mm ¥ MEMOIRS and CORRESPONDENCE of JAMES ACL AND, Proprietor and Editor- written by Himself. « I LIKE HONESTY IN ALL PLACES:'— Judge Bayley. Printed and Published by JAMES ACTAND ( SOLE PROPRIETOR AND EDITOHJ at NO. 4, All Saints'street, Bristol. LH! iju p* uuiP" jn j'lai•>• >.. I » MMM » ". « » W. IJ « U » W. • WIU^ KI No. XLV.] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1829. r [ Price I| d. To Nine- Tenths of the Inhabitants uf the Parish of Cliftan. GENTLEMEN, Notwithstanding the almost unanimo > resolutions of the Parishioners at two distinct Mtetings against certain propositions, for ap- plying to Parliament for an Act to authorise the introduction into the parish of Gas Light and Watchmen; for taking into consider- ation of which propositions such meetings - vcere cv nrvigiv * m/ i : f perceived this day, as 1 passed the ehurch door, a Notice affixed upon it, which gave me to understand that the application would be persisted in. If this Notice have been exhibited by way of frolic, which I should almost suppose it to have been, as it bears no signature whatever, b)' which it can be recognised as an official document,* it is to be regretted that the wag had not devoted his time to some more useful purpose ; an houi; or two's " legal re- straint" in the stocks, if we had any, or, in the pound, close at hand, might teach the blade, if he again trifle with the feelings of the inhabitants, that he must not expect to do so with impunity. But it is within the range of possibility that the defeated few, after having themselves in fKO instance*, unsuccessfully appealed to the judgment of the many, intended to carry their object; in defiance of the public voice, if influence and length of purse can prevail. If this be their intention, I do hope, for the honor of the parish of Clifton, that their ar- bitrary and overbearing attempt will be in- dignantly opposed in every stage of its pro gress. There are persons who go the length to assert, that Mr. Burgess, the Vestry Clerk, • caused the offensive instrument to be exhi- bited ; this I hesitate to believe, because I understand the Vestry, as a body, are hostile to the measure, and because I cannot suppose for a moment, that Mr. Burgess would lend himself to any man, or set of men, in order to contravene th « known and recorded wishes of his employers; it is, I concede, impossible; and i merely advert to the report to afford Mr. Burgess an opportunity to con- tradict it. There is not, in the parish of Clifton, an fr:'* nr « Vfaa! rtr—• - 4 tbz. il I- fttc, '" R courage general improvement; in proof of this assertion, as far at least as one instance goes, when the proposition for appealing to Parliament to light and watch the parish was first promulgated, I, assuming upon the pro- bability that it would be generally approved of, not. only assented to it, but agreed to be- come a subscriber. Since then, however, I have altered my opinion and views. Since then the opinion of the parishioners has been twice publicly appealed to, to decide upon the expediency or inexpediency of the mea- sure, and twice they have i ejected, by over- whelming majorities, equal at least, and I am told, far exceeding the comparative num- ber, whom I now do myself the honor to address; the knowledge of these meetings having taken place, and their results, how- ever contumaciously they may be treated by the individuals who caused such meetings to be called, at once superseded my own pri- mary views and intentions, for I feel, and I trust I ever shall feel, too high a regard for public opinion, when fairly and legitimately expressed, as it was in both instances before, as to raise my voice in opposition to the ge- neral sentiment, particularly where, as in this case the public are the party immediately concerned, and where their decided hostility to the project now attempted to be foreed upon them, has been so correctly and une- quivocally ascertained. But were I as utterly regardless of the fair decisions of two public meetings, as some of those who convened them, appear to be, because forsooth, the said decisions but ill accorded with their wishes, I would oppose their projects, for mature consideration has convinced me, that if the Act of Parliament, imprudently and insolently attempted to be imposed upon the Parish, against its almost ..;,,. Ous viah, » nuuiu be obtained, will bs an Act pregnant with incurable mischief; the rich may not feel it, but I conceive those who are not rich will, and that too in a most sensible degree— but what necessity, I should be glad to know, exists for such an Act at all? Watchmen have, for several years past, been provided for the parish, by general subscription, as well as every thing necessary for their comfort; as for lamps, those who want them, either have them, or may be very easily and readily supplied; for my own. part, I have always very cheerfully sub- scribed towards the expence of the Watch, and paid for my own Lamps ; and much ra- ther would I