The Sun. — London, England, 1830-12-07 00:00:00

lhe new Aliaistry, to make Parliamentary Reform a Cabi ' XII question, and trusts, while all visionary schemes are avoided, that they will not incur the reproach of the pr.o - " Ye have healed the hurt of the daughter of my People slightly." But that the measure% patronized by government will be in unison with the spirit of the Bri deb Constitut:on, will be based on rational principles, awl the franchise so widely diffused, as to insure the full and • fair exinession of the wants and wishes of the people in the Commons House of Parliament.—(Cheers.) Mr. JOIN CUNNISQUAM, AtiVnetite—Tho meeting hee 1, ill new expreseetl du it concurrence in the first resolu t tie% , which embodies the main object on which we are WAY assembled together, it has been devolved upon me to move that it be incorporated in a petition to he presented to .both Houses of Parliament, and I cannot sufficienth !meth that it has not been undertaken by one or other of those learned and distinguished persons, wl u voices have always been raised in every cause in which the freedom and happiness of mankind were interested. But still we have some consolation in knowing that those gentlemen are not prevented from attending by any lukewarmness to the cause in which we are engaged. but from the circumstance of their being called to offices of high trust and responsibility in the service of their country.—(Applause—the whole I meeting rose and waved their hats for several seconds.)-- I In approaching Parliament on this question, it was neces ' . cry to consider that we now stand in a different situation from that in which the friends of liberty have dope in re cent and Modern political history. The Government is flow pledged in the cause of Reform—that Government is composed of men whose declarations, influence, talents, stltions, and exertions were all pledged to the cause of I ldurm. We have a Monarch on the Throne who has ?mailed his sincere, honest, and zealous support to that Mioistry—(Great cheering and waving of hats)—and Who trill not secretly and insidiously, as has sometimes been the case, oppose the cause be openly professes to !Mule. I, however, my friends, will bear in mind, that Incagli we have won the Government, we have not yet won the Legislature ; they are placed in a peculiarly de- liege Situation, in beige called to reform themselves, or to abrogate to a certain extent the power which they pos itioned. In these circumstances we are bound to exercise 4 .0 0 4 10 1 re jealousy over them by every constitutional "ems There Must be petitions.frorn every part of the country" we must not be, taunted with Indifference to the cause of Reform ; and we must not be too confiding in the libeeality, generosity, and justice of the Legislature on this great question, Individuals must resolve to make great sacrifices of their own opinions, and to meet every phut with conciliation and concession; and if this is done, the cause of Reform will he safe in Scotland. I beg to Propoaethe second reeolutimi, as follows : • "That a petition be therefore presented to both Houses of rarliament, praying for such an extension of the franchise as may include a fair proportion of the property and intelligence of Scotland." - - - • Mr. Asinaow Scow seconded the resolution. Air. Sem of Parton expressed his great admiration at the manner in which his Learned and excellent Friend, Mr. Murray, bad opened the proceedings ; hut there was another Learned Gentleman who would raise the hopes sad expectations of the reformers Of Englan&--he meant tilk Lord ChancAlor. Mr. Scott said Mr. Brougham Moe on the field as he (Mr. S.) came off it, and pro ceeded to narrate that it was through his advice the now Lord Chancellor received his first brief at the English bar. . He next adverted to the plan of Reform brought into Parliament by his fiiend the Marquis of Blandford, which he contended was the first plan that included Scottish representation. Dr. Itlacroacast said the Committee had done him the .honour to request be would propose the next resolution, which happily required little preface. , Ile would remind . the meeting that the present Lord Ch incellor of England, though in truth a citizen of the world, was, like them wives, , peculiarly a citizen of Edinburgh, born and re ceiving his-early education here—that a few years ago, .in This very room; he had told us, that, while jostling and contending with boys of all tanks at our Ilill School, he Ited been first taught that "merit and assiduity, not rank or eredth,were the sure guides to success, and nobly had he exemplified this truth ; and there he had learned bow deeply the stability of civil society was benefited by the cultivation of community of feeling and interest among different ranks s ad t conditions. I Ile need hardly add that no man knouts better the defective state of our whole represents ' ,Ftl We , system—.if representative system it can be called s-no men was • more abl e or willing to amend it.— Pr. M'Lagan cougratulsted his fellow townsmen on meet big under such auspicious circumstances, when an Ad rnioiitration had been established, having the confidence Of their Sovereign and the country, and constituted on such bases • se promised best to secure peace abroad and tranquillity at home, circumstances so essential to the cause of Reform ; it was matter, he thought, .of no, light 4u , meet that the Administration was so con s tituted that I .otd Brougham could form a part of it, and not less that. ear distinguished .countrymen, the Dean of Faculty and kr, Cockburn, could accept office without a compromise' of any of those principles for the sake of which they, like: their excellent friend on his left, Mr. J. A. Murray, Is .dI : 6 0 long and so honourably sacrificed pl*ce, power, and, '.emolument. Dr. M'Lagen then moved, ''That the petition to the Lords be transmi tt e d to t h e L oud ' lidol, Chancellor, and that to 'the Commons to Mr. Kennedy,. :`,..a request to support them, and with the cordial th an ks of `"e meeting to them both for their exertions in the cause of ...w e nn. .. - Mr, Comic, in rising to second the third resolution,, 1 01 voting in Scotland has hitherto been confined to a few, 'W it these chiefly belonged to the aristocracy, ' who bad " t ile sympathy with the people. The objecrof the pre ''"t measure was to confer political influence on the 1 /411111e elastics of the community. The private citizen, Who.pnrsued his exclusive interests, and conceived himself virtuous in neglecting his public duties, now discovers that he is a shareholder in the great company of the Oa -11441. The consequences of the misrule of the E xecutive G o vernment ; ,. and Parliament painfully reac h him in the "'nerreost recesses of Isis domestic retirement. The tax ilatherer drains his pocket; he is no longer able to add shilling to shilli ng by pursuing his trade, becau se the "O ctal interests of the State have been dislocated. Cous- M elte is obstructed, and capital and industry no longer' Meet with their fair reward. Mr. Combo entreated this P ru dent class of persons, on their own principles, to sup• Fort the cause of Parliamentary Reform as the hest means by which they c ould promote the welfare of themselves iiati families in their private capacity. _ A gentleman from the gallery said, allusion had been o t T l ade to Pitt and Fox, but they were dead, and we lived in e days of Lotd Brougham, from which we expect more _, t h an r Ina or Fox premised—certainly more than they 11. e. formed.