The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-23 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1841.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.

'ROM TIEN MORNING PAPER! OF THIS AT.

CHRONICLE.—The affair in the Exchequer. Bills
market, which we noticed yesterday, excites much atten-
tion in the highest monetary circles. Various rumours
and conjectures are afloat as to the real nature and cha-
racter of the transaction. There is no question that it
is one of magnitude, and the suspicion attached to
it has not by any means subsided. Upwards of 200,0301.
4.A. Spanish Stock was sold yesterday for money ; and
it is understood that the whole of the bills on which the
loans were made have now been redeemed. We are at
a loss, lur,vever, to account for the rapidity with which
the redemption has been made ; for it is nut likely that
the money could have been lent for one day only,
and yet the bills appear to have been redeemed
within that short space of time after the affair was first
noticed by the press. It is most desirable that the truth
should be known, but we fear it will continue involved
in mystery. We hear that about 10,0001. of Exchequer
Bills 'were sent up for inspection to-day to the Treasury,
and declared genuine. Yesterday was the last day for
the repayment of loans at the Bank of England ad-
vanced during the shutting, and we hear there was a
large balance left over. The borrowers have been dis-
appointed by the continued tightness of money, and un-
able to raise the means to repay their advances as they
expected. The continued pressure so immediately after
the relief which the October dividends were expected to
afford in the Money Market is quite unusual, and,
coupled with the serious decrease in the deposits and
bullion in the Bank of England, shows -that there is an
internal drain going on in the country.
When the first accounts of the seizure of Pampeluna
were received, we remarked that it was generally be-
lieved in the city that the secret of this foolish attempt
to rekindle the flame of civil war in the Basque pro-
vinces was not untasteful to the wishes of France, be-
cause the new Spanish Custom-house regulations would
come into operation on the Ist of November, which
would put a stop to the valuable illicit traffic which the
-Wrench have hitherto carried on with Bilbao and other
towns, by importing, their manufactures into these pro-
vinces free of duty. We mentioned, also, that Espartcro
had taken measures for placing Custom-houses along the
French frontier to prevent a continuance of this contra-
band trade, and that French influence, and French money,
had been put into requisition to frustrate this laudable
attempt at fiscal reform.

Subsequent events have fully confirmed the accuracy
of the above. The Biscayan provinces have the right to
receive various articles of French manufacture for their
own consumption, free of duty; and, under the cover of
this right, immense quantities of French goods are illi-
citly introduced into Spain, and the revenue of the coun-
try is thus deprived of a large sum annually. The Duke
of Victoria was determined to stop this traffic, and the
French were determined, if possible, to prevent him.
For that purpose, therefore, amongst others, they se-
cretly encouraged and supported the recent foolish at-
tempt at insurrection under Diego Leon and O'Donnell.
The result, however, has happily ended in defeat ; and
as Espartero will soon have an army in the Basque pro-
vinces, he will be enabled to compel them to submit to
the general laws of the country, and to be treated as an
integral part of the State. Their fueros must be given
up, sad French contraband suppressed by the enforce-
ment of an efficient cordon of fiscal officers along the
frontier. The recent insurrection furnishes Espartero
with excellent grounds for compelling the Biscayans to
submit to such a change in the Spanish tariff as must
pave the way for the completion of a commercial treaty
with Groat Britain.

TIMES.-- The holders of the " United States Dank"
debentures arc looking forward with great anxiety to the
election of the future Governor of Mississippi, as the
Stock of that State is among the securities for the pay-
ment of the loan. The great fear is, that a Governor
may be elected who will tread in the steps of Mr.
AV.Nutt, whose office expires next January, in which
case they have every reason to despair of those securi-
ties being of any value whatever. The conduct of the
present Governor in repudiating the bonds of the State
has, as has often been observed, done the greatest da-
mage to American credit, not only to that Of the single
State, but of the Union generally. Finding such prin-
ciples as are avowed by Governor M'Nutt flourish in one
part of the Union, the capitalists here are alarmed lest
they may find corresponding sentiments in other parts,
and any attempt to raise money here, even on the part
of the Federal Government, would, in all probability, bo
a complete failure.

