The following report of the meeting held in London on the 17th ultimo, appeared in the Morning Herald of March 19, 1842. THE OASTLER TESTIMONIAL. On Thursday a public meeting of the friends of Mr. Oastler was held at the British Hotel, Cockspur Street, for the purpose of forwarding the above object. Lord FEVERSHAM was, upon the motion of Mr. WALTER. called to the chair. The Noble Chairman said he had great pleasure and satisfaction in being called upon to take the chair on this occasion. It would not be necessary for him to state at any length what the object of the meeting was, as no doubt the gentlemen present were all of them aware of it. They were also, doubtlessly, aware of the situation in which their friend Mr. Oastler had been placed for so many months-viz, that he had for a period of about sixteen months been confined in the Fleet prison for debt, at the suit of Mr. Thornhill. During that period Mr. Oastler had undergone many hardships, and he regretted to say that his health had been considerably impaired (hear, hear). At the same time, however, he (the noble chairman) should mention that Mr. Oastler had during his confinement. received repeated visits from many of his friends, who had expressed the deepest Sympathy for his situation, and had rendered him pecuniary assistance, and that the public had also. manifested a deep and sincere sympathy on his behalf—(hear, hear). All this had in a great measure alleviated the distress which Mr. Oastler would have otherwise experienced. But the great object of the present meeting was not merely to obtain the liberation of Mr. Oastler--(hear, hear). However desirable it might be that such a result should flow from the present meeting, yet the ob ject was rather to further the subscription which had been contributed for the benefit and for the comfort of Mr. Oastler and his family-(hear, hear). Of course it would be hereafter for the subscribers generally to express their opinions as to the mode in which the funds should be appropriated. If such an amount could be raised as would enable them to place Mr. Oastler and his family in a comfortable state, he was confident that every friend of the working classes and every benevolent mind would be highly gratified-(hear, hear); if this could not be effected, their exertions might at all events assist in rescuing him from prison-(hear, hear). This would be a great object-(hear)—an object which, he had no hesitation in saying, a very large portion of the people of this country most heartily desired to see accomplished-(cheers). He had known Mr. Castler a great number of years, and it had been a source of great regret to him that such a man should be placed in his present situation-(hear, hear). He sincerely hoped, however, the time would shortly arrive when they would have the gratification of knowing that he was released from his imprisonment. In the meantime, they could not do better than exert their influence in order to raise a fund from which Mr. Oastler and his family might hereafter be placed in comfort and independence(hear). He now begged leave to call upon Mr. Atkinson, the honorary secretary, to state what had been done for the purpose of forwarding the Testimonial. Mr. ATKINSON said it now became his duty to state what had been done with respect to the interesting case of Mr. Oastler. Early last year it was that he first became personally acquainted with that gentleman. During his visits to him in the Fleet Prison, he witnessed his great exertions for the pulic good, and saw with pain that they had greatly impaired his health-(hear, hear). In consequence of those exertions Mr. Oastler became very ill, and had a fever, and at this time it came to his (Mr. Atkinson's) knowledge that he was suffering the most painful auxiety about the circumstances and future condition of himself and family. Seeing this to be the case, he (Mr. Atkinson) thought it necessary that the matter should be communicated to some of Mr. Oastler's principal friends. The first person whose name occurred to him was the noble lord in the chair. He sought, and immediately obtained an interview with his lordship, and the result was, the determination to put before the country a plan by which Mr. Oastler should be permanently and adequately benefited. It was thought necessary that he (Mr. A.) should go to the country, and communicate the plan to the friends and well-wishers of Mr. Oastler. He accordingly went into the north, visiting Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, and thence returned to London. In all those places he was received most cordially; they were glad to hear that the plan was to be proposed in behalf of Mr. Oastler, and