HC Deb 27 April 1846 vol 85 cc1081-4
MR. C. POWELL

said, a few nights ago he had taken the liberty of calling the attention of the right hon. the Home Secretary to a statement in a newspaper which excited in his mind feelings very different from those which appeared to be exhibited by the right hon. Baronet, and very different from what he manifested at accounts in Irish newspapers of Irish outrages. It appeared from a Sheffield paper that very great devastation had been caused in that town by an infernal machine. The account given of the matter was as follows:— Infernal Machine.—Another cowardly attempt to intimidate and alarm respectable manufacturers of this town has taken place, and we regret to state that it is the second occurrence of the kind within the space of only a fortnight. The machine for effecting an explosion on the premises of Messrs. S. and W. Marshall, edge-tool and scythe manufacturers, of Allen-street, consisted of an iron tube about three feet in length, and three and a half inches in diameter. The iron tube in such cases is filled with powder, and the spot where its destructive powers are to be brought into operation being selected, the person who deposits it lights the fusee, and the ignition of the gunpowder is effected. In the mean time, the dastardly contrivers of this mode of vengeance make off. Immediately after the explosion at Messrs. Marshall's, two men were seen as if making their way from the direction of the premises. In the present case the damage done is trifling. This is nothing in comparison with the unhappiness of living under a system of terror, which those who contrive the destructive missiles seek to uphold. It appeared from that account that detection was not more easy in Sheffield than in Ireland. He understood that these acts of disorder were not new in Sheffield, but had prevailed more or less since 1837. When he first called the attention of the right hon. the Home Secretary to such an outrage in Sheffield, the right hon. Baronet appeared to receive the statement with an incredulous smile; but he had reason to believe that since then the right hon. Baronet considered the matter to be more serious. It had been inquired into by the local magistrates, who deemed it indispenthat some remedy should be applied; and, under these circumstances, he wished to know from the right hon. Baronet whether he intended to introduce a clause into the Irish Coercion Bill providing for the protection of life and the prevention of assassination in Sheffield?

SIR JAMES GRAHAM

observed, that the hon. Gentleman had, on a former occasion, asked him a question in reference to an alleged crime at Sheffield, at which period he had received no information respecting it. Since that period he was grieved and ashamed to say, that he had received official information that two crimes similar to that described in the newspaper from which the hon. Member had quoted, had been committed in Sheffield; and he was also bound to state, and he did so with regret, that this was not the first time that a dastardly offence of this description had been committed in Sheffield. At the same time, he was bound to say, that Sheffield was the only town in England where crimes of this description were committed; and with respect to Sheffield, he could also state with satisfaction that the mayor and common council, who were chosen under a system of an extensive suffrage, had corresponded with the Government, and manifested the most earnest desire that the persons guilty of this terrible offence should be brought to justice. The Representatives of Sheffield had also communicated with the Government; and it appeared that all the most respectable inhabitants of the town concurred in the desire that the perpetrators of this crime might be discovered and brought to punishment. The working classes, also, understanding that if this crime were not put an end to, the trade of Sheffield must be destroyed, partook in the desire that the perpetrators of this infamous offence might be brought to justice. A large reward for the discovery of the offenders had been offered; and Government had instituted such proceedings as they thought were calculated to bring to justice the guilty parties. He certainly was not prepared to include Sheffield in the Irish Bill; but he would say, that if the law as it stood should be found inadequate to put an end to the perpetration of this offence, and any additional legal measures should be necessary for its prevention, he should not hesitate, under his official responsibility, to propose such measure to the House.

MR. PARKER

said, that he and his hon. Colleague had communicated with the Government; and the right hon. Baronet, so far from wishing to avoid a proper consideration of the subject, had assured them of his desire to take every possible step to promote the tranquillity of Sheffield, and to put down by every means in the power of the Government and Executive these outrageous and disgraceful proceedings. Among the inhabitants of Sheffield there was but one feeling of disgust and regret at them, mingled with consternation and alarm; because these outrages affected the stability and the prosperity of the trade of the town. It was felt that, if these offences were to go on, without the perpetrators being discovered, the hitherto prosperous trade and manufactures of Sheffield would be brought to an unfortunate conclusion. Every body, therefore, of every degree, was most anxious that the offenders should be discovered, and an example made of them. One matter which struck him he would mention to the right hon. Baronet—for destruction of property, committed in open violence, the hundred, the borough, or the district, was liable under the old Saxon law; but for offences of the kind just brought under the notice of the House, there was no remedy nor compensation. In this instance, the proprietors of the premises injured were three ladies of small means, and they could not even prevent their tenants from employing the parties who were supposed to have caused the explosion. These ladies suffered all the injury and had no remedy.

Subject at an end.