ebc 3)rotifituf3.

The examination and committal of the Reverend Joseph Ill:.■Ter • Stephens, and. the proceedings connected therewith, form the chief pro vincial occurrences which we have to lay befbre the reader this week. The first examination of Mr. Stephens took place on Friday Lust, at the Manchester New lhailey, before 3.1r. Foster, Chairman of the Salford Sessions, Mr. Potter, .Mayor of 3 lanehester, :Messrs. Sanderson and Kenworthy, the Justices on whose warrant the prisoner was apprehended, and other 31agistraues. Mr. John Law o. appeared as attorney for Mr. Stephens ; and Mr. Duck, it barrister, con- ducted the case for the prosecution. Many of itepliens's friends were present ; and among them Mr. Richard Oastler, who appeared to be

• very unwell and feeble. Mr. Duck read the warrant of apprehension ; which stated, that the prisoner . . . . "did, on the 13th November last, at the Market-place of Leigh, in this county, with a great number of evil-disposed and disorderly persous, as- semble together, in a tumultuous manner, with banners, nags, and ensigns;

• and that then and there, hy loud shouts, and by the discharge Of tire-arms, terrified the inhabitants of' Leigh ; and that he did, by vi teat and hi: bit tory language, endeavour to excite the persons so a5senffil,s1. to violeare Site persons and property of certain of her Majesty's liege subjects in Leigh and the tieighbourhood."

The first witness called was Mr. James Johnson, linendraper, of Leigh ; who was present at the meeting of the 13th of November— He Was at the window in the third story of the Fox publie-honse. Ile should suppose there were from two to three thousand people at the meeting They commenced assembling about nine o'clock in the morning, and continued to 44 so till the arrival of Mr. Stephens, which was aliont twelve, when a per- son was called to the chair. There was a cart for hustings, and Mr. Stephens spoke from it for two hours and thirty-five minutes, when witness went away. AVitness was between forty mid Jiffy yards MT; and he could hear what lac said, except sometimes when he turned to address the people am the other side. For tf the first half-hour, witness thought he never heard a gentleman address ail assembly better than Mr. Stephens did ; but, after then, be began talking about the Poor-law and the factories, and mentioned the names of witnesses's rt Itt boors, who were mill-owners or Guardians. He mentioned the natne of Mr.

Pownall and Mr. Jackson. Mr. Pownall is chairman of the Board of (1 :tar-

dittos, and Mr. Jackson is another Guardian. lid esseottld not say exactly what he seal iii mferenee to these gentlemen ; hut lie (tooted some part of Scrip- titre, and said, to 'destroy a Poor-law Geardian was doing God serrie e; and. a!, tlds language witness understood to apply to the 1.:-entlemen he bad named. 'Witness also heard him mention the names of Mr. Topping, the Vicar, and Mr. Jackson, the Curate. Ile said Mr. Topping's witi: had persuaded him not t: to be a Guardian; Mr. Topping not being one of then, but having been one previously. He also mentioned the astute nf Mr. Jones, a cotton-spinner, who has a factory in the neighbourhood. Mr. ;Telles is not a Guardian. When he introduced Mr. Jones's name, he was speakiog of the factories, and the de- plorable state which the people were in. He condemned the practices in the factories, and advised the people to arm themselves. He told them I, ga their guns or pikes, and hare them over their dtimuey-pieces. Thq were to have them

ready, and he woad come over nt g were to appoint hint their leader.

When he came over, he wouiub tell theta what they were to do. Ile then alluded to a lad in Mr. .Totues' uitilt, whom he said Mr. Jones had struck or beaten. When the grand attach teas to be made they were to go to the .faetories with. a dagger in one hand and a torch in tile other. Ile also talked about tarring and feathering ilk. Jones, and sending him as a present to the Commissioners. While he was addressing the people stols were frequently let off, and pikes held up. Witness saw a pike himself which had a loaf and a herring stuck on it. The pistols were fired so frequently, that Stephens interfered, aud said there was too much cracking; he had not done cracking himself yet, and they might crack by and by. Witness saw about twenty Pistils himself, and parties went op and down the street firing them off. Tlus meeting excited ti great deal of alarm among the peaceable inhabitants. Witness felt alarm then, and felt alarm still.