promised to make every possible exertion in support of it-(cheers). He might allude more particularly to the gentlemen of the press, who had evinced the greatest anxiety to support it, and who had, indeed, by their writings in the newspapers, already rendered them very valuable assistance. Upon his return to London, a scheme for carrying these intentions into effect was formed. One proposition was, that a public meeting of the friends of Mr. Oastler should be held in the spring. -The meeting then contemplated was now assembled, and with its permission he would read to them the grounds upon which the public were solicited to interest themselves in behalf of Mr. Oastler. Mr. Atkinson then read the paper, which was as follows: THE OASTLER TESTIMONIAL. Trustees-The Right Honourable Lord Feversham; Sir George Sinclair, Bart.; John Walter, The object contemplated by the supporters of the fund, is that of providing for the wellknown advocate of public rights, Mr. RICHARD OASTLER, and his family. Having been impressed very early in life with the extreme importance of those principles which conduce to the general welfare of society, and encouraging constantly in his mind a feeling hostile to every infraction of those principles, Mr. Oastler became a strenuous supporter of the cause of the weak and the oppressed, as well as an ardent opponent of all who attempted to exercise injustice and cruelty. The sphere of his private duties being the great manufacturing districts of England, Mr. Oastler's sympathies were necessarily excited by the sufferings of childrer of tender years}who were employed in the manufactories, and the energies of his mind were directed to the great question of legislative regulation of factory labour. To all who have exerted themselves in this interesting and momentous question. Mr. Oastler has given the most efficient support; and those who have watched the progress of the subject are gratified by knowing that the question having obtained the sanction of the legislature of Great Britain, has also been adopted in France, Prussia, Austria, Russia, Switzerland, and a part of the United States of America. Mr. Oastler, as is well known, has also contended for a just and humane system of Poor Laws; and his advocacy of the great and sacred principle upon which all Poor Laws should be founded. in contradistinction to the modera attempt to innovate and encroach upon the constitutional right of the poor to relief, may be characterized as strenuous, constant, and most successful. Although the advocacy of the great public questions before mentioned has placed Mr. Oastler in the position of an influential supporter of popular rights, yet he has not attempted either to increase or to uphold his influence by appealing or yielding to the selfish passions of any section of the community; but he has boldly and emphatically, and often in the midst of great personal danger, denounced oppression and injustice, in whatever quarter they appeared to him to originate, whether it was in the case of the rich against the poor, or in that of the poor against the rich, his object being to instil into the minds of the whole people the great truth of RELATIVE duties, and the paramount necessity of fulfilling them: the source from which he has derived his knowledge of those duties being the will of God, as-revealed to mankind in the Holy Scriptures. Thus Mr. Qastler's constant endeavour has been to maintain the principles upon which the British Constitution is founded; uniting the monarchy, the aristocracy, and the entire body of the people in a mutual and just support of each other, that bond of union being the Church of Christ. It will not excite surprise, that seeing systematic tyranny and cruelty practised upon the most helpless of our race in the extent to which Mr. Oastler has witnessed it, he should have been driven, by the enthusiastic ardour of his nature, to utter expressions which those who have not been similarly circumstanced might well condemn; but on this point he has been the subject of much misrepresentation, and also of much wilful detraction; notwithstanding which he has continued in an undeviating course of public duty, not permitting his exertions to sustain the least check on account of opposition and difficulties which would have overwhelmed most men. One very important fact, showing the true and valuable nature of his services, should here be mentioned, which is, that those who have been so placed as to be best acquainted with his motives and his proceedings, have proved themselves to be his warmest and most constant public supporters, as well as his private friends, amongst whom may be reckoned proprietors of