The Express.
London, England, 1847-10-25 00:00:00

STATE OF THE
REFCOUNTRY.-CURRENCY
ORM.

Another meeting on this subject (convened by the
Currency Reform Association), was held in the town-hall, at
Birmingham, on Friday night, fur the purpose of consideting
the propriety of presenting a memorial to Lore John Russell,
aro,' ' g hislordship to adopt some as for the relief of
the present commercial distress. Many thousands of persons
were pronto and so great was the interest excited that the
sotiseging attention of the audience was preserved until 11
o'clock at night.
Mr. Ald. Wristoo presided. Haying adverted to the
amount of misery and mischief resulting from our present
monetary system, he said such a crisis had arrived that it be-
came the duty of every man who bad the welfare of his
menu,: at heart, to do everything in his power to mitigate
the effects of the distress melee which the country was now
offering. Since they held their meeting a fortnight since,
oteemercial affeirs had gone gradually worse ; solvent houses
lied been compelled to suspend payment ; ruin wee entering
their very doors, and no precaution whatever on the part of
individuals could resist it. And it must be borne in mind
that the merchant and manufacturer could not suffer without
the operative feeling it even in an increased degree. All
closes were bound together hy one common tie if one por.
tion of the community suffered, all must (eel the calamity.
Mr. Joists IlAtmow then nee and moved the adoption of
the memorial, which appeared in the Daily News of Thurs-
day laSt. it was unnecessary for him (he said) to enter into
details as to the present state of trade in any of the great com-
mercial towns of the kingdom. There was no doubt about
the mischief; neither was there a doubt of its haying been
produced by the engine currency system. 1 Hear.) Some
people said, where was the money gone ? The answer was
easy—it was sent out of thetountry to pay for foreign pro-
duce; and the consequence WY that we were left without a
sufficiency. to carry on the commercial concerns of the
country. Sir Robert l'eel had told the people of Liverpool
that he deeply sympathised with them for the unhappy con-
sequences arising out of the existing commercial deprewion.
That might noon anything or nothing. The question Was—
was he mowed to make such • change in our system as
would enable them to meet their engagements ? (Hear.)
The merchants of this country had imported produce
largely from the American markets. Against this,
bills had been drawn on the supposition that a
certain range of prices would continue. These bills
were taken into the large discounting houses, to be broken
up into small manes; but this could not be effected,
because. by the force of circumstances, the Bank was no
longer able to said them. (Hear.) Last April they sent •
petition to parliament, setting forth that unless the currency
system was altered, so ae to make it sufficiently expansive for
the increasing oommenial transactions and requirements of
the country, things must come to a stand-still. The result
showed that they were correct. Let them look only to the
erratives of Manchester for proof of that. The next ques-
ta= then was—How is this devastation of property to be
stopped? Could it be on the bullionist principle, or by an
Whereto° to our present system ? It WAS perfectly clear
that it could not. It had been said that the Birmingham
system was one of inconvertibility : he asked whether the
present system was not one of that character? (Hear.)
Could they convert their goods into money under
existing circumstances? (A shout of "No.") They could
not. Not only that ; bat they had large orders in their
houses for America, which it was impossible for
them to execute, because these bills to which he
hail adverted could not be broken up or converted into
money. (Hear.) There had been a gradual diminution in
the eireulatlin of the country since September, 1846, to the
extent of from two to three millions—nut a very considerable
amount in itself, but considerable when the amount of credit
which it sustained was taken into consideration. (Hear.)
Such were the results of this most pernicious system, which
made hooest and industrious men paupers on the parish.
(Appian:, ) They had in the cabinet, opposed to any altera-
tion of this system, Sirechorles Wood and Earl Grey; and
they 1 ad slightly in tone favour, L ird John Rusaell and
Lord Palmeri:on ; but, as had been wittily said by Punch,
be (Mr. Marl iw) was afraid that Lord John was not quite
strong 'Gough for his place. (Hear and laughter.) And
although he did not agree in many things with Sir Robert
reel, he believed that, as far as commercial affairs were con-
cerned, the right hon. baroact would be found to serve them
better than lord John Russell. Certainly the latter was
unfit to hold hi, high position unless he adopted such mea-
sures that all classes of the community were able to procure
for themselves the beef, the beer, and the bread, which were
essential to their very existence. After some other observa-
tions of a general character, Mr. Harlow concluded by sub-
mitting the memorial to the meeting.
Mr. I'. C. S.ate, a large manufacturer, seconded the adop-
tion of the memorial. This (he said) is our fourth meeting
within the last four months on this very subject : at the
first you would not come to listen to us at all ; at the third
you were beginning to feel the pressure, and you came in
larger numbers; since then, the tragedy has proceeded—the
misery has been working its frightful results, and here you
now arc in thousands. thank God at last alive to your inte-
rests. (Applause.) Here I see all classes—all denominations
in Birmingham united, and to my mind it is a conso-
lation to tied that when the interests of humanity are
concerned; when the lives of millions are in jeopardy, the
heart of England is still sound and can still :eel for suffering.
(Cheers.) Now the masses of England are awakening—rulers
shall be made to tremble, and the oppressions they have
inflicted upon us shall be swept away. (Cheers.) Here
my friends, I shall ask you to make a sacrifice. I tell you
that the day is coming when we must once more aasemble not
in thousands, but tens of thousands. Every hammer must
cease to ring, the beating of every anvil must be stayed,
your wrongs must be loudly proclaimed, and you mutt your-
