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REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS…
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF INQUIRY ON THE RE- BECCA RIOTS IN WALES. THE first, and most elaborate portion of this Report, is devoted to the whole system of Turnpike Trusts, in the dis- turbed districts but also treats of "Tithes," Poor Laws," and County Rate." The inquiry commenced at Carmarthen, was transferred to I Haverfordwest, and thence, successively, to the counties of Cardigan and Radnor, and fina!ly concluded in Glamor- g nshire, "The chief grounds flf coPlplaint were the mismanagement of the funds applicable to Turnpike Roads ;-the frequency and the nmount of payment of tolls,—the vexatious conduct of toll-collectors, and the illegal demands made by them the increase in the amount payable for Tithe under the Tithe Commutation Act, the unequal distribution of the rent charges, and the variable payments fluctuating with the average prices of corn. The operation of the Poor Law Amendment Act principally (though not exclusively), on account of the high salaries of the officers, and the operation of the bastardy clause: the administration of justice by the heal magistrates, and, especially, the amount of fees paid to t 'eir clerks, and the progressive increase of the county rate, and the cost and difficulty of recovering small debts." It appears that previous to the outbreak, a succession of wet and unproductive harvests had reduced the capital of the farmers, and forced them to purchase the bread consumed in their families and that the sale of stock and other produce of their farms, from the depression of prices, scarcely enabled them to make good the various payments to which they were liable. At the same time the pressure of the turnpike tolls had been increased, not only by the erection of additional gates, but by a more stringent mode of collection. The first outbreak arose as follows :— 44 In 1839, some people from England for the first time, gave intimation that if certain new gates were erected on roads where there was considerable lime and culm traffic, they might be induced to farm the tolls at a higher rate than had been previously obtained. Their proposition was ac- cepted, the tolls were let to Mr. Bullin, an extensive toll- contractor, and four new gates were erected. But the coun- try people, thinking it wrong that the trustees should take toll where they had incurred no expenditure, assembled in the midst of summer, about six o'clock, and those gates were pulled down amidst all sorts of noise and disturbance, and great jollity, and were destroyed without the interference of anybody." I do not think," said Mr. Evans, the clerk of the trust, they were a week standing. The trustees gave notice of their intention to re-erect the gates. A meeting was held for the purpose at St. Clears, but at that meeting a number (from 30 to 40, as it is said) of the leading Mnris- trates of Carmarthen, qualified to act as trustees, and tney decided by a large majority, that the gates should not be re-erected." 44 This act of the Magistrates gave great satisfaction to the country for a time, but it strengthened the hands of the dis- contented, and in some measure prepared them for further violence. The Trustees continued to call upon the parishes to repair the roads without laying out anything upon them themselves, though the income of the trust amounted to £.500 a year, which made the matter more galling." The following extracts from the first division of the reports, will illustrate almost every form of toll-gate oppression. We know no reason why the trustees should not, if they thought fit, in virtue of the large and lavish powers com- mitted to them, establish a gate and demand a toll at intervals of 100 yards each throughout the county of Carmarthen." The perplexity and pressure which are produced by the entanglement of these trusts have been still further aggra- vated by the relative position of other contiguous trusts. There are, for instance, five different trusts leading into the town of Carmarthen, and it was stated by the clerk of one of them, that any one passing through the town in a particular direction would have to pay at three turnpike-gates in a distance of three miles." In carrying out the provisions of their respective acts, the trustees are under little or no control. They interpret the law, and act upon it, very much as they think fit, and there is no appeal from their decision." The trustees, as we are informed by Colonel Rice Trevor, put up a new gate, called the Mermaid-gate. It was leased with others, but by some oversight the trustees omitted to direct that a payment at this gate should free the gate five miles off at Carmarthen. Discontent was created, and the gate was five times in succession pulled down by a lawless mob." After entering much in detail into particular instances of illegality, or irregularity, the Commissioners proceed to state that— We are persuaded that the time is come when Parlia- ment, without waiting for the expiration of these acts, is called upon to exercise the power which it possesses of re- vising their provisions. We think it is apparent, from the statements we have already made, that the powers contained in these acts are of too large and unlimited a character that the persons to whom the execution of them has been en- trusted have been subjected to too little control; that the duties confided to them have been, on some occasions injudi- ciously, on others carelessly and negligently administered and that instances have occurred in which these important powers have been still less excusably carried into effect." With respect to raising money for the use of Turnpike trusts, they at once throw overboard the idea of Government advancing funds for that purpose, and "suggest, after long and careful deliberation on the subject, that those persons whose property has been benefited and permanently increased in value by the roads which have been constructed, should take upon themselves to provide a security by the aid of which the money may be raised for the redemption and ultimate extinction of the debt on each trust. The most expedient course appears to us to be, that an annuity of 50 years should be created by the Government, and that the money, borrowed at the lowest rate of interest, should be applied to the redemption of the debt in each trust, at a fair assessment of its value." It appears to us to be desirable to repeal, with respect to South Wales, all the laws, both general and local, which now exist for the regulation of turnpike roads and, after a careful re-examination of the provisions of each clause in the General Turnpike Acts, toTe-enact such portions of them as may be deemed useful and applicable to that district, and to introduce, with respect to eacli county taken separately, such special and local provisions as may be suited to its position and circumstances. The board of trustees as they are now constituted, are liable'to the imputation of acting from partial and self-interested motives, and charees of that nature are frequently brought against them. W e can suggest no cor- rective to this evil more effective than that of placing all the trusts in each county under one general executive. A super- intending board, which should sit in the county town, aided by district Boards, which should be established in different parts of each county, might direct the administration of the consolidated trusts. The chief board should consist of a certain number of landed proprietors, to be selected in such a manner as, on a careful examination of the subject, might hereafter be deemed advisable. "We think it highly expedient that a superintending engineer (or more than one, if required) should be appointed for the six counties of South Wales, who should be charged with the duty of ascertaining that the money arising from the toDs was both collected and expended in strict conformity with the provisions of the act of Parliament; he should be required, also, to give a general superintendence to the management of the roads as conducted by the surveyors employed in each county, and to see that the repairs were executed on correct as well as economical principles to give plans and estimates of any new works which any of the superintending boards might be desirous of adopting and to examine and audit periodically the accounts of income and expenditure. The engineer should be entitled to sit and vote both at the general board and the district boards. The ap- pointment of this officer should, we think, be made by the Board of Ordnance, and he should, in