—(Cheers. %lieu 1,- )—He was proceeding to support y bdlot, amidst sniggled cheers and hissing. when The Chateaux rose to order, and teferred him to the dloiaition e , by which it was resolved not to go into any i I H ak' He said a r eso lutio n had been put into his hand Irotn the. Provost and Magistrates of Dumfries, retnarkable r 71 . the liberality an d goo d sense which it displayed. Mr. ! 4 Craig read the resolution, and particularly referred to .. tis rege in it wherein it was refused to enter into any de ; tee i being satisfial from the pledge given by .Govern , I , l , 4 l W. that the measure to be proposed will meet the wants "e ivi label of every reasonable man.—(Hear, hear.) p r 0„,.. ". _Po D. SaNTWORD, advocate, bad been requested to ‘,„„""" a petition for the adoption of the meeting. Ile I 44 ; !me of those wile considered this as no party ques. tliatie i n t d ,wheth heapproved o f this or that Adminis wnesberleie Whig or Tory, there could be no dll ubt that . ..t wile • t . the time was come when every f r i en d to his Otinh,,, will beis t p7 say, We ought to have Reform for the well . thi n ' ,_. the country. Mr. Sandford then read the peti hot ' "ich was substantially the same as the first reso .., en. . Sirl °ellerT . if, tiOn . i .01IN H . TALTAYMPLIT seconded the peti the A dispositi on b a d ex i ste d at a ll times to suppress :,barer of the people ' of Scotland ; and liberty could • .7 . _ . rr . continue where the body of the people took no inte -17'..1n the public concerns. It was not true that the l' L l t„of freedom was dead in Scotland ; but it was in t.uutet a for the little life it possessed to England. He con' 1.4 ... 1ed by urging the advantages of Parliamentary Re- I I ih ri n_. i t Whieli would make Scotsmen take an interest in 'rtitet concerns their country, and which was the safest t .l nn o 'mike them defend her laws, liberty, and consti- I . 77, 4 ,_ ..--( Cheers. ) 1 . c . ....'r..' Hon. Titoatsow , manufacturer, moved that a 1. , se "rcettlee be appointed to carry the resolutions into effect, i 4 " named the Committee—of which Mr. Ivory, advocate, h .. 0.. be Conv e n er , an d M r . C om b e , W. S. Secretary. m l . r• B eloval., ten. seconded the nomination. I le C w _ .. hottumax said, I cannot avoid taking th is op• innlty of stating, that it is strongly impressed on my nos e that th e cause o f R e f orm i s now to succeed.-- t ( i t , o—.l say this not merely frotn the signs of the I 1 tt a, but from the great 111/vantages that ths cause will . , c e e t ik ", l fronts the Aliuisters of the Crown having made it " whit let - measure.,—They have come under pledges . , atilu e b; et ,affecling the honour, character ,, and all that 1, utter, te in man, they must fulfil and folloW out to the heel ) -- reh t ; and if any doubt remained, it . would have 'friend -I'"t'l by, the appointment of our two illustrious t g ''• Mr. Jeffrey anti Mr. Cockhure to the highest anal station ,, in tin t country.. There ar e, however, env. `muteii";itto our cause, who are possessed of the strougsholds 11 , l lo b ..country, end We , WOO bring a force to cope wilt, 1,4,e,us 01. nd the main object of this meeting is for the s _ l .)4ising strength to Ministers to enable them to over use their adversaries-, 41'4 to convince, that, sej long a, they adhere to those pledges, this meeting and the people of Scotland will support them to the utmost, in carrying through' every measure for the improvement and advance 'ment of the country.—(Cheers:)—That the Right Hon Gentleman who represents this city should he of opinion that there was no necessity fora Reform, I can well un derstand ; but how he should take upon him to interpret the feelings of the country in the dietatori .1 manner he had done, lam at a loss to understand. I think he should have remembered that in his own person he afforded n strong proof the necessity of Reform, which I will defy him or any man to controvert.—(Laughter and applause.) I never heard of any benefit he has rendered to hi. country—if any ever were rendered by him. Ile I► however had aseat in Parliament for thirty-five years—and that too without even the shadow of a contested election. lie had long since been named a Privy n tncillor, and at this day enjoys the two greatest sinecures in Scotlawf, yielding about 7,000/. per annum. If there bad been any Reform in Parliament, or if our repre,entation had not been a mockery. could any such things lave taken place ? —(Hear, hear. )—I cannot doubt that in a few shirt months we shall hare the pleasure of seeing the hustings erected at the Cross of E linburgh- -(Cheers)—tur the election of a Representative, by the free and unbiassed voices of the citizens. I again say, I have perfect confi dence in the present administration, and that they will carry their pledges into execution. But should they forget their pledges, let them look to the fate of their prede cessors.—(Cheers.)—The Duke of Wellington, the great est Captain of the age, the moment he declared against Reform, was hurled from his seat, and his power scattered like chaff before the wind.—(Great cheering.)—l hop if the present Ministers forget their duty, tin y may meet with a similar fate. _ _ The HOD. MOUNTSTUART EIMIINSTON moved the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman, which was re ceived with loud acclamations. The meeting then se parated. 'MERCHANT COMPANY. Yesterday a very full meeting of this Company was held in their Hall, Hunter's-square, agreeably to a requisition, calling upon the Company to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament on the subject of Re form in the House of Commons, &c. gr. J. F. naccaataxsaid i the ,object of the requisi: tion was, to consider the propriety of petitioning Parlia )nent for Reform in the representation of the country.