Monmouthshire Merlin

TO CORRESPONDENTS. pt^ fabrication and unbounded impudence of the Vtk -l™Pkcated in the affair relative to fishing in tht Jicerf neighbourhood of Abergavenny, toiU be no*■ l*kL V Week- ione/7furc ,n say*ns yes »« HiP'hiPi" witty, hut rather too long *»iprov ,and a little tainted with satire's gall. <o Pi'f* letter on the shameful state of the approaches a ',particularty ty the leading thoroughfare, shall ^trarL °» our nex*' an^ communication of a Jlurt by t/ie awkward post in the lane mar Hotel, shall also have insertion. y > not n 0ur la$t leader, for unaccountableread Wert the J understand that Mr, Quxn is likely to arranaGr>!ent. ie *>* oru,;tris for the copt>, but we should like to ntef"n^' convenhent, Juvat integros acce-

DIVISION OF NEWPORT. At the TOWN HAM., Saturday, March 11. hejore the Re vs. Jumes Coles, rhomas Pope, and Hngh Williams. COLLI MRS' 1TR\ OUT. I 'lfi •tei* ihe wo'ks of Mes>r«. Bushel! and Hookey, at l,sving ^'titled tiicii «:»y!oy«»!(»t bsl'are '-he expiration j 'rtO'i'h q t)v>si<jtf itqu're I by their contra- informations laid P.gji,ut spvera| u( ,|ium The firs! case ukeo was that of Joseph Cowle*. Theiafor-, mal ion stated that he had contracted to woik a* a (oilier for Messrs. Russell and Hoofey, thai he had absen'ed himself from his employment before his contract was completed, and find riat si ace fulfilled it. All. (J. Ii; lfcoVey, one of the proprietors of the works, appeared to jifp'ptfrt life informations, and Mr. J. G. H. Owen, of Monmouth, was o'/c'irjjl?! dovn on behalf of the de- fendants. Mr. Owen said that previous to entering ffito' the merits of the case, he would take a preliminary objection: he would ob- ject to the information on the ground that it was not sufficiently specific. It is laid down in Paley, on convictions, that in every information the time when and the place where the alleged of i fence was committed, must be specified nod also that I ie iiame and style of t^e magistrate befote whom it s0J"* must b £ sei foith in the piesent case, these indtspensa. e cond'twiTS had not been complied wiih, the style of the magis- j trate being doited.- The information sets forth that il liJ)s"'orn II" before the unde(3?^ed, trne of her Majesty's justices^ c. I {hif was not sulficienily specific, it 3houhl have been, b_ ore ,ne. the unti6,rs'Kned James Coles, clerk," or whoever e se t e magistrate tniglit bv, descriomg j e ? Msf lr 1 J Phillinj -en, ""sted Mr. 0^v<n to produce a case, jdr. 1. Phillips ,equ. pariia-)ient an information was anid stated thai by ihe Act ot »ia-ne not necessary, when ihe par'ies fyi.. Owen replied that that mighi he, bu. olher ,n0<ies chose to pftjcesd by information m pre/s? £ S-' £ hefouo- which were open to thsm, that instrument, whit'?; .vi/3 »• the dation of all the proceedings, »bculd be diawn sccofding 14>. legal and technical form. ) Mr. Owen here handed Paley, on convidicms, to the Bench; ih £ magistrates perused the passage referred to by Mr, Owen | for a Considerable liwe. Mr. Owen a! Itn^th said, that if the magistrates had any doubt on the point, he ft4 i-nmediaiely waive it, as he was anxious not to trespass on their tf«lt»able time, and also be- cause if be succeeded in quashing the ^'formation, the only effect would be that the enquiry would be post^cned for a short time, and he was anxious that it should now be entefed upon, fis be had such a case on the merits as would, he feltconvinCed, eosiiro Hiril the favcurable decision of the Bench. Mr. Coles said lie tas glad Mr. Owen had consented to waive the objection. We un'dfifstoo^ Mr. Coles to concur with Mr. Owen on the validity of the objec'fifffir Mr. T. J. Phillips said if the magistrates fiitftfg??? H neces- Bary. he was prepared to show that the objection was ddtetffble and groundless. I The point having been waived, the case proceeded. The rirat witness called was Joseph Green, who being sworn, said, 1 am underground agent to Messrs. Russell and Hookey, at the Risca works: the prisoner contracted to work for them as a Collier j the contract is not in writing,which is according to the custom of the country, and the understanding it, that there is to be a month's notice on either side, before the contract is completed. I hired the prisoner about three months ago to cut coal at Is 7d per ton í did not give the prisoner notice 10 leave, but on the 27th February he gave me a notice on the part of the.whole pit's company the notice s?>sttd that unless they were advanced 3d per ton, tl.ey would leave at the end of a month the prisoner worked for one week after he gave the nonce, and then left; he has not since returned to work out his month's notice- Cross exartiiiJed by Mr, Owen I have been in the employ of Messrs. Russell and Hockey 4 years prisoner has been in the employ about 3 months; 1 employed him I did not ac- tually employ him myself, but my man, Thomas Crooke, did but there is no man employed there or engaged by Crooke, with. out my coflseot j Crctoke is not here. Mi. Owen, here addressing the Bench, submitted that this information must fall to the gicuud. His clients were charged ")th violating a contract; they did not admit the existence of a contract, and the complainants have tailed in proving one. The alleged contract was not in writing it was said to be a verbal one, but even this was not made by the witness Green, but by a party wrho is not here. Mr. Hookey here put in the notice given by die prisoner, as seconJary evidence that a contract had been entered into by him, or there would have been 110 Occasion for a notice. Mr. Owen objected to the admission of the notice as proof of the alleged contract, which was said to have been made by a person in the employ of Messrs. Russell aol Hookey, and whom they might have produced to prove it if they had chosen to do so. The notice, at most, cottld only suggest an inference that a contract had been entered into, find be trusted the ma- gistrates would not admit this inferential evidence when it was within the reach of the