The Sun.
London, England, 1838-05-18 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1838.

ABOLITION OF NEGRO APPREN-

TICESHIP.

Last night a numerous public meeting was held at the
Friends' Meeting-house, Red Cross-street, Southwark, for
the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the immediate ex-
tinction of the system of apprenticeship in our colonies in the
West Indies.

Mr. William Allen, who has distinguished himself for
nearly half a century by his efforts in behalf of negro eman-
cipation, was moved to the chair. There were also present
the Rev. Messrs. Burnett, Green, Aldis, Nose, Wycherley ;
Messrs. Hagen, Christie, Dunn, Corderoy, Brown, Kitson,
Taylor, Cooper, Heath, Storey, Stanbury, and other gentle-
men, and many ladies.
The CHAIRMAN, in a brief address, showed the importance
of their object, and impressed the meeting with the necessity
of interfering for the immediate and unconditional emancipa-
tion of the negro, on the grounds of national confidence, of
pecuniary right, of political and social justice, and of humanity
and religion. _ _

Mr. GREEN moved the first resolution, which pledged the
meeting to renewed exertions, notwithstanding the abrupt ter-
mination of Sir G. Strickland's motion.

Mr. DUNN seconded the motion, and referred to the general
conduct of the planters of Antigua and Nevis, and the indi-
vidual example of the Marquis of Sligo, by all of whom their
slaves had been emancipated, to illustrate the futility of the
apprehension that the negroes were not fit to be entrusted with
their liberty ; for the slaves emancipated in the preceding
cases had behaved admirably, and the estates of their late pro-
prietors had not suffered.
Mr. Ross proposed an amendment, which should attribute
the ill success of the anti-slave agitation to the want of due
political power in the hands of the people; but not being se_
corded, it fell to the ground.
The Rev. Mr. BURNETT moved the next resolution, which
pronounced the claim of the planters to the unrequited labour
of the negroes, without their consent, a 3 invalid; and stated
that the meeting would not be satisfied with anything less than
a measure of immediate, entire, and unconditional emancipation.
To show that the public were not altogether so powerless as
Mr. Ross supposed, the Rev. Gentleman referred to the suc-
cessful popu'ar agitation upon the presentquestion. The Abo-
lition Act was passed in 1833. Notwithstanding the unwilliag-
ness of the gentleman who said that they had had abundance
of documents from the planters and the colonial governors
to prove that the apprentice system would work well,
the people succeeded in having a Parliamentary Committee of
Inquiry appointed; and then, when after a lapse of several
Sessions it was seen that the planters, now made strong by
our 20,000,0001. under one pretence or another delayed bring-
ing over evidence from the West Indies, the people again suc-
cecded in having the Committee dissolved without a report in
spite of the opposition of the planters. Then the people pre-
vented the Government from throwing the whole Administra-
tion of the act upon the West India governors. Although the
Lords, who were a stifF sort of people, and remained in their
places merely because they were planted there, passed the Act
with the clause respecting the responsibility of the Governors
to manage the planters, the Commons threw it oat, and then
the Lords passed it without that clause. The Lords
would make the Governors regulate the colonial workhouses,
but the Commons inserted a clause in the Abolition Act
which would not allow the planters to make new tread mills,
or repair the old ones. The Commons also struck out the
claesse which empowered the planters to cut the hair of the
femalos off close to the skull, and which the Lords did pass ;
and also the clause which would oblige mothers to bind their
children for twenty-one years, and which the Lords had also
passed, but without which they once more read the Bill.
These were proofs of the practical value of agitation upon the
House of Commons, and through them upon the Lords.
( Cheerss) But although he ( Mr. Burnett) would take in-
stalments, nothing less than entire justice to the negro would
content him.—( Cheers.)
Several other gentlemen then addressed the meeting, and a
petition to Parliament was read and adopted.

tomed humauity, undertook to defend the poor girl, and soon
after the case commenced a Clerk took his seat behind him.
_ _

Mr, Cope, the Governor of Ncwgate, said that on Saturday
last, Mr. Tinley's clerk visited the prisoner, when he signed a
book, and said that he had prepared a brief for Mr. Clarkson
to defend the prisoner.
The Clerk denied that he said so, but intimated that he had
been with Mr. Prendergast's Clerk about the defence.
Mr. Cope persisted that he was not mistaken, and said that
the Clerk was in Court when the case was called on, but did
not answer or show himself till Mr. Clarkson bad tendered his
services.

COMMON SERGEANT—Has any money been paid? Mr,
Cope—l understand 11. 3s.

The Clerk admitted the fact, and began to speak of Mr,
Prendergast.

The COMMON-SERGEANT said the money must be refunded,
and he thought that Mr. Tinley and his clerk should not be
admitted to the gaol.
Mr. CLARKSON addressed the Jury for the prisoner, who
returned a verdict of Guilty; but recommended the prisoner
to mercy.
COMMITTAL OF THE ATTORNEY'S CLERK FOR FELONY.
After the verdict had been returned a poor man got into the
box and requested to be beard. He said hi 3 name was James
Allen, and that he was related to the prisoner by marriage.
With a great deal of trouble her friends had raised money for
the purpose of employing Counsel, which he had paid to the
attorney. _

CommoN SERGEANT (pointing to Mr. Wiggins)—To that
person? Witness—Yes.
CONISTON SERGEANT-When did you pay him? Witness.—
I gave him V. 3s. on Saturday last.
CONISTON SERGEANT-Any more? Witness—Yes, I gave
him another pound yesterday.
COMMON SERGEANT-Oh, oh, that makes the sum of 21. 3s.
We have only heard of 1/. 3s. How is that, Mr. Wiggins?
—Mr. Wiggins admitted the fact, and began to talk about
Mr. Prendergast.
COMMON SERGEANT-Sir, you have all along used Mr.
Prendergast's name most scandalously. You have no pre-
tence that you have delivered a brief to that gentleman or
anybody else.
Mr. Hobler went before the Grand Jury immediately, with
Mr. Clarkson, as one of the witnesses, and a bill of indict-
ment was preferred, charging Wiggins with felony, he having
received money for and on account of his master, which he
secreted and stule.

The Grand Jury shortly after came into Court with a true
bill.

Mr. Wiggins, who had been in the custody of the Court,
was then committed by the COMMON SERGEANT to Newgate
for trial.

WESTMINSTER SESSIONS.

These sessions commenced yesterday morning, before Mr.
Sergeant ADAMS and a full Bench of Magistrates. The ca-
lendar is a very light one, there being only twenty-four priso-
ners for trial.

Sarah Anderson, a middle-aged woman, of very decent
appearance, was indicted for stealing a quantity of lace, the
property of Messrs. Griffiths and Co.
The Jury returned a verdict of guilty.
'26 Thonzas Jones was transported for ten years, for picking a
gentleman's pocket of a silk handkerchief.
Several petty larceny cases were disposed of, and the Court
adjourned.