The Sun.
London, England, 1840-09-05 00:00:00

THE LUDLOW OUTRAGE.

(From the Shrewsbury News of this day, Saturday.)
The publication of the following letter, the original
of which, in Mr. illackreth's own hand, we have in our
possession,
session will effectually dissipate the fears that have
been so justly entertained for the life of the e.i:iter ever
since the night of the murderous attack upon 1,;.n. His
wounds are all closed, and there is not the 1&:.,t doubt
he will be in a condition to make his depositions pub-
licly at the Town Hall on Wednesday next, when
Misters is to be examined :---
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SHREWSBURY SEWS.SIR,—I would feel obliged by your inserting in your
paper of Saturday next, the following explanations and
remarks, as connected with the late murderous attempt
on my life in this town.
It is stated by Mary Folkes, the' cook at the Angel
Inn, in her evidence, that on her first entering the room
she perceived me shaking try fist at her master. Now,
as being
as it may appear very strange that I should assume a
pugnacious attitude at a time when I was in so awful a
l
situation, I must explain that it was the most effective
question
put I could conceive of giving denial to
o the
he first
to discredit
put to me—" Good God I whatever made you do it ?"
at a time when I had not the power of utterance.
The impression was long entertained by all, that I
had committed suicide, and my thanks are due to Mr.
Hodges,
this
m r
a moreau r,
andpa
r ti c ulary,
cause
strict search and in-
quiry to be made.
Considering that the person accused gained admit-
tance into this house, to all appearance as the friend
and companion of Mr. Ludlow, I would wish it to be I
distinctly understood that cannot attach the least
blame either to the landlord, or his servants, for
any
want of' caution in admitting the man.
It has often been the subject of remark by commer-
cial men, the indiscriminate admission to the commer-
cial room of all persons in respectable dress, arriving
either by coach or their own vehicles, with little refe-
rence to the business which may be supposed to bring
them there. By these means their property is exposed
to great risk by day as well as by night, and the only
wonder is that robberies at commercial inns should be
so rare as they are.
These remarks are intended to apply to all commer-
cial inns generally, and not to any one in particular.
I am told that it has been the constant habit at this
house to appropriate a separate private room to com-
mercial men during the fairs : and it is my duty to state
that even had it been so the day before the Fair, when
I arrived, it would not have prevented this sad catas-
trophe befalling toe—for there is every reason to believe
that I was not the intended victim of the assassin, but
the unfortunate substitute under his mistake.
Ca
is stated in some of the lo • l
My age, which papers
as 35, should be 29.
Your insertion of the above will much oblige,
Your most obedient servant,
W. M. MACKRETH.
.el Inn, Ludlow, Sept. 4. 1840.

Angl

PRICE OF (,O` RN IN FRANCE. —From the offi-
cial tables of the regulating prices of wheat, made up to
therl Rouen, Soissons, Roye, Arras, and
201. tic. in these of Marans,
31st ult., it appears that the highest price is 23f. 84c. in
tßh : r
gmuaersk r
as
nodf Pai
Bordeaux, and Toulouse. The pro„ of
.the 41b. loaf
for the first fortnight of the present month will be 14
sous (7d).

(Abridged from the Leeds Times.)
The first General Meeting of this young Association
was held in the large saloon of the Music Hall at Leeds,
on Monday evening. The admittance was by tickets,
being confined to members of the Association.- The
body of the saloon was filled by a very large and atten-
tive audience, and the orchestra was occupied by the
most influential Reformers of Leeds, who were loudly
cheered in the course of their eloquent and animated
addresses.
J. G. MARSHALL, Esq., one of the Magistrates for
the West Riding of Yorkshire, was unanimbtiy voted
to the chair, and on rising to address the meeting he
was received with every demonstration of enthusiasm.