the case of inefficiency or misconduct, be removable by that board and when it is considered that a large annual sum is saved to the Govern- ment in the cost of transporting the letters by the exemption of mail-coaches from toll, it may, we think, not unreasonably be expected by the inhabitants of South Wales that the salary of this officer should be charged to the Ordnance Department." It appears to us to be expedient that, as a general rule, a toll should not be paid oftener than once in seven or eight miles in the same county. The inconvenience which might still arise from the contiguity of the gates in different trusts on the confines of two counties should be obviated by pro- viding that such gates should reciprocally clear each other within a definite, but shorter, distance. The rate of toll, ought, we think, in no case to exceed 6d. for a horse drawing a carriage on springs 4d. for a horse drawing a cart or waggon, or 2d. if laden with lime; and 1 jd. on a horse when ridden." It is expedient also, that one uniform rate of toll should he demanded on carts and wagons, without reference to the width of the wheels." We abstain from entering into an examination of the probable saving of expense in the repair of roads which might result'from the use of broad wheels it is sufficient to say that the system, so far as South Wales is concerned, has been tried and failed. It is practically inapplicable to far the greater part of that district: the farmers' horses are not strong enough to draw the cumbrous wagons and carts on broad wheels, which are to a certain extent in use in parts of England. The farmers are too poor to employ on the roads any other carts and wagons tnan those which they use on their farms, and these must be so constructed as to enable them to pass along the narrow rugged lanes and hollow ways which abound in these mountainous districts." PEMBROKESHIRE TRUSTS. The TftTemspite Trust is the most considerable of the four Trusts in the pountv of Pembroke it is, in fact, a continual tion of the Main Trust in Carmarthenshire, and carries on the communication through Haverfordwest to Milford, and by another branch to Hobbs Point, which is the place of em- barkation for the Waterford packets in Milford Haven. This Trust was in a solvent and prosperous condition until the trustees were induced to undertake the construction of the road to Hobbs Point according to Mr. Telford's plan. There existed,, at the time, an expectation of a large receipt from the tolls to be collected from the travellers to and from Ireland. Money was borrowed for the purpose of making the road, partly from individuals, and partly from the Exchequer Loan Commissioners. Two sums were obtained from the latter source one, amounting to tl,000, has been reduced by annual repayments, to S400 the other, amounting to jCl.lOO, is provided for by the Post-e&ce, in the same way that a loaa of the same kind has been dealt with on the Main Trust in Carmarthenshire. This road, though it forms an important line of communication to the Dock Yard, is oflittle avail with reference to the object for which it was constructed. The passengers to the south oflreland are chiefly carried in steam vessels from Bristol. The greater number of those who land at Hobbs Point are carried onwards in the mail-coach toll- free, and the cost of sustaining the road remains almost an uncompensated burthen on the Trust. There are 62 miles of road on which are 14 gates and one bar. Only one of these has been the subject of complaint. The Canaston gate, as weare informed by the clerk, was I plaeed near the confines of the Trust. "The Whitland Trust joins nt Robeston-Wathen. A' p&rty going in one direction had fiist to pay Whitland gate, then Canaston gate, J and in a short distance another so that they had to pay three gates within a mile and a quarter. This was complain- ed of, and the gate was directed to be taken down." It is worthy of notice that, in making a reduction of the toll, the trustees proceeded with perfect regularity and pro- cured, as required by the statute, the consent of five-sixths of the tally-holders. The bonded debt amounts to £ 7,100, bearing interest at 5 per cent., together with .61,850, at four per cent and this charge upon the funds of the Trust, when added to the loan of the Exchequer Board, appears, for the present, to absorb the whole of the income arising from the tolls. £2;5 was borrowed in 1842, not for any new im- provement, but for the ordinary surface repairs, and though the tolls were let for £ 1,309, the two parishes of Slebech and Uzmaston were called upon to contribute to the Trust funds a rate amounting to X20 per mile, for the repair of the turnpike-roads within their respective limits. It is due, however, to the directors of this Trust to say, that in levying this money they have strictly conformed to the provisions of the 4th and 5th Victoria, c. 59. Pembroke Ferry Trust consists of eight miles of road lying between Haverfordwest and the upper end of Milford Haven. Its affairs appear to have been at one time most negligently administered. On an original debt of £1,000 almost an equal amount of interest had been left unpaid and in this case, as in some others, we found that some creditors had been paid all the interest due to them, whilst others had 20 years' arrear of interest due. A neighbouring magistrate qualified as a trustee about eight years ago it appears that under his superintendence the arrear'of interest has been equalised, and has been reduced to £ 770. The debt appears to be held by the principal landholders in the district, who were willing that the payment of their interest should be postponed, and the money laid out in the repair of the road. Tnere are two gates on this road, both of which were pulled down, and one only was restored at the time of our enquiry. The tolls had been let for X I I I per annum, but there seemed to be no hope that so large a sum could continue to be received. It is evident, however, from the spirit in which the trust is managed, that the roads would not be suffered to go to decay. Milford Trust consists of 7J miles of road lying between that town and IIaverfordwest. When the packet station, and the government yard for building ships were at Milford, Mr. Greville obtained an act of parliament, and procured funds for making the road, which was an object of import- ance to his property and the town. All the tallies (with one exception) are now his own on a debt amounting to £ 1788. On this debt an arrear of interest has been suffered to accrue, now stated to be not less than £ 2,818. No hope appears to be entertained that the arrear can ever be paid. The tolls, which amounted to, XZM in. 1842, sufficed to pay the current interest, and to.<ud the parishes in maintaining the road. The farmers draw tho stones, and are allowed to deduct from their parish rates as much as repays them for their work at the rate of six shillings a day for a cart and three horses. An arrangement, which is found in these districts to be con- venient, though it is altogether without the sanction of the law, the hemptiorffrom toll of all agricultural produce with- out exception, and an abatement of it upon lime, have pro- duced, nevertheless, such a feeling with reference to the gates, that, as we are informed by Mr. Leach, the chairman of Quarter Sessions, "no suspicion has ever existed of any intention to destroy them." This trust has the air of a pri- vate rather than a public concern. Its affairs seem to be ad- ministered in a kindly spirit towards all those who are in any way concerned in the road. Fishguard Trust presents itself to notice under altogether a different aspect. It has been found impossible, notwith- standing the persevering exertions of a newly-appointed clerk, to unravel or explain the by-gone proceedings of the Trust. There remains, however, sufficient evidence to show i that the powers confided by Parliament to the trustees have been both neglected and abused. The original act passed in 1791 between that year and 1803 a debt was incurred amounting to £ 1,885; the money was expended partly in widening and improving an old, and partly, as it would ap- pear, in constructing a new branch, which has been since m a great measure abandoned by the Trust. The money so borrowed appears to have been paid into the hands of indi- vidual trustees, and by thorn expended, though there is no evidence of its ever having been accounted for by any of them; that it was laid out partially, and with a view to the personal interest of the individual into whose hands it was placed, appears by the evidence of the clerk. It was shown that