The Express. — London, England, 1848-04-28 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 28, 1848. ....„ sao hat was the superior intelligence of the them to the game tin 'or-ii-war:ich which entitled 'barat members as the electors of Finsbury. (Cheers.) - Thetford with 3,814 inhabitants, and _.. sp ionere was . . i n ete ee. Thetford, with its ...mall population, sent the ..,' a p p s beret members to parliament as Meryl. bone with ";fl7 inhabitants and 11,600 voters. Tate wee an ab ,.s'e-Sa anomalous state of thi f ne. and enabled these small gighs, ander the influence o the aristocracy, completely - iStealise the Minna of the large and populous con ey such as Manchester, Birmingham, and Leicester. ...."-- its were obvious, and were petitioned against, but ...,"-se-.;roperfict electoral machinery the comlaints were 7 " g gea to, and the petitions were merely ) aid on the, i" -- They should first then reform the elecooral o il so as to a llow no number of men in one part of the °Y o gi ' to return • greater n umber of . members to p_arlise than the same number of meet in another. (Hear, There w, re alsotford and Tansto ckGattnn , places of sr) be knew little, except th e, like and old their only manufacture was members of parliament. ~,ii e see was Liverpool, with its 282,000 inhabitants and i n elector:, which also returned two members to parlia ..a ; Cbippeahain, wit while inhabitants and 264 electors, 7.: J og two member' , ; Manchester, with 210,000 in- Stants and 1'2,000 electors, returned two members only. ~,,,1 It would take2nstituencies like Harwich to ~ up one equal to tha t o f Liv, rpool, and yet each town ;used the same number of members to parliament. (Hear, sr.) FOOT English counties, havino together a population of 00 iiihabitants,sent al members to parliament, while all m o d, with four times that number of inhabitants, sent ~33. Now what reason was there why Scotland, whose t it e were remarkable for their ligence, their an d their moral y, should, with intel a population so 3: greater, return a smaller number of members to omit th-ra than Hasse train counties ; It was high time ein soomalous condition in the stave of the represents ,.,s( the country should be c han g ed, and that the bun. na of thoueands of those who had now non votes should be ;end w i t hin the electoral community. (Cheers.) 0 they saw the gigantic Aruba making by coun t r ies in liberaheing their institutions, it sot to be expected that the great b- dy of the ale of England would rest contented with did not their them ask present ,acrd political rights. (Chet cs.) He ogler the example which hail been set by various conti :olitates. There was no excuse tor that. The people &island now possessed privilege, the want of %which, 2, occ asioned revolution s elsewhere. The poorest man the community here eajoyt it a greater degree lserty than, make the ola system, did a German or A prince or nobleman. We had the right of public rilt, the want of which had blown up the French m0....by . ...by ; we had also trial by jury, and the right to petition, an o f which they had abroad. Thin we had a imitative system, iovulving, at all events, some alsr control, which was also wanted abroad ; lee could tell them, from what he had himself seen, that ore countries which had been the scenes of suth great ;and convulsiens, the state of society was live a d. disgrace to & a non and to the century in which wo (Hear.) go was not • prince, noaleman, mt rchant, or spite, whose life or property was sate for a The people there were living under wha t A be here called a perpetual suspension o Habeas Corpus Act, and a dungeon, or perhaps death, -.Abe the punishment of the man who dared to make a eh sigaimt the government. It was to free themselves smell • system of tyranny, and to secure for themselveses a t i g hts which Englishmen had long enjoyed , tie sOroad had risen against their rulers. (Cheers.) seed net say that he hail no sympathy for tyrants by whom the just demands of the people l been refused, and who were now expiating their as in exile; on the contrary, he rejoiced to live in .nwtten the world was becoming freer, and he hoped hap :. than he found it. He rejoiced, too, at this commence -I of& new agitation in this country ' • hut on this subject eta anxious to give them, as Enalishenen, as friends, and noocrats—(cheers) —a few words of parting advice. They .before them the experience of three successful agitations ethical objects—that of Mr. O'Connell for catholic emanci AS., that of Mr. Attwood for parliamentary reform, and .t, that of Mr. Cobden for free trade. (Hear.) These . succeeded for two reasons—first, that the principles asded for were just ; and seconely, that the mode o• aging them, and bringing them Wore the public mind, aoristitutional. (Hear, hear.) The advocates of those goons did not resort to intimidation—to declamatory mi sts and threats ' • they did nothing to exc i t e :or alarm, but they went into the question, fed eat the evil, anti endeavoured by argument rove its existence, and to combine and invite all men in ;Ittempt to remove it. (Cheers.) Mr. O'Connell cora and the agitation far emancipation at a meeting of twelve we in Dublin. That number was ere long increased millions, who by united action so influenced the 6sas and made such appeals to government that their mid could no longer be resisted ; and thus, bye constithe tu sl means, emancipation was wrested from, pehaps, vest government in the world. (Hear, hear ll had before them ex am p les of great political.) ions being carried by the people withoo: bloodshed, Pmt one clam being set in hostility against another, but le union of all classes. No ministry could for any ra of time resist the voice of the people when united for .ommon object, and if all classes were united, no minister -A long be able to maintain the present defective state of elective franchise. (Hear.) If they followed the te aks he had quoted—if they entered upon the question at determination to conciliate and unite, the time would se, and that ere long, when they would succeed in 2 object. He would not tell them that they -:a secure all the social advantages which the young and oat amongst them expected would result from political ,:eel, hut be had no doubt that they would secure all amoral benefits which regenerated political institutions A confer. The resolution which he had to propose was to the fundamental principle of the British constitution being the people shall be fully and fairly represented in the Commons' 'ot Parliament, this meeting feel. bound to express its delibe aninction that the House of Commons, as at present constituted, ism meet this most important and essential requirement. fr. Geezer (a chartist) commenced by expressing a hope the good temper and good feeling which bad been ex. act on both sides would enable them to come to a happy peaceful conclusion. The chartists of Leicester who i been consulted on the question which was to opt. that meeting, had, at a meeting of their : body, almost as large as the present, una ximoudy resolved their concurrence in the mo -lof which Mr. Hume had given notice to bring 3! the House of Commons (Loud cheers) —in euce to the representation of the country, believing it would aid them in their objects ; but id Mr. Hume and the party acting with him .justified in proposing or supporting any measure short of peoples charter, they would then consider themselves at ay to give to such measure their most decided opposi 1. There could now, therefore, be no misunderstand. ss to the course the chartists would take. :mover of the resolution whip be was now called upon second had called attention to the opinion of one ' the greatest authorities that ever lived in this airy. Ho would direct their attention to some 1 aka whic were of very ancient date, and which , e a part h of the constitution of the country. a speaker here proceeded to read clauses from various 401 passed in the reign of Edward 11., Henry 111., , end 111., and other sovereigns, declaring that it was the tof tbe sovereign to heal the wounds of the state ; that 1 prerogative of th e crown was rested in the sovereign for rood of the people ; that the House of Commons should boson by the uncontrolled will of the people; that y male of full age bad the right to exercise the (ran :, and that the laws of the country derived their forte from being enacted by a parliament chosen by , rneral voice of the people. From this it would appear siasteati of advancing we, as &nation, had been retrograd , Mai MI Charts, which all dunes of politicians lauded to the le, tut the principal guarantee and bulwark of British sty, he found, shut out the great body of the people from sat all the legitimate rights which it should have se nd to them. He referred to this to show that all previous .ital revolutions had been of a one sided character, and .the people had been losers by them. It was true their ras bad been acknowledged, but that amounted to hag, loathe experience of all that had passed proved that a class legislation the people could hope for nothing. -these promises had failed, and the Reform Bill had been otter failure. (Hear.) So much for the mottoes by ' . .eh the working chases had been lured to further its 0 001. Another great change which had taken place 'din the last few years was the repeal of the corn laws, 4the working classes had taken no part in that agitation. 141011 were again used, such as " Cheap Bread," " High `lea - and " Plenty of Work." The meeting would . 