The Sun. — London, England, 1840-01-07 00:00:00

r taw • a place where persons are in confinement , and where I • hers are unfortunate persons under criminal tharges t end there it is permhted to transpire, that if any one is, aware c of flytitirt4 . to coininetc Frost, there Is is e --n.',;:ittragement to him to tell it. I own that this le e l ei _y %e el met say Ike an i"'litldic;", 4l) ";!•1 what '" 'eat kn own, hut it lookh like a plan o r part qi, " leen eu invite say person to state any -1 thhoe that t 1 1?; hff...ar or criminate Mr. Frost, and an in -1 timatioo 1 7 .nst any such statement will be received with ohnaid' en.:ion and attention. Williams added, that he did not es his liberty, but expected it; and added, that on his W seine the statement he did, he actually did get his liberty. tie was asked then if be knew a man of the name of Ed -1 wards or Mcrg n ? The natural answer, if his statement I were true. was that Edwards or Morgan might, for aught 1 4 he knew, have been the name of the man who spoke to him in the poor-holes/ ; whereas be replies that Edwards or Merge:, IV3II not the /lame of the man who spoke to hi m . It is not too much. to say that the whole of this commun e . cation—the blesvidg up the bridge, end the stopping t h e 1 mail—is a fabrication. Recollect that this reluctant indi vidual had been 12 days in prison, and it was not till a per son ( whs admitted into prison to t r y t o co ll ect evidence and that several persons were charged with hi g h treason ' and danger the nger he would himself be i n if b e di d not' give evidence was pointed out to him, that he makes the state ment. What degree of credence is to be attached to a state ment thus elicited, and made under such circumstances, is for you to decide. lam reminded here that an accountant was called to prove that there was powder in Newport. Why an arcoureant, who was only so long back as ten years ago partner with a powder manufacturer should be so ) galled, I cannot understand. Ido not umierstand why this iwas done, fur there is n o place u;ear to where mining is carried on where powder may rust b e found. tt appears to Ime, then, it is as absurd, this declaration tat seizing the powder, as Hodges' testime m y, and that there is no founda tion for the sto r y, nor i s ant- attempt made to prove it by the Crown. I believe there is only one other witness, a ! elan named.Willian t *Harris, who was examined next to Harford. Harris ascribed to some person named Davis that there were enough to eat Newport. Now, assuming that the ohj s re, of shais meeting and of the march to New port was for thy' purpose of making a demonstration of the strength and numbers of those who took an interest on the Part ed, Vincent, I can well understand the expression of b!"-:leig enough to eat up Newport as being perfectly harm , loss. It might mean that they could march them in such numbers, and make such a demonstration of their strength, as would show that, if they were really disposed to do mis chief, they had the power of doing a great deal in their hands. But, I ask you, if the , statements of this witness are true- o are they, I ask, soon as can gain the slightest cre dit from men making use of sb c o. reason ? This man swears he heard Davis tell thetna to go on—that they were enough to eat Newport, and then the depositions were put into his hands, reshircting which an important question was put by a .lure elan. The deposition is dated on the sth of ) November. !th e Salieitor-General here whispered t o Si r 1 F. Pol:ockt. I find from my Learned Friend that this is a gPOteral headieg, and that it is used equally for deposi t' ens made on the bah, 6th, 7th, and 9th of the same month, end as another of those points, which shows that there has not been that accuracy in this case which ought to have been preserved. The witness commences his examination by saying, I cannot tell how many Sundays ago it is since be was with the. Chartists, and then in the course of his deposition- he says, "I am sober now." That, Gentlemen, is an important statement., and it is one of much more im portance than, at first sight, it might appear. It seems from this that he had been drunk the day before, and that he was whets then, fur lie declares that "between the drink anti the bother, I did not know what I said." He states that ha had drank the day before, porter, and two pints of hot .gin; that he had drank these in company with a limn and a soldier—and who was the man ? The man f with whom lie had been drinking the hot gin was a 1 constable I He, too, was examined after he had had the gin and the beer t He says that he was almost the whole of the day before with a young man—it was after this he was examined I It was quite plain ; but the next day his two statements were read to him—that which he was supposed to have made when in the condition to which beer and gin were likely to have reduced him, and the other when he was not drunk. What, then, must they think of a wit ness who is taken to drink with a constable and a soldier until his conscience is drowned in the liquor they have in duced him to swill, and then, when he is in this drunken condition, is brought before a Magistrate, for the purpose of giving information ? But the Magistrate before whom he was brought becomingly reused to permit him to sign it, and he teas dismissed for the night ; and when brought before the Magistrate in the morning, he says, " I am ar',oer now, and I did not think that what I said I should have to state on oath." Why was this? Because sobriety I had brought back to him his reason and his conscience. But then, for some reason or another, he is induced now to re assert in the box that which hh first said while under the influence of the soldier anti the constable, and which in his sober moments he bad disclaimed. He was asked, it ap peared, by his deposition, if he was so drunk that he had forgotten that he had been examined ; and that he did not know what he had said. He now states that he did know what was said ; and that what he bad stated was false 7 _ Thus it is that this testimony is got together—that the life or death of Mr. Frost is at stake—that the honsur and loyalty of 10,000 inhabitants of this county are implicated, and the supposed peace and security of the whole kingdom was imagined to be endangered. It is all made to rest upon the evi lertee of the man who put his cross to this de positioe. 13es, all this it is for you to judge of. I have 0 0W, Gentlemen, Acne with my comments upon the sup lerased. march upon Newport ; and I now do trust, without ',eying to recapitulate esnerally that evidence which has , I been given by witn-sses—l trust that I may ask you with confidence that has increased as I have been stating the I evidence, is there that clear and convincing evidence which my Learned Friend admitted must exist in a case of this kind ? I now proceed to comment upon a part of the case to which I mean especially to direct your attention—l mean the deliberate tiring on the Queen's troops. A dispute between the powers entrusted to preserve the peace, and mobs may tik,l place, withcut involving, as we all know, the partite in a charge of high t oases', but the imagining i a l ellir-ottioe -attack upoti the military force furnishes, I adroLt, a stronger argument i, support of a treasonable at- tempt. Before I call your attention an I that of my Lords 'to this particular part of the case, I wish to divide my views upon it into two questicns—first, at what time did • the military arrive f r om the poor-house at the Westgate? and next, how did the mob conduct themselves when the military were unmasked? I think I will satisfy you that Mr. Frost did lot know, and could not have known, that the military were there. There was not one who was with him elm knew it, or who had the slightest notion that tha inlitarv. were in the house. Tou find that the moment the military appeared and fired, the mob ran awaya This is a strong coefirmation of what was their intent. It shows that their ohject 7,0 s Tact warfare. They all ran away; they threw (low% th dr weapons, and, 88011 e of the witnesses stated, he saw 10,009 retiring with the greatest precipitation to their houses, ,vhich they had left either that morning or the day before. I have taken the greatest possible pains in ascertain ing at what precise moment it was that the soldiers ar. rived at the Westgate, and how it was that they reached it lowa the barracks. lam exceedingly glad, in order that re may understand the subject, that eou have had pia,: s laid before you.—[ Sir F. Pollock here explained i the plan the situation of the Westgate and the barracks, and the road by which the mob came towards the . We-smote : as well 39 the place where it was alleged Mr. ?rest conversed with the two boys who told him of the soldiers being at, the Westgate.] I, up to the time when this case began, and until Mr. Waters stated that he had gone for the soldiers, was of opinion that the military had been et the Westgate all the pre vious night, and flier. fore, that it was a fact which in rill probability - must be known to Mr. Frost and others; but you nose perceive that it is impossible that the boys could have told Mr. Frost that the soldiers were at the Westgate, or that they could have known it. It is sadisr sineular that loth these' are in the em ployment of Mr. Phelps, the Assistant Solicitor to the Treasury.; and it does seen to me ea be rather cu rious that it does so happen that there is not one person to he fund to - give evidence against Mr. Frost, who is net in core n ay or another connected with the prose cution Another ste•ement of one of those boys is equally un supported by the other testimony, and is equally destitute of fontidatien, :tamely, that the parties went towards the Westgate in any other way than by Stow-hill. One of these boys said they saw the men planning. From this it might be imeishe d that Mr. Frost was, like a skilful chief, with a insp of the place before him ; and saying, let one teke the time oa this side, and another flank it upon the other. This was ' said by one boy. while another said they we uld me let him go down by Charles-street, which 1 take to be th other street, which went on the opposite side of the Westgate; and then, what was the "plan ning," that one said that his weapon was damned sharp. It is to les remarked that my Learned Friends never asked the boy how it was that he came to know that the soldiers were at the ' Westgate. Perhaps you will ask me why I did trot put the question? For this plain res son—first, it apiwared to my Learned Friend and my self to b • a trumped up story, and i t did not be come u to clear it up with that which would not be evidence, namely, his saying such a one told me. I now came to that part of the case which is made to bear most strongly asain,t 'Mr. Frost—namely, the