individual trustees had the receipt of the tolls of the most productive gates, and the outlay of them on the road. What they received does not appear, nor what they paid. All that is known is that one of tnem was both a trustee and a mortgagee. Under such management the interest on the debt was not paid a large arrear accumula- ted, and in 1812, under colour of the powers of a renewed act, the trustees converted the arrear of interest into a debt bear- ing 5 per cent. interest; but in doing so they included, in the sum for which the tallies were issued, interest which had not actually become due they accepted an assignment of three or four years' interest thereafter to become due, and adding the two sums together, issued securities for the amount. It was alleged that under this arrangement "they paid interest upon interest, and that interest not due." Of the debt thus created, amounting altogether to no less a sum than £1,600, far the larger part passed into the hands of the clerk of the Trust whose widow is now a claimant, at least, if not an admitted creditor of the Trust, for £ 1,200. A part of this claim arises from a tally issued in 1815, under circumstances so pecnliar, that we refer to the evidence of the clerk for the only explanation which could be obtained of the transaction. A deputation of farmersTesiding near Fishguard laid before us the complaints of theneighbourhood, as to abuses which had prevailed in this Trust.' They disputed the legal right of the trustees to fund the arrear of interest they prayed that the Trust might be discharged from that illegal burthen that the money paid to parties as the interest due on the tallies, which they held to have been illegally granted, might be recovered and in that case, they express their willingness to pay off by subscription the remainder of the debt, so as to get nd of the existing Trust, and place everything on a new footing. As matters now stand, all the evils produced by4he neg- lect and mismanagement of the trustees fell on the persons living in the district through which the road passes. From them mainly are to be collected sufficient tolls to pay the interest of the debt, however incurred. By them, too, are the roads to be maintained, inasmuch as little or nothing either has been or is likely to be expended upon them by the trustees. The publicity which has of late years been required by law to be given to all Trust accounts had not, up to the time of our inquiry, succeeded in obtaining such an account as would show the real state of the finances of this Trust. The trea- surer debited the Trust annually with the whole amount of the interest as it became due, but the money remained in his own hands until the interest was called for by the respective creditors. It appeared that nine year's interest, due to Lord Cawdor, had remained in the treasurer's hands, though it was annually set forth in the account returned to the secretary of state, that all the interest had been duly paid the fact being that the interest had been paid to the treasurer, but not to all the persons to whom it was due. (T& be continued.) V: »
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. CContinued from our last page.) HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1844. Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from some female workers in mines in Lanarkshire, against the Mines and Collieries Act, and availed himself of the occasion to deliver himself of a most emphatic and characteristic speech against the principle of interfering with the hoars of labour by legis- lative enactment. TUESDAY, MARCH 26. Their lordships went into Committee on the Ecelesia, al Courts bill. On the eighth clause, which provides for "e perpetuation of the Diocesan Courts, Lord COTTENHAM moved that it do not stand part of the bill. The L JRD CHANCELLOR supported the clause. After discussion, the committee divided, and the clause was carried by a majority of 27, the numbers being, 47 for the clause, and 20 against it. The bill ultimately went through committee. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY, MARCH 25. The discussion on the Factories Bill was again resumed. In reference to the limitation clause, Sir J. Graham said, in consequence of the confusion into which the matter had been thrown by the contradictory decision the house came to last week, there were only three practicable courses left. The first, to take eleven hours as a medium between ten and twelve the second to abandon the measure altogether and the third to introduce a new bill. The last was that which he preferred, and he would give the house until Friday to consider of its decision. The government, however, he announced, would not include in it any limitation less than 12 hours. Lord ASHLEY called upon the house to adhere to its for- mer decision in his favour. Lord HOWICK hoped the house would, on Friday, resist the discharge of the order for proceeding with the present bill, and advised Lord Ashley to adhere to it as it stood. After a long discussion on the principles which Lord Ashley's amendment involved, the order of the day was postponed until Friday. After some other business the house adjourned. TUESDAY, MARCH 26. Col. WOOD (Brecon,) obtained leave to bring in a bill to exempt lime from toll conveyed on any turnpike road within the Principality of Wales, the government intimating that, although they yielded to the courtesy of permitting the in-, troduction of the bill, they did not sanction its principle, Mr. II UTT moved that the house resolve itself into com- mittee to consider a resolution—that it is expedient that corn; imported into the United Kingdom from the British posses- sions in South Africa, India, and Australasia, be subject to; the same duty levied on Corn imported from Canada, and urged the claims of the other colonies to a privilege similir to that conferred on Canada, and pointed out the capabilities of Australia for growing wheat. Mr. MANGLES seconded the motion. Mr. GLADSTONE complimented Mr. HUTT on the tone of his speech and the soundness of his views generally, but denied that he had made out a case for interference. Mr. LABOUCHERE said the claim preferred for the colonies ought not to be rejected they were all entitled to equal justice. Lord STANLEY would resist a proposal which he thought would disturb the whole arrangement of the Corn-laws for no substantial purpose. Mr. HAWES and Mr. EWART addressed the house Mr. HUTT replied, and the house divided, nagativing the motion by 117 to 47. Sir GEORGE STAUNTON moved for a committee of the whole house to consider an address to the Crown in favor of the widow and family of the late Dr. Morrison. Sir R. PEEL admitted the great services of Dr. Morrison, but lamented the difficulty of acceding to the proposal, which Sir G. STAUNTON stid he would not press to a division, and it was ultimately withdrawn. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27. Lord SANDON expressed a wish that the noble lord near him (Lord Ashley) would state what course he intended to take in reference to the Factory bill on Friday evening. Lord ASHLEY said it was not his intention on Friday to offer any opposition to the motion to be proposed by her Majesty's ministers, for the discharge from the paper of the order for going into committee on the Factories bill. He knew that in deciding upon this course he was surrendering many advantages which he had already obtained. But he felt that it was his duty, when he could do so conscien- tiously, to consult the convenience of the house and of her Majesty's government. He took this step with the fall un- derstanding that the government would introduce another bill, and take another discussion upon it as soon as possible after Easter. (Hear, hear.) Sir J. GRAHAM said, on Friday he should move that the order of the day for resuming the committee on the Factories bill be read that day six months, with a view to its discharge, and should also move for leave to bring in a bill to alter the existing law relating to factories after that motion had been agreed to, he should move that the bill be read a first time on that evening, and printed, and then fix the second reading for an early day after Easter. (Hear, hear.) Sir J. GRAHAM gave notice that he would, on Friday, move for leave to bring in a bill to regulate county courts in England and Wales. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the house adjourned at 20 minutes before six o'clock.
TO CORRESPONDENTS.
TO CORRESPONDENTS. W. P." and several other communications have been re- ceived but in consequence of a great press of matter, cannot be inserted until next week.