4 le how those mottoes bad been fulfilled. (Hear, hear.) "did ant say these things for the purpose of producing la einatisfaction in the meeting; he merely wished the ' classes to understand that the people would not be erred by mottoes or passwords from the assertion of their , 045 . (Hear, Lear.) Neither did he wish to say a word . . the prin iples of free trade. Free trade with all the WU his maxim—freedom for those who sold '. lbws who bought. (Cries of "Hear , hear.") • Ina sound chartist doctrine. But free trade ha I not i t f earned by a movement of the people: it had been car . :' ,l by the long purses and great influence of the rejddle ,aies. The middle classes were now making advances to the "ele, and he for one was not inclined to repel those ad. ''''Ate. Their long purses would save the pockets of the ''l4e, and the two bodies united would carry dismay into reeks of clan legislation. Aft er a Bli g ht allusion to - '. 4 repeal of the union question, the speaker proceeded to • -di to the connexion between church and state. The ''mesa of the church were set down at somewhere about 4 , 0e0001. sterling. Now, he wanted to know whether, -tie people succeeded in saving this sum, they w ere to have 4 beuetit of it ? (Hear.) What was to be done with it in . .ulna separation of church and state should be procured ilt support and assistance of the people ? (Hear, hear.) "°TetPeet to the charter, if they had commenced its ' , nation with any fine mottoes, such as liberty, equality, and . 4 twaity, he believed that they would not be in their pre ft favourable petition. '1)1. y did better, they pursued their 4 ; 63 with undeviating perseverance, and they had but one tedtword, which was, " The charter, and no surrender." vo-re sou one erroneous and mischievous opinion abroad IVatting chartist doctrines, to which he wished to give a 7 .40t1I and unqualified denial. It had be en asserted that ts sought for a. redistribution of property. He uNdtedboldlttits...tthere was not one amongst t he chartists .h. ~..ti Is . .... man a farthing of hie reoP,l3',; had no clue legislators amongst them. (Loud ehesrrs.) One word more, and he had done. lie hoped the press : would record that which he was going to say, and it was this: Labour was the source of wealth, but while wealth was represented in the House of Commons labour was not ; and that being the case, it was impos sible for labour to obtain its rights. For that state of things there was, in his opinion, no remedy but the charter. (Loud cheers.) It was impossible for those who lived by the profits of labour to be the fair re presentatives of labour, and therefore it was that the charter was Imperatively demanded. (Hear, hear.) In what he said upon this subject he begged to be under stood as making no allusion whatever to local matters. He thought that on that occasion all present should unite in a hearty effort for the emancipation of their countrymen. (Loud cheers.) Mr. Green concluded by seconding tbe re ',elution, which was put and carried unanimously. The Rev. C. Bantry rose to move the second resolution, which he read as follows That Ibis meeting being of opinion that the time is now fully come when decided and energetic efforts should be made by all dames throughout the country for the accomplishment of the object set forth in the preceding resolution, hears with great satisfaction that Mr. flume has given notice of motion for inquiry into the present state of the representation of the people. The object of this meeting was by moderation and unity o action to accomplish that which would tend m ost to the hap piness of the largest number of the people. (Hear.) He were a decided friend to the ballot, without which it was vain to expect that operatives, farmers, and tradesmen, could in all cases give honest votes. The opposition to the ballot arose from an impression on the part of the aristocracy that to influence elections was a portion of the rights legitimately accruing to them from the possession of property. He was also favour. able to the establishment of electoral districts and triennial parliaments. It was neither desirable or necessary that the excitement and inconvenience of a general election should be undergone every year ; but he saw no reason fur continuing the Septennial Act, the object for which it was passed having lung ceased to exist. With regard to the cetension of the suffrage, he would in the first instance dis franchise the freemen, whom he believed to be the most cor rupt class of voters in the country. But though he would abolish the right of voting on the part of tho free men, he would continue it to the better class of them by establishing household suffrage. Ile would limit that suffrage however to householders of not less than 2-3 years of age. (Symptoms of disapprobation.) Ile was an enemy to great and violent changes, but he thought some alteration was bsol tit y o necessary in the present constitu tion of the House of Commons. Universal suffrage he looked upon as wholly impracticable in the present state of affairs. Mr. J. ELLIS, deputy-chairman of the Midland Counties Railway, in supporting the resolution, said the time had arrived when it was necessary that the suffrage and the political rights of the people should be extended much further than they at present went. He was proud to stand before so magnificent, so noble, a meeting. When ho heard the other day of Mr. Hume's notice of motion, he felt inclined at once to call a public meeting of all classes in the Men on the subject, but he had been told that it might be dangerous to bring such ameeting together at such a time; he, how ever had no fears in that respect, for it was by means of public meetings lige the present that, in England, the cause of truth and liberty progressed. (Hear, hear.) Though lie was as ardent a reformer as any one whom he addressed, he did not go the same length that some of them did. He was an advocate for the ballot and for triennial parliaments. He objected to annual parliaments, the result of which would be to take a men from parliament as soon as he was fit to do his duiy.—(A. Voice, s' But he might be sent again." j—That was, if they did not imbibe some prejudice against him in the meantime. But let them have triennial parliaments, presets tey would haec every necessary control over the re ation., while they would enable those they returned to become efficient members of the legislature. (Hear.) He went somewhat further than his [dead who last spoke on the subject of the suffrage. He was in favour of household suffrage, and he would give the right to vote to every house holder of 21 years of age. Univerial suffrage they would not get, and therefore he hoped that the working classes a ould aid the middle classes in obtaining that which was rational and practicable. It had been said that they had gained nothing by the Reform Bill. Why, the Reform Bill had given to the people of Leicester the power of returning suck men as Sir .1. Widmsley and Mr. Gardner. (Hear.) The Reform Bill hod given members to such towns as Sheffield, Birmingham, and Manchester, and it hail given to the people the power of meeting together, which they had not before. Let them avail themselves of that power, and let the middle and working classes unite t oge ther, and they would ere long obtain everythg which they had a right to demand. (Cheers.) He m was an aovocate also for equal electoral districts, for he could not see the jus tice of large towns, like Manchester or Liverpool, returning only the same number of members as boroughs that had not one-sixth of their popu lation. As far as be individually was e mcerned, the Reform Bill hail given him more than be wanted. It had given him the right to vote for six members which he bad not before; and he held it to be unfair that men perhaps more intelligent than himself should be refused the fran chise altogether because they happened to occupy a house of 01. 15s. a year, while he rented one over 101. (Cheers.) That was neither fair nor just, and he wished to see it altered. (Cheers.) The present meeting -and he had never seen such lone in Leicester before—he hoped would not be thelatt, but that it would be the commencement of a aeries of similar meetings for the same purpose, and induce other towns to follow their example. In conclusion he would say, let both classes unite and demand together from parliament those political rights to which they were entitled, and they would without doubt obtain them. He had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. M r . WHETSTONE had an sympathy with the chartist agitation, though he admitted the abstract right of every man to a voice in framing the laws by which he was governed, but he did not think the time had arrived for the carrying out of that object to its full extent. The last two centuries bad witnessed a gradual advance of liberal principle, but three who talked about " the charter and no surrender " (cheers) —were throwing obstacles in the way of practical reform. It could not be denied that the House of Commons as now constituted did not repre sent the mass of the people. The aristocratic element entered so much into its constitution, that a further infusion of the popular principle was absolutely necessary. lie was prepared to go the length of household suffrage, and many others of the middle classes were prepared to do the same. Were they (the Chartists) prepared to