The Express.
London, England, 1853-05-26 00:00:00

ELECTION EXPOSURES.

HULL BRIBERY COMMISSION.
HULL, WEDNESDAY.
' Mr. Hodgson, surgeon, stated that in his town
there were from 120 to 130 freemen who always expected
to receive money for voting. It was notorious, ever since
he remembered Hull, that a system had prevailed of giving
305., or some such sum, to the poorer class of voters ; and
it was well known that this was not for legitimate services
rendered, but for voting. And this on both sides. It was
the practice also to establish sham committee-rooms. That
is to say, public-house MOM were taken, and each landlord
paid 21. as rent, no business whatever being transacted
there. I hive mace the election paid 31 or 41. to actual
canvassers. The money was received from Mr. Atkinson,
the treasurer.

John Coulson, a 101. voter and an eating-house keeper,
stated that a room is his house was hired by the orange
party as a committee-room at the last election, for which he
received V. This was after he had promised to vote for
Mr. Clay and Lord Goderich. After the election witness
received a slip of paper signed by Dr. Hodgson, naming the
committee-room where he was to draw the 21. Mr. Atkin-

son gave him the money. The night before the election
the committee had something to eat, the bill for their food
amounted to 41. 10s. or 51., which was paid by a Mr. Hart
(agent to Lord Goderich). Several of the men who were
present that night were disguised in smock frocks. Hart
arrived in Hull about a week before the election. He was a
total stranger. A person named Breezer also arrived in
Hull about the same time. Witness heard several people
of the orange party complaining that they had not received
suffieient money, shortly after the day of election. Several
of the voters who had complained wero paid in a bedroom
in hie house. Did not know who paid them. They were ad-
mitted one by one. Did not know who was in the bedroom.
Michael Morgan, a freeman, stated that he voted for
Clay and Goderich at the last election in 1847 ; he voted a
plumper for Clay in 1611 ; he also voted for the orange,
and in 1837 he voted a plumper for Hutt. Before he voted
at the last election ho was paid half a sovereign, which was
due from the 1847 election. He was paid in King-street.
He promised his vote to Clay and Goderich, and had his
name put down by the clerk of the committee-room in his
ward for six days, and he received 265. He carried about
letters when required to do so. Would like to have a place
in the Charter-house. Had spoken to Mr. Jalland, who is
an electioneering man, and belonged to the same party as
witness. Mr. Jellied not promise to get hint into the
Charter-house. He has also applied to the blue party. The
last election that witness received any money was Sykes's.
The price then was 21. a plumper and 41. a split vote.
Boswell Middleton Jalland, formerly a solicitor and a
voter as a 101. householder, and a magistrate of the
borough, stated that he wee a member of Clay and Gode-
rich's general committee at the last election. Is aware
that people are employed as rumen, and the general sum
given at the last election was 30a..; believed at previous
elections men would claim to be put dowa for what they
asked. At the last election it was a decided thing that men
should be paid their head money. Previous to the Reform
Act, 4/. wu always expected by the old burgesses. During
the late election witness believed that several working men
had formed themselves into committees, and required mo-
ney for their votes. The general committee had nothing to
do with appointing runnert or sham committee rooms. Was
chairman of a committee in 1841. Could not say to what
extent the miner system prevailed at that election. The
last election cost about 4,0001. At tho time of Bzown's
election the voters demanded 101. a vote.
. . .

Other evidoete as to the colourable practice of employing
runners having been given, the COMMISSiOtIaS adjourne3
till this day at ten o'clock.

DEATH OF SZE RICHARD BUCELEY COMYN, Xi
The deceaße of this learned gentleman, took place on Mon-
day morning last after a protracted illness at his house, in
Spring °areas'. The deceased,who was born in 1791, was
in 1825, appointed a palm. junks of the Supreme Court, at
Madras, and in 1835, a vacancy occurring, be was appointed
I Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1842 he resigned
and totin after returned to tie native country, wirers he
was created a D.C.L. by the University of Orford. He was
the author of several learned works—amongst others.
"A History of the Western Empire from the Birth of
Charlemagne to the Accession of Charles V."

