The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1861-12-10 00:00:00

_REWARDS TuR_INDUsTRT AND LONG SERVITUDE.

A premium of £2 10s., given by Mrs. Yeatman, to
Thomas White, servant to Mr. Henry Coate. for 32
years' service ; a premium of LI 10s., given by Mrs.
Yeatnisn. to Tlmmas Stevens, servant to (1. 1). Wing-
field Dighy, Esq., 21; years' service.
A premium f 1:2, given by the lion. W. H. B. Port-
man, M. P., to Th ~,,, . Mendell, carter to Mr Henry
Hiker, 3j years' servion ; seconil hest ditto, LI, George
Ilionhlin, carter to (t. 1). Wingfield Digby, Esq., 32
ye it,' seri
Henry Gillard, shepherd to Ur. Best, for having
reared 304 lambs from 302 ewes, El.
The two last Premiums were gives by J. S. W. S. IL
Unix, Esq., M.P.
John Wetherall, servant to Mr. Psul, 39 years and
two months' serviee, ; Willisto Warren, servant to
G. 1). Wingfiel I Dighy, Esq., 37 yeare service, I.
Thomas Mitchell, servant to Mr. G. Durtiford, 10
years' ierviee, 1.1 ; James Jeans, servant to Mr. B.
Danford, 8 y are and 2 months' service.
The four last Premiums were pieta by Buten Corcion,

-
En.
The dinner at the Town Mill was supplied by Mr.
Moos, of the " King's Arms," and a most excellint
one mat placed upon the table. The decorations
were wort tastefully arranged, especially "Peace
and Unity," in evergreens, W. Pavitt having super-
intended the devices ; the oPicri were—" Welcome,
Avicultural Friends," " Spec,' the Plough," and
• hada and Commerce." The chair was occupied
by 11. Danby Seymour, Esq., ALP., supported by
the Hun. W. H. B. Portman, M.P., and the Rev.
0. Thompson; and there were also among the com-
pany Mr. Marwood Yeatmau, Mr. W. Hooks, hon.
secretary; Mr. N. Highmore, Mr. J. Y. Melmoth,
Mr. Minister, Mr. H. Coate, Mr. 'Lupton, Mr. T.
H. Saunders, Mr. 0. Came, Mr. J. Game, Mr.
Notley, Mr. E. Sims, Mr. Gifford, Mr. .1. Card, Mr.
J. Ford, Mr. Lush, Mr. Arthur. Mr. Burt, Mr.
Crocker, Mr. Stoddard, Mr. J. Sims, Mr. Turner,
Mr. Loader, Mr. W. Harden, Mr. J. Andrews, &c.
After the cloth was removed, the CHAIRMAN rose
to propose the health of " The Queen," which we
need not say Wad most loyally responded to, Mr.
George Genge, whose name alone is a household
word, singing "God save the Queen," which was
loudly applauded.
. _ .