— Ile, had some doubts as to the, propriety of it, and bad, when applied to' on the subject about three weeks ago, declined, taking part in the proceedings- r but, on reflec tion, lic!was satisfied not only of the propriety, but also of the necessity of coming forward with a statement of their opinions; for although they bad now, Most fortu nately, a.Government pledged to Reform, yet that Reform was not to bit accomplished by a word—it would require the most strenuous efforts to carry through such a Reform as would be either beneficial or acceptable, to the country. But all hesitation was removed by the extraordinary de claration of the Right Honourable W. Dundee, respecting the indderence of Scotland for Reform. Mr. M. here read Mr. Dundas's letter to Mr. Henderson, and remarked that it, was abundantly plain from this letter that unless they came forward now, they, must be content to sit under the charge of indifference brought against them by Mr. Dundee in the most complete ignorance of the fact. In prefacing some resolutions on the subject,, he proposed that they should first' state what they con;- ceived the House of Commons ought to be, and he conceived that it ought to contain a full and equal re presentation of all classes and interests of the community—. not one to the exclusion of the rest—but all united in such a manner, and elected on such principles, as would eecure attention to the interests of the people. A Reform was plainly necessary—they could not Reform the Lords, although that Honourable House had exhibited a singular spectacle, in the facility of the conversion of a great majo rity when the Minister thought fit to insist on passing the Catholic question. But in speaking of Reform, he cer tainly did not wish any thief; that could have the most remote tendency to injure the Constitution—he would call it the glorious Constitution of the country. On the con trary, be wished to strengthen and improve it. In Scot land the number of voters was few—thirty-three counties only returned thirty members, six of them performing the duty alternately. Why had each county not a member ? True, the number of voters in these was small. Why not enlarge them ? In burghs it was still worse. One burgh alone could boait of a member; and in his election the citizens, as such, had no voice. And fourteen members were divided amongst sixty-five other burghs.' Thus Glasgow, one of the principal cities of the kingdom, had only a fourth share of a member along with three other burghs, insignificant in comparison with it. In such eases an extension of the elective franchise was quite indiapensitile.—(Hear.) Ediuburgh, and Glasgow, he ahought, should have two members each ; at any rate the in- Inthinnits ought to have the right of voting in the election. Looking to the frequent ehanges which had of htte years taken piece in his Majesty's .Councils, ,he thought it quite possible that, unless they succeeded in obtaining whit they now desired, these might be followed by the establishment, of arbitrary power; for . when was there a time when a corrupt Ministry did not find as corrupt and complying a Parliament?—( Hear, hear.) There was also a fear of an opposite kind, which influenced him most. There was a spirit at present abroad in the country, which unless put a atop to by timely concession, would, he Pared, bring about not a reformation, but a destruction of the Constitu tion. It was this that had led him to come forward on the present occasion,' for' up to the present moment he had never tiken any interest in the question, and had never signed any petition for Reform. But he was decidedly of opinion; that if all who had any property to lose, or had any regard for the welfare and heppinessa of their country, did not now come forward. and with united and temperate, yet firm and persevering efforts, endeavour to obtain such a Reform as would secure the blessings of our free Constitu tion, there was much reason for alarm lest that should he forced upon them which would spread dismay and ruin far and wide.—(Hear, hear.) He purposely avoided pro posing any particular plan of Reform—that he conceived under the present circumstances might he left in the hands of the Ministry ; neither would he say any thing of the mode of election, though he would remark in passing, that the opinion in favour of the vote by ballot seemed to be increasing in a wonderful degree.—(llear.) Mr. A. CnacritivroN seconded the resolutions. Mr. GRIEVE thought that the resolution regarding the election of Magistrates of .burghs was out of place, and ought not to be mixed up with the business for which the meeting was specially called. If the company deemed it advisable to petition for burgle Reform, it would be more proper to take that question into consideration at another meeting. The Mama directed the attention of Mr. Grieve to the terms of the requisition, whi'ch were to talce into con sideration the propriety of petitioning both for Parlia mentary and burgh Reform.--(hear,hear.) Mr. R. B. BLYTII expressed his disappointment with the resolutions, which he expected would have gone far ther. He considered that petitions to Parliament would be of little avail, if they did not state distinctly what they wished. He hoped that not only the company, but the whole of Scotland, would take Mr. Dundaa's hint, and let Parliament know distinctly what it was they wished. In asking for the extension of the elective franchise, he (Mr. Blyth) would be inclined to go down as far as 101, rents. To come, therefore, to some point on this subject, he proposed that they should express a hope th it the fran chise would be extended to 301. rents. There was ano ther point on which they ought to express an opinion— namely, that no extension of the franchise which could be given, would he complete and effectual, sinless it were accompanied by vote by ballot. This was the most vital part of any petition for Reform, and he should propose an addition to the resolutions to that effect, Mr. Serrrar. differed in opinion with Mr. Blyth. They had been told by the highest authority that their strength lay in their moderation ; and if they went to Parliament asking for this, that, and the other thing, the chance was that they would get nothing at all. Mr. Ar4uanw Scow hoped Mr. Blyth would not press a division. The MASTER read the fifths resolution, which he thought contained all that could be wished on th e su bj ec t. Mr. G. Baowt; said, it was so seldom that the com pany were so cordial and unanimous, particularly on a po. litical question, that he, thought it would be a pity if they should lee called upon . to divide on any minor point.