continue to do both, than be compelled to do either under an Act of Par- liament, the expences attendant upon which would, before the bursting forth of the illu- minating rays consequent upon its enactment, amount, if I am correctly informed, to many thousand pounds ; and afterwards, perpetuate upon us such a burthen of additional taxes, ( and God knows additional burthens of this description are not- wanting,) for the support of Clerks, Superintendents, Contractors, Ma- nufacturers, and others, necessary to the establishment, that in comparison with those imposts, the amount of the present simple disbursement, unaided by parliamentary en 178 THE BRISTOL! AN. ctment, would sink into insignificance and Eontempt— but even if it were otherwise, ra- 1 her than submit to the " rich mans con- tumely," rather than see the general voice of the people trampled down by the Junto- of men, whoso strength is confined to their purses— rather than behold the parish of Clifton thus degraded and disgraced, I would for my own part, spend the residue of my days " where darkness alone should be visi- ble," and where, single handed, I should have to protect myself and property against the attacks both of the assassin and the- ma- rauder. In order to effect by personal application, by influence and the weight of authority, that which by fair and public means, they could not accomplish, some of the select few,. 1 have been told, are going about from door to door soliciting the suffrages of the inmates in sup- port of the obnoxious measures whom they assure, that the expenses attending it " will not exceed a six- penn, rate. A six- penny rate !'!: bear in mind ye- credu- lous, that you were not less confidentially assured, that a pirochial rate of .£ 2000 was all that would be collected towards the build- ing tho New Church, and purchasing the Cemetery or burial ground, " that the Act of Parliament itself expressly declares " that .£ 2000 should be raised for these purposes, and no more," and that the rate should be equally apportioned between landlord and Bear in mind,, that in the teeth of this Act, in direct violation, as. it appears to me, of this salutary provision, certain individuals amongst • whom I have no doubt are to be found the Pedestrians who are now courting the inha- bitants with soft and silvery tones, such as they use at elections, or when they call at Easter for " the Parson's Dues," have abso- lutely made an additional rate for raising a f arther sum of upwards of 2000 guineas for the purchase, as they allege, of burial ground at purchase which the Church Act in express terms provided for, and for which,. under that very aCt, the parish had paid every shilling which the statute law required. And- what is still mare worthy of your re mimbrance, is, the modesty and the feeling which characterize their proceedings. By the Church Act, you observe the ,£ 2000 were to be raised from the purses of the land- lords and tenants, whereas the rate- makers out of loving- kindness I presume to one another for most of t- hem no doubt are landlords, have laid their 2000 guineas rate, not upon their own shoulders^ but wholcly and exclusively ttjon the shoulders of the tenants; upon whom a ter having paid the halF of the one rate, t iey fix the whole of the other. Tenants who are here to- day and gone to- morrow— imongst. whom are many ( at this moment) struggling as it were against wind and tide, to support themselves and their families from the work- house ! and for what is this grevous, and as I conceive, illegal impost raised ? for the purchase of a Ceme ery, for the reception' or interment of the landlords. themselves, their families and coadjutors, " when they shall go hence to be no more seen." As landlords cannot conveniently do with- out burying ground, in God's name let them purchase it with their own' money. Bear in mind, ye credulous, these makers, and then- you will not fail duly to appreciate the con- fidence you ought to place in the assurances,, however solemnly made, of the six- penny rate men. Who the goodly gentry are that thus press forward to serve us against our inclinations, and to procure for themselves a resting place at the expence of others, 1 am not < xactlv aware; but, be they who they may, 1 think their names and their feats should be record- ed upon a brass tablet, and affixed in one cor- ner of the chorch. Though 1 am. not a member of the vestry, my little bird is constantly among. them ; and his communications, he may be a- suied, shall from henceforth, receive the attention they deserve. At present. I submit to the inhabitants ge nerally, that, in- order to contradict the ma- noeuvres of jthe enemy, the earlier a public meeting be called, its resolutions published, 1 a subscription entered into, the moie and likely will their exertions betodefeat the, 1 hope, visionary projects of those, who have insolently set themselves up in battle array, against us. I remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient and faithful servant, Lower Creseiit, C. H. WALKER. 