Star. — London, England, 1820-01-05 00:00:00

MR. OWEiV'S nETILY, To 111 F SPEECH OP THE CHAIWELLOE OF THE p-SciIEUER, ON HOUSETOPSIRWILLAM DE CREsPIGNi's wartoN IN THE I F.CEMBER, isio. S;rt—The Speech which you delivered in the House c' C:mmons, in reply to Sir William De Crespigny's for the appointment of a Committee to inves ;;eke a Plan which I had to propose for the Relief 4. the distressedWoriing Classes, may probably lead to consequeoces of the deepest interest to the . well ' s'ng of mankind. Our ultimate object is, I believe, the same; that is, to ameliorate the condition of Society, on a sound and rationai system —on principles that will bear the cost of the most severe scrutiny, although opposed by ail the prejndiccs of localities. But, that 1 may be the better understood , on this important subject, I will endettiotn• Warta explain what I mean by the word localities, as it will so fre contly occur in this Letter. Under this term I include the opinions and princi les, partly true and partly false, which every indivi al imbibes, according to the country, climate, go ..t.rnment, and religion—class, sect, and party, under in which he was educated, at that period-when the o..lthful mind is utterly incapable of rationally eser i,inq the power of volition, or to whose influences h may have become in riper years, front Various cidental, yet perhaps uncontroulable causes, more or less subjected. Thus the localities' of the inhabi t Int of China would force upon his tender mind, at i'.e period of childhood and youth, - opinions favour a'.)le to the paternal or despotic form of Government, t' the religion and philosophy of Fo and Confucius, whilst some minor sect or party would - probably he found to share his more particular attachment and confidence ; whilst the inhabitant of Vew York would; from his peculiar localities, as devotedly maintain those doctrine; in Government which oppose indivi. dual ascendancy. With him, the Majesty of the People is a doctrine not less sacred, than with a Chi nese it would be treasonable, if not blasphemous. On the other hand, an inhabitant of the Commu nity of Harmony, in Indiana, in the United States, being born and nurtured in a society surrounded with every inducement to virtuous conduct, and in full possession of comfort and plenty, can with diffi culty realize the thought, that man is capable of arm ing himself to slaughter his fellow man, or that he can be content to partake of luxuries the most re fined and delicate, whilst he too well knows that within a few yards of him dwell hundreds of his brethren, pining in want and wretchedness. You, Sir, are equally subjected to this great law of Nature, having been yourself equally surrounded by peculiar localities from infancy, which have impressed a con viction on your mind; that men can be made better and happier than they have yet been, solely by the adoption of certain sentiments, which you haie been forced to believe arena', by the localities in which you happen to have been born and instructed. View ing, as you do, through the medium of these peculiar localities, the principles which I have promulgated , you pronounce them to be subversive of the Laws and Religion of this Country ; and, by so doing, you endeavour to arouse all the prejudices of British lo calities against me, and indispose mens' minds to consider the good which I labour to obtain for them. I blame you not for this conduct, for I am quite sure that your intentions are pure and excellent. Yet it appears to me to be a duty to persevere, and to en deavour to overcome these prejudices of localities, which obstruct the path to true and substantial happi ness. By my remarks, I would not willingly offend you or any one; but, placed as 1 am, by your observa tions, before the eyes of the world, and at a period too when that world, by our present proceedings, mast be rendered either more miserable or more happy than it has yet been, I hold a full declaration of truth, as it is impressed on my mind, to be at the present period a duty paramount to every personal considera tion. The principles which I advocate have become so public, and arc making such rapid progress through Society, notwithstanding a vote and temporary pre judice in the House of Commons, that if they are er roneous their error should be instantly proved, and if my judgment has been misled with respect to these principles, there can be no indivithial more sincerely desirous of being set right than I am; and I publish this Letter to bring the subject to a lair issue. You have said, that the principles which I have publicly avowed are subversive of the Government and Reli gion of this. Country. It never was, Sir, my intention to injure the Government and Religion under which we live; my object has been to withdraw from both that which appeared to me to be their defects and errors, and to withdraw them, not by coercion and violence, but gradually and temperately, under the direction of the Government and the Church. is now nearly seven years since I distinctly saw iecessity for this change, and since I openly and ty communicated these sentiments, o ithout re t„ to the heads of the Church—to our own Go nnent—and to other Governments. 