The lalth of ",The Bishop anti Clergy of the ,
Diocese" was then given.
The Rev. G. Tiromesoe, in returning thanks,
spoke of the necessity of improving the dwellings
of the poor, as it was almost useless to preach to the :
poor if they were provided with dwellings such as
some of them had. lie maintained they would be '
likely to prove better members of society if they
had houses which would keep them from visiting the
publitehouse. lie likewise touched upon their edu-
cation, arguing that when properly educated, they
would be more likely to get better servants and
better Labourers; and he expressed his opinion that
' Government, in proposing to reduce the grants by
the new code, would throws damper on the valuable
efforts that bad been made in this direction.
The I:RAHMAN then gave the health of "The
Lord-Lieutemuit and Magistrates of the County,"
with a few feeling allusions to the loss which the
society as well as the county had sustained in the
death of the Bev. H. F. Yeatman. With this toast
he coupled the name of Mr. :11arwood Yeatman.
(Cheers.)
Mr. NIARWOOD I-PUTMAN returned thanks, and in
reference to the chairinan'e allusion to one now no
more. said emotion prevented him saying more than
that lie deeply appreciated the kindness which had
prompted the remarks, and the sympathy displayed
by those around him.
The toast of " The Army and Navy" was next
given by the CHAIRMAN, and in the course of his
remarks bespoke of their efficiency, adding that we
did not require them for aggressive purposes. lie
trusted they would always remain efficient, and that
they would never be wanted, save ass Dowsers of
precaution. If however they ever were wanted in
any part of the world, they would be the vanguard
of the nation, and every Englishman would be pre.
pared, under their guidance, to organise for the
defence of our beloved country. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave the health of the
"County Nleuiliers," observing that the Parliament
was as necessary to the peace of England—to the
organisation of England, and to the carrying on of
the national business, as the army and navy were in
times of war. It was that upon which we depended
for the preservation of the rights and privileges of
all classes of men. He was glad to say that the
I County of Dorset MU represented by gentlemen who
pail great attention to their business, and who had
the fullest right to enjoy the proud position in which
their fellow-countrymen hail thought proper to place
them. (Ileac, hear.) It afforded him great pleasure
to be supported by one of their county members,
and others would have been most happy to attend,
had not important engagements prevented them. ;
He gave the health of the "County Members with
the name of Mr, Portman." (Cheers.)
I The Hon. W. H. B. Ponrese, M.P., in returning
Deirdre on behalf of himself and colleagues, said Mr.
Seymour bad alluded to the repreeentatives of the
people being the protectors of the country in times
of peace. lie was sure that, in the ensuing Session
of Parliament, all parties would unite in one object
of supporting her Majesty's Government in asserting
the honour of this great nation. (Hear, hear.) lie
trusted that the insult offered to this country might
be found upon inquiry to have been prompted merely
by the ill-temper and violence of one man—the
commander of the American frigate, who en wantonly
insulted the British tug, (Hear, herr.) He trusted
that by Christinas-day we should receive the news
that the Government of Washington disclaim that
outrage, and that the Commissioners of the Southern
States have been allowed to proceed on their respec-
tive journey without further molestation. But this
lie would say, that if the Government of Washington
hati sanctioned these proceedings, the Christmas
of lefil must be anything but a merry Christmas
at many • hearth anti home in this country. He
believed the fullest determination existed amongst
lierliajesty's Ministers, and all dames of thiscountry,
not to di-gnat from seeking the most ample reparation
for that outrage. He believed that at no time in
our history WU E:ngland ever so well prepared to
resist aggression of any sort as at present. The
spirit shown by the Naval Reserve proves that as
we were masters of the seas, we were likely to
maintain that position, lie law by the newspapers
that Seale seamen had come forward arid volunteered
for iho Novo' itosaro, sad oxpromoott ikolooolvos