17 Urpt. 1822. * Since this letter ha? hern sent to press, I have discovered ihis document is ofticial, and I have heen informed ibat it is customary to exhibit such, without signature— why it should be so, 1 am, I confess, at a loss to conjecture. was before our eyes, were endeavoring to impose upon us their visionary but costly schemes for lighting and protecting us, in direct hostility to our resolutions, by statements as to the costs, which would attend the accomplishing their wishes, as correct, no doubt, as those which they had previously made, in respect to ( he disburse- ments attendant upon- the completion of the Church and Cemetery. That you will all unite with heart and purse,, to oppose this barefaced attempt to enslave and degrade you, to force upon you that which is ob- noxious, by means of an act of parliament, that shall enable your adversaries to put their hands into your pockets for funds to pay the costs i. is what 1 cannot for a moment hesitate to believe, if you do not, you w ill w ell deserve all the evils that- can befall you. I have since writing- my former letter perused the Church Act with some attention, and I do not hesitate to say, that, that perusal has con- firmed the opinion I had formed of the illegality of the 2000 guinea rate. I consider that rate not only illegal, but, that the individuals who took upon themselves to make it, had no more legal right to do so, than the Bristol Dock Company would have, to issue an edict ordering the Citizens to defray the ex- pences of ending Mr. Browne's Swivel Bridge across the float. 1 consider that every indi- vidual who has made any payment towards this rate, under the impression that he was bound by law to make it, has a legal right to recover back that which he has so paid, and of course, that, poor Mrs. Royal who I understand, actually pawned her Bible, to pay her share of the exac- tion, in order to prevent the threats of the Tax Collector from being carried into execution, is entitled to receive ber money back again, which will of coutse enable her to redeem the word of God- When the Collector called upon me with his printed receipt ready to fill up the date upon re- ceiving the amount he demanded, I not having at that time read the Act of Parliament had no conception, I could have none, but that the de » mand was a lawful demand; I therefore dis- charged it, and received his receipt for th » amount, signed " ForCharles Paine and Gabriel Goldney, Churchwardens," " J. Hole Collector. Hnndreds of others acting under similar impres- sions with myself, have no doubt done as I have that the money thus raised has been appropriated to the use for which it was collected is no an- swer to my lijjection, to the mode resorted to> to obtain it, if through miscalculation or improvi- dence, or any other cause the funds necessary for carrying into effect the purposes of the act proved inadequate, the deficiency should be raised by lawful not unlawful means. Considering as 1 do, the means resoited to, were not only unlawful but bad, both in princi- Tu Nine- Tenths of the Inhabitants of the Parish of Clifton. GENTLEMEN, In my former letter I alluded to a rate of upwards of 2000guineas,, which individuals had taken upon themselves to levy upon the Parish- ioners, for the purpose as they alleged, of pro- viding, enclofingv and consecrating an " Addi- tional Burial Ground," for the purchase of which, bye the bye, as well as lor the erection of the Church, rates had been previously made and collected, under the Church act, to the extent that that authorized— I made the allusion, in order to illustrate what sort of dependance ought to be placed upon the assurances of the anxious few, who, whilst their attempt to raise their 2000 | pie'^ d" practice^ I request Messrs. Paine and guinea rate in violation of, the onguial compact, | Goldney will have the goodness to direct " J THE BRISTOLIAN. 1791 Hole" to refund to me the sum I have paid, and " I beg them to take notice,. that if be do not re- fund that sum, I shall adopt legal measures for its recovery. When rates are legally made I will pay them without murmur or complaint, but I will never f> ubmit to pay that under the colour of ihe law, which ihe law neiiher requires nor sanctions. If mere money be wanting, letthe seat holders ; the gentlemen speculators, who for every £ 70 they have advanced possess a seat, for the hire of which they ask an annual acknowledgment, that equals from 10 to 15 per cent on the capital advanced, let them each advance an additional .