The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-29 00:00:00

STRIKE OF THE MASONS.

A public meeting of the inhabitants of Woolwich was
held last evening in the theatre of that town, having
been called by the Committee of Masons, lately em-
ployed on the New Houses of Parliament, for the pur-
pose of laying before the inhabitants of Woolwich, all
particulars connected with the masons' strike.
The meeting was called for seven o'clock, and some
time before that hour the theatre was thronged in every
part, the boxes being filled with well-dressed females.
Mr. MADDOX having been called to the Chair, briefly
addressed the meeting, and called nn
JOSEPH DAVIES to address the meeting. He said he
was happy to see so many ladies as well as gentlemen,
present, because it was a couvincing proof that they
sympathised with the present situation of the working
men.—(Hear, hear.) He begged to lay before them
the particulars of the origin of the late strike
amongst the masons—Hear, hear)—and the conduct
of Mr. Allen. The first case to which he would allude
was that of a young man, who, on the death of his
mother, was refused leave of absence to see her decently
interred. Mr. Davies then went into the particulars of
this case, which were given in our report of the first
meeting, held at the Craven's Head, in Drury-lane. Ho
then called on the Secretary to read the correspondence
with Messrs. Grissell and Peto relative to this case.

Mr. T. CARTER, the Secretary, then read the corre-
spondence, in which Messrs. Grissell and Peto stated
that the difference between the young man alluded to
and the foreman arose from the length of absence re-
quired, he insisting on having a fortnight. He (the
Secretary) knew that he only asked for a week or a fort-
night, and he was only granted two days, although he
had to go to Manchester and back.
Mr. DAvis continued. The next case he would refer
to was that of a man who had broken his leg in
working at the Houses of Parliament, and who, on his
return to work, after his recovery, was told by Allen that
he wanted no hobbling fellows there.—(Shame.) The
next case was that of a man who went to the death-bed
of his wife to receive her dying breath, and as soon as
she was dead he returned to his work, and then was told
that he might go back to his wife, and die with her and
be d--d. It was for the tradesmen of Great Britain
to say whether the working-men should be treated in
this manner. They had to contend with wealth and
might, and it was only by energy that they could put
down this tyranny and monopoly, which was a disgrace
to a civilised country.—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then called on the Secretary to read the
rest of the correspondence with Messrs. Grissell and Peto.
Mr. T. CARTER then read the rest of the correspondence.

Mr. Woon said he rose to address them on a most im-
portant, but not a pleasing subject. He congratulated
them on the sympathy evinced by the people of Wool-
wich, and the masons had come to the determination
of having their just and inalienable rights. They had
heard of the conduct of Allen, and they were all aware
that that man was a being with moral and intellectual
powers. He hoped the day would never come when Eng-
lishmen would have to be driven with a whip. They
did not live in the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries, or th•
dark ages as they were called. What man of principle
or feeling would ever have treated an individual, on the
occasion of the death of a parent, as Allen had done?—
(Cheers.) What man of principle would ever have used
such language as Allen had done to a man who had re-
ceived a most material injury in his service ?—(Hear,
hear.) What man of feeling or of prineiple would force
men to attempt a certain quantum of work which would
at once destroy the physical energies and bring
on a premature old age and a premature grave?—
(Cheers.)
_A fair day's work for a fair day's wages
ought to be the principle of every man.—(Cheers.) The
conduct of this man Allen had been most inhuman. The
men had determined not submit to it, and had deter-
mined to support that station in society which the work-
ing man ought.— (Loud cheers;) The aristo-
cracy thought they should be like slaves in
the West Indies, but they were determined novel
to submit to such tyranny, nor to be trampled on by any
man.—(Cheers.) They would exert themselves and
secure to themselves the reward of their labour, which
every working man ought to have.—(Cheers.) He
hoped that every working man would come forward and
aid them in the stiuggle, and show to the world that
they approved of the procedure, and were deter-
mined to support the common struggle against
tyranny, by doing which they were only sup-
porting themselves. It was not only their own wel-
fare, but that of their children also. What would the
aristocracy be without the working men ? They, per.-
haps, would say, why do the =en of Woolwich strike-?
He answered, it was out of sympathy with their fellow-
workmen, whose interest was their interest. It was un-
der these considerations that the men turned out at the
Houses of Parliament, and were determined never to
resume their employment until their grievances were put
down.—(Cheers.) They were opposed, certainly, by
the police, who even prevented them speaking to the
" Blacks." But a good cause did not want arms to pro-
tect it.—(Cheers.) Their Society had existed for eight
years, and would exist for years to come, and was deter-
mined to hold the station of rational beings.—(Cheers.)
Mr. PARKER begged to ask the Chairman how many
men had turned out ?

