The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1824-06-26 00:00:00

JURY LAWS CONSOLMATION !?ILL. This Bill it Doer rioted. its importance induces us to give the eellowing Aroma of its provisions. The pramble sets bah, as the reason eu which the measure is founded, that the " laws rela. tire to the qualification and summoning of Jurors, and the forma. Lion of Juries is England and Wales, are tray numerous and con. pleated," and that "it is expedient to consolidate and simplify the same, and to increase the number of persons qualified to serve on Juries, aad in Dome other respects to amend the said laws." It then goes on to enact, that every man between the ages of twentpone and sixty years, and having an income of ten pounds yearly _arieing from lands or tenements, whether of freehold, copybOhl, or customary tenure, or ancient demesne, in fee simple, or fee tail, or for his own life; or of twenty pounds yearly from lands or tenements held by lease for the absolute term of twenty. one years or longer, or fur any life or lives I or being assessed to the duty on inhabited houses, in respect to the house in which he dwells, at a sum not yet fixed; or to the rate fur the relief of the poor, at a sum not yet fixed; or being the occupier of a house con. taming a certain number of windows., not yet led—shall be qua lified and liable to serve on Juries in England, ip superior Courts, Assizes, and Sessions of the Pow. The qualification for Juries in Wales extends three-fifths of the foregoing. The Clerk of the Peace is to Uses his warrants to the High Con stables within the first week of July In each year, commanding them to issue their precepts to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor, to make out, before the first day of September, a true hat of all men qualified to serve on Juries, residing within their re spective parishes and townships. For this purpose the Clerk of the Peace 311 tO annex to his warrants the printed for;ne of precepts nodretarns which are subjoined in the schedule of the Hill. With. in one week after the receipt of these warrants, the High Coasts. hies are to issue their precepts to the Churchwardens and Overseers. Justices of division may order any extra parochial place to be an nexed to any adjoining parish or township, for the purposes of this Act; and parishes extending into more than one hundred, are to be treated as entirely within the hundred where the parish church is situated. The Churchwardens and Overseers are then forthwith, an the teceipt of the precepts, to make out an alphabetical order or tree list of the persons qualified to serve OH Juries, with their places of abode, tide, quality, callitw, or business, and the nature their ali fleations, according to th e form of return in the ache e. Notice is to be given to every person included in the lists, in ceder that his objections to save, it he have any, may be heard. A Petty Satiate, for that purpose, will be held in the last week of September; the lists will then be produced, considered, reform. ed, and allowed; but no shmation is to be made in the lists with out notice to the party to be affected by it. After allowance, the lists are to be delivered to the High Constables, and by him trans mitted to the next Quarter Sessions. These lieu are to be kept by the Clerk of the Peace, among the records of the Sessions, and copied into a book to be delivered to the Sheriff, which book shall be called "The Jurors Book ;" and the Sheriff, on quitting his office, shall deliver it to his suet:smog. The Jurors book shall be brought loto use on the first of January following its delivery to the Sheriff, and shall continue in use for one year. Peen, Judg es , Clergyman in holy mders,Teachen and Preachers duly licensed - , and following no secular occupation, except that of a schoolmaster, are absolutely exempted from serving on Juries. Sergeants and Banisters at Law members of the Society of Decton of Law, or Advocates of die Civil Law, Clerks of Assize, Associates, Clerks of Indictments, Clerks of the Peace, Attorneys, Solicitors, or Proctors' Officers of the Courts of Law, Coronae, Gaolers, and Keepers of Houses of Correction, Physi cians. Sur geone, Apothecaries. Officers in the army and navy, on full pay, the household Servants of his Majesty, and Officers of Customs and Excise, are all exempted, while actually proctising or following those occupations, excepting where justice cannot be administered without their service. None but natural-born subjects can serve on Juries or Inquests, except in cases lc ateilietate, and men attainted of treason or felony, or convicted of any infamous crime, or under outlawry or excommunication, are disqualified. Grand Jurors are also to be summoned from the Jurors' Book, their qualificstion being that they shall be described as Esquires, or of higher degree—provided always, that the Sheriff may sum mon the sons of any Peer, or the eldest son of any Baronet, residing in the county, though his name be not inserted in theJurors' Book. The form of the venire /brass, and of the precept for Jurors at Gaol Deliveries and Sessions of the Peace, is next described. If any man shall be returned as a Juror not being qualified, the *ant of qualification shall be good cause of challenge. The Sheriff, on his return of every writ of venire facias, shell annex a' psoel of Jurors, of which a copy shall be hung up in the Sheriff's Office. for the inspection of the pa. ties and their attorneys. If a plaintiff or demendant shall sue forth a writ of venire Arias, in order to trial, and not proceed. he may afterwards sue forth an other writ of remise facias, and try at any subsequent Assizes, and the defendant may do the same. Jurors in all the Criminal Courts are to be returned as before. Judges a Assize may direct the same panel for the Criminal and Civil sides, and may direct too sets of Jurors to be summoned, one to attend at the beginning of each Assizes, and the other to attend the residue thereof, to serve indiscriminately on the Criminal and Civil side. Where Jurors ate to view the place in maiden, the Court may order special writs fedi/fringes or habeas corpora ; and viewers, in case of ap pearance, shall be sworn on the Jury first. In these cases the Judge shall appoint the trial during the attendance of the viewers. Jurors are to be summoned ten days at the least before their at,. tendance is required. In civil causes the names of the Jurors are to be delivered to the Marshal, written on distinct pieces of parchment or card, as nearly as may be of equal sire, and put together in a box, from whence • sufficient number sha ll be drawn out in open Court, until twelve fair and indifferent men shall remain after all just causes of chal lenge shall be allowed; and they being sworn shall be the Jury to ety_the cause. The next Reties Metes to Special Juries. It enasts, " that it is and shall be lawful for his lllajesty's Courts of King's Bench, Coalmen Pleas, and Exchequer at Weetminater respectively, and foe the said Courts of the three Counties Palatine and Courts of Great Sessions in Wales, upon motion made on behalf of the , King, or upon the motion of any prosecutor or defendant, in any indictment or information for any misdemeanor or penalty, or in any Information in the nature of a quo warraitto, depending or to be prosecuted in the said Court of King's Bench, or in any infor mation depending or to be prosecuted in the said Court of Ceche qua, or on the motion of any plaintiff or demandant, defendant or tenant in any action or suit whatsoever, whether popular or private, depending in any of the said Courts; and the said Courts are hereby authorized and required, in any of the cases before mentioned, to order, by a rule of Court, or by the order of a Judge in vacation, • Special Jury to be struck before the proper officer of each re spective Court, for the trial of any Issue joined in any of the said cases, and triable by a Jury in such manner as the said Courts have usually ordered the same; and every Jury so struck shall be the Jury returned for the trial of the wed issue." The qualification of a Special Juror in England and Wales is then stated to be, that