The Sun.
London, England, 1839-05-11 00:00:00

tended with music and banners. At th• latter place,
the meeting was attended by many persons of respect-
ability. At Cumnock and Tarbolton, and also Kilmar-
nock, there were immense meetings. Thus had he been
successful in his efforts to rouse the country ; he had at-
tended fifty-four out door public meetings—( Cheers)—and
stood a contested election in defence of the principl of
the Charter; and with regard to the election he would say
that he was determined to test the principles of the county
of Ayr on the subject of Universal Suffrage, and he was
bound to say in justification of that great county, that only
for the tyranny of both Whig and Tory landlords he would
have been successful, for the farmers, if they dare, would
to a man support him in his efforts to free the county.—
( Hear, hear.) And notwithstanding the sneers that had
been made against him for the part he took in that election,
he could say that, only he stepped forward, the Whigs
would not come forward to oppose the Tories.— ( flear,
hear.) They had not the courage. to oppose their oppo-
nents until he had the courage to take the field. The
reason of his being unsuccessful was he had not employed or
paid agents—and he said to the electors that he would not
have the vote of any but on principle.--( Hear, and cheers.)
The Whigs were, however, down in Ayrshire, and never
should they raise their head there in future, so much
had their acts tended to change the people against them.
Mr. O'CONNOR moved the thanks of the meeting to
Mr. Bailie Craig, which passed with acclamation.
PETITION TO THE QUEEN.

Mr. JAMES TAYLOR said that as there had lately hap-
pened a great change in their affairs, inasmuch as they
could not perhaps send in their petition, and therefore
the Charter principle would not be tested before the meet-
ings on Whitsun- Week, he thought some steps should be
taken to give the people some intimation as to how they
should proceed at their proposed meetings. With this view
he would move that this subject be taken into immediate
consideration.
Mr. MILLS seconded the motion.
The CHAIRMAN having put the question, the Conven-
tion affirmed the resolution.
Mr. O'CoNNoa, with the consent of Mr. James Taylor,
begged leave that the letter of Lord John Russell to
certain Magistrates should be taken into consideration, in
order to found a motion on it.
This was seconded and passed.
The SECRETARY having read the letter,
Mr. J. TAYLOR—That letter is a serious attack on the
liberty of the people.--( Hear, hear.) It states that Ma-
gistrates may seize on individuals who attend meetings
without having any intention of going to an illegal meet-
ing, as the meeting might be made illegal by two or three
persons. Between the Tories and Whigs there may be
fighting going on until they get tired for all that he
cared. It was now evident that they should await patiently
within the law for an opportunity to obtain their object—
that opportunity might soon offer itself, for in the city
article of the Times this morning, there seemed to be
something wrong in the financial state of the country ; this
was a subject on which the press of the country abstained
from entering on—all parties took care not to mention any
thing of this, but they did not fail, no matter what party they
belonged to, to notice the speeches of any one who should
speak of the people's right to arm.—( Hear.) It behoved
them to act within the law, and as there was no portion of
the country more loyal than the Chartists he thought it
would be a prudent act of them at this crisis to present
an address to the Queen, to be passed at the en-
suing simultaneous meetings, in order that her Majesty
might have an opportunity of having the people's
opinions at this juncture. He would move " that it
be an advice to those who convene the simultaneous
meetings that one of the resolutions to be proposed to
those meetings be the propriety of petitioning the Queen,
praying her Majesty to take into consideration the suffer-
ings of her people, and with the aid of Parliament to trace
out the cause of those sufferings, and promptly to apply
the proper remedy. The petition to be signed by the
Chairman on behalf of such meetings."
Mr. DEEGAN seconded the resolution.
Mr. SANKEY moved the following amendment to be
appended to the resolution—" That in order to give greater
weight to the National Petition, and with, a view to obviate
any objection that might be made as to the bona fide cha-
racter of the signatures, it be the declared object of all
public meetings about to be called to recommend that the
inhabitants of every town, village, and hamlet prepare dis-
tinct petitions to the House of Commons in support of the
prayer of the National Petition. That such separate pe-
titions be signed only by the male inhabitants of the place,
of or above the age of twenty-one. —tit° shall distinctly ap-
pend to their signatures :heir place of residence, trade,
occupation, or prerzssion ; also stating whether elector or
non-elector ; and a duplicate of the same be made and duly
registered. Further, that it be strongly recommended that
care be taken by all persons addressing the meetings to
impress upon the minds of the assembled multitudes the
necessity of abstaining from all acts of aggressive violence
as impolitic and.-unwise, calculated to impede the onward
progress of the cause. That this Convention gladly em-
braces this opportunity of disclaiming every thing like a
wanton desire to have recourse to bloodshed, or lightly
throw the country into anarchy and confusion, their object
in seeking to obtain Universal Suffrage, being to place the
lives, liberties, and properties of all classes, and every mem-
ber of society, under the equal protection of laws wisely and
equitably framed, and impartially administered."
This amendment was seconded by Mr. HALLEY, and on
being put by the CHAIRMAN was lost.
Mr. O'CONNOR would support Mr. Taylor if he would
define it so as that it would call on the people at the meet-
ings on Whitsun-week to call on the Queen to dismiss
both parties. He would with this view propose an address
instead of a petition. It was absolutely necessary, '
knowing as -they did that they had such technical
ruffians to deal with, they ought to be circumspect,
and how easy it was to convert a legal meet-
ing into an illegal one. It would be no harm to go
to the Queen ; he had done so before. He had
paid fifty guineas for a court dress sometime back, and he
would do so again, in order that no constitutional effort
might be wanting on their part to gain their object.—
( Hear, laughter, and cheers.) He would therefore move
the following amendment:—
" That the especial object of the simultaneous meet.
ings &trine. Whitsuntide be to address the Queen to dis-
pense with the services of both the factions of Whig, and
Tory, and to call to the Ministry such men of principle
and justice as will use their exertion to procure for the
people their equal political and social rights, which can
be effected by Universal Suffrage only."
Mr. CRAIG seconded Mr. O'Connor's amendment, and
af.er some little discussion and explanation, in which Mr.
Warren and Dr. Taylor took part, the amendment was
carried, and the original resolution was negatived.
LOAD JOHN RUSSELL'S LETTER.