complainants to have produced positive teslimooy of the makiog of the contract if such had existed. The notice was then put in. Mr. Coles, on looking oier X, observed that several of Iht: oames attached to it were evidently written by the same hand, Mr. Owen We do Dol admit the notice. Wedo not admit that the name purporting to be that of the prisoner, was written by him. Mr. Coles said the magistrates considered the evidence ad- missible, Mr. Owen proceeded with Green's crest examination There is no particular danger to the men at the present time from fire ot water, in the Risca colliery the last accident ihat occurred there was on the 1st of December last, when two men were burned to death the accident was owing to the want of cau- tion on the part of one of the men I will swear that a similar accident could not happen to-morrow morumg. I cannot say what might take place io a month. I would not go into the ptr with a naked candle there is no colliery in the country where there is gas like that in this colliery, perfectly safe. 1 did not ask the men why they went out. Mr. Owen submitted that if it could be shown that this col- liery was so dangerous as to place in imminent peril the lives of those who worked in it, the magistrates would not oblige his clients to encounter such danger. Mr. Coles Csriainly not; and if you can show that it is, we shall proceed no further wiih the enquiry. Green's cross-examination continued The witness stated that the colliers make passages called wind-ways in the pit for the purpose of venlilatiog it, but are not paid anything for that work. The men are paid Is 7d per ton for cutting the coal the agreement was for Is 7d a ion, but the ton consists of 24 cw t.accoiding to the custom of the country: this is the ton comiug out of lhe pit from the men, but I cannot say how many hundred weight Messrs. Russell and Hookey allow to the ton wheo they sell lhe coal at Newport. Mr. Coles This line of examination mightberetevantif the men had summoned their employers for wages, but on the pre- sent occasion he did not think it was. If the men thought themselves aggrieved on that point, they should have made their complaint to a magistrate, and had a summons. Mr, Owen: The alleged contract was to cut coal at Is 7J per ton, and this evidence shows ihat the terms even of that contract had been violated by the masters, who require the men | to cut 1 ton and 4 cwt. besides for Is 7d. It is no justification of the masters to show that the custom of the country is to give 24 cwt. to the toil it is manifcsdy illegal; for customary weights have been abolished by Act of Parliament. Mr. Owen then proceeded to call witnesses to show the dangerous slate of the colliery. The first witness called for this purpose was John Bailey. Mr. Hookey objected to this witness he was one of those who had signed the nonce. i\1r, Coles thought ihe objection not sufficient. The witness was then sworn, and said: I have worked in Messrs. Russell and Hookey's colliery at Risca; 1 do not know what the general state of the pit is, because I do not go about from place to place in it; but in the part where I work there is danger if I do not take great care about a month since we were required to separate our coal; we were not re- quired to do so before this causes us much trouble and labour, and makes a difference to us of 2d or 3d per ton. Mr. Calet thought this line of examination not relevant. Mr. Owen submitted, with great diffidence, that it was rele- vant, for it went to show that a new duty had been exacted from the men afier the making of the alleged contract a duty which required much additional trouble and labour on the part of the men, which, measured in money, amounted to 2d or 3d. per laD. Thi. clearly showed Ihal the men were nol the first to violate the contract, thaI it had in fact beeD first violated by the masters themselves, who ought to be here to-day as defendant instead of die meD. Cross-examination continued I cannot say what they cal 1 a Ion if) Illis counlry, Illey have so many tons. I'm i Shropshire mtin, and there we eut 20 01 21 cwt to he lor;, while bete \1.1: are required to cut 24, 25, 26 and even 27 C'vi to the ton be- | sides, we are cropped most iinfaiily. Wtien oor irams go up, they are cropped just as they like. We do not know who crops Ihem, and can gel liD satisfaction at all. Wiloess Green was here id-culled by ihe Bench and re-ex- aonned The separailO!1 of the coa; lequtres no additional rime 01 the men; It requires no additIonal Irlhour. I gave all the men notice of the change, and some of then) said il g¡;Ve them sorne more trouble. The witness Bailey was here re examined, anil went into de- tail to show that it required much additional tiouble us well ai labour. Mr. Coles Certainly, it gives more trouble, and in this sense, trouble is equivalent to labour. The witness Green cross-examined by Mr. Owen When 1 | told the men they should separate (heir coal, they made no oh jection- I am quite sure they made noobjectton. Mr. Owen Now, "1" Green, remember you self On the vinue"«f your oath, did not the men object to it so stiongly, that they stood out four days upon it ? Witness • Yes. they did stand out four days upon it. Mr. Owen 1 submit to you, sirs, with gt^ai respect, whe- ther you will go one inch further with this case on such evi- dence as this. My clients are charged with a violation of their contract. 