firing upon the military after they were unmasked, and mean to state nothing disrespectful of Captain Grey, or of Sir Thomas Phillips; but yeu wiM find them completely at issue upon the fact which of them it was that opened the a indow—that • being the past of daager. Captain Grey you find, is of opinion that the military were fired upon after the shutters were opened. C.m.tain Grey was asked emphatically by one of the Jury—." Are you satisfied, that after the shutters were (messed, and the military displayed to the mob, the mob fired upon the military ?" His answer is I.oestwe lawyers call a reasoning answer; for it was that "it must have been so -not that "it was.'' We al ways object to any answer of that kind, and with good reason. Captain Grey having thus reasoned himself into the fact, say s, that the mob fired upon the military after the shutters score evened and the military were unmasked. Now, I mean not i al di:respectful to Capt. Grey, Localise I am co,A%laccd that he ineans to convey no other impres sion than tido which is upon his own mind. It often happens ~ thatrwe Have no oti.er means of answering as to by-gone tranametialis than in going bask to our recollection, and looking to the strong im e ression which facts have made upon us; if we find that there are in our minds two impressions, inconsistent and contradictory to each other , i tint ,I hid) is the more fading gives way to that which s the stronger; and thus it is that Captain Grey buttes thdowhieh is clearly cast true—lie is led by a process of owsonieg to wote cost w . _ . but which sietsmeeti is of the utmosct, certainly did not take place, utmost importance, a., it al feios the guilt or innocence of the prisoner. Captain Grey is asked this—" Are you satisfied that the mob fired - th e' -•• after el tor •vere unmasked?"--" They upon leo:tory hoer ,a ~ , must," he says, "have seen me, arid fired afterwards, for Sergeant Dan :and the M tow were_vtLounde, d them heeh It is then the fart of the May or and Da l y h wing beets wounded together that makes him sat this. But then you find, in meter to another question, thirty men in a small room, into which a shot could not be fired without wounding so me one ; and yet his on l y reason for saying a shot was fired, when the military were unmasked, is that the Mayor and Daly were wounded. The Mayor a . Sala "that be gate - orders - to the toldiers to - firs" .... a,:VET 1 N DIT ON while Lieutenant Grey says that, without receiving any orders from the Mayor, he gave the word to his men to load and ire ; beeauee he found the time had co me when it 'a3 nccessary to de so. I mention this diff2rence, bee cause it tiiceis hoW necessary it is; when a matter comes to nieatien iiiitirtseldh, Ee lii atitititie what degree of weight is to be attached to them. Here are two gentlemen upon whose truth no imputation can be cast ; but they differ as to tne window. The Mayor is probably right, for he wee wounded, and his reeollection would, therefore, be more likely to be correct. They differ both as to the window; the order to are, and time of firing. The Mayor is pro bably right, because he says he heard ahota, and felt his hand numbed ; and on looking at his arm he found he was wounded; he was also wounded in the hip—that the wound in his hip was caused by a ball, and that in the arm by a slug, and that ho tag shot in the act of opening the shutters. Captain Grey's evidence as to the time and other particulars ; while Sir Thomas Phillips expressly states that he and the sergeant were wounded in the ant of opening the shutters, and then the solders fired. Gen tlemen, there was ne fire returned—there could have been none ; for if there had been it must have been fatal. A shot going into that room, with thirty persons in it could, by no providential possibility, have escaped at least doing somebody much grievous injury. Gentlemen, my Learned Friend near me (Mr. Kelly) tells me that I have rather understated the matter. Gentlemen, I would rather understate than overstate it, because I feel that the cue, in this part, is plain and clear, and admits of my keeping within the strictest limits of that which is per fectly true and accurate. I find the circumstances more fully stated by the Mayor, He says*" I perceived that the soldiers could not act on account of the lower abetters: I observed that Captain Grey had opened one, and I opened the other—nearer to the centre of the house"—so that he places Captain Grey more to the left, near the door. He then says, " I turned round and felt my hand numbed, and on looking at my arm found that I was wounded. The shot was fired from the outside as I was in the act of opening the window shutters. I saw no soldier before." Now it is quite plain that the circum stances belonging to this part of the case are these. When Captain Grey, either being ordered by the Mayor, or upon his own responsibility, considering that the period had arrived, ordered his men to fire, and the men were r preparing to obey the order and fire upon the mob, Sir Thomas Phillips received the wound, from the effects of which I regret to see he is still suffering. The moment that Captain Grey opened the shutters the sol diers fired, and not a shot was fired into the room after wards. It is impossible it should, without being fatal or highly injurious. I think therefore I may fairly say that I have now disposed of an important point in the case, about which I observed some of you, Gentlemen, evince con siderable anxiety to get at the truth; and, after the evi dence which has been stated and commented upon, I think no man can doabt that the military arrived shortly before the violence took place, and that the moment they pointed their pieces to fire, that moment—that very instant—the mob ran away, threw down their weapons, and no sort of resistance was offered afterwards. Now, Gentlemen, with respect to another fact of importance—the existence of prisoners in custody. I had intended at one time to col lect all the evidence bearing upon this point, but the state ment of Sir Thomas Phillips is so clear that no man can dot bt that from twelve o'clock, and forward from that time, stragglers were brought in in custody, some of whom were kept at the Westgate, and some sent to the Union workhouse. These were prisoners, Chartists, persons of whose confinement Mr. Frost and the others were aware, and for whose liberation they were loud and vociferous at the moment when they first went up. I believe, Gentle men, that I have made a note of the statement of one wit ness, to show how very wide of the truthi impressions may be made. Daniel Evans says that the, moment the crowd saw in the front a man falling they instantly dis persed, and that the soldiers fired from the room before the shutters were opened. It is quite plain, Gentlemen, that this can't be true, there is no doubt about it, but it shows how impressions get abroad which have no founda tion in fact; and Waters, a witness who was examined very early in the case, says that some hundred volleys were fired. Now Captain Grey stated, from the best inform. ation no doubt, that the soldiers on an average fired only three cartridges each. How many they fired through the window we do not know. Whether they fired twice I very much doubt, as it appears they fired through the dcor, for Captain Grey says that the mob advanced, and they always faltered when they came to their dead body, and then they received one fire. If this process was re peated often, it will easily account for tie expenditure of ammunition which Captain Grey describes. I believe, gentlemen, I have now gone over most of the evidence which it is necessary for me to mention to you. The pe culiar features, or the general outline of the case, we do not come here to deny. We are not here to deny that per sons were assembled in large numbers ; we do not deny that they marched ; we do not deny that they were armed; but we assert that the moment, the first moment, that the military appeared, and there was any appearance that what they were doing might be construed into treason, that in stant they all dispersed; not a man remained; the town was cleared and quiet in the space of a very few minutes. Gentlemen, I think it important that I should next call your attention to the personal conduct of Mr. Frost about that time, and during the whole of that day. The Learned Gentleman here broke off, and requested permission to rest for a few moments, as it was about the hour when the Jury usually retired. Permission va ns granted by the Court, and the Judges and Jury retired for refreshment. At their return, Sir F. Pollock said—Gentlemen, I re sume the observations which I was ei easing to you, ex preising, as I am bound to do, my /PM e of the kindues an dulgenee which has been extended to me by my Lords. Gentlemen, it appears to me extremely import ant that you should consider all the events of that day, and that as a key to the explanation of them you should also consider the personal conduct of gr. Frost himself on that day immediately after the occurrence, before it, and perhaps, part of the history and character of Mr. Frost, as residing and carrying on business in the town of Newport. Mr. Frost, gentlemen, as you have learned from the evidence, was a tradesman in the town of Newport, and had been many years. He had a wife, and, I think, five daughters and one son living with him. He is a man of strong opi ni ons, and what is called a zealous Reformer. He took a most active part—l deny not that it became him so to do—when the Reform Bill was brought forward, in keeping up the excitement or agitation which at that time was considered lawful, proper, praise-worthy, and fit to be especially rewarded. In conjunction with the present Ma; or, Mr. Frost attended meetings, and took a conspi cuous part in urging forward the progress of Reforrri ; and when, at the close of the year 18.341, the Municipal Corporation Act was carried into effect, Mr. Frost was, after a full investigation of all the circumstances of his character and his past life—with the perfect knowledge, I believe, that he had even been imprisoned for libel, a misfortune which has occurred to him in common with many persons of high consideration and importance, for Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and Peers of the realm, and others, have had the misfortune to be imprisoned for libel—but with a full knowledge of that circumstance, aid of Mr. Frost's character and conduct, the Secretary of State for the Home Department recom mended hint for appointment by the then King as one of the magistrates for the town of Newport. In that situation he was active, zealous, impartial, and inde pendent; and he was finally removed from that station under circumstances to which I do not mean further to ad vert than this, because he exhibited an uncompromising and