some of the largest factories in the kingdom. The great efforts which Mr. Oastler has made for his country, have, however, cost him much. No considerations of private interest have ever restrained him in his endeavours to fulfil that which he conceived to be his public duty. This great, benevolent, and patriotic man is now the inmate of a debtors' prison; debarred the full exercise of those admirable faculties of mind and body which are so well adapted to procure an ample provision for himself and family. A most earnest appeal is made to those who are attached to the cause of British Constitutional Government to contribute towards raising a fund for the purpose of placing Mr. Oastler, his wife, and their adopted daughter, in comfortable circumstances. The money which is raised will be under the controul of Trustees, whose names are before mentioned, who will decide on the best method of fulfilling the object intended. The projectors of this Testimonial beg to suggest to all the friends and supporters of Mr. Oastler's principles, the necessity of proceeding immediately to form themselves into Committees for the purpose of canvassing their respective neighbourhoods, and communicating the results to the Honorary Secretary; for it should be particularly remembered that the well-being of all who obtain their living by their daily labour is especially included in this cause. and that many of them feel a warm interest in it, whose contributions, however small, will be equally esteemed as those of much larger amount. The following subscriptions, continued Mr. Atkinson, had been already announced-viz, their Noble Chairman, 501.; Lord Ashley, 257.; Sir George Sinclair, Bart., 10 guineas; Sir Alexander Hood, Bart., 31.; Mr. John Walter, 25/; Mr. W. B. Ferrand, M.P., 10 guineas; the Rev. J. D. Schomberg. 5 guineas; Mr. W. Atkinson, 5 guineas; a Ruilandshire rector and his wife, 5 guineas. In addition to those, they had during the day received 501. from Mr. R. Fountayne Wilson; 5 guineas from the Editor of the Courier; from Mr. Tatham, of Nottingham, 100¿., and from his son, Mr. W. Tatham, 257.; in the whole about 5501. He would also mention that he had received a letter from Sir. G Sinclair, regretting that illness would not permit his coming to London to attend their meeting, and expressing very warmly his hope that they would be successful in their exertions. Mr. WALTER said that in moving the resolutions which he was called upon to propose. he thought he need not ocupy their time by any lengthened observations, especially after the candid and full statement they had heard from the noble lord, who had honoured them by presiding on this occasion, and to whom. in common with all the friends of Mr. Oastler, he felt most grateful for his presence. As to Mr. Oastler himself, they were all as well acquainted with him as he (Mr. Walter) was; indeed, many of them much better, from the fact of their residing probably in the neighbourhood in which he had passed much of his active public life. He might also say, that they appreciated Mr. Oastler's merits, and wished as ardently and earnestly for his liberation as he (Mr. W.) did. He could not tell how this wish could be better realized than by a liberal subscription on the part of his friends-(hear). Although the amount at present subscribed was not large, yet it was respectable, considering that it had (nearly 6007.) been collected by a few individuals, and that no effort, as it appeared, had been made in the manufacturing districts, where Mr. Oastler was best known and most highly esteemed. He trusted that this meeting would be productive of the best resultsthat the subscription would progress very prosperously in the manufacturing districts. Of this he felt sure, that Mr. Oastler's friends in those localities would push forward the present object to the utmost of their abilities-(cheers). Mr. Walter then moved the following resolution:-"That in the opinion of this meeting Mr. Richard Oastler is entitled to sympathy and support on account of the unceasing and righteous efforts which he has made, and which he still continues to make, for the welfare of the labouring classes." Mr. WING had the greatest satisfaction in seconding a resolution in behalf of a man whose zealous, untiring, and honest advocacy of the rights of the most unprotected and most helpless of the population of the country had entitled him to the support and sympathy of his fellow men. Mr. Oastler's public life had been marked by high constitutional feelings-(cheers). He had always endeavoured to uphold the institutions of the country, its monarchy, and its aristocracy, and it was, he repeated, with the greatest pleasure