1 now beg leave respectfully to repeat the objection, which I made in the early part of the enquiry, that there is no evidence to prove the existence of any cunlract and I will urge upon your consideration that lhe inference which might be drawn from the notice put in, is not a sufficieot proof of the existence of a contract, when the per-oil by whom that contract is alleged to have been made is not produced and who, doubt. less, would have been produced, If BOy such contract had been entered 101o. let us suppose a contract aasi what is the evidence of Mr. Green, their own witness, ann the only one brought forward in support of the prosecution. Thai the men entered into a contract lo perform a certain dutv for a certain remuneration ihat they worked for some time under ihat con- Iract; and that then the masters came and added ttfctha amount of duty originally contracted lor, without in, rearing the remu- neration. Mr Green said .hat the men d* ob.ee ,o ibis exaet'on o. additional labour, which ni(1je difference to them t ft t t!e "'V but1w1htt" l,res^d in cross examination 7' '■ e re,:tslU!,i b's 111-3', and could recollect toey had objected strongly objected, to it, and actually stood out four days on their objection. I „0w submit ,0 yJ gentlemen, with the fulleM confidence ^liat you will do justice' .„ my clients, whether you w,ll.,eur H.ese poor men fiom their (ail„|ies, and send them to a jail for two or three month. as you have the power to do, on the evidence of ibis mJn who [¡us dIstinctly proved that tie was the first vioiaior ol the con- tract, for the alleged breaking ot which he now s..¡,ks to send these poor men to jail. When contracts are entered into bt- .,0 mUler, and into; shoyld pot the ttt: oblsg«d h) observe its conditions, ffs well as the men. I appeal to the law, gentlemen, on behalf of these poor men, and do so with the greater confidence, because 1 am sure you. "Ill be as ,eady to protect them in the enjoyment of their just rights, as you "ould be to punish them tor sr! fnfriSgiment o-n the rights of others. The magistrates having consulted for some time, Mr. Coits dsied the witness Green if there was any tneasy due to the men. Mr. Gieen replied that therCc^fa week's wages due to each of them. Mr. Coles then said, the magistrates had g)7en to this case, the most paiient attention. The unhappy disputes between masters and men were much to be deplored, as they had been reductive of so much loss to individuals, and of such detri- ment to all the trading interests of this district. He was convinced, however, thev might be easily arranged, to the satisfaction of the patties, and to the great advat tage of the public, if the mailer were set about in It ri^ht spirit. The men ('0 the Hills, he was sorry to believe, had been led astray—they are pursuing a course which is productive of ^reat privation and distress, while they follow it i and which, in the end, will be productive of disappointment, and still greater suffering, wherever violation of the law takes place. Whenever they had a real and substantial grievance to com plain of, let them appeal to the lsw, and he would assure them (and he wished this to be published throughout the Hills), that the mnt!istraies would he quite as ready 10 do them justice, alld alfonl tht-II) all the of the law, as they would be to the makers. But while he slatet that the men were acting wrong, lie must at the tame time say, that the masters were to blame to some extent. With res- pect, however, to Mess s. Russell and Hookey, he never knew more liberal emphners than they were. It appe-ned to the bench that in this case the men had eD!eled upon a new description of work, the effect of which they did not know. Nevertheless, they had no right to leave their em- ployment until the completion of their months no'ise. Un- del these circumstances, the magistrates were inclined to deal | leniently by the men, and their decision was, that the pri- soner Joseph Cowles be mulcted in the week's wages due to him. Mr. Coles then said, he had no doubt if the men would it a committee, and the masters would appoint another, ¡¡PPO' '-ody could very readily settle the malters In dis- the <013* :faclion of all parties. pule fo the conf-urrej in the wise suggestion which Mr. O\\erI tuJ" worthy magistrate, and he was happy had been wade by t « • measure was about being carried to infotrn him ;h«t socN • was ,0 gQ t0 the H,{|s on into effect, ¡h bs (Mr. O.vi'ft} :„ a commiuee, whose Tuesday next, for the purpose of arraDgeir)eDt Bs ,hat business it would be, to effect svew ffl alluded to by Mr. Coles. minform. Mr. Coles, addressing the other ftftrtf afgai'tfSf *W Ihal ia ationa had been lalrl, said he was glad to iiyfoTiw • 10 consequence af Ihe statement made by rH! fjwetfi M • what was to take place on Tuesday next, MeJajsv Rtfs#eJ7 bad Hookey had consenled to forego proceedings agaiD" Ir.ear" and therefore they would now be discharged from custody. Mr. Owen thanked the magistrates on behalf of his clients, for the patMOt investigation they had given the caM. and said, before they left the bench, he had a pleasing duty to perform—it was to retoro the thanks of his c'ienis to (he police officer, Sergeant Cormack, of RI8Ca, who had taken them into custody, and brought them to Newport, for the kind and con- siderate treatment *.hey had experienced from him. Mr. Coles said he was glad to hear this public testimony to the efficiency and proper conduct of the police officer, and it showed, at the same time, very good feeling on the part of ihe men.

The Marquess of Breadaibeuie was on Thursday week ie-elected Loul Rector of Maiischal College, Aberdeen. The other nominees were Sir James Macgreaor, Lord March, and ¡hOt. Malque:<! o( Watttford 1-- Edinburgh. J I'itvestt