A Correspondent at Southampton complains that the
letters from the south of Ireland, which used to be for-
warded via Bristol, and then sent to Southampton by
the Portsmouth mail, aro now forwarded in the first
instance from Bristol to London, the consequence of
n hick is, that instead of their being received at Southamp-
ton at eight o'clock in the morning, as under the former
arrangement, they do not reach there till between three
and four in the afternoon. To the Southampton mer-
cantile houses connected with the Irish trade this delay
is found productive of the greatest inconvenience, while,
as direct means of communication actually exist, the
grievance is felt to be completely without excuse. It
appears that complaints have been several times laid
before the Post-office authorities, but that on each occa-
sion no answer has been received more definite than that
attention would be paid to the subject.
SUN.—The tightness of money in the Stock Exchange
to-day, the rate of interest for loans on Stock being 5 per
cent., caused the funds to be rather repressed in the
upward tendency they had previously manifested. Not
that any absolute flatness prevailed, but simply that in-
vestments were generally made on terms giving what is
called the turn in favour of the buyers. For immediate
transfer Consols realized 87it to 88, and for account 881
to 881, closing steadily. Exchequer Bills were again at
10s. to 12s. premium, and_ East India Bonds Is. to 3s.
premium. The New Three-and-a-Half per Cents. were
at 9711 to -1, and the Three per Cent. Reduced Annuities
at 87 to 86i.
Upon the whole, the accounts from Spain were looked
upon as rather more favourable, and the Active Stock
got up a little, being marked at the range from 191 to
201. The other Foreign Securities were very dull. Bra-
zil Stock was firmer at 51/, Mexican continued heavy at
23f, and Colombian at 19. Belgian Bonds rose to 104
and Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents. were 511 to 51t.
In the Northern Securities there were no transactions.
For Railway Shares there was still but little demand,
and Brighton, which hare recently been so depreciated
in their market, value still " hung fire," being quoted
121 to 13 discount. Great Western New were 4+ ; the
Fildis, 3+ ; Birmingham and London, 67 to 68 ; the '
Now, 21+ ; and the York and North Midland 28
premium. London Joint-Stock Bank Shares were 21
premium; and National Provincial Bank of England, -/
discount.

There was a decline this afternoon in the Foreign
Exchanges. The precise cause remains to be elucidated.
Bills on Paris were taken at 25f. 70c. to 72f.; Amsterdam,
12 5 ; Antwerp, 12 32 to 1 ; llamburgh, 13 101 to 94 ;
Frankfurt, 1494, and 'frieste, 9 50 to 52.

THE MURDER IN EASTCHEAP.—From in-
quiries made yesterday of some of the friends of the late
Mr. Burdon, the landlord of the King's Head, in East-
cheap, respecting the state of Mrs. Blakesley, the wife
of the murderer, we regret to state, that she is in so bad
a condition that serious fears are entertained of her ulti-
mate recovery. It was stated at the outset that the un-
fortunate woman was enciente at the time she was stabbed
by her husband. A few days since, owing to the excite-
ment, which it may naturally be expected she has ever
since laboured under, a miscarriage took place, since
which event very unfavourable symptoms have appeared.
She is still under the care of Dr. English, who daily attends
upon her. The next Session of the Central Criminal Court
commences on Monday. It is not as yet decided as to who
is to be the public prosecutor in this case. The parish of
St. Mary-at-Hill have refused, on the ground that they
have no funds to appropriate to such a purpose. The
Corporation of the City of London will not do so, on the
ground of want of precedent—the last murder which took
place within the City having occurred sixty years ago.
Mr. D. W. Harvey, the City Police Commissioner inti-
mated also that the police have no money for such a pur-
pose, and Mrs. Burdon absolutely refuses. It is said
that some of Blakesley's friends have at last come for-
ward, and that he is to be provided, at their expense,
with Counsel of great celebrity. The King's Head still
attracts a great number of people to view the scene of
the horrible deed. The conduct of Blakesley is still
very taciturn. He has, within the last few nights, been
much disturbed in his sleep, and continually speaks of
his wife. He frequently inquires as to her condition,
and with that exception, never refers in anyway to the
murder. He has written several letters to her and Mrs.
Burdon, but, in accordance with the wish of the mur-
dered man's brother, Mr. Cope takes care they are not
transmitted. Blakesley appears very sincere in his de-
votions, and pays great attention to the exhortations of
the Bev. Mr. Carver, the Ordinary.