selves procure their redrew. (Tremendous applause.) In
1820, your friend Thome, Attwood—still dear to our hearts
I trust—(cheers)—forewarned you and foretold what would
come to pass. Everything he predicted has come to pass ;
the tragedy has been enacted ; the bill of 1819 has been
carried out, and million, of your countrymen have perished.
(Cheers.) Are we then to stand idly by; we men of the
hardware trade, are we to suffer this state of things to con-
tinue ? Shall we sit down by such treatment as the Liver-
pool deputation experienced ? Shall we allow Lord John
Russell to send us back here quietly with any such trumpet/
and no-meaning reply, as, " Gentlemen. I have heard with
the deepest attention your statement, and have to assure you
it shall have the most eerious consideration of her
Majesty's government ?" (Laughter.) Those words of
courtesy' won't dp for us. (Bear.) We shall say, "What,
my lord ! Do you mean to tell us that the people of Eng-
land are t) perish ? Shall we stand by and see that ? No: I
we shall go to the Queen—God bless her !—and we shall tell
her our tale of the distress and the misery that stalks
abroad; and we shall tell her that her minister is
not strong enough fur his place." (Applause.) We'll show
to the world that we of Birmingham are as strong as we
were in days long gone by but not forgotten, and that we
will not suffer our fellow-countrymen to be trampled upon.
(Immense cheering.) They tell us it cannot be helped : I
say it shall be helped. (Cheers.) We will have the bread,
and the beef, and the beer for the people. That is the sort
of liberty I have been struggling for all my life; many of
you know that. I have told you before to-day that the end
of liberty is but to protect the people: for that I have
fought; that is the principle I have ever proclaimed.
(Cheers.) Now, the usurers tell you that you do not under-
atand-this question. I say you do understand it, and we will
make them understand it, too. (Hear) All their object has
been to make money so scarce that they might have
the full control of it ; and then they control all aorta of pro-
perty—they control labour, and they starve you. (Hear.)
Why, it was only the other day that a man went to one of
these usurers—these Jews—with a hundred thousand pounds'
worth of railway bonds (good securities, mind you), and he
said, " I must raise money on these ;" " Ob, but," says the
Jew, " these are hard times,—l can't lend ; I tell you what
I will do, though, I'll buy the bonds;" and the scoundrel
takes the advantage of the scarcity of money which he him.
self has been the means of producing to exact the utmost
farthing. The Jew repeats, " Money is hard to get,—it is
very scarce, but I'll give you 75,0001. for the bonds;" his
customer hesitates, and then the usurer put on the screw ;
he said, " If you don't take that, you shan't have any;" the
man was forced to submit, and so (continued Mr. Salt) this
Jew cleared 2.5,0001. by this one single transaction, and to
the ruin of his neighbour. (Cheers, and cries of " shame.")
They tell us we don't understand the question ; we under-
stand this, that by the bills of 1810 and -1844 the grossest acts
of fraud and injustice have been consummated. (Cheers.)
You shall thunder on these men--they shall and will shrink
back, and they shall be made to disgorge their ill-gotten
spoil. (Much cheering.) The very moment the Bank pats
on the screw there's death and destruction ; once let them
diminish the amount of money in circulation, and they
diminish your wages; ten millions of gold has been ex-
ported for corn, and ten millions of notes have been with-
drawn from your circulation. What's the use of haring the
bread in the baker's shop if you have no money to buy it ;
and very.soon you will have none, for the present amount of
distress is nothing to that which there will be full soon?
(Hear.) But what are the tears and miseries of the people
to the men who have reduced us to this state of distress?
They are nothing so long as they thrive. (Hear.) Is it not
revolting to the feelings of a man—it is to mine—to think
that the laws of England cannot protect the people from
starvation, that good wage,' cannot be obtained for good
labour, but that the wives and children of its arti-
sans should have to beg in the streets, or accept
the miserable pittance of soup, as I have seen in
this ve,y town, instead of their subsisting comfortably
on the honest earnings of industry? Who brought
about this state of things but the money-mongers? They
abolished the one pound notes, the things in which you
were paid, sad they sutstituted gold, of which they knew
there was not a sufficient quantity, and from that hour your
misery and our ruin were inevitable, and not only yours but
all of no. (Cheers.) Do you then, I say, be true to your-
selves—be true to the principles which your friend Thomas
Attwo—t --elaimed to you years ago, and I promise you
••• 0. •
tat you than again t: trltteOpOnt, ea ..7".• soma • 'are and
that the laws of England shall be made for the people.
(Chem.) Until we have enough money to employ all the
labour of the country we'll thunder at the government ; we
will again put ourselves at your head: do you rally around
and support us; we will tell the ministers that they are your
streams, and if they then refuse to listen to us, backed by
you we shall know bow to act. (Cheers.) We will show to the
operatives in other parts of the country that the people of
Birmingham are as strong as they were of old; we will carry
hope into the hearts net only of the merchants, but the
meoufactunn and cottnn.spinners of Lancashire and York-
shire; we will be heard in such a meaner that our voices
shall produce an effect—the voice of the people shall be the
salvation of the nation. (Tremendous cheering.)
Mr. Councillor BALDWIN, a paper-maker, moved the fol-
lowing amendment:
That whilst thin meeting fully admits that the enhancement of the
value of money by the enactment of Peel's bus did, without an equi-
table odjtotment, defraud all persons having to pay taxis and heed
"NN W-mese% it considers that to depreciate the currency at this dis-
tinct of time would, to a great extent, be a nimitnr Injunloc tu an
1147.1 e thrt,tion and therefore, instead of tamperieg with the este-
=eatery mum :a thing always dangerous and always to be

deprecated), would rather leek relief In a lama and permanent reduc-
tion M Menthe.