1 then re 'ed encouragement from these parties to proceed le ci:urse which I had commenced, and to this I have not deviated from it. Yet, if lam mg, I willingly take to myself whatever blame I.es to these proceedings, since they have from a thorough conviction of the truth of princii,les on vlid) they are founded—that con ion 501 more confirmed by the favourable deci of the most acute and profound minds in this ntry and in Europe; and also froth a conviction he multipled benefits that will arise from their anion ir, price, both to the governors and submit the cause of difference between cuintry and - to the world. Na', Sir. ro .g is my conviction of the truth Of the princi ou which I act, that preju.lit.cd..3s. I know you ~ .. are, by the localities of your birth, eiucation, and ' s,hemes to make men better than they are, or have office in the State, I could almost leave the decision been, and yea will fail. to your_ cool and deliberate judgment, and allow you Permit me to ask what character do those secta te be judge in your own cause. - rian notions of locality, which you and my truly ex- The principles and practice which I propose for cellent friend, Mr. Wilberforce, opposed to the prin adoption, must, however, be triel by those whose ciples which I advocate, tend to form in society ? prejudices, from their localities, must be directly in Those who have had the best means of houestly and your favour; and against such almost invincible impartially appreciating them, know, that. wi th some prejudices, nothing but truth devoid of all error, can 'amiable exceptions , they can pr oduce no &her gene have the slightest chance of success s • and I antici- ral characte r t han, well-inten t ioned weak Minds, with pate success sokiy on this ground. diseased imaginations, too often creating religious and 1 spiritual pride, destruc of The defects then, Sir, of our Government, as they merit judg social intercourse, and re al e excelle soma nt appear to me, ate those which more immediately or ; When men, whose characters have been formed by remotely proceed from a single erroneous princi- i which I them, attempt to direct public affairs, with the best ple. It is true it is an error of ancient date, intentions, which I believe they possess, they must has, according to existing records, Cntwined itself I involve themselves and others in inextricable difficul around every Government and It hitherto ties and errors. Witness the present crisis, and the known to exist; and it was therefore that I publicly crimes which are actually created by the public avowed, "that I was not of any Religion hitherto ,measures which they support. •In thus freely stating .taught in the world;' because they all contained much, yes, verfmuch erior. my opinion of the tendency of these doCreines, 1 am most desirous not to wound the feelings of any indi- Tell me honestly, Sir, do you believe me to be v id u al c o n nected with the Evangelical Party, for an enemy to any part f ,mankind, because I am many of whom I entertain sincere regard, friendship, anxious to bring under review that which appears, an d affection. But I appeal to the world if their to a conscientious mind, to be an error pr od "" ,theories, opposed as they are to facts which perpe tive of no good 'fruit in practice, but of incalcu - tually surround us, do not, at this moment, prevent liable evil and misery? You, surely, will ncit condemn the adoption of a wise, energetic system of govern any one for so acting ?— ls not your opposition to him merit .a A government which, instead of uselessly who now addresses you, founded on the very same lamenting evils, and wasting its powers in detecting principle? The error, then, which lam compelled, and punishing crimes arising from its own imbecility by a strict adherence to truth, to lament in our G o- and errors, should be actively employed in devising vernment, is that part of it which presumes that tne and executing means to prevent the' existence of those character of the individual is formed by himself.— errors and crimes, by giving a proper direction to the "Ili:i error is, in the first place, indirect opposition to superabundant resources of the Empire, to produce all the facts of which we possess any accurate know- more wealth than is sufficient to support a greatly ledge—it is also in direct opposition to some of th e increased population, and to give a well formed and principles, and to the best part of the Religion, which rational character to the People. Is it, Sir, more a is the Law of this Land—and it is the cause of the mark .. of wisdom to govern the world by notions inconsistencies, visible to all, in the conduct of th o se arising from a diseased imagination, which never can who profess to be governed by that Religion ;—it is the sole cause why those invaluable principles of uni- p r od uce their promised effects , or to . govern it .., g by Principles in unison with all the known laws of na versal charity and benisirolence, with which* it abounds, • ture, and which, when properly applied, will, with have never been seen in practice. This Religion unerring certainty, (as they now do ir exact propor teaches us, and you, Sin, profess it, that we cannot tion as they are introduced) produce the m ist bene do any thing -of or for ourselves; that the DEITY, ficial result in practice? directly or indirectly, forths us into what we are, and What, Sir, was the general character of the De thus governs and controuli all our actions.