The ChAIRMAN said 222 had turned out, and 130 were
on the works at present.
Mr. PARKER inquired how many of those who had
turned out had returned?

The CHAIRMAN said, only one to the Houses of Par-
liament, and four to the other works.

Mr. PARKER said, it was a source of gratification to
him to find that only one person had returned out of so
large a number, It appeared somewhat extraordinary
that a body of men, having wives and families turned
out, without, as the papers had stated, any thing to turn
out for. How could it be possible that men • would
throw themselves out of employment when they had
nothing to complain of ? The fact answered for itself.
He must express, though, his honest indigiation towards
the press. The right of labour had been somewhat in-
fringed, for not only the press but the Government had
taken up the question. How could they then expect
that working men would pay that deference to Govern-
ment which all Governments ought to command?—
(Cheers.) The men work hard enough, and why should
they be oppressed? He, for one, would do his utmost
to protect tne masons against the man who bore that name,
but who disgraced it. His conduct was disgraceful to
Englishmen ; it was disgraceful to all; and he hoped
that they would be able to rouse all England to resist
oppression. The first object was to get lands; and he
hoped that the working men would so take up the sub-
ject, that it would gain the attention of the Legislature.
The resolution he proposed was to the effect that the
meeting cordially agreed in the step taken by the masons.
Let them keep within the law, but let them appeal to
the Legislature against such oppression. When thou-
sands were stalking through the land in a state of starva-
tion, it was time they put their shoulder to the wheel.
The resolution having been seconded, was put and
carried amidst the most enthusiastic applause.
Mr. WALTON said, it became the duty of every work-
ing man to discontinue his support of those Papers which
had misstated their case, and calumniated the masons. He
then alluded to the statements which lately appeared in the
Times and other papers, which statements he had brought
before the last meeting held at the Craven Head, Drury-
lane (an account of which appeared in the speech of Mr.
Walton, in our Report of the meeting). The Times, he
continued, had acted most disreputably towards the
working men. He then referred the m to a letter in the
Morning Advertiser, signed Admonitor, who stated that
he believed that Messrs. Grissell wad Peto were very in-
dulgent to the men. He (Mi. W.) would give them.
proofs, whichwas more than Admonitor could do, that they
never had been indulgent to the men. When the men first
complained, Messrs. Grissell and Peto said if the state-
ments could be proved they would discharge Allen.
They took a young man with them to prove those state-
ments, and then Grissell and Peto said they had lowered
their dignity in giving the men an audience, and sent
them away. And this was the man who had been
raised to his present opulent position by the men he bad
thus treated.—(Cheers.) Thus did these papers try to
uphold capital and crush the working man. A
working man would address them withr respect to
the Weekly Dispatch, and he (Mr. W .) hoped that
every working man would resolve to oppose those papers,
and take in only those who were on their side. He
(Mr. W.) would combat tyranny in whatever shape it
might appear.—(Cheers.)
Mr. M'DoNaLD said he was quite an amateur ; but,
as the object of all dramatists was to hold up the mirror
to nature, and it was the working man's object to hold
up the mirror to truth, he rose to continue the subject
of the Press. From the Times they could expect nothing,
but from the Dispatch they might have expected better-
things. The first article in that paper to which he would
allude was that on the 14th of October, wherein they said
that the masons wanted Messrs. Grissell and Peto to pay
the same wages to a bad workman as to a good one, Ile
need hardly say how false was this statement. The
Weekly Dispatch stated that the charges brought by the
men had been explained away. Why, the only refu-
tation they
.offered with respect to the man who wanted
to bury his wife was to say that no one could believe it.
Strange explanation this. . They had failed to explain
those charges er to rebut them. He (Mr. APDonald)
knew a man to have crushed his fingers, and he only