In the course of his speech, Mr. Baldwin contended that
in proportion as the bank notes had been reduced in
amount, provisions had risen, and that the means of the
people to procure them had as gradually diminished ; and
he insisted that the mw of the people would never 'offer
whilst there were plenty of provisions in the country, and
those at a low rate. The meeting signified its disapprobation
of this sentiment, and the speaker went on to argue that wages in
this country did not rise in proportion as money increased. He
admitted the distress which existed at the present time, but
(he arid) he wanted to see a good and substantial remedy
applied, whereas to increase the circulation would only be
putting off the evil day a little longer. He would have the
church property applied to the liquidation of the debt, and he
declared further that it was his opinion an excess of speculation
had produced much of the misery under which they were
suffering.
Mr. 4092P11 CORBETT seconded the amendment.

Mr. Enfilta4D TAVNTON, a retired merchant, supported
the adoption of the memorial. The perfection of currency
wu ateadinea and security • that could not be at present,
because Sir It. Peel bad baied it on gold, and that must in
evitably leave the country in • time of war or famine. Out
of the forty millions of gold in the country we had last ten
millions, but what was that in proportion to the capital ? and
yet in consequence of the absurd system in operation, the
(rightful effects produced were every day mote apparent. On
the 7th of May, 1844, Sir It. Peel stated in the House of
Commons, in suboatting his new banking measure, that in
fixing the price of gold at 31. 17s. 101 d. an ounce, it was
simply in relation to the 'gala, which it bore to silver at
itie. 2d. an ounce, whereas he (Mr. Taunton) was
prepared to show that the real value of gold u
compared with the price of silver was 41. 2a. Bd. The
real cause of all our distress and of our losing ground was,
that we were not on a par with the standard of value in other
nations. If they would only open the Mint and allow the
public to coin silver for themselves, charging • per tentage,
be pledged himself that in a month there would be as much
coined as would let us all right again.
Mr. J. Masow, an operative, delivered a long speech in
support of the views expounded in the memorial.
Mr. MANTEL, another operative, supported the amend-
ment in a long speech, which was, however, impatiently
listened to.
. .

