The Express.
London, England, 1849-08-30 00:00:00

SYMPATHY WITH THE HUNGARIANS.

condemaed, and hung.
" I was still very unhappy, and whilst niare yof my fellow-
sufferers were fast asleep in their hammocks, I was thinking
of my poor wife and children, and contriving in my mind
how I could make my escape from that place. I was, is the
day time, working on the gun•wharf, and there I picked up
a file. I concealed it under my sleeve and brought it in. The
following night, when all was still and quiet, I began fl'ing
the bars of the port window of hhe ship, but dare not do
much at a time, lest I should be heard. The next night I
did the same. I generally embraced the opportunity of
working at this when the tide might be coming in and the
wind made a noise, so that the guard should not bear me
from the quarterdeck. When I had finished a certain
portion of my filing I filled it up with brown soap, which
was the colour of the paint on the bars. I found
I could not get en so well as I wished that night, so
I corcealed myself under the hammock en the Thursday
evening, when all the prisoners went to chapel. During this
time I did a peat deal of work towuds getting the iron ben
front my window; I had them /ill finished on the 9th night; I
got up about 12 o'clock, to get through the window and jump
into the sea, but the tide was going out at a very rapid pace,
and the wind was so very high that 1 was obliged to give it
up for that night. I was, as I suppose, seen by some of the
prisoners putting in the asap the next morning, and as I
came up on deck I was stopped by one of the efticers ; one
of them went down into my ward, and found the iron ben
bad been out ; they. brought me before the captain ; they
put a pair of eras irons upon me ; I kept them on, snit
worked in them and slept in them for three months. They
then shifted me into the dockyard, where they thought I
should be more secure ; but I knew better, for after my irons
were taken off, I resolved a second time to make my escape,
for I could not forget my poor wife and children; they were
constantly before my mind. I was determined to get some
clothing out of some of the men•ohwar ships, which were in
the dockyard. In this I succeeded, and got a shirt, a cap, a
handkerchief, and an old pair of trousers. I concealed them
in my own cell, one by one, at different times, and kept
them in my hammock until I could find an opportunity of
making my escape. I got up one morning about 3 o'clock,
and dressed myself with the clothes I had stolee, and put my
convict's dress over them. At the time we =tottered, which
we slims about 7 o'clock In the morning during the win•
ter, the guard searched me, and I passed. I got into the
boat, and was again detected ; was called on the quarter-
deck, and was stripped naked. I was sgain ironed, and put
into the black hole, and was kept there fourteen days and
nights, upon a pound of bread a day and plenty of water.
Seven of these days I did not see daylight, but the other
seven days I was allowed to exercise an hour in the day.
After the expiration of these fourteen days I was brought
out of the black hole, and when I got on deck, I, for the Brat
time of my life, fainted. The irons were kept on me. I was
then under the dancer's are for about three weeks. After
this I went to work as usual, with about 201bs. weight of iron'
upon me for full three months. During this time my win
came to see me. I was cut to my heart on amain of bar
great distress of mind. She wept bitterly when she saw the
heavy irons upon me, and told me that both het and her
children& were amine= a state of starvation, as the parish
would not allow them sufficient to support them. I thought
to myself, when I saw her, I will try again to make my
escape, for her sake and for the sake of my dear children.
I could not rest night nor day on their account. After
having seen her I became more determined and deeps-
rate than ever. I was again sat to work in the Dockyard,
with light irons. I considered a plan one night when la
my hammock, and which I was resolved to try the next
day, although I had several guards to pass, end a very losg
way to swim. I prayed that GA would assist me through it
for my family's sake.
