Star. — London, England, 1822-11-01 00:00:00

LIBERATION OF MR. HENRY HUNT FROM' ILCHESTER JAIL i.CHESTER, WIDSMIDAY, 11 O'CLOCi. The appearance of this morning was unfavourable for the inhabitants of the vicinity coining hither.— Heavy rain continued until seven o'clock, when the sky began to clear, and the promise of a fine day was given. At that hour the people began to assemble, and, until eight, arrived in straggling groups The attendance was less numerous than was expected ; but there was no previous arrangement made, or any concert entered into to draw them together. Those who came did so voluntarily, and the display of feel ing was genuine and spontaneous, though the effect might have been made more imposing by the least preparation. I did not see any of the first gentry of the county, but the respectable class of farmers, in-1 dependent and substantial yeomen, were numerous, among whom were mixed a few, perhaps, of a higher order. Altogether there were about five hundred people collected at half-past eight—the greater part sweating neckerchiefi of green and white, and white hats, teing the declared emblems of Reform. A ba rouche and four was diawn up it the Castle-gate, but in the enthusiaskao ihp moment, the horses were taken off. and the popula ce prepared to draw the carriage. At a quarterto nine, Mr. Howr appeared, and was received with loud and repeated cheers, waving of hats, and Griefs of Biavol He looked well and in high spirits; his colour florid, and his coun tenance expressive of great satisfaction. He wore the neckerchief of green and white, arid suspended from his neck the medal presented him by the fent* Re formers of Leeds, and a plaid cloak which has been lately sent him from the Reformers of Greenoek. 7 - He was accompanied by Sir CnARLKS WOIAELEY and Mr. Nournsioae, who sat with him in the car- riage, and by several friends. The barouche wasl drawn along the Ilchester-bridge to the Castle Inn, is front of which the crowd was drawn up. The warmest reception was certainly given him. He stood up and repeatedly acknowledged the cheers of the people. When the bat ouche arrived at the Inn, Mr. HUNT adhessed the crowd to the following effect: 44 I am just released, after a confinement of two. years in a dungeon, which I have suffered for strug gling for the rights and privileges of the Constitution. Before I was put in there, I foretold what would happen—that ruin would be at last brought upon the farmer, the mechanic, and the labourer—(Applause). I was thrown into prisou for saying that the Govern ment lived on the People—(Cheers).—But times have since cone round, and the landlords cannot now get their rents, nor the farmers provide the wages of their labourers. lam truly obliged to you for the kind reception you give —{Bravo!)—not only on my own account am 1 rejoieed to meet you, but on yours, as I am proud to see the people of England coming at last to a right sense of their situation—(Load cheers). I have to meet other friends in other places, and can ranain but a short time with you at present. I have beat pent up in that Motile, which you shall see in a short time razed to the ground—(Bravo!}—but what 1 have suffered has been for the good cause, and for rchich I ant ready to suffer again—(Loud applause). The object of the Government has been to set the labourers against the farmers ; and the farmers, forced Into difficulties to pay the taxes, have been obliged to screw the labourer down to the last shilling. 1 wish, my friends, to caution you on that point : do not be divided or set against each other ; but let the farmer and the labourer come forward, and with the maim. facturer join manfully in one Petition for Reform— (Bravo, &aro !).—That is the way to gain redress ; and it you do so, England wiU be England again— (eheers).—The Government want to set the labourer When breakfast was over. Mr. HUNT said, that its he saw a great many Gentlemen who were strangers to him, he would be happy to be introduced to them all; " but let them, " said he, " who wish to know me, come up, shake hands, and introduce themselves." When some Ladies came into the room, he said, a ' I am glad to see the Ladies are come to have a peep at the lion—you are welcome—l am truly happy to see you. Here, Gentlemen, is a friend of ours, who has come 250 miles to be present at my liberation— (Cheers). He is from the neighbourhood of Parson Hay. He tells me, that on last night, at twelve, it was intended to light a fire in honour of my libera tion, on one of the hills at Rochdale, in Lancashire. It