The Sun.
London, England, 1841-06-19 00:00:00

PRESTON.

The time has now arrived when we should act with unani-
mity, energy, and determination. One of the most numerously
attended meetings ever held in Preston, after mature delibera-
tion, unanimously agreed to support Sir H. Fleetwood and
Sir G. Strickland at the ensuing election—a struggle which is
to determine right against might, and justice against injustice.
When many of the brave and patriotic leaders of the people
are immured in the dreary dungeon, crying aloud to the peo-
ple of Preston—yea, to the people of England. Ireland. and
Scotland—to come forward at this important crisis to nobly do
their duty, and return those men to Parliament who will vote
for their release, and the release of Frost, Williams, and
Jones. There are now two candidates iu the field
who have pledged themselves to assist 3ou in gaining
your legitimate right, with the protection of the Bal.
lot, as well as to resist all monopolies that have a tendency to
retard free trade. But the brutal, the base faction, of Tory-
ism are determined tol oppose us, and rob the honest Elec-
tors of the last vestige of their liberties—their votes But you
have a duty to perform. and be determined to perform it; for
ourselves, we are determined to expose all these base mis-
creants, who will or dare attempt it. We will brand them,
like Cain, with a mark of their infamy, and they shall be held
up to the execrations of the world in the public press ; their
names shall be recorded as a terror to tyrants and evil doers.
Is it not enough that we labour and faint? that we endure
poverty and want? that we are almost driven to madness to
hear our children clamour on our bleak hearths for the black
and bitter bread that a system of class Legislatiess has im-
posed upon us? Is it not enough, we ask you, to endure
these accumulated wrongs? But to be openly robbed of the
last remnants of our rights, we will nut, and cannot tamely
submit to. Already have a few (thank Heaven, they are a
few ), passed their odious decrees, that all the individuals in
their employ must vote for the men whom they "delight to ho-
nour," without ever consulting the parties employed. Instances
innumerable have already been reported by individuals who will
not tamely submit to, these atrocities; and having reason to
believe the truth of those statements, we hesitate not to inform
those parties who have been guilty of these diabolical acts of
attempted robbery and intimidation. that their names ase
known, and we are watching their actions closely. Is
it not a notorious fact, that the President of the Con-
servative Association has made a regular practiceo
on the eve of municipal elections, to give a month's
notice to the whole of the electors under his employ, in order
to intimidate them, that they may be more easily made to sub-
mit to his decree ? and now, when a dissolutirn of Parliament
was expected, upwards of sixty persons had their month's
notices duly served. Men employed in some of the mills, and
other branches of business, with minds bordering on madness,
have given information that the dictators have issued their de-
crees, and have actually remitted their votes to the Committees
of Messrs. Parker and Swainson, without their consent or
knowledge.
Electors of Preston ! Will you tamely submit to these acts
of injustice and intimidation, and not make an effqrt to extri-
cate yourselves ? We hope and expect you have not forgot
the doings of 1830. You then rose in the majesty of your
might, broke the shackles of your oppressors, and returned the
man of your choice. The country round, from John o'Groat's
to Land's End, approved of your conduct. Medals were struck
in commemoration of your achievement. On that occasion
you acted with unanimity. Your employers were astounded,
'and knew not how to act, well knowing that their capital is
valueless without,your labour.
" Black Fleet, ' arouse, shake off your aphy ! Be deter-
mined.. and you will have the approbation of a great ma-
larity of your townsmen, and confer a benefit on the public at
lrge .Tradesmen, of every deaomination, do your duty !
consult each other's feelings, and act according to the dictates
of your own consciences, and success will crown your efforts !
For ourselves we are determined. The cursed bribe we will
unanimously refuse. The tyrants we will not obey, whatever
may be the consequence, believing that our political opinions
are as sacred as our religious tenets; and that it would be
equally unjust to interfere with one as with the other.
One struggle more, and you are crowned with success. Now
is the accented time, now is the time for salvation. Your
country makes the call ; obey that call, and posterity will for
ever bless you. Electors of Preston,
We remain, your sincere friends,
THE COUNCIL OF THE PRESTON
CHARTISTS.
Avenham-street, June 17th, 1841.

The Chartists, it is said, have nearly a hundred votes, and
you will see, from the spirited address, the decision they have
adopted. A PRESTONIAN.

THE LATE COURT-MARTIAL.

ROYAL ARTILLERY.