throw away that offer of aid from the middle classes for the sake of that which they could not get? (Yes.) If so they would make no advance. (Hear.) The aristocracy would take advantage of their discussions, and they would obtain no social amelioration—no improvement in the con dition of the people whatever. (Hear, hear.) The interests of the working classes and the middle classes were insepara ble. United they were all powerful, but divided they were both weak and at the mercy of the aristocracy. (Hear.) They could not get universal suffrage, because the middle classes would never consent to give it to three who were re ceiving parochial rilief. (Hear, hear.) lie was not giving them merely his owa opinion, he was making a statement supported by facts ; anti from that they might conclude that of the charter in its entirety they had not the slightest chance. (General symptoms of dissent.) Ile did not mean to contend against its abstract fitness ; all he contended for was, that in the present state of society it would be impossible to obtain it. (Hisses.) Still they might get good and efficient reforms, which, were they obtained, would form stepping stones for further changes. (Hear, hear.) lie was ready to admit that our present government was far too retrograde and expensive, and he must add that the Reform Bill had disappointed the him in not enabling the people more successfully to urb national expenditure. (Hear, hear.) Since that bill passed the expenses of the country tad increased by about 12,000,0001. ; while be believed that, with proper economy, 10,000,0001, might have been saved. That, however, he believed would never be done without another Reform Bill— (loud cheers)—a thing which could never be obtained un less the middle and working classes worked heartily toge ther. (Loud cheering .) In some quarters allusion had been made to physical force. For his part he hoped never to see the day when there would be civil war in England. (Hear, hear.) "He who striketh with the sword shall perish by the sword ;" but there was a great moral power in the people, when united, which would ena ble them gra dually and fely to obtain all their rightful privileges. (Hear, hear.) Before he sat down, he would inform the meeting that the middle classes were prepared to ge with them for household suffrage, triennial parliaments, vote by ballot, and electoral districts. Those boons, by co-opera tion, they might obtain ; but farther be did not think it would be ex pedient to go at present. Their friend Mr. Green bad said that his watchword was "The charter and no surrender." They had now heard what he had to say, and it was for them to decide whether they would nail their colours to the mr st, or accept what they could obtain, like sensible and unpri judicedmen. (Hear.) Mr. Gamey explained that he had not introduced the watchword of " No surrender ; " it had been used since the commencement of chartirn. The Rev. J. F. Mensitee rose to move the third resolu- tiOnT-- That the following petition to the House of Common, founded on go iwolutions fa copy of which has now been read), be prepared, signed by the chairman on behalf of this meeting, and for warded to the members of the borough; and that they be requeded to present it and support the prayer therenf. The TOT. gentleman then proceeded to read the following ißeiiiion : TO TM: 00:40VR.OLV Tor COW/WO Or VTR P entNlTEDamembled, 1if,000,1 the Or Gar.sr BILITAIN ONO IlletANO, in Parliam humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Borough of Leicester in public meeting assembled, Momene,—That your petitioners, believing it to be of the greatest importance, that the representatives of the people in your honour able house should be elected in Fuch manner as to re present, as far as passible, the whole community in accordance with the fundamental principle of the British constitu tion—that the people shall be fully and fairly reprt-sented in the Com- MOM' gouge of he penes themselves imperatively called upon to declare that the present constitution of your hmourable house is not in accordance with this most important and essential require ment.. That your petitioner , are of opinion that great dissatisfaction prevails, not only amongst three who are at present excluded from the elective franchise, but also amongst a large portion of the electoral body at the present state of the representation of the people ; and your petitioners believe it to be noxmary for the welfare of the state and the stability of Its institutions that means shou:d be forthwith adopted for the remedy of this grievance, and that the Stiffing. should be placed on a more just and equal taisis. That your peti tioners have beard with great satisfaction, that notice of mouori has been given in your honourable home for inquiry into this important 1 subject ; and your petitioners earnestly pray your honourable home to grant such uiguiry without delay. And your petitioners will ever _ ...__, 1... h.... •rlelrett. church association eonatdered that if the connection between church and state were dissolved, the property of the former should become the property of the state, and be made avail able for the general expenditure of the country. (Hear, hear.) He congratulated that meeting and the working chromes generally on the advances they were making is the path of political truth. Aristocratic pride and sophisti eel expediency were throwing every possible ob stacle in their way, but still they were making preferment, still they were approaching nearer to the goal of political freedom. (Hear, hear.) It was some years since hi had before met them in that place, to discuss with them the propriety . of abolishing Oaten and old Sarum, and of forcing a reluctant legislature to adopt the Reform Bill. To the passing of that bill there were two parties, one of which looked upon it as en end and a finality, and the other, which considered it only to be a means to a greater and more important end. Of the latter he had been one, and the working of the bill had only convinced him how imperfect it was as a piece I of legislation, and how many were its defects. They did not forget the abominable Chandos clause, or the preservation of the old freemen by that polite renegade Lord Lyndhurst. Then it had left out of the pale of the constitu tion • vast proportion of the British public. In fact, if they were to judge of the Reform Bill by these farts, the best thing they could do for it would be to attend its funeral, and at once set about tutting a better measure in its place. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) Then there was the Municipal Bill, the working of which had driven merry . of the meet useful and intelligent citizens out of the corporations, and thus thrown the working population of our towns into the arras of any leader who might choose to undertake the direction. He believed it was a high, an important, a religious mission to stand forward and endeavour to reunite the labouring and middle classes, to heal the wounds which for so long bed separated the two most important sections of the community. (Loud cheers.) The interest of one was the interest of both, and on both was the interest of the aristocracy dependent. The latter were the gilded capitals of the social structure, but the working cluees were the toundations ; and, if destruc tion come upon the foundations of an edifice, he should like to know what would become of gilded capital or airy cupola. Ile now came to the question of the evening, viz., the for mation of that union of dames which he believed to be es sential to the power of the empire, the welfare and Tempi nem of the people, and the security of property (lice'.) the union in one Leary and cordial phalanx of the middle and lower elegies. ( Loud cheering ) To effect this there must be confidence and truthfulness on both sides—the middle class must not suppose their opt nions were more popular than they really were. They must not endeavour to exaggerate those points in the conduct of the working class of which they did not approve. Looking at the sufferings of that class and their long and unjust expulsion from popular rights, he could not sufficiently admire their patience and forbearance. (Hear, hear.) Starving men must be entered to complain. (Hear.) Nor was it any reason that because • man could not grasp wealth as they of the middle c`asses could, that he was to be excluded from their councils. They should remember that A man's a man for a' that. (Hear, hear.) Let them discard the conventionalisms of society, and look at things in the light of reason. He by no means went with his friend, Mr. Barry, who he was sorry to find in precisely the same place in which he left him 16 yearn ago. (Cheers, and a laugh.) It had been stated that evening by Mr. Greene, that the cry of the working classes must be, "The chance, and no surrender!" (Cheers.) Now he wanted to know what the working classes, who pledged themselves to that cry, really meant by it. (Hear.) Did they mean, supposing that a large proportion of the middle classes of society were to say, we perfectly agree with every part of your charter, but we cannot concede annual parliaments—he wanted to ask that assembly—the principle of the charter and all the most important consider ations being conceded did they mean that they would throw ep and abandon an the rest if annual parliaments were not given at the same time? (.