* Had we bate on Sir William De Crespigny's motion ? Not real knowledge on.this subject, every hour of out withstanding the unfavourable and unfounded con lives would enable us to understand this great t ruth, structions of individuals, it appeared to me decisive and its manifold practical benefits. • Could your in favour of those measures which I recommend. mind, Sir, be relieved from the almost overwhelming All admitted the existing evils, arising fiorn the pre effects of the localities of your birth, and opened sent system of governing the world ; and all admit clearly to comprehend the real value of this funds- tea the practical benefits which are the result of those mental principle of your Religion , you would con- pr inciples upon which I have un iformly proceeded tend as ardently for its singleness , and that it should in the experiment conducted at New Lanark. Had not be debased with opposing and inconsistent doc- these principles been carried into practice by many trines, as I have done, as I now do, and, whilst the others, who possess more advantages than I possess, conviction of its truth and value remains upon my the results would have been still more favourable ; mind, as, I believe, 1 shall continue to •do to the day and is it not by the general effects of any principles of my cleat!). that we are to judge of their value and truth ? '[be locali:ies in which you are enveloped, prevent If, however, the world is not yet sufficiently en your perceiving that the erroneous doctrine, that i lightened, to act fully on a complete system of pie * man forms his own character," is the sole cause of : vention of crimes, it is certainly prepared to adopt all the anger, and of the evil passions, which now 1 . such a modification of it, as is not opposed to the pre agitate the world; that the consequences arising from judices of the times in which we live ; and such a this mistaken notion are productive of perpetual in- modification, I am ready to propose, as shall not in consistency in the character of all who profess the:n- t terfere with the existing Government or Religion of selves to be Christians; and that it must inevitably 'the country, or be detrimental to individuals of any lead to conduct destructive of genuine charity, bene- rank or class. This modification will leave to the volence, and kindness. These same localities, Sir, present Church Establishment the ascendancy it now prevent your seeing the truth, and practical benefits posseises, - and to the Dissenteri the rights of consci of the truth, " that the Character of every human ence and full religious liberty. On this basis, a sys being is, in all its parts, formed for him;" that the want tem may now be formed, which might speedily re of this knowledge on the part Qf those who govern lieve the country from its pecuniary embarrassments, the world, alone retards the adoption of a system of and from the demoralization which is now daily government founded on principles of science, which spreading over the • mime, and which, if not checked E • Would unerringlyprevent the existence of those crimes b y other measures than coercive enactments, must which hitherto it has been the chief business of the very soon involve the country in far greater difficul world to detect and punish. ties than it has yet experienced. Unless arrangements Did you clearly understand this invaluable truth, shall be formed to give effect to the industry, skill, and were you fully aware of the certain consequences and capital of this country, the present frame of So which must ensue from o general belief of it, you ciety cannot be long held together. would not attempt to raise any part of the Revenues it is now evident that these valuable materials of of these realms in such a manner, as must, and does aNation's prosperity, are, by the existing system, pa actually, deteriorate the moral character, and, con- ralyzed and rendered of little avail, when they ought ' , sequently, create much poverty, crime , and mise r y. to be , and mi g ht be made e ffi cient and productive— But it is to- the consequences of the great truth, when they might be applied to give beneficial oe " that man does not form his own character," that, I cupation to all who are in want of employment. would direct your close and profound attention, since to reduce, and gradually renderunnecessary, the Poor it is from a superficial examination of the conse- Rates—to diminish the most pressing of the public quences of this doctrine, that so many swell-inters- burthens—and out of the increasing• Revenues of the turned minds have been at first repelled from it ; kingdom, gradually to reduce the Public Debt ; whereas many of the most amiable and intelligent of while, with these important results, other arrange my early opposers, now publicly acknowledge, that menu would be combined, to secure, on principles of they perceive nothing but unnringled good in the con- science, a superior character to the lower classes. The sequences of this once appalling doctrine. elects