66 66 principal load of the debt ought to be" to look upon as a measure of spolia- borne by that property of which the "tion, he supposed, because it was owners were mainly instrumental in graduated inversely as the property 'contracting it. He agreed with the "of the payers, and operated consehon. Member for Oldham, that the quently, in favour of the rich. He labouring classes ought not be bur-" spoke of the window tax, with re'dened beyond their due proportion; spect to which he had heard no cry of but that the load should be borne in a spoliation raised. The question of the "continuance of that tax was one of greater degree by the landed property, for the protection of which the debt great importance in London and 6 was contracted, although it is now, "Westminster; and since a graduated comparatively speaking, exempted" scale was considerated so henious, he "from taxation. From 39,000,000l. to" hoped that consideration would opeto 40,000,000l., out of the 50,000,000l." rate with hon. Members in the case of were raised from the industry of the" the assessed taxes." 36 66 66 66 "country, and paid by men who earned These three were amongst the very "their bread by the sweat of their brow, best speeches that have been made this "while the remaining 10,000,000l. only Parliament. Nothing can be more cor"were paid by the higher classes. The rect than that which was said by all. poor man, who earned only 2s. or 3s. these three gentlemen. It is very easy a day, was taxed at the rate of 50 per for those to cry "national faith," who “cent., while the rich man with 10,000l. impose the burden upon others: very paid only 15 or 20 per cent. That was pleasant for the landowner to cry na"the great grievance; and if, as was tional faith" to the savings-bank man, "admitted, it had become absolutely while he impounds the property left to necessary to relieve the industry of the poor fellow, until it has paid its "the country, it must be done by share of the national debt, while the "such an entire change in the system landed estate, which has come to him“of taxation as would relieve the poor self, has paid not one single farthing man from its pressure, and leave the towards the discharge of that debt. I "moveable capital of the country, by agree with Mr. HARVEY and with Mr. "which employment is furnished, un- HUME, that, if this debt be to be paid "burdened. They would thus put an in gold of full weight and fineness, and "end to that emigration which was daily in full tale, it ought to be paid by those "draining the country of its industry and for whose benefit, for whose pleasure, "of its best blood. He was strongly in our views, of some sort or another, it "disposed to the principle of perpetui- was contracted; and, at any rate, never "ties; and if the debt had been con- would I give my consent to deduct one "tracted for an annuity to continue even single farthing from the interest of the "100 years, there would at least have debt, until the aristocracy and the "been a prospect of its gradual extinc-church, and "sister-services" had been "tion. It was well known that money made to give up every farthing that they might have been obtained on terms take out of the taxes, without adequate 66 very little higher than were required services fully and duly rendered, and un"for perpetual annuities. If they wished til the crown and corporation estates "to perpetuate the dominion of Eng"land, they must adopt some measure "of terminable annuities. 66 had been brought to book; and, if these were done, the oppressive internal taxes might be taken off, and the fundholders made more secure and better off than they are now; and the whole debt might be paid and satisfied in a very short space of time. I am very glad that this discussion took place. It is the first time that common sense has been applied to this 66 subject in Parliament. We now under- "THE MURDER OF CULLEY THE ACQUITTAL OF FURZEY. 66 66 66 as the murderer of the unfortunate Culley. The person alluded to was "taken, a few days since, to the prison "of Newgate, and selected Furzey from GEORGE FURZEY, of WALWORTH, was among several other prisoners as being tried yesterday, at the OLD BAILEY, on "the person whom he had seen give a charge of having stabbed a police-" the fatal blow, and he is to appear man at the Calthorpe-street Meeting. "at the trial of the prisoner at the The trial lasted the whole of the day," ensuing Old Bailey Sessions to prove and, as far as I can learn (it is now 5" the facts." WHO was this infamous o'clock, Friday morning), the whole of correspondent? Or did the brutal the night. It was a Government pro-editor of that paper, who is daily secution and conducted by Mr. Solicitor-endeavouring to cause a gendarmerie General. Mr. CHARLES PHILLIPS, with to be sent into the villages of EngMr. CLARKSON, were for the poor man; land, and who is daily endeavouring and well they did their duty. The to pave the way for the destruction of thanks of every just man in this whole trial by jury; is he himself the author kingdom are due to these gentlemen, of this atrocious libel on poor FURZEY. Mr. PHILLIPS is not bodily a strong at whose blood this infamous paragraph man; and this day's work, in such an was directly aimed? We shall probably atmosphere, was enough to half kill any see who was the real author of this: man living. I owe Mr. PHILLIPS an ex-we shall see whether there be no law pression of mygratitude, for his most able for this poor man, who is a man of and zealous conducting of my cause exemplary industry, sobriety, and inofagainst the old Times; but, sincere and fensiveness; we shall see whether an great as my gratitude is on this ac- infamous newspaper is thus with impucount, it is small, indeed, compared nity to aim this blow at his life. with the gratitude which I owe him for his defence of this poor man. My English Grammar, addressed to one of my sons, I conclude in these words: In