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THE defeat of the Government on the Factory question, followed by the defeat of Lord Ashley's amendment, has induced such a thinking and won- dering through the country, and has raised all parties to such a pitch of excitement, as nothing but the state prosecutions could compete with. One of the most wonderful things connected with this wonderful affair, is the tone of the Radical press, in commenting on the motion for restricting the hours of labour in the Factories. If ever the other party might hope to get a good word from the out- and-outers, one would think it would be at a time when so popular a measure was in course, of can- vassing. It would seem as if those senseless and selfish beings were beginning to have a measure of our common humanity infused into their system, and had really begun to think that the lives, and health, and comforts, of poor people, were yet worth caring for. Not so it is all of a piece with Tory mis- government. "Now they are going to meddle with the poor man's only property-his time. They are going to tell him that though he must: get his bread by the sweat of his brow, that beyond a certain time he shall not have the privilege of doing even that. His industry is to be broken in upon; and under pretence of lightening his labour, they are, in fact, robbing him of his hard-earned gettings for if the Legisla- ture curtail his hours, the master will take the liberty of curtailing his wages. The poor shall not have cheap corn; the poor shall not have cheap sugar; but they shall have so many hours the less to work,, and so many mouthfuls the less to eat. On the whole it is difficult to say, whetberTory cruelty or Tory kindness is most to be dreaded." Verily, you liberal gentlemen are hard to please. Had the measure emanated from Lord John tlussel, and been opposed by Lord Ashley, and stretched at its (u,ll length by the Conservatives, as an ob- noxious and impolitic interference with commerce, and a vain, though plausible scheme for ameliorating the condition of the labouring classes,—what then would you, the friends of the poor, their only refuge from oppression, the men to whom alone they have to look in their misery and degradation-what would you say about it 1 What language would you find, and what terms would you invent, to set this grind- ing tyranny before the world in something like its proper character ? The question is withal somewhat delicate in its nature, and widely different conclusions may be arrived at by parties who have perfect sincerity in grappling with the details. If the objects on whose behalf the motion is introduced, are over-worked, so are thousands and tens of thousands in other branches of labour, commercial and agricultural. If the term gri of labour be restricted, can it be guaranteed that the present wages will be continued 1 or shall the ope- rative find that legislative benevolence has deprived, him of a portion of his wages, and enacted a law which prevents him from returning to his former circumstances ? Is it, again, congenial with the free constitution of England, to impose this galling sur- veillance on the transactions of master and labourer ? and to what state of things may we not look forward if Government is to be poking itself into all the minutiae of commercial affairs, and undertaking to say how, and on what conditions, such and such branches of business shall be carried onl Perhaps it will generally be found that the more closely a measure of this nature appeals to the broad sense of a nation, the greater number of plausible and ingenious objections can be raised to combat it. And when a thousand such objections are heaped upon it, it still stands out to the calm eye of unpre- judiced reason, as worthy of being advocated as ever. The statements brought to bear upon the question at issue, unfold a scene of toil, and wretchedness, and disease, with all their concomitant evils, which must sicken and disgust every one. We have abolished slavery abroad, and we maintain it ni home. We talk about blockading the coast of Africa, and in the purlieus of our own cities we have thousands upon thousands whose every earthly com- fort is sacrified to swell the coffers of men who amass their millions, and roll in their splendid carriages, caring as little for the beings by whose blood and tears their fortunes are made, as if they were creatures of another species. To say that Government cannot interfere with this, is to say that such a state of things must go on, and that it may be continued for any time, though the slavery were worse, and the wages less; it proves too much by far, and therefore proves nothing. To say that the labourers may choose it or refuse it, is mere idling for if they have no alternative but such labour or downright starvation, what choice there can be is not easily seen. The interference of. Government, therefore, can never infringe on the perfect freedom of a constitu- tion when such interference has no other object than the reniedy of great and crying public evils which otherwise will not oe remedied. The most serious consideration in the matter is, unquestionably, whe- ther such restriction of working hours will be at- tended with a corresponding diminution of wages. That such an effect would follow, as far as the graspiiig avarice of the manufacturer is concerned, might be probable enough, for though it is easily said that wages are already so low that they can now be no lower; it is not very easy to draw the line that divides the bare possibility of existence from that which would be absolute famine. The very mortifi- cation of fijidirlg "himself under the control of the legislature'in this particular, would induce many a millocrat to revenge himself on those who depend on him for daily bread., But if the principle be recognisf^Lthat the labourer is worthy of his hire, it is in the power of Government to prevent any such consequence from following unless, indeed, it can be shown that on no other plan but the present, can the mill-owner stand against foreign competition-in that case-the question would be settled at once, and should never have been mooted. Silly in the extreme does it also appear to us, to talk about the same evils existing in other quarters, which evils cannot be avoided, and yet as fairly demand consideration as the case of the opera- tives in manufacturing districts. Sir Robert is almost frightened out of his wits to think what a job lies before him if he begins the work of reformation in this department. He is afraid to grapple with the whole and if he shew favour to the factory labourers, then he may be blown up by the glass- blowers on the one hand, or torn to pieces by the stay-makers on the other. Why, if other branches cannot be meddled with, there is in reality no parallelism in the cases; we have to do with that only which can be remedied. And if the protection intended for the one, may and ought to be procured for the whole, must we be thrown back on this philo- sophy, that to make a beginning is of no use, because as yet we can hardly see where the end will be 1 We hope Lord Ashley will be faithful to his decla- ration, never to give it up; reason, justice, and mercy are on his side. It is morally right; and whatever temporary considerations of expediency may be started in opposition, it will still stand good, that what is morally right can never be politically wrong.
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The following is a copy of an answer to a letter from the magistrates of the borough, and received a few days ago by the mayor:— Cardigan, March 23rd, 1844. 44 Sir,—I beg you will convey to your brother magistrates of the ancient and hospitable town of Hiiverfordwest, and its neighbourhood, that it afforded me the greatest possible satisfaction to' receive thrpugh you, the very flattering testi- mony of their approbation. My brother officers, as well as myself, will, I am convinced, feel highly gratified by this ex- pression of your good opinion. You have been pleased to state that you regret the departure of the detachment of Royal Marines, which I have the honor to command allow me to assure you that we shall always reflect with feelings of pleasure on the recollection of the testimony of-your esteem. It affords me additional satisfaction to leam that the respec- table deportment of the men has been such as to attract your notice. I beg you will accept my sincere wishes, as well as thg^e of my brother officers, for the welfare and prosperity of yoty ancient .town. 4,1 have the honor to be, sir, your most dbedient servant, W. DAWES, Captain commanding detachment Royal Marines." BOROUGH OF HA VERFORDWEST.