he shall be described in the Jurors' book as an Esquire or person of higher degree, er as a banker or merchant, Of as a freeholder, copyholder, customary tenant, or tenant in an rent demesne, having above a certain yearly income not yet fixed, either in fee 'diode, fee tail, or for his own life, or as being the occupier of a house containing thirty windows ; and in the city of isrodon, he shall be described as an Esquire or person of higher degree, or as a merchant or banker.. The :sheriff shall extract from the Jurors' book the names of all the persons qualified to serve as Special Jurors, and shall write them all on distinct pieces of parch- Mein or card, being all as nearly as may be of an equal size, and put them in a box for safe custody. The officer of the Court is to appoint the time and place for nominating the Special Jury. The Ltider Sheriff or his agent is then and there to attend the office with all the names. The officer is then, in the presence of all the parties, to put them all into a box, and after having shaken them together, shall draw out forty-eight of the said names, one after another, and shall, as each name is drawn out, read the same aloud ; and if, at the time of so reading any name, either party shall object that die individual whose name shall have been drawn out is dead, or other. wise incapacitated from serving on Juries, and prove the same to the satisfaction of the officer, such name shall be set aside and ano ther drawn instead thereof. The officer shall afterwards deliver a list of the forty-eight names to each party, which will be re duced as heretofore. The fees for striking a Special Jury, and all the other expenses occasioned by this mode of trial, will ' main payable mat present, and the mode of striking Special Juries in cities and towns will also remain unaltered. When a full Jury shall not appear, or when, after appearance, the Jury shall, by challenge, be reduced below tee requisite nun her, the Court, on request of either party, may order the Sheriff to name so many of such other able men of the county then present es shall make up a full Jury. In case of Special Jury, the taiesmen shall be supplied from the Common Jury panel. Such tine may be set upon Jurors making default as the Court shall think meet. The Sheriff is idemnified for retuening any person whose mom is in the Jurors' book, though he may not be qualified ; but if he return one not in the book, or if the Clerk of Awdze record the appearance of a per son summoned who did not really appear, the Court may fine them. 'The Sheriff is to register the names of those who have served and give them certificates, and the Clerk of the Peace is to make out a list of all who save at Sessions, or Grand or Petty Juries, and transmit the same to the Sheriff to be registered. Certificates of *avian may be given by the Clerk of the Peace. Jurors arc not to be summoned again within certain periods to the Assizes nor to the Quarter Sessions. No money shall be taken to excuse persons from serving as Jurors. The penalties fur a breach of this Act are then fixed with respect ale High Constables, Churchwardens, and Overseers, tic, for each offence the forfeiture of a sum not exceeding ten pound'', nor has than forty shillings. With respect to Sheriffs and Clerks of the the Peace, the sum is not fixed. Aliens indicted for felony and misdemeanor are not to be deprived of the rigl t of being tried by a Jury de istedietate lingair. Justices are not to be summoned as Jurors at Sessions, nor the inhabitants of Westminster to serve at the Middlesex Sessions. The qualifications of Juror in cities, boroughs, anti towns cor porate, will not be allowed, except that the Jurors at Westminster must be householders within that city, and have lands, tenements, Of personal estate of the value of 1001. ; ihd that no Juror shall try any capital offence in any other city, borough, or town, who shall not be a householder within the same, and have property to the like amount. nor unless he be qualified to serve as a Juror in civil causes. The qualification of Jurors on inquests before the Sheriffs or Coroners is, that they shall be householders, and have a yearly income of forty shillings arising front lands, or tenements, or personal estate to tie value of one hundred pounds. Sheriffs, Coroners, and Commissioners may fine Jurors for non.attendance. Persons summoned to serve on Juries in inferior Courts not attend ing, shall forfeit not more than forty shillings, nor less than twat ey, unless the Court be satisfied with the cause of absence ; the' fine may be levied by distress and sale. Convictions under this Act shall not be quashed for want of form, and persons sued for any thing door under this Act may plead the general issue ; the venue shall be laid in the county where the fact is committed. The last clause provides, that the Act shall commence and take effect on the Ist et - January, 11025, and that eti Acts of Parliament, relating to the qualification of Jurors now in farce, shall by repealed. WecterY FOR TIIR ABOLITION OF SLIDER}'. The Annual Meeting of the Society for the Abolition of Slavery, pursuant to adjournment, took place yesterday at the Fteemaaon a Tavern. The Duke of °Lout:errs a in the Chair. The large hall of the Freemason's Tavern was occupied from an early hour with an eleglant assemblage of Ladies and Dentlemen. Every suitable accommodation had been previously provided; seats raised one above the other were erxted on the platform, and on either side of the ball. Before the Chair was taken every seat was oceapled. The galleries were engaged for ladies (who composed the majority of the meeting), and altogether the comp d'tri( presented a most pleasing and imposing spectacle. Amongst many distin guished persons present we observed Lord Calthorpe, Mr. Wilber force (the former sat on the right and the latter ou tbe left of his Royal Highness), Mr. Money, M.P. Mr. W. Smith, 'M.P., Mr. But terworth, 'M.P., 311. Stephen. ' M.P. and Master in Chancery, the Hon. A. Ellis, 31. P., the lion. S. Rice, M.P., the Hon. B Noel, he. t The Secretary then proceeded to read the report, which, among% other interesting details, recited an account of the proceedings in the case of Missionary Smith. It also suggested a subscription for the widow of the late Missionary Smith. which was hailed with accla mation, and a similar expression of feeling was manifested at the tribute of respect paid by the Report to the exentplary and humane conduct of the Reverend Mr. Austin. The Report also alluded to the treatment of the slaves in other Cola nies ; and in a peculiar manner to the execution of eight ne groes in the island of Jamaica, without an overt act of treason having been proved against them. The Report, the reading of which occupied an hour and a quarter, took an able and compre hensive review of the various topics connected with the objects of the Society t The transactions in the Colonies, and the proceed. ings in and out of Parliament, bearing upon the subject, which had taken place since the last general meeting of the Society the recommendation of the Committee to renounce the use of West India produce, should all other means of procuring the abolition of slaver fail, was also enthusiastically applauded. The Report en•• the exertions in the great cause, of Mr. Wilberforce. Mr. ti: l St , 1)r. Lushington, and other individuals. The number of associations throughout the kingdom in aid of the general Society was no less than 220. In the last Session of Parliament (that of I 823), the number of . petitions presented to Parliament for the sacred object of procuring the abolition of slavery, was 22:i ; those presented on the same subject during the present Session ea. seeded GOO. The Report was frequently Interrupted by expressions of Inuit& ed satisfamson and approval by the meeting. The Hon. A. EI.1.1:1 rose to submit the first resolution. The Report that hod just been read gave him, as he was sure it must the meeting, Infinite pleasure. It contained every thing the meet ing could wish it to contain on the subject. lie hoped the cause of religion, of humanity, and of justice, would triumph over every obstacle thrown in its way, and that all the exertions of the Society would be crowned with the most complete success. He begged leave to conclude, by moving the thanks of the meeting to the President and Vice-President, the Treasurer and Committee of , the Society. for the very able and elaborated Report which had just been read, and that they be requested to take into consideration the propriety of printing and publishing that Report; and further, that they be requested to continue to the Society their valuable services. 