-----
a
went to get some water to wash them, and for that bid
was discharged by Allen.—(Shame.) The indiiidi
alluded to was ready to prove the charge.
_ The man here rose and said he was not discharged, bl
he was threatened that if he did not resume his eorx.
he should at once be discharged. He was then working
at Woolwich.
. Mr. MWoNALD continued.—He had made a rauct, oi'tall
but that mistake did not lessen the inhuman cond
Athieleanrehiliteacwt Barry' l'''sq '
to Pr°l7
otoultdhreenadewa heottnesrdefsroomf
.I,C4ihriairalineseta,
that the masons had always severally a fair day i
work. Mr. Barry stated that heohnieulnotlii ng to complaia
of with respect to any of the masons. Thus did theMsPaedh
calumniate them, whilst they might have °Pee:Jo
the pen of the editor to have opposed the attacks o, 0
monopolist's paper; he therefore hoped that owl Pers°o
who had hitherto read that paper, would cease to d;si_t.
and oppose every coffee- shop or public-house that took i?,
A 'WORKING MAN proposed a resolution to the ID
the
ing, to the effect that they ought not to sup Port
Weekly Dispatch and Advertiser newspapers.out aa
or
Mr. NrcuoLsort seconded the resolution with
ment, which was then put, and carried unanimouslred to
The CHAIRMAN then asked if any person ivi*n
address the meeting, when—
in Cthaeptn.atc:coEfeaLEjolturyo
jseae,
kantdars,aaidndhehhe
slept along side of two jolly marines. He would nO4 ,
cupy their attention long, but he came there or 0
mind as clear as any female's in the place•—(A 111010
The Gallant Captain then went in to a variety of state d
not at all bearing upon the subject of the meeting, a°
The
CHAIRMAN rose to call him to order. • jOB
Captain ACKERLEY—You sit down, Sir, you I)le" lets
here, aad I will be heard. (Here there was a _lifig,
uproar in the theatre, laughing, screaming,. r, 0 the
aphpaedn
feodto7reyileosocicers.
hisses, all sorts of noises calculated to fro , v
listeners from their propriety.)
A WORKING MAN in the galhey rose ar.d Add isp%
Captain Ackerley said, I gave you 3d. fora piece,
at Home Fair, that was not worth half a farms i' ..isd
Captain AcIERr.EY—I took you for a d---ct
treated you as such.
A scene of uproar and confusion here aro"? Which
resolution
nn
to propose.
utterly beggars description. I 121" $
up w the b—•
he said, I will fire red-hot bullets into him.
The CHAIRMAN here rose to try to restore
—Tl'hllenn,otlobokie
looking
gut d0wn—....01,
Captain ACKERLEY—For God's sake sit cle°lvrncl'eri#s.ifiltiat
An able-bodied mason here came behind thatti: ova
Captain, and without more ado, took him gstarar
the waist and carried him out, the Gallant Officer 00.
gling like a child in the herculean grasp of the °37, viog
Order was then.restored, and a vote of thauka tei,
been proposed to the Chairman, the meeting sePa.ra

BELGIUM. fir
BRUSSELS, OCT. 24.—The Englislimali • gr. 8cev ',
,r . l'ai
..
accused of defacing public monuments, statues,
..,atifjoi.
addressed to the tribunal of the first in,tance It •'12,00g
to be set at liberty,• • • Blount °
francs. His on giving bail to the aea - •
applicationCbar les A• aged '''' ~:liarron—
ative of Hamburgh, was transferred by the UP frlit
to the frontiers of France. He has been eqe chief
the kingdom as a foreigner, by order oft4)
.' to
lehinasokjeu,st been reject,
1, years, a
the Police. i trigiot
BRUSSELS, OCT. 25.—We learn that their ,
andat
Brusselstheir chtiilldl children will
end nnfo tDceoeme;lb.tio)eside in tile
~0 to
er. „, , 'llt
It is next week, as we hear, that the is-,13b i' Pei'
Paris. 01,010 ng
BRUSSELS, OCT. 26.—We hear that Mr. 'I - r
, 103° la'
ham Villiers, Member of the English House°, his ce',,:
has arrived at Brussels. A Journal says, that,:j3elgill"-
brated antagonist of the Corn-laws, has comeluns.
to study our political and commercial instituti°
_.......