THE RUSSIANS AND CIIICASISIANS.—The St. Pc-
teriburg Journal contains the following intelligence from
the Caucasus :—" Oa April 1 the appearance of the expe-
ditionary corps of Upper Ciresasia on the bill of Haulms
caused Behamyt to send to that point some troops to prevent
the Russians from cutting down wood and making a road
in the direction of Datych. However, notwithstanding the
repeated attacks of the mountaineers, this work was termi-
nated on the 12th. General Baron Wrewsky having thus
attained his object evacuated the position which he had
taken up on the heights. His march towards Fortanga
Faye our troops aa opportunity of signalising themselves
in a combat, as brilliant as it was obstinate, against the
Cireassians and the Tawlines. The attacks of the enemy
I were repeatedly repulsed with considerable loos. We had
I seven men killed and 83 es minded, of whom ail me officers."

I PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO MRS.
I STOWE.

There was a
A .B,oi:\enetit.oosikavp.lyacesobasietty,e:tihnegpaurtpia,veilotifsp%shß:ontimml,
St. Jauses's-street, at the instance of U.. 'latish and
platform was placed a but of Mrs. Stowe,
aFnor addresseig to,l'ild,arasc.eirlarrlbmat
rlteeemcheweaSa teetwege.mtly
diceoratei
crowded atte.
owing to the
foundationCha m
absence,e r 0 s
ets
(70
I. ,ag
ct:hhtoeut
:arSir
olarenien!rdarit:3s7
with festoons o. roses and leaves, and on a pedestal at tha
beautifullybackoftbeexecute 'I by Mr. Bernard in white marb'e. -
Oa Mrs. Stowe app oaring on the platform, she was loudly
mreeteatattmegbahtillumuntaavoia.day
theel
cheered. She was acalompanied by her husbaal, the Bei
open a ragged school. A
Professor Stowe, and there. were also on the platform
number of ministers of religion of various denominations.
Jose etc Stemse, Esq., presided, in the alas nee of the
Earl of ilhafteabury, from whom a letter was read by air.
o'le'd the delicate health of
of that
similar letter was read from thlice:Ev:a:reilvopersi:Ci.rea.nrsltiaslta:e..bea:B.,,eaaperky.;
•",:e expressed his regret that,
was
fbr had
be:;nich3g weret de
ex-
tract Stowe,
crowded t
ireo.l.
ossisbpler
aa:tair.imuoradw:es:tnhtntorltie:d.
thlehe:dindliderue:s
call to read the address.
ern and Fereign Anti-Slavery
thelphireeCcesdiAinignhday at a4sectrilieneritinogfot:tehdeeeerocmstminittleeeresetfthat:
Anti-Slavery Society
upon whom lie would
Ives and of the society thee re-
present, cf L nth Tunes laesia
tract the subjoined passe
Madam,—lt is with f.
the Committee of the Brit
'lleum Messing, will, at
Society, on behalf of [hems[
nerus of Tunt's
present, welcome the gifted a
to the shores of Great Britain. Al humble
, labourers in the
cause of negro emancipation, w. ball, with emotion, more
' commendatisa and
aecamitlayrbimabalgein.e.ad,btharanbicelbercbtibeL, td‘beeneeepi:::wararenriede„ide
ma.
pathy on behalf of the Butt. ring negro', sad called Leen g
burst of honest indignation (sealant tneutroctuus syst.m of
slavery, which, we oust, under the
no distant period, accomplish its cut •re an elation. We me
not insensible to those extraordinary
'abin as a merely literary production, which have procured
for its talented authoress such universe.
enthusiastic applause ; but w e feel it . to be our duty to
refer rather to the Christian principles a nd earnest piety
which rtrratio its interesting pages, sued to express our
weeniest desire—we trust we may asy, het 'Welt prayer._
that lie who bestowed upon you the power . and the gems
to writ: such a work, may preserve and bless ?on windmill
your honours, and enable you, under a grateful
and humble sense of His abundant good:mi.', to
give ni m all the glory and all the Rene
We desire to feel grateful for the measure of succeas that
has crowned the advocacy of these sound anti-slavery pia,
ciplee in our own country; but we cannot but feel, that as
regards the continnauce of slavery in America, we have
cause for liumilieticit and shame la the ex.sfenee of the
melancholy f ,et, that a large proportion of the fruits of the
bitter toil and suit ring of the slaves in the western world
are used to minister to the comfort and the luxury of our
own population. When this anomaly of a country's putting
down slavery by law on the one hand, and supporting it by
its trade and commerce on the other, will be removed, it is
not for us to predict; but we are conscious that our position