independent spirit, because he used language which I du not mean to justify, nor do I mean to disparage in the slightest degree the individual to whom it was addressed— he was removed because he was desirous to carry his views further than the Reform Bill sanctioned, and conducted himself in a manner which I admit made it impossible for a Secretary of State to continue him in the office. But during every part of the struggles which terminated in the Reform Act--if, indeed, they did terminate then--during every part of that period his public and private life were remarkable for great care and concern for human life— for a disposition to keep the peace, and to protect those with whom he politically differed from injury, of which a signal instance is given in the evidence, in his instantly releasing Brough and his companion Watkins, when they were detained on the night of Sunday, the 3d of November. I ti ust I am not irregular ; I believe I could show that I am not, in stating that on one occasion, in one of those fierce contentions which happened about the period of the Reform Bill, Mr. Frost, on account of his known character and influence, was sent for to protect the lives of the Duke of Beaufort and Lord Granville Somerset, whom a mob were pressing upon, and were alma: to drive into the river. He instantly went to their rescue, and preserved them from insult, and probably from much more mischief ; and I believe he declined any particular expres sion of acknowledgment, observing that be differed from them in political opinions, and had done nothing for them which he should not have done for any fellow-subject, or for any fellow-creature in existence. Gentlemen, Mr. Frost became a Chartist, and in common with others, adopted the opinions which are supposed to belong to that class of men. I hardly know what is meant by a Chartist." Some of the witnesses have spoken of " five articles ;" but, from the intimations we find in the newspapers, it is clear the Chartists carry their views beyond the Reform Act esta blished by Lord Grey's Government. The fire articles spo ken of are—" Universal Suffrage, Vote by Ballot, Annual Parliaments, no Property Qualification," and, according to some statements, "a better Distribution o f Property," With respect to the first four, Gentlemen, I do not agree with the Chartists ; but upon these subjects their opinions are en tertained by many Members of Parliament of undoubted respectability and integrity, ar d of considerable talent, and --if it be true what I have heard on the subject--the names of many are attached to a document, the avowed object of which is to frame what is called the Charter of the people, by expounding their principles on these points. Gentlemen, I have abstained from mentioning any name unconnected with the cause, from uttering any observations which could give offence to any one who is absent, or using my privilege--I ought to say, my duty— so as to create any feeling of pain or uneasiness to any one absent, and I am sure I shall fulfil the duty which I owe to Mr. Frost better, and more to his entire satisfaction, if I refrain from making any one remark which could create a moment's pain with respect to any past conduct or transaction. These Chartists, however, Gentlemen, it must be admitted, stand at present in relation to t h e present Constitution as it was established in 1832, just as the advocates of Reform stood in relation to the old Coestitutisea, which was remodelled ly the Reform Act; and however I may differ from those who are called Chartists in opinion, I must do them the justice to say that Chartism so far is not treason, nor the assertion, the public assertion of it, rebellion ; and I must go further, and say that although I trust I shall never live to see the day, and I trust that nobody in whom I take any interest will live to see the day, fatal as I think it will be to the happiness, the prosperity, and the well-being of this country, when established, yet I must say that if i t t he b s e e t p h r e i n c e o i n p fi l , r s m ed s shall on, at any time, of the large masses of the intelligence and numbers--if the strength and sinews of the country, and the intelligence which controls that strength, shall finally determine to adopt the Chartist code, doubtless, Gentlemen, it will be adopted, and mere wealth would, in my opinion, struggle against it in vain. With respect to the other point which has been alluded to, ! the fifth—LSeveral persons near Sir F. Pollock here as- THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1840. sewed him that the fifth point—the distribution of property —was not one of the articles professed by the Chartists] —I am glad to hear it, I was only going' to mention it for the ptirpoee of making one remark. Mr. Frost here spoke aloud for the first time during the trial.. He said, in .a firii tone, and with that collected air which has never iicleiied bite dnripg the proCeeditigs, " Such a thing was never contemplated, Sir Frederick Pollock i there never was any talk about a distribution of property, otherwise than as it now exists." Sir F. Pollock—Gentlemen, the idea is SO chimerical, that I was only going to eapreie my utter disbelief of a person of Mr. Frost's ability and talent entertaining such an opinion. That such a notion has been ditsernmated amongst the lower classes, with a view to produce comnao tion and disorder; there can be no doubt; but as was said on this subject by one of the most eloquent men that ever were at the Irish bar, I mean Mr. CUrtan, and in naming hire, I may say one of the most eloquent bxen that ever lived, " That new distribution might make many persons poet, but it could make no man rich." The scheme would not dutlive the day on which it was carried into effect. It is contrary to the laws of God and of nature. Inequality in wealth and station, and in that strength and those talents with which it has pleased God to bless us, must, in the nature of things, exist ; and tke idea of producing such an entire level, although I believe It has existed in the wild vagaries of that system called " Socialism," distinguished, as it is, by its impieties and its impurities, I believe sever entered into the mind of any sane and reasonable man. Accepting, then, this correction, Gentlemen, which I cheerfully and gladly do, it appears that Chartism has a fifth article, that Members of Parliament should be paid. Now, do not understand me tie laying that, because during the progress if the Re form Bill, that was done in many parts of the country which fifty years ago would have been considered treason, and done without punishment or reproof, nay, even, en ceuraged—do not understand me as saying, that for that reason any man can promote Chartists by any act directed against the peace of the country. Nor do I put the defence of Mr. Frost on the ground that these men were armed and assembled for the purpose of enforcing, in the remotest degree, Chartist opinions. Nothing of the kind. I claim, however, as I did at the outset, a lenient, a favourable, a merciful, nay, am I not entitled, after all that has taken place, to say a just construction of these demonstrations of force ; and that when they do take place, they shall not be considered as indicating any of those wild, dangerous, and desperate de signs, of which they might be the tokens in former times, before we had the experience of the present day. Mr. Frost became a Chartist, and like every matter upon which he entered, he became zealous, devoted, and sincere, in the pursuit of his objects. He frequented meetings, and I be lieve if we could get the history of those meetings, some of them we have—if we had had enough to enable us to see what were their principles, their doctrines, their precepts, their practice what was enforced, what enjoined there — we should find no appeal to physical force ;_ no wish at any time, according to the cipreasion of one of the witnesses, "of breaking the old law in order to get a new one." I believe with respect to a community, such as that to which we have the honour to belong, mere ttleet,:without either the reality or the appearance of kindness of feeling, can hardly ever obtain for the possessor an extensive influence over the minds of men. Mr. Frost possessed that kindness of feeling which is necessary, in addition to talent, to procure such influence. The Chartists undoubtedly con sidered him as one well calculated to advise them, and keep them from harm. It occurred at the last Summer Assizes that Vincent was convicted of sedition and sen tenced to imprisonment, and his situation and treatment attracted mush discussion in the country. Tke Chartists, regarding Vincent has a victim, and feeling a desire to testify their sympathy and ameliorate his condition in every possible way, asked Mr. Frost to take an active part in these proceedings. He addressed the Lord Lieutenant and the Niagistrates, and attended Chartist meetings on the subject. I think I shall be able to give you reason to suppose that when it was proposed to resort to physical force, Mr. Frost, es well as Z. Williams, discountenanced any such attempt. I believe it will appear—it does appear in evidence, that Mr. Frost, far from assembling these troops —if they may so be called—with a view to a hostile move ment, consented to join them for the purpose of pre venting anything of the kind. lam not here to de fend that act. Mr. Frost may learn a lesson, that "they that sow the wind will reap the whirlwind," a piece of advice which ought not to be thrown away on many persons in higher station than Mr. Frost. I admit that his joining the multitude, even for the prevention of mischief, was a grave and serious offence. All I say is, that it was not treason ; for it had no character or purpose belonging to treason connected with it. Mr. Frost was with them openly, and from his expression —his expres sion to Brough and Watkins—" I hate your politics, but smhyowosbjetchtatis heto w do as ha n r o m t c t o o ns n c e io m us an o , f a b n e d i ng yo e u ng m a a g y ed go in " any enterprise which required concealment from those from whom he entirely differed in point of politics. It appears that Mr. Frost was, on Friday, the Ist of No vember, at the Coach and Horses. My Learned Friend says that was the period when this was fixed. I do not know how that may be, but the Mayor said he had made preparations on the Thursday. But it appears, and no doubt there was an arrangement made, that one party should proceed from Blackwood, a second from Nantyglo, and a third from Pontypool ; the second being led by Zc. phaniab wucsme, and the third by Jones. At midnight Mr. frost is stated to have been seen at the Welsh Oak, and that he was thea away till an early hour of the morn ing. Barnabus Brough saw him at break of day, and Mr. Frost on being applied to, then liberated Brough