Mr. O'CoNsue read the following resolution, which he
proposed:—
" That the General Convention of the Industrious
Classes, an Association formed for the protection of life
and property, deems it its duty to apply to Lnrd J. Russell,
according to his notification, for the necessary sum for
providing one million two hundred and fifty thousand stand
of arms, with commissariat, ammunition, &c., suitable to
the emergency anticipated by the letter of the Noble Lord.
We further assert that if the law allows a search for the
arms of the poor, the law also justifies a search for the
arms of the rich ; and, therefore, should our application be
refused, we are of opinion that the resolution of Lord John
Russell is exclusivly extended to the rich—will be a
violation of the Bill of Rights, and a declaration
of war against the industrious classes."
Mr. O'CONNOR had no doubt that the Tory Administra-
tion would found all its tyranny upon the groundword that
they bad been set the example by their predecessors in
office. —( Cheers. ) There could be no doubt that Sir
Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington would be ex-
tremely glad to carry out the recommendation of Lord J. Rus-
sell in the letter which had been read. Now what was the situ-
ation in which the people were at the present moment placed?
From the papers they had an outline of a Tory Adminis-
tration. Lord Wharncliffe, from that outline, was to go
Ireland, and there could be no doubt, from the letter of
Lord John Russell, that he would support the new Mi-
nistry in their attack upon the people.—( Cheers.) Every
party who had read O'Connell's letter must be well as-
sured that a party would be raised against the
Chartists by him, even under a Tory Adminis-
tration of Sir R. Peel and the Duke of Wellington,
and the only protection the Convention had was by Lord
John Russell acceding to the request contained in the re-
solution he had proposed.—( Cheers.) There could be
no doubt that O'Connell would join the Tories if he could
do nothing with the Whigs. —( Cheers.) The people,
therefore, had nothing to expect from him. Ireland would
be thrown into the opposition ranks—O'Connell would in
his agitation lose sight of the questions of land and tenure,
and therefore it would-be necessary to provide for an agi-
tation in England, in order to put an end to spurious agita-
tion in Ireland.—( Cheers.) As he considered that a Tory
Administration would be far worse than a Whig one in
England, be must persist in putting his motion to the Con-
vention.
Mr. Bailie CRAIG seconded the motion. He considered
if the Secretary of State granted the present motion, which
was doubtful—(Laughter)—peace would be secured. He
thought the country were indebted to the Convention, and
it alone, for the peace that had prevailed throughout the
country.—( Cheers. )
TROWBEIDGE.—DESTRUCTIvE FIRE, AND MORE SPECIAL Mr. MARSDEN considered that the Convention ought to
TYRANNY. bear in mind that they had now not geese but foxes to deal
About 12 o'clock on Wednesday night a large fire was with. He thought the motion of Mr. O'Connor ought to
discovered in the direction of Ashton, near this town, a be acceded to, inasmuch as there could be no doubt that
barn, belonging to a Mr. Mills, having been fired by the a Tory Government would do all in its power to destroy
lightning, which was forked, and more vivid and awful the Convention.—( Cheers.)
than we ever remember to have seen it. The fire was got Mr. DEEGAN thought that the time of the Convention
under, about three o'clock, but the amount of damage is might be much better employed than in considering a
