The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-09 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE.

The SECRETARY read a letter from Knaresborough.
They (the Chartists of Knaresborough) would have
written sooner, but that they had experienced much op-
position. They send 12s. rent. They were, when he
left Knaresborough, in considerable strength. Shortly
after that had hdppened a discussion took place as to
what would be the best means of obtaining the Char-
ter. Atter this discussion Mr. Joy and about half a
dozen of moral force traitors abandoned us and did us
all the injury they could ; but this did not, as
they imagined it would, do them any injury—it only
operated as a powerful stimulant to urge them onwards
in the course which they were pursuing. They spread
umours through the town that we were armed, that we
were in possession of a great number of pikes and guns,
&c. (I wish to God it were so). The consequence of
this was that the tyrants began to tremble, and they
accordingly sent all the constables of the town, together
with one of " little Johnny's bull dogs," to our meet-
ing one night. They speedily succeeded in obtain-
ing from Briggs, the landlord of the house where
we assembled, that he would not allow us in future
to meet in his house. They were next told that the
first man who should attempt to get up a Chartist ad-
dress would be instantly arrested. All their efforts
have been hitherto unsuccessful. The greatest enemies
of the Chartists in this place are the Whigs and Whig
Radical Operatives. Had the working men of
Knaresborough come forward in greater numbers, as in
other towns, there was no doubt the authorities would
not act in the tyrannical manner they had done. The
working men are their greatest enemies, they
omit no opportunity of pointing them out, and holding
them up to the contempt of the people. They had no
place of meeting, but notwithstanding this they were
determined to stand by their principles under all diffi-
culty. The letter was directed to Mr. Bussey.

CONTINUATION OF THE SITTINGS IN LONDON DURING

THE WEEK.

Mr. O'BRIEN moved that the Convention do assem.
ble to-morrow at eleven o'clock for the dispatch o
business.

This being seconded, was passed.
Mr. Bailie CRAIG asked what were the pecuniary
arrangements with regard to the adjournment to Bir-
mingham. His reason for thus asking was that he found
that a rule had been passed which made it necessary to
give three days notice on money votes.
Mr. LOVETT, in reply, stated that the Finance Com-
mittee had it in their power to bring forward a resolu-
tion without previous notice.
Bailie CRAIG—A. truly accommodating rule.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.
Mr. O'BRIEN, as one of the Committee appointed to
draw up the address, bad prepared the one which he
was about to read—it bad met the approbation of those
Gentlemen with whom he acted, and if any one present
objected to it, now was the time to state their objec-
tions, in order that it might be referred back to the
Committee.—( Hear, hear.) If it was too strong let it
Nee weakened, to accommodate those people who
thought so : and if it was too weak let it be
made strong, to meet the approval of persons of
that opinion.—(Hear, hear.) He had, to the best of
his ability, drawn it up so as to meet the emergency which
had occurred. He agreed with Mr. Jones that the
present movement in Wales was brought on by the
Government, in order that the people might be further
curtailed of their liberties. And it was with the same
object the people of Lancashire were instigated to an
outbreak—the arrest of the seven men in Manchester
the other night was with this intention. He then read
the Address, it was as follows
ADDRESS ov TIIE CONVENTION .TO THE PEOPLE 01'

GREAT BRITAIN.

FELLOW COUNTRY MEN,-When you elected us to take
charge of the National Petition, you limited our trust
to the exercise of functions truly Constitutional and
legal; beyond the bounds of that trust we cannot step
without betraying yore and prejudicing our cause. It is
therefore, our first duty, consistent with our present in-
structiods, both to obey the law ourselves, and to assist
you in maintaining it. If we continue to obey the law,
no power on earth can prevent our success. If we
once violate the law, or countenance a violation
of it, our cause must be inevitably mined. Aware
of our position your oppressors are moving
heaven and earth to bring us into collision with the
enemy. They are pouring spies and traitors into your
ranks, in order to seduce the unwary into illegal prac-
tices. They then pounce upon their victims, and by
brutal and unconstitutional treatment, seek to exas-
perate the people to MADNESS and rebellion. They
have already succeeded in fomenting disturbances in
Wales, and they have seduced a few incautious indivi-
duals in Lancashire to practice training and drilling in
contravention of the Six Acts. By these and the like
perfid'oas agencies they hope to excite a premature in-
surrection, of which they mght take advantage to dis-
solve the Convention, to put down all public meetings
for the Charter, and to abolish the surviving con-
stitutional rights and safe-guards through which alone
we can hope to obtain the salvation of the country with-
out anarchy and bloodshed. Not content with these
machinations the tyrants are also seeking to arm the rich
against the poor under pretence of protecting life and pro-
perty, of which the tyrants themselves are the only de-
stroyer=. Yes, countrymen, they are actually encouraging
a pro;cct of arming the ertem:es of the country at the
ex rense of the State, whilst at the same time they are
hurting out pretexts (having the semblance of lega-
lity) for dispossessing the Chartists of their rights
fut arms. If the public Press tell us truly the
Ministers just resigned have been base enough to
engage to furnish 200 aristocrats in Monmouthshire
with arms paid for out of the taxes. Here,
fellow-countrymen, is an openly-avowed scheme
which, if we suffer to be carried into execution, must
crush for ever your rising hopes and liberties. What
course, then, do we advise ? d
Our advice is, that you
lII4IDLY OBEY THE LAW ; but at the same time he pro- pare to make your oppressors likewise obey it. Be
upon your guard against spies or madmen, who would
urge you to illegal practices, but at the same time bear
in mind that you have the same right to arm that your
enemies have, and that if you abandon that right your liber-
ties are gone for ever. Be prudent and cautious, but at the
same time firm and unflinching. Parade not your arms at
public meetings, but keep them bright and ready at home,
so as to be ready at all times and all seasons to cefend
your Queen, your country, and your liberty. Give your
oppressors no excuse for invading your inviolable right
to meet and discuss your grievances by needlessly carry-
ing arms to public places, but at the same time fail not
to be prepared with these arms to resist any and every
unconstitutional attempt to suppress your peaceable
agitation by physical violence."
Mr. SANKEY objected to an expression in the address
relating to the right of arming, which objection was not
persisted in.