and Wat kins. Mr. Frost is bound onwards to Pye-corner, where I say, he did not and could not have met Hodges. He is seen in Tredegar.park on his way lo Newport. One saw him last at the Roman Catholic chapel ; another on the pave ment by the anchor shop, where he said, " Turn round and and show your appearance in front." The firing then began, and he is next seen about 10 o'clock with his handker chief up to his eyes, as if he bad been crying., some mile or two miles from the town of Newport, and going into a wood. Gentlemen, the conclusion to be drawn from this appears to me to be that Mr. Frost so little expected any thing that occurred in the town of Newport, or that those lamentable occurrences would have taken place which he had expressly forbidden, that he retired from the spot afterwards with feelings of sorrow, regret, and, I trust, of shame also. He is next seen at the house of Mr. Part ridge, where he is taken by Mr. Phillips; and the frank, fair and manly manner in which that gentleman gave his evi dence, entitles him to, and, as far as I can I offer him, my thanks, and that meed of approbation which he de serves. Clearer favour, more honourable testimony against an individual to whom he was opposed I never heard given in a Court of Justice. Mr. Phil lips responded most fai:iy and freely ;to every ques tion put to him. He was asked, " was Mr. Frost ac quainted with your voice ?" " I think he must have known the sound of my voice." " Was any attempt made to es cape?" " No." " Did not the back of Mr. Partridge's house communicate directly with the back of Mr. Frost's house?" " Yes." " Hearing the sound of your voice was any attempt made to escape?" (I do not;mean that these were the exact words, but the import and effect pro. duced by them). " None—l called at Partridge's to open the door, and I made an effort to get in, and forced my way in with another person, and there we found Frost, Waters, and Partridge, Frost having three loaded pistols about him, and Waters four, and no al tempt of any sort was made to escape by either, far less to resist by means of the deadly weapons that they had." Indeed, so little force er re sistance was used, that it was not once suspected they had any weapons at all, till they were brought to the Westgate and searched, and then they were found upon them. There can be no doubt, therefore, from all those circumstances, that so far as Frost was concerned, they indicate an intention of doing anything but that which occurred, at least so far as the shedding of blood is concerned. I cannot say the same with regard to the peace of the country ; because it ought to be fully understood that such an assemblage of person, so armed—however few of them might be armed—so marching for whatever purpose, is a gross and aggra vated violation of the peace of the country. But in addi. tion to these circumstances, can you, Gentlemen, believe it possible that this Mr. Frost, who is supposed, on the Friday, to have formed a scheme for throwing the whole country into confusion, had actually on that very day made provision for a bill of his own, which was coming due on the following Monday, and that on the very day, Monday, the 4th of November—that important and wonderful day—that bill was actually paid; and those expressions, as to the taking and keeping the town of Newport, blowing up the bridge, stopping the mails— eating up Newport—all which are ascribed to Mr. Frost and his companions—he having a wife and five daughters and a son living in that very town upon which he was supposed to have been dirt cting an hostile attack ? You are asked to believe what fell from hint at this moment, that he was actually paying one cf his own shop bills in Newport amounting to 180/. Gentleman, taking all these circumstances into consideration, can you believe that Mr. Frost ever dreamt of commencing a Chartist re volution on that day, of directing a hostile and bloody at tack on a town in which was the house of his family, his children, and all that was dear to him ? I now come to a part of the evidence to which I eught to have called your attention earlier. Mr. Watkins spoke to having seen rockets going up in the air on the night of the 3d of November, and said it was impossible that he could have mistaken for rockets the lights of the iron and tin works. It was to me impossible that there could have been any rockets fired on that night, because, if there had they would have been seen not by one but by dozens of persons —not by dozens but by hundreds. My impression is there could have been no such thing. There is not the slightest evidence except Watkins, to show that anything like a rocket was fired. The movements of the people, too, were watched by the Mayor, who sent out scouts, who returned every half hour, and gave him information, and not one of these speaks to seeing rockets, nor was a single rocket, or rocket-stick, or fragraent found any where on the line of march. I cannot, therefore, help imagining that Mr. Wet kn's i m pression is to be attributed to mistake or alarm, anidstohis imperfect recollection of circumstances since. I am the more anxious to call your attention to this point, because nothing can be more unsafe than to get a great number of little circumstances, such as the mistake of Wat kins, the false reasonings and conclusions of Captain Grcv, and the false and absurd statement of Hodges, and to mix them up to support a charge—a charge which is war ranted by no substantial fact on the part of Mr. Frost. It is proved in evidence that the moment the military showed themselves the mob dispersed. The very impres sion made by the military is the strongest and most Co gent argument that the mob never intended to attack the military, and you must suppose that the moment they met the soldiers, and found themselves checked in their attempt to get possession of the prisoners, they were as much astounded as if they found themselves surrounded by a whole army of troops. It was what could not he calculated upon or dreamt of. and I think it will be b e s lieved. It is for you to say whether, if there had been nn prisoners there whose release they were determined to effect, the (lay would not have passed without a drop of blood being shed. I believe that the evidence before 3ou will satisfy you that the conflict arose from the demand which was made for those prisoners ; that when the military appeared Mr. Frost immediately retired from the scene ; and that the instant the nilitary :fired—and they did fire fh4 moment they were seen—the people all threw down their weapons, cour,ht the refuge of their homes as soon as they could. Gentlemen, there was one cireum stance which occurred on that day which I Consider to be by nu means unimportant. Mr. Frost's papers were seined, Aieve before his person. Mr. Phillips, as he stated in his evidence, proceeded to his house. He saw there Mt s. Frost. The daughters of Mr. Frost assisted him by giving to him all the papers which apparently belonged to their father. These papers are still in the possession of Mr. Phillipt, He had a march -warrant, which enabled him to ask for and obtain every paper on which he could lay his hand ; and yet, Gentlemen, the Crown has not been able to find one private paper in which there is one single line, or one single syllable worthy to be laid before you, to prove any concert, or intention, or treason in any shape or way. I halc a right, therefore, to say, that these three circumstances pet together, demand the most care ful attention ; that the papers of Mr. Frost were searched, and nothing in them has been found to corroborate the Charge which has been brought against him ; that he had a bill due on that day, for which he had made provi sion on the Friday before, and those he loved, and by whom he was beloved, were living that very town which he is supposed to have assailed on that lay, for the purpose of making it a scene of bloodshed and ruin, Taking then, Mr. Frost's conduct, his character and his demeanour on that day, his prompt surrender when accused of the part he had taken in the transactions, the issue of which he had witnessed but did not expect, I see nothing which can warrant the imputation of the treason with which he is charged, and still less of that strong, clear and convincing evidence which my Friend admits must be produced to work out the proof of it. Gentlemen, under these cir cumstances, I again say that I know no public mea , sure that would tend so much to the honour of the country, to the peace of the community, and more to the quieting of that alarm which these lamentable transactions have created, than a verdict of " Not Guilty" from you, if it can be pronounced by you with truth. There is here no question of safety—there is no question whether you can with safety pronounce that ver dict. The single question is, can you pronounce it with truth ; and if you can, you will provide the largest measure of safety to the county that can be bestowed upon it. If you can pronounce it with truth—if you can assure her Majesty's subjects in all parts of the empire that the thou sands and thousands who assembled on that lamentable occasion did not meditate rebellion—that their object was to enforce certain claims en behalf of a suffering brother Chartist—that accidentally prisoners were made up.n the spot, where only they had the means of demonstrating their strength, and that, in attempting to rescue them, when blood was shed in resisting this rescue, they fled in dismay from the field which they had never intended to enter. I say that nothing can occur more effectual to re assure the county and the kingdom than your verdict of " not guilty," if you can truly pronounce it ; and more safety will be produced by such a verdict than if ten thou sand troops were marched into the county to enforce obe dience to the law at the point of the sword. You will free the county from the large stain—the imputations that have been cast upon it, and I think I may call in aid the fact, that, except the misconduct of some few isolated individuals, some thousands of persons, with very little of aggression or violation of private life, with none of the ap pearances or demands of a rebellious or tumultuous meet ing—ten or twelve thousand persons assembled and marched to Newport without a notion of levying war— that when the first shot was fired they dispersed, returning to their homes—and, mark this, Gentlemen, I do nut find it suggested that any one single act of aggression of any sort, or that any violation of the peace or the security of her Majesty's subjects occurred afterwards on that day or since that slay. Gentlemen, the rest of England would hardly believe the quiet, the peace, and security with which these proceedings at Monmouth have been conducted. It was perfectly right where there was the remotest suspicion that an extensive treason