EXCISE INFOS'? M A, HON". At a Petty Sessions b?l.i i «i..w <«> 1 e»«d*y befnrft Thomas Protbeto and J»bn -Irt.k.ov K»qr. W rUi-m TWuias. Caerleon, appeared to answtr in ii mrioat ion laid a^»fns-t j him by Jsmes Graham, exn«e <>iii e., f.» >ellmg spirit* wrib«s»U j a licensi. The defendant keeps the I luce Salmons beer-house, lfv | Caerleon. Mr. T. G. Fliillpotis, of Newport, appeared on behalf of he defendant. John Satcbell being sworn and examined said, be was an excise officer at Newport. About six o'clock on ,ve. nine the of November last, he wa» at Caerleon. ami «en» into the Th* Salmons beer-house, kept bv defendant and called for a glas» °f t>randy and e r* Theie were U females in .he house a« the time, and man sitting n«ff lb« fii*. J°unger fems.e brought him the hraudy and water* Phi'lpotts: There is no one in court Cros;-e«miDed by W' rnv whom lean identify « ha>V«« ,pr"-n' 1'j the brandy and water at the Thib^ Drre j L 'i _» ort Utelv, on which person who laid the informations at '• ,-i J f .'it • common in- several parlies theie were convicted. 1 aas ►- former I had not drunk any spirits that day, iqcept the Klass of brandy and water I drank at the Three Salmons. f j Another witness was examined, who proved was licensed as a retailer of beer only. Mr. Phillpotts addressed the b^|b at considerable !e»gO> on behalf of his client, and called Mr John Lewis, who. being sworn, slated that he was as inkeeper at Caerleon. On the 29th of November last, Satchel? came to his house and called for a glass of brandy and water. He appeared rather intoxicated. He ftsked for a bed, which was refused. He wore a glazed Mackintosh. Witness was certain as to his identity, having since seen him on the Ponty- pool road with the same Mackintosh. Satcbell here declared that he had not put on the Mackin- tosh since. Mr. Phillpotts appealed to the magistrates whether, after he had negatived a statement of the principal witness for the pro- secut'on by the evidence of his witness, Mr. Lewis, they would require him to go further with the case. The magistrates, after a shoit consultation, dismissed the In- formation, and ordered complainant to oay costs.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. NEWPORT Imports and Exports, for the week ending the 10th March, 1843 IMPORTS. L'Rollon. Bequet, Rouen Jeune Armand. Cleatie, ditto; Ernestine, Rio, Cherbourg; Otto Ferdinand. Kund, Antwerp, baliast.- Willialri, Woolcock, Truro, tin.-Greyhound. Teare, Liverpool; Providence. Manning, Falmouth; William Hill. O'Brien, Dublin; Amazon, Long. Gloucester, sundries.—Vic- toria, Bready, Cork, flour, bacon, butter. &c.—Sarah, White, ucester; Jane and Mary, Guy, ditto; Ceres, Inman, Thomas and Frances, Vine, Waterford; Margaretta, j. 'o; Ruby, Jones, ditto; Blessing, Duddridge, cwift, Hiscox, Chepstow, flour.—Sarah Dickson, irttV s «- Lydney Trader, Pendergast, ditto; Jane, •—Fortitude, Travers, Couruiasherv, potatoes', bacan'aAtw'r -P,?e'Le7' '< Dew, Driscoll, Batfjwiw*, "olatoes.—Venus, Benoke, Cork, oats.— Hannah Smith, 1$*. fea. • nr;.toi,1_«, And lhe market boat* Bnsto1 W!,h ""tines. EXPoJtm Bezer, Adams, Naples, 115 tons farW- 220cwt.nMi rods, SO tons hoop if on.-Ann, Bond, Malaga, 1O!t.. '18 coal.Sophla. Krause, Stettin, 216 tons rail ilon.-A lice, ii. ath. Gibraltar, 340 tons coal.-Rose and Ellen, Lodwig. Rawen, ..57 tons P]9 iron.-Oscar, Barratt, Gibraltar, 290 tons coaL—Wn.nelmine, Bugge, Stettin, 167 tons iron.-Ernestine, Rio, NaJ'1\ts, .132 tons iron.—Liverpool, Stagg, Chester: Eiizabeth, Jen Runcorn Phoeniz. Morris, ditto Catherine and Jarre, Evai>5i Liverpool; New Thomas, Bailiff, ditto William, Bnmiage, ditto; Greyhound, Teare, ditto; Bess, Stribley, PadsSo^ Eliza and Ann, Richards, Youghal Jasper, Evans,Drogneca Ocean, Sioomau, Dublin Langerthowe, Scantleberrv, Fowey; Heroine, Ball, Satcombe; Moderator, Jenkins, Waterford; Newport Trader, Jackson, Gloucester; Exmouth, Parker, London. Gem, Edwards, ditto Queen, Beer, ditto; Gem, Fryer, Bristol; Lady Selina, Carter, ditto ( Nictor),. Jones. Balbriggan Eliza, Spray, Hayle Williana, Tai-,Plili, CardIff Elizabe h and Sarah, Johnson, Swansea, iron and pn plates — Swift, Hiscox, Chepstow; Newport Trader, Jackson, w'o ster, Jane and Mary, Guy, ditto, sundries.. The market boats for Bristol with sundries, and 100 vessel. with coal. VESSELS ENTERED OUT AND LOXPIKO PAKT* Destination. Nanu. Master. r<-<«f<. <<f< Stettin Sophia Khrause 164 Edwards. Boger* Ditto .WiIhelmina .Birgge.120 ditto Ditto.Christian.Bohinti.Mt ditto Gibraltar Oscar Barratt 221 ditto Palermo Highland Lad Prewitt 113 ditto Rouen Rose and Ellen .Lodwig 91 ditto Marseilles L'Cleruentine Langlois 180 ditto Hamburgh Eliza Symons 85 ditto Ditto Johannes Wolff .388 ditto Stettin Otto Ferdinand.Kunde.178 ditto Ditto Albion Mace 138 ditto rayal Trial. Code .158 ditto Rouen Young Gipsey .Williams 90 ditto Marseilles Rollon Beckent 312 ditto

FRIDA Y'S LONDON GAZETTE, MARCH 10. BANKRUPTS. I'. Davies, 55. Grosvenor-street. draper. II. Clarke, late of Wolverhampton, Maflfordsl^Manufacturer 13, George-street, Mansion house, City, lock man (j. 11 ii tier. Witbam. Essex, builder. vY. J. Cbetwynd, Elizabeth-place, Westminster-road, picture dealer. J. Wilsbin, Reading, Berkshire, draper. if. Hughes and W. St. Leonard's on sea, Sussex, lunldei. .1. Peters, Merstham, Surrey, coal merchant. Saunderson, Cambridge, horse-dealer- K. De Cade, Norwich, stone mason. N. W. Corp, Yarmouth, merchant. F. and G. Szarka, New Bond-street, furrieii. I. Cox, Gloucester, plumber. K. Hall, Narbeth, Pembrokeshire, draper. T. Dickson, Thrisn, Yorkshue, woollen draper. G Robson, jun., Osbaldwick, Yorkshire, cattle deslar. li. Butler, Carrington, Nottinghamshire, iron merchant. G. Holroyd, and J. Walker. Sheffield, stome masons. ) Goodwill and W. H. Griffin, of Loscoe, Derbys«rt«. lime AY'S LONDON GAZETTE, MARCH 14. BANIEKVFTS. D. Gover, carpenter, Marquis-court, Drury-lane. W. Gorton, merchant, R t t Ri>-Lfri,r-. W.J.B. H. Lofty, sbtp-ovef. Benoeti-strtet, oltckfrnrt road. W. Aslett, giocer, Bittcrne, Soathatb^10"- J. Haonon, victualler, St. Martin's-lane. E. Butt, linen draper, Great Surrey-.treet, B H.and T. W. Panton, G. Foster, and J. W. Morley. noo minufactuiers, Sunderland. „ A. Frazer,lodging house keeper, St. George s, Hanover-square T. Wright R. Burgess, and R. Taylor, eM".henwar« manufac- turers, Tnrnstall, Staffordshire. \V. Whitley. merchant. Liverpool. W. Prigh, auctioneer, Gloucester. T. Sanderson, woollen draper, Leeds. r. B, Ineb, worsted spinner, Bradioid, Yorkshiie. F. Popplewell, blanket manufacturer, Batley, Y odtshire. 1). Greatbalch jun., cabinet maker, Newcastle-under-Lyne. S Middleham. wine meiehant, Clifton, Yorkshire. W. W. Mobinson, linen diaper, Beverley, Yorkshire. T. Dugqan, ciiico printer, Cheadle-grove, near Cheadle, Cheshire. W. Howarth and W. Williams, drysalters, Manchester, J. iiuxton, builder, Manchester.