is such as should at leant dissipate every sentiment of self-
complacency, and make us feel both nationally and indivi-
dually how deep a responsibility still rests upon us to wash
our own hands of this iaiquity,and to seek by every legitimate
means in our power to rid the world of this fearful institution.
True Christian philanthropy knows no geosraphical limits,
no distinctions of race or colour; but wherever it sees its
fellow-men the victim of suffering and oppression, it seeks
to alleviate his sorrows, or drops a tear of sympathy over
the afflictions which it has not the power to remove. We
cannot but believe that these enlarged and generous sym-
pathies will be aroused and strengthened in the hearts of
thousands and tens of thousands of all classes who have
wept over the tiuching pages of Ctoge Tones Cabin.
We have marked the rapid progress of its circulation from
circle to circle, and from country to country, with feelings
of thrilling interest, for, we trust, by the divine bl.ising
upon the softening influence and Christian sentiments it
breathes, it will Le made the harbinger ef a better and
brighter day, for the happiness and the harmouy of the
human family. To the tender mercies ttf Him who died to
save their immortal souls, we commend the downcast
slaves for freedom and protection, and in the heart-
cheering belief that you have been raised up as an honoured
instrument in God's hand to hasten the glorious work of
their emancipation, we crave that Mis blessing, as well as
the blessing of Him that is ready to peel-h, may abun-
dantly rest upon you and yours. With sentiments of the
highest esteem and respect, dear modem, we affectionately
subscribe ourselves, your friends and fellow-labourers."
Several passages in the address were loudly cheered. Oa
its conclusion the chairman received it from Mr. Bowler,
and presented it to Mrs. Stowe, amid loud cheering.
The Rey. Professor STOWE, in acknowledging the ad-
dress, said that besides the right which he had to answer
it owing to the relationship between the lady and himself,
he claimed another right,—the most perfect sympathy with
her opinions and her efforts. (Cheers.) Ile believed they
were perfectly agreed on every point in regard to the na-
ture of slavery, and the best means of gcttiug rid of it.
Ile had been called upon very frequently to address audi-
ences since he had been in this country, generally under
circumstance of fatigue, and with very little time for pre-
paration ; but the very great kindness which had been
manifested towards Mrs. Stowe and himself, and his coun-
try, afflicted with this great evil, had enabled him to
bear a burden which otherwise would have been insuppor-
table. (Hear.) Of all the addresses which they had received,
kind and considerate as they hail all been, tie doubted whe-
ther there had been one which had so completely expressed
the feelings and sentiments of their hearts as the one they
had now received. (Hear, hear.) It seemed to be pre-
cisely the expression of their own thoughts and feelings on
this whole subject of slavery. (Hear, hear.) As that was
probably the last time he should have the opportunity of
addressing an audience in England on this subject, he
wished to give a brief outline of their views as to the best
method of dealing with this awful, this terrible subject of
slavery. For in their country it was indeed a terrible sub-
s ject; its power and its influence were terrible; and were it
not that Providence seemed to be lifting up a light in the
distance, he should lie almost in despair. But he most
firmly believed that there was now a system of causes
at work, which Providence designed should con-
tinue to work till this great curse was re-
moved from the face of the earth. The first
means of dealing with slavery was to show its utter wrong-
fulness. This was the great moral ground, the primary
ground, the ground on which they should always and under
all circumstances insist. (Hear, hear.) He believed the
great excellence of that work which had caused so much
excitement was merely that it held up the extreme and cut-
rageens wrongfulness of the system, while it showed an
entire Christian and forgiving spirit towards these involved
in it. (Hear, hear.) These two qualities had, in his judg-
ment, given it its eatire power. No former work had fully
satisfied him on both these points. In this he believed he