3Tr. Stephens cross-examined this witness at griat length ; but the only modifieatim of his evidence, worth notice, was that 31r. Stephens when speaking of a " general rise," did not say, " what it was for, nor when it was to be." .

'William Coward, a constable of Leigh, heard is 3Ir. Stephens s harangue. After glutting the text " 'Vengeance is mine, and I will re- pay, saith the Lord,- he added-

" What I mean to say is this, that God has perhaps raised up you to fire down the-e buildings, (alluding to houses round about,) and perhaps even that venerable church which our forefathers have erected." Ile advised the people to give up their seats in churches and chapels, to take flair children from the dillerent places of worship, and to save their pennies to buy guns, pikes, and pistols.

The same witness attended a torch-light meeting at night, and heard a speech from ihe prisoner— Ile spoke about soldiers and °dicers, and advised the people not to be afraid, for all was right Ilan-veil the soldiers and him; the Mho. rs 11:1(1 frequently re- ceived his letters and Filers Mtn their mess-roonts ; I ha the soldiers had re- peutedly heard him preach, anal loved to hear 111111, anal the peolde had nothing to fear from that quarter. Ile spoke of the diderent labours and sullcIle.g, that people had to go through in factories ; and ag t f women giving ,s; lu lwing confined in those rooms; and said that Ile had either saTn or heard of them being- so faint that thee had to milk themselves and lie mu the thaw: and he then alluded to the employers; and WaSi Menfloilea—whether with re- spect to inillS, Or to doing SotiV.thing to the elliployer2i. Witlici6 COUid 11,,I tell.

He called Hichard Yates, a local preacher, mho had been made a poor-rate-eolketor, the " diabolival llicharil Yates," aml !slid he W■nild " die on a dunghill "— 'Pc told tic., meeting. that if III: lived at 1,C.,11, he NI•0111,1 :10 to the Poor-law Gam-dime; half a 15 iii., ii 'ti, or two 110:',11 at a time in a body, and he woold bridg Guaixffint oat ; would not hurt lint he would take our Ids coat , i titiuti, iril sI:it I, tit ttl Ito would then, tuci 1 Iffilow of feathers, and

he n (odd Laiher liiuu. utti got a barrel of tar, awl tar him right well

mrer; and wit, o ha 1 dom.( that would' say tohtiutt, " Co to roost, thou

devil !" Alai if he ha-i wings, and were to fly, v.-under what Mod of' a bird he was.

This wirm sitl that he ,..,raye his evidene, Steithens

▪ Ii grCai He belonged to the Wcb.yall connexion him- r! father had been a highly-respectable Varesleyan lie I) .1_i every man, and hated no one ; but he felt hound to declare, that

311-. Stephens had been ',vigil, there was more irritation aiming the people than ever it had lucf(ire known, and he bad lived there many ■ ears, ( tlonty- eight, the reporter malerstood him to sty.) Since Mr. Ste,ffier, htti

best( there, more arms bad 1(■ collected bia, der than he loul cts•r

las i(I of or 1:nown. ite1 atiit.-i• (WO Sillait'S it ti Who re /it," Ircr, "efi,f7/.// 111.011W(.01 01]C t wo Sit- I'. lIne and Mr.• Motile. They Were principally of steel, seam of steel and iron, and were fourteen or fifteen incites long, wish a sercw at the cute end 10 serunv iii a ▪ alal they were very shorp at flue pointed end. Thl.,

more actively g.ffitg- Ii itus l r. Sluphens's vbit to Leigh and se-. eral gen(!e.-e

had 11;en i:11 er to have a pike or a ball into ;hem ; and he tilue:,(1(1. when :t loan bought :■ Ito:;f in a shOp, atttl ;:sid. It the seller, clapping his liami

Ott a pike in his breast, "'file next loaf 1 sball fetch it with this pike," that MIS unotigh it siurutut to any one.