Mr. Muerz, M.P., was greeted with much applause.
The bon. gentleman commenced by observing that toe last
time he addressed them on this subject (scarcely a fortnight
eines), he told them they were not half punished enough, or
they would be more alive to their own interests; not bemuse
he wished to see people suffer, but because he was certain it
was inevitable. The pressure there was, and the difficultias
theca were, were chi;dish compared with what they would be
if the law was carried out. (Hear.) The question then was,
as to the best means of obtaining a remedy. The amend-
ment which had been proposed might be all very well, but
how was it to be carried into execution? (Hear.) They all
remembered the fable of the rats and the cat—they couldn't
destroy the eat, so they would put • bell or. her ; then came
the question as to how the bell was to be got on. (Laughter.)
The fable was applicable in this case—here they were
living under a system of govt rnment which had existed
for a great many years in England ;—a series of laws
had been enacted, some of them very bad, no doubt,
but by them, certainly, society had been so knit
together, and such • system had grown up, that it would be
impossible to think of uprooting altogether these evils at
mu without that which he, of all men in the world, would
be very sorry to see—a revolution. (Hear.) It might bo all
very well to talk of the glory of such things, but of one thing
he was quite certain, that if such a sad catastrophe were to
happen in this country, every one more or less would suffer.
(Hear.) He loved freedom as much as any man—more than
a good many perhaps, and he wasn't altogether insensible to
glory ; but such glory as would arise out of a revolution, he
for one would do anything in the world to peevei.t ever
being experienced in this country. It might be all very well
to talk about such • thing as an equitable adjustment ; but
how was it to be done ? They might go back for 110 years,
and how in the world was it possible to pay to everyone inte-
rest in proportion to the money lent ? What scale was to be
adopted ? The thing might be all very well if it
could be carried out, but it was morally impossible
it ever could be. (Hear.) Cobbett knew that well
enough, although he talked so much about it;
and he supported Sir Robert Peel's bill only because he
had such a spite against the whigs and such a spite against
the tories that he .hoped by doing so be should pull down
the whole party. (Hear.) Mr. Cobbett was a man of great
talent undoubtedly, but ho was also very daugerous, because
he gratified his feelings and prejudices at any expense.
(Hear.) Something had been said about their not all un-
derstanding this question. Why, it was not necessary they
should ; so as the majority did that was sufficient, and ad-
versity would make • good many understand it, and bring a
good many other people to their senses. (Cheers.) They
had got rid of the corn law, that had helped to hold up the
money law ; they hod managed to stand together ; but now
one was gone, the other, like a drunken man, could not
stand alone. (Hear.) So long as the corn law was in ex-
istence working against the money law, they managed to
keep up something like an average price of corn of GOs. a
quarter; now the former was gone, and under ordinary cir-
cumstances, the average price of wheat would probably
be 345. or 355. a quarter. (Hear, hear.) This ques-
tion—important as it was—was no more mystical than
any other, if it was looked at without prejudice;
for his part he had always dour so, and he had condemned
the system, although it was quite clear that it was to his in-
terest the present state of things should continue for a while;
because if he chose to take a largo amount of capital out of
his trade, as perhaps some day he might be disposed to do,
and to invest that money in land, if the present state of
things continued he would get it so much the cheaper.
However he never had been particularly selfish, and he didn't
think he woe likely to be. (Hear.) The other day they
had been told, in a particular journal, that Birmingham
would have everything sacrificed to keep up the continued
construction of new railways. Wu there ever so foul a
charge made in the world, and so little foundation for it? I
(Cries of " It's only the Times. again.") I could not sit
quietly down under such a mass of misrepresentation ; and,
as your representative, disposed to do my duty by you, I
wrote to the paper setting forth the facts. (Hear.) Well,
they attempted to answer me ; but in the very first sentence
they said that I was an honest man. I hope I am. (" You
are.") Now was there ever an odder way of confuting a
man's statement, and showing his dishonesty, than by de-
claring at the very outset that he was an honest man? But
look at the facts. Until very lately there never was such a
thing as a railway carriage made in the town ; no iron rails
are produced here; we are not interested in their produc-
tion ; we are not interested in the Mishima of the iron
trade and the high wages paid ; quite the contrary, the
master men have been sorely prejudiced, and not able, in
consequence, to compete with foreigners. (Hear.) I know
articles of manufacture of which immense quantities used
to be exported, but the trade has been utterly lost in conse-
quence of the circumstances to which I have referred.
(Hear.) Was there free then a viler and more undeserved
stigma cast upon a great trading community ? (Cries of
" Shame," and " Nobody believes the Times.") For 30
years (continued Mr. Kuntz) this system has kept yon like
a toad under • harrow ; you no sooner got from under one
spike than you were under another ; no settled state of pros-
perity ; it was only when you had been able to re-
lease yourselves from the full effects of the system
that you had a temporary prosperity. They say
that all will be well when _ you have returned
to a Wady state of things. What do they mean
by that ? l)o you want such a steady state of things that
you shall have scarcely sufficient to keep your wives and
children from the workhouse? (Hear.) I told Six Robert
Peel that it would be impossible for him to carry out his
measure without inflicting • more terrible amount of dis-
tress on the country than had ever before been known.
(Hear.) For thirty yearn now I have been constantly
watching the working of this system. I never yet was wrong
in my own affairs ; I
sold at the wrong time ; and when all my neighbours (some
of whom laughed at me) have been periodically feeling the
effects of these panics., 1 have been always perfectly easy.
(Hear.) How is it, then, that I am not competent to give
you advice on this important question ? (Hear.) Why
should you prefer those who have not had one-hundredth
part of the experience that I have ? (Hear.) They tell in
that we are not all agreed. We are all agreed
at least that thin is • rascally system ; and that
it gives the money-mongers the power to rob you '
of the value of your industry. (Hear.) Something
had been said about the ill effects produced by the bill of
1819 having passed away ; he, on the other hand, was pre-
pared to show that theylsad not half nor a quarter peened
away. (Hear.) And if he saw beforehand the miseries and
the calamities that were approaching, and did not advise
people of it, should not he be an secessory before the fact ?
(Hear.) He cared neither for the whigs nor the tories, no
more than he did for any other old women, and so he spoke
out plainly and truly. (Hear.) There went the gentlemen
calling themselves the political economists; what had ever
they done for the people? Why, this: they had taken care
to fill their own pockets whilst they were crying opt eter-
nally against everybody else for doing so. (Cheers.) liut
(continued the hon. gentleman), when your wives and your
children are starving for bread, as they will be if there is
not an alteration, you will come here in ton times the num-
bers you have done to-night to listen to us. (Hear.) I
say that our last resource is in the crown, and the
man who in existing circumstances slights the crown
is prepared to do more than I should like to
see. (Hear, hear.) The large failures which have
recently taken place will, before long, produce endless small
failures; you, the artisans, will inevitably be thrown out of
employ, and your families will be reduced to starvation.
(Hear.) As for borrowing gold from Russia—it's ridiculous;
it would only patch up the thing for six months ; and then
you would be worse off than ever. I told the Chancellor of
the Exchequer what was coming de months ago. He said it
would be all right soon ; but you see the pressure is greater
than ever. and yet th!: refuse to take a tingle step, becalm
the law will not allow teem. (liver.; versos., ::::71; is the
Use of a government ? I would not give twopence for it if it
was not prepared in such an emergency to take the power on
itself, and run the risk of an indemnity. (Hear.) But if
they won't do this, why not call parliament together at once
(Much cheering.) They want to take the chances of a re-
turn •f what they call prosperity but are we to take the
chance of hopes which cannot be realised? I say that minis-
ters are bound to call parliament together ; and, if they are
not prepared to submit measures which shall relieve the na-
tion from its frightful condition, they are bound to retire and
snake way for better men. (Hear.) Olin you possibly conceive
anything worse than such • state of inanity as that
which now characterises the conduct of the government
It may be said, " who are we to have nest ?" I don't mind
who we have. I am of opinion that circumstances always
produce men; and in this dilemma we shall not have a diffi•
culty. (Hear.) The present government not only refuses
to take means to relieve our distress, but it prevents others;
if the ministers will not listen to us, we will go to the Queen,
and point out the means by which the distress of the cowl-