31r. STEPHEN, in seconding the resolution, felt that the first sentiment they ought to express was a sentiment of gratitude to Divine Providence for the improvement that had already been effected in the condition of the slaves, and the still greater prospect of amelioration that the Report just read opened before them. (Applause.) The fair expectation of increased blessings to the slaves to which this Society was in no small degree instrumental, was a source of proud congratulation. It should be borne in mind, the first efforts of the Society were made at a period more than unusually dark and unpromising; then, there seemed to be an air of apathy and of insensibility . among the public respecting the situation of the slaves. The friends of the slaves and of humanity waited for a short term witlonit being gratified by the appearance of any of those bene fi cial effects which they had calculated. But in I the trifling period that had elapsed since the fomiation of that Society much had been done. Let us therefore join the Com mittee in expressing our gratitude to Divine Providence, for having proceeded thus far in the great work. The Society had many difficulties to encounter t they were assailed by every arti fice, and had to struggle against misrepresentation of their prin ciples. At his outset he wished to express his gratitude to his Majesty's Government for what they had already done. (Hear.) If he looked back to the time at which the Society commenced its labours ' he might truly say that up to that period nothing had been done. But in the short time that had since elapsed mark what had taken place. In the first instance, he would call the attention of the assembly to the introduction of the Law (the Slave Trade Consolida- Son Bill) which prohibited after three ears should elapse from its enactment, that !raffle which was not less appaling, not less offen sive, not less inhuman than the African Slave Trade—he meant the Slave Trade which was carried on between the Colonies, and for which wise and humane law society were indebted to his.liouour able and Learned Friend Dr. Lushington. (Applause.) He had great reason to hope the effect of that law would be equal to the expectations founded upon it, for he was convinced that his Majesty's Ministers, and particularly the venerable Nobleman at the head of the Colonial Department (Earl Bathurst), rook, take care that no such unholy traffic should be permitted. If the Society had done no niore than that, they had achieved an object of the highest imporumee; for it will not in future depend upon the will of tne l'olonial Slave Proprietors, whether the Negroes who have succeeded in forntin6 a little establishment in any of the Colonies, should be tnnakered thence at the will of such master to a distant settlement, and that he (Mr. Stephen) felt justified in calling a moot important object amelioration in the condition of the slaves which had already taken place, and the prospect of still further im provement, as proved by the Report. He congratulated the meeting upon the rational expectation which might be indulged of the ad ditional blessings which he trusted would result to the unfor tunate slaves, sod to which, without presumption, the Society might claim to have in some degree contributed. It was a most valuable enactment that these poor people should not be torn from their little comparative comforts, from their wives and children, and friends, merely because their masters could procure for them in another island or colony a higher price than waa their value in their own settlement. (Applause). But this was not all. His Majesty's Government had done now what they ought to have dune before: they had declared that the Govern ment of the Colonies rested exclusively with the Crown--a most important advantage. The praise of his Majesty's present Mini. stern led certainly to the conclusion that there must have been previous neglect. But that which had been done bound Parlia ment to proceed in the course which they had begun, and would teach the Colonial Legislature that we had not yet done all in our power. But while he thought it wise to give to his Majesty's present Ministers the rimed of praise for what they had already effected, he must remark, that in those Colonies under the immediate influence of the Crown there had been hitherto no effert made to render the system of amelioration universal ; and he thought it would not he press ing Ministers too far, to request that the sante measures of in. dulgence should be extended to the slave population of the cld colonies, which they (the .Ministers) had introdoced into the new. (Applause.) He was aware that the friends of the amelioration ofl the condition of the slaves had great difficulties to contend with, to struggle against prejudice, to grapple with powerful interests, and' to induce a more equitable line of conduct for the future. If it were a new thing that it should be recommended to the Colonial Governments by Parliament to reform the ttlave Laws—if it had never been attempted before, it might be objected to them that • reasonable time ought to be suffered to elapse before his Majesty's Government or Parliament should be pressed to adopt ruch ulterior measures. But in considering that part of the subject, it would be necessary to recollect what had occurred at a former period, and what had been the results. It was of the utmost im portance to ascertain the effects of precedents, and he had for that purpose brought with hint some documents, from which, with the leave of his Royal Highness and the meet ing, he would read a few extracts, in order to chew how the hopes formed upon the promises now held out could he checked in the least by the example of former disappointments. Towards the close of the year 1796 the West India Committee—a body formed of the most influential roprietors of Colonial pro perty resident in this country, most of them Members of Pasha ment--came to a resolution to recommend to the Colonial Assent. blies a reform of that moat iniquitous and cruel system by which ' the slave population was govevned. On the 14th of 14ecember, 1794i,that Committee entered into the following Revolution.—( Here the Learned (lantleman read the Resolution, which recommended that Mr. Charles Ellis be requested to make a motion on the sub. ject in his place in l'arhament, and to give notice of it at an early day, for the appointment of • Commitee on the subject ; and that it be an instruction to the Committee not to desist from their la bours until something shin have b een effected ; and further, it was . . essaeatial that the i'onimittee should give directions that his Ma jesty's Government should be requested to give such orders to the Governors of the Colonies as should produce the moral and Tell glows improvement of the Negroes, and thus secure a lasting im provement in their state.) They were but too well aware that no disposition had been displayed by the assemblies to co-operate ice the education or moral instruction of the slaves. No ; far from it : the Visionaries experienced from them nothing but opposition, calumny, persecution. confiscation of their little property, destruc tion of their meeting-house, and condemnation of themselves to the gallows. (Cheers.) These were the only encouragements they had received in the prosecution of their arduous labours. (Loud applauees.) A recommendation ;had also been made from this country to enforce the impartial administration of justice in those Colonies. On that subject they had the confession of Sir Wil liam, who had previously been made Governor, that in 1011, which was fifteen years after the recommendation