BIHTHS. On Wednesday, the 15th instant, at Tivoli House, the lady of Martin Morrison, Esq., of a daughter. On Monday last, at Monmouth, the wif ? of Mr. W. Hiuder, grocer of two sons and a daughter. Both mother and offspring are doing well. At Newbridge, near Cardiff, the lath instant, of a son;the wife of Mr Rich. Llewellin Reece, solicitor, March 13, in Chapel street, Bttgravt-square. the lady of Mynors Raskerville, Esq., M.P., of a son. At Cheltenham, the lady of the Hon. L. H. King Herman, of a son. At Hay, the lady of the Rev. Thomas Phillips, of a daughter. March 2, in Eaton-place, London, the lady of Robert Biddulph, Esq., ° March 9, at the Chasf near Ross, the lady of George Strong, *sq., M .D., of a daughter.. T MARRIED. On the 14th instant, at Mynyddyslwyn Church, Mr. Richard Phil- lips, grocer, Brynmawr, to the eldest daughter of Mr. Eice Davie*, croccr, of Abercarne. n On Saturday lasW* Penalt, by the Rev. Stephen Parry, Mr. Damal Howell of Lo*^VRedbrook, to Elizabeth, third daughter of Mis. J lizabeth MoigHfetf the former place On Mr. Burton Mounsher Watkins, shoemaker, lo Flizabeth, second daughter of Mr. Thomas, of Wonastow Lodge. At Whitson Church, by the Rev. James Francis, Mr. James Jenkins of Trostrey, near Pontfpoo). to Eliza, third daughter of Mr John, .Milner, of Newhouse, Whitson. DIED. At Llandegveth, and formerly of Machen, Mr. W. Jones, plasterer, aged 99 years. At Newport, W. Morgan, aged 35 years. At Wernllyson, Machen, and formerly of Newport, Edward Evans, butcher, aged 39 years. At Newport, Maria wife of Abraham Williams, aged 43 years. At Newport, Mr. John Morgan, carpenter, aged 32 years. On the 11 th instant, at the Pentre, near Abergavenny, Margaret Anne, daughter of James Greenfield, Esq., aged 5 months. On the 9th instant, at Monmouth, in her f>3rd year, Mrs. Margaret homas, mother of Mr. W. Thomas, saddler, and inmate of Jones's MIIIS Houses. This is the sixth death which has occurred to as many inhabitants, who participated in the benefit of this chanty, during the erection of the present Almshouses, in the space of 12 months. Feb. 18, the Rev. Robert Hardy 1 ueker, aged 80, for upwards of 40 j ears vicar of St. Mary's church, Marlborough. March 5, in his S 1st year, at his residence, 31 Pulteney-street, Bath, tol. L. P. Jones, late of the 2d, or Queen's regiment, and of Llwyn Oan, Denbighshire. Of cholera, at Bengal, Major Galloway, of the 10th regiment. March 15th, at Iidenham,near Chepstow, deeply lamented, Vrsuia, onngm aughter of Mr, Anthony Gardiner, in tht 20tli yfaf of tiff

to*. NOTICE, )h PRrrU0 Inform our ADVERTISING 54pPOlNrffiU?d AGENTS> lbat inorder to OBVIATE "dist^L £ NTS t0 lhe Subscribers of the MERLIN, in JIr I.tncts of its circulation, completed arrangements PUBLICATION & TRANSMISSION f 0)t roa £ k this and the adjoining Counties^ l'Otd PalDAY EVUNISO. It.ii l°a>eet n. C- 8» an<* t0 CIMrTJ ^ot Other Plans oalca* fS^uestr»eW,0f 0UR NADERS, we hare ear- ». ^ONJLU otf BUSINESS, onr AGENTS, and TO POST THEIR LETTERS aon tb.e MERLJN OFFICE >1SAW N THURSDAY. C.CEL '«»the time of Publication HAS TAKEN tJ1* of o p feel obliged by the EARLY Commit- ft mav be obtained at the OfPtCE.ln CORN- SATURDAY, asttsual. Tti« Piper will contain, News of Friday's London Post:

^IJI^JFLGTT'LVATER AT NEWPORT. DAYS HIGH WATER. DEPTH xi MORN. EVEN. DOCK GATES. J(),'SLL(IAV^,LC,F'' M. M. H. M. FT. IN. VS?0#^Y 8 46 9 5 36 9 FE'T'JB^Y 9 21 9 38 34 7 '.VVB?AY 9 56 10 15 31 9 $THURSDAY 10 31 10 53 28 2 11 20 11 30 25 6 82*; 11 56 12 52 23 7 s^^Uy 1 44 2 34 23 9 r-= 7""

IJTIHIE IVIE^LIIL^L NEWPORT, SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1843. 1'E OF THE DISTRICT.—STRIKE OF THE COLLIERS. J^^PPy differences now existing between K(JUcj 0W:^ s and the colliers of this district, are Nilt 'n^ ^'e most disastrous results to our port— we trust, will not fearfully and pro- 'ig y 'act upon the colliers themselves, accord- c opinion of men long conversant with the 'He*°k ^eets of collier vessels, that usually took lf Carg°es here, are obliged to go elsewhere for k^et^ temptations are anxiously held out at °Ur8 ^Us larSel>' an^ unexpectedly benefitted th^r°U^es' ^n^uce a continuance of the trade Hj4 etll> to the prejudice of Newport. Indeed, Say, to borrow a sentiment from the Poet, Although our foes have joined in hate, We We do not join in love." credibly informed that upwards of eight ^tefl tons shipping have left the port, disap- ^Ple car80es» a ^ew days and that the poor S)e live by the various operations of the ^b'is-°W stag»ant,( are literally starving. ^ltofl8a lamentable picture. Whoever bsars the clear S° Unf°rtuliate a state of things, one thing ^hiP"^at Par^es» masters and men suffer. tu they are urging their mutual recrimina- e nd out of which labour is employed, is ,fl Hicka-Way tra('e seeking new channels, a may henceforth continue to run continu- ^iatj0li day of repentance and mutual recon- P^ft^ llla'V only arrive to witness the permanent tn;Je °^a great portion of the prosperity of our O^al district. I LUnd t^°ccasion of this kind it has been generally there is no peace-maker like a true 6flVe^s °f the question. Contentment is never ^°thef 0ller ^an by comparing one condition with ^lidst being thankful to Providence that th« ^ass of miserv our lot has been above that B AS A R RAGE' Mjjt ^terary man, unconnected with trade, the e r. of this paper may well be supposed to bring JeCt llhrely impartial judgment to act on the sub- I \'D*n<i in the STRJctures made out by the MERLIN, >vpea4rainoun' object is in view, a good understand- l)etween meters and men. itit ^ear^ ^°th parties blamed by practical 'ferene 'S601 persons, for the present deplorable j fcite^f coa^'owners f°r unduly lowering V' ° wages, and the men for illegally strik- 01,- 11 it In contravention of their contracts, anJ e^tl requisite warning, as well as for not suf- atten^ng to the present low rates of profit \arrUfd