consequence of the petition which "Never esteem men merely on account was presented last week, relative to "of their riches or their station. Respect POPAY the policeman, a committee has "goodness, find it where you may. been appointed to inquire into the mat"Honour talent wherever you behold ter, of which committee I am one. "it unassociated with vice; but, honour "it most when accompanied with ex"ertion, and especially when exerted in "the cause of truth and justice; and, ANNA BRODIE AND CO. "above all things, hold it in honour, A LONDON jury has determined that when it steps forward to protect de- this set is not to continue to pour out "fenceless innocence against the at-libels upon me; and that I am not to "tacks of powerful guilt." be called "an uncertificated bankrupt" Let the public recollect; let the with impunity. A hundred pounds dapublic NEVER FORGET the follow-mages and the costs will make this ing infamous paragraph, inserted in the crew remember that there is some limit Morning Chronicle about ten days ago: to their right of assailing me, at any rate. I said, when I brought this action, and extensive interest; and certain cirthat I did it for the honour of my con- cumstances connected with the petition stituents, and not on account of myself. so naturally call forth some useful obThe people of this paper ought to have servations, that we think it necessary to been punished long ago, for their atro- advert to the subject more fully than we cious publications relative to THOMAS could have done at the time at which it GOODMAN and the men who were punish- first came under our notice. ed on account of the fires; and there is a fellow in Wales whom I will punish if he do not retract what he has said upon the same subject. The thing to which I allude is called the " Merthyr Tydvil Guardian," printed and published by WILLIAM MALLALIEU. The public may recollect, that I some time ago presented a petition from the working men of MERTHYR TYDVIL; and, because the men thought proper to send their petition to me and not to Mr. GUEST, they are threatened with starvation, and I am libelled in the following atrocious manner, the public being told, through this vile paper, that "not a few of the misguided men who suffered the pe"nalty of the law, during the agricul"tural disturbances, acknowledged, that their first incentive to unlawful proceedings, was, Mr. COBBETT's writings, or Mr. COBBETT's lecture." I verily believe, that the poor creature who publishes this is not the real author of it. I publish it that my readers may lent tendency. And we ask every one hold both author and publisher in detestation; and this is not all that I will do to the publisher, in whose paper this appeared on the 29. of June, leaving him in the meanwhile to the contempt and detestation of his townsmen. 65 The first remark that we would make is, that it seems to us singular that a petition on such a subject, and so extensively signed in Merthyr, should have been intrusted to any other hands than those of our own honourable Represen-tative. Every man, of whatever party, who has the least knowledge of Mer. thyr or of the iron trade, must be sensible of the high claims thar Mr. GUEST has upon the confidence, and even gratitude, of the persons who signed this petition. His great iron-works at Dowlais are a proof, by night and by day, of the thousands to whom his capital affords employment, and consequently subsistence; and the rate of wages at which he employs his men is, we believe, even more liberal than he is of necessity compelled to pay. We have frequently enjoyed the pleasure of recording instances of his private benevolence, and of his active exertions in the promotion of public objects of a benevo of the 10,000 men who signed this petition, if he can forget the humane and courageous interposition, by which Mr. GUEST saved the lives probably of hundreds of misguided men in the Merthyr riots? And we ask these petitioners only one question more. Can they re concile it to themselves to show to this gentleman the marked disrespect which (From the Merthyr Tydvil Guardian, 29. June.) it seems they have shown him in thus The latest intelligence of which we passing over their own chosen Represenwere in possession when our last num-tative, and committing their petition to ber went to press informed us that a a stranger? We, who on political subpetition had been presented by Mr.jects, differ with Mr. GUEST, say this; COBBETT, which was signed by 9,910 and we say it because we value " Y gwir "working men of Merthyr Tydvil, who yn erbyn y byd ;" and our politics are complained of the inadequacy of their made of sounder stuff than to stand only "wages to purchase provisions in con- by underrating the merits of our opposequence of excessive taxation, and nents. 66 "prayed the repeal of the malt, hops, But, if we point out the marked de66 soap, &c. taxes, and particularly of viation from good feeling which is "the corn laws." The subject matter evinced in this, we do it for a useful of this petition is of such importance object. The hon. Gentleman to whom this petition was intrusted, not only has lect, when large bodies of the people. no claim upon the respect of the men open a correspondence with COBBETT, of Merthyr, but the uniform course of ATTWOOD, O'CONNELL, and such people; his political life has been that of a per-rich men keep their money in their son striving to ingratiate himself with pockets, instead of spending it in shops the people, not for their good, but for or employing it in manufactures. Our his own advancement. From first to towns-people must remember that in last we have seen him fawning upon the other times, when taxes have been working classes, cramming them with much higher, the working classes were flattering notions of their own import-well paid and lived well; and that now, ance, exciting them to a hatred of the although taxes have fallen greatly, they