of Parliament to that effect, who states, that he is sorry to say that this, from circumstances, was next toimpossible, for what protection would they expect to receive when, whatever were the goodness of the laws themselves, it sax certain that owing to the situation of the' colonies, and the condition and state of its population, those , laws were made a dead letter in consequence of the rule. adopted relative to the admission of evidence.? These rules oc casioned the rejection in nine tames out of ten of the only wit nesses who would or could speak to the offences committed by Whites against the NNroes. In pursuing the subject, Lord Bathurst in his speech hxl said, that this was the recommendation which they had found most difficult in obtaining any attention to prove the Colonial Legislations of the alleged ilsnger that might arise from the admission of negro evidence in affecting the case of accused white people; yet, after such an admission by these l.egis. latures, it was found that a Court had proceeded to take such evi dence on the last trial of Mr. Smith ; and it was on this, and this evidence only, that a Missionary had been found guilty, and sen tenced to lose his life; and that, too, on the evidence principally of one who was giving such evidence in the hope of saving his own forfeited life. (Loud cheers.) Was it on the evidence of such a man as this that a Court Martial should have assume,' the guilt of a Minister of the Gospel. shwa they scateneed to death, though ' labouring under a puliannary ennaumption which had reduced him to that condition that he hid probably but a few weeks more to live, in this world, whilst the evidence beeped on him', that most absurd charge of endeavouring to make himself Emperor of a few negroes in the wilds and wallops: of Gums. It had been argued out of door* and in the Colombo, that by debating the subject too ate', we west risking too much—risking in fact the property, the lives of the whites, and the safety of the Colony. To that argument he felt himself, were be even now in the period of life which be might consider his best days. incapable of of in addition any answer stronger than that which might be extracted from the report 'filch they had just heard read, and which ; had been drawn up with so much force and ehility. He would how- ever suppose a care by way of elucidation, of a person who haul pr 0...! claimed himself aloud the enemy of that neat and useful improve. I ment, namely, the light procured front gas; and, who, whilst he was denouncing the introduction of gas in lighting up the public streets as dangerous and injudicious in any well regulated society, was detected introducing gas into his own warehouses, wherein I were contained a variety of combustible materials. Now, certainly' whatever persons generally might think of the noxious or dangerous qualities of gas, all would have but one opinion of hint who re flected on this extraordinary conduct, and exclaim that he must be an impostor. The discussions on the subject of the gradual provement and amelioration of the condition of the slaves was con fined to newspapers and pamphlets, which rarely could ever come into the hands of the Negro population, but which had a very general circulation amongst the planters, whom all admitted to be capable of , extreme agitation on this topic, as might be collected from the very Inflammatory resolutions entered into already on a late occasion con. I fleeted with the alleged frequency of such discussions in Eitgliutd. The charge levelled against the endeavours of this Society, of being resolved on obtaining nothing short of immediate enianclpui tion of the slaves, though untrue, had, as his Royal Highness I would perceive, a direct tendency to alarm and exupernte the feel. I ings of plain men so circumstanced, who supposed their interests identified with the present system of IVeet India slavery. Nothing I amid be more unfair than the reiterations of such charges. They were perfectly unfounded, and were as great an °fence against reason as the system of slaver, was in itself a sin against justice. (Cheers.) He feared he had too long trespassed on their valuable time. (Loud cheers.) With a view to laird others an opportunity of addressing the Meeting, he should Weap here, convinced that he could not more essentially serve the geese cause so dear to all, than by falling in with the recommendation of the report. namely, to exhort them to endeavour by addreame and publications from time to time, to call forth the expression wt the public voice and public sense spinet the continuance of this enormous and crying evil. (Much :heeling.) The lion. Gentles man concluded by seconding the motion. The Hon. BAPTIST Noer. said, that if asudden communication had reached the colonial proprietors that his Majesty's Government had emeheipated the whole /due population of the West Indies, it could not come upon them with more eurprise—indre like a thunder-clap, than did the announcement of his name to propose ; the next resolution. .(Ilear, hear). He felt a want of collected. nee* and self-possession to enable him to state his sentiments as he would wish ; one sentiment, however, had taken strong • I of his mind, that was the persevering zeal of such a ' ety as the present, and with the blessing of God they would be enabled to I achieve the great work of mercy in which they embarked. That 1 slavery was repugnant to the principles of Christianity, was a pro, position which did not need the aid of argument to sustain. It ; was not with slavery in the abstract they had to deal, but with the ! slavery that prevailed in our West India Colonies ; and a system I could not possibly exist more inconsistent with good government, and more at variance with the dictates of true religion. It could not be denied but that the condition of the slaves in our West Indio Islands relieved the negroes from that degree of moral responsibility to which we were subject. It was impossible to , suppose that human beings who were placed under the despotic control of their masters,—liable to be torn front their relations and friends,—their feelings outraged,--every cruelty and insult heaped upon them without the power almost of murmur or complaint : it could not be thst persons so situated were responsible for their ac. tions, In the same degree that they were who lived under the pro. tection of a happier Government. The improved condition of the slave population had been spokes of, but that he was not prepared to admit. He had the influential authority of the petit Gentlemen who spoke last for saying, that the i negroes now were in as advanced en a state of improvement as they were n 1797, and in no better. (Hear, hear.) The spirit and practice of the colonial system of slavery were fully manifested in the late proceedings which wok place at Demerara, at the Court-Martial by which Mr. Smith was tried. At that ('curt-Martial doctrines were advanced which sans tied him that thesystem was altogether at variance with Christianity. Amongst the charges preferred against Mr. Smith, he was se. Bused of having inculcated on the minds of his tempera— tion the very first duties of a Christian—the observance of the Sabbath. (Applause.) . Thus, the inculcation of the first and bounden duty of a ('h ristian was made mutter of charge , against this Christian Minister ; and this too was complained of at' a time that his congregation exceeded in amount even nine-tenths of the whole population of the Island. We who enjoyed the at-, mosphere of liberty could not fairly appreciate all the enormities of this system ; hut we should feel for those who did, and who groaned under a slavery which annihilated the best feelings of the human heart, and which spread contagion wherever it extended; cursing every thing connected with it ; blighting the prosperity of the land, and withering the fertility of the soil. (Apilause.) It became us to make the utmost effort to wipe off the stigma of the disgrace of such proceedings--to persevere with a steadiness that no calumny could not overcome, no Interests repel, no object divert us, in order to procure the speediest termination to this atrocious' system