Being questitmed hy the I hutch, the witness added— There were difier,nt seeieliesI t i Leigli, the members of with+ bad drawn out I!. a piece, for the parpa-e. as as reported, or povh.u.ii,g tire-arms. .For instance, he knew that the i /robis had drca n I/ a piece; but he could not soy positively that it Was for 1!•11 purpo,o. h1 n a connected with a society, lit

WaS wel I t 1.-14111/. or 1,500/.; and there had been two meet-

ings in that club, as a a ,I the munolk`rs Wlillted to draw :lo1 It. out of the

savings-bank, as one man s••1,1. • 1(1 pure!isse hat there was a p.m:: majority against it, tel ff ft ,ue , ;posed it. He had rea,ni Iey wanted it to ie On his eross-ex:i utittuit •t i Mr. Stephens, he said-

" 3./P. Shp/tens oat, ;: v Id //ti fit r Num any ah,oa fire awl flue!,'; ,v/, er!of,.• tho! he itness had seen a hob !red 'has of least (-Mee the meeting; be t1.0.(gla there n-as one in mailv every I. ill I hit ItlW11,11ill or ikotiwa, and a good Wally hut Leigli; and .th.. mig:it he seen grinding eight. or ten or I wenty pikes ill illicit lay. 1.• It 11:111111•,1 -4)111C it the open air, others hanging op over chimney-pieces in homes., just to Mr. Stephens had advised them to do, all ;Tom- !, ;a- 1, and ler*, far setiou. The tact of the two smithies (oft-1,x d 1:1 1 (ao Ii , u, itu pik(s, it is kilown getter:illy to the

inhabitants; but lie hl out knou thcr the 31a1uistrates knew it."

There was no other 'material evidence. The deposilions -were read or VI ; and it appeared that several omisSions had bee» made by tlaf 31,1;:;istrates' Clerk, who took them down. Si eiliens especially notiffed, that the important admission of Oyward, that he heard nothing about burning or firing filetories, was (foliated. The Magistrates Were plIzzlel Low to tutu and Mr. Duck suggested, that " Illhe 11:nelt felt a dillicully as to the evidence. of the last witness on cros(• (.X.111141116)11 not beiV taken down, he would submit whether there was it aliundant evideme to justify them in committing the prisoner on the slat ments of the first it it111::,S (johnson) ;done, to which evidence the oltlection (12(1 not apply. He thought there nas, in the evidenee of' Johnson, putting that of Cunard. entirely out of' the tptcstion, sufficient to show flirt this was au

huh and tumultuous assemlilage ; and that Mr. Stephens was using inflam- matory language, that was calculated and likely to lead to a breach of the taace. This w mild, in fact, sust ain the charge on the thee of the warrant."

The Magistrates hesitated about committing the prisoner ; and Mr. Duck applied to have him remanded till the following Tuesday. Mr. Stephens protested against this ; he came into the sanctuary of British justice, and did not think it necessary to take down the evidence ; but as the cross-examination had not found its way into the Magistrates' papers, he would say no more—his case was closed. Mr. Law said, that at any rate, Mr. Stephens ought to be liberated on bail. After some discussion, it was agreed to take bail; two sureties in 250/. each and Stephens's own recognizances for 500/. being required. The bail

was offered ; but the proceedings were put off till the next day,in order to allow time for inquiries into the sufficiency of the security.

and his security being deemed satisfactory, he was liberated. At first

it seemed understood that the adjournment would be to Tuesday only ; duced. Mr. Brandt replied— but that being New-year's Day, when the factory workmen would be in 4, He is not ; and now I must say, considering by whom the question is a state of excitement and motion, the adjournment of the proceedings was ultimately fixed for Thursday- the 3d instant. nut here."

but no breaches of the peace were committed. The Monthly Chronicle's cannot see what that has to do with this case.'

correspoudent, writing on Saturday, says— Mr. Kenworthy—" If you wish to say any thing on the ease, now is your