existed in the county amongst persons who were to some extent armed, and who were capable of being combined—l say it was perfectly right, in order that the high authorities of the law should be protected, and the peace of the town in which justice was to be administered—that soldiers should be marched here for those purposes. But, Gen tlemen, their services have been superfluous, as you have heard ; and it is right, then, to view the meeting and the marching of those men and the objects of it, with atten tion to this point—whether they eould have been dispersed without danger. It is for you, Gentlemen, to ascertain what is the just and reasonable conclusion to be ar rived at after you go through all the circumstances of this transaction—those which have preceded, those which accompanied, and those which followed it. If you think that the solution of them which I have offered is true, and I see no escape from it, then will the prisoner at the bar be entitled to a verdict of acquittal. But if you have any doubt—if the matter rest on that uncertainty which almost every part of the transaction seems to me to rest upon—l have a right, upon the statement of the At torney-General, I am entitled to say, Gentleman, that the presumption begins with Mr. Frost's innocence, and that it must bo removed by certain evidence before he can be considered guilty. Gentlemen, if I have not ex hausted the subject, I am myself exhausted ; and I have now only to pray you, for the sake of the individual whose Counsel I am—for whose sake, and for the sake of those who are dearer to him than life—l have to implore of you a calm and. patient consideration of all the circum stances of the case, and that you will come to a just, and where you have a doubt, to a merciful conclusion. I pray you to take into your consider ation all that belongs to the case of the Crown and of the . defence, in reference to certain points (they are not many) which will be placed before you in evidence for the prisoner; and may the God of truth and mercy lead you to a just conclusion. [ Sir F. Pollock was greatly affected at the close of his speech, which lasted forb hours and 35 minutes, with the exception of ten minutes, during which the Jury retired. At the conclusion a murmur of applause was commenced, but was instantly suppressed.) John Milton was then called, and examined by Mr. Kelly—l am a lath-maker, and reside at Newport. I have lived there for nearly two years. I was at New. port on the Monday morning, the 4th of November last, about nine o'clock, at Mr. Batchelor'S timber yard, at work there at my business. My attention was at tracted by persons hurraing, and I left the yard, which is alongside the canal above Corn-street, and about 800 yards from the Westgate Inn, and is nearer than the Westgate is. When I left the yard, I went up the lane nearly fronting the Westgate. I believe it is called Foundry-lane. I afterwards got sight of the mob just coming round the corner of the Westgate, at the bottom of Stow-hill. I heard some of them cry out as they turned round. I went towards them, and heard them say they were come for their prisoners, who were at the Westgate; and that they were determined to have them before they went back. I heard that said by three or four lurking to gether in a cluster. I was standing in the middle of the b p ls es at h a t e n tt oho l oe t dhdh the corner on a c r rdo d . r nlo t e h ol rk o h s eoe e dfa r w mod • o nr r fi. d fr o s Li rn. Lloyd's yac l dbo dous about shop,e n t o ow t f s mo e e pn u a not n ose v i t s e :ot and or less, after that. I w as th en a t th e same s de te road in front of th e W es t ga t e . Th e y h a d reac h e d t h e s st ta e pot where I w \ l N a r m e s. s o t v g e a dl te st , the corner of Foundry-lane. I remained there no great while—l went round the corner just as the mob were dispersing. I went out of the way of the shot. The whole business lasted about ten minutes. I saw a per son named Lovell, when the mob was dispersed; lie was then at the top of the lane; he had a wound in his thigh. He called several times for assistance. After he called I went and laid hold of his arm, and led him to a house belonging to a man named Jenkins. I helped him to a room where he was put to bed. I did not stay long there, and found when I returned that the mob had dispersed. I was afterwards sent for ; an officer came after me, and I went before the Magistrates for helping Lovell. I stated to them what I have said to-day. I at tended a meeting called the Working Man's Association. Ido not know if they are Chartists. I have not attended it for nearly three months, and I do not now belong to any Chartist Society at all. I have frequently heard Mr. Frost make speeches in public, and have always heard him speak in favour of peaceable behaviour, and against force. Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—l never knew him to call together or persuade people to come toge ther with guns and pikes and mandrils ; and at all meet ings at which I have seen Mr. Frost the people were without arms, and met to discuss political questions, and to petition either House of Parliament or the Queen. They were some times held in the day, or in the evenings in houses by candle-light ; and sometimes there were meetings out of doors, near upon ten o'clock in the even ing, beginning about seven o'clock. At these meetings there were sometimes resolutions passed and carried. I never knew of a meeting before daylight in the morning. Had left the association about a month before the 3d No vember. Had resigned going there about a month before. His name was not on the association. It was always the practice, on entering the room, to pay a penny or two pence, and the name was put down when the money was paid. Had done nothing to intimate that I had withdrawn my name. Have once been at a meeting of the associa tion held at the Frost's house. Did ltoy Thursday before t h e di stur b ance . Was at Newport the no a t l k O no a w k. of D a o m n' e t e k ti n o o g w h t e h id at th i e s ro M o r n . Monday of the disturbance, and the Tuesday. On the ds. Wya friends not ds I a was go Wednesday aft er t h e disturbance I we nt to Bristol to see my ferrien told m taken into cu s t o d y there, and b roug ht back to Newport. Nev Waters, who i s i nc l u d e d i n t hi s i n dictment. The money en afraid of being itig a pprehended. Was to Bristol. Know on entering the room, was paid to him. Don't know that he acted as secretary. Never stopped to see what name be put down when I paid the money to him. lie had sometimes a pen in his hand and a book before him. Had not a card given to him as a member of that association. Had one at the beginning of it. Had riot exactly a card, but a piece of paper with writing on it. Returned it six months ago. Left it at the room, the time-, was up for it. Attended the association three ol four times afterwards. Mr. Frost sometimes visited that assoo ation. On the Monday' morning, did not know there was to be a meeting at Newport. Never knew Lovell as a member of this association. Knew nothing of a meeting being to take place at Newport on the Mond a y. It was riot advanced that he knew of. Knew nothing of the meeting before they came. It was downthe canal Stew -to h i t l lm W quite a surpris e upon me w h en i came up the lane from (not many) had guns, pikes, mand r il s , & c. Did no t notice the mob try to enter I arrneeds.tga Sonic Saw the people corning rne at the folding gates of the Westgate Inn, leading into the yard. Did not see any one of the mob attempt to get in at those gates. Can't swear no one did attempt. Saw no constables there, but saw constables in the morning. Had been opposite the Westgate before that morning. I arm two er three constables at the door. At the time I heard that conversation with the mob I saw no constables at the door. Don't know whether the door was open or shut when I hoard the conversation. The persona whom I heard make use of these expressions were nearer to the iad than the door of the Westgate. The conversation was amongst themselves. Did not bear them demand of the constable to deliver up the prisoners. Heard the mob say they had come for the prisonerr. Did not hear them request any persons that they should be given up. When talking amongst themselves did not bear them say whence they had come. Can't say they did not say they had come from the hills. Did not see the soldiers, nor any firing at all from the Westgate: Heard some firing after the mob went to the door; could not judge whether it came from the mob or the military. SEM no one hurt at that time but Lovell. Saw several bodies afterwards. Was at the Westgate opposite about ten minutes altogether. 'there was firing the greater part of that time, bv.t, can't tell where the shots came from. Was not present when Frost was elected a delegate at this association. Re-examined—When I retreated to the corner of the lane there were a great many between me and the door, so as to intercept the view. When I said I did not no tice any special constables at the door, my attention was princi pally attracted by the mob. When I was brought back to Newport in custody they discharged me, and brought it in as an act of humanity. William Frost examined by Mr. Kelly—l am no rela tion to the prisoner. I am a labourer, living at Newport. Was there on Monday, the 4th of November. Saw part of the mob arrive there. I was standing between Sir T. Phillips's house and the gable end of the Westgate. Saw the mob come in front of the Westgate. As they came in front of the Westgate they desired me and several others standing there to clear the road. We did so. That was before we came to the froot of the inn, within fire yards. They told us at the same time that they were going to clear the way for the Westgate—they were going there for their prisoners. Saw them going to the farther end of the Westgate. On their return from that end I got to the front door. Saw them for the space of half a minute near the door, but was not near enough to hear what was transacted there. Saw them stand in a body in the front of the doorway, and in the space of half a minute heard some firing, and saw the rush into the house. I went to Mr. Clement's, a druggist, at the corner of a street about SOO yards from the Westgate, and there re mained about two minutes. Went farther up the lane, towards home, the back way. I heard firing during that time, and I saw Sir Thomas Phillips's father on the gar den-wall. rbe servant had placed a ladder there, to as sist the old gent amen down. I went up the ladder and took him down carefully, and the servant and I carried him in our arms to a place of safety. I saw no more of the riot. I did not ge baclK. I have lived in Newport twenty two years, except when at sea. Have heard Mr. Frost speak. Remember the time of Vincent's