The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-08 00:00:00

WATIMNAL CONVENTION.

(YESTERDAY.)

Mr. S,.P.,;KF,y, delegate from Edinburgh, was called to the
lellairs Mr. Lovett, Secretary. The minutes of Wednes-
Cla proceedings were read and confirmed.
7alr. RierIARDsON moved that the report of the Corn-
Inittee yesterday for the purpose of disseminating political
knowledge be now read and adopted. Seconded by Mr.
Mathews. The report stated that your Committee have
to report that they do not think it necessary to recom-
mend to the Convention to enter into any expense
in regard to having meetings in the Metropolis. But they
have made arrangements with the Metropolitan Delegates
Who were present, to have an experimental meeting in the
White Conduit House, on an early day, and from the sue-
COS of which they will be able to judge of the propriety of
holding meetings in the other districts of London. The
Committee have also to recommend that six or more Mis-
sionaries be immediately appointed to visit certain districts
of England for the purpose of explaining the principles
of the Charter, obtaining rent and signatures. The coun-
ties which have appeared most in want of this attention
arc Cern vvall, Devonshire, Dersetshire, Kent,and I la mrsh ire,
and probably Essex and Surrey. And also that as the
principles of the Chartists, to obtain universal adoption by
the industrious classes, require to be known; and as it is
judicious that a general system of proceeding be followed,
• having the sanction of the Convention, notice be sent to the
several districts which have appointed delegates, recom-
mending strongly that each of these districts appoint a
paid lecturer to instruct the people in political knowledge.
The lecturer not only to attend to the instruction of the
district, every town and village, but also at times to
perambulate the neighbouring country, particularly
those parts which have not joined the Chartist
movement. And likewise, to recommend that such
branches of the Northern Union, or the Working Men's
Association, as require speakers to assist at their meetings,
should apply to the Council at Newcastle, to obtain one
or more. The Committee also suggest that this recom-
mendation be embraced in the proposed address to the people.
Mr. J. P. Course-re said that before this important re-
port should be adopted, a report which embraced in some
of its recommendations questions of law, which required
the most exact and searching inquiry ; he alluded to
that paragraph which proposed the sending of mis-
sionaries to the country ; as this might lead to a
breach of the Convention Act, he did not say this
positively, but he suggested that all due means should
be taken to prevent our falling into the meshes of the law,
as the Acts of Parliament were so vague and indefinite in
their construction, they could easily be interpreted to the
wishes of contending parties. He would, therefore, strongly
advise them to give the report the most serious consideration
in order that no hold could be taken of their proceedings by
those who he believed were only waiting for an opportunity
to do so. In accerrkince with this suggestion he men
tioned that a friend of his, who was well versed in those
matters, told him that he was afraid to send a letter into
the country for fear of having himself put under some un-
defined clause of the Convention Act.
The CIIMMAN said the reason of giving in the report so
soon was to comply with the wishes of yesterday's meet-
ing, which recommended dispatch, that the petition might
bit perfected for presentation as soon as possible ; but not-
withstanding the necessity fur haste, he fully agreed with
the suggestion of Mr. Cobbctt, that it should before adop-
tion be laid before a competent person for advice.
In accordance with these suggestions, it was moved
as an amendment by Mr. Frost, and seconded by Mr.
I3rough, that this report be further considered,
Mr. fIETIIEraIIoToN said that although not a lawyer,
he_ still had some csomfidence in himself as to his
ltdOwlcdge on some legal points, and that he had
looked with the greatest care through the Act of
Parliament alluded to, and he could not find in
it a siegie clause that could be construed so as to prevent
theist sending missionaries through the country, fur the
purpose of disseminating political information, the clause
was particularly against illegal oaths and secret meetings.
Ile however fully agreed with the caution of Mr. Cob-
bett, as some of the Judges have decided Acts of Par-
liament in the most contrary manner.
Mr. Timor. said he was confirmed in his opinion by this
discussion, that it was better to leave the agitation to the
London IZadicals.
Mr. RICIIARDiON said, that in consideration of the opi-
nions expressed, lie should withdraw the resolution, and
therefore give the Committee an opportunity of re-consi-
dering the report. Ile did not, however, agree with Mr.
Cobbett, that it would put us under the barns of the Cuss-

vcntion Act.
Mr. :',I•DowELL was glad that his Friend would not
press his resolution, as the Acts of Parliament were like a
bag of cols—you had the privilege of catching only as
many as you could—while they ha 1 the privilege of
catching you when they pleased.
Original resolution withdrawn.
Mr. ItionattosoN complained that the attendance of gen-
tleman on the committees was anything but punctual. At
the appointed time of meeting, namely, 10 o'clock, Dr.
Taylor, Mr. Fletcher, and himself were the only persons
present.—( vicar, hear.)
The committee appointed to wait on Members of Par-
liarn':.nt requested that further time be allowed before they
bring up their rt port.—Allowed.
Triton moved a resolution, which he said was of
the most urgent necessity. As the great number of notices
of motion on the book showed how important it sans that
they should regulate their time with regard to the public
interest in the best way possible. His object in doing so
was not for the personal convenience of the Members, but
for the interest of their constituents, as that alone ought to be
considered; he hoped, therefore, that all would agree with
him in the propriety of the present rcsolutioe, that Satur-
day be appointed solely for the sitting of Committees, and
that the Secretary be empowered to hire a room for the
special use of the Committee.
Bailie CRAIG seconded it.
After some discussion, as to whether it would not be
better to have two days for that purpose instead of one, it
was passed.
Mr. CARDO observed that as circumstanocs might
arise which would stamp the meeting of the Convention
with some importance, and as it was both right and actually
necessary, for the satisfaction of the constituency that all
possible publicity should be given to their proceedings, be
would introduce a motion to the follo%ting eff,ct
" That each delegate be allowed to issue an, order
for the admission of one stranger each day, to be a witness
of their proceedings."
After some little discussion as to the propriety of ad-
mitting ladies, a member having observed that by adopt-
ing such a course they would show themselves to be a
more polite body than another he could name; and al-
lesion having also been made to the important services
that had been rendered by bodies of ladies on many ne-
easions the motion was carried, it being understood that
the term "stranger" was not to bo received in a limited
sense.

The remainder of the time of the meeting was occupied
by passing resolutions incident to the abive motion, and
to the appointing of officers. It was also resolved that the
nr.jority of oach Coalmittee be considered a quorum for
conducting the aff iirs of such Committee,
The meeting then dissolved.