Kaittteisatieeankjteeal,
. _
'the
DUTCH 'MAIL,_:,_ Chamber °l'
THE HAGUE, OCT. 25. -- Second t. 4.3- of
States-General:— • tef
ginls ng,
A message from his Excellency the or theme sof
Finance was read, stating that his. Wes igetavor
with respect to the nomination of the two the nor
the General Chamber of Accounts, by wirTreasedcnot
bar of Members of that Chamber is to be slit, tsilitielo
forma* to Art. 1 of the law of 3d Clet• 114 wkirigs'
exercise his right of nomination, but, acre` the s;rder
200 of the fundamental law, will wait for, ee, itt
tion of three candidates to each of these Pc bein;
to select one out of each list. esoltgePor tl3l
M. Luzao expressed a wish that that 113,0 use
of a peculiar nature, might be printed for 01 ~.,ie.
Members, which was unanimously agreed wand colq.co' 0.
A message from the Minister of Marineolied, till 1,10.'
of the 22d of October was read, acconT-toentiv .i. the
formity with Article 59 of the fe"°°Liitare forth°
with a statement of the revenue and exPenterDen" ter
East Indian colonies in 1841; a similar sts,-,1000,1
West Indies, and a third for the coast of, u obit
ther with all the necessary documents• a the Chfiroge
The public sitting was then closed, At it ii 1000
formed into a Secret Committee, in whic'titi.o"apitl
that the Committee appointed to draw_uP - ght
answer to the Speech from the Throne, brc'u
~e ti,°
Report. .11 he, , blo
ily sal . a 1
THE HAGUE, OCT. 24.—1 t is genera- Aye, hell
' his Majesty Kin; William Frederick ball flce of
intention of coming to the Hague, auJA iv/asecitterthoi
return with the Countess to Berlin. In c- visit ° ;01'
this resolution, we learn further that the ottrt t°
I Majesties with the Royal Family and th 1101
en lil
sterdam, will not now take place. „ 11019 ea
,is
affirmed that his Excellency Baron egtlr',.tioe'
stratia)ras,ininrdser.esolved, and is scriou''?:, cirelP:toriii
making great reductions in the Budget c 4. t
lit of --,,,.40•
Director-Generaldol Eife
p foreign
a 2 His
r,
department,
hass a
iresolvedlbe that
separatedfro m them
ethilet ender is
1.0%
made
a Secretary-tGdeenPearraat.,a 01 ile,,,,°'
THE HAGUE, OCT. 26.—SECOND CO'4';la frldii,,,
STATES GENERAL.—A paper was reee'lle bit volt;
Brick Jacobs at Amsterdam, stating that f
isir.bo' res.e
vered the secret of directing the course °siblel tbe,'%
that the weather being favourable,. it is ea to sellol>ll,l
India in a fortnight ; that he had oliffe'r:,bilesuiot.,),:ttliio(tri
cret of the atmospheric citadelle (as
William I.', but without success,. that,.s iave,s' not
that he had the choice of selling i'l ..0310/13
Ass. „0, ,to
France, but prefers offer:ng it to. this ';b it cv proa
President proposed that this paper, th°° be refe •
should 'eel to* )/
be classed with ordinary, petitions, 01. ~.400 e,
the Committee of Petitions. This wsLay Atio'ieeetir
TRIESTE, Oct. 18.—(From the Ittlit of t re'e .
The latest accounts from Syria, of the stateerfeetinforel,
try, are very favourable ; tranquillity isl)deilf
coo. cotbe
tablished everywhere ; commerce bee Sent fr,_e q ,t,
tive, and many goods which used tO be
now ES, 00•0,,
stantinople to Trebisond, by caravans, wo: ettio fr:ii,
much shorter and most sate route, by
1.1,,3.g0 fjord
It is hoped that that the regular steittoded it'ooclsr
Constantinople to Syria will soon be el"foce of g.
~,, P, 0
This would greatly promote the cenveYeli, Aleg;0100
passengers from Adana Tarsus het PQ
csolol
bekir, and Mossul ; and besides tho 4% more
Aleppo and Constantinople would g
.miles.—Hamburgh Borsenhalle, Oct. 23.6 a. gf" 131!Itj
DUTCH FUNDS.-Asts.raltDafir 000. fi_•
Amen Svndic,4s per cent .................... 75,1
IP.;
Ajictttu4ldDittsobts, 12p%er pceerxi.en.t.............................................. 1:01:it, 1,4,111144
Ditto, ditto, 3}fi per cent. ................... , IgIA (214
Commercial Company, 44,4 per cent ..••••"' "
.. lel* Ws
Ditto (1835 anti 1837) 5 per cent. ..... .. ... 9 10
Loan 1837, 5 per cent. ............... ... .......
.. 1,43
.....
Exchange on London, One month ..... .•••• _ 1:3 ii