that he seconded the resolution. The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. The Rev. J. S. Cox moved the next resolution-"That this meeting approves of the scheme which has been proposed for raising a Testimonial for the benefit of Mr. Oastler and his family, by means of a public subscription." He became acquainted with Mr. Oastler through the medium of his (the speaker's) public duties, and had had frequent opportunities of witnessing his attachment to the established church, and the struggles he had made to alleviate the distresses of others. That the objects of Mr. Oastler's exertions had always been those of public benevolence could be doubted by none, and they had evidence that those exertions had been attended with considerable success. They all knew the difficulties which attended the commencement of many projects of a benevolent character. It seemed strange that the manufacturing interests of the country should have been so long left without legislative check-(hear). This showed the necessity of encouraging and supporting characters of Mr. Oastler's stamp-men of talent, energy, and enthusiasm; men of large and extensive views, and full of sympathy for the sufferings of their fellow-creatures—(hear). On some matters to which Mr. Oastler had directed his powerful mind there might be a difference of opinion; but with respect to his exertions upon the great subject of the factory children there could be none. The very manufacturers themselves seemed to have admitted that some legislative check was necessary even for their own benefit. Mr. RAMSEY Seconded the resolution. He had known Mr. Oastler as a public man, and in all the relations of private life, and he felt for him the deepest respect. He heartily supported the resolution, and thought that the proceedings of the present meeting would exercise a very powerful influence in the country, and that the friends of Mr. Oastler were only waiting for such a moment as this, in order to commence subscriptions in the large towns of Yorkshire and elsewhere. The resolution was carried unanimously. Mr. J. PERCEVAL moved that a committee, with power to add to their numbers, be formed, for the purpose of assisting the undertaking in London; and that it be strongly recommended to Mr. Oastler's friends in the comntry to form similar committees; and that they communicate the result of their labours to the Secretary in London. Mr. UNDERWOOD ably seconded the resolution. He had known Mr. Oastler for seventeen or eighteen years, and had always found him pursuing one straightforward course. The resolution having been carried unanimously, Mr. B. FERRAND, M.P. rose to propose a vote of thanks to the noble lord in the chair for the kindness with which he had presided on the occasion. He was, he said, sure that every friend of Mr. Oastler, as well as Mr. Oastler himself, would feel deeply grateful to the noble lord for having taken the chair at the present meeting-(cheers). He (Mr. Ferrand) had known Mr. Oastler for the last twelve years. The first meeting of a public nature that he attended was one convened by Mr. Oastler in defence of the poor factory children; and to show how much attached the working classes were to Mr. Oastler, how they valued his exertions, and what confidence they had in him, he (Mr. Ferrand) need only state that the meeting in question was the largest West Riding meeting that ever assembled, and that they came to a resolution to be guided entirely by Mr. Oastler as to what steps should be taken upon that important subject-(hear). He could assure them that wherever Mr. Oastler was known in Yorkshire, he was respected and beloved-(hear, hear), and there was a general feeling there that his conduct to Mr. Thornhill had been that of a sincere, zealous, and faithful servant-(hear, hear). He had frequently visited Mr. Oastler in the Fleet Prison, and found him still actuated by the same philanthropic spirit that had ever distinguished him-an anxiety to ameliorate the sufferings of his fellow-creatures by every means in his power; and if his friends in the country-and among those friends must be included, he would fain hope, all whose hearts sympathized with the sufferings of the poor-would exert themselves, Mr. Oastier would again go forth to the world a free man, unfettered by any claim that his late master might have upon him, the same sincere, honourable, upright servant of the public, ready to carry out those principles which his friends so much admired in him. Mr. Ferrand then paid a warm tribute of praise to the noble chairman, for his exertions at all times in behalf of the working classes, and concluded by moving his resolution. A gentleman from Manchester, whose name did not transpire, seconded the resolution, and, in doing so, mentioned that the children in the manufacturing districts frequently spoke to him in the streets, knowing that he was acquainted with Mr. Oastler, and most anxiously inquired after him, "How the Old King' was?” and “How long it would be before they saw him again?" The resolution having been carried by acclamation, the noble chairman returned thanks, and the meeting separated. Printed by Vincent Torras & Co., 7, Palace Row, New Road, London. THE FLEET PAPERS. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY JOHN PAVEY, 47, HOLYWELL STREET, STRAND, AND BENJAMIN STEILL, 20, PATERNOSTER ROW. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. J. STEPHENS, London.-His new work, The Life and Labours of Adam Clarke, L.L.D.. (Longman & Co..) is received. Mr. Oastler is much gratified by this mark of respect and friendship from the son of an old friend, who is now gone to his reward. CHARLES TURKINGTON, Leeds.-Thanks to him for his kind and interesting letter, with an account of the last days of one of Mr. Oastler's oldest and best friends, the late William Dawson, of Barnbow, Leeds. J. D. H., Worcester.-True enough, self-interest, or rather supposed self-interest, is the mainspring with the Leaguers, which urges them on in the downward road to Free Trade. If Sir Robert Peel's Tariff has any virtue, it is in opening the eyes of hundreds of thousands of manufacturers and artizans in the various other branches of manufacture with which it interferes, as well as those engaged in "the glove trade at Worcester." The Leaguers never dreamt that the Conservative Premier would "measure to them a bushel out of their own sack;"-cheap corn, cheap beef, and such like, were what they wanted: they never talked of cheap labour, cheap gloves, cheap shoes, and many other articles of home manufacture. They are, however, caught in their own net, and it is rain to wish them out of it. Sir Robert, it seems, is of opinion, that what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander." They are, it would seem, reluctantly obliged to chew their own cud.” "AN EARNEST PLEA BOTH FOR THE POOR AND FOR THE RICH" is thankfully received. Dr. SLEIGH and Mr. OLLIVIER are thanked for several interesting and valuable volumes received from them. R.S., Alnwick. His favour is duly received. He is too kind. The notice about weight of parcel was for correction, not reproof. "A SINCERE FRIEND AND ADMIRER."-Ten shillings for the Factory Cripple, Michael Hopkins, Leeds is duly received, and shall be immediately forwarded." THE FLEET PAPERS, BY RICHARD OASTLER, Are published every SATURDAY, in NUMBERS, at 2d. each; also in PARTS, containing four weekly numbers, with Ornamental Covers, at 9d. each BY PAVEY, Holywell Street, Strand, and STEILL, Paternoster Row, London. Back Numbers and Parts are always on sale. The Fleet Papers may be had of any Bookseller in the United Kingdom. Many complaints are made that the Fleet Papers cannot be obtained in the Provinces. If persons who wish to have them WILL ORDER THEM OF THEIR REGULAR BOOKSELLERS, they will be sure to obtain them. A few copies of the first volume of the Fleet Papers may be had, at 10s. each, by applying to Mr. Oastler, in the Fleet Prison. 66 "The FLEET PAPERS.-Mr. Qastler, in the number of those very valuable Papers for Saturday last, after giving from his own knowledge a striking eulogy on the character of Wm. Beckett, Esq., M.P. for Leeds, continues: * * "We are sure Mr. Oastler speaks in friendship. His influence is well known-we trust his words may be productive of good effects."-Dublin Morning Press, March 1, 1842. The FLEET PAPERS.-The Manchester Guardian, in his article, sneers at us as though we retailed, at second hand, the matter of Mr. Oastler. We willingly acknowledge, that from his views we have gathered some of our most valuable hints; nor do we think that we could benefit society more, than by inducing every member of it to purchase for himself, and read his truly admirable Fleet Papers. For singleness of purpose, simplicity of view, and bold, uncompromis ing, Christian, English honesty, we know nothing comparable to them. Mr. Oastler ought to be in Parliament. The constituency that would elect him in the Fleet, and send him therefrom to tell forth in the British Parliament those most important truths that he has so faithfully laid before us in his writings, would immortalize itself, and confer an inestimable benefit upon the country. The extract from his Papers, that will be found in our columus, will be read with much interest. Mr. Oastler, in the current number of his Fleeters, thus speaks of Sir Robert Peel. There is too much justice in the description given. We give it because we think it calculated to work a remedy. ."