of oppression and irreligion, (Cheers.) Let us gather all the resources we can to aid ps in this goodly undertaking ; let us not cease to denounce the abuses to which outraged humanity is subjected in our present mode of Government. We have before us many bright examples--who have laboured, and who have la boured successfully in the pious endeavour of ameliorming the condition of the slave imputation. It remains only for us to iin bihe their feelings, and tread in their steps. (Applause.) He would conclude by proposing the wood resolution, which he would leave to be supported by the eloquence of the gentleman who would second it ; a gentleman more competent in every re spect than lie was to do it justice. That in the opinion of this Meeting, the bondage in which 1100.000 of their fellow-subjects are held, is repugnant to the spirit of Christianity, contrary to the soundest maxims of . policy, and a gross violation of the principles of humanity and justice ; and that animated with the hope of being instrumental in putting a period to this state of oppression and suffering, and wiping out this foul reproach to the British name and character, the Meeting now pledge themselves to prosecute the sacred cause they have under taken, with zeal, activity and perseverance, until, by the blessing of (lad on their united cabins. they are enabled to rejoice together in the final accomplishment of their great work of mercy." Mr. J. al eceuxey then rose, and addressed the meeting in • strain of animated eloquence, which was received with frequent expressions of applause. He spoke nearly to the following effect :—llad I been requested, Sir, to lend my support to any other motion than that which your Royal Highness has just heard, I should not have offered myself to your notice without great reluctance. I should have felt that our cause, though it can never have a more zealous friend, might easily have found an able and more experienced advocate. I should have thought it deli. table that you should be addressed by some gentleman who had distinguished himself in this, or in a former great contest for the tights of human nature, rather than by one whose only claim on your attention in derived from services not his own. (Hear.) From these feelings I am relieved by . the nature of the present motion. It is a motion which, as I conceive, I can second, not only without presumption, but whit peculiar propriety. It is a motion which seems especially to belong to those who are entering upon life ; to those who, though they have not contributed to yonr past successes, are ambitious to participate in your future labours. It pledges us to continued exertion. It announces that even if those in whose guidance we have hitherto confided be destined to leave unfinished the werk which they have so gloriously begun, the good cause shall not therefore want fresh champions ; nor, if it be must be so, fresh martyrs. (('heers.) As a friend to humanity, Sir, I cannot look without delight on such a meeting assembled for such an ob ject. We hest much indeed of the danger of these discussions. We are told that they inflame the passions of the slave, and en. danger the person and property of the master. We arc abjured to takc warning by the commotion* of liarbadoes and Demerara ; and I fear that these admonitions have pnelueed an effect on many honourable and tenevolent minds. Fully as those representctions have been this day refuted, cannot refrain from adverting to the contradiction which they have received from our culversarics them selves. It is certainly strange that these forebedings should in general proceed from the same prisons who have assured us that the system of colonial slavery is the glory of the English name, and the envy of the English peasant, that its evils exist only in theory, and that in its practical operations it is the greatest of blessings. No assertions, however hold and per tinacious, can possibly obtain ceedit when they so directly contradict each other. Never was any government at once so benignant and so insecure : never were any subjects at once so hap py and so turbulent. Abuses merely speculative never yet roused to revolt the great body of any people. An educated man of en. lamed views and enthusiastic temper, a Thrums or a Sidney, may indeed convince himself that one form of government has a greater tendency than another to promote :he happiness of mankind, and by such considerations he may be induced to engage in hazardous enterprise. But it is not thus that the multitude is influenced. If they are excited to rebellion, it is by evils which address themselves to their senses • and perceptibly diminish their personal enjoyments, by the violation of the sacred ties of nature, by the spoliation of the , honest fruits of industry, by unmeasured exaction, by stripes, by insulta, by the strong necessity of famine. These things sting them to madness ; these things turn ploughshares into swords and pruning.huuka into spears. (Applause.) We hear that this sys tem, in theory confessedly odious, is, in practice, lenient and beral; and abundance of local testimony is adduced to this effect.' Local testimony is indeed invaluable when it can be obtained un ' adulterated by local interest and local prejudice. But that It is adulterated I always will believe, when I sec that it contradicts great general principles. Is it possible that the power with which time slave codes invest the master an be possessed without being perpetually abused ? if so, then is then. no tnmth in experience, then is there no consistency in human nature ; then is history a fa ble, and political science a juggle, and the wisdom of o u r ancestors madness, and the British Constitution a name. Let ws breuk up the benches of the House of Commons for fire wood, unit cut Magna Charts into battledores. (A laugh.) When this country has bun endangered, either by arbitrary o pwer or by popular delusion, truth has still powierwed one irrisistible organ, and justice one inviolable tribunal—that organ has been an English Pfau, and that tribunal an English Jury. But in those wretched islands we see a Prey more hostile to truth than any can. we. and Juries mote insensible to justice than any Star-chamber. In those islands alone is exemplified the full meaning of the most tremendous of the curses denounced against the apostate Hebrews, •-• I will curse your blessings." (Loud cheers.) I said that we could prove this out of the :uoutha of our opponents. There are few here, I presume, Who have not bestowed some aitentios on the trial of the late His Smith. We remember, and e3od Almighty forbid that eeee we should forget, how, on that Wag= hatte d, deep cunning, tremorous hatred, regulated every proceedhseteill substituted for every law—allowed its victims no sanctuary the house of mourning, no refuge in the very grave. Trek k HAW the members of that Court-martial have narrowly escaped the stlar. ma of a Parliunentery censure—true it is that those *lttihad not the hardihood to acquit, had not the virtue to condenen them I but no leas true is it that the country has pronounced against them its damnatory verdict—has passed its sentence, and will assuredly ex ecute it : no less true is it that they return to England disgraced men, and that history will rank their names with these ot the mur derous Judges of le/timer and Sidney. (Much epplause.) . By the veiny confessions of our adversaries I am warranted In saying, that this system ought not to stand ; and, thank Q6d, by the the. racier of the British people, I am warranted in seeing that it can not stand. England' cannot tolerate it trithont renouncing her , claim to het proudest and rarest distineticins. She has, indeed, much in which to glory. She may boast of her encient laws, her magnificent literature, her vast empire, her long lilt of military and trutritime triumphs. But she has still a higher praise. It is her peculiar glory—not that die has ruled so Widely— not that site has conquered so splendidly, but that she hes ruled only to bless, and conquered only to spare. (Much cheering.) Her mightiest empire is that of her manners, her language, and her laws; her proudest victories those