The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-07 00:00:00

Act, and what support it might not find in that House,
and so would justice be procrastinated indefinitely.—
( Hear.) Mr. Wilberforce had Zeelared that from 1797
to 1835, the Assembly had never passed any one measure
of benevolence or justice toward; the Negro population.
Was it to he expected that the Assembly would suddenly
and totally change its character ?—( Hear, hear ) Yet
the House was asked to reject this Bill, and thus destroy
the only chance Of the negro's future happiness.—
( Cheers. ) Allusion had been made to the labours of
those teachers who had been engaged in instructing the
negsoes, and be (Lord John Russell) believed that
to those labours was owing the tranquillity which
had prevailed in the Island during the late momentous
change which had taken place in the position of the
negro population, which had been left by their masters in
the darkness of heathenism.—( Cheers.) The Noble
Lord then noticed a declaration which had been transmitted
to him in favour of the measure, signed by a number of
very influential gentlemen connected with the Island of Ja-
maica, and went on to say that he had known of many others
politically opposed to himself who had at first supported the
measure, but wife had since changed their course,not because
they had taken a different view of the necessity which there
was for this measure, but because it had ben made a
question for party.— (Tremendous cheers.) He' could
understand that some persons might conscientiously believe
this Bill to be unnecessary or injudicious, and he could
respect those who conscientiously came to that opinion ;
but this he would say, that if any ma❑ who was
not conscientiously of that opinion should refuse his support
to this measure, because it was brought forward by a party
opposed to his own, the time would speedily arrive when
that man would have to encounter the reproaches of his
own conscience, and the reprobation of all right thinking
men.—( Loud and long continued cheers.)
The House then divided when there appeared
For going into Committee 294
Against it
Majority for Ministers
The announcement was received with loud cheering by
the Opposition, which continued during several minutes.
On our re-admission to the Gallery we found the House
in Committee, and

Lord J. RUSSELL moving that the Chairman report
progress, and ask leave to sit again on Monday, which was
agreed to.

—The House resumed, the other Orders of the Day were
disposed of, and the House adjourned at Two o'Clock.

NA rioNAL CONVENTION,
(YESTERDAY.)

There was a very numerous muster of the Delegates
to-day, it being the period appointed for the preparation
and presentation of the National Petition to the House
of Commons.

Mr. GOODE, the Delegate from Brighton, was
unanimously called to the Chair.
Mr. STUART introduced Mr. James Woodhouse, the
new Delegate for Nottingham, in the room of Dr. Wade,
who was politically deceased.—(Cheers.) He knew
Mr. Woodhouse well, and he believed him to be an
honest man.

Mr. LOVETT introduced Mr. Hugh Williams, the
Delegate from Carmarthen and Swansea.

The proceedings of the last meeting having been read,
Mr. Bailie CRAIG handed in 61. Is. 6d., which Le
had received on account of the national rent from the
county of Ayr.

Dr. TAYLOR presented 171. from the Vale of Leven,
Dumbartonshire, making in the whole upwards of 271.
from that small village.
Mr. RICHARDSON introduced Mr. Christopher Dean,
the new Delegate for Manchester, in the room of Mr.
Roe, resigned.

Mr. LOVETT, the Secretary, handed in 12s. towards
the National Rent from several pianoforte-makers in
Bedford-square, together with 10s. from cabinet-makers
in Gray's Inn-road.
Mr. NEESOM handed in 2s. 9d. fiom Mr. Belcher,
of Bow-lane, Cheapside, collected from the poorest per-
son in the neighbourhood.
Mr. Moit handed in 2/. 13s. from the Universal
suffrage Association of Busby, 31. from Kirkintulloch
and 8/. 13s. 2d. from Kempsey.
Mr. FROST handed in 1/.los. from Blackwood, in
Monmouthshire.

Mr. LOVETT then read letters from Ledbury, ap-
proving of the principles of the Convention ; from
Darlington, requesting the Convention to send Dele-
gates there on
,Whitsun-Monday, stating that it was
necessary to stir the people into action. From Hal-
stead ; from Markham, in Ayrshire, expressing the de-
termination of the people there to procure the Charter
by every means in their power, as soon as they got the
word of command. From Preston, stating that a
public meeting was to be held there on Monday
week, and requesting the attendance of sonic
of the Members of the Convention. From the Wol-
verhampton Political Union, stating that it was their
intention to have a public meeting in that town on Wed-
nesday week, and requesting that Messrs. Frost, Vin-
cent, and Pierce might be sent as Delegates from the
Convention to attend the meeting.
Mr. F. O'CONNOR introduced Messsrs. Brown,
Powell, and Donaldson, the new Delegates for Birming-
ham.