-Dublin Morning Press, March 11, 1842. * "The FLEET PAPERS.-There is something so home to the purpose of the foregoing article [an excellent article on the effects of machinery] in the following passage, which we extract from The Fleet Papers of Mr. Oastler, that we can neither deny ourselves the pleasure of quoting it. nor our readers the advantage which we think they must derive from its perusal. Mr. SADLER spoke no less than truth when he said, that short as the passage was, it contained in itself all that volumes could express. That its worthy writer should be, and for his philanthropy too, the inmate of a prison, is, we cannot help saying, a disgrace to the age in which we live. Thus, then, writes, Mr. Oastler: * 典 * “We should not, however, part with the subject without remarking, as briefly as possible, upon the common origin of the temporal and spiritual evils of the realm. While England is groaning under want of food, Ireland is bleeding at every pore through destitution of truth, and the virtualascendency of that error which has long steeped the country in wretchedness, an evil unspeakably greater (as residence in Ireland proves) than even the pressure of commercial distress. Our Irish misery and theirs in England, are both traceable to the neglect of THE BOOK."-Dublin Morning Press, March 15. 1842. The FLEET PAPERS, by Richard Oastler. London, Pavey. Holywell Street, Strand: and Steill, Paternoster Row.-The numbers of the Fleet Papers for February are, perhaps, the best that have been yet published. The question of Free Trade is fairly argued, both by Mr. Oastler and Mr. W. Atkinson, whose able letters to Mr. M Culloch place that eminent political economist hors de combat...... We have no room for extracts this week, but we shall avail ourselves of the arguments and illustrations, both of our friend Oastler and Mr. Atkinson, as occasion offers."-Hull Packet, March 18, 1842, "London, 16, Doughty Street, March 30, 1842. "My dear Sir. As the remarks of the press which your Testimonial' has given rise to will be read with interest by the readers of the Fleet Papers, I hope you will insert them. I am, my dear Sir, yours truly. WILLIAM ATKINSON.” "To Mr. Richard Oastler, Fleet Prison." (From The Manchester and Salford Advertiser of November 6, 1841.) "RICHARD OASTLER. "In another column we have inserted, under the head of A German's Opinion of Mr. Oastler,' an article which we have extracted from the Leipsic Gazette, an ably conducted German publication. It will show our readers the high estimation in which the talents and abilities of that gentleman are held by our observant continental neighbours, and the great value attached to his exertions in the cause of the people. "We have given insertion to this article with a view to stimulate the numerous friends of this great patriot to still greater exertions on his behalf, by showing that the question of RICHARD OASTLER'S liberty is not a mere English question, nor a British question, but one in which Europe is concerned. Shall it then be said of the men of England, that, while the nations of the Continent are paying their tributes of admiration to his labours, they are indifferent to his sufferings, or forgetful of his services; that, while strangers and foreigners have vied in testimonials of approbation on his conduct, his own countrymen, and those who have benefited by his strenuous and unceasing labours, remained silent and unmoved? Will the people leave their best friend to languish and die in the gloom of a prison, and only erect a monument over his remains when his death shall have awakened them to their loss-a monument upon which stern justice will inscribe the words Ingrata Patria' to future ages? We hope, we know, better things of the people of England; and that their gratitude will be exemplified by means which will enable this great patriot to breathe the free air of heaven uncontaminated by the damps of a cell, and unconfined by the walls of a prison. We know that they only need reminding of the situation of their King' to use every means for his liberation. Let then the men of Lancashire and Yorkshire bestir themselves; let them form general committees and sub-committees, and carry out an organized system for the liberation of their great friend and 'King. Let them form a fund. for the securing freedom and competence to him who has impoverished himself in their cause. Let them once begin of themselves, without asking the assistance of any but their own order,' and they will soon find that the friends whom Mr. Oastler counts |