Star.
London, England, 1819-09-16 00:00:00

LANCASTER ASSIZES, SEPTEMBER 13.

(From the Morning Chronicle)
A report has prevailed here for some days, that
Mr. Bennet and Sir Francis Burdett are about to
come down in order personally to inquire into ;he
causes and consequences of the late calamity, and to
attend the approaching Inquest upon ti. Jeadi of
John Lees, on which the fullest evidence may be ad-
duced, if the Coroner allows it, to illustrate the cha- '
racter of the whole proceeding, and the conduct of the
People, as well as that of the Magistrates anti Ye° maory
This day, at the New Bailey, a charge was made
agains. a Mr. Joseph Fletcher, ,a shop-keeper, at the
New-cross, for violently assaulting a female, the wife
of a publican, who was acting also in the capacity of
a Watch and Ward man, on the evening of Wednes-
day last. It appeared that a number of boys had
collected about his shop early in the evening, about
half-past seven ; these meetings raised some appre-
hensions in his breast, as his windows have been
broken since the memorable 16th August, in conse-
quence of some words either actually spoken by Mrs.
Fletcher, or alleged to have been spoken by her, and
which, if true, were well calculated to stir up the ire
of the people ; but from what we can learn, it does
not appear from any good authority that such words
were spoken. But, to this day'sbusiness :—A number
of witnesses were in attendance to prove the assault
committed by him upon a Mrs. Ball, the landlady of
the Red Lion Inn, in Church-street, who, it was sta-
Ited, was so much injured, as to be incapable of then
attending. Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Sykes, two con:
stables, with a party of soldiers, about 12 in number,
it appeared, took upon themselves the authority of
going into all the public-houses in the neighbourhood,
although only nine o'clock, and insisted upon the
whole of them being instantly cleared. The female
in question remonstrated with them upoa this unjus-
tifiable intrusion, observing that ten was the hour for,
closing the doors ; and that the company was peace-
able and orderly. This not satisfying Mr. Fletcher,
who, confident in his strength, against such remon-
strance, most violently assaulted her; and she is at •
present quite incapable of attending to business.
This closed the evidence against Mr. Fletcher, on
which Mr. NORRIS observed—i, Mr. Fletcher; it ap-
pears to me that in this case you have acted with
some degree of imprudence and precipitancy in call-
ing out the Military of your own accord, when the
Civil Power, if there had been a necessity for it, was
fully competent to keep peace, and more particularly
at so early an hour, when you yourself knew that the
division of Watch and Ward would be out on duty a•-.
ten o'clock. It is true, you have been delicately and
seriously situated for many days together, when
mobs have surrounded your premises, and I do feel
for your situation and mind on those occasions. But
in this instance I must observe, that there appears
from the evidence a stretch of power on your part,
and do recommend yon in future, situated as you
are, not on any occasion to call out the Military
yourself ; but to turn your thoughts to the protection
of your own house, and that too by the most effec-
tual means in your power. With respect to the as-
sault, it certainly appears to me, that it it is the wish
of the psrties, there 4 sufficient evidence to bind you
over to the Session."
The people of Manchester, who really witnessed the
late transaction in all its parts, are afraid to publish
any thing here respecting it, lest they should expose
themselves to the revenge of lutal power. But I
am glad to perceive that this apprehension begins to
disappear. From the sympathy which the country
in general expresses, and the support promised by
men of consideration, whose numbers will, I hope,
increase, even the most timid and desponding ap-
pear now to calculate upon the attainment of justice,
and venture to speak out. Hence new facts are
daily disclosed, and the cases of those, whose suf-
fering was studiously concealed some time ago by
their friends, lest publicity should only serve to
aggravate their condition, are crowding upon the
Agents employed to collect facts, and to seek re-
dress. But when I speak of the timid or desponding,
let it not be understood, that I mean at all to apply
those characteristics to any part of the young and
healthy. population of this country ; for they do not
appear in the slightest degree daunted or depressed.
On the contrary, indeed, the violent attack and cala-
mitous result of the 16th ult. seem only, in their
minds, to haie added the stimulus of resentment to
the other motives which prompt them to struggle
for the objects which they deem desirable to relieve
themselves and to serve 'the country. These objects
are—adequate employment for their industry, due
reward for their labour, and a material diminution
of taxes ; and they are impressed with the idea, that
such objects are attainable only through the medium
of Parliamentary Reform. Hence the establishment
of that measure is the great desideratum among them.ll
There is, I perceive, a great deal of al politic know-
ledge circulated, in this country. The yeomen or
agriculturists are ignorant, and consequently inat-1
tensive to political discussicni ; but. the Manufac-
turers are generally well informed, and ardently so-
licitous for the assertion of their constitutional rights.
—.Manchester and its vicinity contain a population ofl
about 120,000, and from all that I can learn, I am
led to believe that 100,000 of that number are not
satisfied with things as they are. But the same de-
gree of dissatisfaction extends to all the Manufac-
turing Districts in this quarter of the Itingdom, andl
something must be done to allay their discontent.-1
It is.absurd to speak with disdain of the intelligence
of these men, or with indifference of their power.—
They know very well what they have a right to de-
mand, and they seem resolutely bent to persevere in
the pursuit Of it. But Ido not find that Universal
Suffrage and Annual Parliaments are so much de-
sired among them as some politicians profess,to think ;
and my opinion upon this subject is not to be influ-
enced by those banners or flags which may be fabri-
cated by a few and unnoticed by the many. I sin-
cerely believe that a reasonable abridgment of the
duration of Parliaments, with an extension of the
right of voting to householders, would satisfy the
bulk of the people in this country. For the great bulk
of the operative manufacturers are householders, and
the wish they generally express is, to have the House
of Commons so amenable to the will of the People,
tllat it shall be comßellable to consult their wishes
and promote their interests, instead of imposing three
lithfe,eamtaasspe-of
rindmthipcih`pe
people
,yarefarroe
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doefnececoecimsarlooyniestnefoodonft,.