was to be composed of 17 barrels of tar and 30 loads of coal. I don't know if Parson Hay will like it, but we are obliged to our Rochdale friends, anal suppose we give three cheers for the Reformers of the North Bravo twe will.") Three cheers were then given. Mr. NORTIMORE rose, and said that he wished to let the party present seethe flagon and salver sent from the friends of liberty in the county, and which were to be presented to Mr. Hunt, at the dinner that day at Glastonbury, as a tribute to him for his manly political conduct. He was certain that Mr. Hunt was happy, as well from his own-conscience as their ap probation—Ube flagon and salver, which We de scribed yesterday, and gave the inscriptions upon it, were then handed round the Timm, and exhibited by Sir Charles Wolseley at the window to the crowd in front of the inn.] —After a short interval, Mr. HUNT requested the notice of the Meeting to what he was about to say.- 6, I am, Gentlemen, you know, a man of business. I am ready for my old, tricks again--( Chars and laughter).—l tell you what, if the people of England lie down under oppression, the are doomed to eternal slavery. They mus: not belnaceive but they must be active and move about. fmeof th; freeholders ofthe county now present have ought this a fit opportunity to call a Meeting of So merset together; and it is meant to submit a Requi sition to you for your approbation, and for the signa ture of those who are freeholders, and like the propo- sition —(Hear).—l will readthe Requisition to you ; and the farmer against the manufacturer, and to keep be the system by which they may condom to draw sixty millions a year from the country when wheat is at four shillings a bushel—(Cheers)..l am for peace, not for war. I wish all men to be• united, and Old .England happy—(Brave).--I do not act for any bad purpose. but for the cause of Reform, and will go on patiently, but firmly, until its complete success be established(Brava).—l have been in prison for two years and sis months, but here I am the same man asl went ther e-(Bravo:)—not one whit less ready to struggle for the rights of the Constitution—not one whit less ready to sacrifice my life, if it were neces sary, for your cause—(Cheers). I shall not be The less ready than before to do whatever conscience tells me is my duty. Let them put me to death if they like; but what good will that do them ? It will not pay the taxes, nor enable the farmers to pay their rents, with wheat at four shillings a bushel, or find them wages for their labourers, to keep the workmen or the farmer from coaling at last on the parish— ( Applause).— I have, in that prison, been persecuted by the Local Authorities ; but I will not say much of them now, as I have brought their noses to the grindstone— (Bravo !)—The inhuman monster of a jailor I have tuned out, and brought him to justice. He was sup ported by the Bench of Magistrates, but I have over set them all by my single arm, and they have been obliged publicly to declare that the walls of that prison shall be thrown down, and the place of con finement shall be in another part of the county — (B ravo !).__When I was first incarcerated in that Bast ile, the expenses of keeping it amounted to 7,000/. a-year, or 1,750/. a quarter; but, through my exer tions, it has been reduced, and does not at present exceed 2,000/. a-year, or 500/. a quarter—(Bravo, bravo !) I now thank you most sincerely, my friends, for this reception, and I will withdraw to my friends, who wait breakfast for me."—(Loud cheers were given by the crowd at the conclusion.)—When Mr. Hunt had retired— Sir CttAHLES VOLSELEY appeared on the balcony of the Castle Inn, and said, " Gentlemen, I wish to address a few words to you, almost at the threshold of Mr. Hunt's dungeon—(Bravo /)—to express, in the flame of every honest man, my thanks to Mr. Hardy for his honourable, humane, and gentlemanly conduct towards Mr. Hunt--(Applause)—during the time he vas under his care ; a conduct so different from that pursued by those whom I could designate, but whom I am confident every honourable man despises I" The Gentlemen then assembled in the large room of the inn, about seventy in number ; Mr. HUNT was placed at the head of the table, and received the cor dial greetings of his friends. Breakfast was served, and as the room could not accommodate all those who wished fer admission,' tables were prepared in other parts of the house. .Is.THIS HIGH Slilltlrr Or THLCOUNTY OtSOTSLIMS. We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, Freeholders, Landholders, Tradesmen, and others, affected by the agricultural distresses of the country, request that you will, as early as may be, convene a Public Meeting of the County, to take into consi deration the belt means of isetitioning Parliament for the redress of those grievances under which they at present labour, and for restoring the Representation of the People in Parliament, agree able to the ancient principles of the English Constitution.' No man (continued Mr. Hunt) can object to such a requisition, or to a public meeting, but one who will say that we are in a state of prosperity. Are we in a state of prosperity or are we not?