" When he (Stephens) reached the outer-gates of the 'orison, he was time to do it."

hailed with tremendous busses by a large multitude, he whom he was Mr. Stephens then addressed the Bench, in a long speech, consisting accompanied through the town. His appearance caused great sensation chiefly of a narrative of the previous proceedings at his arrest, exam. us he passed along. Immediately on his arrest, the Secretary to the nation, and conveyance from Worsley to Manchester, like another Duke Chartists in Manchester made known the eirounstimee, by despatching special messengers to almost every Secretary of Unions in South Lan- cashire; and in most places meetiegs were held last night, for the purpose Jowett's mill, he said— of deliberating on the hest means to be adopted to support their chant- " It would be in his power to disclose the real incendiaries, and thus ' pion and leader, Arr. Stephens. The excitement already created is frightful; out the public in possession of n tissue of fraud and villainy such as never Came ...

produced, no doubt, after reading in the Manchester journals of Saturday the before the country for many years." .

bridee, llocholals, Boysthn, Middleton, Clod-Weston, Damp, TOdmorden of opinion was heard out of doors. The Morning Chronicle's reporter Bainley, radihaln, Jinn', Tut tingt011, Heywood, Pilkington, Ric. Sins ; by which KIN'S. " all was perfect tranquillity."

the arrest of St elite to :t6 aimed at the working classss, end as a determination to trust ra te them it their designs, and to sletw also that they are resolved on re- The personal appearance and history of Mr. Stephens naturally be. senting it as souls The i.:tters breathe only one spirit, and the following is come subjects of interest ; and the newspapers have supplied some selected as a fair :simple of many.

0 tneeti,14 was held it, consequence last night. Thew is only tue reeling, oatt opinion, nick thus describes Ii is appearance in Court— Lew ititterniMatiou, une ,,pirii ,55 itch animates us. We are dotermined to support Mr. ',Mr. Stephens is a small, thin man, and one ivlio in his manner looks like sterh •ns, ltorattse he is the tilde cuts let or the Chartists, with our ,,,,,tic,ii, tyith our one who indulges himself with doses of opium. His hair, which is a very dark Nilo:, witli our sinctrs—ny, triqt rem sins a, it' necessary. Wu will not he tittotik,d- either Whigs or 'I'm is, nor by Loll% united. 'Unite! unite ! we say to all gtssl Willie:Os. temples completely bare. II is features, which are diminutive and fiat, du not Perst•t ere! p,Is.wow! persetvie! Be firm, and or good courage!' "

" Such are the letters in substance. The delegates are still more tierce."

the public peace was oat broken. Stephetts went quietly to Ashton, where he addressed a large assembly in his usual strain of invective against the Poor-law. On Sunday, he preached at Staleybridge to one of the three congress:6(m5 under his char:'. Ile did not allude to his own arrest, but '• ,t)te;sin!y dotouncol Cod's curse upon the people" if they suffered the Poor-1,,w to be eA.Iblished amongst them. On Mon- day, he attended it teasientty of Loon persons at Hyde, and again de- livered a tirade against the Poor-law.

On Thursday, the Ma!•Ldrates reassembled at the Manchester New Bailey. About 4,000 persons were collected in the neighbourhood ; who cheered Oasfler, Fear:pis O'Connor, and Stephens, as they passed into the Magistrates' room. Mr. Brandt appeared with Mr. Duck for the prosecution ; and he conducted the proceedings with energy and knowledge. In order to get over the difficulty which 'occurred at the previous examination, the witnesses were summoned again, their de- positions read over and tanned, and an opportunity was afforded to

Stepite es to ceoss-examine them. Mr. Stephens decEned the offer, and merely suggested that every thing which had been given in the former cross-examinations should be taken down und added to the de- positions in chief.

James Dean, a new witness, having been called, Mr. Stephens said- " I wish to know Hove who are the Magis tint es, or by what Magistrates this ease is now heard ? 1 wish to know this ; becailse I find it stated III one of the public prints— / Ii mitt it in the Nonchestec Guard:an the very highest authority I believe, on such a point—that the presiding 11ingistrate is detert tt i ll ed to commit me on the faith of the witnesses already examined."