Mr. B. O'BRIEN introduced Mr. James Harris, the
new Delegate for Shoreham.
Mr. LOVETT, the Seervtary, read a letter from Wed-
nesbury informing the Convention that Mr. Hickman
had been elected a Delegate for that place.

Dr. FLETCHER bore testitlipny to the respectability
of Mr. Hickman, but was Maid the notice of the in-
tention to elect him was too short.

Letters were then read by the Secretary from the
Glasgow Asscciation, stating that they would support
the Convention in every laraul measure to procure the
People's Charter. That it was their determination to
have a great demonstration on Tuesday in the
Whitsun-week, and requesting that Mr. 13. O'Brien,
Mr. Frost, and Mr. Vincent might be sent es
Delegates to attend it. From Bath, stating
that a great public demonstration was to take
place on Whit-Monday, and requesting. that Mr.
F. O'Connor, Mr. Lawley, and ,Mr. Duncan might
be sent as Delegates. From Tavistock, giving an ac-
count of the Meeting that had taken place there in
behalf of the People's Charter.

DELEGATE 1,011. THE TOWER. HAMLETS.
Mr. NESOM had been requested by Mr. Drake, who
had been elected a Delegate for the Tower Hamlets on
Stepney-green, to ask whether the Committee had de-
cided as to his election, or whether they were disposed
to do so.

Mr. F. O'CoNNolt wished to know in what situation
Mr. Drake was placed ? Had the election been declared
informal ?

Mr. LOVETT said that a protest bad been entered
against it.

-Dr, TAYLOR understood that the rule of the Conven-
tion was not to rescind a protest until the Delegate had
taken his seat. The protest, which was from the
residents of the Tower Hamlets, was then read.
It denied that any Delegate had been elected
for the Tower Hamlets, and stated that at the meeting
a resolution had been carried, declaring it inexpedient
that any Delegate should be elected, as the meet-
ing considered the Delegates elected at the meeting at
Palace-yard sufficiently represented them. A letter was
also read from au individual stating that no election
had taken place, and that the Chairman had acted
in a most illegal manner.
Mr. F. O'CONNOR thought that the Convention would
agree with him that it was greatly to be regretted that
they had not established before the same rule with re-
spect to the election of Delegates. He thought though
it was late they would do well to establish that rule
now, looking at what had taken place. In what situa-
tion, he would ask, would the Convention stand, if
they received the present protest ? Why, to
do justice, they must receive every protest that
was tendered, and the result would be that it
would amount to another Spotiswoode conspiracy.
The Convention could not go further than the House of
Commons. In that House they did not judge of the
election of any person until be had taken his seat ; he
would put it to the Coneention,whether in fairness they
ought to entertain the present protest. They had
received Mr. Williams that morning, though his cre-
dentials bad not been produced. As to the statements
that the Delegates elected at Palace-yard sufficiently
represented the London districts, he would ask whether
the course pursued by the people of Marylebone did not
deny that-proposition. The people of Marylebone had
elected a most able representative in his friend Mr.
Cardo." He had observed invariably that all oppo-
sition was directed to the Delegates for London,
for why he could tell, but it was the fact that

the moment a Delegate was elected for any of
the metropolhan districts, there was a squeamishness
on the part of certain Members of the Convention to
receive him. He thought such a course of proceeding
was neither candid nor just.—(Cheers.) In the present
instance the Convention had riot to deal With the case
of Mr. Drake, but the principle of his return.
—(Hear.) The question for them was, whether they
would proceed to adjudicate en the quanication
of a man before he had taken his seat. He knew
nothing of Mr. Drake, but be was anxious to establish
a precedent. For his own part, he thought it unjust
to receive a protest before a party had taken his seat.
Dr. FLETCIIER said if the chairman at the meeting at
the Tower Hamlets, had not done his duty, his con-
duct ought to be brought before the Convention.

Mr. HETHERINGTON ,tated that the return was not
legal, inasmuch as the chairman was not an inhabitant
of the borough.
Dr. FLETCHER said he bad asked whether the chair-
man was an inhabitant, and he understood it to have
been stated that he 'tvaF. If the chairman was not an
inhabitant that was a strong fact against the election.
He was sorry to see a determination on the part
of some persons to overrun
.the Convention with
London Members. With respect to Mr. Coombes,

who had taken an active part in this election,
he was what he must call a perambulating delegate-
maker—(Laughter)—for the purpose of getting per-
sons into the Convention to do his work.—(Checrs.)
It would have been a far more manly and open course
to have got himself elected as a Delegate and have done
it. himself.—(Cheers and cries of " No, no.") That was
only his opinion, but it was an opinion the facts strongly
upheld. If the principle of sending so many Delegates
from London was persevered in, the result would be
that there would be thirty or forty Delegates from

E _EN ING EDITION.