which she has achieved over ignorance said ferocity i her moo durable tiophies, those which she hat erected in the butte of civilized and liberated nations. The strong moral feeling of the English people, their hatred of Injustice—their die. position to make every sacrifice, rather then part icipate in Riffle-_ these have long been their glory, their strength, and their safety. I trust that they long will be W. I trust that they will feel on this, err they have felt on so many othUr occasions, that the policy which justice and mercy recommend, is that which can alone secure flee happiness of nations and the stability of thrones. It is delightful, Sir, to look forward to the time when a series of wise and libmQ measures shall have released islands en highly favoured by the bounty of Providence, from the carne inflicted en them by the frantic rapacity of men. Then the peasant of the Antilles will tee longer crawl in listless and trembling dejection round a pkatatiso, from whose fruits he must derive no advantage, and a hut, whose door fields him op protection ; but when his cheerful and velum. eery khaur is performed, he will return, with the firm step and meet brow of a British citizen, from the field which is his freehold, Is the house which is his castle. Then those regions, where civi lised= hoe hitherto displayed only its strength, shall exhibit also the dints of fie simian and its mar/. Arts, aciencee, letters, owl laws, benevolent Institutions, the temples of a pure religion. dm assets of a legitimate commerce, tribunals where equal justice may be expected, even by a negro or osniasionmy—Senatot, where liberal sentiments and decorous phraseology will have succeeded to the doctrines and the language of Buccaneers, (Hew hear. bear.) Look at the maritime empire of Britain, at its commode' opelence, at its martial glory, at the proud list of its great men, and then re ! fleet from what we were relied and by what means. These things • should inspire us with hope, and not with hope alone. Do we owe so many b lessings to the generosity ef an ignorant priest, in a dark age and • distant country ? And shall we, who live in the full I blaze of moral and intellectual light, exert ourselves for the welfare of those over whose fate we possess an irresistible control, and in whose wrongs we have most deeply participated ? Again, there fore, and again, we pledge ourselves to this good cause. Danger, 1 difficulty, opposition, shall only animate us to the work. We will consider every success as a presage of final triumph, every failure as a call for redoubled exertion. Slander, enmity, derision, we expect and we despise. When the crusader in Talmo lifts hie sword to undo the enchantment of the haunted forest, gigantic forme sur round him, terrible voices menace him, the sky is derkened, the wind rises, the earth shakes beneath his fret; but the blow is 'thick, and immediately the sun thine' forth, the storm subsides, and the demons fly howling from the spot which they can pollute no longer. We are bound on at higher adventure; we are sworn to undo the spell of a fouler witchcraft, and it is not by any tempest which the infernal arts of our opponents can con:furs up against us, that we will be turned back from the high enterprise. Never, never shall this contest be terminated, but by a decisive victory of those principles of honour, benevolence, and freedom, from which alone states can derive a substantial prosperity, and statesmen an Immor tal renown. (I mud and immense cheering.) The Hon. Gentlemee sat down amidst the repeated plaudits of the meeting. This Tory eloquent address, of which our limits permit us to give but en ab stract, evidently produced a very strung impression on the meeting. teed CALTHORPL felt the first sentiment he was called omen to express, was one expressive of regret that the measures of Patna. meat. during the Session that had just concluded, tended rather te favour and countenance the delusion of our Colonial policy, than so correct its abase,. Ile did not blame Ministers, but feared that from • desire to mark out an impartial course between the aboll. tionists and the planters, they had been led astray and diverted from the adoption of any decisive available plan nf amelioration. At the same time he was convinced of their sincere disposition to improve their condition. However, it appeared to him, that the measures proposed were at variance with the language formerly used; he expected more would be done, and it was a ground et particular complaint, that Government did not use that influence and authority with foreign nations, which it might have exercised to induce them to co-operate in their designs and disposition fee ' the abolition of slavery. (Bar, hear.) Much light had been thrown on the system of Colonial Government by the case of Mr. Smith, to which frequent reference had been made in the course of the discussion. IDoctor Lushington at this moment entered the MOM, and en the announcement of hi; name, was welcomed by the atelainatimia of the meeting.] Lord CALTIIOIPE resumed. He was glad to en his Hon. and Learned Friend amongst them. His arrival was so satisfactory that he could not regard the acclamation that greeted his entrance as an interruption. Ile waist that moment referring to the case of Mr. Smith, one in which his llaw. and Lamed Friend was in. timately conversant. The decision of the House of Commons in that case—or rather the vote of the majority—evinced • desire to rescue from censure the mode of trial by which that estimable and pious Missionary was sentenced to a punishment, than which a greater could not be awarded to the most atrocious offender, for the most heinous of crimes. However, the leading Minister of the Crown did not pronounce a harsher sentence on his conduct than that he entertained " a too favourable indulgence to the acts of his congregation." A part of the resolution which he was about to submit called on the meeting for their sympathy towards the widow of this unfortunate gentleman. (Hear, hear.) That sympathy he would not endeavour to excite ; it was unneees. sary ; there was not a man in that meeting, or in the country, who did not cherish the most lively sympathy for her situation. Her husband had faithfully executed his trust ; he was transported to that place of high glory in which she may hope hereafter to be united with him. Amongst the consolations which should now surround her, it was not the least that the Minister admitted, that if he could not prevent the insurrection at Demerara, lie at least prevented that insurrection from being sanguinary. (Applause.) Through theinfluence, then, of this Missionary, it was admitted that this insurrection, amongst uncivilised people, too, which made it the more remarkable, had this distinguished characteristic, that through him blond was spared. (Cheers.) This should sink deep into the mind of his surviving companion, and give her an assurance of that brig ht re.union where. in another world, they may enjoy that happiness and peac e which was denied to them in this. (Cries of " Hear, hear, hear. ") The resolution contained the expression of another sentiment—a sen. iment of gratitude to the distinguished individual who brought forward this great question, and to the Famed associates who supported him on that occasion. This meeting, lie was sure, deeply felt what they owed that lion. Gentleman and his friends. Their feeling was echoed by the general voice of toe country, and, high as that approbation was, they had a still higher retompence foe the services they had rendered to the cause of justice, in the consciousness they themselves must feel in having discharged a ; most important and most useful public duty. Every ntan who at. tended to the administration of justice, must feel a great satisfac tion in seeing men of their unrivalled talents vindicate British law, ! ani rescue the fair form of justice from the stigma and disgrace which the proceedings et Demerara had affixed to them. (Cheer's) . They had done a great service_-and indeed the minister to whom he had before alluded, stated that the thanks of the country ; were due to them fur having this great question