— (ilear, hear.) Air. Berm thought the question of such vital impor tance, that be could not prevail upon himself, with all his respect for the gentleman who suggested it, to withdraw his amendment. Air. Citeroan was by no means opposed to the plan of voting by ballot, but lee was decidedly averse to the meet ing expressing their opinion so minutely as was urged by Mr. Myth. If Mr. B. divided the company on the ques. dun of voting by ballot, he would compel many of those on the ground of expediency, to appear-in seeming oppo sition to that of which, they approved. They ought now La smite in making one grand effort to obtain an extension of the a ight of voting for a Member of Parliament. If that were once get, any error in the manner of voting Would - be 6,14' coirected, lie would therefore humbly oroPose that that these words be added to the lath resoles that the moth of voting will be such as may beat stcdre the free an unt)iatsed opinion of every elector." --(General approbation.) Mr.. Bi.mt had no objection if this was agreed to, to withdraw his resolution ; and Mr. Macfarlan having ex in.essed himself also satisfied with Mr. Gifford's proposi ion, it was unanimously agreed to. It was then revolved that petitions founded on the reso 'utions should he drawn up, and sent for presentation to Lord Brougham in the Lords, and Mr. Kennedy in tl e Commons.—Adjourned. LEITH. Yesterday, a public meeting of those inhabitants o; Leith; friendly to an extension of the elective franchise in he counties of Scotland, called by requisition, addressed to the senior Magistrate, was held in the Exchange Build ,ngs there. Ilailie WIVIART hiving lie,n called to the chair, real th e requisition, which in addition to the object above itated, contemplated takini such steps ns might secure to the town of Leith a suitable representation of its interest, in Parliament. Mr. J. B. Scarr, the late Chief Magistrate, in movim, the resolutions, observed that it was not necessary to say a word in support of them, for rvery one must he sensible. of the necessity of Reform in Parliament. Mr. Scott the:. read the resolutions. Bailie SCEA LEs.seconded the resolutions. Captain CARNEGIE approved warmly of the object of the resolutions, and of their tenor, except that part o them which mixed up their old squabbles with the Town Council of Edinburgh with the general question of Reform. To that portion of them he, could not agree ; and if the mover would not consent to expunge the objectionable part, he would feel bound to move an amendment. Mr. CRICHTON bad nut the least doubt but his friend Captain Carnegie's observations had been made in the best possible spirit; but some of the requisitionists happened to know a little of the views of Ministers on this question, and that their great object, in the contemplated Reform, was not merely to overturn die close system and corrup tions, but to give a voice in the Legislature to the shipping and manufacturing interests, the case must therefore be viewed in a different light from that taken by Captain'Car negie. It was requisite that a case should be made out to show, that the .port of Leith had interests separate from Edinburgh, and that it would not do to mix those of the former with the latter. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) It was evident, that the cause of Reform must be benefitted by a reference to the abuses which had arisen out of the present system. He would just mention one. In all the struggles the people of Leith bad been engaged in, though they generally had triumphed, they never were able to get six tnembers, out of the whole forty-five, who would raise their voices in behalf of the trading and shipping in terest of this putt. He said this without the slightest per sonal reference to the representative of the Corporation of Edinburgh, but as an instance of the general effects pro ' duced by the burgh system. Captain CARNEGIE said, his objections had not been touched by Mr. Crichton, and he must still object to the latter part of the second resolution. Mr. J. A. Ciatesau., C. S., regretted the words ob jected to by Mr. Carnegie had been used. He was against dividing the meeting—for then it would he said one party supported the town of Edinburgh, and the other Leith. Mr. J. Itlrrcortm, would concur in any measure of Re form which had the support of Lords Grey and Brougham; hut it did not follow that he must attack the Town Coup ell of Edinburgh. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. B. Score could not see how the resolution could be altered. It was as follows :--. " That this town and port, containing a large population and extensive commerce, has long felt the want of any direct in. fluency in the representation of Its interests—(Captain Carnegie Stop there—l only object to what follows.")--and that in the various contests which this town has had to sustain with the close Corporation of the neighbouring city, although finally sue. cessful in resisting the most prominent encroachments, yet this has only been ettbeted by incurring enormous expense, and chiefly by the patriotic exertions of Members of Parliament who are nut immediately connected with Scotland." Captain CARNEotic said it was not from any friendship to Edinburgh that he opposed the resolutions. Ti' obtain Reform, it was not required unnecessarily to abuse our neighbours. Mr. ALEX4NDER STltvettsoN, Solicitor, was of opinion that they must state the particular grievance under which they laboured, Mr. JOHN Rain, in a low tone of voice, urged the ex punging of the word " close" from the resolution. ' Dr. Comas was glad that the difference in the meet ing was only as to the single point of allusion to the Town Giuncil of Edinburgh. Captain CARNIEGIE then moved an amendment to ex punge the objectionable part of the resolution ; Mr. Mit chell seconded it. Mr. CRICHTON said the object of their petitioning was to obtain for Leith, which was a rising community, a voice in the representation of the people ; and the full ex pression of that object womb] not be attained if the resolu tion objected to was withdrawn—the first and third re• solutions would be nonsense without the second. Capt. CARNEGIE remained of the same opinion, that any, expression against Edinburgh in the resolutions was not calculated to forward the object of Reform generally. ' show of hands was then demanded, when only sir Were held up in support of Mr. Carnegie's amendment. GLASGOW. (From the Glasgow Chronicle of Friday.) We congratulate our readers and the citizens of Glasgow on the rapid progress of enlightened principles, through out the country, and more particularly on the gratifying announcement which our advertising columns to-night exhibit from the Council Chamber of the Burgh of Glasgow. The Magistrates and Council have declared themselves in favour of Parliamentary and Burgh Re• form. At the meeting of the Council to-day, a report of the Committee, appointed on Wednesday, approving of the proposed resolutions, was read, and unanimously approved of. The resolutions are exceedingly well drawn up. It is a proud circumstance