not yet ascertained. Mr. Francis Potts, chemist, on hear- resolution like the present.—( Cheers.) It was absurd to
ing the alarm, instantly ran to the engine-house, leaving a make an application that it was known would be treated
brother, about 15 years old, on the way to rouse and bring with ridicule and contempt. —(Cheers.) He considered
additional help. While doing this Mr. Trench, a Tory that their time might be much better employed in discuss-
special constable, passing, saw him, seized him, and pulling ing the means to be adopted to protect the leaders of the
out a pistol, told him he should have a Tory pill. He Chartists from the arrests that were now taking place.—
then took hen to the George Inn, and kept guard over him (Cheers.) He was one that had always recommended
for two hours with a loaded pistol presented at his breast, the people to arm ; and he thought that the duty
after which he searched and discharged him. The motive of the Convention now was—to show to the
for this illegal and ill timed action, by which several per- people the situation in which they were placed, in conse-
sons were prevented from rendering any assistance at the quence of a long system of misrule. He thought they
fire, is the well-known attachment and a4vocacy of Chartist would do much better than applying to such insignificant
principle' by hie brothers, the Mesers. Potts. fellows as Lord John Russell—( Laughter)—if they would
MR. BAILIE CRAIG'S MISSION. adopt some course for the redress of grievances under
Mr. Bailie CRAIG said although he had gone through which the people laboured.
an extensive district of country, and had addressed a great Dr. TAYLOR could not agree with Mr. Deegan that the
'eariety of meetings, he would not now enter into a minute present resolution was ridiculous. He thought the applica-
detail of the proceedings, as the time of the Convention tion was a most proper one, and if there was anything ridi-
would be better taken up in discussing the measures which culous in it, it was the fault of the Government and not
weret to be brought before them. He would merely ad- them. He most cordially supported Mr. O'Connor's nao-
serto the places which he had been at, that he might non.
confirm to them what he had before described by letter.— Mr. Pewee'. was glad that the Letter of Lord J. Rus-
(Hear, hearie)ld
"here he
Muirkirk, he a
there were
and Johnstown'
those places be had
Upon setting out he proceeded to Irvine, sell_made its appearance to the world—( Cheers)—
good meeting. At Mauchline, Lorn, and he was glad that the Noble Lord was so anxious that
had also good meetin
pretty good meetings. At Paisley, Glasgow,
there w
At Kilbarchan, Kilmarnoelt)
was
met
byere held immense meetings; in
gs. At Eaglesham property should be protected. With regard to arms, in
riocessions of the townspeople. the town he came from there were plenty of them, but he
was sorry. to say the people there were not generally in a
condition to buy them.—deb:( Crhaeiseerds. )in
BTihrmiritnytotahmor
and
d of arms could be
; and atßiccarton there were
also /great meetings r fromstan what he had seen ans
therg. were numerous and Sanquharr and Dumfries
the holding esepfeettble meetings.
' he was sure when they were rna7swend otlfi his fellow townsmen,
At tactic Douglaseaynvdrould be employed
eng wasonly_ for the purpose of securing life
opposed by the authorities. At KirkeudbrightmUatti Mr BUSSEY supported the motion of pr;l43rerOty''Con or.
and Creetown there were crowded meetings ; at Neowntsoen, i He was glad that Lord John Russell had giver the invin .
Stewart, Girvan, and Maybole, vast meetings at- i tation, which he trusted would be responded to not only by