brought forward in , the manner that it had been. By bringing it forward, a great be. ; nefit had been rendered to the cause of humanity, and a serviceable I exposure of the %Vest Indian mode of Government and law had ; been developed. lie (Lord C.) was at a loss to know what answer those 31emben who voted in the majority on that question would be ready to give their constituents when they would be called upon to justify it. (Hear, hear.) That there were many Honourable min in that majority he would not deny; but yet he was at aloss to conjecture what defence they would be able to set up in vindi cation of such a vote, so directly at variance and in opposition to the evidence, and to the amplest principles of justice. (Hear, hear.) Ile cared not whether the trial was according to Dutch or English law ; it was sufficient for him to know that st was oppressive and unjust 4 and he was satisfied that this court-martial by which Mr. Smith was tried, was as unlike a tribunal of the same kind in this ; country, as a trial before a court of judicature in that island would he unlike a trial in a court of judicature in this. Many who set in that tribunal were, whilst in this country, of pure and unimpeached character ; and here was a melancholy proof of what had been al. leged of this system, fur it not only enslaved the negro population, but even enslaved the :minds of men who were before honourable and estimable, and degraded them to sanction proceedings from which they would before have shrunk in abhorrence. (Hear, hear.) That such a system would soon have an end he anxiously and sin cerely hoped. Confidence should be placed in the measures of Parliament. But if these were found insufficient, there was a still higher appeal--to the sense of tee people—by which he did not mean a refer !nee to the prejudices or passions of the vulgar and uneducated, but to the opulence, the intell,gence,the virtue, private and public, that lay in what was usually termed "the middling: classes of society." They would not sanction the appropriation o f that vast suns which they supplied annually for the public expendi ture, to be wasted in the support and maintenance of such • system' of misgovernment and oppression. In time exercise of that equity ! with which the public mind always observes and superintends the movenients of Governments ' they would refuse to counre. 'lance such proceedings—they would call for inquiry, and de.; island the substitution of a corrective system. Th einsults and abuses with which the newness were treated were aggravated' by the cutting invective, that the adoption of humane measures, i and of a milder policy, was not resolved upon out of comniisse- I ration and regard to the Colonies themselves, as if the exercise of humanity was to be regarded as an evil, and the extension of justice an undoubted mischief. He hoped, however, that, by real and perseverance, they would accomplish the glorious object they had in view, and that they would experience the consummation of their wishes in the admission of all the subjects of the British do. : minions into a participation of the blessings of the Constitution. (Much applause .) The Noble Lord then moved—" That this meeting, in comnton with the nation at large. view with sorrow and indignation the gross violatien of law and justice exhibited at tlemerera in the trial and tenvictism of Mr. &Ai 6141011116.. Say ; and while they express their detestation of the esßini eel on to which he fell a victim, they are sexiest atehonsese me to their cordial sympathy with hie afflicted widow, ea account of the irre ble sufferings she has experiential while sharing her hue 's imprisonment, and the irreparable lose ire has sustained by his untimely death. Nor do they feel it a duty less incumbent on them to pay their heartfelt tribute of applause and acknowledgment to Henry lhoughani end his amociasn Ia Parliament. who have so nobly and effectually vir.dicated tbe eba- Teeter of this traduced and persecuted missionary, and whose splen did and successful efforts in exposing oppression, and asserting the cause of truth, innocence, and j ustice, entitle them to the grinned* of their country and mankind. Mr. Teceon MONEY seeondedeleit Resolution. lle yea de- Sghted with the sentiments he had that day heard from those gentle men who had addressed the meeting, and with the sentiineets gnome more than the sou of one (Mr. Macauley) whose *mien were well known and appreciated, end who deserved to be named with& Wil. begone and 4 iidephens. (Applause.) He fully conclave in the sentiments of the Resolution moved by the Noble L as rd. li ' looked if as he did—and the country diti—veith dissatisfaction at Hl' e decia non of the House of Commons, or rather at their evesien of a deci sion. (Hear, hear.l Ile was at a loss to know on what ground the motion, which the Hon. and Learned Gentleman who brought it forward so able sustained, was rejected ; and it was with no small surprise and regret that be Aland that those who took charge of the votp.list on that pccawon did him the honour to place his name in the majority. No motion ever had his more cnrnest and cordial support. These was an affecting part of the iteselution to which the Noble Lprd had done justice—that which reI.C.NI to bm widow of the martyred miar.ienara, who, in the discharge of kis sacred trust, and because he would not sometime a riolation of the precepts of the Gospel he had gone 'Meth to preach, utelerwent se ono and lingering trial, and suffered imprisonment even unto' death. He would not call for sympathy for the widow of such a man. He was satisfied that the just and generous s) itapathy of the country accompanied her in her affliction; and be would add further, that they were called upon to sabitainer to her necessities. (Hear, hear, hear.) It was a duty te ze h oited mein them by that Providence which delhteth In ex " sultrier to the widow and the fatherless." (C heers. ) To the otiou ra lik and [warped Gentleman who broug ht forward this 010dt/A the ottani praise and gratitude was due. for that service he and they Merited and received the approbation and bla m ing, of their country. They had the self-approbation toe of haed rightly ; and a higher reward yet awaited them. (He at ) Doctor LeettinGTol.l rose to propene the next Resolution, and was received with the warm ablaniatioos of the meeting. lie regretted the absence of hie Learned leiend (Mr. Brougham). who , would have been is attendance. bat was prevented by circus. stances which be could not 4:entrant. On his part, and on I • halt of those who cooperated with that distinguished individual, he begged to return their sincere acknowledgments. The gratitude of such a meeting must be exceedingly acceptable and pleasing to them. He was thankful far the manner in which the Noble Lord expressed that sentiment of gratitude, which he (Doctor Lushington) was happy to perceive was in unison with the sentiments of the meeting, mid, be was proud to know, was ie accordance with the voice and sense of the country. (Aplause.) For his own part, the recollection of the part he took on that occa sion would be a consolation to him to his dying day, and lie was happy to be able to say that he took some small share in vindicat ing the law from the abuses to which it had been subjected, and of defending the memory of the dead from the smenions, from the calumnies with which it had been &smiled. (Hear, hear.) It eras not with a view of signalizing himself in a memorable debate tha he took the pan he aid ; but because he had studied the whole c , the proceedings of the trial. He had anxiously and deliberately weighed the evidence on both sides, and he was conteiced, in his own mind, of the innocence of him who was accused. (Applause., A mocksy of justice had been dealt out to him. Such was the conclusion to which he are, and such was the conviction to whitte every men would arrive who would undertake—the time would not be ens-spent—the perusal of these proceeding,.. So far from meriting censure, or the slightest diseppenbation. Mr. Smith die. charged his sacred duties with seal, yet with circumspection— with energy, yet with temperance. He was not