"Consequently, on the following night, when we had
left off work to go into the small 'boat, which always took
us from our work to the ship, the York,which was on the'
25th of November, instead of going into the boat I ran up to
the piles, under the jetty, up to my middle in water, when
I remained for about an hour and a half. When the boat
was pushed off to return to the hulks, I heard the guard
say, Where is Dixon ?' I heard one of them say, ' lie
has done us at last, for he is not here.' When they came
on shore they were over my head, and again exclaimed
he has done us ; they asked one of the soldiers whether
he had seen one of their men, snd he answered no. All
this time I was In the water; I was afraid to use my
file to take off my Irons, lest the soldier above
me should hear me ; presently, the drum on board
the Victory was beaten, as is usual. I .then began
to use my file, and got my iron off. As soon as it
became dusk (it was very foggy) I began to strip. I ut-
tered up a few words in prayer, and cast myself into the water.
The tide was coming in very strongly; I went at a rapid
rate, and had to pass by a guard on board the Illustrious
and several other guards higher up the harbour. After I
had been in the water about a quarter of an hour I heard
a gunshot; after this several more had been fired; I thought
they were all coming to me • I then thought it was all up
with me; I was alarmed: but I believe it was only in
consequence of the Queen having visited Port'mouth that
day, and they were taking down the standard. I was
so much terrified with this shooting, that when I passed
by the King George's yacht, I fastened myself to one of
the buoys; it was, however, so very cold that I was obliged
to let go, and plunge again into the great deep. I ulth
stately ended at Polchester Castle, a distance of about
five miles from the dockyard ; when I got out of the water
I was almost exhausted, and was forced to lie down for a
considerable time, so I had nearly lon the use of my arms.
I then started off, naked ; I think it must have been about
nine o'clock, p.m., and travelled on some distance, when I
heard the footsteps of some one, and it struck me it was one
of the guards on the Portdown Bridge, where a file of sol-
diers are always kept. I returned back again, and went
over a small hill, 'at the bottom of which was a smell river,
about as wide as the Dee. I swam across this river, which I
found much more cold than the sea. I went over hedges
and ditches, quite asked, until it was daylight ; I then got
into a pig-stye, and covered myself over with straw, and
remained there until night, without food or drink, and
*enrol thorns in my feet. I then started off again, and
travelled all eight, until I got to a farmhouse, and made my
way into one of the stables, where I found an old smock
frock, which I gladly pat on me. litre I remained all day.
This was the third day I had had no food. Going over Epsom
racecourse I saw a policeman ; I turned down a lane be•
fore he could see me, and got into a cottage, where
I found an old woman ; I begged for mercy and par-
don ; she took me to the fire, and gave me a pair of
stockings, a cop, and an old pair of shoes. I travelled ow,
but was so much fatigued that I was obliged to go to a
house and beg for a bit of bread ; I got some, with comecheese. On my way onwards I saw a man with seas
cattle going to London ; I helped him to drive the cattle,
and he gave me 41d., being all he had. I wanted a night's
rest, and went to a lodging-house on the road ; I milted the
woman how much my lodgings would he ; she said 4d. I
had only then one halfpenny left ; with this I bought some
apples. I went to bed and had a good night's rest, and
started off early next morning for London ; when within a
mile of the town I stopped at some common, and there was
a load et coals brought to a house ; I got the coals in for
them, and received sixpence and something to eat. I then
went into London, and found out a man whose brother
was a cinvict, and who had told me where he lived. He
gave me clothing, plenty to eat, and 10s. to sten
me off. I started off the day after, and went by the
way of the canal until I reached Oxford. I stayed one night
on the road. I travelled en to Banbury, and from there I
went to Warwick. Here I got 2s. for taking charge of some
cattle in the fair. Next day I got 3s. 6d. to take some cattle
to Birmingham. I had now 7s. 6d., and laid it all out in
steel pens. I then wrote to my wife, and informed her
where I was; and I went out hawking my pens, and clamed
Is. the first day. I travelled on towards Wolverhampton,
and earned about 4s. more, and got rid of all my pens. I
wrote to my wife to meet me at Wolverhampton. In the
mean time I 'bought three umbrella; sold teem, and was
able to purchase five more the next day. At nig handy wife
not having yet arrived, I became very unhappy, almost
mad, as I found I was as badly oft as ever. The following
day I went out again on the turnpike-road, a- d there met
my wife coming to meet me from Chester ; it was, indeed, a
happy meeting. We travelled on together to Newport, where
litoeunchesetdero.n msyach
cauwdkciancgcuutaumbntallyassi
my
childrenMy
the parish at Boughton, but did not succeed. I received a
wife
m sneut returnedoby
letter to that effect from her. 1 then left the town, where 1
understand about half an hour after Mr. Hill, superintendent
of police, arrived then in search of me. Eager to get my
poor children, I got nearer and nearer to Chester, within 20
miles, at Whitchurch, where I again met with my wife.