WEYHILL FAIL—The sheep fair was held on
Saturday last. The morning proved remarkably fine,
and sales commenced early. The number of sheep penned
did not exceed 65,000, being much less than on many
former years. The prices asked were high ; after the
first two hours, therefore, the sales were not brisk ; and
at the close some pens remained unsold. The prices
may be fairly quoted as under :—Down ewes, from 265.
to 455. ; a few as high as 48$. ; Down lambs, from 20s.
to 355. up to 40s. ; two-tooth wethers, from 343 to 435.
There was a good show of horses of all sorts. Many
were sold on Saturday, and on Monday the larger two
and three years old cart colts were purchased for the
London trade. Fine hunters were eagerly sought after,
and sold at high prices. The hop fair did not commence
until Tuesday morning, and in consequence of the inces-
sant rain very few persons were early in attendance. The
number of pockets grounded was 2,710 in the Farnham
row, and 3,018 in the country row. The growers acted
on their usual principle, of holding out fir high prices
lat the onset. Some small sales were made in the Farn-
ham row as high as 12/. 125., but we did not hear of a
single sale in the country row on Tuesday. Wednesday
prices and considerable business was done.
I3es F avearanlLvaysfrom AL to 101. 15s. Country hops from
sL to PL 10s. In the cheese fair, about an average quan-
tity was pitched. The quality generally was excellent,
osmaleerswt from
were pretty brisk at the following prices
78s. to 84s. ; seconds 655. to 70s.
half coward, 50s. to sfis. shim, 28s. to ,515.--,Dorset
•
Bestant the
Somerset
Cow*: Chronic,„
t

TRIAL OF GENERAL LEON.
The following account of the trial of General Diego
Leon, which took place before 'a Court-martial on the
12th and 13th, is given by the Madrid papers :
" The members of the tribunal were Admiral Pio-
nisio Cepa; Major-Generals Pedro Mendez Vigo, Nico-
las di Isidoro, Pedro Ramirez, Jose Corti-iez, Jose
Grases, and Brigadier Ignacio Lopez Pinto. The pro-
ceedings Foannonced with the readine- of the preliminary
examinations, which comprised the declaration of the
prisoner and the evidence of General Puig Samper,
Domingo Dulee, of the halberdiers, and other witnesses.
The declaration of the accused was to the following
effect:-11e admitted that he was acquainted with the
plan which had been conceived of depriving Espartero of
the Regency, but denied having given his consent to head
the movement. When the drums beat on the evening
of the 7th, he desired his servant to fetch a hussar
uniform, but without a sword. At half-past twelve
he entered the Palace, where ho was, he confessed,
received with acclamation by the insurgent soldiery,
but he declared that ho replied to them, that
they should reserve such demonstrations for Queen Isa-
bella. He had entreated the halbordiers to cease firing,
he said, as that. was the only means of inducing the
troops to discontinue firing, and he was desirous of pre-
venting further alarm to the illustrious orphans. Not
having succeeded, he proceeded towards the iron-gate,
and even refused the escort offered to him by several •
soldiers. At a short distance he lost his horse, and re-
placed it by another, which he purchased of two soldiers
of the Royal Gdard. At Colmener be resolved upon re-
turning to Madrid, and there ho fell in with the Hussars,
to whom he surrendered. The declaration of the ac-
cused ended by his stating that he had gone to the
Palace on the evening of the 7th, because it had for
some time past been arranged with General Puig Sans-
per, that, in case of alarm, the different Generals in
garri.on at Madrid should assemble at that rendezvous,
and the latter part of the declaration was confirmed
by General &Inver. Amongst the documents laid
before the Court was a letter found in the pocket-
book of the prisoner, written and signed by him, and
addressed to the Regent, informing hias that Queen
Christina wished to resume the Regeeeir, and inviting him
to renounce it, and thus prevent tlfteeeTisieieof blood.
There was also an address to the chiefs of the armyin the
pocket-book, inviting them to obey the authority of the
Queen-Mother. The fiscal (or prosecuting officer) then
addressed the tribunal, going through tare evidence, and
represented General Concha as the ostensible chief of
the revolt, and Leon as an accomplice.. He demanded,
therefore, that both might be condemned to death. A
religious silence was observed at this part of the address
of the prosecuting law-efficer. General ItMeali addreeeed,
the Court for the prisoner, but ins emotion wee so great
that he was scarcely audible. In giving the history of
the young General then on his trial, he wept greatly. He
described the life of Diego Leon as one of devotedness and
glory, and contended that he was net one of the chiefs of
the conspiracy of the 7th, and thitt there was not the
.had sometimes seen an
slightest proof of his having shown himself at the soldiers'
quarters. Europe, said he, which
amnesty granted even to the regicide, would shudder at
witnessing the punishment of death inflicted for a poli-
tical offence, and concluded by imploring the tribunal, if
it found the prisoner guilty, not 10 pronounce capital
punishment. General Leon having demanded to he
heard, he was brought into Court. He proceeded with
great calmness of manner to the seat which was appro-
priated to him, and then addressed his judges. Ilp as-
serted that he was falsely represented as the chief Of the
movement. "If this had beet tree," added he with a
firm voice,—" if I had presented myself at the Palace
at the head of the soldiers, my body would have been
found in the midst of the brave Men who fell ; never
would I have abandoned them ; never would I have
been taken as a fugitive." At this portion of the ad-
dress of General Diego de Leon' There were several
approving exclamations. lie repeated his declaration
that he had never consented to accept the title of
chief of the insurrection, and observed, with reference
to the circular which had been found upon him, that it
had never been sent. lie had this circular and the letter
to Espartero by him, he said, for the purpose of giving
instructions
from to the person who should be retuned by
from Paris to receive them, as lie was resolved to take no
part in the affair. The President Of the Court having
observed to the prisoner that it wad his duty to apprise
the Regent and the Government of the. plan of the con-
spirators, he replied that he himself was not thoroughly.
acquainted with it. He did not consider, he amd, that
he was bound to be an informer; but he had twice at-
tempted to see the Secretary of the Regent, but could not
meet with him. After the prisonet had done speaking;
the Fiscal applied to the Court ler time to prepare his
report, and tho Court rose. On there-assembling of the
Court the sentence of death was pionounced by a majo-
rity of four to three, and the sentence was immediately
transmitted to the Supreme Tribuinal of War and Ma-
rine. This tribunal passed nearly the whole night in
deliberation, and eventually confirmed the sentence. The
decision was communicated to the prisoner, who was
ordered to prepare for death in twenty-four hours, un-
less the clemency of the Regent should declare itself in
his favour."