—(" No, no.") Is it fit to do something to obtain redress ?—(" It is; it is.") Well, if it be, then is it the best mode to call a county meeting, and sign a petition to Parliament?— ( Yea, yes r Bravo r ) Will you let me sign the re quisition first ?—(g 4 Yes.") lam a freeholder of the county, so is Mr. Northmore near me; he will sign it and pass it round to you : and if the Sheriff will call the meeting, we pledge ourselves to attend and do our duty."—(Applause.) Mr.NORTIrtIORE rose, and said, Gentlemea and La dies, it gives me great pleasure to add Ladies, as lam certain that they are all Reformers in their hearts (Laughing.) The requisition you have heard, alludes to the Constitution, and I will tell you that accord ing to the spirit of that Constitution, every man who pays taxes for its support, and every man who may be called upon to risk his life in its defence, has a right to vote—(Applause.) • The Requisition was then handed round, and nu merous signatures attached to it; after which Mr. HUNT said a few words complimentary to Mr. Northmore, atil contrasted the value of his ser vices if he were returned for the county to those ren dered by their present Member, Mr. Dickinson. While in prison he had learnt, and had documents to shew, that the independent Member, as he was called, rented a light-house in the British Channel from Go. vernment, and which brought him a profit of two to 3,0001. a-year. He had also 1,5001. a-year as Co lonel of the Yeomanry. When one of his tenantry asked that Member lately to use some interest in be. halfof his son, he replied, that he could not ask a' favour of the Ministry, as he was so decidedly in op position to them; but he, Mr. Hunt, thought his an swer, as an honest man, should have been, that as be was asking so much for himself, he could not venture to ask anything for other s. MT. HUNT, Sir CHARLES WOLSELEY, and Mr. NOKTUMORE then went into the baiouche, and set out at half•past eleven for Glastonbury, preceded by sixty Gentlemen on horseback, and folios\ ed by a few carriages, and the populace on foot. At Somerton the Procession arrived at one, where it was received by more than a thousand people, with general accla mations. The movements of the Procession were slow, and the appearance extremely picturesque in the dist Ant prospect. The br(ght plaid cloak of the principal personage shed its sparkling hues, and the Pretender himself, were he alive, could not expect to have had more honour paid to the tartan at Bannock burn, where it was said Mr. HUNT'S cloak had been manufactured, than was here paid to the national garb of Scotland. _ _ Mr. HUNT addressed a few words of thanks to his kind friends. He said he was proud of the manner in which they met—the occasion was joyful, though (as he called them) the black sheep had prevented the church bells from being rung. He was not annoyed by their petty malice; as there were bells rung in honour of hie liberation—aye, hundreds of bells, 'which were not paid for by tithes. After partaking. of some refreshment at the house of Mr. ANDREWS, the Procession set out fpr Glastonbury, where it I arrived at four o'clock. GLASTONBURY, Fotta o'CLoct. The liberation of Mr. HUNT seems to have made a 'greater sensation here than at Ilchester. The people who have collected are of a bettei class, and many parties of well-dressed women, escorted by their friends, have gone forward to meet the procession.