After some preliminary remarks, he said, you are al-
ready, I believe, aware, that the more immediate cause
which originated this Association was the late ominous
refusal, by a large majority of the House of Com-
mons to remove or modify the iniquitous tax upon the
people's food,—a refusal sullen, unreasoning, without
the decency of inquiry, and almost without the for-
mality of a debate.—( Hear, hear.) This is an event
which proclaims with fearful distinctness to the English
people to what an extent their vital interests are sacri-
ficed and set aside in the national legislature, by the
preponderance of the ignorant selfishness and unjust
power of one class of the community.--(Cheers.) But the
evils of the Corn-laws do not stand alone ; they are only
one out of the many evil fruits of unjust and selfish legis-
lation.—(Hear, hear.) We cannot, unhappily, look
around us in any direction and not see many of
the highest and dearest rights and interests of the
people either trampled upon or neglected. The
splendour of our aristocracy is indeed most cared for.
England is a rich and powerful State, possesses mighty
fleets and armies, but what is the condition of her peo-
ple ? Do they live each man in the peaceable enjoy-
ment of the fruits of his own industry, and of that inde-
pendence, liberty, and happiness that just laws
alone can secure ?—(No, no.) Do we not see
week after week,- and month after month,
wasted by our Legislature in paltry personal
and party squabbles—rarely even a day in
honest legislation for the good of a suffering people.—
(Cheers.) Meantime difficulties increase, and dangers
thicken around us. Delay is danger. Not to ad-
vance is to retrograde.—(Hear, hear.) Amongst
others, that greatest of all social dangers threatens
us—that the long unrelieved misery, the long un-
redressed wrongs, of large portions of the people
may not at last snap asunder the ties that bind so-
ciety together ; that we should become divided into
hostile classes, each by open violence and wrong
struggling to promote their own selfish interests, regard-
less of the rights of others.—(Hear, hear.) (After re-
commending union, he continued)—lf, in the conduct of
our Association, we remain firm and constant to the
principles of justice, mutual confidence, and conciliation,
in which it is founded—boldly denouncing wrongs and
selfish injustice wherever found, and claiming our full
rights, but avoiding all violent and injurious language, or
hostility to persons or classes of men, we shall
command in the first place the respect of all parties,
and eventually the confidence and support of all true
friends of liberty, who at first may waver and stand aloof
from us, but ultimately will join our ranks.—( Hear,
hear) I have only further to add, that we must adopt
some system that will give unity and definite objects to
our labours, and which will enable us to embody
them in some permanent shape. One mode by'
which these objects may be secured will be the vigour-'
ous and well-directed agitation, discussion, and support
of such great practical measures as the repeal of the.
Corn-laws, National Education, Inquiry into the Con-
dition of the Working Classes—all in reference to, and
in strict subordination with, our own great special
object of Parliamentary Reform.—(Loud cheering.)
H. STANFIELD, Esq, next rose, and said—We are
not. met this day for any wanton or trifling purpose.
We come not here to agitate for the sake of agitation.
—( Hear, hear.) We have had enough of meetings
and petitions, and subscriptions, and that so much
trouble and expense should be necessary to bring
our wishes and our wants before the Legislature,
is evidence sufficient that the House of Commons does
not represent us.—( Hear, hear.) We are met together
because we feel that our interests have been sacrificed,
our petitions despised, our sufferings laughed at, and
there are none to help us but ourselves.—(Cheers.) We
have done wisely, in my opinion, to allow the period of
excitement to pass away ; for believe me that it is
not the rage for victory, nor the dread of defeat,
however stimulating they may be in the hour of contest,
that can carry through successfully the great principle of
the Association now about to be formed.—(Hear.) One
ade contend support alone exists—the consciousness that we
are ing for the happiness of our fellow-creatures,
and that our own truest happiness is based on theirs.
