Star. — London, England, 1819-11-23 00:00:00

I] . si P L' • . r k •F : . • li •: I I i V i 4 r . . ; . .. i i , ' .. i ... Z . , . . I I • 1 I 1 I i '.. , . 1 . 0 1 1 . . . 41 ! 11 L PUBLIC MEETING AT TRURO. - Pursuant to a Requisition to the Mayor of the no rough of Truro, the Aldermen, Capital Burgesses, and Inhabitants of that place, and the Inhabitants of the adjoining Parishes of Kenwyn and St. Clement, met. at the Town Hall of the Borough,. on Tuesday. It having been supposed that the Resolutions and Address meant to be proposed would resemble those voted at some other places in the County, which evi dently were intended to encourage Ministers to im pose additional restrictions upon the public -liberties, an advertisement was inserted in the Newspapers, arid handbills were circulated, calling on the inha bitants to attend the Meeting, to prevent any pledge (f unqualified support to the measures of Government from being given in their name. At ten o clock, the MAYOR, attended by the major part of the Capital Burgesses and Requisitionists, and accompanied by a number of the Inhabitants, entered the Hall. The persons assembled at .this timf2 did not exceed two hundred, but they continued to increase, and shortly after the proceedings com menced, the Hall in which the Sessions are held was completely filled. On the motion of Dr. TAUNTON, J. F. BENNAIe. LACK, Esq. the Mayor, took the Chair. Dr. TAUNTON Said, that in framing the Address, care had been taken that nothing should be intro duced which should occasion a want of unanimity. Every topic had been omitted which couldlead to a difference of opinion. They must all join in censur ing those blasphemous productions which were so widely circulated, for the detestable purpose of sap ping the morals, that they might destroy the loyalty, of the People. The Inhabitants of Truro were al ways considered ai the foremost amongst the people of Cornwall, in attachment to the Government and orderly behaviour ; he hoped they would still chew themselves conspicuous for• loyalty and good conduct. The Doctor concluded by reading the Address, with the exception of a paragraph which was subsequently expunged, and which stated, that if ever they (the Inhabitants of Truro, and of Kenwyn, and of St. Clement,) were called on to redeem their pledge, l which IIeAvEN avert, they trusted they would not be found nit gorthy those ancestors who cherished the expiring embers of the Royal cause in former times. I I The Address being handed to the CHAIRMAN, he inquired whether it would not be proper to propose; some Resolutions? Dr. TAUNTON not being prepared with any, the Rev. Mr. PULWHELE proposed two, which he had prepared for the occasion. The Resolutions being seconded by NIT.JENxEY, Esq. JOHN CARPENTEa, Esq. rose and said, that, con curring as he did in the sentiments expressed in the Resolutions, he could not, however allow them .to pass without observiy.g, that, in his opinion, they were very defective, as omitting all allusion to the unhappy transactions at Manchester. Here the Requisitionists and their friends com menced hissing; they were immediately replied to by plaudits from those wlin approved of Mr. CA RPEN TER's observations, and the Hail speedily became a scene of noise and uproar. Dr. TAUNTON attempted to speak to order, contending, that under the terms cf the Requisition, no allusion-to the proceedings at Manchester could be permitted; but his voice-was drowned amidst cries of " Mr. Carpenter; hear Mr. Carpenter!"—After this had continued fur some time, the MAYOR, with difficulty, obtained a hearing. Ile said, he thought it highly improper to attempt ,to discuss a question that would so soon be taken up by the first tribunal in the country, and he would not allow it, nor could such a discussion be permitted under the Requisition. Mr. CARPENTRA said, that in loyalty to his King be would yield to no man. He contended, that as the unhappy transactions at Manchester were in truth the foundation of the Meeting, it surely could not be irregular to notice then.: Here the tumult recommenced, the hisses of the one party being drowned by the applause of the other. At length, a momentary silence being obtained, The IVIAvon asked Mr. Carpenter, if he had any Amendment ready? Mr. CA RPENTER said, that not being aware of what would be proposed, he had not prepared any. Mr. BUDn came forward, and said he had two ad ditional Resolutions to propose as an Amendment, and proceeded to address the Meeting. He could not avoid congratulating the Gentlemen who had signed the Requisition to the Mayor, on the victory they had obtained over their prejudices against 'po pular Meetings. He was happy to find that those who trembled at the apprehension of a County Meet ing, were so far able to overcome their fears, and to " screw their courage to the sticking-place," as to in vite the whole adult population of the Borough of Truro and the two adjacent parishes, to meet and de liberate on a most important public question. To the Resolations proposed, he did not mean to object ; though he thought, as a set of phrases had been coined expressive of a spurious kind of loyalty and a dubious attachment to the Constitution, the expressions which contained an assurance of their determination to sup port the Constitutional Rights of the People, as well as the just Prerogatives of the Crown, should be distinct and unequivocal (hisses and applause). But he could not consent to any Address whatever which did not con tain a declaration of their opinion, that an immediate, solemn, and public investigation should take place into the late lamentable transactions at Manchester. --.4llerethe speaker was interrupted by loud hisses, which akere speedily answered by acclamations)..