` Noe' from the whole body of the meeting.) Then it was not " the charter and no surrender" that they meant (Loud cheers.) Let not the chartists, then, at • time like this, in a great crisis of the nation's history, inscribe on their banners something which did not corr.ctly convey their meaning. (Hearhear.) There was another pint he would impress i on them not to be impatie o nt for success—not to 'expect all they wished for would come in a day. They must not hope that the middle Ouse' would come over to their views at once—they must convince them by reason and argument that their views were correct. There was many an enlightened end patriotic man who entertained strong objections to universal suffrage, an.lothers agnin believed that the transference of power from the aristocracy to the working classes, which they contended would be the consequence of the success of chartist principles would be unsafe. Those objections must be re moved by argument and reason, ex pect t by coercion. He would further warn them not to too much, should they soccer A. They must net suppose that political changes necessarily brought shout immediately vast social advan tages. (Hear.) If they obtained the charter to-morrow all the social evils under which they labaured would not necessarily cease. The great evil in France now was that the people expected too much as the immediate consequence of their rcvolut ion, and who while they were layieg the foundation of what he hoped and believed would be a free and a noble constitution, were mixing up with it matters which had no legitimate connexion with it. But, worm all, ho would urge upon them to repudi ate physical force, (Loud cheers.) Of all possible evils into which the people could fall, especially at a crisis like this the most fatal was the adoption of the doc trine of physical force. (Hear, hear.) Let them repudiate the man, be he whom he might, who recnmmenled them to employ physical force for the attainment of moral results. While others were making pikes let them make arguments ; while others were sharpening their bayonets let them sharpen their wits. Let them unite with the middle classes and go together to parliament to demand the charter, and the charter would be granted. (Hear.) With regard to the ministry, he thought Lord J. Russell had committed himself, especially in having thrown the deficiency in the revenue on the national debt, and in his conduct towards Ireland, which he feared wouid have the effect of deluging that country in blood. The conduct of the government and the manner in which such men as Mr. Cobden, Mr. Bright, and others, were met when they opposed ministers, allowed that some change in the constitution of the House of Commons was necessary. After referring to the various revolutions which had recently occurred in Europe, and expressing l p a hope that ere bon she Emperor Nicholas would be comp. ed to follow the example of Louis Philippe, Metternich, and others, and seekthe friendly asylum this country offered to foreign refugees, the rev. gentleman observed that if the middle and working classes would cordially -.mite, and wait to take advantage, in a peaceful and constitutional manner, of that reaction which the events of the Continent must produce in this cou n tryt there was nothing mighty, glorious, or peosperous history of this great nation which they might not achieve. (Cheese.) Mr. J. Mutotteet (another chartist) said the body with which he was connected, while they desired to pay the erown its dues, demanded from the crown in return their rights. (Hear.) And in the timely concession of those rights only safety . was to be found. With regard to the proposed union with the middle classes, he was not unfis vourable to it, as he hoped that, if they failed in reasoning the chartists into the adoption of their principles, the charting would be able to reason the middle classes into the adoption of the charter. s peake r, f eare d regard to the question put by the last he it had not been uuderstood by the meeting when they answered. lie be lieved that what the chartists meant to say was, that they would not abandon the charter ; but that while demanding , all the points in it, if they could obtain all but annual parliaments they would take what was offered as an instalment of what was due to them. (Hear.) The gentlemen of the middle classes objected to them, that they would have nothing but the charter ; but had the middle classes anything better to propose ? (Heat, hear.) They would give triennial parliaments, but why not am. nual ? Against that it was alleged that a member took some time to learn his business; but in his (Mr. I Markham's) opinion, if a man lid not know it before be wet, it would e better for im not to go at all. Hear.) I There n was no grea t art, after all, h hi law-making. If ( justice ' and the interests of the people were the guiding princi ples, an efficient act of parliament might be framed; without seven years' preparatory study. (Cheers, and " Hear, hear.") As to the suffrag e, it was the right of every man; and if some poor freemen had proved unworthy, the fault lay not so much with them as with the rich, who had bribed and tempted their poverty, and caused them to abuse their franchise. (Hear.) Neither could the old freemen be taken as a sample of the working classes, who despised bribes and all temilarmodesof corruption. ;Cheers.) The ballot was also a bugbear with some people, but he saw no danger in it if properly managed; and as to the payment of members, if a man devoted his time and talents to the service of his country, he saw no reason why his country should not pay him for them. Many handsome allusions had been made to the late Daniel O'Connell. He did not wish to detract from the memory of that truly great man, but as a chartist he (Mr. Markham) could not forget that it was this same Defile' 0•Con nell who once offered the whigs to bring over &MOM men to put down the chartists. (Hear, hear.) He hoped that this was not the last reform meeting they would have in Leicester. He hoped that all parties would meet and discuss their mutual opinions, and he pledged all his influence as an individual to procure for every one—whether lukewarm tory or rampant tory—a fair and patient hearing. (Hear.) He must confees that he had had fears of Joseph Hume. He had feared that:there was some " dodge" under his late move, intended for the bensfit of I the finality government. Now, however, he was willing to I,loth him in the furtherance of reform; but he warned his friends not to relax thir efforts, for they would certainly have a struggle for thei r rights, and that sooner than they ex r c he te lv. Mr. SCUDINSORS proposed tbe next resolution Thin this meeting bas great satisfJetion in believing that the repre sentative* for bh, Sir Joshua Walny , ley and Richard Gard ner, Er.q., prep aredpep earnestly as promote further parliamentary reform, and dr e g dainis that copies of the resolutions now passed be for warded to them with the respectful request that they will support the motion of Mr. aurae by every means in their power. The ability and faithfulness with which Sir J.Walmsley and Mr. Gardner bad performed their duties in parliament war ranted their constituents in believing that they would willingly support any =MT* for the extrusion of political rights. (Cheers.) The speeches and votes of those two hen. gentlemen in parliament not only justified ible th atltt etyn but glori fi ed the theal though heir . independeece might maks them obnoxious to the maajori forward and pass alien bills and gagging bills. (Cheers.) Mr. Cutest, in support of the monition, said he fully concurred ia the eulogium which had been passed on Sir J. Walmsley and Mr. Gardner. Mr. J. F. WINKS also spoke in favour of the resolution, which was also carried unanimously. A vete of thanks to the Chairman having been passed and acknowledged the meeting separated. IRELAND. APRIL 26. EX OFFICIO INFORMATIONS AGAINST MR. MITCHELL. At the sitting of the Court of Queen's Bench to day, the Attorney-General entered, and mentioned Mr. Mitchell's plea in abatement. The Chief Justice turned an attentive ear to the law officer, and bench and bar were alike hushed while he developed the course to be pursued by the crown. The Attorney-General stated that the plea could not be sustained on demurrer, but for obvious reasons which the court could understand, he preferred to allow the plea, and direct a 'wile prosequi to be en tered on both indictments. Immediately after, Mr. Monahan informed their lordships that the crown had filed an ox tyfifitl in- formation against Mr. Mtehell—an announcement which created some surprise, as no ex qffiPio had been filed by any law officer in Ireland since the Attorney- Generalship of Lord Plunkct. He next requested that Mr. Mitchell should be called to plead in person to the information. Mr. Mitchell having proceeded on Monday evening to Manchester to attend a char tist meeting was not present, whereupon the Attor nev-General demanded that his recognieances should be estrcated. Mr. llolmes and Sir Colman O'Loghlen argued in behalf of Mr. Mitchell that the Attorney-General misconstrued the true intent and meaning of the recognisances which required that the traverser should attend on such days "as the court should appoint," but no day having been appointed for that purpose, of course he was not expected to attend. At all events, Mr. Mitchell was absent, and the notice of appearance baying only been served on Monday, one hour after the