The Sun.
London, England, 1844-08-24 00:00:00

COURT OF SEWERS.

•
An adjourned meeting of the Court of Sewers for
the city and liberty of Westminster and part of Mid-
dlesex, Wll3 held yesterday, at the S,wers-office,
Greek-street, Soho-square. T. L. Donaldson took the
Chair at twelve o'clock.

Some general business having been disposed of,
The CHAIRINIAN said that the next matter before them
was " to consider if any, and what, steps should be im-
mediately taken to restore the dilapidated parts of the
main line of the Ranelagh sewer in Gloucester-road,
Paddington." He had ordered that the business should
be put into that day's paper in order that it might be
kept before the Court, with the view of taking some im-
mediate steps therein. They had an application to con-
tinue the line for another thousand feet at an estimated
cost of 3,0001., and he (the Chairman) was most anxious
that the works should be commenced forthwith. The
public were greatly inconvenienced by the present con-
dition of the sewer ; and that Court had not
for the last four months done anything to get
it rectified. He would take the liberty of throwing
out a suggestion, and he hoped that some mem-
ber of the Court would frame a resolution upon it—that
it might tend to strengthen the evidence of the
officers of that Court, as tc, the causes of the failure of the
works, if one or two professional men were empowered
to report upon the subject. He merely threw out the
suggestion; it was for the Court to act, or not, uron it.
A Commisslorain understood that it had been deter-
mined upon, some time before, to try the question as to
the contractor's liberty to make good the failure, in] a
court of law.

Mr. WILLOUGHBY explained that the contractor had
made a proposition to finish the works, but the Court
had not seen fit to accede to it.
Mr. ALLANSON coincided with the remark made by the
Chairman, that the present delay of the works occasioned
great public inconvenience.
Colonel J. C. GANT thought that the Court would
have serious difficulties to contend with if they carried
this matter into a court of law. Those difficulties would
be greatly increased if they went on with the restoration
of the sewer in a different form from that in which it
was first made. He questioned, indeed, how far the con-
tractor might be considered liable, seeing that his money
was paid by that Court for the work, on an assurance
from their own officers that it was completed in a trades-
manlike manner. It had stood for two years, and he
certainly thought that before proceeding further in the
matter their, solicitor ought to have the opinion of two
eminent surveyors, besides that of the regular officers of
that Court with regard to the work. He again ex-
pressed a doubt, that, if they completed the line accord-
ing to the new form of sewer, it would be held as a tacit
admission that the old form sanctioned by the Court,
was a bad one, and that the contractor therefore was
not to blame because it ha..l failed.
Mr. WILLOUGHBY denied that the old form of sewer
was faulty, but the contractor had not done his work
in a proper manner.
A resolution was, after some further discussion, agreed
to, that professional opinion should be taken on the sub.
ject. It was also decided that the additional length of
1,000 feet should be added to the line.
The Court then sanctioned the orders of the 25th and
23d July, for ninety-feet of sewer in Norfolk-street,
Strand, at an estimated cost of 1181. us. Bd. and twenty
feet of Ranelagh main sewer at Kilburn-bridge, to be
arched over, at a cost of 13/. 6s. 6d.
A letter was read from Mr. Pennethorne, surveyor
to the Woods and Forests, stating that the Commis-
sioners agreed to the proposition made by him to the
Court of Sewers, (namely, the contributing of 5751. to-
wards the line of sewerage in the proposed new street
from St. Giles's to Long-acre, the estimated cost of the
whole being 2,100/. 18s. 6d.), provided the line was
carried on to Charlotte-street, Bloomsbury, and the
whole finished by Lady-day. The line was then con-
sidered in reference to the necessities of the Holborn
and Finsbury Commission, and it was stated by the sur-
veyor, that the additional depth required would be five
feet, two inches ; and the estimated cost for digging
518/. lls. Bd. The estimated cost for rebuilding the
' Charlotte-street sewer, was 410/., which expense would
in a very short time require to be borne by the district,
as the present drainage was in bad condition.
Mr. ALLANSON thought that before they came to any
conclusion on this point, they ought to have some direct
correspondence with the Holborn and Finsbury Coin-
mission.

Colonel GANT went at considerable length into the
amicable relations which ought to exist between neigh-
bouring Commissions, and was persuaded that a broad
and liberal mode of arranging matters like the present
would conduce most to the public advantage, and to the
good feeling which ought to be maintained between
tie Sewers' Courts of the metropolis.
Mr. WILLOUGHBY did not think it consistent with
their duties to their district to involve that district
in expenses incurred for the benefit of another. It
seemed only a principle of justice, that those who
reaped the advantages should bear the expense ; and he
apprehended that it would be an illegal application of
928 L, to expend it for the benefit of any parties, other
than those from whom the same was derived. _

Mr. DONALDSON thought that it-
would be enough
for that district to bear the expense of the sewerage in
Charlotte-street, which their surveyors' report esti-
mated at 4101.