try may be alleviated.- (Hear.) Yen have put the earl
before the horse in first repealing the corn laws: you mist
put the horse before the cart before you can get right again.
If this is not done, in spite of yourselves you will have to
undergo all the horrors of a revolution. (Much cheering.)
Mr. StoomEn, M.P., next rote, but it being then nearly
II o'clock, the hon. gentleman said that he should neces-
sarily be brief. He came there (he said) to join them in the
expression of an opinion with reference to the present state
of the commercial concerns of the country ; and having done
that he would confine himself to the task of congratulat-
ing them on the fact that they were all there acting in
unity ; that the people were at last determined to speak out
and not to leave it to soy of the currency doctors, as
they were celled. lie reminded his auditory that he
had told them months ago whist would be the consequence
of a large exportation of gold upon the circulation of the
country ; that it would have the inevitable consequence of
throwing thousands out of employment, and that the most
frightful misery would be the result. As an abstract principle
he admitted that free trade was right; but that it could not
co-csist with out present mosey laws. He admitted that
reduction of taxation would be a remedy, but that was not
the way to proceed under existing circumstances; it must be
• work of time, whereas thousands of the people were on the
point of starvation; and what was to be done with them
whilst they were going through the slow work of reducing
taxation ? (Cheers.) If they had had a government pos-
sessed of any moral courage, the thing would have been re-
medied before now • inst. ad of this, however, they had a
Chancellor of the Rxchequer who was a mere double of Sir
Robert Peel's, sticking to that right hon. baronet's bill as
true as an echo was true to the sound from which it emanated.
Haying declared that it was the duty of the government to
hear the voice of the people through its representatives, the
hon. gentleman concluded by declaring that he fully con-
curred in the memorial. (Chien.)
The adoption of it was then put to the meeting, and car-
ried, only one or two hands being held up fur Mr. Beldwin's
amendment.

It was further resolved that Messrs 'Montt, M.P., Spooner,
M.P., ScholeSeld, M.P., the Ms> or of Birmingham, T. C.
Salt, J. Harlow, and J. Mason, be appointed a deputation to
wait upon Lord J. Russell, to present the memorial ; and that
the deputation be also directed to communicate with the Li-
verpool deputation, which lately waited on the First Lord of
the Treasury ; and that, in elm they cannot sueceetl with
Lord J. Russell, they do immediately seek an interview with
her Majesty the Queen.
Our correspondent remarks, in conclusion, that the almost
painful interest excited amongst the artisans in the course of
this protracted discussion, and the vast numbers of them
who thronged the ball, afford a convincing proof that they
are at length beginoing to be sensible how deeply their for-
tunes are mrolved in this important ours, ion. The whole of
the speakers were listened to with remarkable attention.

FOUR CHILDREN KILLED BY THEIR
MOTHER.

A murder was committed in Birmingham on
Saturday morning, under circumstances o; appa;ling cha-
racter. It appears that about four or live months ago,
a widow named Ann Wilkes took a little shop in
Cheapside for the sale of cieArs. She was a person of
about thirty-fiee years of age, of agreeable manners, and
waa evidently one who bad seen better days. She had (sue
children, three boys and a girl. On Saturday morning a
little boy, who lives near the spot, wt.o was almost a con-
stant companion of Mrs. Wiikes's children, remarked to his
father that her shutters were not down. A Mr. E awards
who felt an interest in the poor w,.maa, and had been a
regular customer, spoke of the circumstance to several
ifleAhebroura notice bwuat. itta
ken beingof still
at it
thato ut eeas. o IyE e,
anitso,
however, feeling a little uneasy, made inquiries respecting
Mrs. Wilkes, when he was informed by some that she had
removed all the things on the previous evening, and bad
left the house. This was about tin o'cl ick. Not believing
that Mrs. Wilkes would leave in that clandestine manner, he
pushed the outside shutters a little to ono side, and saw the
cigar boxes in the window ; he tound that the cellar grating
was fastened, and what confirmed him in his opinion that
the family bad not left, he saw that the key wu in the door
lock.