for Glasgow, that the literary merit and independent spirit of these resolutions, contrast so strongly with the address of the Edinburgh Member to his servile Corporation, which refused to call a public meeting for Reform. The Magistrates having thus taken the lead, the mea chants' and trades' houses followed on Monday, and it now remains for the citizens to aid these bodies in their applications to Parliament by requesting the Lord Pro vost to call a public meeting. The new Ministry are told that Scotland does not ask fur Reforth ; let it therefore be the duty of the people to show to the King and to Parliament that the statement, though made by a Scottish Member who should have known better, is grossly un. founded. We understand that a requisition to the Lord Provost is in the course of being subscribed, requesting his Lord ship to call a public meeting of the merchants, bankers, traders, and householders, within the city of Glasgow, to consider the propriety of petitioning both Houses of Par liament for Parliamentary Reform; and more especially for a Reform of the Scottish Representation. To-day, at one o'clock, a meeting of the county of Ren frew, called by Justices of the Peace, was held in the County Court-hall, Paisley, for the purpose of congratu lating his Majesty on the occasion of his having displaced the late Ministry—to implore his Majesty to dissolve the present Parliament, and to petition for an immediate Reform in the Commons' House of Parliament. Sir John Maxwell in the chair. Mr. WALLACE moved a series of resolutions, as well as an address to the King, and petitions to both Houses o Parliament. The address to the King prayed his Ma jesty to grant Parliamentary Ramat, and to dissolve Par liament, if the House, as now constituted, should be any bar to that measure. The petitien to the Peers craved that their Lordships should counsel the King to grant Re form, encourage the people to assert their rights, and to do away with that influence which so many of their order had acquired is the House of Commons. Mr. Dentine, of Ardoch, seconded the resolutions and petitions, which were agreed to. After the regular business of the meeting was over, re solutions for the forming a Reform Association of the county of Renfrew were read and adopted, and ti Cam , mittee appointed to draw out rules for the regulation of the Association, to be hereafter laid before it public meet ing called for the pullout*. The meeting did not separate till four o'clock. It is gratifying to observe the spirit with which the qUeation of Reform is taken up in various ports of the country, and the judicious course which is taken in laying the matter before Parliament. Similar meetings will, we hope, be held in every town and parish in Scotland. PLYiIOUfU, (From the West Briton.) . A meeting of some of the staunch friends of Reform in Parliament, resideribi" of Plymouth and Devonpott, took place en 'Tuesday last, at the Freemasons' Mall, at Ply ❑touth; convened fir the purpose of adopting the necessary measures to give publicity in the neighbourhood, to the petition resolved upon last week at the Castle of Exeter, and in order to afford as well as possible en oppartunity for the freeholders and inhabitants' paying rates nod taxes" to come forward and sign the same, i n w hi c h n o time should be lost, since it is necessary that the skins contsin- Mg the signatures should be sent to Exeter on Thursday evening next, the lOth instant. 'A subscription was raised LONDON, ITESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 7, 1880. We can state on authority, that the following appointments, which appeared in the " Time?' this morning, are correct ; the patents having been made out, and this morning forwarded from the Treasury " Sir JAMES Kustr, Master-General of the Ordnance. Irish, Lord Chancellor, Lord PLonxtrr ; Chief Jus tice of Common Pleas:, Mr. DOHERTY; Chief Baron, Mr. Joy t Altorney.•General, Mr. Pauur.raTrign; Solicitor-General, Mr. CRAMPTON j King's Serjemt, the Yell-known Catholic barrister Mr. O'LAUUIILAN." It is HUE x little curious that Lord BROUUIt AM, who is the founder, head, and chief support of the London University, should also, In his capacity of Chancellor, be the head of the King's College, which was founded for the express purpose of op posing the former University; but we have no doubt this fortuitous circumstance will benefit both esta blishments, by produ6ing a harmonious and generous rivalry between them. Learning►, like genius, should inspire no other feeling but that of emulative zeal, to be distinguished for superior excellence. German Piper have been received,but they con lain nothing of any particular moment. v ,1.4 .tt Nov 2t1.--Four per Cents, 81 1 4 ; Bank Shares, 1,083 The moat prominent point in dispute in the affairs of Belgium, appears to relate to the Duchy of Lux embourg. When the Holy Allies separated Be]- giant from Prance, it pleased them to make over the hook told bodies in this territory to the King of HoLIAND, but to declare that he held them in qualby of - member of the Germanic Confederation, under the title of Doke of LuxEstnontr); and that in evidence of this the troops of the Con federation, in conjunction with the troops of the Netherlands, should hold the capital. This arrange ment was at a subsequent period found so incon eenienr, that the Netherlands contingent was with-I drawn, and the capital left entirely in the hands of n Prussian force. At the Revolution, the inhabitants if the territory of Luxembourg, with the exception )1 the capital, joined the nett of the Belgians, aid substituted the Belgian . Government for hat of the King of flot.LiNn.. The Belgian Government has declared the territory of Luxetre bourg to be a component part of the Belgian States, with reservation o/ the rights of the Germanic Body. Film is, they say to the Germanic Body," All that was the King of HOLLAND'S Is now the King of BELGIUM'S; but what was yours, we do not mean to touch, and we arc ready to put ourselves in tin place of the King of Homan) for the fulfilment dl contracts." To which the Germanic Body re. plies," No ; we will not have you—you are not On right men. We love Kings of Holland, and we do not love free Governments. We scorn your offer; and we will come aid burn you if France and Englund will let us." Here then is the question brought to an issue, of whether there is to be an European war because the Germanic Confederation does not like Constitutional Kiags. A parallel case may be made, by supposing that Jersey had been made over to the English King, but upon conditiem that he held it as a member of some Continental Confederation, and kept. a foreign ga►rison in the capital ; and that on the accession of WILLIAM 111. the Continentals had refuted to