At the suggestion of the Chairman, the Court con-
fined itself to the question of the diggings, and,
Mr. WILLOUGHBY proposed a resolution—" That this
Court does not feel justified in deepening the sewers of
the division for the purposes of the Holborn and Fins-
bury division, and beyond the requirements of this
division. except at the expense of that division."
Mr. ll.AwitEs thought that the expenses ought to be
calculated together, and not in portions. He was of
opinion that they ought not to discuss the subject until
they had received the further report of their surveyors.
The resolution was ultimately carried.
The CHAIRMAN then put the question as to whether
the Court would sanction the rebuilding of the Char-

lotte-street sewer at a cost of 4101. Their had the sur-
veyors' report that in a short time they would be obliged
to begin this work, and he (the Chairman) was of
opinion that the present was a most fitting time.—
.Agreed to.
Mr. HAWRES then moved a resolution—" That the
surveyors report what additional expenses may be caused
by gullies and sewers, on account of the increased depth
of main sewer necessary to accommodate the Holborn
and Finsbury district." He had stated, before the other
votes were taken, that he required information upon this
subject before he went further, and he hoped it would
not be withheld from him.
The CHAIRMAN said he had no wish to withhold any
information from the Court, but he hoped that the
lion. Commissioner would allow the votes already taken
to preclude the resolution he had now proposed.
Mr. HAWRES objected to the course required by the
Chairman.
Colonel GANT thought that the calculations' sought
for by the Hon. Commissioner would be found inter-
minable. Were they in the progress of these works to
go with every little item to the Holborn and Finsbury
Commission, and say, " Pay this, it is incurred to suit
your purposes?" Ile thought the Court could not enter-
tain the resolution for a moment.
After some remarks from Mr. Willoughby and Mr.
llawkes, the resolution was put and carried.
The CHAIRMAN then said, that in order to test the
last resolution, he should put another, namely—" That
the resolutions of this Court, with the exception of the
last, be forwarded to the Holborn and Finsbury Com-
mission."

Mr. HAwims—Who signs that ?
The CHAIRMAN-Mr. Willoughby's name and my
own is attached to it.
Mr. llAwxts—lt is a most extraordinary mode of
doing business, and I am quite ashamed of it.
Mr. WILLOUGUDY-Mr. Hawkes stated that it was
for the information merely that he put the resolution.
The object, therefore, can be attained, although it is not
forwarded to the Holborn and Finsbury division.
The last resolution was then put, and it was also
carried.

The question was then put, whether the Court would
sanction the 1,540 feet of sewer in the new line
already alluded to.—Agreed to.
Several reports were afterwards read, and some minor
business transacted, and the Court adjourned.

The General Steam Navigation Company's steam.
ship Caledonia, with her Majesty's mail from Hamburgh,
ffowr
forty
wind elsyseernsgi
enrc3e, e
bfte
itohract
citayv.i
gS
he
eb rvoeusgs
ehlt,
arrived on Wednesday, having experienced a continued
who,
gaabadlodeureotssed the following handsome testimonial to Captain
the
seaman-like expring
Phillips, commander of that vessel : " Caledonia
steamer, Aug. 20.—Sir,—We, the undersigned passen-
gers by the Caledonia steamer, under your command,
to you the deep sense of
conduct displayed during
the extreme responsibility thrown upon you by the situa-
tion of the ship, in the severe gales that we encoun-
tered on our passage from Hamburgh to London. We
beg that you will do us the favour to accept the accom-
panying token, as a slight offering of our esteem and
egarnantiottu part
arftor without
good wishes.—We remain, Sir, yours faithfully, C. God-
defroy, Baron Bergh, \v. P. Kaye (Queen's foreign mes-
senger),EdwardJennings (lieutenant RN.), and eighteen
other passengers.
SINGULAR CIRCUMSTANCE. —One of those singular
freaks which death plays with all cases and individuals
has occurred in a case which has lately come before the
magistrate at Bow-street. Our police reports have at
various times contained particulars of a performer at
Sadler's Wells Theatre, named Charles Lambe Dowden,
having been brought. up at Bow-street, charged with
presenting several cheques, for various amounts, to
licensed victuallers, to whom he owed accounts, stating
that they had been drawn by his uncle, Mr. Haggai., of
Pimlico, who would take them up when due, which were
afterwards found out to be forgeries. He succeeded, in
three different cases, in obtaining sums, varying in
amount, up to nine pounds, from three different licensed
victuallers, but a fourth party, knowing Mr. Haggar was
a very old man, and bed-ridden, determined to inquire
into it, and having done so found i t was a forgery. Mr.
T
d found he could not go on with the case without wyfor
le 's disproof of the
having the unc _ cheques being in his
writing, and determined to go in a cab, with a clerk, to
take his deposition at his own residence. On Monday
last, just as the journey was about to be taken, intelli-
gence was received that death had closed the eyes of the
aged uncle, who, with upwards of ninety winters o'er his
head, had yielded to death's imperative call. The land-
lord of the house, Mr. Spratt, with whom the old gentle-
man lodged, will, however, prove that the handwriting of
the cheques is not that of Mr. ITaggar,
RAILWAYS IN PRUSSIA.—The Prussian Govern-
ment, in order to avo.a as far as possible accidents upon
the railroads, has founded a school at Berlin for teaching
the art of directing and managing locomotives; and an
ordonnance has been issued that, from and after the Ist
of January, 1846, no person shall be employed as drivers
of locomotives on the railways of the kingdom but those
who have been taught in this school, and obtained a cer-
tificate of their capacity,