-A special meeting of the council of this borough was held on Wednesday the 27th instant, for the purpose of considering the reply of the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury to a memorial for- warded to their Lordships, praying permission to relinquish thqfc right to all tolls on the sale of live stock sold in the six toll-fairs, held annually within the said borough, and to make such orders therein as might be deemed necessary or expe- dient. The following gentlemen were present:—Mr. John Phillips, mayor Messrs. James Griffiths, J. LI. Morgan, M.D¡, William Owen, and William Evans, aldermen; and Messrs. Potter, Parry, Rowlands, Davis, H. Phillips, Millard, Rees, Reynolds, and Summers, councillors. Tne reply of their lordships being, that as the council do not propose to sell or mortgage the tolls in question, they con- ceive that they have no authority to interfere in the matter," the following resolution was passed:—" That the town-clerk forward to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, copies of the memorial for the alienation of the tolls, lately submitted to the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury, and of their Lordships' reply with a representa- tion on the part of the council, tnat the .memorial is in accord- ance with the anxious wish of the rated inhabitants of the Borough of Haverfordwest, as ascertained at a public meet- ing duly convened, and with a respectful request of this council, that the government do forthwith give effect to the memorial by legislation, if on further consideration it should be deemed clear, that the power to alienate, as requested by the memorial, docs not already exist under the Municipal Reform Act, 5th and 6th Wm. IV, chap. 76, sec. 94." 7 10. X HE LIATE KEV. JAMES 1HOMAS.—A tee ling Having generally prevailed in this town and elsewhere, that some public mark of respect ought to be paid to the memory of the. late Rev. James Thomas, who was upwards of 30 years vicar of the parish of St. Mary's, and many years master of the Grammar-school in this town, a few of his late pupils have formed themselves into a committee, and resolved, That a suitable memorial should be erected in the church of which he thw'^vicar, (and which is now undergoing a thorough repair^ The committee also resolved, That the form of the testimonial should be a handsome stained glass window, to be erected immediately behind the free-school seat, with a suitable inscription thereon, expressive of the reverence and affectioii in which his character was universally held by all who knew him." It will be erected entirely at the expense of those who were educated in the school of which he was the master. REeH>Hm8M.—In this town on Tuesday evening week, the 19th instant, the members of the Rose of Cambria Tent, No. 895, of the Independent Order of Rechabites, Salford Unity, opened their large and commodious tent-room, in Shut-street (formerly occupied as a lecture-room by the Rev. Francis Thomas,. BuA.), by holding a public tea meeting for the brethren, «nd the members and friends of the Teetotal society. The attendance was large and respectable. One feeling seamed tflf^pervade the meetiiig-rthat of a renewed desire to unite to rorward the progress of the principles of Temperance, so that the.time may speedily arrive when those who are led captive by intemperance, may be raised from their present degradecT cbhdition to fen joy all the blessings attendant on a life of sobriety. After tea, Mr. Thomas Evans, dentist, of Swansea, being called to the chair, delivered an energetic address, after which Messrs. James Phillips, G. Phillips, J. Thomas, W. Thomas, and the Rev. Edward Davies, Calvi- nistic Methodist minister, severally addressed the meeting with much power and animation, which could not fail to make a deep and lasting impression OR the mind* of the audience. OUTRAGJT.—Some evil disposed person or persons on the night of Sunday the 24th, or early on Monday morning last, broke down and carried off an iron gate in front of Castle Tenace belonging to the assignees of Mr. J. Jardine. We hope that the perpetrators of this mischievous act will be brought to punishment. ROOSE HUNDRED.—At a Petty Sessions for this Hundred, held at the Shire-hall, in this town, on Saturday, the 23d instant, before George Roch, John Henry Phillips, John Lloyd Morgan, M.D., and George Rowe, Esquires,—Alban Summons and James Hall, (Overseers of the parish of Rosemarket, for the year 1842), appeared to answer an infor- mation preferred against them by the present overseers, for not paying over the balance, in their hands, on the expi- ration of their term of office. It appeared from the statement made by Mr.' William Morgan. one of the overseers, that the complaint was ordered by the guardians of the Pembroke Union, to be made against the defendants, who are in insolvent circumstances, for the purpose of excusing them, from the payment of it, and which the said board was willing to do, after having the concurrence of the magistrates, before whom the complaint should be tried. The .complaint was ordered to stand over until the complainants' accounts should, be allowed, at which time their worships would decide whether the parties were able to pay or not.—The Overseers of Ciunrcse, against Samuel Bennett and several others, for non-payment of poor-rates. The rates being informal, the whole of the cases wore dismissed, and an agreement entered into between the parties to pay the amount. AT A PETTY SESSIONS held at the shire-hall on Tuesday March the 26th, before John Phillips, Esq., mayor, Thomas Martin, clerk, James Griffiths, and J. LI. Morgan, Esquires, after the appointment of constables and overseers for the ensuing year, the following cases were disposed of:—James Harries,"labourer, appeared to a summons granted to Sir W P. L. Phillips, on a charge of being drunk on the 9th of March last. He pleaded not guilty, but the charge was-fully proved by W. Williams, police officer fined five shillings and costs, or in default of payment, six. hours in the stocks. George Llewhellin, William Otvens, and William Thomas, appeared to summonses granted to Thomas Llewhellin for an assault. The magistrates after going into a very careful and lengthened investigation of the facts, dismissed the cas«. The complainant's own evidence proving that he challenged the party out to fight the magistrates observed that when parties come to seek protection from a court pf justice they should, come into court with clean hands. Mr. llyslop con-. ducted the case for ths complainant. A VESTRY MEETING was held at St. Martin's Church yes'lay afternoon (Thursday), to take into consideration the propriety of purchasing a piece of ground as a burial place. The Rev. Amos Crymes stated to the meeting-that there was not a foot of ground in that- churchyard, in which even an infant could be interred without disturbing the remains of other persons. As it was understood that Sir James Graham was about to bring iii a bill on the subject of public ceraetries, it was resolved that the Rev. A. Crymes, in conjunction with the churchwardens, Messrs. James Jenkins and James Rowlands, should communicate with the Right Hon. Hart., and the result should be stated at a future meet- ing. No other business of importance was transacted, and the meeting adjourned. GRAHAM'S GEOGRAPHICAL COPY-BOOK.—The attention of parents and those who are engaged in the tuition of chil- dren is directed to the above very useful and instructive, copy-books. We have just seen one of them, and tnost con- fidently recommend it for the use of children, who will by its use gain a knowledge, while learning to write, of the various counties, cities, and townsin England and Wales, as WeH as those divisions and places in foreign countries, which is gene- rally acquired by wading through dry and uninteresting courses of geographical lessons. The copies are beautifully executed at the top of each page, and present to the'learner a pleasing succession of copies in large, round; and small hand and at the end of the book are questions on the sub- ject of the copies, by which the child's progress may be ascertained. These copy-books only require a trial for every person to perceive the advantageous result of conveying know- ledge in one of its most pleasing forms.—[See ad ft.] On Wednesday the 20th instant, a little boy at Herbran- ston, in trying to mount a donkey from a horse-block, unfor- tunately fell over and broke his arm. Assistance was imme- diately rendered to him, and he is now in a fair way of ecovery. FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Wednesday, the 20th instant, a servant of Mr. Childs, farmer, of Wintern, in the parish of Marloes, in this county, was sent by his master to Milford, with a cart-load of barley, which he safely delivered; but having been given too much to drink, on his return by Her- brandston, he whipped up the horses, and they suddenly started off at full speed. The man being unable to keep his balance, fell backwards and fractured his skull. He Was taken up and conveyed home, and diedonthe"fotlowing Friday. J • AN UNFORTUNATE ExpEnrvrlg-,T.