acknowledge him in Jersey. It is evidently a portion of the general question, whether the despotic Governments of Europe are to dictate to the Free States ; and when a Dutch Governor summons the people of Luxembourg to submit to "their KING the Gland Duke," it is for the people of France and England 'to consider, whether it is not high time this Holy Alliance jargon was set at rest for ever. The question . of • Reform is making rapid head way throUgh every part of the kingdom. England —Scotland—lreland—each is vicing with the other in her endeavours to ensure its accomplishment. Scotland in particular, is assuming a high tone of in dependence. The late meeting at Edinburgh breathes the very spirit of boldness and determina tion, tempered however by 'discretion, foresight, and unanimity., Not a single hand in that vast as sembly, comprising almost all the intellect and re spectability of the modern Athens, was held up against the resolutions in favour of Reform. Every individual seemed to feel that the time was now come when the representative system must be re modelled. Mr.' MURRAY in a speech replete with good sense and animation dwelt in detail on the character of the Scotch el, cations: he exposed their corruption—he ridiculed their absurdity—he anatomized and laid bare.(and with no unflinching hand) the system of monopoly that pervades them—a system which panders to the worst of purposes; which, strengthens un intolerant Government, while it de bilitates a liberal one, and degrades the individual while it demoralizes the country. At Glasgow the same spirit prevails as at Edinburgh. The Magis trates and Council of the former great commercial city have not only admitted that the state of the representation of Scotland is defective—for this, unaccompanied by further acts, would be a work of supererogation—but have nobly come forward to ex press their conviction that Glaagow should no longer be a close borough, but enjoy the same election privileges ns the most ,independent city in England. In 'relent', the North is equally on the alert. Belfast has led the wxy ; Derry has followed ; Armagh has not been far be hind. In a 'word, throughout almost every county, city, town, and even !mallet, in England, Scot and, and Ireland, the question of Reform has been stirred, or is at this moment stirring. The very peasantry have taken it up as a rallying point, and look forward to its necoinplishment, in the convic tion that their distresses will be thereby, if not wholly removed, at least considerably ameliorated. Reform being thus popular—the conviction of its necessity being thus diffused through all classes of the community, little apprehension need be enter tained of its full and perfect triumph. The KING is pledged to it—the Cabinet is pledged to it—the country is resolved on it. But the Boroughmongers, it may be urged, are against it l Granted, but ii ono little fragment of good sense yet lingers in the brains of these men ; if they be not altogether " dull as the fat weed that rots on Lethe's • stream ;" they will not lose the opportunity of yield. ing to the imperative necessities of the people By conceding something, even at this lute hour, they may preserve much; by conceding nothing they will—they must--lose all. Fortunately, which• ever way they decide, England cannot fail to be the gainer. If they concede, she will of course benefit by such concession : if they 'reject her claims, sl.e will put forth her undivided moral strength, and " scatter them"—to use the appropriate phraseology of a speaker at the Edinburgh meeting—" like chaff before the wind." Ouc word more. The people, they may rely on it, cannot be toe persevering or toe united in their pre sent demands for Reform. if they desire to see the failing health of the Constitution recruited—corrup tion deprived of its influence—taxation reduced— the Corn Laws modified—the Game Laws abolished—justice rendered cheap and accessible to all—if, in short, they desire to see Eng land ns she should be, but as she never yet has been, free, prosperous, and happy, tranquil at home, respected abroad, the envy 01 Europe and the world—if the people really desire to see this, they will not cease to thunder at the gates of the Legislature till their rightful claims are granted. On Thursday evening, a meeting was held in Perth, to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament on the subject of Reform. Dr. DAVID Toon in the Chair. The great majority of those Assembled were of respectable appearance. A number of forcible speeches were delivered, embrac ing all the ordinary State grievancee. One of the speakers, in adverting to the vast number of petitions that had been lately drawn up for the Abolition of Negro Slavery, paid, that he abhorred slavery of every description, hut that charity must begin at home, and that the Christian should first pull the beam from his own eye, before he set about taking the mote out of his neighbour's. "We call ourselves free," continued the animated speaker, " hut who can be free that is born heir to a debt of a thousand ; and comes into the world with a Corn Bill on his back ?" Resolutions in favour of U. S., V. by 8., and A. P., were unanimously agreed to. The thanks of the meeting were then vow to the independent advocates of Reform, in England,. Ire land, and Scotland; and to the Loan.Paavost of Perth, for the liberal and friendly manner in which he expressrei himself towards the right of all classes to meet and petition Parliament for redress of grievances.— Glasposo• (Aron. In the case of a late failure, the principal partner, whose family are reduced from affluence to poverty, is still ignorant of the calamity which has befallen his house, .he leaving, from - a recent accident, been ever since deprived of reason.—liforiting Herald. _ 4 , Swing" seems to have been an appellation most unhappily hit upon the origins] irstigtitop, of the hoc diem+ betters, pointing out, se it appears to do, the tee probable fateof some of their deluded followers, It has been pretty clearly ascertained that in many puts of tho eouutry, the riotous proceedings of the labourers bare not been disagreeable to their employers, SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.) PROM. LLOYD'S. PORTS M Dec s,SK—Arrived the Hope, Powell, from Memel. PLYMOUTH, Dee. h,—Witid S. S. F. a 1010. —Arrived the Wilhehninit Maria. from Smyrna ; and the Luphati, from /Viral. FALMOUTH, Dec. S...—Wind S. to S. S. N.. heavy gales, with iqualls.—Arrived the Lord Amherst, from Faye'; myth, 7'tnk In from Lisbon - , SCA It R 0 Dec. s.—Oir port, the Bettie, from Riga, and Agenoriii, (men St. Petersburgh, SUNDERLAND, Due. s.—Offport the Alruorali, said, from Petersburgh. PENZ A NCE, Due. 5..-01 r port the Union, :from St. 