sailing of the Liverpool packet, and a special messenger having been despatched the follow ing morning to recall Mr. Mitchell, and his presence in Dublin being expected to-morrow, it was not seeking too much from the crown to defer the motion until the sitting of the court to-morrow. when Mr. Mitchell would appear to the information. Mr. Monahan still persisted, but the court deeming the request of Mr. Mitchell's conneel very reasonable, and the crown not receiving any prejudice, allowed Mr. Mitchell until the following day to appear. In fact, Mr. Mitchell was in Dublin while the contest raged in the Queen's Bench, and, in half an hour after the matter was settled, apeared at the side bar. The Attorney-General having been sent for at the request of the Chief Justice he soon arrived, and spplied to the court that Mr. Mitchell should be at once charged with the information. Sir C. O'Loghlen objected that, by a rule of the court, he was bound to attend only to-morrow ; but tho Chief Justice set aside the objection, and ordered Mr. Mitchell to be imme diately charged with the information. Mr. Mitchell then received a copy of the indictment from the clerk of the crown, to which he must plead in four days.) I A very remarkable occurrence took place to-day at the Irish bar. Only two candidates were called, instead of the usual twelves and twenties. Mr. Holmes, will happened to he in court, regarded the singular phenomenon as indicative of the growth of good sense among the people. Mr. John O'Connell has addressed a long letter to the Lord Lieutenant through the Pilot, of this even ing, informing him that he withdrew his signature from the Downshire declaration, in consequence of the presentation of that document to his excellency and not to her Majesty in person. How that chant's stance can justify the withdrawal of Mr. John O'Connell's signature does not clearly appear. The hon. gentleman also says, that if his excellency will arm the protestants, he, Mr. O'Connell, will recom mend the eatholies to arm. Last night the Kildare-street Club gave a grand ball at the Rotunda, which was attended by about 900 persons. The Lord-Lieutenant and Countess of Clarendon, Prince George of Cambridge, the Duke and Duchess of Leinater, the Earl of Erne, and seve ral other eminent personage.,' honoured the ball with their presence. The Earl of Clarendon appeared in better health and spirits than he has exhibited for some time past. Toe HIXKINOTIAM ESTATEN.—The property in the county of Clare was put up for auction this day, in separate iota, but not sold. After the auction, the entire property, containing over 7,870 acres, was sold by private contract, at a fair rate of purchase, to one geatkman. The Queen's County estates will be for sale tomorrow. A HINT TO THE. COUNCIL OF TIIREZ HI:NDILED.—The Notion recommends the council of three hundred to meet at Kilkenny of the Confederates," ter a variety of reasons. " Should they resolve to adopt this advice," says the Moderator," we understand that the governor of the city gaol will forward them a memorial to postpone their meet. lags, at all events till such time as a suitable addition to the prison can be effected. The gaol is at present much over. crowded, and, indeed, was at no time calculated to give accommodation to 300. It is almost needless to remark also that our district lunatic asylum has not yet been erected." WICKLOW ELECTION.—SECOND DAY'S POLL (Tuesday.) Howard (Id) Monck (C) 316 Majority for Howard 6 SPECIAL CONSTAnLEB.—The following important cir cular has been addressed by the executive to the mayors and borough magistrates of Ireland, inviting their attention to the general creation of a special constabulary force, with out religious distinction: — Dublin castle, April 21, laift—Centlemen, —ln the present ex cited state of many challis& of Ireland, arising from the attempts made to create diaturbunee and encourage resistance to the law, the ford lieutenant is desirous of calling the attention of tar magistracy to the imillattaire of organising a force of specal constables in each parish, under 2 in 3 Win. IT., c. 10S, who will be enabled to act in support of the constabulery, should the public peace be violated by any evitiliaposed persons. His exrellenc7 feels moored that such an urganeation might readily be effected in each district, and that all those who value a peaceful home, and thrive by honest Industry, would, if called upon willingly associate for the preser. ration of order and the protection of life and property. It is, however, of the greatest importanee that the special comatables should be selected from the inhabitants of the district generally, without reference to religious opinions. The cause of order and the maintenance of tranngi c ts are equally dear to those who have any. thing to lose ; and all men, whatever their relgious creed, lava a juet and natural motive for resisting revolution and maintalaim the principles of loyalty against rebellion. The Lord Liestamemg s therefore, desirea to state that he considens it essential to the ensiiMa of this organisation, that all sectarian differences abould be toasty avoided, and that the special constables should be selected out reference to their religiom opinions. By 2 & 3 William IV., e. leg, any two magistrates, on being satisfied by the oath of credible Intners, that any tumult, efersay, riot, or felony, has taken place, or may be reasonably apprehended. are empowered to swear la special constables. It will be desirable, where such a course may up. pear requisite, that the magistrates should fix the number Mb, Mims in for each pariah, and make arrangements with the e nistabuaory se. cer of the district relative to the manner in which their renter meg be rendered available should oecasion require. For this pDe a person ebould be appointed to take the direction of the co each district, and a place of rendezvous arranged where they s&saki assemble when called upon. The officers of the constabulary lon been directed to communicate with the magistrates for this MOM. —I am, he., T. N. REDINGION. CITY oFIKILKEENT ADORTES.—TO WILLIAM FREDERiciT, EARL On CIAILENDOK, Uian IJECTI.CIANT OWILSAL AND OICRIZAL GOVKIKNOIL or IBILAND, &C. We, the tindersigned inhabitants of the city of Kilkenny and tta vicinity, viewing with deep concern the present aspect of affairs la this country, and repudiating wholly the IR/IFlligt used and proceed. lags adopted at the public meetings lately held both here and else. where, do hereby declare that we feel it to be our imperative duty to offer our services in support of the crown and the laws of the land; and we do hereby declare our firm determination to maintiin to the utmost of our power the peace and good ceder of this city. The above address was signed by the Marquis Ormonde and &numerous body of citizens. Cons ADDRESS.—The following is her Majesty's reply to the address of the Cork grand jury : Whi ehall, April 22.—Sir,-1 hare had the honour to lay before t.e Queen the loyal attclress of the grand jury of the city of Cork, assem bled at the late spring moires, tnannuitted to me with your letter of the 15th instant. Ilex Majeaty . has received with great satis faction the assurances conveyed in this address of attachment to her Majesty's throne, of abhorrence of oitrage and lawless violence, and of a determination to aid in the preservation of peace and good order. Iler Majesty deeply smoothie... wth the sufferings which have been occasion.' by the failure of the food of a large portion of the people of Ireland. It in her Majesty's earnest desire to promote the permanent welfare and interest of all classes of her subjects; and I em command./ to assure you that it Ls her con stant aim to attain this important object by the mesas and in accord. with the principles expressed in this addict's. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, O. Grey, To N. Ludlow Beamish, East., Foreman City of Cork Orand Jury. Ilia PARISH PaiEST or BoaRITOTAITE, the Rev. Mr. Bermingham, appeared at a meeting in that parish on Mon day last, and acted as chairman, when it was decided to sub scribe to the " defence fund," and elect persons to the council of 300. What this " defence fund" may be needed for will receive some elucidation from the recommendation of Mr. Mitchell not to subscribe to defend the partiesto be prosecuted, but to " keep their money to buy pikes."—The Rev. Mr. Kenyon app: need at this meeting, and said," We are now under the oyeration of what is called the Gagging Bill,' and thus, if any man in Ireland, looking at the condi tion of Inland, shall dare to express his sentiments upon that condition, he is liable to be sent to break stones for seven Tears to Norfolk Island. That, my friends, is the condition in which Ireland is placed at present. Scenes of desolation to which we in vain look for a parallel in the rest of the world are passing before our eyes, and yet we cannot give expression to the feelings they excite in our hearts. We are gagged. We cannot, my friends, legally excite you to discontent by asking you are you content with your condition ; because if vent stores' a dislike to MENT. cEsT ER. 