committal to prison. Mr. Frost recommended the people to be peace able and go to their homes. Thztre was at that time a great deal of excitement among the people. Cross-examined by the Solicitor-General--Mr. Frost spoke from his own drawing-room window. .Believes it was the afternoon Vincent was taken ftom th e King's Head. I believe at the time of his commitmen t. Did not see the rapb do anything before they went to the fur ther end of the Westgate. There is a bow in the w indow at the corner of the Stow-hill. They did not break the windows of the bow that I saw or heard, before they w cnt to the further end of the Westgate. I was there abent two or three minutes. When I went away, they were firing. Don't belong to any lodge at Newport, neither t Chartist nor Working Men's Association, nor ever at tended one of their meetings. It is eleven years since I came from my last foreign voya ge . H ave s i nce on l y gone on Bristol voyages. I left that employment about a month before this concern. I work for Mr. Anthony Phillips, the corn-merchant, and have continued at Newport since. Have been discharging timber ships, and working for him on board the ,Rafts at Newport. Mr. Phillip's house 'the Mayor's father, is on the right of the corner of Stow hill. He was getting on the wall at the back in the lane going to Baineswell. It is the same as Sir Thomas Phillip's house. Did not know one man amongst the mob. The men who told me to clear the way were in the middle of the road, The first three or four ranks of the mob were five or six abreast. The rest behind seemed disor than fear. Ido not remember seeing any but Sclrd and Hopkins. I went straight - to the door of the West gate. I saw nothing of the rnt)l) coming while I was in . the door-way. I was close to the door at one time. At another time I might have been two or three feet from the door. There was a rush of the constables going back. There was not much confusion. I did not see who came into; the passage when the constables left. I did not hear firing before I got into the back yard. I might have been then in the middle of the yard. The firing began perhaps in a minute after I went into the back yard. By Juror—You say there was a mob in front of the inn? Witness—Yes. Were they armed ?—Some were. I saw arms with some of them. Did the arms frighten you ?—Not in the least. Edward Patton, examined by Mr. Kelly—.l lived in Newport for two years. lam a carp.mter. I was in New port on the 4th November. I saw a multitude of people going down Stow-hill that morning. I was then in my own room. My room is on the right hand of Charles street going up. From my room I can se.e Stow-hill. I went out tr the top of Charles -street, and went with them to the Westgate. When the foremost of them arrived in 'front of the Westgate, I was standing at Sir T. Phillips's house. I heard some of theta say they would have the prisoners they had got at the Westgate. When they saw that they were coming down Stow-hill. they said they sh.ruld have them before daylight. When they arrived in front of the Westgate I asked .if they would please give up the prisoners they got before daylight. Two or three said, that " I cannot say." They were standing a little distance, a few yards from the West gate steps, when they said that. I was not far enough forward to say who were in the Westgate to whom they addressed that ; but they said something to sonic one in side. Some one, I cannot say who, said " Never." A rush was, close upon that, made towards the front door, and then I heard firing. I cannot say that I saw any one go in upon the rush. I heard the firing. When heard the firing I went back as far as I could go. That is all I know. I heard the firing, but I never saw the smoke. Two or three voices spoke about getting the prisoners. Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—The parcel of people I saw that morning were armed. They had guns, sticks, &c. They were part walking abreast. They were walking " higgledy-piggledy.' I don't know what a mandril is. They had d.fferent things, but I did not notice them particularly. Some had pickaxes, others had sticks. There was iron at the end of the sticks. I did not see many with guns. I saw of this body 200 or 300. There were not many more. I had a full view of those on Stow-hill. I was a little bit alarmed, but not particularly so, but I wished to see what they would say and do. I was never at a Chartist lodge. I did not k now w h at t h ey came to do. I was not at work that morning. I did not hear that they were to come down from the hills. I believe that a great number of them went to the gates of die hotel. I know the two bow windows in front 0 ! the Westgate. I never saw anything done to the wit clows of the Westgate. I did not hear the crash of the wins tows. They were not very tumultuous. They drew up in fro at of the Westgate. lam certain they said that the prisoners were taken before daylight. It was about nine o'clock in the morning when they came down Stow hill. It I'm broad daylight two hours before that. Those that were in the Westgate were taken before day light. The body of the mob stood for a space, and asked for the prisoners who were taken before daylight. None of the moll went forward as spokesmen. They came close to the dooC. I could only see the steps to which the mob came close' up. The first moment or two they asked for the prisothlr Smith ; then a rush was made. Then I heard firing, and tot:IL to my heels. I cannot say whether the snob had guns, pikes, or clubs. I cannot tell whether they were armed for the biggest part. I heard some one say, in a very loud voice". " No, never." I was distant from the door of the Westgate 25 yards when I h ear d the words. I heard no groaning. I could not say where the firing began. No matt ,could judge. You nor I could not tell. I saw no smoke ontoide. •It is likely enough the firing begun from the Westgate Inn. Examination resumed by Ms,. Kelly—l was from the Westgate at the time of the rush 25 yards. I was on the level. The ground towards the Westgate was on a rise. There was a great number of peop,le between me and the Westgate. I cannot say which party fired the gun. .1. Thomas sworn and examined by Oir F. Pollock ---I am a carpenter, living at Newport. I have resided there 20 years. I remember the 4th of November last. I saw the party that came to Newport; that was corning down Stow hill towards the Westgate. I was then by the Parrot. The Parrot is in Commercial-street and Charles -street. I saw the heads of the people at the bottom. Not one of the mob came down Charles-street. Not one came down Commercial-street, so as to get in each other's way. After seeing theml made my way to the Westgate. Not one •of those armed people reached the Westgate by Charles-street. Cross-examined by Sergeant Wilde—My attention was attracted by seeing them go down the town. I came from the bridge of Newport to Newport. I came by New-street, Westgate Hotel, and Commercial -street, by the Parrot. I returned only part of the way to the Westgate, as far as William Evans's, the grocer, below Corn-street. I re mained there or in Commercial-street from 20 to 25 mi nutes. I then went home. DISCUSSSION ON THE CORN LAWS. H UDDER SFIELD.—A most gratifying meeting was held on 'Wednesday evening last, Wm. Willani in the Chair, in the Philosophical Hall, after public ad vertisement, to discuss the objections to the repeal of the Corn-laws, which some persons had wished to pro pose at the close of the two lectures delivered by Mr. Sidney Smith the preceding week, but had been pre vented by tne lateness of the hour at which the lecture was concluded. After a short lecture from Mr. Smith the discussion was vehemently called for by a party who had obviously come to the meeting with sentiments very different from those of the Lecturer, and one after another the several objectors appeared on the platform, and were satisfactoaily answered by that gentleman. He completely demonstrated the injury the Corn-laws inflict on every class of the community, not excepting the farmer and the landlord, in preventing the deve lopement of the natural resources of the country, de ranging our currency, ruining the manufacturer, and bringing distress and poverty on the labourer, and showed the great advantages of unrestricted free trade in adding to the wealth and comforts of all, creating- in dependence, encouraging education, and thus preparing the way or an extension of the elective franchise. To those objectors who wished the meeting first to petition Parfiameht for Universal Suffrage before it attempted to obt,.in the repeal of the Corn-laws, Mr. Smith re plici, that as it was manifest there was only one section of the Reformers in favour of Universal Suffrage, and all sections of Reformers were united for a repeal of the Corn-laws (including also many Tories), it was obviously our true policy to petition for one treasure in which we were all agreed, and, like Bonaparte in the obtaining of his victories, to concentrate all our energies on one weak point of the enemy's line, and secure that ; we should thus best succeed in removing all our other grievances. The effect of the replies called forth from the eloquent Lecturer was almost electrical. The objectors, ;r ho had at first almost created an uproar in the • meeting, and for a time impeded its business, gradually disappeared, and before the close of the meeting, although it is sup posed about 2,000 persons were present, master and man, manufacturer and operative, seemed truly to feel that " union is strength," that they had but one common interest in the abolition of those accursed laws, and in opposition to an amendment brought forward purposely to divide the meeting, and prevent any alteration in the Corn-laws—a resolution was almost unanimously car ried, pledging the meeting to use every exertion to ob tain their abolition. Petitions to both Houses of Parliament on the sub ject will lie for signature at the booksellers in the town, and it is hoped that every person who has the welfare of his country at heart will hasten to affix his name. THE MARKETS—(YI s LERDAY.) PRICE Or' The highest price of Bread in th Loat„ Good Bread may be had Pt U PRICES Of Per Cwt. New English Red C10ver...555. 90s. Old Ditto Ditto 3 S.—s New Foreign Ditto 565. 30s, Old Ditto Ditto S. 3, 3. New White Clover sos. 655. 70s. Old Ditto Ditto ...... —s. —a. New Trefoil —a. liis. 30s. Old Ditto —s. 12s. 225. Trefolium s. 255. 30s. English Carraway —a. 525. 56a. Foreign Ditto —s. 50s. 565. Coriander —Ls. 20s. '2ss. Rapeseed, English One (per. La liftLAD. e Metropolis is INti. for the 41b SEEDS. Per Quarter. St. Foin s. 4Ss 1364 Rye Grass s. 40s. 44s Lacey Grass —s. —S. I Linseed, for feeding —s. 48s. 52s Ditto, for sowing —s. 545. 50s Ditto, for crushing —s. 425. 