consumption of the country. We have V-ea tllat the masters have denied the charge ^0VV' wages, while the workmen again aver >?y a>"e not paid in the current coin of the llg which expression meant that the "truck The^ ent" had been enforced in some instances. ^nifes° are r-*ases in which the truck system is a tj. t advantage, nay, a blessing to the workmen %ljet|r doilies, and it is gratefully admitted to be haVg'ley h'»ve a good and conscientious master. y tlleG'Jeen pleased with the comforts presented M ^0t,k '101Tles W01'king men engaged at where Truck is honestly carried out, I ^aboure>r obtains the full" value of his tL^ren C S°odsas he wants, and where his wife and t §htl ^lave had this protection against the ector, ess improvidence of their natural pro- f r^Gre are other cases in which Truck" is h* ^os° y and oppression. We know not how on a recent occasion, stated they were IJCOtij In the current coin of the realm, had reason Of lhe Plain, neither have we heard that the prevalence astern is alleged by the workmen to be I s \ve Causes of their determined hold out, but p. • Say> that if the wages proved to have the several cases under our eye, were II 6 WaSes» then, no class of skilled mechanics are Pa^ anything like the proportion 1 h !s.COntented turn outs." cKe Pro evidence by one of the colliers, at the c i 8e<i Ce?din?s in °ur l own IIa11' aSai°st men v^ifif ^^h Scotch Cattle rioting, That a good 'W()r in(, 9 or 10 hours a-day at the Place ty colliery, will be able to cut 21 tons." lU e~illan engaged five days and a half in the week )j 11 ^s" -^oain' we have the following fiOn (,n oath befo re the magistrates at New- ^•S'^centlv- "Vld 1 ',iK°r°f tk I 801 agent to Mr. iieHumonr, pro. CoH• ^oodfieM colliery. All lhe colliers 8re ,0 receive Is lOd per ion for lhe coal cut, V")C0 anc^ la'ce a month's notice. Hugh (one of the vvill ntinued at liis -oik only one day. A good collier >^0o,lierV sreat ease, cut two tons of coals in eiglit hours 0f^» sWoer' Thomas Watkins, agent to Mr. Morri- that for 21 working days in the month jX ;uaj;y, one of the men, who abandoned his 8 3d his son, a boy 12 years old, gained £ 7 _a^es> m'nus 3 lbs. of candles, at 7d per lb., I the -a-POtind of gunpowder at 7d per lb., used \1d Work Thus the man and bov earned 7s 6d A qct" Ac"On per day. (1 leb, lttstance was proved before the same o a man and three lads earning £ 16 0s 8d ^d0eIastmonth- e ag;ti not cite these facts in order to make out a 0( £ s> the colliers, with any ungenerous feel- tjj p0Qe ever have been and ever shall be friends fiojjf' and we shall be ever ready to advocate £ toA s'_hut we must at the same time not lose tftf e lavvv,06 between man an^ man> with0 which servants who leave their mas- 10 a certain fixed notice, are punishable by C °ulv ^nt' may seem hard, but let the operatives W^0lllprfi0 conse<Juences °f an a°t the kind, V See at iu ^r* ^Iorris°n's instance, and they °nCe equity and the necessity of such ^6llSe cani?1!' rna.ster's works, involving im- ^iles k are suddenly stopped, water floods and h has heayy rents accruing galeages t^aste °.rses to maintain It may be also that fiirnlV8 bound hy contract, in heavy penal- "h a wrtan supply of his material within a given period; which stipulations he enters into on the faith of corresponding stipulations with his own workmen. The sudden and capricious strike of the latter throws hint dri his back—^his rriines may be sèrhhisly darriagect, df possibly ruined be- yond rècovcry-a capital of thirty or more thou- sand pounds may be annihilated bv one month's cessation from labour, and the accumulation of many families, for tt long series of years, saved with many ar\ anxious toil and self-denial—disappear all at once from the national Iresoiircies; On the other hand, the WCrknriin by idleness rieltjier Suffers «c' much ih hinrtseltj nor tdllsts so much loss to the nation by a strike, as his master. His trades-union subscription funds support him for a time, and when those are expended (which must be now the case very generally), he has only to return to his work (if he can get any—if his in- fatuated conduct has not dosed aec«ss against Him to where he fotittetly had his Wages), at the same paymeftt As before. t'h'i great question is, how much wages does the collier get, and are they enough? Has he just ground, on looking round at the contemporaneous condition of the bulk of his countrymen, to complain of being hardly dealt with ? This is the true ques- tion) and to this We shall again address ourselves in the anxious hope that our words will not be throWn away, if found worthy a regard. J When distress is national and of necessity, it would be an insult to our countrymen to insinuate that they could not bear it like men and rational beings. Whatever looks like a dispensation of Providence, is reverentially borne by Turk and by Christian. Now there is no doubt that the present distress, from whatever cause it arises-whether from Corn-laws, or any other laws, is felt to be very general. All quarters of the kingdom feel it alike. It is not as if it had been experienced by a small oppressed portion of the community, in some par- ticular quarter (Newport for example), while all the rest of the country were revelling in peace, plenty, and good wages. r5 How many are there better off, and how many worse off? We find, as before stated, that Rees Philip Jones and his son, of tender years, earned £7. 