'LOCK: Tbig e chose; of this sgtzs, Esq., the ncd by 128 of h, was held, to propased to be sich Mr. Hums union, for po sg classes. The Lidding capable hour at which e (7 o'clock) at walls. On the ings in Covent . the speakers, Esq., But. lain, s, Cripps, m, and several : Gentlemen, OU are aware, resented to me its of this town Id originally at of the regalia .nee would be commodate, at meeting to this isition comprise r.rs, tradesmen, and amongst t every shade of to the chartist inonneed in the ig the motion of ate of the repre- Dommons. The cz as chairman. gentlemen who to ask at your ring. (Cheers.) ich as t• suppose will characterise Ite of the repre t which interests sitien being pee ing which exists cc, is the first at e be the middle rs. I n.joice to see rer such an as ,litarations will, influence in the breadth of the discussion of the say observe that held since the )f that bill to re f liberal admini. fact that sixteen riled out whirls :ies of the age— hich is dictated ere cradled and an Bill, are now privileges which hem ; and, how underrate and hey may depend a strong sense uccessful issue— igress—and that till it has placed ion. (Cheering.) ins is, that repre ad; that repre ion ; that no man that of his tepee no slight ditfer ie print ple is to ngst you without esti and gratuitous about the crown. Teethe a syllable 'ate of the state, 11A11—lives it the aim is to improve ty; and whatever lisures of coercion ity—l must be al -1 wise laws—the ht,—will ever be .ernment, and the (Cheers.) My an who is to move 18 years ego since lie meeting ander . . s which tli'ey now .cnch revolution — .1 distress in this ng extensive men cm. lie thought ant since the Re- 7nee and ordinary every adult male (Cheers.) He was a the occasion to sted all those who ims bitterly disap hatever others expected that it Id political reforms political changes, improve the con country. (Bear.) :diate repeal of the unal education, by o t xercise electoral enchment, and the aons which were at ill. (Rear.) Re e had been cheap ill. (Hear, hear.) *in, to assist those those who needed lie enabled them to rovement in the re eoule of England to .ramous. (Cheers.) a had been made by Sons, who believed mbly did not fairly ,e also believed that the people were in .ations to be attended e mea had come out as; they appealed to and support; and support was the Rear, hear, bear.) he held in his hand utal principle of the u:ly and fairly repre amen% lie believed ated doctrine of the doubt about the doe t equality. (Hear.) had been laid down hor of Christianity, y the inhabitants of ding their independ opounded, was now yea and among all the political faith (Rear, hear.) lie imp in attempting to ca, France, and Ger plc of England, who ▪ their constitution ? ople of England were y, and be should prove ustitutional authority; !stimony was the more to conservative prin- Sing to f litany every member of .•a vote in elect:_az those e divanl of hi, property, eau hardly be expected In are under the immediate tee have been oblical thereby some who wr• uw,l are tialldl. 4 '4om :cute, whose may Sly them a level with free state every lean who mite me.ratre has own ew ol the heidative power ple.—Pugh IA 11 °" a; Ittw, party to the making root by hit reprerentativert. England can be constrained iace or Om realm, or the noosed by his own consent, ion. Ile would conclude atkou from a document quoted with respect end n Declaration of Inde- : That all men sire . created rector with certain malleon .rty, and the pursuit of hap. pwernmehts are instituted I front the consent of the to meet 'annum destructive of t alter or to abolish it, and to toanaut ions furm,as ou sueh rind to them shall teem M;.st: ,1 his retolution declared of the House of Com b could be obtained for is believed that the legis. Lined of could not exist for r ly represented. (Hear.) crated, the injurious eon ot be maintained. If the unequal taxation could it functionaries be paid at _ to do. do you understand by the public peace ? Do you all the present state of things is Ireland peace? (Cries of ' no, no; and cheers.) Ido not. I consider it a most deadly war. I say it is a misnomer of the government to call the revolting and soul-harrowing state of things now existing peace. I do not call it peace, as I ride along the road, to see the young children moaning with hunger as they crawl by me, half lifeless things: that is not peace—it is a most dreadful war. (Hear.) But it is all according to law ; and if we say anything to dot: rb that law we are seditious, we are liable to be called traitors. I don't say anything against the law, I don't excite ysu to break the law, I call on you to love it, for, oh! is it not a beautiful law !—(laughter and cheers) —and is it not really a most excellent law, that is sending out hundreds and thousands to die from their homes, and not like Christians but like dogs. (Sensation). But, my friends, let us all say before God that it is an elegant law, that we love it, and that wo will submit implicitly to it. (Loud cries of ' No, no ; , never,' and cheers.) Oh! shame upon you, tie on you, won't you cherish this paternal law ? You are all ignorant Irish they will say; you are all a set of savages, who don't kr.ow what is good fur yourselves. (Laughter and cheers.) You don't feel the great gratitude you should feel towards the English government for per mitting you to fatten on a pound of porridge in the day. (Laughter.) Would you rather have a tenure in your ',ow ings and eat wheaten bread—would you, you savages? (Laughter and cheers.) There is a way of escaping that degradation and attaining this desired end, of eating the produce of your own lands. God Almighty clearly intended that the inhabitants of this rich and fertile land should live like men, and if we be true to ourselves it shall be the case again." Ex EPtirioNs.—The papers to-day mention two executions —one at Kilkenny and one at Nenagh. Two men were ex ecuted at each place. That at Nenagh was attended with horrible circumstance•, thus described —" The hangman, either through the grossest neglect of duty, or from 601111 other more wicked cause, did nut pull the cap over the head of Connolly, who had been reading. The fact was that the rope was adjusted about his neck, and the unfortunate man, with his brother, launched into eternity with the 'ace fully exposed to the people and police. It is impossible to describe the dreadful appearance of the man as he 1,11 through the grating of the gallows t All the sufferings and pains of strangulation were visible in the contortieus of his countenance. his eyes shot out; in a moment the face became blood red ; in another moment it as.umed a ghastly livid hue, whilst again the facial muscles quivered in every fibre. Death was almost instantaneous; but as it was, no thing could be more revolting—nothing more calculated to disgust and outrage every human feeling, or to expose to un• mitigated condemnation the barbarous punishment of public strangulation." SCOTLAND. EDINItURGH, APRIL 26. The Edinburgh town council are to present an address to the Queen expressive of their attachment to the throne and government. Bailie Stott made some caustic remarks, on the draft of the address being read. Ile said that— He had no objection whatever to a loyal and dutiful address to her Majesty ; and he was of opinion that a pro position of this kind would meet the ready and enthusiastic acquiescence of the council. While, however, this was his honest and sincere conviction, he must say that, as be heard the address submitted, it appeared to him to express, in a stronger way than he could assent to, attachment to her Majesty's government. As he was not prepared to give credit to her Majesty's present advisers for anything like consummate wisdom, he must therefore take exception to anything which might in the least degree appear to indicate this. Abhorring the shedding of blood in any way, he entirely disapproved of the sentiments expressed a few days ago in parliament by the Premier. Violence was inexcusable in any party. How indefensible con sequently was it to meet such wickedness with equal folly. Hence it was that he viewed with repugnaece the declaration of Lord John Russell that he would fight to the death it neeessary. lie deplored anything like a state of feeling in this country which might appear to some to justify such language ; but he at the same time looked upon it as a most lamentable thing that educated men should stand up and talk of shedding blood Ile thought it would have been more becoming in the ministry to have fol lowed the advice of the Times newspaper, and to have set themselves vigorously to the promotion of economy and re trenchment in every department of the national expendi ture, as well is to the removal of the grievances under which the people laboured, and the extension of the franchise. These were the three things to promotes which Messrs. Hume, Cobden, and others had combined, and which the middle and working classes ought to unite in promoting by every peaceful and legitimate mans. He would, therefore, suggest that a clause should be inserted in the address, re spectfully. suggesting to her Majesty the necessity of urging on her ministers the propriety of introducing economy and retrenchment in the national expenditure, the removal of public grievances, and the extension of the franchise. As he did not wish to create any discussion he had not stated to what exeunt the franchise should be extended, and would be perfectly content if it was alluded to in the most general terms. As the introduction of these topics was not gene rally relished, Mr. Stott gave notice of the following motion for next meeting : That a memorial be presented to the government urging the crest neceesity of taking into imnrsliate consideration the financial affair% of the country, and the different grieranors complairust of Lr ...lion• dames of thecommunity, with a stew to the efFeetinft of economy and retrenchment in every department of the state, a more equitable adjustment of taxation, as well as an extension of the elective franchise. The Glasgow circuit commences on the 2nd May, when 39 parties connected with the late riots will be tried. Returns have been received of the letting of toll bars in Renfrew and Ayrshires. Three places in the former, which let last year for 4,5001., 3,9301., and 1,0001., have this year only brought 2,1801., 1,700/., and 980/. In Ayr the total falling off is about 300/. CURIOUS CONSPIRLCT.