ready to defend the honour of England to the
Now, they might not be aware that the force rept-
litaite'd a power sufficient to Juan thirty line-cif-battle
ahivs, as the average of able-bodied reamen was only
about '250, the itonainder attic' crew being 1111/10 up
of leas oxperioner.l hands. Now, cousidering the
fact that we might have 3,000 or 4,1115) more such
milord under am ins within the next three or four
months, be thought the A inericins would find that
they 1131111etila desiet from ally further attempts to
provoke this country. Ile thought that was the
only danger there was of war. Our friend over the
water, the Emperor of the French, had got rather
un the wrong side of lois banker's book. and he did
not think he would be inclined to quarrel with us.
lie found himself iu debt forty millions, and the
first thing he did was to impose a duty on lucifer
matches. (Hear and laughter.) The bon. gentleman
then alluded to the question of labourers, and
observed that one or two new cottages in a pariah
did not look much, but when they were spread over
a large estate they represented • very considerable
outlay, and he maintained that it was better to go
on gradually in this way, than to improve a large
number of cottages in one parish just under their
neighbour's eye, while others were entirely neg-
lected. He also expressed his opinion that the new
law with regard to the removal of the pone would
have a goal effect in ameliorating their position, aod
that it Was more equitable for the unions to bear an
equal burden than that some parishes should, while
employing& large amount of labour, escape from the
support of the disabled and :toed poor. As to
clue.ition, he was a great advocate for its extension,
but at the same time be thought they might carry
the education of the labouring classes& trifle too far.
(live them %hat was called a good plain education—
teach them reading, writing, and arithmetic, and as
everyone in that room, would wish, proper religious
principles, and then be thought they would have dope
that which would put them in the way of forwarn-
iug themselves in the path of life. (Ifeer, hear.)
The Citantmssthen gave the health of Mr. Wing-
field Digby, with allinoon to Um judicious liberality
which lie displayed in the neighbourhood, and the
blessing it was that such a noble-minded gentleman
bad become possessed of such vast resources. (Entlan-
isstic cheers.)
The Hon. Mr. Ponvn AN, as a relative of Mr.
Wingfield Digby, returned thanks, and afterwards
gave the health of their chairman, Mr. Henry Damby
Seymour, which was received with loud applause.
Mr. Messy SEYMOUR, in returning thanks, re-
ferred at some length to the question of our cotton
supply and the present difficulty with America.
After alluding to the prosperous season which the
agriculturists had had this year in comparison with
the last, he observed that they could not say the
saute of the manufacturing districts, which were
now suffering from the greatest evil that could befal
them -namely a famine of cotton. It had always
been held over our heads that this loss of the cotton
supply was the mans by which unscrupulous
politiciaos on the other side of the Alantic would
humble England by preventing her acting accord-
ing to her free, unbiassed judgment. But, as they
found that many evils were greater is anticipation
than in reality, so it was to this case. It was true
there was suffering in the manufacturing districts,
but, at the seine time, there was much good spring-
ing out of it. In the first place it was very gratify-
ing to see such excellent relations subsisting between
the employer and the workmen—to see the merchants
and poasestiors of mills at unco and in proper time
working half time, and declaring their intention
that
f,mr the
mt p
eprre
st
that, even in case they could not work at a profit,
they would support their workmen and keep them
out of the poor-house. It was pleasant to see this
enlightened view taken of things, and this agree-
ment between two classes of the population, the
employers and the employed. (Hear, hear.) Then,
again, good is always springing out of evil, and so
this famine of cotton from the United States has
made us look to other regions. We were before
dependent entirely upon America, and it was antici-
pated that the loos of this supply would throw some
thousands of people out of employment, and leave
them to starve. Now, what ItO we see? Cotton
pouring in from other parts of the world; and the
result of this interruption of the supply from
America would be that we should no longer be de-
pendent upon that country as the sole source of
supply. The cotton famine had produced what no
representations could from those who managed the
affairs of the soil of India, which WU now 33 free
to the settler as the soil of England; but nothing
would have extorted this but the failure of the
cotton supply. They would scarcely believe that in
souse parts of India the cultivator hail to pay 50 per
cent. of the produce of the soil to the t:overnment,
and it was easy to presume that very little capital
would be employed under such circumstances. That
ancient tax was extorted with great severity, so that
the cultivation of the soil was kept in • state of
depression, and cotton could not be produced, nor
scarcely anything else. But now within the last
month or so this gnat impediment hail been re-
moved, aiol India was freely open to Engl shmea.
(Hear, hear.) That WRY one result of the failure of
cotton from America. Then it was known that
great deal of interesynrteeceivoinnttilmilye suppression cotton grew as a weed in Africa. He had taken •
hor-
rible traffic in slaves, lie had been one of the
c°s—iottnioncia,iefi
otoh(ftaatthstFfrtfii society
ca l led the African Aid Society
relmiedA
frica, in
civilize his country. What would be the effect of
this cotton famine? The inhabitants of Africa had
been carried away to America, to Cuba, to cultivate
sugar and cotton; whereas cotton was growing as a
weed in their own country, and the great effect
would be to promote the growth of that plant in its
native soil. (Hear.) There was also a topic to which
he must advert on the present occasion, and which
was now stirring the hearts of all England to the
lowest depth; lie alluded to the affair of the Trent.
Now, what was the position in which we were
placed? A vessel sailing under the English flag had
&vs stopped on the open sea. The opinion of the
law officers of the Crown luul been taken on the
subject, and they bad declared it to be contrary to
international law. The consequence was that
we felt ourselves touched on a vital point—
vital to us as a high-spirited, military nation—
vital to us as a great comniercial nation. Our very
eaktenee depended upon due respect being paid to the
ships which carried our commerce across the ocean. We
did not wish to quarrel with the United Statra. Our
Government had done everythinA in its power to
remain neutral; and the wish of every Englishman had
been that we should remain neutral in that horrid
civil war which was being waged on the other side of
the Atlantic. (Hear.) It we were to engage in that
war it would be almost a civil war to us and as brother
was now raising ill, hand against brother, so it would
then be with us. There was not a portion of England
that Ited not scut !migrmliti.to:America within the last 20

or :10 yesrs, null the ;hole 'nation had sprung from our
loios within three generations. It could not be our in-
. . . .