MONUMENT TO THE SCOTTISH
POLITICAL MARTYRS.
(From the Caledonian Mercury of Thursday.)
A site for a monument to Thomas Muir, Thomas
B niningch.
P. Palmer, William Skirving, Joseph Gerrald, and
Burying-
ground, Maurice Margarot, who in 1793-94 suffered banish-
mentdiffienoltn n a
been
nrgoeb "sedition,"tonfinedintbe O
ld having,
Calton
after
ry
ground, yesterday was appointed for formally laying
the foundation of the obelisk, to be erected as a tri-
bute to their memory and sympathy for their fate.
Joseph Hume, Esq., the Member for Montrose, and
the originator of the movement for erecting monu-
ments to the political sufferers of their period, both in
London and in Edinburgh, having agreed to be pre-
sent at the ceremony, every exertion was made by sub-
scribers and others professing liberal opinions to render
the occasion as imposing as possible. The Complete
Suffrage Association, to the number of about four
hundred, assembled in the Meadow-walk at three
o'clock in the afternoon, for the most part dressed in
black clothes, and marched in procession down the
High-street, through Parliament-square, passing the
courts of justice, to the Waterloo Hotel, where they
were met by Mr. Hume, several members of town
council, and many respectable citizens. Among those,
present on the ground, we observed, beside the Hon.
Member for Montrose, a son of one of the martyrs,
Mr. Skirving, who, we understand, is a manufacturer
in Kirkaldy, and Mr. William Moffat, who acted as
agent for Mr. Muir at his trial, and in both of whom
the proceedings of yesterday seemed to awake the
most lively interest.
When the company had all assembled,
Mr. HUME addressed them as follows :—Gentle-
men, I am happy at meeting with you here to-day,
ready to perform an act of justice, and of respect to
the memory of those who were the pioneers of the
cause in which we are all engaged.—(Cheers.) I
have been long anxious to see this day, having from
a very early period of my life formed opinions
highly condemnatory of those proceedings which took
place towards the close of last century.—(Cheers.)
I am one of those who, in 1792, 1793, while attend-
ing the University of this city, was witness to the
proceedings which then took place, and though I
have had occasion to be in different parts of the
world, I never failed to recollect the enormities of
that time. It has been a happy—a very happy—
reflection to me, that I have been instrumental
in making amends, in some degree at least, for the
sacrifices those men made. You are all aware how
disgraceful to Scotland those proceedings were—how
the judges demeaned themselves by becoming instru-
ments in the hands of, I will not say the Ministers of
the day, but of the man who, but a few years before,
professed the same principles which afterwards he
persecuted.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") Many may
not perhaps be aware that the thing for which these
unfortunate individuals were tried was for advocating
the same cause, and contending for the same object
which, in 1782, Mr. Pitt and the Duke of Richmond
supported.—(Hear.) When in 1784 Mr. Pitt suc-
ceeded to office, he immediately became a persecutor
of those very doctrines by the profession of which he
obtained office, and, like many others who desert from
their party, he showed an increased zeal in persecuting
individuals who continued to maintain those prin-
ciples. The French Revolution alarmed those who
held the reins of Government, and they wielded their
power on the principles of despotism. I have said des-
-potism, for I consider that wherever the people are not
fully represented, despotism is almost sure to exist.
Whatever privileges the Crown may have, and the
aristocracy, I am ready and willing to concede all
that is due, but still the people have their right and
title to share in the Government. Mr. Pitt and the
Duke of Richmond at one time introduced a Bill
into Parliament, to obtain universal suffrage and
annual parliaments, and they laboured gloriously to
procure those benefits to the country, but soon after-
wards they deserted those principles and became
zealous persecutors of what they had formerly pro-
fessed. Those men whom we are now met to com-
memorate saw that those who then possessed office
had no right to appropriate the country funds—to
fatten at the public expense—raised the alarm and
brought upon themselves the persecution which we so
deeply deplore.—(Cheers.) It is to the disgrace of
Scotland, that it was through the labour and per-
severance of Mr. Dundas that those persons were con-
demned. Their condemnation was contrary to all law—
a mockery of justice, and sufficient in itself to dis-
grace any country.—(Hear, hear.) I am one of
those who deeply regret and sympathise with the
manner in which the people were then treated, and
the insults which they received, and I cannot but
think that we, who profess to be advocates of reform,
have been very backward in not having, many years
ago, raised a monument to men who have done so
much for our common cause. We see in our streets
monuments erected to the memory of the persecutors
of those men—to those who had no right, on the part
of the people, to receive that respect. You are per-
fectly aware that great and repeated attempts have
been made to calumniate those men as having been
desirous to promote disturbances in the country—
as having been men whose sole object was to create
dissension and commotion. Nothing can be more
false or inconsistent with their life and character.
They were men of respectable station in life—in
nowise desirous to excite any disturbance or popular
commotion whatever, and therefore we ought to use
every means in our power to confute those calumnies
which have been raised against them.—(Hear, hear.)
I look upon them as individuals sacrificed to the great
cause of reform, and it becomes us as supporters of
reform to erect a monument to those who have led
the way in the path of justice and right, in order that
in after times those who advocate the same cause
may be encouraged, and that those in power may
learn to beware of trampling upon the rights and
privileges of the people.—(Cheers.) I trust this
monument will prove a precursor of that which we all
so ardently desire, for I am confident, as we are
claiming what is right and just, that sooner or later—
it may be in my day and may not—the people of this
land will have a fair and full representation in the
Commons House of Parliament.—(Loud cheers.)
Without that it is impossible that this country
can go on and maintain that position in the
world which its wealth, influence, and character
entitle it to hold, and which we all desire to zee it
maintain. Many of you are better acquainted with
the history of the times I have alluded to than I am.
I have myself been an attentive observer in the cause
of reform, and I would just recommend to every
Reformer to read the history of those times of per-
secution. I find a very concise and correct history
of these men has been published by Mr. Tait, which
I would recommend to all who wish to be informed
of what they suffered in the cause of reform. If
there is anything about which I am more anxious
than another, it is to relieve the characters of these
men from the charges made against them of being
desirous to excite dissension and commotion among
the people, and with that view I shall read one single
paragraph from the speech of M Muir himself t
thejury, which shows the real motives by which he
and his compatriots were actuated.—(Mr. Hume here
read extracts from Mr. Muir's speech to the jury,
and to the Court after receiving sentence, in the lat-
ter of which he said—" I have engaged in a good, a
just, and a glorious cause—a cause which, sooner or
later, must and will prevail, and by timely reform,
save this country from destruction.") And (conti-
nued the Hon. Gentleman) so say I—(Hear, hear)
—for it is only time that is required to secure the
reform which we so much require. I entirely con-
cur in the sentiments of Mr. Muir which I have read.
I am sure when it is known to any one that a person
has been sacrificed for the principles which he holds,
the fate of that person will stir him up to sym-
pathise with his misfortune. And in such a spirit
will he regard those five men who were treated
as felons, compelled to work as such, and who,
though every effort was made in the House of Com-
mons, received no redress, but were shipped off to a fo-
reign land to associate with criminals, and to be sub-
jected to the most ignominious punishment. After
spending eighteen months in banishment, an Ameri-
can vessel succeeded in rescuing Mr. Muir from ba-
nishment, but unfortunately, in consequence of hav-
ing touched at Nootka Sound, he was exposed to
great peril and hardships. Mr. Hume here related
some of the particulars connected with Mr. Muir's
arrival at Cadiz, when it was supposed he was killed
in the action with the English frigate in the harbour
at the time, and also as to his death at Paris, eighteen
months thereafter. He (Mr. Hume) had been
anxious to obtain possession of any papers which Mr.
Muir had left, and had sent a person to the Conti-
nent with that view, but unfortunately none
had been found. Such was the fate of one of the
victims of Mr. Pitt's apostacy.—(Hear, hear.) Mr.
Palmer was punished on account of an article, written
not by himself, but by another man, and like Mr.
Muir he was subjected to similar atrocious procedure.
The others were all arrested in December 1793. Let
any man read the trials, and he will rise from the
perusal with feelings of the most intense shame that
they should ever have taken place.--(Hear, hear.) I
may state that I appear here in consequence of a
public meeting held in London in February last, in
the Crown and Anchor Tavern, and which was one of
the largest I ever saw in that place. At that meeting
it was resolved to join together the two funds raised
in London and in Edinburgh, for the purpose of
erecting monuments to the martyrs in these two
cities, and in the terms of the other resolutions then
agreed to, I shall, with your permission, proceed to
deposit such documents as have been prepared, and
which, though of no value in themselves, yet4orm
part of the ceremony observed on such occasions.
Allow me to hope, that we shall live to see that re-