£' 70 per seat, and still they will receive more than 5 per cent for their money, and the neces- sary supplies be furnished ; Sixteen or Eightee. i of these seats I am informed belong to our wm- thy patron the Rev. James Vaughan. and several • to Mr. Warne and many other pious persons. I will not presume to doubt, that purky of motive, christian love, a heavenly desire to cause the propogation of the Gospel, to bring the scattered sheep back to the fold, to pluck them as brands- from the fire, and to save them from the hands of the tormentor, actuated these parties, and the patron in particular,, to subscribe largely towatdserecting a commodious building, that the parishioners of Clifton might have < I bow- room to offer up their prayers and thanks- givings to the author of all good, and to receive instructions from their spiritual pastors. 1 will endeavour faithfully e< » believe, that considera- tions of wordly and sordid gain* were as distant from their heads, when they resolved to assist in bu. lding a temple for the worship of God, as Dan from Beersheba* but ( it is with grief I avow the fact), there are wordly minded persons who speak uncharitably upon these subjects. 1 have heard some say, that the building of Clifton church was with certain individuals a matter of mere profitable speculation, and when I have endeavoured to convince them that spiritual good actuated these individuals, they have rudely laughed in my face, and pointed at the price of the pews ; they have profanely com- pared the church to the temple of old, and some of the proprietors of the pews to the individuals whom our blessed Saviour cast out. because they bought and sold therein, and whose money tables he upset; they have referred me to the scripture, where it is declared, that, " thou shalt not give him the money upon money, nor lend him thy victuals for encrease." " Vic- tuals" they have interpreted as meaning " spi- ritual good" and then they sneeringly asked me if 1 think that an exaction of from 10 to 15 per cent, for a sitting to be spiritually fed, is not a violation of God's words ? The scriptures, they say, declared that, " if you knock, it shall be opened unto you," and that, " if you seek, you shall find,"" but they add, with a tone of profane exultation, " you may knock till your knuckles are worn to the bone, and seek until you are weary, before you will enter the pews of your ! pious and disinterested patron and subscribers, unless you pay them their usurious demands for accommodating you with a seat to receive the victuals of spirituality all this and much more 1 have been obliged to hear with great pain and regret; pain, because I feel there was too much truth in their reproaches; and regret, because, on that account, 1 could not answer them. Our patron, and those who, for our good, so generously stept forward in our behalf will, 1 trust, pardon me for making this communication of what is passing out of doors, and out of their christian charity forgive me, when I suggest that, if they reduce the rent of their several folds say only 50 pep cent, off the sum they require, numbers would, no doubt, be induced to attend divine service, who now stay away ; and the object, at least, the spiritual object of ihe build ing would be never effectually accomplished. If they will but do this, the tongues of slander will be silenced, " glad tidings of great joy " will be preached to the people at large, and " sinners called torepentance" upon at last, comparatively, reasonable terms: if they will not, 1 shall, no doubt, be again told that the House of Lords has been raised, not so much from a desire in certain individual*;, that his creatures shall pay him the homage that is His due, as to fill the pockets of jobbers and speculator, who, though ihey have the Lord's name upon their lips; have Satan in their hp » rU. I' am, Gentlemen, Your faithful and obedient servant. ^ awer Crescent, Oct. 8.. 1822. C. II. WALKER. bridge, to have their roofs well inspected for the purpose of ascertaining whether it i actually copper or only imitation copper nail3 used on them. I am, Sir, Q. IN THE CORNER. P S. I wish to know what the Architects can be at, who have been employed at those places where- the Imitation Copper Nails are used ? It appears to me as it does to every one else 1 believe, that they either are incom- petent to what they profess, or else they are the vile accomplices of those who use them ; and actually assist in plundering those per- sons who have paid them to prevent others robbing them. Query. — Cannot these Architects and Fraudulent Builders, where such things are detected be prosecuted for a conspiracy to defraud. To the EDITOR of THE BRISTOLIAN. SIR. Your exposure of the deceptions practised by a certain Tiler and Plasterer, in using Imitation Copper Nails instead of Copper, at the New Cattle- Market, has met with the thanks of everv honest man, particularly among the Builders, who are indeed by sueh a fraudulent mode of obtaining contracts, I may say rubbed. The making such a practice public, has induced a number of [ enquiries, and I trust, Sir, it will be productive of much good. In the first place, 1 hope it will be a warning to all fraudulent contractors, that they cannot do those things with impunity, and that therefore we shall have less of it. In the next place, I believe it will induce those who have already