Two months ......0". 35 _,,
Hamburgb, One month .......""• .... 35 P.
Two months ......
Dutch Papers, Oct. 26. cfc•r• g45'514
I,ELUI AN PU N DS--13sUis BO . ........ 101
Actual Debt, 2% per Cent. .....•••.....••"'',99
Rothschild's Lean, 5 per Cl,t, .Cent.,... .... 14,,
Loan of Thirty Milions 4 per .
......... 1
.."....--: Her (•en"...."' log°l's
--Thirty.svven------"". . . ...... Lg
(1 :40)••• .......
Loan of City, 1c32, 4 per Cent ...... .................
Society ot Commerce, 4 y,, per Cen..._,..... ~!
Bank of Belgium, 5 per Cent. ....... .....:00: , , 0
NationalSocsety. .................... ........."..... ,'
Exchange on London (shod) .. .::: ig
00
—Brussels Papers, Oct.; 7„ ,0., (141:„,. . 11
AUSTRIAN FUNDS.--•'•-• .......-,,, II
live per Cents. Metalliques . ....... ...."... ...... .......
to
Foer per Cents. ......... ............ " ........ ..•••'''..."
Three par Cents. ................. .... ..... •••"....,... . 0
Bank Shar6.3 ....... ............... ......0 2 10
....ttigenicine Zeatzni, clef. 23- , s Ocl'opt,' /
HAMBURG BORSENHAI4.• . 010/ 00
ARussian S per Cent. Ist series, Cortifiew-......,. • leo
rsAanunsektio.%,, a1itnaur55e5p1ie.nr...C.L0a.e.n..t.n5............................................................,.....;:......%..........:..............,..7 it 0144, 1,41.1,i_
~
...... . „,.
~
Inscription, Ist Series .....................•
3d and 4' gt , vols
Russian 5 per Cent. Hope and Co.
.... .... 07 ,
5erie5........ " .............. ..........."••••:.. .... Os
Ditto in Certificates ....................... .....•
„.... Lo /
New 4 per Cant. (1840)..... .....................
..... , ,
Dutch ~Actual Debt, 2%, pe, Cent ..........
....,. ~0 1
Ditto 5 per Cent ................... roii
og
Polish Bonet. .......................................... ~ ,'„6 1....
New ticket . ... - ................................
....:. 1,;;;
Anglo-Da:11;h Loan, 3 per Cent.......•••'"
..... " 15
N..twegian Loan, 1834, 4 per Cura:.. ......•'.. ell
Spanish, New 5 per Cents. ...... • ........
_.4.
f." of
'--------'j—'r'"--------,., ao iso
AOl e.. 111
POLAND' fA- IPf; 1
ii o ors io
WARSAW, OCT. 3.—The Councthat 0 ) notekro;ll
published a notice to the effect re erellgonerd•
(fourteen in number, whose names a_hoiaccove
taken advantage of the amnesty, 13111',,e0 1'
and whose absence has but lately u 11%
It if
their property is to be collf....l::tec/* 0
ce,,
01.
VBEUMRD NE :3, _, Wrcil),,,3
FOR ?NOVEMBER, lila x the 003 oir
EditOrc6o7v.iso 001ersoioi
Humorists, Thomas Hood, will _ong Oil, $ f3PIA 1
variety of interesting articles.. ?tinvn,bina_ of 1,7e.i. tore
nent are :—The Happiest Man I.ll,i'voilageb , 1e0Pi.1350
unNdeErWtheiVi°l4l. t ;fl
°f
ll° du 01l
the Road, by the Editor.—ThSixll-Groinetisf 10b,ethy 101 l
to a Club ; or, what pay I._ vial °c or, fir
Exemplified by Extracts from triero_leop
tea ; _ y.,),
all, Esq., a Member of the Pang
Under'
vetaro re
Poole, Fs Graduates anti or. of ~4tellet, or
Lcbabalek Pol'irtliticni
Proctor's Note-Book, by the Aut!td‘, flesitosoroce,i;
gins." No. 2. The Historyd
Liven—Jacques Cocast, they un th , , 0
•t to --.„ehilie-stito- to'.
Douglas Jerrold, Esq.—A _,?..lNie,--i. ”54,, Ajoial,
1/00.-, fAbeer cot pei'
io,f_pDaualvidrlrNy'i:l,k i e .
More 5 N,ll. op' lit'.'
.pr - .trf 010,4
or, Sheer
eb,
The Agonies of Cotnpositton. „her i .
of
4,04,
view .I)1°11 t, hablt for ;6 YA
takes a Lodger. A New Vi
valen • tit t 1 /'
• - thepre eaten or, -4, /
A Digression touching.
us .„,,,,,
ri ; .
vs 4,
later .70. 0
l'ak lbryenJehohlniu.‘charmoto
10 0
aze. -.170.-1r,j,..--
Chapter XIII. An Ingemoi3a j -.' fa 1, ,
Money to great Advantageb
Pougi's Welt.° 111
nager in Search of a Star, by Charles aP 1J
0., 1,1
Strange Passage in the Life i
past 1411'' 01
Drawing-room Amusement. . the
_in, Eder
~ i 4
THE WEATEBII..---DUriq _ce of ; 01u0..e0 ‘%
snow, accompanied, in sow d seas iey .01.
. advance ,
oi
lightning, which, at this
.11s round ale
sent week,' there has. been itecionisittiannueauiis,. ioso,itlief tibiets",/cpfy
rather remarkable. The ,h 1 ._ the 1371
covered with snow, as though in the
Courattt.