y this time it was eleven o'clock, and Mr. Edwards, de-
termined to see what was the matter, procured a ladder, and
although dissualed by a crowd of bystanders who were kick-
ing at the door to rouse the sleepers, he put it up against the
window of the first floor, which he found unfastened. He
opened the window, and entered the room. No ono was
there. A recess, separated by curtains from the rest of the
room, was explored, but still none of the inmate' were seen.
A large crowd, which had collected in the street, callel out
to him to proceed up stairs. Ile advanced a few steps up •
narrow dark stair, end at the top o scene of unheralded
horror presented itself, although the whole truth was not
apparent at the first glance. Oa the floor, near the door,
lay Mrs. Wilkes, in • large pool of blood; beside her lay
her youngest child—both with their throats cut from car to
ear; and beyond them, in one of two truckle beds, there was
sufficient light to disclose the other three children steeped in
their own blood! Horror-stricken, Edwards rushed from
the room to the window, calling out to the assembled crowd,
"My God ! they are all murdered !" This was about 12
o'clock, and a police-constable, who happened to be paring
at the time, mounted the ladder and got in at the window to
the assistance of Edwards. They again proceeded up stairs.
when it was found that Mrs. Wilkes, whom they thought
was dead, was breathing, and they immediately turned their
attention to her. They raised her up, and, with the assist-
ance of Mr. Archer, surgeon, of lligbeth, bandaged the
wound. Although she seemed to have been unconscious
before, she recovered a little, and strove with desperate
energy to tear the bandage from her throat. In this she
was prevented, and a car having been procured, she was
conveyed to the Queen's Hospital.
A message was immediately despatched for the ',pittance
of Dr. Sands Cox, who was promptly in attendance. It
was found that the injuries she had sustained were of a
very serious kind, and that, although none of the principal
arteries had been cut, yet the windpipe was divided in such a
manner as to leave it exceedingly doubtful whether the un-
fortunate woman will recover. On visiting her shortly after
her admission to the hospital, she presented a very painful
spectacle. She appeared to be quite conscious, and evidently
in much agony. During the time the wound was being
dressed she seemed inclined to speak; but all attempts to
articulate, with a wound is her throat through which she
breathed, and which gurgled with blood nearly to suffoca-
tion, wore perfectly unavailing.
Meanwhile information had been conveyed to Mr. Ste-
phens, chief superintendeet of police, who lost no time in
proceeding to the spot, and placing constables in possession
of the home, at the same time taking the precaution to
place a padlock upon the door leading to the apartment in
which the crime was perpetrated. In the room where this
murdered family were found were discovered two razors,
apparently new, and employed for the first time in this
melancholy work of destruction. About three o'clock, on
proceeding to the house, our reporter found it surrounded
by an immense crowd of people. The shop is a small one ;
there were very few articles for sale in it, these consisting
chiefly of a few pipes, three or four half-boxes of cigars, and
some empty cigar boxes, placed in the window for show.
Everything wore an air of poverty, certainly, but al of
cleanliness and industry. On proceeding to a room on the
first floor one of the first objects which attracted attention
was a:Bible, lying on the-table, to which it would appear that
the unfortunate woman had been referring, as in another
room was found a transcript of the dates of the birth of her
children, extracted from a register, which was on its first
leaf. The room was scantily furnished, though it had an air
of comfort which even confusion did not altogether destroy.
. .

But it is impossible to describe the scene which the heti-
chamber presented in which the murderous deed was per-
petrated. At the foot of a low truckle bed, lay the
body of the youngest child, a boy, dressed in his
night clothes. He seems to have been taken from the
bed, where be lay with his mother, set on his knees on the
floor' as if in the attitude of prayer, and his throat then cut.
He had fallen toward on his face, and died. In the bed next
the window lay two brothers and a sister, also in their night
dresses, which, as well aa the bed-clothes were covered with
blood. They were all on their left sides, and appear to have
scarcely felt death. The girl, apparently, died first; the
second eldest boy died next ; but he hod, it would seem,
been awakened from his sleep, as the first gash had been
made too low down, and before the second stroke had been
made he had struggled. The eldest boy was half out of bed,
with his almost dissevered head resting on a chair, as if he
had started up in his agony. Their countenances were calm
as if they slept, and, indeed, there stems every rerun to be-
lieve that the mother had risen from her bed, murdered
them as they slept, and then attempted to terminate
her own.

So far as we have been able to ascertain no reason can be
assigned for the commission of the deed. Rumour assigns it
to poverty, as the mother had been heard to complain that
she could make no money ; but, although no money and
but little food were found in the house, there were many
articles which did not indicate positive want. It has also
been reported that she was desirous of getting the overseers
to take care of her children while she went to service ;
but this they refused. The names and ages of the children,
as appears from the register of their birth in their mother'.
Bible, are John Henry, aged 12; Mary Jane, aged 8; Wil-
liam Charles, aged 6 ; and Frederick George, aged 1. The
last time Mrs. Wilkes was seen was about 10 o'clock on Fri-
day night, when she complained to a neighbour that she was
nearly tired to death washing the children ; and it was evi-
dent that she had bestowed great pains upon them, as they
were remarkably clean when discovered. It appears, also,
that she had even carefully pared the nails of the children
before putting them to bed. There was nothing peculiar ob-
served in her manner at the time.

IRELAND.
DUBLIN, OCT. 23.
The third edition of the Weekly Register contains
.
tr.e 12nr.sr....us inislugcnee wet a re=q:
has arrived from Pope Pius, condemning in the most
emphatic language the Irish Colleges Act, and reeom-
mending the catholic prelates to establish a college on
their own resources. _ _ .

Garryfine is still the camping ground of turbulence.
All the disaffection and idleness of Limerick flock to
that sacer mons as a common centre. Hitherto a
popular demonstration was followed by dispersion.
Tho monster meetings left behind them no visible
trace when the chairman had departed. Now, it is
all different. The Garryfine legislators threaten a
permanent session. Already they have been: five
days gathering and shouting. On Friday the horn
went round, the general council assembled, and, to
give greater ccitit to the proceeding, fired the
furze brakes on tke summit. The military and police

were at hand. After a promenade among the potato-
fields and orchstrds they disbanded. In another part
of the county, the congeners of the Garryfine boys
plundered the house of their own parish priest, the
Rev. Mr. Ryan, one of the most active and benevolent
clergymen in the south of Ireland. The swim, of all
this disorder is the absence of all employment. The
landlords had better look to the evil in time. Govern-
ment contributes its fair proportion to the remedy.
The Clare Journal announces that the board of
works has directed the couaty surveyor to prepare
estimates of the amount necessary to complete the
unfinished roads, classifying them as improvements
of existing roads, new roads of unquestioned utility,
and where the utility is local and limited. The two
first are likely to obtain the favour of the board.
The Clare deputation then has gained at least one
half of its object,