—.... Gentlemen," said Mr. Budd, " I shall wait your leisure. I am in possession of the Chair, and 'shall assert my right." After some time he was allowed to prooced. No man could be mere strongly opposed to publications which reviled the Christian Religion than he was. He could call such publicaticms blas phemous, without prejudging the case of any indivi dual ; for a Jury of the country had SO pronounced them ; and he was t oady to join in every lawful measure for the purpse of revelling their intro duction into this County. which W.IS happily free from their contamination. At the same time, he was free to confess, that he did not apprehend these pub lications would cbtain an influence over any consi derable portion of the people. Was it possible that the great body of the people of this country would scsign a system so glorious and so benevolent as Ci-.ristianity, for that of Mr. Paine and Mr. Carlile? V, ()laid Chril,tianity retire because they had " manned a rush against,it?" The-supposition was absurd.— Still he was williug to guard against the evil that was apprehentted. The necessity of introducing a declaration of their opinion, that an inquiry into the proceedings at Manchester was indispensable to the public tranquillity, was evident.—(Here the uproar recommenced with increased violence.) The Maros interposed.--.He was placed in a deli cate situation, and hardlylnew how to proceed ; he. had already given his opinion, that any allusion to the proceedings at Manchester could not be allowed under the Requisition. He would not suffer any•per •son to address inflammatory matter to the Meeting. Mr. BUDD said, he had no intention to go into the transactions of the unfortunate 16th of August, but to chew from subsequent occurrences, that if the People did not call for inquiry, none would ever take place. The MAYOR said, he would not allow a debate which went to prejudge an important question, that was pending before the regular Tribunals of the country.--(Cries of " Ministers have prejudged the question : we only ask for inquiry.")-11e would allow the Resolutions to be put as an Amendment; but would not allow any observation on them to be addressed to the Meeting. After a great deal of contention, the Resolutions, which were seconded by Mr. ALMOND HITCHERS, were read. On putting the question, that the Resolutions just read should be added to those moved by Mr. Poo- WIIELE as an Amendment, the MAYOR. on a skew of hands, decided that the Amendment was negatived. Those who supported it, however, declared that they had the majority. The original Resolutions were then put and carried. Mr. BUDD ag came forward, to move an Amendment to the Address proposed by Dr. Taun ton.—He was not insensible to the agitation and dis content that existed in the public mind ; he knew that advantage had been taken of the public distresses, to press upon the People impracticable political theo ries ; but he also knew that the Ruling Party had been most careful to supply those who were called Demagogues with arguments, which it was judged more easy to reply to by Penal Statutes, and Military Execution, than by reason—(Misses and applause). But though he was not insensible to the danger already mentioned, he also saw danger from a guar ter in which others perceived none. When he saw a combination of Continental Sovereigns, among whom was the Pt ince Regent of Hanover, trampling under foot their own solemn engagements and the liberties of Europe, he could not be unapprehensive that the destruction of the liberties of this country might form part of the general plan—Misses and applause).— The conduct of Ministers immediately after the trans actions at Manchester, spewed that no .inquiry was to be hoped for, unless the public voice was strongly raised to demand it. Scarcely had the blood been wiped from the swords of the Yeomanry Cavalry at l i Manchesterovhen, in an ill-fated hour, Ministers in duced the Prince Regent to give an unqualified ap proval to the conduct of those who dispersed the Njecting on that fatal day.---Ellere the uproar be- came so great, from the mingled shouts of disappro bation and applause, that it was found wholly im possible to proceed.)