To the Readers of the Republican.

ALREADY has the REPUBLICAN been honoured, not yet that I know of with the notice of the Attorney-General, but, strange to say, with the notice of the Police Magistrates.It appears that our Attornies-General, weary of filing Informations against Political Writers, have left the annoyance of the vendors to the Police, who, it seems, under the direction of their Lieutenant, (Sidmouth) are anxious to outstrip the Police of France and the Continent in general, by defining what is, and what is not libellous, or, I should rather say, seditious. How sorry must this saint be to think that he is at this moment denied the gratification of issuing his Lettres de Cachet. Four persons, who are in the habit of selling, in their way of business, the political pamphlets of the day, were arrested on Tuesday se'nnight, and brought before Mr. Birnie, at Bow Street, for selling the second Number of this work. They were Mr. Cahuac, of Blackman Street, in the borough of Southwark, who was dragged to Bow Street, even whilst the Magistrates were sitting at Union Hall; Mr. Watling, of the Strand ;-Mr. Shorter, of Wych Street; and Mr.. Harris, of Broad Court, Long Acre. Bail was ready for the whole of them, and they, one and all, refused to pay any fee, to the great mortification of Mr. Birnie and his Oath-makers.

Mr. Watling made Mr. Birnie hide his face, by telling him, that he had sold more than 600 of the Pamphlets amongst his neighbours, who had discovered no evil tendency in it, and that it was very strange that he, a Police Magistrate, should be so quick of perception. Mr. Birnie furiously replied that he had not read it, and that he knew nothing of it until they were brought before him on the charge. This was a mere quibble, which every one present gave the silent lie to, as it was the different Officers engaged at the Bow Street Office who made oath, that the publication was seditious and inflammatory. Mr. Birnie was particularly insolent to Mr. Harris, by repeating a malignant accusation that had before been brought up. His conduct was every thing but the Gentleman towards Harris and his bail.

A strange anomaly took place, with respect to this publication and arrest for it. The Magistrate causes four persons to be arrested for selling this pamphlet, and actually takes the bail of the Editor, Printer, and Publisher for the appearance of two of them, whilst the author of this mischief (if mischief there be any) passes some days unmolested

although always to be found and forthcoming to meet a charge of this nature. O Tempora, O Mores!!!

On the Thursday following two others were arrested, namely, a Mr. Whitehorn, of Somer's Town, and Mr. Sains bridge, of Pulteney Court. Bail was immediately tendered, and taken, and the Editor again received, after some quib. bling attempt on the part of Mr. Conant, the then sitting Magistrate, to invalidate his competence to justify the required bail. These two persons also refused to pay any fee. On Friday, the Bow Street Magistrates, evidently ashamed of the dirty work they had performed, sent one of their Officers to the Mansion-House to make oath, that the Editor (strange to say) had published this wicked and heinous libel. His Lordship expressed his reluctance at granting the warrant, and took the proffered bail without the 48 hours' notice.

On Monday last a vendor, of the name of Francis, in the borough of Southwark, was arrested, and taken before the sitting Magistrate, (Mr. Evance) who politely excused the fees when he found Mr. Francis would not pay them. It is due to all those persons to say, that they have boldly continued the sale of all the Numbers of the Republican, for which they have the thanks of

R. CARLILE.

Miscellanea,

On the Necessity of Union, and its good Effects.

A STRONG proof that the middle classes are awakening to a sense of their danger, is evident from the encouragement that has been given by them to the labourers in the manufacturing districts, to violate the Combination Law. A correspondent whom we have quoted before, has expressed himself in the following manner:

"But what shall I say of the wonderful relaxation of the Combination Law?' How shall I speak of the spirit that has dictated the late gentle, and almost approving notice of your efforts to reduce your grasping masters to some sense of reason on your miseries? Are you become so numerous, so enlightened, and resolute, that you can no longer be treated with rigour and oppression? Or, are your tyrants become merciful and humane? Do you suppose you

would have been suffered to go on thus, if you were less numerous, less united, or less resolved? Oh no! Never! The already bursting jails would have been crammed with your persons! Your children would have perished by famiue, and your names would have been blotted out from the face of the earth! Remember this to your latest breath; and call in your past experience to confirm it.

"Union, co-operation, and perseverance will bring you through all your troubles; and recollect, that you have a duty to perform to your children as well as to yourselves; and that is, to prevent them from being reduced to the horrible state that you are now reduced to, by thoroughly cleansing that Augean Stable of abominations, aptly called "The House of Corruption,' and placing your own deputies there; to be a shield and defence to yourselves and your posterity for ever! All other concessions are but temporary, and you may rest assured, will be recalled, as soon as you are in a situation to command them; but when once you are faithfully represented in Parliament, it will be your House of Refuge for ever!