employed the parties who are now detected, not to employ them again, and also cause them to inspect, very closely, the work which has been done. It is in reference to this part that I now trouble you, and therefore without trespas. sing longer, I would recommend the parties who are concerned in the Tabernacle. Coun. cil- Hmise., St. Michael's Church, and th. pro. prietors of the new houses opposite the Draw- To the EDITOR ot THE BRISTOLIAN. SIR, In common with a great number of my fellow rate- payers, I beg to return my thanks, for the publicity you have given to that portion of the pitching, lighting, and paving act, which refers to level streets, and I hope and believe that those who like myself live in level streets will join to- gether for the purpose of making the Commis- sioners perform their duties according to the act. No « -, Sir, I wish to know if the inhabitants of a place consisting of Eight or Ten respectable houses are to be made to pay a considerable rate for lighting, and to be left in the dark, this is the case with Bedford Place Terrel Street, the residents in which must and justly complain at being so treated. I do not know what is the exact amount now paid for- lighting Bedford Place, but I will shortly ascertain and let you know. 1 believe the Commissioners have not attended to a private application, perhaps they will think better of it, aft. r this publicity. I am, Sir, A LOOKER ON. To- the BREAD- EATERS of Bristol. My Friends, You are good judges. A good article is offered you, and you accept it. You are all- powerful; for without the weight of rank, or wealth, or influence, you have cre- ated a moral force which renders it impossible that a dishonest Baker should any longer be enabled to poison or rob ihis community with advantage. It was attempted to make a bugbear of poli- tics, that you might be frightened from propriety, and it may happen that I shall hereafter see occasion to submit to you a few curious circum- stances connected with this subject; but* what with your love for good bread, and your judg- ment in favor of a cent, per cent, investment of your inoney, you have ventured to discard ajt 180 THE BRISTOLIAN considerations but that of your own interest.' secured ( and will be secured) a certain service And you are light to have done so The number of Shares sold down to last evening, exceeded Six Thousand! The amounts paid into the City Bank, on behalf of the Association, since my last report, are as follows:— Wednesday last £ 20 Thursday 10 Ditto 20 Friday 10 Ditto 20 Previous payments 70 Total =£ 150, The following are the Resolutions of the Com- mittee, on Thursday night last:— That the Secretary shall find two sufficient securities in <£ 400, the Miller, in .£' 400, and the Baker, in ,£ 250. » That if 10,000 shares be no! taken by the 3rd Oct. next, a premium of 5s. per share shall be charged. That the 1st General Meeting of this Associa- tion, shall be held on Wednesday, the 7th Oct. next at 1 o'clock. That the following Gentlemen be added to the Committee : — Mr. Robert Steger, of Bridge- street. VVm. Low, of Denmark- street. That Messrs. Neyler, Rotton, Trifip, Mamley, Salter, and Acland, do form a sub- committee, fir submitting to the provisional committee, such 24 individuals as they may deem most eligible for consideration of the shareholders at the ensuing General Meeting, as the Committee of Manage- ment for the affairs of the Association. I submitted for the consideration of the Meeting, the propriety of, at some future pe- riod, passing a Resolution giving to the Pro- prietary a right of pre- emption in the purchase of Shares; or in other words, to prevent the sale of Shares to those who are not Proprietors, so long as a Share- holder shall desire to purchase at an equitable price— such price to be declared monthly, by the Committee. I deem it suf- ficient justification for my proposition, that it goes to increase the value of Shares, and as 1 am the parent of the Association, I would have all its good friends, supporters and co- partners derive every fair advantage which can be at- tached to their interest in its welfare. There is also another advantage which I have proposed ( and which I do not relinquish) for the benefit of the shareholders— viz. a supply to the extent of their shares at one halfpenny per quartern or share under the sale price to the public. I think I can prove the justice, policy and interest of such measute, and until I am convinced to the contrary, 1 trust I shall be ho- jiest enough to persevere in my attempt to secure to the proprietary this fair preference over stran- pers. At all events the shareholder should be of the bread, whilst strangers must be content to obtain a pure and wholesome loaf, when it may be to be spared. Still the Association will not hold itself bound to supply even shareholders to an extent beyond that to which the number of shares they may hold shall entitle them. 1 have only ti, me to add, that 1 have no doubt the Bristolian Bread Association will have TEN THOUSAND Share- holders within a week, and that the Shares will bear a piemium of j£ l each before Chiistmas. 