— The hills surrounding the town are numerou s , an d anxious groups are stationed upon them looking out. The effect is exceedingly picturesque. The bells of the Churches were suffered to be rung after some contest among the authorities. The procession bas just arrived. As it came along it received a great increase of strength, and as it en ters here there are at least 3000 people with it, ex tending the whole length of the town, and for some distance on the &hetes rood. It stopped at the George Inn, and a loud shout was gifen by the mut- ' worthy of our commendation. If fre ste him hi A titude. After Sir CHARLES' WoLsecity -and Mr. dungeon—breathing the salubrious air in that pri. NORTHMORS left the carriage, Mr. HUNT took off his son, which, like another Warwick, is to be held out hat, bowed to the crowd, and thus addressed them : las she admiration of the world, among its holy a nd 66 lam once more amongst you, my friends, after spiritual managers—in that jail, governed by a 0) ,, i ,my confinement in Ilchester Bastile—(Hozza!). What , who they say was too good for his office, and m i luse have our tyrants got by sending me to the Bastile ? ' humanity was displayed in famine and bliste rs i..... Why, It has given you the opportunity of giving each we find him unchanged and pet sevet ing—(Bravo!) of them a kick in the breech for their folly—(Laugh- He has suffered all this for being found guilty of-- ter and cheers). I understand the Parson has ordered what? only of one half a count of the iredictment 1 one of the bell-ropes to be cut. Why, if all the bells A Crown extent has also been issued against his gro in town were ringing, we could not hear them from petty, on the very spot where we now stand, for the louder voice of the people—(Neer, hear I).—This having given to the People a wholesome powder fL,r was done by the Corporation of Glastonbury—Cor- breakfast. From the persecutions he has undergon e , poration, indeed !—(Laughter).—They have also or- lam satisfied in saying the sentence was against t!-.e dered eighty special constables to be sworn. Why, I man, and not the crime—(" It was!" " Shame !"l am am now going to bold my Court Leer, and to swear It was the vengeance of the oligarchy pursuing him ; in my constables, and I shall order mine, if any one for as the old Poet says, " Deep within their hear; of the other constables misconduct himself, to take =kiln; vengeance lies, and must be satiate r E L , him immediately into custody; even if the Mayor I trust it has been the last effort of that party, ai:,l should not behave himself, I will take him into cus- that it will prove but the last flame of a dying d e! , tody. In taking leave of you, all I have to request potism—(Applduse).—To prove that such a sentence is, that you will be merry and wise, and separate and aggravation of the-punishment *as contrary to peaceably." the spirit of the Constitution, the Hon. Gentleman Mr. HUNT then descended from the barouche, and read several extracts from Blackstone end other 1e:...1 proceeded to a room in the Inn, where his deputy, authorities. In them (he continued) you will find ra,- Mr. HALT, had the necessary forms gone through to thing about rules or regulations of Magistratei—n ct open the Court Legit. It was rather an amusing spec- one word on solitary confinement—(Bravo).—ln my tacle, to see the man just liberated from a prison for opinion, Hunt deserved reward, and not punishment.. a breach of the peace presiding at this Court, and e , He did I"), much less the aggravation of it. He wa s swearing officers to maintain good order. The ne- deprived of the light of the sun, and o f fresh air. Tne cessary solemnity was faithfully preserved. War- society of his friends was denied him—even to that (a rants having been previously issued to all the parties his own son. In their malice they tried to smoke him eat concerned, Mr. HUNT proceeded to hold the Court by a new furnace, but the Somerset Magistrates are Lest of the Manor of Glastonbury and Hundred of most unfortunate folk, for instead of injuring him, the Glaston twelve hides, and to appoint all the peace- furnace smoked out his evil genius-(Cheers).--By On officers of the Hundred, in virtue of his power as cheer I judge you want me to tell you who that evil Lord of the Manor, and which right is annually in- genius was?—(Yes.)—Depend upon it he was a Cler vested in him. He appointed accordingly the fol- gymait ; and, what is more than getting him out, his lowing officers :—Two High Constables of the Hun- own plans have had the effect of smoking the jail al. dred ; two Constables of the town of Glastonbury; together away—(Applause).— An old book says " th.!t one Tithing-man, for the divisions of Edgerly, Ral- oppression makes a wise man mad ;" but it has had tonbury, West Jannard, Norwood, West Bradly, West the contrary effect on our friend Hunt. He has come Omanholt, North Woden, North Load, Badcome, out of prison a perfect Sampson, for he has pulled t! e Eastsheet, and Ayle Sand. temple of Dagon upon the heads of his enemies. li After the several officers were sworn in, Mr. HUNT one respect he has even exceeded Sampson, for Le addressed them to the following effect : 41 As this killed himself as well as his enemies; but Mr. Hula is the first , timel have assembled you, I think it ne- is alive and merry, and ready still to fight the battles cessary to say a few words on your duties. You are of his country's fr eedom—(Loud applause).