and tolls imposed for repayment , have wished to break faith with tbe creditors by destroying their security , tht-y must be disb . ont . at characters . Many a widow , and inuny an orphan , are dependent upon these securities for tbeir subsistence . Instead of that peaceable application for rcdiess which I have pointed out , there bave been large and tumultuous assemblages of persons , generally in the nigbt , diagnised so as to escape identification , armed ia a manner to defy resistance , provided with implements for the destruction of gates and even houses , and who have carried their unlawful and wicked purposes into execution by terror and by violence , extending even ! to an attack upoD the lives of
peace-officers in . the actual execution of their duty . In a country which is governed by law such excesses as these must be pnt down with a strong hand ; they are sure sooner or later to bring ruin on those who engage in tbem The Learned Jndge then referred to the nature of the precise cases as laid down in tbe calendar , and dwelt upon the peculiar features of each as they are set forth , observing tbat he felt assured gentlemen like tbose whom he had the faonenr to address on the present occasion , would enter upon tbeir inquiries and investigation under a full conviction of doing their duty both to tbeir country and themselves . With these remarks tbe Learned Judge closed his address , aud tbe Grand Jary retired .
The names of the petty Jurymen were called over , and , the panel having been formed , they were ordered to attend the Court at a quarter before nine to-morrow morning .
FRIDAY . The Learned Judges took their seats on the bench at nine o ' clock this morning , and immediately afterwards the prisoner John Hughes was arraigned at tbe bar for having unlawfully , riotously , and tumultuously assembled with other persons to the disturbance of the public peace , and feloniously , unlawfully , and with force begun to demolish tbe dwelling-house of one Wm . Lewis , at the parish of LlandilotalybouL Tbe prisoner ( who appeared at the bar with his arm in a sling ) pleaded ' Not Guilty . " The Attorney-General , the Solicitor-G-neral , Mr . Chilton , Queen ' s Counsel ; Mr . J . Evans , Queen ' s Counsel ; and Mr . E . V . Williams , appeared for the prosecution ; and Mr . M . D- Hill , Queen ' s Counsel , and Mr . M . Chambers for the prisoner .
The Grand Jury brought in true bills against John Hnghes , charged with beginning to demolish a tollhouse at Poutardulals , for * a misdemeanour ; against Joim Hugb , for being concerned in firing on the police at Pontardulais , for felony ; against the same Jobu Hugh , for being eoncerntd in demolishing the toll ' house at Tontardalais , for a misdemeanour ; on the same charges . For tbe defence an objection was set up in respect cf the pannel , which was contended to be invalid ; being charged with cot having been made indifferently and impartially by the Sheriff , according to tbe statute . A considerable discussion then arote as to the time and legal features of the objection , in which their Lordships participated . The Learned Baron Gurney referred to the statute , and between his Lordship and tbe Attorney-General some considerable argument arose , and points of law propounded .
The Learned Attorney-General contended tbat the law required some positive proof that tbe pannel had not been properly made , and mere allegation was not a sufficient objection .. Sir W . Follet followed the Atttrney-Genaral , and contended also that there were no proper objection proved :: S to the illegality of the Sheriff's pannel , aod observed tbat , if similar objections were ta become a precedent , the time ef the couTt would be expended in discussion alone , and prisoners in all cases wouid avail tt £ in 8 elves of the system of challenging the arraign , whether there be ground or not Sir William explained at considerable length , and considered the prisoner makirjg a challenge to the arraign , w « s not ^ ell grounded ; and the objection was net tufflcittit .
ii r . D . Hill , for the defence , contended the prisoner had a . legal right to challenge in as much that tbe pannel had not been indfJferenUp and impartially made , aud upon these * grounds he contended at considerable length , that the priE ^ ner was entitled to the benefit of tbe objection ; he d'd not intend to impeach the conduct or intentions of t ^ e Sheriff ; but when an informality exited whether emanating directly from the Sher . ff , notwithstanding the functions of his high office , or from his subordinate c < 3 icer , it must be weighed for the benefit of ths ~ snhjeet . The Solicitor-General had talked abont tie tronbleth ^ t court * of justice would be subject to in admitting & cbaJiwge to the arraign ; bnt be trusted their Lordships we ^ e , as he felt assured they were , the last mea on . earth to think of trouble when the inttrests of a fellow creature were at stake ; he considered the grounds of his objection to the pan »© I
Untitled Article
=- _ . ^ _________ ___ THE NORTHERN STARS ; f
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 4, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct954/page/7/
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