form with which these men identified themselves
triumphant. It is not the names or the individuals
that we advocate and admire, but- it is-tbtse prin-
ciples for which they suffered—and" IC is for the
maintenance of those principles—it is in the cause
of liberty, that I am anxious to lay the foundation of
this monument.—(Cheers.)
Mr. HumE then deposited in a cavity prepared for
the occasion, a glass jar, containing copies of the
newspapers of the day—Oliver and Boyd's Almanack
—Tait's 21fagazine, containing a report of the trial of
the martyrs—a list of the Scotch subscribers to the
monument, and a few coins of the present reign.
The covering stone having been deposited, Mr.
HumE said—Gentlemen, as there is no clergyman
present, you will perhaps allow me to officiate, and in
doing so, I shall read the following remarkable prayer
of Mr. Gerald, which he offered up by permission of
the sheriff at the last meeting of the British Con-
vention in Edinburgh.—(Here Mr. Hume read the
prayer, the company uncovering.)
Mr. HUME expressed his great satisfaction at
having, after the lapse of fifty years, the pleasure of
seeing a monument about to be raised, which he
hoped, together with the one to be erected in London,
would prove a beacon to warn the statesmen of the
day against persecution, and encourage men to sup-
port the cause of liberty.
Three hearty cheers were then given, and the com-
pany left the ground.

MEETING ON THE CALTON-HILL.
As comparatively few could be accommodated
within the burying-ground, it was resolved that a
meeting should be got up on the Calton-hill, to hear
addresses on the subject of the martyrs, and to enforce
the principles for which they suffered. At least 3,000
persons were congregated on the hill ; a platform was
erected at the eastern wall of the Observatory, for the
Chairman and those who were along with him.
Councillor STOTT having been called to the chair,
said that, as Scotchmen, they must regard this occa-
sion with mingled feelings of solemnity and of joy.
Could they look back on the sufferings of the honoured
men who had stood forward for the defence of the
rights of the people, and to whose memory they were
that day met to do honour, without feelings bordering
on sorrow ? And when they reflected on the manly
way in which they had conducted themselves under
their heavy trials, and, more especially, on the pro-
gress of the principles and opinions for which
they had been called to suffer, the meeting had rea-
son to rejoice. In meeting to honour the memory of
these men, they only acknowledged the debt of grati-
tude under which Scotland lay to them—(Cheers)—a
debt they never could repay. They might erect
a monument to their memory—monuments were the
order of the day—but he was sure that if these men
were now present, and could give them advice, that
advice would be to take up the work for which they
suffered—(Cheers)—and thus raise the noblest monu-
ment to their memory, and pay the highest tribute of
admiration to the principles for which they struggled.
—(Cheers.) Let them all then devote themselves
more decided to the promotion of the great cause of
liberty, and never rest satisfied till they had made the
representation of the people in Parliament full, fair,
and free.—(Cheers.)
Rev. P. BREWSTER, of Paisley, on rising to address
the meeting, was received with loud cheers. He said
he had come to this meeting to show his regard for
the incorruptible patriots who had laid the foundations
of liberty of opinion and free discussion. He con-
trasted the present time, when men had full liberty to
give expression to their sentiments in all political
questions, with the despotism and terror which per-
vaded men's minds at the end of last century, when
the people were cowards and afraid to utter the senti-
ments of their hearts against the tyrants and oppressors
of their country. If ever a lesson had been taught
the people of this country by these trials it was this
—that slavery was the curse of God upon cowardice.
The Government which depended on an aristocracy
never could stand. The history of this country
abundantly proved that the nobility always
looked to their personal interests in preference to
those of the nation. They had deserted their coun-
try on all occasions of difficulty and danger—the Go-
vernment which did not rely on the affection and
confidence of the people, and which had not its source
in the popular control, could not be safe or permanent.
Mr. Brewster concluded by inculcating the sentiment
of the chairman, that they should complete the work
begun by the early friends of reform, who had been
punished for their boldness. That work had yet to
be completed, and no monument to the merits of the
martyrs of 1794 would deserve the name which did
not include the realisation of those just and equitable
principles of popular government for which Muir and
his associates had endured the scorn and obloquy of a
prejudiced age ; and this was only to be done by each
section of reformers waiving their little differences,
and uniting for the great common objects which they
had in view.
The Chairman intimated that several of the rela-
tions of William Skirving, one of the martyrs, were
present on the platform.
After a few admonitory observations by Mr. Dunlop,
of Brockloch, the meeting separated.