CONDUCT Or TRH CATIIOLIC CLIDLOY.—The following
communication has been addressed to the Right Rev. Dr.
Kennedy, Bishop of Killaloe, by Mr. Redington, relative to
the conduct of the Roman Catholic clergy in maintaining
public order:
Dublin Castle, Oct. 20, 1847.—My hating been brought
under Isla Itteelleners notice that the Roman catholic clergymen of
Broadford and O'Callaghan's Mills have not only on • recent 006‘81011
used the moat praiseworthy exertions to deter the people
In thme districts from assembling in large numbers for
the ostensible object of making known their glievancee—
but, 00 the other hand, have counselled • more temperate
and becoming mode of making known their wants to the govern-
ment; the Lord Lieutenant gladly scads himself of this opportunity
of commending the course pursued by those reverend genUemen,
and of expressing to your kedehlp how much such conduct contri-
butes to aid the executive government in its attempt to maintain
peace and order. lit. Excellency desires to communicate, through
your lordship, to the clergymen referred to, hls thanks for the osune
they have pursued; and to minces how samible he is of the import-
ance of thus receiving the euppert of the Roman catholic clergy to
maintaining that tranquility in which the interesta of all dames are
equally involved.-1 hare the honour to be, my toed, your obedient
•ermnt. T. N. Raninoron,_

The !tight Rev. Bishop Kennedy, he.
CULTIVATION OP FLAN.—MEZTINO AT BANDON.—Mr.
Marshall, the active representative of the Belfast Improve-
ment Society, established a sixth branch of that flounshing
institution in the old seat sof the Irish linen trade at Bandon.
The meeting was held at the Devonshire Arms, on Tuesday
lest, which was numerously attended by the gentry and
weavers. A number of ladies forming a committee for the
promotion of industrious habits among the poor were also
present. The member for the bor. ugh, Viscount Bernard,
took the chair. His lordship nrocceded at considerable
length to review the causes which should stimulate all
classes to vigorous co-operation, and concluded thus
What deterred the mpitanst from attempting to revive the culture
of flu W. the fear that Ireland should never be able to compete with
kngland ; and what they wanted to ebosertow wee, that, If In were
cultirated upon an estensive scale, they would have • market ready
for it ; and that the Flax Society of the north of Ireland were willing
to recommend the purchase of any quantity that could be grown in
that part of the country. All that would be required was, that the
fire should he properly grown, and afterwards properly prepared for
that market, so that they could get rid of the prime obiectioa of not
havinr a market. Let them consider the quantity of flax annually
impel led into Ireland, the ca'culation was about merely thousand
Pine, and the value of the flan required amounted to nearly 3,000,0004
About 335 acre. of ground were required under the culture of flax to
produce that quantity; and, looking to the great amount of land
throughout the whole of this extensive winery lying Waste,
Or imperfectly cultivated, they must roe that it would grow a
large portion of that supply; benatting not merely the far-
mer ald the number of astriculturai claws employed in every step
of the prone', but benefitting also parties in the town, those who
should be engaged in al:tipping it to the north of Ireland, and adding
be hoped to the prumenty of the whole country. (dlean) He I
trusted that the necessary exertions for promoting the national
object which they bad met to tooter would not be confined merely to
Mufti resident in the country clientele, but that the citizens and mer-
chant, of Cork would participate in their labours. Delbert contri-
buted its share of capital, and provided milts where the dun Wan pro.
perly prepared ; and from the merchants and citizens resident In
Duet they ought to rent ive that co-operation which was needed. It
would be shown to thereby Mr. Marshall that the flax crop was a remu-
nerative one, and while adverting to this point he might introduce a
statement which be bad lately seen of a model farm of Lord Calcdon's—
MOIJEL FAR.M.—CROP.
_ .

Produce of 1.1. ;;;;;be CM 19 76
Tole
140 bc0,17. of bulb, at 81. per bush. 4 6 8

LaO 14 h
EXPENSES.
5 bush. aced la 16 6

Weeding
Pulling, rippling, steeping 4 6 4
T•:hing out of steep, spreads,
Lilting and tying .... ..... - ........... -....
&cinching 4 9 4j