—At the Dumfries circuit last week, William Mitchell, innkeeper, and Provost of the Burgh of Lochmaben ; William Wells, shoemaker, and procurator-fiscal; Thomas Tait. writer, and town-clerk; James Johnstone, tailor. and burgh officer; all of the game burgh, were charged with malversation in office by public officers; wilful neglect and violation of duty; conspiracy by public officers to defeat the ends of justice, by means of a mock or friendly trial or sentence ; fabricating, subscribing, and uttering false documents. The particulars of the charge were, that the panels being aware that information had been given to the procurator-fiscal for Dumfriesshire on behalf of William Johnston, farmer, Cockwell, against William Wells, blacksmith, Lochmaben, for the crime of assault, committed on 30th July last, which was under investigation, with the view of being tried before the Sheriff Court ; they conspired to screen William Wells, by subjecting him to a mock trial and sentence before the Burgh Court of Lochmahen. Ac cordingly, they held a court on 25th September; no libel had been served upon Wells; and none was produced ex• cept a pretended one prepared by his own instructions, which was deficient in various respects ; a plea of guilty was taken, and a tine of 11. imposed, or imprisonment for 14 days. Wells did not pay the fine, however, and was allowed to go at large. Information of these proceedings having reached the procurator-fiscal for Dumfriesshire, he wrote to the tows-clerk of Lochmaben for a copy of the papa rs con nected therewith ; whereupon the panels assembled in Mr. Mitchell's inn, and receiving the 1 1 , fine from William Wells, the blacksmith, the sum was divided among the provost, fiscal, and town-clerk. The deficient libel ssas then filled up with dates, as of the trial, and the false execution signed by Johnson, the burgh officer, and subscribed by witnesses; while a copy of the pretended libel and execution were certi fied by the town-clerk, and transmitted to the fiscal for Dumfriesshire, for the purpose of deceiving and misleading him. Panels all pled Not Guilty. An objection was taken to the indictment, on the ground that the copy served on the accused was not in accordance with the principal. Nit hen the, copies for service were sent out to Dumfries to be executed, it was found that some omissions had been made in the in dictment, which were supplied in the espies, and afterwards added, in Edinburgh, to the prine , pal document. It was i submitted that these additions ought to be struck out. The depute-advocate admitted the facts to be as stated, but' urged that no prejudice had been done to the defenden thereby. The practice of making such alterations was sanctioned by instructions from the court ; but if their lordships bad any doubt upon the pint, he would con sent to these additions being struck out of the indictment. The Lord Justice Clerk ruled that the practice was erroae. ous, and that the additions should be struck out ; but hinted an opinion against, in the circumstances, going on with the case.—The Depute-Advocate did not think that in conse quence of the court ruling that these additions should be struck out he ought to ask for a delay of the trial.—The Lord Justice-Clerk thought Mr. Young (the Depute Advo cate) should consider well in taking upon himself the responsi bility of going on with the trial, especially as, in consequence of the unexpected absence of Mr. Dean, he had been called upon to take up the case at a day's notice. After some other observations, his lordship advised Mr. Young not to proceed with the case.—Mr. Anderson (counsel for Mitchell sad Tait) said the objection to the indictment hadnot been stated by him. It would be a great hardship to his clients to have this charge hanging over them. They were willing to make any admission on the subject of these additions, being anxious to go to trial.—Various attempts were made by all the coun sel to get over this objection, in reference particularly to an addition to the designation of Provost Mitchell ; but even tually the diet was deserted pro loco et tempore, end a new warrant moved for. :LT ••• ;noel rAto The WALES. " REBECCA" REDIVIVES.—A correspondent writes: The agrarian disturbances which charactenied the southern portion of the principality of Wales in the years 1843 and 1844 have again manifested themselves in precisely a simi lar manner. The new county roads board does not operate in the way it was intended to do by the legislature. The purpose of that enactment was that gates should only be erected at intervals of seven miles, and that if the tolls arum; from these gates should be insufficient, then a read rate should be levied in the same manner es the income t ax, to be paid in the first plate by theroads tenant, but deducted by him from the rent payable to his l benefit. The act, however, never contemplated the pos sibility of the county roads board being constituted en tirely of landowners (even the members elected from each district board being in fact the great men of each locality er district), to the exclusion of all but those whose interest it obviously would be to screw up the tolls and to cut down the superintendent general's estimates, in order to avoid the parties roceeding along any portion of a turnpike r oad even if only obliged to debouch slightly from a parish road ; and by cut ting down the well-matured estimates of the superintendent general, Lieut.-Col. Wortham, the roads are not so effi ciently repaired as they otherwise would be. It is a singular fact, that in Breconsbire, where tenant-farmers have greater weight in the county board than in Carmarthenshire, the road rate is threepence in the pound, and in the latter county, which is nearly three times the area of Ilrecknock • shire, a halfpenny rate suffices. In Carmarthenshire, especially, the " screwing" and " cutting " systems have been adopted to excess, and with regard to the termer proceeding the peasantry are just commencing reprisals. It was ordered at the last annual general meeting of the county roads board that a new gate and ti 11-house should be erected at Castellrhingill, about one mile and a half from Cross Hands, on the road from that place to Llandilo. Accordingly the toll-house was built, the finishing stroke being put to it on Wednesday last, the 19th Inst. During the night of Friday, the 21st inst., the toll house was completely demolished by the Itebeccaites, who literally left not one stone standing on another. The pro ceeding must have been performed with great skill and judgment, for there is a cordon of rural police within a few miles of the spot, some of whom must have patrolled past the very spot at intervals of two hours. The greatest consternation was depict. don the visages of th , ‘ " guardians of the night " on witnessing the devastation the following morning. Capt. Scott, chief con stable, has ;.etn endeavouring to trace the perpetrators, but without eff,et, and upon Col. Wortham being informed that a toll-house had be en Rebeccsised, he immediately guessed that it was Casttllrhingill—so that the presumption is he must have known that it was most likely to be attacked, either from its being obnoxious. or some other cause. 'Pitt: DOWLAIS Ikon WonKs,the position of which for some months past haskept thousands of individuals in sus pense, said many out of employment, have recommenced operations, the difference existing hetween the executors of the late Marquis of Bute and Sir J"lin Guest having been finally settled last week. The news was fully confirmed on Saturday lost. Nothing could exceed the joy depicted on the countenances of the tradesmen and 'Foilsmen of the town and neighbourhood. Fourteen furnaces out of the eighteen will be in blast in the course of a few days, and the other four es soon as they con be repaired. So that it is an ticipated the trade of this important district will be resumes iu all As activity and vigour. PROVINCIAL. LANCASHIRE. PARLIAMENTARY R.E.FORM.