DISTRESS OF THE PRINTERS.
The following is the address of the unemployed
printers of London, to which we kiltittaYeSteiday :
The Committee appointed by the unemployed printers of
London to issue a public address, in appealing to their
benevolence, to do so with full confidence of their sym-
pathy and support. It is calculated that at the present
time there are upwards of twelve hundred unemployed
compositors and pressmen, and many of them, with large
families, are in an absolute starving state, Numbers of
our worthy brethren have already applied for parochial
aid, and, as the public must well know, from the present
state of our Poor-laws, any assistance from that quarter
but that of entering the union workhouse is denied; and
we regret to say, that many honest and industrious mem-
bers of our trade have been compelled to submit to that
alternative. The Committee beg to inform them that
the sedentary occupation, and many hours which they
must necessarily apply to their business, preclude them
from any chance of obtaining a livelihood in any way
unconnected with the printing business. And no class of
men are sooner debilitated, with -.the loss of sight and
paralyzed limbs, than your humble supplicants, which
the noble and generous patrons of the Printers' Pension
Society are fully aware of, frogs the reports of that
Society. The principal cause of their great distress being
• that of the numerous failures 4mong booksellers and
"others connected with the printing business, also the little
business done by Parliament in consequence of the un-
settled state of public affairs, the public must be aware
that those are the chief sources frian which their labours
are called into action. The generbus nobility and public,
on a former occasion, in the ye rs 1823-6, having so
nobly responded to the call of enevolence in their be-
half, i
the Committee have every reason to believe that in
the present distressed state of the printing business a like
sympathy will crown their efforts. This address, which •
is signed by J. T. Gregg, the Chairman, and W. Dargan,
the Hon. Secretary, announces that subscriptions will
be received by Messrs. Williams, Deacon, and Co.,
Birchin-lane, Cornhill ; Spoonef, Attwood. and Co.,
Gracechurch-street, London, blinkers ; also by Mr.
Hodson, bookseller, 119, Fleetistreet ; Mr. Harrild,
printers' broker, Great Distaff-lane, -Friday-street ;
and by Mr. Lake, Three Herrings Tavern, Bell•yard,
Temple-bar.