—(Cheers.) Heaven designed man to be happy, and
when he is not so, either his own individual conduct or
that of his Government is at fault. I speak not from
theory alone. My calling in life has afforded me oppor-
tunities of witnessing the effects of various governments
on the human race. For upwards of twenty years have
I been enabled annually to contrast thorn- one- with
another. I remember well, one spring, leaving Moscow,
the centre of Russia, traversing Prussia, Hol-
land, Flanders, and England, on my way to
the United States, and returning the following year
to Moscow, thus passing and repassing from the
extreine of despotism in Russia to that of republi-
canism in America—through countries possessing
various grades of liberty, and never shall I forget
the striking differences in the expression of the counte-
nances of the inhabitants, beaming with intelligence, and
smiling with happiness, in proportion as rational liberty
was enjoyed. Verily, the countenance of man is the true
index of the nature of the government to which he is sub-
ject, and in the range through which I passed might
be found all shades of expressions, from the man who
stares with brute unconscious gaze, incapable like the
brute of discerning design in anything, to him with human
countenance divine, who seeth God all things, and all
things in God.—(Cheers.) Yes, it is the misery of
classes, produced by bad government, that this Asso-
ciation will endeavour to remove. Whenever I
meet the wretched Irish, swarming, as they do,
throughout the land, in their beggarly attire, they
speak to me trumpet-tongued of injustice done to Ire-
land.—(He.ir, hear.) Vs hen I see the operatives of
England and Scotland, the working bees of the hive,
pining for that honey they themselves have produced,
I conclude there is foul play among our rulers.—( Hear,
hear.) But when I find men honest, sober, and
industrious, ready and willing to labour, crying
out for work and for food, and cannot get it, then ant
I sure that there is something rotten at the core, which
nothing but a radical restoration of the Constitution can
cure.—( Hear, hear.) Too long, my friends, have
classes been arrayed against each other, who have, in
truth, but one common interest. Two long and too
successfully have our political opponents acted on the
maxim of " Divide, to conquer."—(Hear, hear.) Mr.
Stansfeld concluded amidst great applause, by moving
the following resolution :
" That the contemptuous treatment, and repeated
rejection by the House of Commons of all proposals for
the repeal of the Corn-laws, has fully shown that there
is not sufficient sympathy between that House and the
people of this country."
Mr. BRIGG, who addressed the meeting as an opera-
tive, supported the resolution.
Mr. Alderman G. GOODMAN proposed the next re-
solution—
" That the want of sympathy is clearly owing to the
undue preponderance of the aristocratic and landed in-
terest in that House ; a preponderance which is incom-
patible with good government, and which inevitably
leads to selfish and injurious legislation. Selfish, as in
the example of the Corn-laws, and in the maintenance
in every department of government, domestic and colo-
nial, of a wasteful and extravagant expenditure, for the
sole benefit of the aristocracy ; unjust and injurious to
the highest interests of society, in the denial of na-
tional education, of equal civil and social rights to all
religious denominations, of equal and cheap justice to
all classes, and in the general neglect of questions most
nearly affecting the happinesi and well-being' Of the
le peep" •
l‘tr. MARTIN, in seconding the resolution made the
following remarks :—Equality in social and civil rights
to all religious denominations, is an object highly de-
sirable.—(Hear.) Of all tyrannies that which would
attempt to'coerce the conscience of man, and make him
irresponsible, is the most atrocious. And England
has always been chargeable with this atrocity.
History tells a fearful tale of the murderous cruelties
exercised on those who did not subscribe to the popu-
lar notions of religion.—(Cheers.) The same spirit
still exists, and it public opinion were favourable to
its development, dreadful would be [the sufferings re-
sulting from it.—(Cheers.) There are parties now
going about the country recommending masters to dis-
charge their working men in consequence of religious
opinions.—(Hear, hear.) It is true this has not been
adopted. In Leeds it has been treated as it ought to
be treated.—(Cheers.) And I take this opportunity
of thanking the masters of Leeds for the utter contempt
with which they have treated it.—(Loud. cheers.) For
myself, like other human beings, 1 have a mind, and I
am determined to exercise that mind freely.—(Cheers.)
I have long ago made up my mind to suffer any ex-
tremity that bigotry or intolerance can inflict, rather
than place my mind in the keeping of any man.—
(Loud cheers.) As to equality and cheap justice, it is
well known that the means which wealth and station
confer, are such as to render it impossible for a poor
man to obtain anything like justice in our Courts of
Law.—( Hear, hear.)

Mr. JOSEPH MIDDLETON rose to move the next reso-
lution, which he did in an able speech—" That the mea-
sure of Parliamentary Reform which appears adequate
to procure a just representation, must embrace a suf-
frage equivalent in extent to Household Suffrage, with
Vote by Ballot, and such a distribution of representation
amongst the several parts of the kingdom, as shall make
the number of representatives proportionate to the
numbers of the electors.
Mr. ANDERSON seconded the resolution.