of these measures would be to induce foreign- May I be permitted then to add, that by your acts Powers, from motives of interest, to open with us, of commission, or omission, you, asone of the Members and with one another, a free and beneficial • inter of the Government, may justly be said to be one of the change of the advantages which they could mutually innocent, yet certain occasions of the poverty, crime, impart. and suffering, which now afflict the population of Such, Sir, are the outlines of the advantages which these kingdoms; for, on an experience which no other I have to offer to the Government and Population of individual has been permitted to attain, I assert that this Country, whenever the prejudices, naturally ails you possess the most ample means to give a new ing from the localities by which they are surrounded, character to the People, greatly superior to any yet shall.permit afair and honestenquiry into my proposals. seen, and to surround them,. in a short period, with Seeing how you are enveloped wi.h inextricable plenty and enjoyment. difficulties, in every direction to which your present I state these facts (such I know them to be) ""not system can extend, I await the time, which.cannot to call down the spirit of persecution"—(your words) now be fir distant, when the unavoidable necessity —on the Government, for my real desire has been, for a change shall overcome those prejudices and is, to see this improved system carried into prat- of localities, which weaken the mind, and de tice, in all Countries, by those who happen to be in' prive it of those clear, distinct, and s:rong powers power, that the irrational anger and irritation of the of judgment, which are now so requisite to enable world may the more speedily cease. It is not, there- the world to derive benefit from past experience fore, to arouse a spirit of animosity that I thus write, and improvements. but, if possible, to direct your attention, and the at- My request is nothing for myself, but that you tention of the Government, to the extraordinary will impartially examine the arrangements which may power that PROVIDENCE has placed in your bands to relieve you from difficulties which experience will do good, and. to allay the present alarming and in- soon prove, are insurmountable by any other means creasing irritation of society. that can be devised, and, which, sooner or later, the Let the People be instructed from infancy in a Government of this country, for its own security and knowledge that the character of every individual is political interest, will find it necessary to adopt. formed for him, and let all your other proceedings It is true, some of the Members of the House of he consistent with this fundamental principle, and Commons who took part in the Debate on Sir Wil your difficulties will speedily terminate. Instead of Liam De Crespigny's Motion applied the terms vision the present system, which you must plainly perceive ary or impracticable to part of the measures which is generating evil on all sides, a new one will rise I have to propose. These Gentlemen, however, in jus., from your labours, which must prevent the creation , tice to themselves, should study these arrangements of any of these evils, as it %sill destroy them in their much more accurately and profoundly - than they birth—where you have now anger, Apposition , and have yet done, before they pronounce a judgment on malevolent passions, you will have kindness, unity a subject which is so far removed from their ordi of action, and all the best feelings of human nature. nary thought and reflection. Charity an s benevolence will be complete ; they will I have the honour to be , most res p ectfull y , I not then be bounded by the selfish circle f our pre- , Your most obedient, • sent limited localities. Try ten tho usand other ,Loildont' he. 1 , 1820 . ROBERT OWEN. 1 • ore ....___ It trY the nl iIl fairly -arra serve, lay- -rernn had ceive( I tho twin - .;;oar akes VTOU the attacl pa 7 arisq 6d. the p the vial( rket. sion 'ions cowl' here of th tives adop into Love .torn, I vhite u- to be s . :a • _ r, I f co EXPEDITION AGAINST MEXICO. • The following 'are‘thepirtriculars nfthi - Tnamter in whicli the bands -ofintvinturers, • -who:had nsiembled from the United States on the Sabine River, for the purpose of making inroads into the interior and con by nous Provinces of Mexico, have been broken up. We may say that we rejoice at the evert, for we cannot approve of foreign adventurers undertaking expeditions without any patr►otic object, and in di rect opposition to 'the natives of 'the country they profess to liberate.. FROM A BOSTON PAPER. / The reader will be glad to learn, from a. letter which we publish to-day, from The-Orleans Gmaefk, the fate of another of those bands of robbers, who affect to conceal their thirst for plunder under the thin disguise of Republican enthusiasm. The pira tical horde of General Long, as Ise is called, is the second party from the United States who have been dignified with the denomination of the " Republicans of Texas." The first party was much the most formidable of the two. It entered the province of Texas from Louisiana, as early as the year 1819. They took pos session of the towns of Nacogdoches, La Bahia, and St. Antonio, with little opposition, dispersed a small body of European troops and natives who came against them, to - . 