'Minas's ; the Indian, Robertion, from Quebec. Albion Or lett r, from Leghorn. BRISTOL Due. d,--Arrived the Ely, Davie from Zany: ; ,v from 'Bordeaux; Deux, Eugenics, from Nantes. LYNN, Dec, h.—otr port, the tilory, Bruin; , the 'Parana ny• 1 logg ; and the Jameson, Murray, from St. Pet ersburgh ; Fate, Seabird, from Memel. HOLYHEAD, I)ac. rrived the Carmen*, !runlet., from Oporto. LIVERPOOL, Dee. 4. Arrived the nispilam, Evans, from Messina; and the Brothers, Jarvis, front Gijon. The Mary Ann Louisa, Rol, of Dalian was on shore on the Skerries on the :id inst, with damage Alaio.l4l of rudder. The 4. nity Power, (coal laden), was totally wrecked near Wir. terford on the 9al Inst. The Charlotte, from Cockton, was carried into Yarmouth Roads on Saturday, abandoned by the crew. The Kitty, .........—, front Whitehm en to Carshff, we, on shore in Kingston Harbour nn the MI hat. and greatly damaged. The Alert, Davidson, from Memel to Dublin, has put into Thum, waterlogged. LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(THIS DAY.) by those present to provide additional thine of parchment. and to pay the expellees of printing - and circulating bawl bills, calling on the inhabitant+ of Vymoutli, Devottport. Stonehoure, anti their vicinity, to enrol their names. IV, are most happy to find that the object is so well and lau lab!), arpreciated by our fellow townsmen. BELFAST. (From the .Bel ast News Letter of Friday.) Yesterday at twelve o'clock a most numerous and re- Tectable meeting of the irdnthitants of Belfast was held iu the Court House, for the purpose of addressing the Legis. la' ure on the subject of Parliamentary lleferm.—Sir S. ALty, Sovereign, in the Chair. A series of resolution• condeinnatory of the present system of returning Member, an •Parliament, representing the necessity of reverting t. Triennial Parliaments, and of adopting voting by ballot, were passed by the meeting amidst enthwiastic applause. The first resolution, expressive of the general principh that the Lower House of Parliament ought, event ding t. the Constitution, to repres,nt tl,e Commons of the Empire : was moved by Dr. TENNANT. The second resolution stated, that this constitutional abject had been defeated chiefly by Aristocratic influence. The third resolution in favour of voting by ballot, wag moved by the Rev. R. MONTOOM FRY, after a WOO Kplendld .ffort of eloquence, which was received with euthusiasti, cheering. The fourth resolution represented the injustice of de priving larger mass's of the population of the privilege of being represented in an assembly which exercises an abso !ute controul over their property and rights. This ream lotion WAR moved by Mr. J. SIXCLAIRK, and was seconded hy Mr. J. Slams, Editor of the Northern Whig. The fifth resolution declared the absurdity and injustic, of power being exercised by men under the character of popular representatives, when they have at beat but it nominal constituency. . . . . The next resolution stated the injustice and unconstitu tional nature of the aristocratic influence under which th representatives of Belfast and other populous towns are elected. The seventh resolution attributed the oppressive system of taxation to the silence of the public voice in Parliament by aristocratic influence. The eighth resolution was in favour of .Trieunial Par liaments. The ninth resolution, against the admission of place men, sinecurists, &c., to seats in the Legislature, was moved by Mr. It. J. TENNANT, and seconded by Mr. S. The tenth resolution deelsred that the confidence of the meeting in the present Ministry was founded - on the ex pressed determination of the latter to enforce economy, and to support the question of Reform. Dr. M'Ktontsr moved, and Mr. C. W. Garstau.aw seconded, the next resolution, that a petition, founded on the previous resolutions, should be prepared and forwarded to est. two County Members for presentation in the House of Commons, provided they would support its prayer ;, and should they not support it, that the petition should be entrusted to Mr. Brownlow. Also that a similar peti tion should be forwarded to the House of Lords through the Marquis of Donegal; and should his Lordship de cline its support, that it should be committed to Earl Grey. On the suggestion of Mr. R. GRIMSHAW, a petition, which had barn prepared by Mr. Emerson, was read and unanimously adopted. The Rev. H. MONTGOMERY then moved, and Mr. N. TEN-KANT seconded, a resolution strongly recommend ing the abandonment f all private and party dissensions; after which the meeting separated. • KIRKALDY, (From the Dundee Adventier.) William Swan, Esq,, Provost, was called to the chair, and opened the meeting. Mr. L,ndal•, in moving the resolutions, Raid, he wished the Rlrctive Franchise ex tended to such a portion of the community as would fairly repreient all the interests of the country, commercial as well as agricultural. Mr. Aytoun, in seconding the rev°• lotions, deprecated the present system of Parliamentary Representation, and earnestly wished for an improvement. Sir John Oswald, of Donnikier, was surprised that the people of Kirkaldy had joined the present cry fur Reform. He admired our Constitution, and approved of the measure* of Government, which had conduced to the prosperity of the country. He recollected when none of them were Re formers—when there was not a good house in Kirkahly save une---when its streets were in such a wretched con • dition, that, even in the day titne, iti inhabitants ran the risk of breaking their necks; but that streets of palaces were now erecting around them, and most of his friends whom he saw present had prospered amazingly under the system they decried. He was not an Anti-Re former, but be would leave the matter to the wisdom of the Legislature. At the same time, he praised the moderation of the requisitiemists. Mr. Lockhart dis approved of the resolution., because they did not say to what extent Reform was wished, and because they did not recognise the right of all 'elevats to be represented. For the sake of unanimity, the meeting was not divided ; and the reanlutions, with a (haft of a petition founded on them, praying for an extension of the elective franchise, both in the boroughs and counties of Scotland, were ag TA to. rkleirs ta STOCKS THIN Bsik Szteek ...... ........... 203 1' ) S pc; C lit. Ited. B 2!s % ( if; 3 ; ,et Cent. Coss, shut 34 per Cent Ditto RM. 9 1 % )43i New 34 per t ent. 4 per Cent. 1826 Bank. L. Ann. 1714% Ditto SO years — Mtn 30 years 174 India Stock Oat. Bonds pm. DAY AT ONII O'CLOCK. *with ties Stock OW Annuities New Ditto 0.10 2d. 19 20 pm. Ditto LId. 19 20 pm. Ditto...." t , O ll 2il. 11l 20 Ink. . lld. 10 20 9 m. Ditto Monti I. 2n 21 pm. Data lld, ‘.20 21 pm. Bank fbr Account India fur Account Cons. for Jan 20 RI!4% !WES or FORXICIN rums THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCE. Austrian Bonds .... — Neapolitan .