4(is Canary —s, 70s. 80s Hemp l—s. 33s 408 Per Bushel. White Mustard...lls. W. 14s. Od. Brown Ditto lbs. Od. 19e. Od Tares ss. lid. 7s. 6d. sat) 28/.311. Foreign 261.,211. EATHER. Per lb. d. to if. : Horse Hides, Gerin a n... 12 22: Spanish ... 13 '24 ' Calf Skins,3o to 401 b. (dos) 15 22" 50 —7O 100 ,Seal Skins, large... • ll 15 5ma11.... Kips Basils ..... 6 114 Bellies PRICES OF Per lb. d. to d. Crop Hicles,3o to 401 b. each 11 13i ---40 50 l2 16 --50 60 l3 IS Bull Hides ... Butts, Vitriol ... English .....15 24 Foreign °reign Hides .lO 12 Dressing Hides Shaved l3 17 Best Saddlers' Hides l5 16} Horse Hides, English ... 11 15 - IShoulders ........... ......... is 13 Calf Skins. if rounded 2d. to 4d. por b. more. PRICES OF HOPS. Farnham Pockets (per cwt.) Ol Os. 0/. N. to 01. Os. ' East Kota Pockets _ 4/ 10s. Si. 15s. to 61. Os. Ditto Bags 3l. IN. 01. Os. to 41. 4s. Mid Kent Pockets 3l. 10s. 41.105. to 5/, 12r. Ditto Bags 3l. 10s. 0/. Os. O. C. Os. Sussex Yearlings Ol. Os. 31. 38. to 3/. 1.0.. Old Olds 01. Os. 11. 15s. to 21. 10s. PRICE OF OIL. RapoOil,larown, per ton, 341. IN.-Refined, 361.0 s - Linseed 0 il, '1 , 21. Linseed Oil r C R a l te E at o t i be l M ,A il L l L (1 0 000, 5 144. A 0 p 5. , - B, ltst c. l e ca l k i e 2 . lb p . er ton,7t. Town Tallow s2s. Od. ' Yellow Soap... .... ..... -s. Od. Yellow Russia sis 6cl Mottled White Soap Ditto ... Melting Stu ff .... Ditto Rough PRICE RAW FAT, per stone of Blt , . Price of Tallow (as stated by the Tallow Metter.) 2s. lid. _ _ derly. They called loud enough that they were going for the prisoners. I was two or three yards from them then. Heard them call out twice at least. There were only a few voices called it out, but so loud that persons might hear it a good way. By the Foreman—As these men came down Stow-hill they cheered. It was after they called about the pri soners. Did not hear any noise as they come down Stow bill. Could see the whole of the front of the Westgate where I stood. The shutters were closed, all the lower shutters, and I could see no soldiers. I did not know there were soldiers in the Westgate. Benjamin Gould examined by Sir F. Pollock—l live at Newport. I have been there for fifteen years. Am a painter and glazier. Was there on the 4th of November. Was asked to go to the Westgate, as a constable. Was then a borough constable, and was asked to go as such constable ; and I then went there about twenty minutes before the firing commenced. I was provided with a constable's staff. I was at the front door. I went there, but I was not put there. Others were there with me. Saw persons come round from Stow-hill, with arms. Some of them came forward (two men) to the steps leading into the Westgate. They went np some of the steps. Mr. Hopkins, the superintendent of police, was at the door, and asked them what was it they wanted? The answer given was, " We want our prisoners." Then there was a sort of groan made behind me from some of the special constables. The man who said, " We want our prisoners," had a stick in his hand, with a piece of iron at the end of it. It was about six feet long altogether. A hand was reached out to take this spear or stick by one of the special constables inside the Westgate. There was a general rush into the Westgate, and the special constables went away. I went to the back, and next I heard firing. That was in the conrie of about a second or two after the rush, just as I got into the back way. I was constable in May last. I was so at the time I was apprehended. There was a great collection of persons in the streets at the time, and much angry feeling between the people and the constables. Frost went out on the leads in front of his shop, and addressed the people to be peaceable in the name of God, and to go to their homes, and not to molest the special constables. I have heard him give similar advice on other occasions more than once. Cross-examined by Mr. Sergeant Ludlow—lt is about twelve months before the 4th of November that I heard Mr. Frost last give this peaceable advice. I have been a constable twelve months. I was applied to about eight in the morning of the 4th of November to go to the West gate as a constable, by my employer, Mr. Francis Camden, master glazier and painter. Knew that the Magistrates were at the Westgate. Did not know that till seven in the morning; that is, did not hear that there was a body of men coming down from the hills till then. I heard it from the people in the streets. Most of the shops were shut. Did not know that the Magistrates were assembled at the Westgate till half-past eight. Was at my employer's house, which is just by Stow-hill, at seven o'clock, and re mained there till half-past eight, when I went to the West gate. Knew the soldiers were usually at the poor-house. Did not see any of them form in the front of the Westgate that morning. Did not know any soldiers were there t ill the firing took place. When I stood in front of the door, could not see the yard gates. Hopkins was in the passage near to the front door when the men came up. Don't know John Waters. Knows Mr. Richard Waters, attorney, of Newport, by sight. Did not see him there as a special constable. Did not see Mr. Latch there as a special constable. Did not see Mr. Frost any part of that morning. When I last saw Mr. Frost at Newport, it was about four months previously. Am not a member of a Chartist Lodge or Working Men's Association. About 18 months ago I attended a Chartist meeting at Devonshire.. house. That is the only time. The man who held the pike, which was attempted to be seized, held it upright. No offence took place till the special constables began the offence. The people were very quiet and peaceable till the special constables began the offence. One said, " We want our prisoners," in a low voice, like a man asking a cool question. About as low as you speak now, or as I do —[ Witness spoke very audibly.] The butt of the pikes rested on the ground, and nothing was done to create any disturbance before the special constable seized the pike, but the groan from inside the door which immediately preceded it. Then followed the rush, and the special constables ran ;salty. The special constables made more noise than any one else. Did not hear any one of them call out, " No, never." The sort of noise they made was rushing towards the back door, as if the roof of the house was falling. Did not see any mob rush in; there were two men at the door. The rush was the rush of the special constables to the back door. The persons behind the two men, who came up to ask this ques tion, might be about six yards behind them—from six to ten yards, more or less. I believe it wa s as muc h as six yards. Don't know who the persons were. Can't swear that either of them had a gun. Did not see the two men move from the spot after they spoke. They might have stoodi two or three minutes by themselves six yards before the others, during which I heard nothing but the question and the groan, and heard no answer made. I heard there were prisoners in the Westgate when I first went there at half-past eight, and that they were prisoners taken early in the morning. Only knew that by being told. When the special constables ran away I ran away. I saw nothing to threaten or molest them before that time. I was before the greater part of the special constables. I do not think any were before me. I was quite in front. If any offence or violence ha d been used by t h os e persons before us I must have seen it. There was no violence or threat. Did not sec these two persons, or any of those behind, come into the house. I went away to the backyard when the special constables went away. When they did so, their superiors, some of them, ran away. I followed. I thought they might be going to do some good somewhere else. Mean by that they might be wanted elsewhere. Thought it my duty to fol low them. Went for that purpose, without knowing where they were going. I heard the firing when I got into the yard. I went away then. It did not occur to me that I might be of any use where firing was with a stick. I saw Mr. Hopkins, the superintendent of police, run away, and I this ight it might duty to run after him to assist. I went home to my wife and family to see if they were safe. I did not follow Hopkins. I thought I had a right to protect them. Know a permits named Oliver. Did not see him there. Know O'Dwyer by sight. Did not see him there. Saw Scard there ; that I know. ' Do not remem ber at the door or in the passage any person in Newport I knew ; had they been at the door in front I must have seen them. I did not see the persons you have mentioned there. They might have been behind. I cannot say they were not there. Can't bring to my recollection the names of any of the special constables I saw there. When Frost recom mended the people to be quiet on a former occasion, did not hear him tell the people to be quiet, " for the time was not yet come." Did not hear all he said, but, to the be ge of my knowledge, I did net hear him say that, or any words to that effect. Stayed at home after that. Except from hearing the firing, I don't .of my own knowledge know of any breach of the peace that day, nor of any fault in the special constables. Re-examined—l may be about six feet from that gentle man who has been putting the questions (that was about the distance.) Sir F. Pollock—You have been asked about time as well as distance. How long has the gentlemen been put ting these questions ? Mr. Sergeant Ludlow—As long as I pleased. Sir F. Pollock—Of course you have. Witness—l can scarcely tell how long. Time goes lightly with me. I was at the right hand side. The door opens on the right side of the West gate. There might have been forty or fifty per. sons in the passage when I was there. This was about nine o'clock. They all crowded to the passage to see the mob coming. They did so more out of curiosity The Reverend James Coles examined by Mr. Kelly—l am one of the Magistrates for the town of Newport. I reside within six miles of Newport, on the Cardiff-road. I am aware that Vincent was sentenced at last summer assize. lam not aware that any person but Mr. Frost interested himself for change of his treatment in prison. Mr. Frost addressed me on the subject. It was in October last that he directed the letter to me. I have not the letter here. I was not requested to produce it here. The letter was inserted in the newspaper, not by my directions.