TIIE DINNER.
The Edinburgh Committee of Management, and
the subscribers to the monument, entertained Mr.
Ilume to dinner in Gibb's Royal Hotel, Prince's-
street. Sir James Gibson Craig, Bart., of Riccarton,
occupied the chair, supported on the right by the
Honourable Guest, Bailie Gray, Councillor Mac-
farlan, Mr. Philip Leith, Mr. Duncan M'Laren, &c. ;
on the left, by the Right Hon. the Lord Provost, J.
M. Bell, Esq., Advocate, Mr. Andrew Millar, Mr.
Veitch, of Woodside, &c. Mr. Tait, publisher, dis-
charged the duties of croupier.
The cloth having been removed, and the customary
loyal toasts given from the chair,
Sir J. G. CRAIG, the Chairman, said, I had many
reasons for wishing to decline the honour of presid-
ing at this meeting ; but although with great re •
luctance, I have been induced to undertake it at
the request of many persons for whom I have a very
high respect, who have assured me that you will
kindly forgive the very imperfect manner in which,
I cannot doubt, I shall conduct myself.—(Hear,
hear.) One inducement to undertake the duty has
been my desire to place before you the grounds on
which many persons subscribed to the monument ;
for great pains have been taken to hold us up as th e
friends of annual parliaments and universal suf-
frage, and that the monument is to be consecrated
to these principles. Now, I think it due to the me-
mory of Lord Holland and to the Duke of
Norfolk, the Duke of Bedford, and many
other subscribers, to say, that we never
entertained them—we have always disclaimed them—
having been convinced that the Constitution could not
survive many months after their adoption.—(Hear.)
No one who was not personally engaged in the occur-
rences which gave rise to the trials of Muir and the
other martyrs, can form the most distant conception
of the state of the country at that fearful crisis. The
French Revolution had convulsed the civilised world,
and had excited the most lively interest throughout
Great Britain. On the one hand, the most enthusiastic
hopes were entertained that it would be productive of
the greatest blessings, and secure the greatest pos-
sible liberty to mankind; and notwithstanding the
horrors which accompanied that revolution, these hopes
have been in a great degree realised—and on the other
hand, there was the utmost alarm, that it would be
productive of the most dreadful consequences—that it
would overthrow the Constitution, and produce every
misery to which man can be subject. The whole
kingdom was distracted into parties, who acted with
the most determined opposition to each other. Society,
was, in a great degree, dissolved—the dearest friend-
ships severed—the nearest relations separated—the
most bitter hostility prevailed, and every one acted
as if those who entertained opposite opinions were
his deadliest enemies.—(Hear.) All that then passed
has now become almost matter of history, and I,
recollecting and calmly reviewing the occurrences of
that eventful period, have in a great degree ceased to
wonder at many of the acts then done, which at the
time we most severely condemned, believing that the
alarms which prevailed had deprived the actors of
them of the power of sober judgment, and that they
were committed under the conviction that they were
struggling for their lives, their liberties, and all that
was dear to them. Thus, that they were led
to act on what was termed by their advocates a
" wholesome vigour beyond the law."—(Hear, hear.)
Under the unhappy_
M circumstances I have men-
tioned, the trials of Muir and the other martyrs took
place, and sentences pronounced I
upon them. The
injustice of all these sentences is, believe, univer-
sally acknowledged. But I particularly allude to the
case of Muir ; and I would put into the hands of any
man, be his principles what they may, the report of
this trial, and defy him to point out any crime he had
committed which could justify the punishment in-
flicted on him.—(Hear, hear.) One crime he com-
mitted against himself. He conducted his own de-
fence instead of availing himself of the splendid ta-
lents of Henry Erskine, who, at the solicitation of
some friends of Muir, cheerfully agreed to be his
counsel. Had he trusted to Mr. Erskine, the sentence
which was passed on him never could have been pro-
nounced. I know, that one at least of the jury, vin-
dicated the verdict, not on the charge made against
him, but on the speech he made in his defence.
For offences, for which, if they had been committed
in England only a few weeks or months' im-
prisonment could have been inflicted, the martyrs,
who had been guilty of no outrage or violence, who
were men in most respectable stations in life, one an
advocate, one a
_clergyman, and one a favourite pupil
of Dr. Parr, and a friend of the celebrated Sir Wil-
liam Jones, and who were all of irreproachable pri..
vate character, were sent to the hulks, doomed to
confinement with the greatest miscreants—to pains
and tortures worse than death, and were transported
to Botany Bay. All but one perished miserably in
foreign lands.—(Hear, hear.) The sentence against
Skirving was pronounced within a few days of the
Court of Justiciary sentencing two men found guilty