Soon after we had got our supper, the policemen came into
the house, one through the front door and one through the
back. I saw them both. They took bold of my wife. I heard
her shout out, " Let me alone ; what have I done ?" At this
I leaped over the garden wall, and went off to Went. Here I
remained for about a week, and made my way to Shrews-
bury, from thence to Welshpool. It being market day, I
was in the marketigace, when one of the police of the town
came end asked me whether I knew Phil Dixon, as he heard
he was in town. I referred him to a man at an orange stand,
red
dhtfolld
Newtown; here I remained for a few days hawking um-
uhimabtohuatt he came
tfremu
utCatthesetoefi
aangrndan,o"dodubwtewcout would
beau, and found that I was known by some persona that
kept stalls in the market ; se I soon left there and went to
I Machynlleth. Shortly after breakfast I saw two policeman,
one from Newtown. 1. was afraid they were after me. I
went out and shook hands with the Newtown policeman.
IBe spoke to me and appeared very much afraid of me. I
got into the back yard and started off for Aberystwith. I
afterwards heard that fin officers came down and took up
another man in mistake for me. At night I arrived at a
house on the road wane none of the family could speak
English. I had to show them my money, and put my hand
to my mouth to say I wanted something to eat. Next
morning 1 arrived at Aberystwith; I went on to the Iron-
works at Merthyr, where I got work at a Mr. Crenhar's, and
earned He. a week ; I remained here two weeks, and got
leave to go and get my wife and children ; I stinted off, and
on my was I met with a man who hawked cloth ; with him
I went to Bala, PP

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22

MEETING AT GLASGOW.
On Monday, a meeting called by the Lord Provost,
on a requisition presented to him, was held in the City Hall,
Gliogow, for thel purpose of sympathising with the Rungs-
rians, and of memorielising ber Majesty's government in
their behalf; also, to take into consideration the conduct of
the British government in relation to the Italian refugees
at Malta. The large hall was completely crowded.
Mr. Ross was called to the chair.
. . . .

Mr. CLARKE moved the following resolution :—" That
this meeting regards with deep emotion the heroic struggles
of the people of Hungary in defence of the right of self-
government, and deems their resistance to the Austrian
nation as just, and worthy of the sympathy of Great Britain.
Whilst viewing with horror the fermium to which the
Hungarians are subjected, this meeting pledges itself to
use every available means to prevent the various excesses
against that people by the barbarous governments of
Austria and Russia." Such was the resolution he had the
honour to submit to their notice, and, as a preliminary, he
begged to observe, that at any time an expression of opinion
or sympathy in behalf of the Hungarian people was justi-
fiable ; but if over it was justifiable during the past two or
three months, in which they had been able to receive the
most libelous reports of their wonderful heroism and suc-
cesses, he thought at was peculiarly appropriate on the pre-
sent occasion, when, according to the news lately come to
hand, it appeared that they had sustained reverses. He
was not one of those, and he addressed this meeting to-
night ss not belonging to the class who were disposed to
rejoice with a nation or individual that happened to be PlO-
cerful, but to withhold sympathy when they were de-
feated. The Hungarians were either right or wrong in
their struggles. If they were right, then it was as plainly
their duty to sympathise with them when they seemed to
have sustained a defeat, es it was their duty to rejoice and
be gratified when they had been successful. On a former
occasion he bad endeavoured, with as much clearness as he
mall, to lay before them the state of the question between
Hungary and Austria. He could not believe that
the Hungarians were defeated. Men fighting for; liberty
were net so easily put down; and it was exceed-
ingly unlikely that the Hungarians, who had been contend-
ing with the Austrians for the last three hundred years, and
who had at present large and brave armies, should be so
soon discomfited. The question now arose, what ccul t this
meeting dot Could they do anything in defence at Hun-
gary ? He thought much might be done. There were two
ehjections in the way, which, to some extent, caused
diversity of opinion. The first was the principle of non-
intervention ; and the second, that of the feeling against
war, which, he was happy to say, was gaining ground
rapidly. He (Mr. Clarke) entered at length into these two
objections; and, in regard to the first, said that in a just
and religious cause it was their duty to interfere • and in re-
gard to the second, he stated that while opposed to war, he
considered it would be right in the British government to
espouse a just cause, and, it called upon, to go to war its de-
fence of the rights of the people of Hungary. (Deafening
applause, renewed again and again.) The nation should
prosecute the cause which they deemed just; and, if war
was the oom be eqnence, it would a defensive war— a matter
of necessity. But, as • meeting, what could they dot Why,
they could express an opinion, which was moat important.