BRLGH TON,
The General Stearn Navigati,
the Lord Melv:lle, arrived off

OcT. 22.
on Company's steirner,
here about about nine
inced very severe wea-
oty hours on her pas-
:wore lauded at East-
into Shoreham harbour

o'clock last night. She experit
ther, and was upwards of twee

sage. Some of her passengers
kuurne. She was unable to get
until three o'clock this morning;

BRIGHTON DAY-MAIL.-St ce the day-mail has
been put on the railway some cl. satisfaction has existed
at the irregularity in the deli% ry of the letters, and
the careless manner in which th bags are forwarded to
and from the station. It appears that the duty of the
guard only extends to the railway, and the bags are
given to one of the cads of the omnibuses to be taken
a distance of
di(lnt'o the guard.
fromupwa
rt(hheopfo sat •mo ffii i
ec,e
at
no
dthe
erraei 1
.wci;
iyi .vsetraet
Oa the arrival of the mail train; from London the bags
are again delivered to one of the cads, and as they stop
to fill their omnibus with passengers and luggage, the
letters seldom reach the Post-office until three quarters
of an hour after time, and are then thrown info the
I.—At the Lewes
office by a party having nothing to do with the Post-
office, consequently wholly irresponsible. Surely in a
town where thirty thousand letters a week are delivered
this requires some alteration.
F
'
S e sSsPi oEnEsp, Y
on
vv e d EXECUTIONnesda y 7 a Ju
sailorr cE
vras convicted and
sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, for robbing
the Captain of the ship Economy, at Newhaven, at
ten o'elock in the morning. The prisoner war appre-
hended at Lewes, eight miles from the spot, examined
before the Magistrates, committed, tried and sentenced
at four o'clock in the afternoon, six hours after the offs ace
was committed.
An alarming accident occurred in Brighton a few
days back. A horse, standing in a cart belonging to a
butcher in the Grand Parade, named Champion, started
off at full speed, dashing amongst the carriages in the
fashionable drives. The animal pursued its course for
some distance round the town, and completely smashed
the cart, but was eventually stopped without injuring
any person. Yesterday Mr. Soloman, the chief officer
of police, laid an information against Mr. Champion
for leaving his horse unattehded. The Magistrates,
after commenting on the dangerous practice, fied him
40s. and costs. Two gentlemen, named Sloper and
Warren, were also fined each ilos. and casts for racing.
It appeared that they were onlorseback racing in the
King's-road, when a little boy, who was dragging a
truck, became . alarmed, and, in endeavouriag to get
out of the way, one of the defendants rode over him.
The poor little fellow was picked up and conveyed to
the hospital. On examination he was found to be
seriously injured.

R 1
Mr. an_ -- IVfti. _r_ns ey Sheridan have embarked
on board tbe'Crusader, at Weymouth', for a cruise of
seyezalvot4in theibalterialfai%"-Sherborna Journal.

THE STRIKE AT :THE NEW
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

A meeting of the Delegates of the various Trades
and Callings of London, took place last night, at the
Craven Head, Drury-lane, " to take into consideration,"
as stated in the advertisement, " the present state of the
masons employed at the new Houses of Parliament,
and also to consider the conduct of a portion of the
public Press relative to the above-named strike."
At a quarter to nine o'clock the Chair was taken
by JOHN WORTHINGTON, a 11115011, and at this time the
room was crowded to suffocation.
The CHAIRMAN said he accepted the office of their
Chairman with great diffidence. He was extremely bO-ra-
lifted to see so numerous an attendance, as it would de-
monstrate to all, and to their employers in particular,
that the working classes were entitled to the protection
that was due to them. The present meeting might be
designated the collective wisdom of the Trades of Lon-
don. He would now read for them the circular calling
the meeting, and would then introduce to them Arm-
strong Walton, a mason who would declare the cir-
cumstances connected with the late strike.
A n MSTRONG WALTON then came forward. Ile said many
of them must be aware of the circumstances connected
with the late strike ; but as there were some also who
were unacquainted with them, he would briefly state the
reasons for the course they adopted, and leave the meet-
_ _