the Convention but by every legal political society in the
kingdom.—(Cheers.) He considered the present Radi-
cal Associations throughout the country were the real,
and in fact the only preservers of life and property.—
(Cheers.)
Dr. FLETCHER said that the moment he read Lord John
Russell's letter he wrote to his constituents, desiring them
to avail themselves of the off r it made..---( Cheers )

Mr. JAMES TAYLOR considered that the i2onvei.tion was
practising the art of sinking. —( Laughter.) They knew
very well that Lord John Russell would never give them
arms—(Cheers)—and they knew equally as well that they
would be given to those who opposed the best wishes and
interests of the people.—( Cheers.) In his opinion, it was
most ridiculous that the Convention should be employed
in discussing a proposition which they knew well
was nothing more than a joke. —( Laughter.) He believed
that the confidence of the people was weakening greatly in
the Convention, in consequence of the ridiculous ques-
tions brought before and entertained by them, and he
considered the course now adopted highly calculated to
increase that opinion.—( Cheers.) He thought if the
time of the Convention could not be better employed, the
sooner they all went home the better.—(Cheers.)
Dr. FLETCHER thought every person, after reading Lord
John Russell's letter, ought to apply to his Lordship for
arms ; and such being his opinion, he would move an
amendment to that effect.
Mr. LOVETT was surprised that any person should
characterise the present motion as a joke.—( Hear,
hear.) For his own pact, he looked upon it as one
of the most important questions that had hitherto come
before the Convention. The people would doubtless un-
derstand the present resolution, and they could not be
blind to the discovery that the object of Lord John Russell
was to get the rich to arm against the poor.—( Cheers.)
Mr. MOORE felt bound to object to the motion of Mr.
O'Connor, as he considered that it did not come within
the proper province of the Convention.
Mr. MILLS also objected to the motion.
Mr. BROWN supported the motion, firmly believing that
it would be attended with beneficial results.
Mr. HARNEY supported the motion.
Mr. CARPENTER could neither support the original mo-
tion nor the amendment, but at the same time be considered
that the Convention ought to express its opinion upon the
conduct of the late Government.—( Cheers.) He should
therefore move as an amendment, that the Convention had
seen with feelings of deep regret and strong indignation
the letter of Lord John Russell recommending the rich to
arm against the poor.
Mr. O'Cotisoa denied that his resolution was open to
the calumny of being ridiculous. He could assure the
Convention that he had never made a motion with more
sincerity than he had done the present.—(Cheers.) As
to the statement that had been made that morning with re-
spect to the want of confidence of the people in the
Convention, he felt assured that it arose from the
vacillating course that had been pursued by many
of its members. He bad no objection to Dr. Fletcher's
amendment, provided it was put in the shape of an original
motion ; and he, for one, would send his compliments that
day to Lord John Russell, requesting to know what species
of arms he wished the people to provide themselves with.
—( Laughter. )
The motion and the amendment of Dr. Fletcher were
then put, and the former was declared to be carried.
Mr. CARPENTER then moved the amendment in the
shape of a substantive motion.
Mr. DEEGAN seconded the motion of Mr. Carpenter.
Mr. JAS. TAYLOR opposed the motion on the ground
that the county would infer from it that the Convention
were not sincere.