of defrauding the revenue by forging stamps—a
most fraudulent felony—and yet these men were
only condemned to banish themselves from Scot-
land, and in a short time received a free pardon.
The sentence pronounced on Muir so astonished the
jury, that they met immediately after leaving the
court, and unanimously resolved to state to the judges
their opinion, that it was greatly beyond the crime of
which they had found him guilty ; but some hot-
headed zealot having sent a letter to Mr. Gilbert
Innes, the chancellor of the jury, threatening him
with assassination for having concurred in the verdict,
it was impossible for the jury to proceed further. Of
this I was informed at the time by a near relation,
who was one of the jury, and a man of the most per-
feet truthfulness and character.—(Hear, hear.) The
extreme severity of the sentences made the deepest im-
pression on the public mind-Anduced a scrutiny
into the forms, proceedings, and powers of the Court
of Justiciary, and established a deep-rooted con-
viction of the necessity of genuine reform ; and
this has been attended with the happiest effects.—
(Cheers.) At the time of these trials every jury was
packed. The sheriff returned what persons he thought
proper as jurymen. The presiding judge selected
at his pleasure those who were to try the case. No
peremptory challenge of jurymen was permitted.
The Court of Justiciary had the power to sentence
every person, convicted of sedition, to any punish-
ment short of death. The Legislature has now done
away these vices of the system, under which the
martyrs were tried. Juries cannot cannot now be
packed. The presiding judge cannot select the
jurymen who are to try the case. Peremptory
challenge of jurymen is permitted. The Court of
Justiciary cannot inflict a heavier punishment for
s elition than six months' imprisonment. And the
Legislature has determined that reform, to the
strenuous advocacy of which the martyrs fell victims,
is the law of the land.—(Cheers.) It is thus esta-
blished, that no such trials as those in which our
friends suffered, can take place. Acts of similar
character, but greatly more offensive than those
they committed, are every day committed with
impunity. The liberty and rights of the
subject are now secured on a basis in-
finitely stronger than before, and every-
thing that has since taken place, proves the general
conviction that the sentences pronounced against them
were unjust, and the punishment inflicted most cruel
and indefensible.—(Great cheering.) We have now
determined to erect a monument in this city, which
shall proclaim to the world our conviction of these
truths—that we entertain profound respect for the
memories of the martyrs—and gratitude for the
benefits their patriotic zeal and sufferings have secured
to the country; and particularly shall proclaim our
anxious desire to impress upon all judges and jury-
men, that if they regard their oaths or their cha-
racter, if they wish the law to be respected, and the
people to be satisfied with it, they will never allow
themselves to be swayed by fanciful theories of ex-
pediency, or of a supposed necessity of acting on a
" wholesome vigour beyond the law," but that in the
exercise of the sacred duties committed to them, they
will be guided by the law, and by nothing but the
law.—(Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Memory of Charles
James Fox." Every one who knew the services that
illustrious statesman had given to the liberties of the
people—all he did was for their interest. He (Sir
J. Craig) did not, however, propose his health on
account of his general exertions, but because of his
kind and strenuous exertions in support of those
martyrs which they were met to commemorate.
The CHAIRMAN said—l have now to propose to
you the health of our guest, Mr. Hume.—(Great
cheering.) All men know the public service he has
rendered to the country during a long parliamentary
career—that he, while others wasted the valuable
time of the House of Commons with declamatory
harangues, spoken to no purpose, exerted himself most
laboriously, and at a time when no man would have
undertaken it—in the system of finance. No man
who knows anything of the state of the country in
those days can be ignorant of the great and important
services which he rendered, and which far exceeded
those of any other Member of the House of Commons.
—(Cheers.) I cannot doubt but he has been the
saviour of millions to this country, and that had his
exertions been countenanced as they ought, it would
have greatly increased the number of those millions.
I do not on the present occasion confine his services
to what he did in that respect; it is particularly on
account of his having been the instigator of the
monuments which are in the course of being erected
here and in London.--(Cheers.) And in acknow-
ledgment of which, I think, one cannot do better than
now pass a resolution similar to what we passed at
the first meeting for the erection of the monument—
" Thanks to the originator of the movement for
erecting monuments to the martyrs in the cause of
parliamentary reform."—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. HUME, on rising to return thanks, was re-
ceived with loud cheers. He said—l can assure you
that I feel strongly the compliment you have now
paid me, but I feel it the more in as far as it marks a
union with that opinion which I have all along en-
tertained. When I see so many men with whom I
have had little or no intercourse concurring in an
opinion which I singly and at first entertained and
ventured to express, I cannot but feel myself flat-
tered at having that opinion, isolated and uncon-
nected with party as it originally was, reciprocated by
those present, and that the efforts which I so early
made should at this time of day meet with your com-
plete approbation.—(Cheers.) Your Chairman has
stated well the case of these unfortunate men, and stated
facts which bring together certain links which ap-
peared to have been lost. It is with peculiar pleasure
that I have the honour of your invitation on this
occasion. It will be recollected that, more than
twenty years ago, I was favoured with the opi-
nion of a large majority of the inhabitants of this city
in favour of the efforts I had made in the public
cause.—(Cheers.) It is with great satisfaction that I
look back to the period that intervened since that
time, and challenge any one to say where I for a
moment in my life did anything which showed a
retrograde movement.—(Cheers.) The zeal with
which I was influenced may have perhaps overborne
prudence on some occasions, but never in all my
attempts have I had any other object in view save the
general prosperity of the country.—(Great cheering.)
No doubt there are some who blame my opinions as
exceeding the bounds of prudence, but those persons
were not acquainted with the extent of the evil which
daily came before me.—(Cheers.) No man who has
not had the opportunities which I have had, and who
has availed himself thereof, can form an esti-
mate of the misery and wretchedness which is pro-
duced by misgovernment. It is upon these principles
I have stood ; aloof and independent of party, yet in
strict accordance with principle—putting down all
selfish motives—setting aside all party spirit—and
looking alone to those great principles which lead to
the happiness of the whole people.—(Cheers.) Your
Chairman has alluded to the matter' of finance. The
great evil of government is finance. Pounds, shil-
lings, and pence, is the :paramount evil of those in
office—it is the whole source of misgovernment and.
abuse. It is the object of obtaining by taxes the pro-
perty of the people that has rendered the man, other-
wise estimable, the basest of citizens.—(Hear, hear.)
It is by minute attention to the motives of individuals,
that we are induced to form this opinion, harsh though
it may be to the persons themselves. It is the result of
experience, and I have no hesitation in saying, that
could I place those whose character I have
often impugned in a situation where they
would not be so influenced, I can have no
doubt their opinions would have been in accordance
with my own. But it is pounds, shillings, and pence,
which induces them to obtain the power of taxing the
people,;and which constitutes the evil and great mis-
chief existing at the present day. If that is the
fundamental error of the present day, you need not
wonder though the reformers of earlier times resolved
to strike at the root of the evil. These are the prin.
ciples which induced me to attack the stronghold of
Toryism—the stronghold of corruption—and to en-
deavour to turn off the streams from the pockets of
those who were solely taken up about what they could
obtain, regardless of the evils which they entailed. I
concur with Lord Brougham, that we are driven to a
course of action by conscientious motives which we
cannot control, and happy is thtoe man who in his exer-
tions looks straightforward
that which leads to the maintenanceone great
ofthe
the people. If I haveis rightsobjec of
t—
a merit, it of having,
whether under Whig or Tory ruler, taken that
course which I thought
t likely to result in those
beneficial ob
4ec a which I always advocated and
desired. This may be all very selfish, and so it is.
I have no hesitation
in saying, that in acting thus I
pleased myself.—(Great laughter.) All calumny has
been fruitless in attempting to divert me from my
aim, though I have been frequently set up as the
target which all parties assailed. Notwithstanding, I
did all in my power to stop those rills which flowed
into the pockets of the sinecurists ; and as I meddled
with a nest of hornets, I could not but expect they
would assail me about the ears; and I may add,
that, whether in the civil service, or the Church, or
both, I always found ample field for reform.--
(Cheers.) But my opponents did not hate me as
Joseph Hume, but as a reformer.—(Hear.) I shall
say nothing more of finance except mention the fact,
that seven millions of the public money is to this
day detained by the heads of several departments to
pay themselves, handing over the balance to Govern-
ment instead of detailing the various_ payments by
which that balance is made out. The Hon. Gentle-
man, after some further remarks, concluded by giving,
" Peace with France, America, and all the World."
Mr. MONTGOMERY BELL gave " The present
Judges of our Supreme Courts.'
The CROUPIER proposed the health of the Chair•
man, which was briefly acknowledged by Sir June*
Gibson Craig.
Among the other toasts which followed, were the
0 Health of Earl Grey," by Mr. Muir—" The Lord,