ing to judge whether they were justified in so doing
or not. The conduct of the foreman, Mr. Allen,
was so harsh, intolerant, and tyrannical, that it was
impossible to bear with him any longer. There were
four distinct specific charges against Mr. Allen, and
they had called on Messrs. Grisell and Peto, and
on Mr. Allen, to rebut them, and prove them false
if they could, but they had refused to do so.
The first was that of a young man who was desirous of
going to Manchester to bury his mother. That was a
duty, they all would admit, which devolved upon every
man of plying the last tribute of respect to his deceased
parent.—(Hear, hear.) He made application to Mr.
Allen for a fortnight's leave, not three weeks, as
had been stated by Messrs. Grisell and Peto in
their letter in the Times.—(Hear, hear.) That was
refused him, and ho then asked for a week, that was re-
fused, Mr. Allen stating at the same time, that he might
go down on one day and come up on the next. The
young man had some affairs to settle in Manchester, and
said it was impossible for him to be back in that time.
Mr. Allen then said, in the most haughty and indignant
manner, that he might take his chance of getting work
when he came back, but he would not keep the job open
for him or any other man. Tho men sympathised with
him, and, after calling a meeting, advised him to go.
He went accordingly, and at a subsequent meeting, it
was agreed to represent to Mr. Allen that if the young
man was discharged they would consider themselves dis-
.