18s. 3d. of wages for twenty-one'working days the deduc- tions out of this sum were 21d. for three pounds of candles, and 3jd. for half a pound of powder-other indications are cited by us, of wages equally high being paid, so that on the whole, we cannot err in stating that the wages of a collier in full work, are greatly above those of many of the class of skilled artisans, such as cabinet makers, marble cutters, watch makers, and others of the skilled labour class while, as compared with the wages of the silk or cotton weaver or spinner, the wages of miners are enormous. If it be said those rates are received only when in full employment, and that for a great part of their time they are unemployed, we reply that ihould this not arise from arrangements amongst themselves, and perhaps from a kindly feeling, namely, dividing their work with hands not requited by their mas- ters, we conceive that the proportion of other me- chanics, and the proportion of their time which they are out of work, when compared with the miners, is infinitely greater. We can tell our countrymen that at this moment there are, from evidence furnished from unquestion- able sources, some thousands of young, skilful sober, well-conducted cabinet-makers, in London, without employment, who are going about from warehouse to warehouse, and standing at the cor- ners of streets, or hawking about articles of furni- ture, at the lowest prices that will keep body and soul together, because they cannot get work at the regular houses of trade. They may be hired at twelve shillings a week. for a certainty indeed, there are artizans, who used to earn two or three pounds a week, in the good times, who would look upon the birth of a watchman on a railway at 20s. per week, as a gift from Heaven. In fact, in all skilled labour, the competition is so great that wages are beat down almost to a starving remuneration. Nothing seems safe from competition but animal- muscular strength—the sort of labour best paid. Coalheavers, for example, men, who can exert great physical powers for four or five hours a day even strong bricklayers' labourers are better paid than many skilled tradesmen who have been re- quired to serve a long apprenticeship, ere they could exercise their craft. The class of counting-house clerks also feel pi- teously the general depression of the times-we have known instances where good aceountants and fair- charactered persons havo offered their services under 20s. a-week. But above all, miners, according to the Reports of Parliamentary Commissioners and statistical autho- rities, enjoy a freedom from competition, which, like a natural monopoly preventing other labour from crowding in upon them in times of distress, always ensures them comparatively good wages. The reason of this is obvious. No man can very well become a miner who has not from his youth been accustomed to it. Few can do the work without some training to it. All these cases combine to keep the numbers within bounds, and the pecu- liarities of the employment will ever continue to keep mining one of the natural monopolies which enjoy a high rate of wages, when all other trades are overstocked and pauperised by competition. Of the twenty-five millions of people inhabiting this country, three-fourths do not earn seven shil- lings a week. and not a fourth of the remaining fourth earn as much as the Monmouthshire turn- outs. These facts deserve reflection. We have thus fulfilled a promise made last week, and, for the present take leave of the subject with the expression of a sincere hope that a negociation now on foot, may lead to enduring relations of concord and good faith between the colliers and coal-owuers. and that prosperity may soon revisit our hills and our port.

NEWPORT TOWN-HALL—MONDAY, MARcn 18. Before the Mayor, Thomas Hawkins, and Lewis Edwards, Esquires. PLA UNO WITH EDGII TOOLS. John Cronin, a sharp-looking lad, possessing a "gim)et" eye, and a nose of the cheese-cuiter style, was charged wiih having stolen a razor, the properly of a Captain Sawyer, on board of whose ship he was cook. The captain "ilb the edge-tool name had sailed out of the port, and consequently did not appear to prosecute the thief for cutting off with his property. In answer to the Mayor, Cronin said he was a native of Htighton, and his Worship told him he did but little credit to [hat fashionable town, and had belter leave Newport, for if he wasfouod in any of tbe whereabouts of the port after this day, he should have three or four week's employment at the up-hill work at the county mill. Cronia looked archly on the Bench, saying, as plain as any "tell-tale eye" might speak. "Cotch me at the vheel again, tfyer can!" and then bolted. DRUNK AOMN An old offender from that horrible home of iniquity, The Fields," who gave her name Ann Winstoe, and who has been lie/ore convicted and punished for her profligate and drunken conduct, was now charged with being drunk and disorderly i and the Mayor, who said he had perhaps unwisely been much too lenient with her on previous occasions, now ordered her to Ire committed to the House of Correction at Usk for two months with bard labour. CJIIJTIOS—"REFUGE FOR THE DESTITUTE." John Duling was charged by Mr. Superintendent Hopkins with being a vagrant, and having been found begging on Sun- day afternoon. Mr. Hopkins proved the information, and stated that prisoner had adopted a practice of exhibiting the end of his left arm, which had been cut off, for the purpose of frightening persons 10 whom he appealed, into giving him assistance. He had frightened Mrs. Iggulden, 31 the Carpenters' Arms Inn, and other persons, in this manner, and had been in town at this practice since Friday last. Mayor, to prisoner: Did no one inform you that there is a Refuge for the Destitute in this town, where you would have a bed and food 7 Prisoner: No, your Worship, no one informed me of it, and T ins h„t "are of such a place. lu &7 t-cely credit that you have been begging in Mayor I can sc- without being informed by some one this town from last Friday. -nobable. The lodging-house ofthtsfact. It is not at 8l' to *heir interest to tell you, keepers might not have felt il to bp told you for il but persons of whom you begf" should hh. ,told there is their duty. As there is no p tiof ihat yOd 'inued was a Refuge for the Destitute, and vod dc/tistqiieotlf ro, 10 soliciting alms, you