1( Governor Salcedo and General Herrara prisoners, and were joined by many of the inhabitants. In the spring et 1813, their force con sisted of 300 persons from the United States, 600 Spaniairds and Creoles, and 300 Indians. They had no resource but plunder, and their leader, Bernardo, was a man of no principle or character, as well as ig norant, obstinate, and destitute of military talents.— Acts of gross violence were committed, and their prisoners Salcedo, Herrai a, and ten or twelve others, were massacred in cold brood. This deed is said to have been committed by order of Bernardo, and with out the approbation of the Americans. Bernardo was soon removed from his office of Dic tator of the Republic. His successor, who was also a Spaniard, could not restore confidence, or enforce discipline. On the 18th of August they were met as a place about twenty miles west from St. Antonio, by a regular force of about 800 men, and completely routed and dispersed, at the first onset. They were now 400 miles distant from the boundary of the United States. A few of the Americans, however, escaped through the Wilderness, and, after incredible hardships, reached the Sabine River, and arrived safely in Louisiana. Many perished, and others were taken prisoners. The prisoners, contrary to their ex pectations, and to their deserts, were treated with the greatest tenderness and humanity by Illefondo, the Spanish Commander. The fate of this Expedition, one would think, might have prevented the repetition of the farce by equally inadequate means. But in June last a se cond party crossed the Sabine from the United States, and on the 12th hoisted the Patriot standard. On the 23d they issued their Declaration of Independence, signed by James Long, President of the Supreme Council, in which they declare themselves free, and pledge their lives and fortunes to secure to themselves an Elective and Representative Government. About the same time, General Long, on taking command of the army, issued a General Order, full of the most patriotic sentiments. From this date we have fre quent accounts of their rapid increase of strength and flattering prospects. A letter, dated Natchitoches, July 27, informs, that General Long was encamped a few miles below the Sabine River, and that he had SOO men with him, well equipped. Patriots were daily passing, in high spirits, to join him, and it was reported that 500 men had arrived at Galveston, on their way to join him, sent forward by Dr. Robinson of Natchez. Another Letter from the same place, says—" The country through which I passed on my way to this place hall in an uproar, preparing to move. A letter has been received to-day from Dr. Robinson, in Phi ladelphia, informing that he had sent on 500 troops from that city, and the calculation is, that a great many. will leave Baltimore. Several _Regiments are raising in Kentucky, and several boats are ascending the . Red River with troops. Large appropriations are made in New Orleans. The tide of emigration is bearing to the south-west like a torrent,' But alas, " How is the gold become dim r. Robinson h dead. General Long has struck his flag, his myrmidons are scattered, and ready to rob under a nitre honest pre tence than that of founding free Republics, for a fo reign people. " Camp Ripley (on the Sabine), October 8. " Since I left you in Orleans, I have seen the Papers filled with false reports of a grand expedition under General Long, in Texas. The impropriety of such publications 1 suspect is severely felt by those poor deluded men, who have been induced to leave a comfortable living in quest of enterprize and con quest; but none feel its effects so severely as the in habitants of Texas, whose crops have been taken to supply the army, and the only recompense they now have, is General Long's due bills, which are in no very great credit. 1 have been encamped here for some time past, and have watched the fall of this grand army; it has met the fate I anticipated. I can authorize you to say that the whole are dispersed or broken up. - 66 General Long has gone to Galveston to Lafitte, his wife is bending her course towards the Sabine.— The Officers and men are every day passing in, many of them without money or food. Nacogdoches is evacuated by them ; only four or five sick men are left there. A party of twenty men, some time ago, we nt towards the Brasos — they are in a state of starvation, and will soon be in. " Thus has ended an expedition, which was cried up by some persons as being of much importance, but never exceeded seventy men, Officers and all.— It has ended as I wish all schemes may end, which are in violation of the laws of our country, and the laws of nations."—Orleans Gazette. CORN-MARK/LT, MARK-LANK, JANUARY S. In consequence of the stoppage is the navigation, and the impossibility of working any Corp out of vessels, no sales were made this morning, except of such articles as were in the granaries, and even those were very trifling ; so. that the •prites of all Grain maybe considered nominally as oa Monday. ti..~ t 4.J. • 0, 9 _ _ ~. 1 4 `~ } ~ 1);