rich, and working upon the great mass are in much worse condition. This we of the people, till he makes them the put it to the fine orator who moved the blind and headstrong instruments of resolutions, to expound to them, and his own purposes. Not a few of the till he do so, perhaps the petitioners will misguided men, who suffered the penalty doubt whether the taxation of the counof the law during the " agricultural dis- try be really so much the cause of their turbances," acknowledged that their depressed condition as he represents. first incentive to unlawful proceedings And when our brethren of the working was Mr. COBBETT's writings, or Mr. classes of Merthyr petition for the repeal COBBETT'S lecture: and we ask, where of the corn laws, we ask, did ever man was the common sense of the men of hear of one side of a house being made Merthyr, who did not see that the the stronger by pulling down the wall at Orator, fine-spoken Orator as he was, the other? But this is precisely what who "moved the resolutions," was only they would do; inasmuch as the corn bringing them also into COBBETT's net? It is a wise saying that, old friends are best. laws alone preserve the agricultural body and if that body fail, the manufacturing must be without employment. But there is one thing more in this To unravel the complexities in which petition, and it is the thing prayed for. our commercial circumstances are enThe petitioners say that their wages are tangled is a task of great power of inadequate to purchase provisions, in mind, great perseverance of exertion, consequence of taxation; and they pray and unruffled patience. On this noble the repeal of certain taxes, and of the pursuit the sincere but unpretending corn laws. If the wages are inadequate, friends of the people are seriously init is a thing which all good men de- tent and we put it feelingly to the plore; a thing which we would make honest, though misguided, men who great exertion to remedy. But the pe- have signed this petition, not to adopt a titioners must be sensible that wages course which must alarm the rich, and depend upon price; that no man, for take away the employment of the poqr: instance, could give 6s. wages to make not to raise political commotion, which a thing which he must sell for 5s. They must draw off attention from the emmust be sensible also, that their case of barrassments of trade: not to degrade a fall of wages in late years is not a themselves into the mere human prey singular, but a general one: and that of political agitators either at home or the prices of all things, and consequently abroad. the wages of the working classes in every line, are falling by the operations of what are falsely called free trade, is a position which we will explain before) long. But it rests with themselves whether their condition shall or shall not be materially worse than it is; inasmuch as when tumultuous meetings take place, when political unions col members of the House of Commons 3. 4. To make STURGES BOURNE'S Bills compulsory, and to extend their effects all over England and Wales. To cause MALTHUS's plan of refusal of relief to be adopted. To put down the present sort of justices of the peace altogether; to supply their places by hired justices appointed immediately by the Go vernment. FROM the first moment of the appointment of this commission, I expressed my opinion, that its tendency was of a most mischievous nature. The Bishops of LONDON and CHESTER stand at the head of the commissioners. Every one must know that it is impossible that these bishops should be able to enter into any such inquiries. Next comes STURGES BOURNE, the author of those bills which have produced so much mischief throughout the country, and which have been petitioned against by so many parishes. 2. Next comes SENIOR, a man who has written, over and over again, to maintain the doctrines of Parson MALTHUS. Next comes COULSTON, who was a newspaper-reporter some time ago; who is, I believe, a relation of SENIOR, and who is a disciple of the same school. We have no written proof of HARRY GAWLER's opinions, that I know of; and there is now another man of the name 5. To put down all the present peaceof BISHOP, of whom I have never heard officers of counties and parishes, before. BROUGHAM said, in 1819, that and to establish all over Great Bri"he was prepared to defend the prin- tain, a Bourbon-police, with com66 ciples of MALTHUS to their full ex- missioners, superintendents, in"tent;" and that full extent was, to re- spectors, sergeants, and privates, fuse parochial relief altogether. He just such as we have the misery pledged himself, the session before last, and disgrace to have in London. to bring in a new poor-law. I defied These are manifestly the objects of him to do it, the moment he gave the this book; and to accomplish these pledge; and, instead of bringing in a objects, the roving commissioners have poor-law, he and his colleagues ap- resorted to falsehoods the most glaring. pointed this poor-law commission to I insert below, first, a petition from the obtain information upon the subject. town of HORSHAM, in Sussex; and, These commissioners sit in London, it second, " An Inquiry into the merits of seems, and send forth roving deputy-" the Poor-law Report, by the Rev. commissioners to collect information" HARRY F. YEATMAN," who is also a about the country. These rovers give magistrate for the county of Dorset. in written accounts of the result of their In presenting the HORSHAM petition, inquiries. A parcel of extracts from Mr. HURST, who resides in the parish, these accounts have been collected to- vouched for the truth of the petition, gether, printed in the form of an octavo and for the falsehood of the rovers' book, and sold at price four shillings, report. Mr. YEATMAN examines the re! PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY "; and, the port of another of the rovers, publishes |