Mr. OSBORN supported the resolution of Mr. O'Connor.
The CHAIRMAN then put the previous question as moved
by Mr. Deagan, which was negatived, whereupon Mr.
O'Connor's motion was carried, as were also Dr. Fletcher's
and Mr. Carpenter's amendments, which were put as sub-
stantive resolutions. _

Upon the motion of Mr. Bailie CRAIG, the Conven.
tion went into Committee on the Scotch simultaneous
meetings.
After a short while it resumed, as it was found more
convenient to postpone the subject till further information
was had, upon which a resolu:ion was passed to continue
the sittings to-morrow for the last time.
Dr. TAYLOR proposed that to-marrow's sitting be field
with closed doers. This motion not being seconded, fell
to the ground.

POLICE PERSECUTION.

Mr. WOODHOUSE, a Delegate deputed to attend a
meeting to be held last night at the Birdcage-walk,
Bethnal.green, reported that no meeting was held, in
consequence of the interference of the Inspector of Police.
That official waited on the landlord of the public-house
where the meeting was intended to be held, and told him
that if he should allow any assembly in his house, he would
run the risk of losing his licence.—( Shame, shame.) This
threat had such effect on the landlord, that he would not
permit the meeting to go on.
Soon after the thanks of the meeting were given to the
Chairman, upon which the meeting dissolved.

We regret to learn that Lord William Bentinck
is indisposed.—Paris Paper.
A, . ,
EAST INDlES.—Advises were yesterday received
overland from India. The latest dates trom Bombay are to
the 25th of March. Sir Willoughby Cotton, with two brig-
ades of infantry, a brigade of cavalry, and the artillery, had
advanced towards the Bolan Pass, having left Shirkapore en
the 23d February. The Shah Shoojah with his force was
expected to leave Shirkapore the first week in March.
Sir Join Keane, with his division, bad advanced to Lark-
' aboa. between Hyderabad and Shirkapore, on the 24th
February, and intended to proceed to Dadur at the foot of
the Bolan mountains. Every thing appears to be pro-
ceeding very favourably, and Lieutenant Pottinger has
been restored to a good understanding with the Prince
Kamran of Herat. The Sirdars have returned from a
fruitless expedition to Herat, and are now stated to be
favourably disposed to the British interests. '

FATAL ACCIDENT BY FIRE.—On Wednes-
day an inquest was held before Mr. Payne, the City Coroner,
on the body of Anne Clarke, a married woman, aged 54,
who resided with her husband, at No. 5, Baldwin-street,
City-road. From the evidence it appeared that the unfor-
tunate woman was in her bed-room about eleven o'clock
on Sunday night last, and bad snuffed the candle before un-
dressing herself, when a portion of the snuff fell upon her
gown, and she was almost instantly enveloped in flames.
Her latsband,'whe, being somewhat indisposed, had re-
tired to bed some time before, was aroused by her screams,
but before the flames could be extinguished every particle
of her dress was completely burned off, and her person so
dreadfully scorched that it was deemed expedient to con-
vey her to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, where sbe lingered
in dreadful agony until four o'clock on Tuesday morning,
when death terminated her sufferings. Verdict—Acciden-
tal death.