—After some time, Mr. Budd consented to read his Amendment without any fur ther comment, having first stated, that to conciliate, as far as possible, those who were opposed to hhin, he should omit the clause which described the Meets ing as legally called, as that was said to be a ques tion still at issue his only object being to procure a Declaration of the opinion of the Meeting, that an Inquiry was absolutely necessary. He then read the Address. The reading was frequently interrupted •by the hisses of the one party, and the applause of the other. A Gentleman near the Mayor desired that he would put the Address without reading it—which was done. The shew of hands was now decidedly in favour of the Amendment, and the Hall resounded with accla mations. The Mayor, however, said, that as it was a disputed point, the parties should be separated, and those who were in favour of the Amendment should leave the Hall. On this, a great number went out; and then it was said, the opposing parties should take different sides. After the bustle that followed, it was evident, that even without counting on those who had gone out on the Mayor's suggestion, there was a de cided majority in favour of the Amendment. The Mayor thought otherwise, saying he could only take notice of those in his view; and after surveying the two parties for some minutes, decided that the Amend ment was negatived. This decision was received with shouts on the one side, and groans and hisses on the other. The question on the originarAddress was then put. Mr. BUDD said, that he must protest against that part of it which referred to the conduct of the people of Cornwall in the time of Charles 1. with which they had nothing to do. The object of that Prince was the establishment of arbitrary power: would the Meeting pledge themselves to support Go venmient in a similar contest ?—(No, no.) Mr. J. EDWARDS said, that without any under standing whatever with the Gentleman who spoke last, he had stated a similar objection to Dr. Taun ton across the table. It had been said they had no thing to do with the transactions which took place in the time of Charles I. Now he thought they had a great deal to do with them ; for he believed that those who originally opposed that well meaning, though mistaken Prince, whose fate he deplored, asserted the rights and liberties of the country. He should there fore move that the paragraph alluded .to be erased. This was seconded by Captain Davotwiree, and agreed to by Dr. TAUNTON. Mr. BUDD said he had been misconceived. He meant, that the events which occurred at the time of Charles I. had nothing to do with the present Address. JOHN VIVIAN, Esq. moved that the Addresi be Finned by the Mayor, on behalf of the Meeting, and that it be presented by the Members for the Borough. This motion being carried, the same Gentleman proposed that the Thanks cf the Meeting be given to the Mayor, for his able and impartial conduct in the Chair.—This motion was received with a tumult of applause, hisses, and groans, amidst which the Meet ing was dissolved. PROSPWTE OF THE RADICALS.—A Meeting was held at Tanfield Moor, on Saturday last, according to notice : five enlightened Radical; attenaed from Williston, to give information and exhort; they were met by six pencils of the, neighbourhoodl COVNTY GP FIFE TING. The Meeting of the County of Fife, on Thursday, the 18th instant, to consider of a Loyal Address to, the PRINCE REGENT, on the present disturbed state of the Country, was numerously and respectably at tended. The Earl of Moe Tow, the Lord Lieutenant, was called to the Chair. Lord KELLIE, the Hon. R. LINDSAY, Sir ROBERT PRESTON, Bart. Sir JOHN Os- WALD, K.C.B. Mr. THOMSON, of Charlton, Captain Wesseas, yOunger, of Wemyss, Mr. WEDDEREURN of Wedderburn, Mr. CLrewea, of Stratyrum, and Mr. GILLESPIE, with many other Landholders of consi derat'on, were present. Mr. CLEPHANZ, the Sheriff-Depute of the County, said, that the Meeting had been called by the Con vener and himself, not in consequence of any letters of Requisition, brit because they thoughethe dange- ' roils state of the Country was a suffident apology for' , calling the Connty together. .A spirit of a diabolical nature was afloat, which the Meeting should join to put down. The question was unconnected with party, as the existence of the Country is at stake. Lord KELLIE then addressed the Meeting, remark ing, that after what had fallen from the Sheriff, it was unnecessary for him to say much. In these mo mentous times, it was necessary to guard against seditious meetings and blasphemous publications, and the plans of the Radical Reformers to subvert the Constitution, and undermine our holy religion. He therefore proposed that the Meeting should adopt the BesOlutions and Address to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, which he submitted to the Meeting. Captain WEMYSS seconded the motion. The CHAIRMAN then read the first Resolution, in which the belief of the Meeting in the dissemination of blasphemous publications was stated; and oq put ting it from the Chair, Mr. STUART said, he did not object to it, if it was' not meant to extend the belief in the dissemination of such publications 10 this County, where he insisted no such thing had taken place. He had made most ample inquiries, and he denied the fact altogether; and moved the following words as an addition to the . Resolution:—" That this Meeting feels itself called on to express their sentiments, although not aware that any attempt to disseminate irreligious publica tions has taken place in this County." Lord KELLIE stated, that it consisted with his knowledge, that one man, not far from Cupar, had been circulating improper publications; and Captain Wenayss knew that The Black Dwarf was sent to Durdermline from Glasgow. Mr. STUART.