Mr. Clarke concluded by an eloquent appeal to the meeting
to express their sympathies with the Hungarians—engaged
as they were in • struggle for the liberty handed down by
their ancestors.
Mr. W. WALKER, in seconding the motion, observed, that
when he looked to Rome, he saw the church of the oligarchy
beginning to totter ; and next hie eye was turned to that
oligarchy which upheld the church so long ; and from that
he looked to Hungary. Yet, looking farther he saw thee
if France only bad done her duty, Hungary would stand
in a different position than she holds now. (Cheers.) But
France had betrayedltemelf, and had betrayed her principles.
The awful hour, however, would come, when a dreadful
reckoning waits on such a nation. (Cheers.) When
they looked to the probable results of this great Hungarian
struggle, they would see that had not Russia interposed,
Vienna would have been herself a republic; and Italy
throughout all her states would have followed the example.
He concluded by seconding the adoption of the resolution,
which was put and carried.
Mr. MATTHEW CULLEN, in rising to propose the
next resolution, observed that from the numerous meetings
that had been held throughout the country, and from the
expression of seal and patriotic sentiment shown and ex-
' pressed by eminent individuals in the land, as well as from
the animated expression of feeling which had come from
those who preceded him, little would be required from him
in order to convinca them of the necessity of still extending
I their sympathy with the Hungarian people, whether they
t were victors or vanquished. (Cheers.) The opinion now
t abroad with regard to the state of Hungary, and
• the statements made, were so conflicting, that he
scarcely knew how to express himself on the subject
with accuracy; but perhaps the resolution he had to propose
I would speak clearly to the meeting. It was not of a very
determined nature. It did not breathe the soul.burning
I words uttered by their countrymen elsewhere, because
t some of them had called loudly for government to recognise
I Hungarian independence. This resolution went to the
1 effect that a memorial be presented to her Majesty, calling
t on her to remonstrate with the Austrian government
against such atrocities as had been perpetrated on
the Hungarians in their struggle for self-govern-
scent, and that as the Hungarian nation had been
I compelled to submit to Austria, that they might be treated
in such a manner as humanity, added to the justice of their
t cause, entitles them to ; also that the meeting expresses Its
' astonishment at the inhuman treatment Italian refugees
base met with from the government at Malta, and urge a
searching inquiry into tie matter.
Mr. THOMAS BROWN seconded the motion, denounc-
ing Mr. O'Ferrall, the Maltese Governor, in strong and
I indignant terms for his conduct towards the Roman refugee.,
emtending that they should unitedly end strongly protest
t against the men who had been guilty of such barbarity.
The motion was carried amidst considerable cheering.
Mr. JAMES WILKINSON moved, in terms, that •
I memorial C. her Majesty, founded upon the resolutions
t agreed to, should be signed on behalf of the meeting by the
I Chairman, and forwarded to the Home Secretary fee pre-
I Mutation. The mover extreme', himself strongly in favour
I of the peace movement. Mr. WILLIAM JoHNSTON seconded
' the motion, which was unanimously carried.