INVERNESS ACADEMY.—At the regular meet-
ing of the Directors of the Inverness Royal Academy,
which was held on the Ist instant, in the Hall of the Insti-
tution, it was unanimously resolved—" That the meeting
give to Mr. Adam the sum of 601. per annum on the condi-
tion of resigning his situation in the academy, under the
express declaration that the acceptance of Mr. Adam's
offer proceeded from considerations nowise affecting the
persuasion that they are legally entitled to dismiss him
without any retiring allowance whatever."
EFFECTS OF ENGLISH ALE.—I have never
seen happier faces or plumper forms than in my rambles of
to-day ; the servants of the establishment (Holkham Hall),
particularly, arc in admirable condition—really one feels
healthier i❑ merely looking at them ; but of all the jovial
expressions there, what one can match the visage of the
old butler? It is a prodigy of good humour. You can-
not call it intensely red—it is rather a brilliant copper. It
images " the shadowy livery of the burnished sun." With
the round body beneath, it proclaims a life passed among
mugs, bottles, and tankards. It is indeed irresistible.
You actually feel warmed in its presence. You know not
how to describe it. In despair you pronounce it the word
joky melted down, and are ready to burst forth in admira-
tion of that ale which can work such marvellous results.—
Bentley's Miscellany for Mau; Art. A Visit to Holkkani

INDIAN ROBBERS.—Once, during the pursuit
of the Pindarries, a considerable amount of money was
sent to our camp to pay a large division of the army.
Our tents were pitched in a wild, hilly, and jungly, country,
and as it was known that the treasure was coveted by seve-
ral of the plundering gangs, a havildar's or sergeant's
guard was posted t• watch the four tumbrils in which the
money was contained. Suddenly in the middle of the
night a gang of these robbers, who seemed to have
risen out of the earth, attacked the sepoys sword in
hand, while others attempted to break open the tum-
brils. The sepoys made a desperate resistance at the
point of the bayonet, and successfully protected their
charge until the arrival of reinforcements compelled the
plunderers to make a hasty retreat. beveral of the rob-
bers were killed, but not before some of the sepoys had
received many severe sabre wounds. It would be impos-
sible to give an adequate notion of the craft and perseve-
rance displayed by these robbers in ascertaining the
amount and the exact position of any property they may
covet ; and the almost incredible deceptions they practice
on the possessors. Precautions are almost useless for the con-
trivances employed. Horses ever so securely picketed and
guarded have been stolen from the midst of the camp ; the
whole property in a room or tent has been swept away without
awakening the sleeping owner; nay, the very mattress has
been removed by a skillful thief, without 'disturbing the
slumbers of the officer by whom it was occupied. I wit-
nessed the performance of this last named feat when in
camp at Trichinopoly, by one of the Coltiries, a class of
persons noted for their expertness and adroitness as thieves.
It was then performed for a wager, to convince an incre-
dulous officer of the surprising dexterity of Indian thieves.
When the officer's breathing gave proof of his being in a
sound sleep, the Colliry entered the room stealthily as a
cat, taking with him a small chafing dish on which ha
burned soma intoxicating herbs, especially the seeds of the
bang or hemp-plant, which is nearly as powerful a soporific
as opium. He allowed the officer to inhale some of the
stupify ing fumes, and then gently tickled him with a fea-
ther ; as he mechanically shrunk from the tickling, the
adroitly pulled away the mattress, until he succeeded
in removing it altogether, when he went out of the room
without being detected.—Major Bevan's Thirty Years
in India. _

SPEAKING IN CHURCII.—On Sunday last,
during divine service, a man well known in the western
districts of this county by his determined opposition, for a
series of years back, to the payment of road money, being
in the habit of haranguing the people to resist it, happen-
ing to fall asleep in church, while the worthy pastor was
eloquently lecturing upon the broad road which leads to
destruction, our slumbering agitator no sooner heard the
word " road" pronounced, then starting upon his legs,
looking sternly at the clergyman, and clenching his fist, he
cried out with the greatest vehemence, " I'll never suffer
the people to pay one farthing of road money."—lnverness
Courier.
EXTENSIVE FIRE AT LEITH. Monday
morning, about halt past six o'clock, an alarming fire broke
out in the premises of Mr. Alexander Millar, oil and
colour merchant, foot of the Shore, which totally destroyed
that part of the premises where the fire originated.—
Scotsman,