—And as to consider that you act on behalf of the King, and as I said before this day, he is doubly rewarded by Ls it is his duty to protect the people, I advise you al- own conscience and your approbation. I will con ways to act with mildness and humanity, and in exe- dude by proposing his health, and at the same time cuting all warrants, not to exceed the necessary se- calling his notice to the piece of plate which the Free verity of the law. The law as it is, is severe enough; holders of the County have sent him—(Bravo!). I know what it is to be under its lash. It is your Mr. HUNT'S health was then given, with iime tirn.:l duty, and I charge you in the name of the King, to nine; the cheering continued for many minutes. treat every prisoner as if he were innocent, as the When order was restored, Mr. HUNT mounted The law of the land considers him innocent until he is table, and thus spoke:—" Gentlemen, to attempt .a proved to be guilty. I wish the constables of Glaston, thank you for the honour you have done me, in hr.- to be extremely impartial in the warning of Jurors. guage corresponding to my feelings, is impossible. They are not on any account to listen to Sheriffs, or I am truly proud of the kindness you have tavourci to yield to any influence, but to follow the dictates of me with, a nd it has sunk so deep into ray breast that their own conscience. If you neglect your duty, you it can never be eradicated—(Cheers).—After the eta. are liable to be fined by the Magistrates, as well as quent speech of Mr. Northmore, it would be pre-unlii being amenable to me. You all know I get nothing tion in me to occupy your time. There is one c( in by this ; my ancestors had the Manor conferred on pliment which he has paid, and which, I think, is but them by former Kings ; and as 1 stand in their shoes, doing me justice—that of never flinching from pub::.: I am obliged in duty to attend and keep up the pri; duty, when called upon by the People—(.4pplause).— vilege they have handed down to me. One thing You may, perhaps, wish to know how it ha peens that more —as, perhaps, as your Lord is now at liberty, I am so frequently attacked by men who have litiett; •and if on such an occasion you are disposed to rejoice, on their tongues, but malice. - in their hearts ? I %%111 be merry and wise; recollect that you are this day the tell you: there are many men who are Jealous of the legal keepers of the peace, and if there be any irregu- public approbation which is bestowed on me: ano larity, high or low, which you should be bound to ther powerful incentive is, that many of tbs.= are notice, treat not the party like a brute or slave, and men who are anxious to get their sentiment: publi,hol, use any person in custody, should such these unfor- and as they have no intloence on the public Pre -s ,he; tunately be, with consideration and humanity." attack me, certain that whatever they set ite agai 1.-, r:: THE DINNER. will be readily inserted both by %%his and Tor) Par la Let me not be understood to s i ,e.:k ill of the Pr.,— At six o'clock about sixty Gentlemen sat down to since I have been in Ilchester gaol, it has doaz :•. • dinner, in the largest room of the George Inn. Mr. justice. If it had not been for it, the l a is,, c oat ..'. Noarnmone was called to the Chair; and on his not so generally have known my situation ; di?, . .... right Mr. HUNT was placed. it not been for the Press and the People, 1 be it V, 1,..ii When the cloth was removed the CHAIRMAN gave the first toast, which was drank with acclamation— my fate was decided, and that I should never 11 Ire seen you here this day—Vicar, hear.) As to ~ h a t 1 " The People, the source of legitimate power." have suffered, Gentlemen, when a man emba. ks in A letter from Mr. James Mann, the Reformer of Leeds, inclosing an Address from that town, was public life, or is laid hold of by the emissaries of Government; he must make up his mind to bear up read, and the Address presented by Mr. Northmore to Mr. Hunt. a?,ainst it, and struggle in the best way he cu.