—A public meeting of the inhabitants of Bury has been held at the Sessions room. Mr. John Bentley resided. The ceairman thought they were all agreed as to the necessity of forming an association for the purpose of carrying out en agitation for further re form. They were of opinion that something ought to be done, and that it could best be clone by all classes joining together and obtaining a redress of the grievances this y com plained of. Mr. Willett moved the first resolution: That it is the opinion of this meeting that a openly and thorough parliamentary reform is necessary to save this country from further degradation sod ruin, and that this can beet be effected by all claseow of society, and especially the shopkeepers and electors of every town, reoilving themvelves into awaie,iti inn for the furtherance of this great principle by agitation and all constitutional means within their power. He said the state of the working clam -s called loudly for their sympathy and aid. During the last twelve months a million of human beings had perished in the United King dom from famine and pestilence, and, besides, there were thousands now on the verge of starvation. As to what had been said with regard to the disaffection of the people to wards the government, and their attempts at physical force demonstrations, he would say that no preparations of the kind had been made. (Applause.) The working classes had borne their trials with the moat exemplary patience, and the feeling was general among them that moral force would carry everything that was needed for them. (Cheers) He then referred to the disproportionate taxes levied on the different classes of the community. While the middle classes complained that the income tax operated on them at the rate of three and a half, it had been proved that the working classes were taxed at the rata of 25 per cent. on their incomes. He concluded by hoping that this state of things would not last much longer. (Applause.) Mr. George Dixon seconded the motion, and it was carried. Mr. John Heap moved the second resolution : That, In acionhinre with the forezrdog resolution, an arsociation be formed in Bury, to be called the Bury Parliamentary Reform Moo. Motion. Mr. Joseph Pomfret seconded the motion, and adverted to the fact that the great organs of the press were in favour of the movement recently begun. The motion was carried una nimously. Dr. Fletcher moved the third resolution : That the object of the association shall be to advocate the principles of universal suffrage, vote by ballot, annual parliaments, payment of members, and equal electoral districts. Mr. !tante seconded tne motion, and, after a few words from Mr. Roberts and Dr. Fletcher, it was carried. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting broke up. RATING OF THE LIVERPOOL DOCKS.—An im portant subject was brought forward at the annual vestry meeting at Liverpool, en Tuesday, in the shape of a propo aition for subjecting the entire of the Liverpool-dock estate to the payment of parhl rates. It appeared from a report, drawn up by a committee of the select vestry, that a poor rate of 2s. on the nct annual income of the dock estate would yield 20,0001. ; to which add 15,0001. for a highway rate, at Is. Gd. in the pound, and we have the goodly sum of 35,0001. per annum. The parishioners of Liverpool, according to this calculation, are now paying 33,0001. per annum more than they would have to pay were the dock property put upon the game footing as other property in the town. The docks (says the Liropool Courier) are a great means or attracting the lower class of labourers to the town, large numbers of whom, and their families, are constantly becom ing chargeable to the parish ; and it is tut right that the docks seould contribute something to those funds, the de mands upon which they help so materially to swell. A resolution was proposed and agreed to that a voluntary rate of one penny in the pound be laid for the purpose of forming a fund to meet the expenses of applying to parliament for a more equitable adjustment of the parish rates, it being stated in the course of the discussion that the docks of Liverpool were the only docks in England which were not asserts d for the relief of he poor. - YORKSHIRE. HIILL AND 11A3113URG.—In consequence of the nature of the intelligence received by the Lion eteamer, Capt. Hunt, on Tuesday morning, at this port from Ham burg, the Hanseatic Steam Navigation Company's ship Leeds, Capt. Mowle, which was to have left this port in the evening of the same day, was detained, and it is not ex pected that either she or the Hamburg will resume their millings until the intelligence from Hamburg shall be of a character to inspire more confidence than at present. The Hamburg was appointed to have left the city whose name she bean on Tuesday last, and would have been due this evening or to morrow morning, but her arrival is not ex pected, as, owing to the aspect which affairs had taken, it was not probable that her agents in Homburg would send her out. The steamers of both Hull companies continue to run, their days of departure from each port bein Thursday and Saturday, and of arrival Sunday and Tuesda y mornings. Yesterday, the Salto, Capt. Dawson, of this port, arrived here from Hamburg in ballast. She left about tne same hour so the Lion, and brings no later news, but reports trade as nearly stagnant.—Eastern Counties Herald, 27th April. - - WARWICKSHIRE. THE REFORM MOVEMENT IN RIIIMINGIIAM.—Our correspondent, writing last evening, says:—The leaden of the party signing the manifesto in favour of household suf frage and other reforms, as detailed in this paper on Monday, have adopted the title of " The Reform League," and hove convened a public meeting at the Town. hall, on Wednesday next, to form rules and prescribe the course of action. The declaration has received the signatures of between six and seven thousand persons, all of which are authentic. In addi tion to this, Mr. Councillor Baldwin and the leaders of the more advanced refmmers are not inactive, This morning they issued the following declaration of principles, to the gentlemen composing the people's party in the House of Commons : • We, the undersigned elector. and non-electors of the borough of Birmingham, feeling deeply interested in the peace, welfare, and pro gress ot our country, arid desiring that the changes in the govern ment which are how rendered essential from the evils of the long misgovernment of this great commercial nation should be effected upon principles which wi:l fully represent all claws, and thereby prevent the recurrence of political excitement, which Weyer injurious to the interest. of trade and industry, and having deliberately and seriously comelcred the mussed object sought by your honour able mid desiererested opposition to the minis, we respecUully submit for your emisideration that household suffrige, in addition to the unjust exclusion of large sections of intelligent men of all ranks, would not in its operation secure no safe or PO efficienti an electoral body as a suffrage founded upon principle, and guaranteeing to every male causes of twenty-one year. of age, unstaised by crime, the right of voting in the election of members to con stitute the Commons House of Parliament. Antious to render every aid to support your eftorts without a compromise of principle we cannot but express our confident hope that when your honourable party have maturely Investigated th e defective, complicated, and ex clusive nature of a household sutfi-age, you will find no many evils and difficulties acoompanying such a change, that you will at once per ceive the policy and jie-rox of demanding an extension of the weal right foundul upon mature ag u e ha and residence. We would sum urgently impress upon vinr ds, that in openly and un reservedly declaring upon principle for the full and complete enfran ffilsemeut ot the adult male population, and throwing your influence span an eniightened public opinion, you will be sustained by a degree of moral energy and prudence which will enable you to moomplish this great measure of national justice by :he legitimate exercise el oonmitutional authority, despite the opposition of corrupt , sad interested factions. We may observe further in support of the principle previously tuned, that a urge eectlon of the meet intelligent and wetheducatail cilium., including a large number engaged se as- • aistante, Meru, and tracellers in trade, Idiom employmenta render the occupation of a house inconvenient, and in many cases impassable, until advanced age, and also a large portion of the most provident of the working class, who, from the unsettled state of trade, and the beceurity and want of sufßcient employment, do net essimider It prudent to incur the respnneibility of a family, must, throughthe ope ration of household suffrage, be excluded from the exercise of civil rights, whilst it would entrant-bile a sect on at least of the most Ticions and depraved. With sincere uspect for the dignified and ho- I mineable position you have assumed in the present critical and dle irmed condition of England, wiring hopes and asnirances to millions that the destiny of this great empire wid shortly vas into the hands of men capable by their experience, ability, and patriotism to emu anew the social interests of the people, we respectfully submit for your consideration this COnnientiUtis deClanantrn of our sentiments, with the sure and certain hope that when looked upon as the utter ance of the feelings awl opinions of a great majority of the people cola Will tee sufficient Mown to render the object of your exeruons the extension of the stfttrage to every male citizen of twenty-one years of age. This party have convened a public meeting of the electors only at the Town-hall nest Monday, when Mr. Vincent is to be present, and addreu the meeting on the state of the country, influence of the continental movementa upon our political condition, and duties and responsibilities of the middle classes at this crids. In his circular of i" vitation the chairman of the committee says : Anxious above all things for the steady pre", the country, and for the advancement of and believing that our me•5...7" *Er of i " km ' cceolf.in l be