Mr. Councillor BURROWS—I am very happy indeed
to see so many of the middle classes here to night ; it
shows clearly that the middle classes have taken up the
subject in earnest, and to the industrious classes that
they feel for them ; that they are wishful that they
should enjoy the same rights.—(Cheers.) It is with
great pleasure that I move the next resceutiote—" That
shortening the duration of Parliaments to a period not
exceeding three years, and abolishing the requirement
of a property qualification for Members, are further
measures of Constitutional Reform of great importance,
which this meeting contemplates as either accompany-
ing, or as the immediate consequences of, such a Re-
form of Parliament as is indicated in the preceding re-
solution." I am sure, Sir, we shall not be divided on
this resolution, as to shortening the duration of Parlia-
ment at this meeting.—(Cheers.) Whether we are for
annual Parliaments or for triennial, it goes to say that
they shall not exceed three years. And I am quite
sure, Sir, if our representatives, along with Household
Suffrage and Vote by Ballot, had to render an account
of their stewardship once every three years, we should
have much more faithful stewards than at present.—
(Cheers.) Then, Sir, with respect to the property qua-
lification—the only real question ought to be the free
choice of the people.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.)
Dr. SMILES, on moving the sixth resolution, said—
I think it is perfectly obvious that the confidence of the
people in the Legislature as at present constituted, is
entirely gone.—(Hear, hear.) We see abundant evi-
dence of misgovernment in the sufferings of our starving
operatives, n the bankruptcies of our merchants, in the
stagnation of trade, and in the discontent that prevails
around us on all sides. Who looks to the Legislature
in the hope that the slightest measure of relief will pro-
ceed from thence ?—(Hear.) In Ireland the want of
confidence in our Legislature is no less loudly expressed.
The evils of misgovernment have fallen especially heavy
upon the people of that country, and rightly attributing
to our vicious, siaful, and wicked legislation, much of the
poverty and suffering of the Irish people, they cry out
for repeal—;e be entirely divorced from us, to have no-
thing more to do with our Legislature. Nor is this
outcry for repeal at all to be wondered at, though cer-
tainly a more rational mode of procedure would be for
the Irish people to unite with tie in demanding the re-
form of the Legislature—inasmuch as we suffer as well
as they from the original rottenness of its constitu-
tion.—(Cheers.) Tne object we have in view is jus-
tice—not _to. England only, but to Ireland and Scot-
land—justice for each and ?or all.—(Loud cheers.) The
Reform Bill has entirely failed to produce those mea-
sures of relief which we require ; and we have again
met to carry forward the movement, and to obtain, by a
second Reform Bill, those benefits which the first has
not been able to afford us.—(Cheers.) The principle
of Universal Suffrage is, I think, a sound and true prin-
ciple—namely, that the right of suffrage belongs to
every man who pays taxes, and that this right is founded
on its being every man's interest to have it. But we
must not lose sight of the necessary steps towards gain-
ing that full measure of suffrage which we aim at. We
must recollect that every step forward is a step gained—
(Hear)—that if we cants st get all at once, we will at
least take it as we can get it.—( Hear.) Our motto is,
" ()award 1" and we arc willing to go with all who will
go with us, in working out the principle of equal and
universal representation—of government based upon the
suffrages of the greatest possible number.e—(Cheers.)
The grand point to be kept in view, I think, is—to
carry out the principle of representation as rapidly as
we can, and to get as many to join with us in our de-
mands as possible.—(Loud cheers.) By this, and by
the close and firm union of the middle and working
classes alone, can anything be gained.—(Hear.) Why
has the late Universal Suffrage inovem .ot failed ? Be-
cause the means of effecting such a union were wholly
neglected ; worse than this, the most sedulous efforts
were made to effect their entire alienation.—( Hear.)
