Baltimore commercial journal, and Lyford's price-current. [volume] (Baltimore, Md) 1840-1849, 1848-05-06

I
their position in numerical order on the common,
having arrived from their different rendezvous some
time previously.
! The numbers assembled at this time have been
variousy estimated at from 300 900 to 500 600 We
have learned that a careful estimate was formed by
several military persons Of great experience in ma
king such computations, aud they, comparing
their different calculations agreed that more than
l5,OOO persons present spectators, and as
! forming part Of the procession.
| On arriving about the centre of the common, the
carriage in which Mr.. f. O'Connor and the dele
gates were seated halted, while tina. in which the
monster petition deposited, took its station on
the south side
In few minutes after the halt had been made, an
Inspector of police approached Mr.. O'Connor and
communicated 10 that gentleman, that the police
mssioncrs desired TO confer with him. Mr.. O'Con-
nor Immediately descended from the car, and accom-
panied by Mr.. M'Grath, proceeded CD foot across
the common, in the direction Of the Horns Tavern,
where il was understood the commissioners and ma
gStrates had assembled In short time, Mr. O'Cou-
nor (wIth MIR. M'Grath) was observed vending his
way back, and his re-appearance in front Of the
was the signal for the most enthusiastic cheering.
Mr. O'Connor addressed the assemblage, at great
length, still urgently advising quiet and good order,
and the abandonment of the procession. He ended
by putting the question to vote, by show of hand
The dense mass surrounding the carriage, one
man obcyed the summons, and
Mr. O'Connor resumcd-lt appears TO me that my
voice is heard to considerable distance, and take
it for granted that all who held up their hands re-
present the feelings Of all others who present
(Cries of owe do.'') That being so, then this pc
ttion shall be taken down TO the House of Commons
by the executive committee i'll cabs, and not by pro-
ccssion, which may render you liable to be shot by
the armed forces guarding the bridges. / will
go down by myself to the house. will present and
support your petition boldly and die the floor of
that house ere ] will consent to see it abandoned.
On Friday next the discussion your petition
takes place, and cntrcat you not to jcopardisc
damage the good cause by any ntempcrancc or folly
your part. Them ask all of you who think the
executive have acted wisely and bravcly-that the
petition should be taken down by your executive
committee TO the House of Commons, and that /
your representative should go there alone, and that
by these means collision with an armed authority
shall be avoided-hold up both your hands. again
amidst loud chccrs.)
Once more bcsecch you hear and adopt the ad-
vice of your father, friend and leader II you
man breaking into shop, do not hand him over TO
the police, but knock him down. (ChccrS and laugh
tcr) And do not let it be said thievng char
fists. When you have heard the speeches which
will now be delivered by your champions, dispense
quietly but not in procession, and return to your
eral homes. But let every now take off his hat
and 10 heaven that he will not to-day violate
the law CThc crowded assembly at once answered
the appeal with much apparent devotion.) My
breath is now nearly gone, and will only say, when
desert you may God desert me-
The four large bundles forming the petition were
removed from the carriage and placed in cabs, and
taken in charge of the executive committee of the
House of Commons.
The delegates then mounted the carriage. which
was dsmantled of its trimmings and decorations, and
with its companion conveyed TO ncighborng stable
yard, and at two o'clock not than 100 persons
were 10 be seen upon the common. Many of these
consisted OF its usual occupations, boys playing at
trap ball and other games and By quarter past two
stranger to the days proceedings would never have
guessed from the appearance of the neighborhood
that any thing extraordinary had taken place.
Presentation Of the Pctition-Which took place
shortly before three O'Clock The demonstration was
not very strong alarming in its appearance. 1t
consisted simp oftwo hackney cabs containing three
members of the dcputation and the petition itself
The latter, which consisted of several very ponderouS
piles of paper, conveyed by nstamcnts into the
house, and delivered to the proper authorities
The depntataon returned Immediately on foot and
loudly checred on It's way.
The great event being brought 10 close, the crowd
began gradually to disperse, and in comparatively
short space OF time the thoroughtares clear.
portion of the police, however, remained for some
hours on the spot and in the immediate ncghborhood
The monster petition has been subjected to a scrut
ny by order of the House OF Commons, and its dimcn
sion grievousy curtailed by the ordeal See the
following report ofthe committee TO which it
ferrcd:-The committee on public petitions, &c. &c
have agreed to the following special report:
'"The hon. member for Nottingham stated. on pre-
senting the petition in question to the house, that
5706,OO0 signatures were attached 10 it. Upon
most careful examination of the number of signatures
in the committee room. in which examination thirteen
law stationers' clerks were engaged for upward OF
seventeen hours, with the person ordinarily employed
in counting the signatures appended TO petitions,
der the superintendent of the clerk of your commit
tee, the signatures had been asccraincd TO be
l975,496 (hear, hear, and loud laughtcr) 1t is fur
Their evident to your committee, that on numerous
consecutive sheets the signatures in and the
same handwriting.
''Your committee have also observed the names of
distinguished individuals attached to the petition who
cannot be supposed have concurred in its prayer and
little to have subscribed it, among such the
names of her Majesty in one place Victoria Rex
April | > the Duke of w ellington, K G.; Sir Robert
Peel, &C.
''In addition TO this species of abuse your commit
tee have observed another equally in derogation OF
the just value of petitions, namely, the insertion of
names which obviously altogether fctitious-such
No cheese pug nose,' and Flat nose,' sc.
(Roars of laughter.)
"There other words and phrases which, though
number reported, your committee will hazard Of
tending the house, and the dignity and dccency of
their own proceeding, by reporting; though, it may
be added that they obviously signatures belonging
TO no human being.
The reading of this report was followed by scene
between MIR. F. O'Connor and Mr. Cripps-formerly,
believe, of this city-a member of the committee.
Matters went to such pass between them that Mr..
OConnor was arrested by the sergeant at arms,
der the order of the speaker (having left the House.
with parting hint to Mr.. Crpps that he might con-
slider himself challenged,) but his being brought
before the House in custody, mutual explanation and
apologies were made, and the affair dropped.
"The Beginning and the End''-Many culogics
have been delivered at various times and places,
and by different orators on the death of the late