....
, I Lon on alone ; and if such was the case,- -what, he
• woad ask, would become of the National Rent.
' (Loud cheering.) He objected to A body of London
' men having the absolute ccntrol over the Rent. If
such a course was allowed with respect to London,
Manchester, and other large towns, would soon follow
the example.
Mr. F. O'CottNort—Manchester has.
Dr. FLETCHER—NO ; that town has only elected a
Delegate in the room of one that has resigned. He
thought the arguments of Mr. O'Connor in favour of
this system were more like the arguments of a counsel
in behalf of a client than anything else. With respect
to the case of Mr. Cardo, the Delegate for Mnr3lebone,
to whom Mr. O'Connor had referred, he begged to
remind him that Marylebone had protested against the
Delegates chosen in Palace-yard sufficiently represent-
ing the districts of London before the Convention es. .1
sembled, and therefore it was that Marylebone was ex-
cepted. He felt bound to protest most' positively I
against'any further Delegates sitting in the Convention
for London, till the Delegates now sitting should be dis-
qualified from sitting in the Convention by the votes of
their constituents. He objected to the representatives of
London, who had contributed but a small proportion
of the National Rent, having its entire management.
Before he concluded, he wished to correct a rep9rtt that
had gone forth to the world relative to the
men of Mitcham. He had been represented
as having stated that the men of Mitch/it-4
would allow nobody to vote who had not contribntei l'
to the National Rent. He had not said any such thing ;
but what he stated was, that the election would be cone.
fined to the districts that haxl paid rent.—(Hear, at('
cheers.) In conclusion, he begged to say, that every
exertion on his part should be used sse put I
an end to the attempt that was now in progress to swamp 1
the Convention with London Members, and if it was
persevered in he would appeal to his constituents and
the people of the north, and call upon them to see that
they received justice.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Bun:vs thought the Convention ought to come
to some resolution relative to its time being wasted.---
(Cheers.) He hoped they would determine not to re-
ceive any more Members from the London Distriete,
whether legally eleeted or not.
Mr. HARNEY moved as an amendment that Mr.
Drake should be admitted.

Mr. JAMES TAYLOR thought that the Convention
would be much better employed if they were ,to set
aside all other proceedings for the present for the p'ur•
pose of taking into considerdtion the propriety of adept.
ing an admonitory letter to the people on the late dis-
turbances that had taken place.—( Cheers.) He should,
therefore, move an amendment to that effect.
Mr. LOVETT said he could not receive two amend-
ments.

Mr. HARNEY was determined to persevere in his
amendment, because he thought it would have the effect
of settling the question.

Mr. F:O'CoNNoa seconded Mr. Harney's amend-
ment.

Mr. O'BRIEN should like to make a few observa,
Lions on the question, as he had hitherto abstained from
making any r;mark on this subject. He much re-
gretted that the London Democratic Association had
taken this line of proceeding in preventing the election
of new members, for they were a party with whom he
wished to act.—(Hear, hear.) The way in which they?
should have acted was to call a public meeting and pro-
pose a vote of want of confidence in the present members,
and go to elect new ones in their stead. It was aseumed
that London had more than enough of representatives
in the Convention. This he would deny, as there were
only five members representing two millions, the other
four being equally the Delegates from county district s.--
(Hear, hear.) He did think that those five delegates
were not enough, out of fifty comprisinr•-the body, to
represent one-eighth part of the population of the
country.—( Hear, bear.) But in o: der that there
might be no objection to Mr. Drake's sitting in the Cm-
vention he (Mr. O'B.) would resign his seat for Londoa
to make way for that Gentleman.—(No, no.) He Would
do so, and sit for one of his country constituencies. He
should be glad that the Convention would pass some
definite resolution to prevent the increase of members
for the London districts. If Shey did not do so, they
would be kept day atter day in hot water, and prevented
from attending to their more serious duties.—(Hear.)
Mr. MILLER objected to the reception of Mr. Drake
as a Delegate.
Mr. HARNEY supported his amendment, and while
doing so was repeatedly called to order, and in the end
was compelled to desist, from the general cries of
—(" Vote, vote.") •
The CHAIRMAN put the amendment it was negatived
by a large majority. . _