The CHAIRMAN then introduced
Dr. EItDOHAZY, the Hungarian refugee, whose appear-
ance was hailed with vehement cheers. As nearly as we
could understand his speech, from his imperfect pronuncia-
tion, he spoke to the following effect—Citizens of a country
of the free and the brave, I trust you will pardon me for not
expressing myself as I would wish, and you could undentaad.
Being only a stranger, and not having long learned your
language, I am imperfect. i thank you for your enthu-
siasm for my country; and I thank the nation, for I find
it the same in the country as in the city. In Hungary
it is all for one and one for all, and I perceive you are
the same. (Cheers.) I give yon thanks with my full
heart for your enthusiasm, but I cannot do it in a fine
speech after the great orators who have come before
me, but you will excuse me if I do not be able to speak what
I feel. (Cheers.) Ido not think but what you will do will
be right, and the best you can do ,• and I know and can un-
derstand it from your own Scottish hearts, which are full of
liberty. (Cheers.) You will perceive that the French cock
did crow one morning, and the people began to think that
the sun of liberty was rising ; but it was only the cock crow-
ing to betray Christ unto his great enemies. (Cheers.) The
people of my country had rights and liberties which
were attempted to be talc, n from them, and then they
considered it was time for them to ask back what
had been stolen, and that freedom should be respected.
We had our own constitution, and that embraced that the
emperor should rule us by our own laws ; but we began to
see that all was being taken away, and all our crime is that
we have asked for our own hack again. (Cheers.) It is
very often promised to ue. The late emperor promised to
give it to us • but when we did not get it, and asked for it,
he ordered his troop. to slaughter our people, who did not
ask for more than "hey had. Then the late emperor gave his
crown to the young man, and after that time we were obliged
o fight for what had been stolen from us. (A voice,
" Quite right." Cheers.) Thanks to the God of battles,
we were sometimes and nearly always victorious. It has
been said that Gorg, y has surrendered, but I do not know
what to say on that. The news from Viands is made to
complete what the emperor means ; and if we grin
a great victory, they mike the elephant a fly;
and if we lose a little battle, the fly is made
an elephant. I thank you warmly for the warm and
noble hearts you have shown to my courtly this night. It
is enough for me to see an assembly like you here in the
cause of liberty ; for you, noble Sootchmen, I think, will
translate the name of Hungary as " liberty"—(great cheer-
ing)—and I pray that you lorg—very h ng--may be happy
and free. (Great cheering.) Your poet Burns has said
very greatly when he writes:—
Then let us pray that come it may,
And come it will for a' that,
That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth,
)fay bear the pee and a' that,
For a' that, and a' that,
It's coming 3 et for a' that,
That man to MID, the world wide o'er,
Shall brothers be, and a' that.
Immediately after, thanks were given to the chairman,
- and the meeting dispersed.
it to

DRAINAGE OF VIE AETROPOLIS.—Up to last even-
log 74 plans for the drainage of the metroplis had beea
received at the metropolitan court of sewers.
REPRESENTATION OF WEST SURREY.—The protec-
tionists had a m'o'ist, yesterday at &MOM, when Mr.
Evelyn addressed his supporters. Re dselare himself, al.
though a decided con-creative, to be an a4vlcate ler the ad-
mission of Jews into parliament. Mr. Eigell, the liberal
candidate, has Issued an explanatory Riau's to the s' esters.
A NOBLE ACT.—A few years since a profound tntt•
thernatician died in this town, leaving a wife and famil
in-
provided for. Those who knew and eateeured the dec.' .sed.
raised 6001., and invested it far the widow and children in a
railway. Subsequently the stock was Treat!v riepreciatol,
but the gentleman who recommended the invi.tment took
up the shares, and paid the difference ; that, 0,1 ,ian was
one who never tires in acts of bar, Coles' Ind e,atentiotts
charity, Mr. William Itatbbone.—Liverpoul Journal.