1 beg to add, that the Shaie- holders, when attending at the Office to pay the Instalment, will be required to produce their Scrip Receipts. JAMES ACLAND. To the EDITOR of THE BRISTOLIAN. SIR, Seeing a second letter in your last Bristolian, dated 23d. from Amicus Veritatis, arid coin- ciding as 1 most cordially do with his ideas. I feel myself called upon to correct a little error which for want of consideration, your corres- pondent has inadvertently made. In the commencement of his letter, he gives you a list of the different denomination of believers which occupied the platform ; among- which, he names the Quakers. Now, Sir, in jus- tice to your correspondent, and from the very great regard I have for this religious body, I beg leave to inform him that 1 have every reason to believe, that not a tingle Quaker on either occasion could be found on the platform; and 1 may likewise add that I believe that religiousSocietv, have too much charity towards their fellow christians to coun- tenance such intolerance; bigotry and un- christian like feeling as pervaded these meet- ings. I will likewise with your kind permis- sion take this opportunity of offering a few remarks in deprecation of these meetings for discussion. 1 trust I feel equally anxious with any in. dividual for the increase of true pietv and religion. But, Sir, it is not consonant with Christianity, that one religious society, should be impugned for the amusement of others. Nor can I for a moment enter into so uncha- ritable a sentiment as that which escaped the lips of Mr. Finch ( one of the- deputation from the Parent Society) at the Great I oom in Prince's Stree:, on the occasion of the last an. niversary. He said '• that he believed that by nothing short of a miracle, could a lioman Catholic be saved ; that his faith, let it be ever so sincere, could not save him. " Expressions of this kind, Sir, cannot come with a good grace from those who profess to be actuated solely and wholly by the spirit of love charitibility is one of the most prominent features of that religion which is founded ou Christian love. I, Sir, am arrotestant, and I trust I am thank- ful in having been bom one; not because I sup- pose that my birthright will insure me admit- tance into heaven, but because I become entitled tosomeof the worldly benefiis arising the refrom. We can ONLY be saved througu the merits and blood of Jesus Christ, and 1 doubt not, but that his redeeming grace will extend equally to the sincere Catholic as the sincere Protestant. I have the honour to be acquainted with several truly pious Catholics ; 1 say honour, be- cause I conceive it a privilege to be acquainted with pious men, let them profess what religion they may. Every man has a conscience, and, I helieve, that if he acts up sincerely to the diciaies of that conscience, God in his mercy will receive him into glory, let him be Protestant or let him be Catholic. What have we todo with the faith of our fellow men? how should we like to be daily teased by the Catholic, Jew, or Unitarian, to become converts to their respec- tive creeds? I cannot close these few remarks better, I think, than by soliciting the Udies and gentle- men who, on any occasion, where an appeal is made, to their purses for purposes of this kind, to take their money home, and look about for objects who may claim their assistance either in a temporal or spiritual sense, ( for many there are absolutely destitute); such charitable offices ( believe me) would be more acceptable to that beneficent Being whom I trust we are seeking to serve. C. O. E. MEM.— A little bird has whispered me that his Lord- ship the Bishop has sent for his roguet/ iip the Rector of Rrockley, to Weston- Super- Mure. l! y the same means I luorn that the Reverend Sinner has tempted to foist nnt a few lies on his superior. Be it so ; after to- day, to- morrow. The Bishop will have justice done, and before Wed- nesday, the injured Rains will have been examined by his Lordship, in the presence of the Rev. Persecutor, and an impartial gentleman. ,/. A. MEM.— I have received two letters from Querist, the one calling in question the conduct of certain brokers, and the'' other, that of Mr, Baker. I shall insert thtm next week. J. A. MEM.— Messrs. Jones and JVi'cox, the Builders of the New Cattle Market, may expect to have the waits of that place plumbed next week : I suppose they will admit that it was intended to build them perpendicularly. J. A. MEM.— The brokers and Cabinet makers may expect to hear something relating to them, in one of the next forthcoming numbers. J. A. Jot/ ram is informed, that he has jumped to a conclusion somewhat hastily. The law's delay must not be charged to my account. • J. A. Printed and Published by JAMES ACLAND, ( Sole Proprietor and Editor,) at the BKisrOblAK- OFPic&, No. 4, All Sais ts> Mreet, Bristol.