Mr. J. TAYLOR then moved, without any obseha,
ticsn, that the standing orders be suspended, to consider
and prepare an address to the people, advising them to.,
abstain from any breach of the peace.
Mr. MILLER seconded the resolutioii, and after a few
words from Mr. Vincent in support of it, it was carried.
Mr. LOWREY then moved an address to the people
He stated that the object of it was to advise the people
that while they (the Convention) acknowledged
their rrght to arm—yet they would advise them to
abstain from doing anything that would tend to be con-
strued into a breach of the peace—by doing which they
would endanger their yet remaining liberties, and bring
the Convention into collision with the Government.--
(Hear, hear.)
Mr. O'CosNent was opposed to this address,
inasmuch as it was a one-sided address, and if
passed by the Convention would not add to
its influence, as it merely went to tell what they
ought not to do, and never said what they ought to do.
Had not the people a right now to be told that they
were within the protection of the law, such ds it was,
as well as those who now sought to trample on them ?.
It was time, aye, high time, to tell the people that
they had the right to arm, as well as those who claimed
to be their superiors, when the Blues, those impersoni-
fications of dandyism, were ordered to go down to
breathe, to them, the unwholesome atmosphere of Shef-
field.—(Hear. It was time, ay, more than time, for
the Convention to speak out to the brave people of
England, when advantage was taken of the present
tranquillity of unfortunate Ireland, and the army brought
tide after tide from that country to overawe the hardy
sons of industry in their endeavours to procure some-
thing like a remuneration for their sweat and toil.
Now should they not be vacillating and impotent in
their decisions, when there was no doubt but
that their enemies, and the enemies of the people,
would strive to affix on them the unfortunate
partial outbreak in Wales, which only resulted from the
hardships endured by the ill-treated :portion of the
community, who had the misfortune to be compelled to
endure the tyranny of their hard task-masters.—(Hear,
hear.) It was the duty of the Convention to be in a
state that would procure for their cause the support of
the multitude, and in no case could it be in that state
better, than when in the midst of the millions,—(Hear,
hear.) He always was of opinion, and nothing that
has occurred lately, has tended to change that opinion,
that the Convention should step forth, and use its moral
power manfully, in order to guide the physical power
of the people, for no better check could be had on the
physical power of the country, than the Convention
exercising to its full extent the moral power with
which it was intrusted, to prevent Any thing like par-
tial outbreak.—(Hear, hear.) This was a sftcred/days
a day on which was to be presented the groanings,
the wishes, the aspergies of the houseless, of the
hungry, of the opprersed, and of the enslaved for
redress—to the few who assumed to themseivea

the authority of passing bad laws and of ita.ving
them wickedly administered.—(Dear, hear.) On this
day, then, he would conjure them to show such a spir:t
of unanimity, such a spirit of energy, and such a spirit
of purpose, as would put to flight the aspersions of their
enemies, who, if it should be othervkise, would say that
they Tyre now, after braving hitherto all the storms and
obstrudtions raised by them, afraid—and, that like per- 4
sons afflicted with hydrophobia, they durst not, froth
fear of seeing the water, go near the River Thames.—
(Hear,hear.) He was sorry that a former resolution
of his was met by a successful amendment—if it had .
passed the Convention would now be in the position-
which the Government had taken possession of, and
their cause would then be in such' a state of high secu-
rity, that no machinations of the tyrants would endan-
ger them, nor no provocation should entail on the peo-
pie the necessity of taking part in any outbreak, unless
from motives of personal apprehension.-
Mr. O'BRIEN rose to order. He said he owed it to
himself and to the country to say, that In the
amendment alluded to, his motive for proposie.g it was
that he considered that their duty compelled them to
remain in London until after the petition was presenred
and until the discussion on the Charter was had.
—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. O'CONNOR resumed. He merely; mentioned
this, to show that they were taken by surprise, fur the
very moment the Government found we should hold the
simultaneous meetings, they assembled a gabinet Coun-
cil, and decided that nothing should be left undone to
prevent these meetings.—(Hear, hear.) He never
intended to throw any imputation on any person be-
longing to the Convention, he but merely instanced
this as sheaving the necessity of adopting prompt and
decisive measures— (Hear and cheers.)
Mr. O'BeeeN.—London was the place they ought
to be in then. He thought until after the presentation
of the petition ; but now that new circumstances had
sprung up, he would support any motion brought in
for the adjournment to Birmingham., on condition
that they should return in a week, in order to be
at their posts during the discussion on the Charter.--
(Hear, hear.) The address now presented to them
was one which was of the . lukewarm kind,
of that soft and selky discriptton that would be
alike unworthy of them to adopt, or of the people to ac-
cept.—(Hear, hear.) Its statements of the people's
duties were, if not altogether objectionable, at lcatst not
recommendable.—(Bear, hear.) He was resolv'ed, ro
master what the consequences were, come weal or come
woe, he would be found at his post, standing fo,reeercl
for the rights of the universal people.—(Hear,heac.)
The address, if passed in its present shape, would only
throv. a wet blanket on the cause—would be the means