MR. PUNT'S LETTER TO THE DUKE OF YORK
Mr. Serjeant Cnoss this morning moved for a
Rule to shew cause why a Nonsuit should not be en-
tered in the case ‘. Hayes v. Barret," which had been
tried on Saturday last, and which was an action
against a Constable for taking up a person hawking,
a printed paper in Bolton. There could be no check
to the boundless circulation of sedition and blasphe.:
my, and no protection for the morals 'and royalty of
the subjects, without giving to Contables the powet
4 arresting such hawkers. • With respect to the Act
for licensing hawkers cif that disCription (a most im-
portant and salutary statute), he hid been unprepar.,
ed on Saturday to answer the objections started, be.
cause h' had had his brief but a few hours ; but upon
referring to the Act 29th of George 111. c. '26, s. 21,
it would be found that all printed papers came within
the provi;ions of the Act.
Mr. Justice &vat:lr.—But that Act gives no power
to imprison for 24 hours.
Mr. Seileant Cnosa.;---lslo, my Lord ; but if the
person arrested is brought before a Magistrate within
a reasonable time, there is no violation. Unfortu-
nately there are no Magistrates at Bolton ; and the
Constable could not neglect other important duties.
to go at once several miles to a Justiceuf the Peace.
He went as soon as could be reasonably required.
Mr. Justice BAYLIM—But he had no right to seisie
and keep all papers which he found upon him.
Mr. Serjeant Citoss.—Yes, my Lord, he takes that
as he takes a weapon.
Mr. WILLIAIM—And judges, too, that it is a libel,
which we do not allow: It Lawyers differ upon the
subject, shall a Conitable be allovied •to decide. it
at once?
Mr. Serjeant Cnoss.—We are not to argue it now.
Lawyers differ Whether an alleged burglary be so or
not, yet a constable apprehends for.a burglary.
M-. Justice BATLIY.-1 am of opinion that this is
not a libel. A letter, written, not perhaiis in re=
spectful terms, receives an attentive and considerate

answer.
Mr. Serjeant Citoss.—ls it not a libel to cat a
regiment a set of eowardi?
Mr. Justice BAYLEY.—' The language is improper;
but the letter received a proper and considerate an•
swer. However, the shorter way is to grant the rule.
Rule granted to shew cause in town. •
Mr. Baron WOOD has signed the Calendar, and left
for eiecution James Hapn and Dennis M'Coy for
burglary, and Thomas Price for highway robbery.—
Price was one of a gang who most violently assault-
ed and robbed Thomas Steadman on the highway at
Manchester. Steadman stated, that upon being
struck he thought his eyes had started out of his
head. He was insensible when his watch was taken
out of his fob. Price was afterwards apprehended,
and ultimately convicted, by means of the watch and
seal, which he had the hardihood to pawn, although
the watch-c ise had " Steadman" distinctly engraved
outside.

LETTERS FROM MR. HUNT.