-On the the servant man of Mr. J. Harries, Brimestoh Hall, in the parish of Ilayscastle, in this county, was feeding the stalled oxen with turnips, when one accidentally stuck fast in tTvy throat of one of the bullocks. The servant, without .making it known to any one, hastened to the barn, and ^ized the flail from the thresher to force it down. While jn the act of performing this strange operation, the beast sprang forward, and caused one end of the flail to strike with so much force against a wall as almost to drive the opposite end out by the shoulder-blade, and break the flail in the bullock's throat. The servant was severely bitten in endeavouring to release the broken piece. The bullock lingered till the following morning, when he was killed, and the turnip found in his throat. The passage of the flail's handle and consequent swelling and inflammation must have caused great suffering to the animal. BOULSTON.—On Sunday last, a sermon was preached at the church at the above place, by the Rev. R. E. Roy, B.A., of C. C. college, Cambridge, and a collection was made in aid of the fund for the relief of the orphans and widows of colliers who are sufferers by the late Landshipping accident, amount- Ipp"n use of ace cut, amount ing to nearly eight pounds. The cause of the survivors was advocated with zeal and energy by the young divine, from the words, Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." The sermon throughout was intrinsically Protes- tant, and so full of the simple yet powerful eloquence that makes its way to the heart of the hearer, and so suitable to the late fatal event, that we cannot but point it out to our friends as being eminently calculated to serve the cause of truth and charity. NEWPORT.—An inquest was held on Monday morning, the 25th inst., before James Bowen, Esq., coroner, at a cottage on Brithdir farm, in the parish of Newport, in this county, on the body of a child four years old, the son of Thomas David, a labourer, who was burnt to death. It appears the man and his wife had both gone to Newport; to chapel, on Sunday morning, leaving four children at home together, and that the two elder children had gone out, leaving deceased and a younger child in the house, when by some means or other the child's clothes caught fire and burnt him to a cinder, being quite dead when the parents returned^ from chapel. Verdict: Accidental Death." On Monday eWtiing, another inquest was held at the town of Newport, by the same coroner, on the body of Sarah Phillips, aged 35, a single woman, who it appears was subject to nts these twenty years she had gone to bed on Sunday nighty apparently in good health, and after her sister had goneto bed to her between eight and nine o'clock she appeared to be getting one of her usual fits, but upon her sister getting up for a light, she was found to be dead. Verdict, "Died by the visitation of God." ■ CHILD DROPPING.—On Monday morning, a basket con- taining a fine healthy boy and several articles of day and night clothes was found' near the door of Daniel David, a poor labouring man, living at Plas-y-milgi, itf the parish of Newport, having been left there by some person unknown during the night. The infant is at present tSkeh care of by the order ofttrw Guardians. r The detachment of Royal Marines, stationed at Newport, under the command of Lieutenant Lilh"erop"*irere on Saturday morning marched to Haverfordwest. On Friday evening, the detachment of Royal Marines stationed iff Haverford- west, under the command of Captain Dawes, marched into Newport, and on Saturday marched en route to Cardigan. PEMBROKE.—At a petty sessions for the borough of Pem- broke, held at the Town-hall, on Saturday, the. 23rd instant, before Charles P. Callen, W. Thomas, and B. R. Robertson, Esqrs., the following cases were disposed of:—"George Troyne v. George Chase, surveyor of the highways," summoned to answer for neglecting to keep a common sewer at the Green Mill Pool, Pembroke, in repair. To be settled out of court. -George Griffiths t'. Isaac Morgans. Complainant stated that he engaged defendant to dig stones for hiln in his quar- ries at Priory, and that he had since taken them away wiuiout complainant's permission. Dismissed for want of jurisdiction.- George Kelly v. Thomas Hazard, confectioner, for an assault. Complainant stated that on the 15th instant he went to defen- dant's house to demand Is. 6d., which was due to him for wages, when the defendant struck him and kicked him out of his house. Defendant admitted having struck complainant, but alleged abusive conduct, which was corroborated by a witness. Case dismissed.-The Overseers of St. ,Michael v. William Millard, for non-payment of a poor's rate. Defen- dant did not appear. The rate was duly proved, and ordered to be paid forthwith.—Surveyors of the Lloyd and Evans, for non-payment of rates. Excused on the ground of poverty. FISHGUARD.—An old woman, upwards of 90 years of age, named Mary Jones, while sitting alone, fell on the fire—it is supposed in a fit, and is so severely burnt, that no hopes are entertained of her recovery. LLANFYRNACH MINES.-The ore at these mines has been asmyed by Messrs. Walker and Parker, at the Dee Bank Smelting Works, from three different samples, and they all proved,the same quality: namely, 78 per cent, for lead, which is equal to 10s. a ton above standard or over proof, and 6 oz. of silver. Six parties of miners are driving to cut the known lodes at different points, twenty yards under the old works, but not one has Deen yet cut, although, to do so, in every cross cut, there are only a few yards more to drive. A new lode was discovered last week at 10 fathoms in depth, and it is estimated at two tons per fethom, or equal to six miners raising six tons per month.
TIVY-SIDE STEEPLE CHASE,
TIVY-SIDE STEEPLE CHASE, It is scarely necessary to state that the most intense inter- est was excited by this race, as all the horses had met before in the Pembrokeshire Steeple Chase, in the early part of the month, and now with but a slight alteration in the weights. The partisans of each horse spoke confidently as to his chance of winning. The admirers of Tallyho stating that„hew»s to do the trick, and nothing else, and that he hsidl^ipt been made sufficient use of in the Pembrokeshire chaser (tlhcrntne* he would have shown them the way easily while the back- ers of Kitty were strenuous iniraffirming in the stforigest: terms that she would on this occasion "out Herod, Herod," is St. Botolphs-also had his friends, partIcularly'wh«WJt.'WU known that he was to be steered by Jem Owen, whose work? across country needs no comment. Gipsy Girl was supported in her claims to public confidence by the Tenbyites, WflQ mustered in a strong phalanx around her, ready to back their opinions with their tin; all had their admirers, aye, even Giraffe. The line of country commenced about five miles from Cardigan, the start taking place in a field on Cilrue-fueh, in the immediate neighbourhood of Pentre, the seat of D. S. Davies, Esq. M. P. for Carmarthenshire, making a circle to the left, which they did twice over the line being studded with stiff banks, though without anything impracticable in it, crossing three roads each time; one of them being very narrow, and having a deep drop into it, and a high fence to jump previous to getting out, was decidedly the most difficult feat of the day. The weather was delightful in the extreme, nature seemed gay, and the inhabitants of the groves poured forth their cheering .notes, straining their little throats in praise for such a day. As might be expected the concourse of people was great; Aberteivi lent its hundreds, and the different localities in its neighbourhood assisted with their tributary increase to swell the throng. The appearance of the starting field was much enlivened by the presence of the 4th light dragoons, who assisted in keeping the course, so that everything was done decently and in order. After the usual preliminaries antecedent to the forthcoming event, the following Racers so very high mettled Were started to see how the thing should be settled. For a handicap sweepstakes of 5 sovereigns, (two sovereigns forfeit,) with 50 sovereigns added, over four miles of fair sporting country- Mr. Lewis's, b.h., Tallyho, agd., 12 6.—I.—Mr. Dansey. Mr. Phillips's, b.m., Kitty, agd., 11 5.-2.-Griffiths. Air. Stokes's,b.g. St. Botolphs,6yrs. 11 9.—3.—Owen. Mr. Hughes's, b.g., Gipsy Girl, agd., 11 9.—4.—Mr. Davies. I Mr. Llewellin's, b.g., Giraffe, 6 yrs., 11 0.-5.