.Cl 6 b 66
Profit X 44 10s. 9d.—or £29 10a. 10d. per English acre.
It only remained for him (Lord Permed) to urge upon that name.
roue, important, and respectable meeting the great advantage of
their endeavouring to stimulate the country to the culture of this
crop, and of endeavouring to Lay the foundation of the future pros-
perity of that neighbourhood.
Mr. Marshall then proceeded to state the origin of the Bel-
fast Society, and the good it had accomplished. The objec-
tions to the crop and their refutation then followed. With
regard to the assistance to be expected from the parent
society, it would send to West Carberry an agricultu-
rist, who would give every information as to the preparation
of the crop in spring and in autumn, and would also supply
models, for the purpose OT showing how the flax should be
dressed for market. After some further observations, Mr.
Marshall stated that he had prepared a return founded on ob-
servation, which the landed proprietors were bound to look to.
In West Skull the people of that electoral division had only
96 days' provision •, in East Skull, 120 days; and in Kilmore,
only 73 days.—Other gentlemen followed. A committee was •
then appointed, and a resolution adopted, that the following
noblemen should be invited to become patrons,.—The Duke
of Devonshire, Earl of Bandon, Earl of Cork, and Earl of
Shannon. The Chairman sou appointed president.
THE KILMACT/10M•S MESTING. —The member for Mid-
dlesex, Mr. Bernal Osborne, has addressed the following
letter to N. Power, Esq., M.P., relative to the monster
meeting to-morrow :
Newtown-.inner, Clenmel, Oct. 19.--Sir: Understanding that
you are to preside eta public meeting, advertised to be held at Kil-
macthomae, on the nth instant, " for the purpose of establishing a
tenant league t a secure the rights of the occupying tenant, with due
to regard the just righta of the landlord, and also to petition the legis-
lature on the same subject," I take the liberty at addressing yea in
your public capacity, as chairman of the proposed meeting, em well as
member for the county of Waterford- Approving el ;be teem et lbc
above requirdtion, sad trimming a entile baleavet In
the county of Waterbed, I sincerely regret that go agempt
has yet been made by the promoters of the waging to
obtain the co-operation of the landlords of this Midst In this
attempt to accomplish so imp.-rtant an object es the 1044111 sent of ,
the relations between landlord and tenant, whereby the "jai rights^
of both parties:night be consulted, and some prOttiPli Mills Mined
by mutual agreement and COPICOOMMI, the question of leinsteight
might he settled on an equitab!e basis. As it is, any reseligkes agreed
to bv a meeting of "tenant-farmer alone" will necemerlylbe was
as Partial an 1 oneeided, and leave the question of " as
unsettled as before. I take it for granted the cgiliemlie admit
the interest of the landlord and tegent to be idea eselligegnowell-
wisher to vivid/anon would arra theignoranee of one ismagieet the
prejudices of tbe ot her. I regesethily eraggardthe preggiely of
your exerting your indorse*" the genigansesetof the inastingees.
refuel for the 24th, with the Amer Wiles a meeting of the pries
interested in the eubject, he thersef delding on the reels..
dons to be proposed " Tommie et the occupying '
with due regard to Umlaut *lift fit Imailied.^ in my bumble
opinion a just system or “tubei=for gregislusit
the principle that equitable beim mgto
tenants who by their I nvesimathir implial or baser shell have
enhanced the valor of the land, amt aged preputy enistere
which hed hitherto remained entieselesid age gig be armed
by legu enactment to the tuseittp reel.
dual elm bets.
tended to the fermented' imglemil end IludgeL tinniest mimes
for the settlement el this ensegon ; at the mime liera, Inmost hip
remarking that the emllefaa ad interest et a bmga pushes of ear
relloweenntrymem, sob seo soigne Maras air Imeamln
as tho not to be aSerkehed at Hapreperd
conniption et "Imelhiglle la lie rat =flat= nibs
of lmm dltehaltM lehmer, whose miler glee lime le all
nrocerW and as ageelki elle to the welts et bib .leggerer
aired "liner mil of Wastin begatemeet the ma-
i &tics of the dare druid met be unties ea
the wastwthth." only by ell ieth sea a they etatre-
behlthe gesterdair evening, leanings...me apgaggi
theing,e.m.. opine that yea to she putty to Ws YamYt
expraelea of my eentiments, I Yee is berth le b
servanatar t, Balza Osao c. —To Miele ninth lark.tritilibiegg,
Weird.

RYPlATiterr.—Westmeath has takes 0110•0170140 lead
in providing employment for the able-bodied peer. At •
meeting of the proprietors and tenants of the Wliodown
electoral district, it was remelted;
That it appear+ that be illse Markt them in ler elerbeeted
persons, likely to remain poweamity Elam *oldster,
who would Mee NOM le rd Y 4 Itelegnarry d about
one perms Wee Idol urea Met ft wear le Men =Air
dplc, that, sa the mite that, mid genii beam be he
shared by landlords ell reetiele. Weed Sind they sheeVe.
equally derided totem Om be implimat ilskasswarsly,
each landlord will le sepethe le lad impleemet Ire ea tau mu,
selected from the show seekher, tr ma 111 l I. aurae be pi►~
wee., fa the mei, Ihs stenthe ; sad that every eiseplir et bra
( whether laelsed er merest) will be ezpeetel b ties sea
emu ma he as seelb. fir every twenty as try him,
being la the emu memelien Meet to each 100 ma. kr Erman
STILTS 07 TO C 017171117. —The Newark Owirredirele of
this meenieg says met a night games but sheep peoltryi
vegetables, dec., Ni stolen in large quantities
the two Ormond,. Whole families, it add', have no apparent
means of subsistence but plunder, and they would rather die
than go into the workhouse.—The Leinster Express gives
an unfavourable ace)unt of the anti-rent and rate progrem in
the Queen's County. That journal says "Wo have been
informed that in several parts of this district a disinclination
is manifested by loins of the small farmers to pay their estate
or rates. Various devices have been put in practice. We
have heard of such things as scotching ' corn
by night, and remaking the stacks as if they still
contained valuable grain. Another barbarous murder hu
been committed in Longford. On Monday night a young
nun named Quigley, was murdered by his own brother.
The deceased slept between his two brothers, when on the
night in question the fratricide rose and despatched his bro-
ther with a blunt instrument. He has been committed for
trial. In the same county an attempt at murder was made
on Mr. James Shaw. Returning from Ballymahon, in a
tax-cart, with his servant, he was fired upon by three men.
The ball only slightly took effect, glancing off from the
shou., der.blade. Mr. T. is a small land-agent, and lately
had been ejecting some tenants at the Moats quarter unions.