—" Well, then, are you to libel the whole County, because one man in it circulates im proper publications, and The Black Dwarf is at Dun fermline?" Captain Wstivss added, that a copy of Paine's Age of Reason was also there, and The Black Thvarl was circulated. Sir Roncnr PRESTON, in a low tone of voice, said, " It is notorious;' and Mr. Duti"Das, of Blair, added, that there were blasphemous publications at Culross. Mr. STUART said, he was convinced the people in the district where he lived, and he believed at Kirk aldy and Dunfermline,were more regular in their attendance at church and on the ordinances of reli gion than the Gentlemen whom he now addressed; and he cautioned them against creating a false im press:on oa this matter. Did they exclude sceptical and• irreligious writers from their libraries? The fact was, and he must repeat it boldly, that there was no foundation for the charge. The people were well disposed, and the quietness of Dunfermline and Kirk aldy, the two greatest manufacturing towns in Fife, during Divine Service, was ample evidence of this. The Amendment was negatived. The second Resolution, condemning the Meetings of the Radical Reformers, and the encouragement given them by inflammatory speeches, being read, Mr. FEROUS, of Strathore, addressed the Meeting in very solemn and impressive terms. He came to it, he said, as a person intimately acquainted with the manufacturing part of the People, and he was bout)/ to say, that their sufferings were great, and that they were suffering quietly and humbly under the afflict ing dispensation. Sir JOHN Oswax,to came, he"said, from the same district as the Gentleman who had last spoken, and wished to make some observations on what he, who was the Provost of Kirkaldy, and a great manufac turer, had said, particularly respecting the Kirkaldy Radical Reform Meeting. Sir John considered it to be a violation of law, decency, and order. The Peo ple marched in with precision, and regularly orga nized, accompanied•with martial music. Their con vocation was on the Sands of ilirkaldy ; their flags bore such inscriptions as these, " Universal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments," " Liberty or Death," " Saunders, slow and sure." By such proceedings all credit and confidence must be shaken to the centre, and there would be employment for none. He was as ready as Any man to do justice to the character of his countrymen. He knew their worth, and all he wished was to keep them from men wishing to mislead them and to deprive them of their religion. Ml'. FERGUS begged to be permitted to speak once mote, and for the last time. Our People were, he said, quiet, loyal, and religious, and bear their suf ferings with great resignation. There were'a few misguided men, but only a few, who, he admitted, made considerable exertions to form the Meeting at Kirkaldy; but if he told what the sufferings of the People were, it would harrow up their souls. They are not disloyal ; but is it to be wondered at if they wince—a population of about 12,000 souls, and wages about Sid. per day. For GOD'S sake, said Mr. Fergus, don't calumniate this County, they are' loyal, and ready to support the Laws. Mr. CLEPHANE said, that as Chief Magistrate of this County, he needed no better statement than that which Mr. Fergus had given. Perhaps the People have a right to meet and petition the Throne; but on his professional responsibility, as a lawyer, he assert ed, that the Meeting at Kirkaldy was illegal. They were not authorized to have banners, which Were an incitement to rebellion. Mr. STTIART . did not rise to give any opinion xs to the legality or illegality of the Meeting at Kirkaldy, but this he was bound to say, that if the Sheriff of the County believed it to be an illegal Meeting, he ought not to have allowed it to be held. The People coming to their Meetings with flags was highly im proper, but not the slightest importance ought to be attached to their marching With precision and regu lathy. The People of this Country had been trained to arms by the Government ever Volunteers, the n i n t h e Militia, . an ce dnd the Local Militia. There was not a Country where you did - in a military manner. Mr. rfatituE rose to portance of the period. ' more alarming than nineteen did ; at the same time, ' county of Fife, relatively he looked on the Country tion, unless an immediate prevailing irreligious Gentleman who objected well before he disturbed ing. Bad and wicked those who were innocent. period in France, from He shuddered to think an instance of some of I, near Paisley, and openl' refusing to take any but other instances of disaffection He rejoiced that, in these vernment in this Country those of the Lord Ady ford. Things were in had, a few days ago, pi, on the full war establishment. Dr. STUART concurred ing there was great disaffection necessities of the Peoplf conciliatory measures ed. He would be very attain unanimity ; bui him advice on one subj comment to him not much of his.alarm. the state of matters firmly believed, that been adopted, and the lieved, that there was loyalty of the People, here to-day. Mr. STUART again that he entirely approve and of a Loyal Address Regent on the state of Pearetd w hm a i w th ise dissatisf action the great part of 'the people trtcts ; but he could would 1)e the last ado, ing the Prince Regent, doing he was lending hr measures lately pursued tion. It was his cony' the Radical Reformers tion ; and he, therefk that the people of thi , 'forgetting all party , were determined to join exertion in their power f r , Constitution itself, and . leading to military despotism a state of anarchy and .