In Leeds, I have every reason to believe that sound
Radical opinion has made, and is makingethe most rapid
strides. It already returns one Universal Suffrage re-
presentative to Parliament ; and the mass of the popu-
lation is Radical ; yet, to their honour be it said, there
are fewer who have taken part in unreasonable oppo-
sition at Anti-Corn-law meetings, or in attempts other-
wise to excite public uproar and disturbance, than in
any other town of equal size and population in the em-
pire.—(Hear, and cheers.) I am satisfied that it needs
only that the middle classes should come forward and
prove themselves in earnest, to excite the cordial aid
and co-operation of their working class brethren. The
resolution I have to propose is one which is the neces-
sary result of a conviction of the truth of the principles
embodied in those already adopted—namely, that an
Association be formed to carry out those principles by
every possible legal and constitutional means, such as by
holding public lectures and discussions, by the establish-
ment of reading-rooms if possible, and by the dissemi-
nation of political knowledge of every kind. Dr. Smiles
then read the following resolution, and retired amidst
loud cheering :—" That a Society be now established,
to be called ' The Leeds Parliamentary Reform Asso-
ciation,' the specific objects of which shall be to pro-
cure, by the vigorous and persevering use of all legal
and constitutional means, Household Suffrage--Vote by
Ballot—Representation itnhopprooproarttiioonn
ofto thareraNuenoltbsetros
oßlaEliretc—Shortening—eP
eroifodtbneotperxocpecerdtyingQTaharl
at period
anP(MI etihmembeArsboolif-
Parliament." eifiecaltioanrsTor
its objectsyis-
Mr. GREEN proposed the last resolution—." That this
Association will endeavour to effectseminating sound and useful practical knowledge,
pnouwblleie
dge,and
by procuring and aiding the expression of opinion
application to the Legislature in
earnest and persevering
iu every right and lawful manner; more particularly by
the form of addresses, or petitions, originating in publ'e
meetings." He strongly urged conciliation, which, he
said, was one of the greatest and best virtues that can
be exercised by man, and unfortunately for this country,
it stands greatly in need of it.—(Cheers.) Many of
our fellow-countrymen are in great distress, and ima-
gining the middle classes have not viewed the subject
proper light, have used strong language against
int a
hemidrlle classes. In order to carry out our objects
it is necessary that these feelings should be done away
with.—(Hcar, hear, and cheers.) It has been main-
tained by the previous speakers, that the attempt to
obtain Universal Suffrage without the aid of the
middle classes, cannot succeed, and it has been
likewise emphatically proved that the attempt to
obtain the repeal of the Corn-laws without the aid
of the working classes is equally vain. And these
are certain indications that either party working
alone cannot succeed.—(Hear, hear.) People are
now beginning to open their eyes to the fact, and I am
glad to see that it is now frequently written about,
thee the interests of the middle and working classes are
inseparably bound together. When the working man
suffers in wages, the shopkeeper is affected, next the
manufacturer, then the man of fixed income, and by
these means panics are created.—(Hear, hear.) Now,
when we see all our interests are connected in this

19th Foot—Lieutenant F. Seymour to he Captain by
purchase, vice Lovelace, who retires ; Ensign E. J. Eller-
man to be Lieutenant, by purclrtse, vice Seymour; H.
E. M'Gee, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Jef-
freys, who retires, 4th Sept. ; W. T. Parrat, Gent., to be
Ensign, by purchase, vice Ellerman, September 5.
20th Font—Assistant-Surgeon S. Trevan, M.D., from the
10th Foot, to be Surgeon, vice Moses Griffith, who retires upon
half-pay, Sept. 4.
2lst Feot—Seeond Lieut. J. Watson to be First Lieute-
nant, without purchase, vice Craufurd, deceased, May 31 ;
Sergeant-Major R. Mackay, from the sth Foot, to be Secon4
Lieutenant, vice Watson ; Ensign F. E. N. Tinley, from the
35th Foot, to be Second Lieutenant, by purchase, vice
Mackay, appointed to the sth Foot, Sept. 4.
35th Foot—F. G. Elkington, Gent., to be Ensign, by put,
chase, vice Tinley, appointed to the 21st Foot, Sept. 4.
' 45th Foot—Captain A. H. Lucas, from the 17th Foot, to be
Captain, vice Prendergast, who exchanges, Sept. 4.
.with Foot—Ensign F. C. W. Fitzpatrick to be Lieutenant,
without purchase, vice Goodrich, deceased, April 27 ; R.
Hunt, Gent., to be Ensign, vice Fitzpatrick, Sept. 4.