Provost and Magistrates," by Mr. John Richardson,
W.S.—and " The City Members," by Mr. Macfarlan.
The company broke up shortly after eight o'clock.
THE BANQUET.

The banquet in the evening took place in the large
Waterloo-room, which was by eight o'clock com-
pletely filled. Mr. Hume did not arrive till after
the proceedings were begun, having been detained at
the dinner. Mr. Dunlop, of Brockloch, was, on the
motion of 19r. Purdie, called to the chair.
The CHAIRMAN referred to the proceedings of the
day, and congratulated the meeting, that in this city
of palaces and monuments, they had now laid the
foundation of one monument, on whose pedestal
would be inscribed the motto of liberty, to mark
the progress which the principles of freedom were
acquiring as time went on. The act of justice
which had been that day done to the memory
of these early reformers showed unequivocally
the determination of the present race of re-
formers not to allow the expression of their politi-
cal opinions to be put down by legal flaws and
forms, and to maintain and enforce with boldness the
principles held by the martyrs of the last century.—
(Cheers.) The Chairman went over some of the more
marked and expressive sentiments and prophetic
enunciations of the political martyrs—sentiments
'which, so far from being the evidence of a criminal
disobedience to the law, were now believed in almost
universally by the people of this country. Posterity,
in fact, had given its verdict in favour of these princi-
ples, and, they would maintain and defend these prin-
ciples even if another Braxfield should arise; although
le felt assured that Scotland would never again be
subject to the dictation of such a character.—(Cheers.)
The Rev. W. Mansn,ua, proposed the art senti-
frnent—" The people, the' sole element of national
greatness, and the only legitimate source of political
power."
The CHAIRMAN then introduced Mr. Hume, as the
long-tried and persevering champion of economy and
popular rights.
Mr. Hu &a was received with loud and continued
expressions of applause, and after briefly addressing
the meeting, proposed, as a sentiment, Honour to
the memory of Muir, Palmer, Gerrald, Skirving,
Nargarot, &c., and their compatriots.
Mr. SKIRVING, of Kirkaldy, (the son of one of the
martyrs) then addressed the meeting, whom he
thanked for the interest they had shown in the cause
(,f the reform struggle of 1793 and 1794, and for
their kind expressions towards those who had suffered
in connexion with it. Upwards of fifty years have now
(lapsed since the reformers in this country associated
under the name of the " Friends of the People"—and
if we examine attentively the principles of these early
reformers, and take into view the history of reform
since these societies were suppressed by an arbitrary
power, we shall find that these associations, claiming
as the citizens of a free country individually—a voice
in the choice of their representatives—and the annual
exercise of that right showed that they formed just
ideas of representations, as that alone by which their
enintry could enjoy that political regeneration of
'which they found her so much in need. And what
is the reason that we at this day, notwithstanding
the strength of the reformers' ranks, appear so far
from obtaining a free and full representation simply be-
cause as a body we have no fixed principle respecting
the extent to which the principle of representation ought
to be applied in order to secure effectually the liberty
cf. the subject on this point. At the period of which
I am now speaking I was a young man, indeed a
mere boy, but I have a distinct recollection of many
4.f those who distinguished themselves in the cause of
reform. And it has often struck me, in taking
a view of the characters of the leaders of that move-
ment, that perhaps on no occasion was there
tver such a number of men eminent alike for
their moral and religious worth, united for the attain-
ment of a popular right, all of them, with few excep-
t ions, being men who enjoyed the confidence of their fel-
low-citizens, being selected by them to manage their
affairs both of a religious and civil description. And
with regard to those whom you have this day pro-
nJunced worthy to have their deeds commemorated by
a public monument, I would just remark, that their
political career affords the most incontestible proofs of
the purity of their motives, disinterested patriotism,
and unfeigned love of liberty. May the generous ef-
forts of the reformers of the present day to perpetuate
their sen.c of their worth, prove a stimulus to the pa-
triot, and a terror to the oppressor.—(Cheers.)
The Rev. Dr. ItxrcutE spoke at some length to the
next sentiment, " Success to the principles for which
the martyrs suffered," anal was followed by Mr.
Somers and Mr. C. G. Scott.