Mr. Brandt scarcely thought the defeudant entitled to an answer, but

added- " Still, I think it as well that he should now know that I am prepared with charges luntheitt him, which may involve not only his conduct, but that of °tiler parties, both as to; organizino and talting a part hi nolawful meetings. II is conduct has been Snell that fie can be elsosseil with a convict-ley, and Adly confederating with others to pierent the dew execution of the hues, und, anomyst others, of' the N■ w l'oor-htte."

'Mr. Stephens—" Theo there must be a new warriint."

Mr. Brandt —" I confine nn,'$elt for the present to the charge preferrca against him on Friday ; but I think it only fair to give him notice, that me com-

. untment upon this charge may give tho ttpportunity of proving against himself and others the having combined and confrderated together nailed: the due exe- cution of the law.

Mr. Stephens—tt To this proceeding sanctioned hy the Bench?" Mr. Forster—" I think it is better not to extend the charge beyond what appeared the other v Mr. Brandt—" I do not mean now to go beyond the charge preferred the other day." Mr. Stephens—" Is this proceeding sanctioned by the Bench ?" Mr. Kenworthy—" Yes.' Mr. Brandt It is merely confirming some part ef the testimony given the other day."

Dean was then examined. He corroborated the previous evidence, with some addition. At the torch-light meeting at Leigh, Mr. Stephens said—

No further evidence was offered ; and Mr. Stephens refused to cross.

examine the last witness, as he saw the Magistrates had determined to :

commit him. He applied for a copy of the warrant, and the name of . On Saturday, Mr. Stephens was again brought before the Magistrates ;

the informer in the case ; and asked whether that person had been pre.

asked, that I do believe that that person has been taken away by some persons connected with the defeadant. It is not the limit of the prosecutors that he is - There was vouch excitement generally among the working classes ; Air. Stephens—" The learned gentleman may believe what he pleases ; but I .

'Enghien, at night by a military escort. Referring to the fire at .

d

pion and leader, Arr. Stephens. The excitement already created is frightful; out the public in possession of n tissue of fraud and villainy such as never Came ...

produced, no doubt, after reading in the Manchester journals of Saturday the before the country for many years." .

examined= on the previous day. There are not two opinions of any party, The Magistrates directed the prisoner to be committed for trial at '. sthether Tory, Whig, or Torch-light men, as to the special bungling displayed the next Liverpool Assizes ; but agreed to take bail for his appearance, . on the investigation ; and a committul on such evidence would, it is thought, himself in 1,000/. aud two sureties of 500/. each. One of the present fan the smouldering embers into a flame. Let night and this morning, up to sureties was considered sufficient, but inquiry as to the other was deemed ; this hour, have brought letters and delegates from every town and village in necessary. Mr. Stephens was then removed in custody. When the - South Lancashire, Renouncing the determination of the Unions in those places —as Oldham, Stockport, Bolton, Leigh, Tyldisly, Eccles, Ashton Stayley- Magistrates' decision was given, not a word was said, and no expression i it sr:tears that en Monday evening meetings will be held. The most alarming 'Preparations fiir more meetings in Manchester and the manufacturing part (X the intitb.r is, thai the writers of the letters' and delegates' object imp- districts are going on. Five additional warrants were issued on Thurs. ikars principey to he, the asking for advice as to is het her the Charti:t i should day by the Mit.tb,trates in Petty Sessions at Chowbent ; but it is not '. come in boak, on the day of examination in order to show that they consider known against whom. "The question under discussion was a knife and fork question,' and '5 bread and cheese question.' Soule man in the meeting at Leigh shouted, Would not a spoon do? 'Yea,' said Stephens, for your porridge; but a knife and fork for a buttock of beef.' Somebody shouted again, We have no beef; we have no use for knives and forks.' Mr. Stephens said, ' Take theta and , put them to your tyrants' throats, and see how they wilIfIt them.'"