§ Mr. Wakleyhad to present sixteen Petitions, praying that the House would address the Throne to remit the sentence passed oh the Dorchester labourers. Eight of these petitions were from Dorchester, from the friends and neighbours of those men who were transported, and the other eight were from Ipswich, Rochester, Norwich, and one from Stoke-upon-Trent signed by 13,448 of the inhabitants. The petitioners considered, in the first place, that these men were improperly prosecuted; and, in the second place, that, if the prosecutions were just, the sentence was most severe and uncalled for. Considering all the circumstances of the case, he must say that these unfortunate men had been convicted under a law of which they were entirely ignorant, and that they merely followed the example set in London and other places, viz., of combining together for the purpose of obtaining such wages as would enable them to support themselves, their wives, and families. The relatives of these men, thus, if not illegally, certainly cruelly, punished, had been pursued by the same feelings of ill-will and oppression. One of them was a woman who had amongst those who were transported, two brothers, a husband, and a son. After these men left England she applied to the overseers for relief. The overseers said "No; we will give you no relief. You have another son left, and he has six shillings a week, which is quite sufficient for his and your support." He hoped the House would be induced to exercise its privilege of addressing the Crown upon this case. The proceedings against these men had caused the greatest uneasiness and agitation amongst the labouring classes. They felt that if these persons were not relieved by being brought back to England, they could not expect protection under the existing law, as they believed that they were not represented in that House, the elective franchise being confined to householders. He considered it the duty of that House to interpose for the purpose of bringing the men back to England. Till then the working classes would not be satisfied, nor could the law 173 be vindicated in the eyes of the people. He was sure that, when he brought the case fully before the House, he should be able to convince them that the whole proceeding was illegal. He, however, hoped that he should not be placed under the necessity of bringing the subject before the House on the 25th of June, but that his Majesty's Ministers would be induced to take the case under consideration, as he was satisfied, from their feelings of justice and humanity, that they would not allow these unfortunate men to suffer the penalties of a crime, of which, if guilty at all, they were unintentionally guilty.
§ Petitions laid on the Table.