should have the sympathy of the audience and of all
Britons—that the work showed, in the most striking man-
ner, the horrible wrongfulness of the system, and at the
same time manifested no bitterness, no unkindness, no un-
fairness towards those involved in it; and that gave
it all the greater power. (Cheers.) The second
point in assailing the system was to awaken the
consciences of those involved in it; for among slave-
holders there were all kinds of moral development, just as
among other classes iu the world—men of fine moral sense,
and men of none whatever—men who had been born in the
system, and men who had come into it voluntarily. Many
slaveowners felt in their consciences that it was wrong;
and two eminent clergymen in a slaveholding state declared
that the great majority of the Christian people there felt
that it was wrong, and that it was only a matter of pro-
crastination with must of them as to tree time when they
should perform their whole duty, and bring this system to
an end. (Hear, hear.) It was true they ought imme-
diately to do what was right; but prejudice, indolence,
education, and k variety of circummances came in to check
their aspirations after what was right. The third means
was by bringing the power of public sentiment to bear
against the system. Public opinion was more powerful
than armies, and must be excited by all the means
usually employed for that purpose, by conversation, by the
platform, the press, the pulpit, and especially by awakening
the religious sympathies of the people, and beingeng them
to bear en this great question. If the church and the min-
istry were silent, who should speak for the dumb and the
oppressed ? (Hear, hear.) What caused him most sorrow
was the comparative apathy and silence of the church for
the last twenty-five years in the United States. Before that
period, ministen spoke, and spoke with words of pewer,
but most unhappily they had not followed out those words
in suitable practice. The power of the system had some
upon them, and brought them almost to an entire silence.
But he hoped they were beginning to speak again. Voices
were heard here and there, which would excite others ;
before long, he hoped, they would be brought to speak the
same mind and the same thing, and in such a way that the
conscience of the whole nation should be aroused. Still tbir
was only a beginning. There was a fourth method. Witt. a
view to the correction of public, sentiment, it was of the
utmost importance that those who were earnest in their
condemnation of slavery should observe consistency ; and
therefore it was their duty to encourage the nalairal re-
sources of the countries where alavery did not eZist, espe-
cially for the production of cotton. India, the West Indies,
Britoil Guiana, Australia, and paste of A-frica, would
grow cotton as well as the United States. (Fear.) It could
be raised by free labour in the Unit'.d States itself.
It was done already, and provided there were sufficient
encouragement, it could be raised still, more abundantly.
Freo labour was already coming in:co competition with
slave labour, and actually displacing it, in the most slave-
holding states. (Hear, hear.) Tern reason was the great
expense of keeping up slaves. A little while ago every
hotel in New Orleans was served by slaves; but the ex-
pense and risk from deaths and accidents was so great, that
now the largest hotels employed free servants, and the
system was spreading. (Hear, hear.) Since the Chinese
had begun to emigrate to America, a great impetus had
been given to this change; and there was hope of its being
ultimately carried out. (Cheers.) We could not at once
dispense with all the products of slave labour ; but we must
examine and look out for methods of effecting this ; and we
ought not to shrink from self-denial or be appalled at
sacrifice. (Hear, hear.) Till suitable arrangements coal&
be made, we might be held excusable, but not longer ; nor
ought we to discourage those who were seeking to
place the thing on a right ground. Another
method of extinguishing this evil was prayer to
Almighty God, for this was essentially a religious question.
The book to which reference had been made had been
written amidst many prayers and tears, and it war only
through a religious spirit that it had been accomplished, so
that he looked upon it almost as a voice from beaten.
(Hear, hear.) Union was most important. There were