- Evans. The course is cleared the cry is now, they're off. Kitty, playing her old game, jumped off with her lead Tallyho, being close at her skirts, determined, if possible, not to allow her to get too far to windward of him this journey St. Botolphs and the Gipsy Girl well up, fencing admirably. Thev had scarcely continued in this order half a mile, when St. BotoJphs and Gipsy Girl fell, in getting out of the narrow road, Kitty following suit, directly after. The race was now I a complete chapter of accidents. Tallyho getting a lead of nearly three quarters of a mile, nothing interfering with him, I! and winning as he.pleased, (though without the respective merits of his competitors being for a moment put to the test, as far as he was concerned.) The others got to work with all the speed they could, St. Botolphs last; but being fresh, he dragged Owen on the ground, who had a cord attached to his wrist, and held on like grim death, but in the struggle he hurt his ami seriously still he set to work and after a tremendous race, (having been told that Tallyho had made a mistake,) was only beaten by Kitty at the post; The Gipsey, meeting with a second accident, was, with Giraffe, out of the race. SCURRY STAKES. Handicap sweepstakes of ttvo sovereigns each, with fifteen added, once round—about two miles. Mr. Colby's b. m. aged 11 0 .1 Griffiths. Mr. Jones's b. g. by fi'au.it.is, aged 12 4 .2 Owen. Mr. Owens's b. g. Hopping Tom 11 7 .3 Mr. Jones. Jolly Boy, Miss Goresky, JJehora/i Dent, and Dick also started. This race was admirably contested, Moggy in front all the way* and making strong running, the others alter- nately playirfg second fiddle, until neanng home, when the Faust tit; Gelding went up to her, and had it not been for the awful weight on the old horse, a different sequel would have been the consequence. The sports of the day were brought to a conclusion with a race for the farmer stakes of one sovereign, and ten added," and which was won in gallant style by Mr. Be van's potiy, loir, beating a host of others. This was the most amusing part of the performances, as many of the kauimals, disdaining all the efforts of their riders to get them over the fences, their owners and respective hackers and friends immediately got round them, armed with divers cudgels, and the work of a barn was a mere play-game to their pastime. Everything passed off pleasantly, and there is every prospect of a full entry for the Tivy-Side Steeple Chase of 1845. CARDIGAN.—On Friday and Saturday last, the detachment of marines, under the command of Captain Griffin, left this place for Aberayron, and were relieved by the detachments from Haverfordwest and Fishguard, under the command of Captain Dawes and Lieutenant Hamley, who, we have no doubt will conduct themselves in the same exemplary manner as they have hitherto done. CAUTION TO PUBLICANS.—On Monday last, at Cardigan, Simon James was convicted by David Jenkins, Esq., mayor, and R. D. Jenkins, Esq., in the penalty of forty shillings and costs for refusing to billet a marine a this house on the preced- ing Saturday. CARDIGAN.—REBECCAISM AGAIN!—On Wednesday morn- ing last, the gate situate in this town, was again levelled to the ground, by a party of those lawless depredators who have so long disgraced this part of the community. It ap- pears that about three o'clock the policemen visited the gate, and found all right, About four o'clock the toll-collector, who is a female, was awoke by a great noise outside she got up and found the door quite fast. It was all the woik of a moment: the posts are cut off close to the stumps with, we should imagine, cross-saws. The wall from the gt te to the adjoining houses is also completely levelled. We sin- cerely hope and trust that the guilty will, ere long,he brought to justice. DROWNED.—On Wednesday the 23rd inst., Mrs. Moigan, wife of Mr. David Morgan, butcher, Llaurhysticl-, near Aber- ystwyth, was standing with her little girl, 18-months old, at the door, when all of a sudden she missed the child, which was shortly after discovered to have fallen into a mill-pond which was just by. When picked up the little innocent was quite dead. An inquest was held on the body by Richard Williams, Esq., coroner, when the jury brought iH a verdict, Accidentally drowned." Loss AT SBA.-The Friends, of Aberystwyth, Captain Thomas Davies, with a cargo of grain from Sligo, to Liver- uool, is supposed to have been lost, as there is no account Is su heard from the Captain or crew for this last month.
♦ CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSIZES.
♦ CARMARTHENSHIRE ASSIZES. (Continued from our last). FRIDAY. His lordship entered the court at nine o'clock. Thomas Powell, John James, John Thomas, Thomas Tho- mas, John Thomas, Evan Davies, and David Evans, charged with having, on the 11th day of August last, at Pantyfen, in the parish of Llanfihangel-ar-arth, in this county, unlawfully, riotously, and tumultuously assembled, with divers other evil-disposed persons, and there unlawfully entered the dwelling-house of one Daniel Harries, and feloniously stoKat, taken, and carried away therefrom one current coin of the realm called a sovereign, of the value of one pound, the prc perty of the said Daniel Harries, and David Thomas, charged as having been accessory to the feet. The witnesses on both sides were ordered out of court. Messrs. E. V. William, Chilton, and J. Evans conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Richards defended the prisoner t David Evans, David Thomas, and Thomas Thomas. Mr. Chilton addressed the jury for the prosecution, and stated this was a case arising out of the late Rebecca riots. After stating the circumstances which occurred on the night of the robbery, he called the following witnesses :— John Davies examined: I am son-in-law of Daniel Harries, of Pantyfen. I lived there in August last. I and my wif", a'nd father-in-law slept there on the night of the 11th of August. 1 was disturbed about 12 o'clock, by stranger* calling on us to rise, and knocking. I went down, through fear, and opened the door. They had threatened to destroy the old man's property, unless the door would be opened in fiYtt minutes. After I opened fhe door, I saw about 12 men in strange dresses, and their faces painted. They told me tha they were coming for money to Gwenllian Lewis and that they had sent two letters to the old man, from Beeca. They came into the house, many of them. Two had guns, one a pistol, and another had a sword. I saw nothing tike a red coat about one. My father-in-law got up, and said he- had no money in the house that night. They demanded £ 20. He 6aid he had only a sovereign and a shilling. They ordered me to light a candle, or else they would destroy his goods. The servant girl lit the candle, and put it on the table.. One of the men took out a note for £20, and read it, and asked the old man to sign it. The old man said he would, and did sign it. They said I must sign it also. He laid hold of the old man's hand. The men with guns were both sides of the kitchen door. We signed the note both of us and one of them said he should have two months to pay, according to his own request. One of them said he should have three months. He asked them where he was to pay ? and one said to Mor- ris's bank, and another said to vV ilkins's bank. The okl man paid a sovereign and a shilling, and he had the shilling back to get tobacco. One of them had asked for the sove- reign. They told him to mind to pay. I cannot say whe- ther the note was stamped. They were not long in the house, as they were very active. By going out, they desired me not to tell that Becca had been there that night. Daniel Harris's examination on oath was then read. It contained nearly the same account of the outrage as detailed by James Davies. Mr. Chilton read the information given by John Thomas. This information was taken by John Lloyd Pnce, Elq.; bat the information was not on oath. Mary Titus examined: I was a'servant at Pptyfen on the nignt of the 11th of August, and James Davies ordered me to get up from bed and light a candle. I saw all the strange men- in the house, and went back to bed, because I was frightened. The son went out through the window. My mistress is too ill to come here to give evidence. The old man, Daniel Harries, was about 77 years of age. Evan Davies examined: I live at Abergwilly. I have known David Thomas for eight or nine years. He came to me on Thursday before August fair, and asked me if I wonM come with him to Pantyfen, to get money. He said he had agreed with Gwenllian Lewis to raise her X40 of money. If I would come, he would divide X5 between the company. I went to his house, at Penlan where I found several men, and others came afterwards. The prisoners were all there and some other persons besides, who are not in custody. We agreed to go