— (Hear.) When I was on trial at York, the Jury After the Address was presented, the CHAIRMAN found, after five hour,' deliberation, a verdict of said that he wished to preface the toast which be was Guilty on half a count only. The cunning and art about to propose with a single observation. An do- g fulJud e sent them back, and I was acquitted on all quent member of his Majesty's Government (Mr. the serious part of the accusation, and found guilty Canning) had, with reference to an Illustrious Lady on the mildest count of the indictment—that of at (the late Queen) said, that she was " the grace, the life, tending a seditious Meeting; for that have I suffered and ornament of polished society; perhaps it was for two years and six months incarceration !—(Share-) that tribute that his Majesty had lately called to his Here is my excellent friend4Sir . CharlesWolseley, who counsels that eloquent individual. But that Minister was also confined for eighteen months for attending had lately thought proper to call the Reformers, a what was called a seditious Meeting ; but he fell body whose aim and object was the overthrow of t hei among humane people and worthy Magistrates, in Constitution—the subversion of the tripartite govern- Berkshire. You all, perhaps, know how I was treated. ment. He (the Chairman) solemnly denied the charge I will, however, give you a few of the particulars: —he denied it in behalf of all the real Reformers of There never was one iota of charge of misconduct the Kingdom—(Cries of " hear, hear.") Their object ever brought against me, or any of my friends; y et, was not to destroy, but to restore the Constitution, for the sake alike of the King and the People—(A; before three months, the Magistrates made four Jit ferent orders to exclude them and annoy me. It was plunge.) It was therefore that he gave this toast— a constant system of harassing and vexation, until 1 " The King, and may he never forget the expression preferred charges, and brought down a Commission of Lord Chancellor Fortescue—that he has the dele gation of his office from and for the People"—a toast from the Crown to investigate the abuses of the prison. The Commission was composed of two Ministerial which he (the Chairman) gave with as much zeal and fervour as Mr. Canning could, in proposing his supporters and a nephew of a Noble Lord; and I blajesty's health. have no hesitation in saying that they came down with the determination of reporting that the charges The toast was drank with great applause. which I had preferred were false, and that the jailor Sir CHABLIS'' WOLSELEY presented Addresses to was an ill-used man—(Shante).—On the first day they Mr. HUNT on behalf of the Reformers of Manchester and of the Bolton Union, which were both worded in arrived they showed that they were determined to a style of high encomium. carry that point. I was locked up in my cell, and The silver flagon and salver, presented by the wrote several letters to them, but could not get aa Freeholders of the County, were delivered in form by answer. The prisoners that Bridle wished to produce the Gentlemen of the Committee. were gilled up, and they, of course, said that the The CHAIRMAN rose, and said—Gentlemen, I see charges, as far as "they were concerned," were all that you are impatient to hear the toast which lam false. As the examination proceeded, however, the about to announce. I need not expatiate on the merits other prisoners refused to be called up unless Hunt of Mr. Hunt, you all know them, and the cower was present —( Applause).—There is one o f then ' knows them. I need not speak *Ahem, for here. There he is, poor Charles Hill !at the end of - ~ When Phoebus does his beans filthy— the room ; ask him if it is not as I say ? He was con .' To tell men tlandy that 'ds day ! fined in Ilchester Bastile for sixteen years, for a debt is to presume they re kind. He has never deviated of 341. due on some Government account; and, it . I from the principles of public virtue. Has he ever had not been there to see justice done him, he would flinched from his duty to the country fro a dread have died there. Well, then, they made me pay for of the consequences? Uwe look to him at Manche,- the charges of the six weeks examination, at an vi ta or on his trial at York ; if we regard him among pense of 3001. out of my own pocket , and, at the end the butchers of the 16th of August, or among the per- of these six weeks, the Commission returned to Lon securing men miscalled Ministers of the - Gospel, we don, and in their Report said that all the charges 1 shall fi nd his public character ever the same...cies had brought were more or less confirmed--(Brive). !