charged. The man who acted as chairman at that meet-
ing, with others, was positively discharged for daring to
call in question that arbitrary conduct.—(Loud cheers.)
The young man came back, and through their interfer-
ence he was allowed to go to work, but he was taken out
of the shop and put to the worst sort of work, by way
of punishment. The next charge was that of a man who
had occasion to be absent two or three days. He was
sent for to see his wife, who was dying, and got permis-
sion from the under-foreman to do so. He stopped to
bury his wife and returned in three days, but when he
did, Mr. Allen turned round on him in a manner which
no one could justify, and said " he might go and die
with her, and be d—V-s-(Cries of " Shame.") The next
charge was that of a man who had his leg broken and
was taken to the hospital. On his return he was not of
course so nimble as before he met the accident, but he
naturally expected some sympathy, but instead of that
he was told in the most brutal manner that " he did not
want any such d—d hobbling fellows there."—(Cries of
" Shame.") Now, they were possessed of faculties and
feelings perhaps as acute as Messrs. Grissell and Peto,
and they could not sit down tamely and submit to these
things.—(Hear, hear.) The next charge was that
of a man who had been some days away from his
work, and he could bear testimony to the cir-
cumstances himEe!f as the man worked near him.
His wife had been sick for ten months, he had been him-
self six months ut of work, and living in the east end
of the town, and having been for some time without the
necessaries of life, he was in bad health, and had been
obliged to stay away from illness. After the man had
given him a fair explanation of the cause of his absence
from illness, instead of being allowed to return to his
work, he was told that he might go away as soon as he
liked, for they wanted nothing there but sound men. It
was just the way in which coachmen used coach-horses,
get as much as they could out of them and then send
them adrift.—(Hear.) 'They were prepared to prove
those charges against Mr. Allen, but, notwithstanding
this, when the strike took place at the Monument at
Charing-crciss, and at the Woolwich Docks, - Messrs.
Grissell and Peto stated that if any one could prove that
any of there acts had been committed by Allen he would
be immediately discharged ; and when a deputation ac-
cordingly waited upon these gentlemen, instead of acting
like gentlemen, and investigating their truth or false-
hood, they refused to entertain them at all, and told
the deputation that they considered they lowered their
dignity by giving them a hearing.—(Cheers and a laugh.)
There was another subject which had been misrepre-
sented by the Press, namely, that of a man having been
fined ss. fur what was called " chasing ;" but no such
fine had ever been imposed. Messrs. Grissell and Pero
had distinctly told the deputation of the masons that the
conduct of Allen would be better in future, showing
clearly that there had previously been tyranny and un-
fair play. Now he thought it most unfair to get a man
of great physical strength, and urge him to do a certain
quantity of work, and then to go round to all the Men,'
many of whom had worked for years for the firm, and to
tell them, " if you do not come up to this standard, you
must be discharged."—(Hear, hear.) He believed there
was not one man of common feeling who was acquainted
with all the circumstances of the case, who would vindi-
cate the conduct of Allen.—(Hear, hear.)
The Secretary, THOMAS CARTER, at the request of
the Chairman, then read the correspondence that had
taken place between the contractors and the masons. At
their first interview, it appeared that Messrs. Grissell
and Pete -had consented to remedy some grievance of
which the men had complained, with regard to their tools
and the supply of water ; and, on that occasion, the Se-
cretary stated that they had acknowledged that Allen
had acted unjustifiably, anti that his conduct would be
better in future if the men would consent to return to
their work, which they accordingly did. Every thing
went on comfortably for about six weeks, when the same
system of annoyance was renewed ; and another corres-
pondence took place on the subject. Having read all the
letters, the Secretary added that a deputation having
waited on Messrs. Grissell and Peto since the strike,
they had distinctly stated that if any body could prove
the charge against Allen, they would dismiss not only
him, but the best foreman they ever hail ; but when they
went to substantiate these charges the contractors denied
that they had ever stated anything of the kind. In
short, they denied every thing that would tell against
themselves.—(Cheers.)
Mr. 31‘Dostaeo said it was a new feature in their
meetings to see reporters there, and he hoped that, as
the report of that meeting would go forth to the public,
the gentlemen of the Press would use him mildly,
as lie was one that could not boast of a very good educa-
tion.—(Laughter.) 'They had heard the correspondence
read with respect to the conduct of Allen, and it only
remained for him (Mr. M‘Donald) to again reiterate the
justice of their strike, and to show the amount of oppo-
sition that was arrayed against them. They were all
well aware that the strike then pending amongst the
workmen lately employed on the Houses of Parliament
had lasted six weeks, and during that time Messrs. Grissel
and Peto had used every exertion to procure other men to
fill their places. The man they had been under had
harshly abused his power. The men who had been
under him were a most industrious portion of the com-
munity, and had always conducted themselves well, and
never failed to do their duty.—(Hear, hear.) That
struggle was still pending, and would continue to bo so,
until that scourge of a man was removed. He (Mr.
M‘Donald) would turn their attention to the opposition
thrown against them to prevent the attainment of their
object, for which they were all so anxious. In the first
place they were aware that the Press was against them.
Mr. ANDERSON, of the British Queen—Not all.
Air. M‘DosraeD said they could obtain inser-
tion in none of the papers of their statements. Further,
a most powerful opposition had been made to them by
the Government. It might not appear to them directly
from the Government, but from various parties paid by
the Government. The Commission of Woods and Fo-
rests were against them, and also the Admiralt7 Board.
They had heard a letter read from Messrs. Grissel and
Pete, stating that they would do anything to maintain
Allen in his situation, and also to enforce a proper dis-
cipline amongst the inen.—(Shame.) There had been a
letter, signed " Sidney Herbert," purporting to come
from the Lords of the Admiralty, to Messrs. Grissel and
Peto, and allowing them further time to accomplish the
buildings. They were aware that the path they had
taken was dangerous and was beset with numerous
policemen and many difficulties, but he believed that the
men working upon the new Houses of Parliament had
steered clear of those difficulties.—(Cheers.) His (Mr.
M'Donald's) opinion was that if the trades of London lent
them their sympathy, and if they themselves would act
together and united, they would ultimately obtain the
point sought in spite of the opposition arrayed against
them.—(Cheers.)
Mr. R. ANDERSON hoped that the meeting would
make the cause their own and unite with their oppressed
fellow men, and that a fellow feeling would run through-
out the length and breadth of the land, which would
enable them to carry the object of their struggle, and if
they were only combined they would be able to carry
that object. Out of the whole masons of Scotland they
had had but five dissentient voices, therefore he trusted
that the delegates then assembled would warmly enter
into their cause. They must accomplish their object.
The strike had then continued six Irks, and amongst
the workmen were men with families, and therefore ho
hoped that as the expense vies great, liberality would
be shown on the part of the other unions; and lie would
say again, • that this cause was the cause of them all.
The CHAIRSIAN then read a letter that had been ad-
dressed to him respecting the insertion of the statements
of the workmen in several of the papers. -
A _WORKMAN asked the Chairman to state what
papers were. applied to.
The CILLTMOT—That will come in order.
Mr. Ataws,6o.4N, of t4q. British QiteetZ and Statesman',