3, Wych-street, Strand, Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1819.
Siam-Will you do me the favour to communicate to the Com-
mittee of Management for conducting me into the Metropolis
yesterday my very sincere and grateful chunks for their exertiops
and zeal upon this most important occasi .n. Although I felt
some uneasiness, in the first instance, at the length of road it bad
to traverse, yet I am perfectly convinced now, that it would bIIMR.
Deco unfair upon the hllee t•ken any other course dean
that which was first acreed upon. Ih we declined to have altry
communication with a part of the Committee this morning, in
consequence of a Paper they sent me, sigacil by eve or six Ma.
viduals, appearing to promote some personal altercation, which
I am determined by every possible means to avoid.
To Mr. William Evans. H. HUNT.
WYTCub4esdlrae,
ye:l tt
hr asnedp.tlLondonit
9.
MY maw Sta—Will you do me the favour to communicate to
those Gentlemen who deputed you to wait upon me with an in-
vitation to attend your Public Meeting, to be held on Brandon
Hill, to express the feelings of the People of Bristol upon the
conduct of the Magistrates and Yeomanry at Manchester on the
16th ultimo, that although I am fully sensible of the honour they
have done me, yet it is impossible for use to accept their invita-
tion, as my time is now, and shall be continually, occupied in
the endeavour to bring the authors and perpetrators of the cruel
and cowardly committed upon the peaceable men,
women, and children at the Meeting it Manchester to justice;
and unless the whole People of England join in heart, hand, and
pocket in doing this, their property, their lives, and their liber-
ties will be from henceforth laid prostrate at the feet of a Mili-
tary riespotisns. I am, dear Sir, yours sincerely,
(Signed) H. HUNT.
To Mr. Thomas Williams, Bristol.
Mr. 110k11. has written similar Answers to Birmingham, Leeds,
and various other pieces, where he has been invited to attend
Public 'Meetings.
The following is an extract of a Letter from Bk•
mingham to H/111R1i. Hum', Esq.
Birmingham, September 10.
SIR—I have the honour of forwarding to yon, in my official
capacity, as Chairman to tlii Birmingham Union Society, the
folleviing Vote of Thanks, unanimously passed by a very large
Assenly, ,heir Rooms: '►' t‘ September 7, 1819.
" Resolved, That the Members of the Birmingham Union Se.
ciety do return their most sincere Thanks to Henry Hunt, Rm.
for his' noble conduct in resisting the oppression of the Magis-
trates of Manchester, and boldly advocating the rights of his ine
jured country." I am, Sir, your humble servant,
(Signed) CHP.RLES WHITWORTH,.
Argus Office, us, Bull-street.

Minority in the Court of Common Council, on the
motion for an Address to his Royal Highness the
PRINCit REGENT, on the late proceedings at Man-

cheater :
ALZ)Mirli-Sir W. Curtis, Sir W. ghton, Sir Charles
Flower, Scholey, Bridges, Rothwell, Bloiam.
Comwom Courictimen—H. Jackson, Aldgate ; D. Bfitfoll,
Bas,ii,bavr ; A. Brown, Hearsey, Billingsgate ; T. Siunders,
Deal,. Bridge ; T. Gibson, B. Blakesly, J. Croker, J. Bate, W.
Mathie, Bread-street ;J. Jacks, C. Chapman, Cornhill ;J.
James, R. Brook, R. Jennings F.. Fenning, T. A. Loxley, W.
E. Smith, Cheapi J. West, eoleman-atrtet ; J.
Welch, Can-
dlewick ; J. Hammond, W. Row, R. Abbey, C.rdwai a s, J.
Saunders, Dept. J. E. Saunders, Dowgate; J. Dyster, Lime-
street; R. Elliott, T. Ayres, R. Dixon, B. Stuobii.g, Lan,-
bourn; M. P. Lucas, P. Skipper, R. Smith, S. Dixon, Tower ;
T. Conway, Vintry;-T. Hall, W. Woodward, and -- 6itolas,
Waibrook. •

Letters from Cori
few days upwards
thence to settle at
PALMER is appoint
for the District in
The Dublin Papers
with respect to treble.
The POPE'S Treasurer
This personage has',
mouths, and visited
in high life. His
of WELLINGTON,

i

---- ,
)rk state, that in the course of a i r 1
s of 1000 persons will sail from
at the Cape of Good llope. Mr.
ited by Government as Magistrate
which those persons are to reside.
kpers take no notice of the reports
ebliug the guards at the Castle.
easurer has just embarked for Iralr.. t.
f.l
Ls been over in this country for mar y
_ll 4 , 1
:ed many of the leading characters 11
i last interview was Kith the Duke _
.
at Strathfieldsay. ;
a
_ -- .