"The late resolution of some manufacturers to increase your wages, I consider as the certain forerunner and harbinger that you will most assuredly, and that very soon, gain this important point; for the Combination Act was a trite convention between the Borough-mongers and the chief manufacturers, in which the latter, in consideration of having your bodies at their disposal, at their own price, engaged to secure to the former your souls, that is, your acquiescence in every tax, and impositiou, that the former might think. proper to lay upon your shoulders; and this is the true secret, why your masters have uniformly refused to join with you in your patriotic endeavours. But as they now see that the Borough mongers are no longer able to enforce the performance of their part of the contract, it is to be hoped that a sense of self-interest will prevent your employers from keeping aloof from you any longer, and from sharing that fate, which is most assuredly preparing for the Borough Tyrants."

Mr. Tucker, who has been immured in the City Prison of Exeter, for selling the political pamphlets of the day, for several weeks past, has given us a further proof of his zeal and sincerity in the great cause of Liberty and Equal Representation, by the following suggestion, to which we would call the attention of our readers :

"The great benefits that would result to the Reformers in abstaining from all exciseable articles, and the speedy effects it would have in reducing their enemies the Boroughmongers, have been so clearly demonstrated, and is a measure so decisive, that no means should be left untried, in order to bring it into immediate practice.

"For this purpose, I would suggest a few hints, that may prompt some able hand to draw up a regular scheme that may carry it into execution.

First, That books should be opened for the signatures of all who are desirous to adopt this measure; and that every individual at the time of signing should make a short declaration to the following effect:

"I, A. B., do hereby declare, that I will totally abstain from the use or consumption of all exciseable articles, from the date hereof; until I have obtained the full and free exercise of the whole of my patural constitutional rights and liberties, as witness my hand.

"Secondly, That the total amount of the number who have so declared, be communicated to the Independent Press, and announced weekly.

"By thus publicly declaring and adding their signature, would be a powerful stimulus to fulfil their engagements. Reporting the numbers from different parts weekly would answer two good purposes, the friends of Reform would be animated, and anxiously look forward to the result, whilst fresh numbers would be eager to increase their list.

"On the other hand, it would enable their enemies to calculate the probable deficiencies of their grand treasury, the Revenue; and the mortifications of finding those magazines of their wealth continually decreasing,"

Another Correspondent has suggested that any tavern or ale-house-keeper, losing his licence in consequence of his being favourable to the cause of a determination to change the present system of things, should open a house immediately, (announcing under what circumstances) for the sale of good spring water or any other wholesome beverage that might exclude, as far as possible, any thing that is excised; and we doubt not, from the spirit and disposition of the times, that such persons would be well supported.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

To Mr. Fowler, the Editor would beg leave to say, that his warfare is with tyranny and delusion, and considering that delusion, whether it be called civil or religious, is to him the same; he will attack it indiscriminately, and more particularly that which be considers more pernicious to the morals of society, namely, the fraud and delusion of the latter. With many others, it is the opinion of the Editor, that Paine, by his political writings, conferred a blessing on the nations in which they have been read-but by his theological writings he became the real benefactor and the saviour of mankind from the continuation of those curses-Priestcraft and Religion. Mr. F. is not well acquainted with the history of Paine's Writings; the Political Works were long suppressed before the Theological Works made their appearance. Many individuals had suffered two, three, and four years imprisonment for the political works before the theological works were known in this country; it was in December, 1792, that the information against Paine himself was tried at the Guildhall, London, and it was not until 1797, that the Age of Reason was prosecuted in the person of Williams. The Editor has no doubt but the suggestion of Mr. F. originated from the purest motive, but hopes on a reconsideration, Mr. F. will find it to be an error in judg

ment.

And

To F. Junius, the Editor must renew his pledge to insert no correspondence as a whole, without the real name and address. Many others have been received with the real name and address, which will be thrown into the treasury of hints and ideas, and made the best use of possible-a prerogative which all Editors must necessarily assume. the Editor here begs it to be observed, that this is the last notice he can afford to correspondents, as it is considered a waste of paper by the general reader. To notice all the correspondence that comes to hand, would almost fill the weekly number:-the Editor hopes this will be a sufficient apology to all.

R. Carlile, Printer, 55, Fleet Street, London.