will be discharged now, tftf pftfWifStog leave the town at once. ] The poor grey-haired old cripple stammered out his thanks, LIST OH, LR ST Captain Theobald, master of the Guard, of Liverpool, wu summoned by Captain Evan Jenkin, master of the Elizabeth, of Cardigan, for the sum of £2 10s, amount of damage done to the Elizabeth by the Guard. Evan Jenkins, wiih a rich Cardigan vernacular and manner- ism, stated that as he lay at the Blenavon wharf to take in iron on Wednesday last, the Guard came up at three feet ebb, and fell in alongside the Elizabeth. He begged the master of the Guaid to keep further off, or the Elizabeth would be sure to list over upon her. She was bound to list," as the iron was loading all on one side, and he therefore guarded the mas- ler of the Guard against coming too near he desired him to keep a respectful distance, but be iefused and by and by, as j t!le tide left both vessels aground, ihe Llizabeili listed over on the Guard, and then the fore-yatdot the Elizabeth caught be- j twpen the top-mast and mast-iiead of the Guard, aud broke immediately.. Captain Theobald put a few cross-questions to witness, w lach ehclted mnch angry recrimination. Hugh Griffiths, water bailiff ot the port, s'ated that he saw 'he Elizabeth moored properly. He had taken the estimate of the damage done to the Elizabeth to the Captain o! the Guard, who refused to pav, firs!. because he said the damage done to 'he Elizabeth was done by herself, and, secondly, because the charge lor the spar was enormous. If tile Guard wt-reatew teet further on, she would have cleared the gravel bank, and been all right. Capt. Theobald Ves, and if the Elizabeth bad moved a foot, nothing would have happened. Mayor, to Grimths I want to know ho-v a strange captain, oa coming into port, should know exactly how to place IU5 ves- set. so as to avoid those banks. Mr. Griffiths made no explanatory reply. Severa) other witnesses were called, who corroborated the the Welsh captain's story. The captain of the Guard then addressed the Bench, and distinctly stated that if the yards of the Elizabeth had been cauoted," as his were, and as be desired Jenkins to do, no injury would have occurred, there being plenty of room for each vessel then to list even lowaids each olhei, wi'hout doing any damage; and he contended thot it being the duly of every sea- man to see to the performonce of all things proper on boatd his o \n ship, aad as he had done all thai wa. ecessaiy on bonrd I tbe Guard, and had even advised the cap'ain of the Elizabeth j how to manage his yards. Sic., any injll y which shoutdbcuc- cnsioned 10 Ihe E'IuL)t,th through the carelessness or neglect of hel captain, outfit flot to be laid 10 hi. (Cdpt, Theobald's) charge. Aod that the Guud had taunted her vard-. and lay far enough off 10 prevent damage, 11 the Elizabeth nild also cdunred Iter yard- he calied several seamen io pfove. 1 he mate of the Guard, William Sewell, staled that he had all iht ir yard, caunied, and had de-ired the people of the Welsh vessel 1o do the same, or some injury ll¡i¡:h,1 occur. Thev disregarded his advice, and the Elizabeth listed over upon lhe (J'lard, and tnoke hrt own fUlc-.plld In consequence of what he consideied toe stupid or sullen neglect o! the Welsh ves- [ sei's people." Much incrimination ill the technical phraseology of manners ensued, occupying Ib" coull lor an houi or more amid which, (.'apt. Theobald, alluding to the cost of ihe foie-yard made lor iiit* Elizabeth by (Mr. lay lor, for wt,ich he charged £ 2 Ids, de- elaied that he had been (tflt rt d a similar yaid for 22s by one p,Hry, kDrI 30s hyaoothff. In fdct," said he 'lis but a b: oomslick, after all." • I he magistrates consulted, and ordered that the expense of rite fore vard, and the costs, shouid be divided between the "10 masters. The Clelk declared the amount to be paid by each to be f!<9s9.). C-ipt. Theobald said be would not pay his proportion. It was not proper, lie proceeded to indulge m much invective against the officers of the porI. The Mayor said that being himself one of the Harbour Com- -uissioners, be would guarantee iliat if any partial conduct coulu be pioved against any officer, lie should immediately pro- pose an investigation into his conduct, with a view of removal. There was another observanon made by Capt. Theobald, which he, as Mayor, could not let pass disregarded. It was thai the bench always decided in favour of the party for whom the Har- bour Master might conit forward. This was at unfounded in fact, as it was rude and insolent. Captain Theobald replied that he did not mean to impugn the motives of the magistrates, but he ihooghi they depended too much on the opinion of the Harbour Master in these mat- ters. As to Captain Jenkins, of the Elizabeth, and Mr. Hugh Griffiths, the water bailiff, they were Hoih "tarred with one bru-.h,—thev were Welshmen. (Japt. Theobald be.og assuied that if he did not pay the amount, the Guard would ue sold under a distress warrant, p.:id the money, with divers exclamations against the broorn- s i k of a yard,' the partial officers, and otheis equally useless, and depaited with invectives loud and deep.

An account of Coal and Iron brought down the Tram-read, in tf;p- week ending March 11 :— TOSS. CWT. Thongs Prothero 859 1 1 homas I'owwell 416 10 Rosser Thomas and Co J ,566 10 M. Morrison — — W. S. Cartwright 48 J. Latch and Co. 116 19 John Russell — — Samuel Hornfray 548 14 Rogei Lewis <. 34 14 Joseph Jones. S4 0 John Jones, Victoria 3b5 IS Ryce Davis, ditto 285 13 James Poole 55 17 Total 4,371 13 IRON, Total Samuel Homfray and Co. 500 4 Harford. Davis, and Co. 257 10 Rhymney Iron Co 494 9 Total 1252 3 An account of Coal and Iron brought down the Canal during the week ending March 4 :— TUI, Prothero Thorns ,rel, I lieroaf K. •• Martin Morrison S.J„^Slhu;r,oV».ic^'c-pV„ Richard 'S Rosser Williams rr, 787 Total | vjf Iron ,r 2,454 Tons