Wrest, for we were their creditors to the ex tent of million'
—it could not be our wish to quarrel with :Teeple whelk ad
sprung fruit. umrsclvea. But, at the name time, what,
iu a case of this sort, were we to do? One thing WAD
necessary, and that had been done. Her Majesty's
Government had sent out a representation of the facts
of the case, as it was understood, in • temperate
despatch, to inform theauthorities of Washington what
our opinion of the law was, and to ask from them the
only reparation that could be made, which was to
place us in the same position as if this had never hap
-
peered, and to es preas their regret at what bad occurred.
That was • proper and sensible mode of proceeding.
(Hear, hear.) Nothing could be more creditable to this
country than the manner in which this terrible news
had been received. Although we had been deeply in-
dignant, still, in conversation man with man, a desire
had been freely expressed to abide by what was right.
They ..uiut let the authorities be consulted, and if we
had suffered wrong, we will look for reparation ; but
we will abide strictly by the law of the case. It was
this respect for law which had characterised England
from the first period uif her existence as a nation, and
which haul been ins great degree the secret of her pros-
perity. Well, if this respect for law is felt OD the
other side of the Atlantic, be did not anticipate any
other than a pacific solution of this unfortunate
occurrence. (Hear, hear.) Our despatch had gone
forth, stating that we considered ourselves
.7.724
according to international law, and that we d
reparation; but when an answer COMO to that
despatch then • difficult question might be brought
before the nation. If the law officer. of America
state that they DI of the same opinion as ours—that
what has been done is contrary to the law of nations,
then, of course, they must give reparation, and the
affair would be settled. But supposing they gave a
contrary opinion, there would then be a most important
question for consideration. Two courses would then
be open to us. One was instantly to send an army to
deinand satisfaction. The other was to take the opinion
of some dispassionate party, to state between as what
the law of the ease is. He would not prescribe the
course, but he hoped no means would be spared to keep
peace. We were principals in this affair, and they were
principals. We did not wish to shed blood—we did
not wish to commit carnage, as it would be upon blood
relatioue, or to cause those rankling feelings which must
survive the hut hour of battle for many generations.
We wished to avoid that if ponible, and if the eositiyn
arose to which he had alluded, knowing that we
a vast power, we should at the same time stnareiea
for-
bearance equal to that power ; we ehould take the
opinion of some dispassionate jurist, or some neutral
State, before proceeding to the ultimate and last
rtwouroe. Living in this 19th century, and in then
civilised times, lie said, it was our duty, as far as we
pos.ibly could, to avoid entering into • quarrel, although
we knew how well we should behave when once in.
While it was moat improbable the opinion of any dis-
passionate person would be against us—while it was
almost certain we had suffered wrong at the hands of
America, and if full and instant reparation be not given
for the injuries we have received, still we should be
lidding to our strength, and adding to our reputation for
forbearance, if we took the opinion of noun independent
thin! party. Then our pontion would 14 stronger ; and
if America refused to give reparation after that we
should instantly resort to force, and never lay down Our
arms as long as we had power to wield them in a just
cause. And he was certain they would be considered as
out of the pale of civilisation, and as a Lawlere mob
instead of a nation, in declining to listen to a dis-
passionate arbiter. (" Hear, bear," and applause.)
The hon, gentleman concluded by proposing "Success
to the Sherburne Agricultural So, iety, and the health of
the committee, with the name of Mr. Symes." (Chinn.)
Mr. J. Sinn responded, and the remainder cd lbs
evening was pleasantly spent.

Printed and published for the Proprietor, Isz owns'
WHITBREAD MILLARD, of loin Row!, TOT=
Ltoreheater, Printer, at the Office of The
Count prem. Cluireleetroo, DorpAsiter, Tr*
437, Doman 10, 3111,