•
The Rev. P. BaElvsT•Ra, 'a a long speech, moved a
vote of thanks to Mr. Hume, and the other projectors
and contributors to the monument.

A. vote of thanks having been moved to the Chair-
man, the meeting separated at half-past eleven o'clock.

SL_kVERY.

The proceedings of the Glasg,ow Emancipation
Society, sAhich held its annual meeting on the Ist of
August, bring out one or two points of considerable
1. terest.

We notice Is ith some surprise that, after the strong
measure taken by this Society in relation to the re-
ception by the deputation of the Free Church in the
United States of slaveholder's money, the Committee
should have selectel one of this very deputation,
hose conduct they so justly (as we think) disap-
provel (the Rev. Dr. Burns, of Paisley), to move the
adoption of their report. They pave the way for his
acceptance of this post, however, by a modification of
their report on the one hand, and by giving him free-
dom of speech on the other ; so that we have at length
a public defence, by a member of the deputation, of
the course which was pursued. That portion of Dr.
I3urns's address which related to this subject we have
given entire, and our readers will be able to estimate
its worth. For ourselves, we remark principally the
Doctor's acknqsvledgment that neither_himself nor his
companion, Ur. Cunninghame, was prepared for so
complete an identification of the churches with slavery
as in some instances they found ; and that, if the Free
Church were to send another deputation, they might
find it necessary to pursue a different course. It ap-
pears that a letter has been written by the Rev. Henry,
as Moderator of the Assembly of the Free Church,
intimating that the matter had been found surrounded
with difficulties, and that it had been referred to a
Committee. We trust that the Committee will act a
wise and salutary part.
At the same meeting the fact transpired to the pub-
lic that, on board one of the vessels of the British and
North American Mail Steam Packet Company, in
July last, a gentleman of colour was excluded from
the use of the saloon during the voyage, having paid
the full fare. It is certainly no enviable notoriety
that the Acadia and Captain Judkins have obtained
for themselves, by being the first to introduce into
English ships this piece of American insolence and
inhumanity. We are glad to find that a remon-
strance, signed by twenty-one saloon passengers on
board the Acadia, has been sent to the Directors of
the Company; and we trust they will have good
sense and good feeling enough to put an immediate
step to so un-English, un-christian, and revolting a
practice.
A third point of much interest in the meeting we
are referring to, was the reference made by Mr.
George Thompson to the law for the abolition of
slavery in British India. He said he was not aware
that any slaves had actually acquired their freedom
under that law, and that measures ought to be taken
by abolition societies to induce the Government to
adopt measures for making it more fully known. We
entirely sympathise with Mr. Thompson's feelings on
this subject. The Committee of the British and Foreign
Anti-Slavery Society, in their deep anxiety in rela-
tion to it, have, on two occasions, sent out letters of
inquiry to their correspondents in India, soliciting
information ; and, from intelligence they have re-
ceived, they have reason to fear that the fact is, as
Mr. Thompson states it. It is clearly the duty of
the Goverment, to cause this important law to be
translated into the vernacular languages of India,
and to be widely diffused among the population.
And, if some measures of this kind be not promptly
and effectually taken, it will be the duty of Anti-
slavery Societies to make representations by which
attention may be drawn to the subject. The British
people can never be satisfied that a law which they
hailed with so much delight should remain a dead
letter.—Anti slavery Reporter.

[ADVERTISEIIENT.]
THE CURE OF DISEASES THE ONLY REMEDY
Let doctors trEeaOtßdQiseUaAses .
Medicine
QUACKERY.
Let ought to be
treated, they will then cure
edpiealtineentiss,
aand
simplethu s
u
put an end to all quackery.
science, which should, and can, be understood by all
persons. If Nature's laws are opposed (which it is
submitted they are, under the organic theory of the
faculty) all the learning and research in the world
will not enable doctors to cure diseases, So long
poisons * are used as medicines, and useless visits
made upon the sick, the science of medicine will not
cease from being (what it ought never to have de-
scended to), viz., a trade!! !
Issued by the British College of Heath, New-road,
London, for and on behalf of the body of Hygeista.
* Poisons have been introduced as medicines, in order
that the public should not attempt to cura their own
diseases.

GORDON CASTLE.—The Duke and Duchess of
Richmond are at present entertaining a large circle of
friends at this magnificent seat, where his Grace has
just arrived from his shooting quarters. The following
are among those who are partaking of his Grace's hos-
pitality. The Earl of Uxbridge and the Ladies Con-
stance and Eleonora Paget, the Earl of March, Lord
and Lady Templemore, Colonel Rotten, Mr. Cox, Mr.
Mr. Russell, Mr. Ricardo, fr„c. The family circle
ir.cla,des tlagf Ladies Caroline, Augusta, and Cecelia
Gordon Lswinox, and Lords George, Henry, and Alex-
under Lennox.