the next night. David Thomas said he would not go himself, as he was the roost forward about the money; but would go to Blaenpant to buy a horse, and would take a witness with hin, to prove where he was. We met again next night, at David Thomas's house. The whole of the prisoners were present at the time. (They were all named and pointed out by witness.) We blackened our feces, and disguised ourselves. I bad a gown belonging to David Thomas's wife and the others were disguised in all manner of strange dresses. I know John Jones, Caerffilly,—he was present the first night, but not on the second. We then went off together. John Powell had a red coat on. DavM Thomas went towards Blaenpant. We started about ten o'clock, and were all on foot. We saw several persons near Glangwilly. We were armed with -something like a bayonet, two gung, a pistol, &c. We arrived at Pantyfen about twelve o'clock. We told th§ old man that Becca had come there. to jet the money which he owed Gwenllian Lewis under a wilL Cross-examined: We met about nine o'clock at D. Tho- mas's house, the second time. I was not working with D. < h Thorny but he came to me to Caeaugwynion. He told me then about dividing the £5. I did not go for the sake of my share Itf. the £ 5 but lIe threatened me unless I went, and I was afraid. I did not promise.to go before I heard of the £ 5. I rfesolved to go the first time he «ime to me. I mtiH before the magistrates that, he promised £5. I can't say when I was first before the magistrates I am not sure I told them then about the £5,bnt I thought to do so. I am sure thère was only two guns there; and they were fired after we came out of the house. I never had any money with D. Thomas, nor a share of the sovereign. I drank a drop by coming home, at Pencader. I saw the servant-maid in the kitchen at Pantyfen.; and we were in the house about; half an hour. Cross-examination continued I saw a pistol in the house. The men with the arms were near the old man when he- signed the note. He was not abused. Left the old man in the passage, with James Davies. I had no arms. The old man was thankful for the shilling he had back. I did not see them shaking hands with him. I was in some fear, not of the old man, but of the consequences. The £ 5 was not enough to cover that. I don't know whether £ 500 or X50 would do that. I heard of a reward many times, for- information on Becca. £500 reward, if I had them, would not take away my fear. My wife made me give information, and I also had compassion on the state of the country. Went of my own free will to Mr. Price, who did not send for me.. I maintain myself by my work, and had no money from anybody else. I never spoke a word to Margaret Richards about this business. I know that I never did. r never told Margaret Richards that Mr. Price was giving me • £ 50 for swearing against the people at Pantyfen. I told Benjamin Jones, about a fortnight ago; he said, "I will settle that man, if a white man can do it." I never told Mary Richards, of Priory-street, about this business, nor about Becca. I never told her there was a great reward for taking Becca:; and I never told her I would aay who were at Talog, if I knew as well as Mary Richrvrds. I don't know Stephens, of Craigddu. I never told him I had been served with & subpoena,"and had money for appearing at tho assizes against-the prisoners. I never told anything of the kind to any man living. Never said I had nothing to say, but what John Thomas, one of the prisoners, had told me and that I offered myself as witness to the prisoners, but they could not p&y me. David Davies examined I live on Crugmelya mountain. I saw John Thomas, one of the prisoners, before August fair, and he asked me to come with them to Pantyfen.that night, that they were going there. I had seen him ^somo days before, when he told me if I would go to Pantyf qa, for X40
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BKRNADOTTK.—Death has at last carried off Bernadotte It is gratifying to think that the most successful of the French Emperor's Paladins was also the most honest, the most educated, the most simple of the group endowed with qualities more solid than brilliant, and unstained with the cruelties either of the revolution or its wars. Bernadotte was born in 1764, the son of a respectable lawyer at Pau and he had seen some service in India ere the revolutionary wheel turned the humble sergeant into a colonel and a gene- ral. He was the friend of Kleber and the comrade of Mo- reau. From the first there was little sympathy between Ber- nadotte and Bonaparte. The former was one of the Puritan democrats of the army. He actually put faith in the politi- cal religion, of which the Directory were the high priests, and of which Bonaparte was a mere outward and hypocriti- cal votary. The latter displayed all the genius of war, and to combat his ascendency, other officers were obliged to in- voke the supremacy of civilian influence. The Directory made Bernadotte minister of war, and he had the ungrateful task of superintending the vain resistance of the French armies against the Russians and Imperialists, during Bona- parte's absence in Egypt. Bernadotte was too honest for Barras and Sieyes, and ne was sent back to the army, where Napoleon found him,and where he knew how to make use of him as an able lieutenant. At the peace he sent him ambas- sador to Vienna, a post in which Bernadotte wanted assurance to make himself at home, and which he accordingly quitted in discontent. When Bonaparte planned to make himself First Consul, he naturally found opponents in all his military seniors. Augereau alone he won over; Moreau he tricked Bernadotte, who had married a wealthy heiress, sister-in-law of Joseph Bonaparte, i was partially kept quiet by Jpseph, and afterwards reconciled to the Emperor, as whose lieute- nant he fought at Wagram and Austerlitz, and in the cam- paign against Russia ajnd Prussia. As Marshal and Prince of Ponte Corvo, he qonjmanded and administered .the regions round the Elbe. Dfivtfust, hi the same command, robbed right and left, Hamburg Being a fine field for spoil. Berna- dott's conduct was so much in'-cotatiast, that he gained a high reputation in North Germany, and thus laid the foundation of his subsequent electron to be successor to the Swedish throne. He was elected Crown Prince of Sweden in 1810, being then 46 years of age, and he succeeded to the throne eight years later, having won the good graces of Russia and the triumphant Powers by the part which he took in the last campaigns against Napoleon. The French cannot forgive either Bemaaotte or Moreau for their conduct in 1813 but when a city like Rome or Paris attempts the subjugation of the world, it is not surprising to find Roman or Parisian chiefs heading the struggle for local freedom and indepen- dence. In the present case, Sweden did not gain a great deal in the way of independence, the result of the overthrow of Napoleon being to transfer the suzerainty of the north from France to Russia. It is a dangerous move for a small coun- try like Sweden to change its dynast}', even though it gets rid of a despotic one, and obtains a sovereign whose right is founded on popular election; for though the popular dynasty must favor the modem ideas of liberal and constitutional government, the old dynasty was more likely to preserve national independence intact. The name of Vasa is for ever linked with the independence of Sweden. Were the country capable of commercial and other development, and of the for- mation of a larger middle class, the family of Bernadotte might find, in a liberal policy, the means of securing indepen- dence and preserving liberty but Sweden has not the ma- terials of wealth or population she is pressed by all the moral dead weight of England, a powerful aristocracy and a dominant church, without the vital force in other parts of the body politic which allows England to repose and prosper under the incubi. On the whole, Charles John was a great and a first-rate man for a king. As a French general he was second-rate whilst as a revolutionary politician, a war min- ister, and an early rival of Bonaparte, his merit dwindles to a third or even fourth-rate place.—Examiner. TEA DUTY.—A very general opinion prevails in the city that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will yield to the reasons set forth by the mercantile interests in favour of a reduction of the duties on tea. An increased consumption of tea would enable the people of China to increase their consumption of British manufactured goods. It would also tend to produce an increased consumption of sugar, and does not present any ground for opposition on the part of class interests, so that its adoption will depend very much upon the discretion of Mr. Oculburn.Mornill,9 Chronicle.