WOOLWICH, JUNE 17.—The officers of the Ordnance
Corps assembled at ten o'clock this forenoon, in the mess-
room of the Royal Artillery, to hear the decision in the cases
of Lieutenants Scott and Dance read to them, as promulgated
in general orders.
" GENERAL ORDER, JUNE 16, 1841.
" Horse Guards, June 9, 1841.
" Sir,—Having had the honour to lay before the Queen the
proceedings of a general Court-martial, held at Woolwich
barracks on the 14th of May, 1841, and continued by adjourn-
ment to the 17th of the same month, for the trial of Second
Lieutenant Perry Francis Gother Scott, of the Royal Ar-
tillery, who was arraigned upon the under-mentioned charges:—
"For having, in a public billiard-room at Woolwich, on or
about the 31st of March, le4l, struck Second Lieutenant Ed-
ward William Dance, of the Royal Artillery, a blow with his
fist, and for having then and there ent,•red into a personal con-
flict with the Second Lieutenant Dance by kicking him, upon
his, said Second Lieut. Scott, receiving a blow from Second
Lieutenant Dance with a billiard-cue"; all such conduct being
disgraceful, and unbecoming the character of an officer and a
gentleman.
" Upon which charge the Court came to the following de-
cision _ _

The Court having maturely weighed the evidence brought
forward on the part of the prosecution, as well as what has
been urged by the prisoner in his defence, is of opinion that
he; 'the-prisoner, second Lieut. Percy Francis Gother Scott,
of the Royal Artillery, is Guilty of having, in a public billiard-
room at Woulvvich, on or about the 31st of March, 1841, struck
Second Lieutenant Edward William Dance, of the Royal Ar-
tillery, 'a blow with his band, but not his fist, and also kicked
him ; and of entering into a personal conflict, by his striking
and kicking Second Lieutenant Dance, but not upon receiving
a blow from Second Lieutenant Dance with his cue, all such
conduct of the said Second Lieutenant Percy Francis Gother
Scott being disgraceful and unbecoming the character of an
officer and a gentleman.
" The Court having found the prisoner guilty of the charga
preferred against him to the extent specified, being in breach
of the articles of war, does, therefore, sentence him, Second
Lieutenant Percy Francis Gother Scott, of the Royal Artillery,
to be dismissed her Majesty's service.
"I am to acquaint you that her Majesty was pleased to ap•
prove and confirm the finding and sentence of the Court.
" But in consideration of the recommendation of the Court,
transmitted with the proceedings, her Majesty was most gra-
ciously pleased to extend the Royal clemency to the prisoner,
by permitting Second Lieutenant Percy Francis Gother Scott
to return to his duty, being first duly admonished Is to his
future conduct in such manner as you may think proper.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your. most obedient humble servant,
(Signed) "HILL, General Commander-in-Chief.
" 7 he Right Hon. the Master-General
of the Ordnance, &c."
"GENERAL ORDER, JUNE 16, 1841.
" Horse-Guards, June 9, 1841.
" St a,—Having had the honour to lay before the Queen the
proceedings of a general Court-martial, held at. Woolwich Bar-
racks, on the 10th May, 1841, and continued by adjournments
to the 17th of the same month, for the trial of Second Lieu-
tenant Edward William Dance, of the Royal Artillery, who
was arraigned on the undermentioned charges :
" Ist. For having, in a public billiard-room, at Woolwich,
on or abou' the 31st March, 1841, said to Lieutenant Percy
Francis Gother Scott, of tha Royal Artillery, in the presence
and hearing of the persons there assemble, that he, Second Lien-
tevant Scott, told a " d—d lie," or words to that effect.
" 2d. For having, at the time and place mentioned in the
first charge, entered into a personal conflict with the said
Second Lieutenant Scott,. by then and there returning a blow
he had received from Second Lieutenant Scott, by striking
him, Second Lieutenant Scott, on the arm with a billiard cue,
all such conduct of the said Second Lieutenant Dance being
disgraceful, and unbecoming the character of an officer and a
gentleman. •
" The Court having maturely weighed the evidence brought
forward on the part of the prosecution, as well as what has been
urged in defence, is of opinion, with regard to the first charge,
that he, the said Lieutenant Edward William Dance, cf the
Royal Artillery, is Guilty.
" With regard to the second charge, the Courtis of opinion,
that he, the prisoner, Second Lieutenant Dance, is Not Guilty,
and acquit h m thereof.
The Court having found the prisoner guilty of the first
charge, being in breach of the Articles of War. does, therefore,
sentence
him, Second Lieutenant Edward William Dance, to
be publicly and severely reprimanded, at such time and place
as may be directed, and to be placed at the bottom of the list
of Second Lieutenants in the Royal Regiment of Artillery,
standing next below Second Lieutenant George Neville.
" I am to acquaint you that her Majesty was pleased to ap-
prove and ennfirrn the sentence of
the Court - but in consi-
deration of the recomrnendatiln of the Court,' transmitted
with the proceedings, in the prisoner's favour, her Majesty
was graciously pleased to remit so much ofthe s e ntenee of
the Court, as adjudged him, Second Lieutenant Edward
William Dance, to be placed at the bottom
Lyi euur
secondN
evilie.—lielutheanvane tths,
enhexotnouberlotwo
beS,ecsonird: t
comnf
aot:ttht the
obedient
eidsotiregnoetf
humble servant, (Signed) " HILL,
" General Commander-in-Chief."
" The Right Honourable the Master-General
of the Ordnance, &c."

" True copies. (Signed) "H. D. ROSS,
Colonel, Deputy Adjutant-General."
After the proceedings of the Court had terminated, Lieute-
nants Scott and Dance received their swords and sashes, and
were ordered to return to their duty.