‘„ Lord Mortros - obserred, pledge any one to support merely to support the E; time, in whose hands Mr. STUART expressed ble Lord for the candid afforded him, with wk: added, that neither . could of the Address; e. g. th measures to be adopted, He might in this way 1- don of laws tending to , to petition the Throne depending oh consuetudinary lemn compact between reign, when the Prince called to the throne The right to Petition Rights delivered to the in February, 1688, and the Act of Parliament found himself obliged that the words following stead of those contained Lord Kellie, after the ' composing the Meeting. Amendment. He said, allude to the sanction (for as to his Royal Highness the Prince he was then absent from the seat of the Gm to the proceedingi of the Magistrates on the fifth day . after they took place. He saw reason for expressing any opinion as to the 1 - or illegality of these proceedings here, but . convinced that the sanction so rapidly given by Administration to such proceedings, had very mu increased the disaffection previously existing in t country. He must again repeat, that the distress , the People was great, but that they were sutleiis with patience. Lord MORTON having asked if the Amendax. was seconded ? Dr. STUART said, that his near connection wit , the last speaker placed him in a situation of delicac. as to seconding the Amendment. He approved it on the whole, although it contained expressions is which he could not entirely concur ; but he Oiial:" pro'ved of part of the Address. It held out 11,7e50l the distresses of the country being temporary, he was persuaded, from opinions and information Cr those well qualified• to judge, would not he realist! The Amendment not being seconded, WAS not N: and the original Address was carried with only . to dissentients. The Marquis of QUERNCJEARY, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Dumfries, has called a Meetinz ct that County, to be held on the 30th inst. to consider of a Loyal Address. A Meeting, for a similar purpose, of the Coun t y of Argyle, has been convened for the 3d December. A Requisition is in progress for a Loyal Meeting CI the County of Flint.' A Meeting of the Inhabitants of Ipswich and its vicinity, to consider of the late transactions at Man chester, was held on Monday, the 15th inst. when a series of Resolutions were passed, and an Address agreed to, founded on them, " most earnestly re questing his Royal Highness to institute a full an d ,solemn inquiry into the real state of these naelanchviY He cc koa n oLdwtnahaer eun:labbdeiersletrlr7lyil:a.eangi d ukinee. ticite:oyth,t the a seweetvabhe ruoseenn en e e r i e M o vl t il a fi iti s n a d no t a vi k p p le er t sons out nidel principles. daed. s ert t , eti a ne et t hoc e en ' i th e Resolution h m is ns v t ie a w d s mi . the of buy s state lie to t ds ent. The times re om the year 1788 f these people going' enly stealing the to lso Efection on the part of hese times, the rnea su in ntry were in such abl e lvocate and Sir 11 0 , ti a such a state, that placed the Castle of is d islunent. rred with Mr. Nairne Lc isaffection in many p )ple were at their h' tl should, in his opinion, . y ready to do what he ut since Mr. Nairne ,bject, he would, in r„ at publicly to Comm He, too, was acquai r 3 in the West Country ; if conciliatory mea st he necessities of the Pe to as no more to fear from ti e, than of the Gentle I rose. He need hardly oved of the Meeting h.. ess being presented to the of the country, because measure, in the existing he Government, elm. eople in the manufacte d assure the Meeting, of his life to concur in .nt, if he conceived thx himself to the approsal ued by the present A. nviction, that the prim- a .rs were subversive of the fore, thought it was im his country should know differences, the landed join cordially in making ver for the preservation and to save us from espotism on the one hard, d confusion on the other. erred, that the Address upport the Administratir e Executive Government f soever it might be placed. essed himself obliged to adid explanation which he which he was satisfied; :ould he approve of other r. the approbation expres.• ted, of which he knew no. y be entrapped into an app, o del:wive the subject of the ne ana Parliament—a rig tudinary law, but part of een the People and the ce and Princess of Orange at the Revolution in 16. on formed part of the cla Le Prince and Princess of I. nd was solemnly recogni- nt following it. He the. i to move, as an Amend. ring should be substituted. Lined in the Address mom e description of the indivi. ig. Mr. Stuart read the pr.. d, it appeared to him prope an given by the Adman's 1 Highness the Prince R ;• on' the seat of the Govern the Magistrates of Manch-- r they took place. He saw any opinion as to the 1 proceedings here, but he merlon in rapidly Liven by