—( A paper was here handed witness, contain ing a copy of the letter, which he was ordered to read to himself. )—He said I have no doubt that is the letter. The letter referred to an application made on behalf of Vincent to obtain an amelioration of his treatment in gaol. Examination continued—l know not 'whether an altera tion was made in his treatment after that. lam not a Visiting Magistrate. Cross-examined by the Attorney-General --I am not a Visiting Magistrate. I know nothing of the relaxation of discipline of the prison. Abraham C. Hanbury Leigh, Esq., examined by Sir F. Pollock---I am the Lord-Lieutenant of the county. An application was made to me by Mr. Frost on the part of Vincent. I have that.letter, [The letter was here put in and read, and was to the same effect as that alluded to is the Rev. Mr. Coles's examination, with the exception that it stated that a pe tition on behalf of the prisoners was getting up, and prayed that Mr. Leigh would use his authority as Lord-Lieu tenant to prevent a relaxation of the treatment.] Examination resumed—l cannot say that any alteration was made in eonsequence of it. I made no application for their comfort. Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—l am no t a Visiting Magistrate. lam not aware that any alteration has been made in his treatment. Mr. Edward Thomas examined by Mr. Kelly—.l am a draper, residing at Newport for eight years. Letters for Birmingham from Newport go by Bristol, and thence to Birmingham. lam not aware of any mail-coach to Birmingham. Yy correspondence does not enable me to show whether le .ters by mail to Bristol pass Newport about ten o'clock ill the day. It goes through the old passage. The mail coach does not pass over the pas sage. I get into another mail coach when I got to the passage. The passengers and letters pass the ferry in a boat, and another boat conveys them to Bristol. At present it arrives about four or five o'clock at Bristol. I never went north from Bristol. Ido not know how or when the letters go. have known Mr. Frost about eighteen years. I have had opportunities of witnessing his public and private conduct. I believe he is not a person likely to subvert the State or Government from all I could observe. His character is truly benevolent. He always supported the character of benevolence and kindness among his neighbours. Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—l am a Char tist. I entertained the opinion about ten months. lam not a member of a lodge. I have not been a member since the 22d of July. I have attended a Chartist lodge in Newport. I have attended Chartist meetings; I bad attended one at Blackwood, in June, at the Coach and Horses. Mr. Frost was present at the meeting. I at landed one at twelve o'clock in the open air. It lasted one hour. On the last occasion the meeting was held in the open air beetween:six and seven o'clock in the evening. We were addressed from the window. I don'i, recollect attend ing meetings before day-break, nor do I know of any. The meetings are generally held when the people are out of bed. I knew notbirg about the Newport meeting on the 4th of November. I interested myselt for Vin cent. I was not aware that a me.ting was to be held on the 4th of November in favour of Vincent. It is usual for the working men to hold meetings on Sunday. Public meetings are generally announced by pla card. I had my power for conveying thal on the 4th The mail-boy passes the Passage, although the coach does not. So do letters from South Wales to Ireland. Examination resumed by Mr. Kelly—l don't know the distance of Birmingham from Bristol. Mr. Alfred Williams sworn and examined—l am the proprietor of the Tredegar Arms, Newport. I have lived there eleven years. I have known Mr. Frost for eleven years. During that time his character for humanity has been good so far as I know of him. William Townsend,.examined by Mr. Kelly—l am an iron merchant at Newport. I have known Mr. Frost more than twenty years. During that time his character has been good—none better that I know of. I have not of late years corresponded with people on business. I d on ' t know what time the mail goes from Newport to Birming ham. I suppose that a letter put in the ,Newport office would, go by Bristol to Birmingham. Cross-examined by Sergeant Wilde—l do not know that the mail from Bristol gets into Birmingham at mid night. My son was convicted with Mr. Vincent at the last Summer Assize:. I never said that the Charter should be the law of the land by force, if by no other means. I never said that Mr. Vincent should not be committed if I was well at that time. My feelings for a moment were excited, but I never said so. I did no t say that if I was sufficiently well neither my son nor Vincent should be committed. Sir B. Hall, Bart., examined by Sir F. Pollock—l first knew Mr. Frost in 1831. I had frequent communications with him, and I saw him frequently from that time to 1834. He rendered me assistance during my canvass. From that period I first knew him to the last period when my connec tion with him ceased;; I never knew anything of him but what was very good. I believe letters from Newport go by Bristol to Birmingham. The mail is changed at Pas sage and then at Bristol. Cross-examined by the Attorney-General—The last time I had any correspondence with Mr. Frost was while the petition against my return in 1825 was pending. The Court rose at six o'clock. After the examination of one or two witnesses to-morrow (Tuesday) Mr. Kelly will sum up. Such he stated to the Court to be his in. tention. The Duke of Portland arrived in town, last week, horn Welbeck Priory, Nottinghamshire. EVENING EDI rioN. PRICE i,F CANDLES. The price of good Store andles in the Retail Shops is as follows Candles, per dozen , Bs. Od. ; i n f er i or, 7 s. od. ; Moulds, 9s. 6d. Sixpence per dozen discount for cash. COAL MARKET. Buddies' West Hartley 2o' 0 Original Windsor's Pontop G Ord's Redh ugh Russell's High Main Tanfield Moor 23 0 West Hartley 2l fi Wylain. Walls End Brown's 3 Ditto unscreened Walls End Killingworth 22 b Walls Endßraddyll'sHetton 23 0 Walls End Haswell Walls End Lainbton '4l 6 Ships arrived since s. d. Walls Ead Stewart's 24 0 Walls .qlll Whitwell ..._ 2i 0 Walls End Hartlepool 23 9 Walis ,End Kelloe 23 9 W.. 113 End Adelaide Walls End Clarence Tees l9 6 Walls Eud New 'fees 22 8 Walis End South Durham 23 0 Walls End Tees 22 9 Walls End Tees Hatton Walls End Victoria Tees ~ 23 0 Walls End , WestHettOn 2r • 6 IBlythe ........ 17 A . last market-day, 31. MEDICAL INQUISITION IN ENGLAND.— TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.--Sir--Observing that ap plication is to be made to Parliament by the medical profession for the enactment of certain arbitrary laws to restrain the public from treating themselves as they please in caserof sickness—thereby establishing a com plete medical inquisition in the country—l tak" this opportunity of warning the Members of the Legislature against passing any such enactment, on the mere peti tions or representations of the medical body, being, as it is, an interested one. The very fact of applying for the coercive enactment in question, is a proof that the public at large have lost confidence in the mode of treating diseases as practised by the majority of medical men, and their present application would (if granted) be as injurious to the public as it is unconstitutional. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, JAMES MORRISON, the Hygeist.--British College of Health, New-road, London, and 2, Rue des Pyramides, Paris, Jon, 4th, 1839. DIARY or A NUN.—This singular and pleas ing fiction has a threefold claim on the reader—first, as a romantic and highly-exciting narrative of the fatal passion of a young and high-born Englishwoman for the husband of her dearest friend, which leads her to abandon the world for a convent of Carmelite nuns ; secondly, on account ofthe highly pleasing manner in which (after the fashion of the Ennuyee) the truth of a travelling nar rative is blended with the fiction of a graceful and pas sionate imagination ; and, thirdly, on account of the many original and characteristic personal descriptions which are represented to us of manyof the most celebrated men and women of existing continental society. This union of truth and fiction in one consecutive' narrative is as effective as it is pleasing. • ELECTION IN DEVONSHIRE.—The Tories appear to be seized with a distressing panic about the representation of North Devon. Every wind that blows rustles their nerves, and the slightest movement in the political atmosphere of the Division, fills them with ap prehension for the safety of their two pattern representa tives for North Devon. They have certainly much to fear, for if the electors of North Devon should be 'pre paring, as our aldermanic contemporary informs us, to throw off the bewildered Baronet and his brilliant colleague, we see no hope of the old constitution de riving further support from them ; for we can hardly believe that any other constituency could be found in the Queen's dominions who would be likely to avail themselves of their services.—Western Times. MELTON MOWBRAY.—The Earl of Rosslyn, Marquis of Waterford, Lord John Ber3sford, Lord Macdonald, Lord Seymour, Mr. Gilmour, Sir J. Mus grave, and Count Bathyany, are still residing here. There has been some good sport during the past week, but the ground is very heavy, and killing work for the horses. The Earl and Count ess o f J ersey gave a splendid ball at IVliddlet o n P ar k, on Wednesday last, t o a di s ringuished party. The festivity of the evening wa ptolonged until an eary hour in the succeeding morning THE NEW PORTABLE ALARUM, size of a small Snuff Box, can be paced en the Dressing-table, and set to ring at any hour that may be requirrd. Price Three Guineas. T Goldsmith, Silversmi. C OX SAVORY,th, &e., 47, (26 11111 M (Seven doors from Gracechurch_street), Lsadon. BIRTHS, On the 2d inst. , at Ryde, the lady of Alexander Monro, Esq., of a son. On the 4th inst., Mrs. At. Poynter, Poet's Corner, of a daughter. On the 4th inst., at Dalston Mrs. William Flow er , o f a son . On the sth i nst., the lady of R. Stevenson, Esq., of Albion street, Hyde -park, of a daughter. On the sth inst., in Portland-place, Lady Teignmouth, of a son and heir. MARRIED. • On the 2d inst., at St. Martin's Church, Mr. Carte, to Eliza, the second (laughter of the Rev. Thomas Jones, of Enfield. On the 4th inst., at Westham, Essex, Mr. John Matthews Lambert, of Barking, Essex, to Martha, eldest daughter of Thomas Curtis, Esq., of Westham, Essex. BIRD. On th• 31st ult., at Brougham, in Westmoreland,• Mrs. Brougham, aged 89. On the 25th ult., at Gibraltar, Angela, relict of the - late John Giro, Esq., aged 64. On the 3d inst., Julia, the wife of Frederick L. Slous, Esq., of Crescent-place, Mornington-crescent, aged 30. On the 3d inst., Mrs. Mary Charrington, widow of the late Samuel Charrington, Esq., formerly of I slington -green, Mid dlesex, aged 86. On the 4th inst., at Stamford-hill, Sarah Beaumont, late of Newcastle-upon- Tyne. On the sth inst., Juliana, the wife of Lewis George Dive, Esq., of Tavistoek-street, Bedford -square. Landon: Printed and Published by iVIURDO .YOUNG,,oi No. )12, Strand, at. 7A' SH, . offic,, No. 112, Strand, in the county of Middlesex.—Tuesday, January 7, 1840. '