perhaps, and he (Dr. In) honoured him that he was not, insensible to the oppressions and cruelties which he saw daily practised on the unfortunate negrom i his heart was not callous to the feelings of humanity. Ile might, as a Christian Minister, not have wished to see toe Sabbath violated, and religious worship denied to the unfortunate negro whose forlorn situation wide the consolations of !elision doubly sweet and acceptable to him ; for as he was shut out trots all hope of comfort " on this side of the grave," it was natural for him to rack consolation from hope hereafter. (Applause.) For his own part, if lie (Mr. L.) were to witness such insults and op. pressione as Mr. Smith was obliged to see inflicted daily on his fel. low.creatures, he wpgld not undertake to say that hls indignation would net even exceed that which Mr. Smith must have felt at •iae nesting them. (Hear, hear.) In his opinion the leading pried ple of this Soceety should be to aim at the total abolition of slavery. Anything short of that was fruidesa and unavailing. The means might and must be gradual, but the ultimate end should be total, utter, and absolute abolition. (Hear, heat.) After enxious deliberation on the subject, tills was his conviction, far he could not recognise a right vested by lidence in any man or set of men, to form a code of slavery far their fellow creatures. (Cheers.) There was no system of slavery, however modified, into which abuses would not creep • and though salutary restrictions may be imposed—though modifications may be made to render that slavery Nadu, the restraint would be but nominal,—the violas tion daily. (Hear, hear.) It was impossible that affections of him man nature could be properly cherished and entertained, whilst a state of society existed, in which the child was permitted to be torn from its parents, husbands and wives separated, and where man was at the mercy, and subject to the tyranny and caprice his fellow. man. Let it not be said, that when they were fed and clothed, every thing emissary was done I this was to cast sites of the same &cultic*, of the same pet*, of the ammo intellect and immortal souls as we had, but as though thee were of the brew Tendon. Again it should be obeerved, that both before and after Christianity, wherever slavery prevailed crime., and miseries, and vices, prevailed also. Nor were the crimes con. tined to the slaves—they were divided almost equally between them and their masters. The hearts of the masters became cal. tom from the repetition of the cruelties of which they were elsaly eyewitnesses; and however they may have been early educated, after a period they . became forgetful 07 insensible of those kindly feelings and principles which they had imbibed in • happier soil and in better times. (Hear, hear.) Such was the effect pruduzed by habit, that it reconciled the mind almost teeny thing. He re. membered a passage in a speech of Lord Grenville, in reply to an advocate of th ese barbarities, when it was said tha t such cruelties could not be practised where an Englishman was present. Lord Grenville's answer to that argument was—" I would nut trait myself under such circumstances—for 1 know the human mind is so framed, that by the continued repetition of agility., in its presence, the feelings become hardened, and the erase of Abhorrence daily diminished." (('heers.) Such was theopinion of Lord Grenville—an opinion, sanctioned by the experience ct slavery all over the world, and no where more than in our West India Colonies. Ile would not prupooe a sudden abolition, neither would he deny fair compensation to them who, by purchase or itt_ heritance, may have properties which might be affected ey the emancipation. But at the same time rash haste should be shunned, so also every reasonable expedition should be encouraged, and the principle of ultimate abolition never lost sight of. The a eselution he was about to propose was one in which be heartily concurred. It was a resolution ot' thanks to the Rev. Mr. Austin, Chaplain ue the Colony of Demerara. (Applause.) His conduct w a s most meritorious and eeemplary. Connected as he was with the Cm. vernor, himself a planter—his interests bound up with the planters, I and the preservation of their friendship—differing too as he did Irons 31r. Smith, and liable to entertain those little bitterneseee that prevail amongst persons of different religious modes at' worship, yet was he not discouraged from giving his testintony in the fullest and most honourable way. So far from disheartened ee induced to I shrink from truth in consideration of these circumstances, he was only the more emboldened and encouraged to do an act of justice— .be dared persecution in its height. At the rick of loss of property, the cesessiun of friends, the injury of hie dearest interests, he , scorned to participate in an art of oppression and injustice, and , boldly and fearlessly tendered evidence which confounded the op. ; preesors of Mr. Smith and vindicated his innocence. His coutlect throughout exhibited acts s.f heroic virtue not to he exceeded in the conduct of any othar man in the annals of any history. (Cheer..) He was proud he was a member and anitainer of the church of Erie. land, well did he become his ministry. Ile bad been persecuted ter his noble conduct, and it probably might hanpen that lie would have to seek an asylum in this country : it' so, he was sure he would be welcomed with acclamation. Here he would be protected, mater. mined, and sustained—here it would not be made a charge of crime against him, nor would he be left destitute, because he lad not lent himself to oppression and shrunk (coin a participation in a legalised murder. (hoed applause.) What must be the feelings cif those who prevented the wife of that unfortunate gentleman from wend ing the funeral of her husband, and who had even the baseness and want of common decency to prostrate the little memorial eluelt tee pious gratitude of his congregation had raised over him. The Hue. and Learned Gentleman then adverted to the manner in which the casco( nth Smith had been disposed of in Parliament, which would operate as a most injurious example in the colonies; for the rejtc. tion of his Hon. Friend's motion amounted to an encouragement of the system. He concluded by beseeching them always to bear in mind the principles with which he had set out—teat their sale aim and object should be •• the abolition of slavery in every part of the British dominions and a ll over th e wor ld." (Much cheering.) Mr. W. SMITH, M.P. wax unwilling to trespass at any length en the attention of the meeting at that advanced hour et the even ing. He was desirous of making two observations. The first was, that the people of this country must have no very favourable opi. uion of the sate of Society at Demerara, when ibe Governor him. self declared that a Court Martial was preferable to a Jury of planters. This was not a little strange. and the more so when he recollected the Governor was hirewlf a Winter. The mine observation he was desirous of offering laid, that althouelt he admitted religious instruction to be the best mode art pre. paring the slaves for the reception of freedom, yet lie would not make their freedom conditional on their conversion to Christianity, hut would extend to them the blessings of liberty, although they remained heathens all their lives. The lime Gentle man concluded by secoeding the resolution of his Hoc. kneed, which was to the following t.•ftict : •• That this Meeting are desirous of expressing their unfeigned esteem and admiration of the Rev. W. S. Austin, Chaldean of the l'olony of DettlfrAta, whose conduct in the Call: of the missionary. Ale Smith, has exhibited a signal display of active benevolence. of inflexible adherence to the cause of truth and justice, and of unshaken intrepidity in the defence of innocence calumniated by prejudice, and oppressed by power," Mr. NV it. nett rune e, in rising to propose the next and last re. solution, al:0100nd by the unintended and unavoidable absence of his lion. Friend (Mr. Buxton). Ile would be reeteeed foe tieing thus late. as leng habit and experience in this self:ev e if *1 I 1 I