— Brazilian Bonds 5 ( ”4 Peruvian Bonds Buenos Ayres 80nd5."... 'Portuguese Bonds Chilian Bonds --;Prusstan, Old ••.. ........... ... Cali:wild:in Bonds —.lDitto, New Ditto, MA Dan i s h Greek Bonds —...-- lEta Ditto, VW — French Retries, ri p. c. —l. —,. 0 walinnta — i — Exchange —l. —,. Mexican Bonds - 3 percent. Rat..—c. Ditto, It - Exchange :Mt aoc, raxots OF SHARKS THIS DAY AT ONZ O'CLOCK. Paid. Per Share, Brae%Han Imp. Min. Co. (iss. at N. pm.) ..V.,10 Dittoliatiothil l5 Protect 4 Insurance Comp • . 2 Provincial Bank of 1 reland 25 20 4172 2.1 ? • • • tf, • at • (,*llllO HOUSE OF LORDS. The Loan CIIANCXLLOII , came down to the House of Louis this morning at ten o'clock, for the purpose of givitig two judgments in Scotch appeals; one, in Sinclair Wi!son, and the other in Itisctavash v. Scott , in 'both of which cases his Lordship reversed the judgment of 'the' Court of Sessions. His Lordship, alter ,giving jutli; meat, left the House for the impose of sitting at the Court of Chancery, and Lord Wynford took his seat at the table, agreeable to previous ar,. rangement, to hear English and Irish. Appeals. An sppeal involving a question of tithes in the city of Lon don, was then called on ; but in consequence , of the Soli. citor-Gieneral being unprepared to open the case, the sp. peal was ordered to stand over. The parties not being prepared in any of the appeal' ha down for bearing to..day, the How* illimiined shortly after eleven o'clock during pleasure. • • The Earl of Riulnor and the Esti of . Eimer were thy, , Peers in attendance. ' • ROLLS coma, Nothing of importance took places at this Coupt qp to the time of our Reporter leering. VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT. BOVIVW V. TUN COLPCIAAIJOX ur nvearom.. This case came before the Court to-day, upon deinurier to the plaintiff's hill, which sought the production of all charters, deeds, and other documents, bclooging to the Corporation of Liverpool, es necessary in aid of his de feats to an action at law brought against hint by the Cor poration. The SOLICITOIL-02111111tAL and Sir E. R. SLTOPA# peered as counsel for the plaintiff in support of the demurrer. The SOLICITOR•GIENISAI , Vraa sorry he could not iiirouti this me so much in detail as he was desirous of doing for his client, in consequence of the sudden arrangement that had been made with respect to the hearing of alria,:le in tie House of Lords. The Court, doubtless, was avart that he (the Soliciter-General) and his Learned Frleud had so arranged their business, as, without prejudice to their clients, they could attend his Honour and the , House Lords, but if such arrangements were to bd made: as those he now alluded to, without giving Counsel proper notice, it was quite impossible Counsel toad do their, duty to their clients or the Court. The Vice-CIIANCILLOIL observed that it wit his wish to give every facility lie.could to the Cowie] practisiug is two Courts. It was, according to Lord Eldon', dec4r.r lion, the practice of the King's Counsel attending the Court of Chancery to attend the Bar of the Bowie of Lords, and he bad so arranged the routine of busineis its this Court as to giving Counsel the opportunity of at.. tending the Hones of Lords; but if such stiildenaltera;. Lions were made without any notice, either to himself Counsel, of course hi toold not interfere with any arratige ment that might have been made with reference, to t1:0 House of Lords. His Honour did not think it necessary to hear Counsel on the other side in this ease. Ha was dearly of opinion that he must overrule the deMurrer, giving leave to the defendant to put in a limited dc. mouse and answer, they undertaking not to proceed with the action in the meantime. . . The Count, haying no business to proceed with, mac at twelve o'clock. COURT OF KING'S BENCH. ANGRY V. NAZDONN, AND OVUM. This woe an option of replevin, brought by the plaintiff an attorney, living in Verciltesn—buildinge,•'Ciray'e-itio. square, against the defendants, who are the parish oilte.4, of St. Andrew's, Holborn. The question to be decided the liability of Gray's-ion-squsre, to be asserstA for the Poor Rates, the Benchers contending that the whop: of it is extra-parochial. This CANSO CAW, on at the Sitting .4 the Court, and is likely to last until a late hoar at night. Mr. CAMPI4I.I, Mr. B.:rjeltrit RUSSELL, And Mr, Maut,x, as Counsel for the plaintiff, earl Sir JA:lk'; SCARIATT, Mr. GORNZY, Mr. &ant Illeatwrrithi, and Mr. WINfUrtiAN, for Ike defen dants. THE FUNDS.-(THIS DAY.) CITY, TW.ELYIf O'CLOCK. We have no infbrmatiOn of importance to communicate et present, owing to the still prevailing easterly winds, which p,. vent us from having arrivals. We have seen a -gentleman Just returned front Paris,' who states that the commercial distress in that capital is to a very alarming extent. Failures of all descriptions daily take place credit is entirely iuniihikted, and casts owners of ships give a prendum on the coin of the country. The King is ex, cescllngly popular and generally hikes an string, about ttio o'clock, in his carriage, in the attire of a citizen, without any escort, and is well received. The Press has a most extensi 1.13 privilege. Placards are posted up in all parts of Paris pro old cow. against the floverunient. The people stop and read them ; after which they depart laughing. The National Guards 4%1 at , organised daily. These description of warriors claim the defence of their country, should it tatinvatted by any foreign foe, and leave to the troops of the line to combat out of the country. The lower class of the people are desirous for a war i but, accontilig to the well.inforrned in most of the high circles, it will be pie, vented by the exertions and interference of the united poweis of France and England. Till name. Consols ' which loft off yesterday at 8.1!‘ totor the Account. opened with an improvement this morning M %, and went up to ;at privent they art KS% 6 Reduced, 69%. Little business is esoins at present in the Foreign Marker' Spanish Bonds are somewhat improved, and have been tiono at 14 1 4 to )6. In other Foreign Securities little or troilitoll doing, ANClLlfili UNDO, Bonk Bock, US 4 4 por Cont . 'Pi 3 India Stock, . Ditto, Now 3 per Cent. Cone.— 4 per Cent, 1h96, Do. for Account, 11:1!‘ India Bonds, 9 11 Ditto Iloduced„ , Zxchogiter Bilk, 11 O. roPtstex Brazilian, SO g Buena, Ayres, Chißan 10 TO ex. Mr. Colombia ,n 17 Danish, it ?ranch b per Cent. TO 3 Ditto 3 per Cont. IS 3 VVNI)S, Greek, le 4 Moslems, 6f2 $ Ponivisis, Ithi litutrikr o 44 6 'l3wiota, Rooms, 04g a Spaniels, 14 .U4I,F.P4gT ONE. We remain in the same dull state in regard to nothing of importance worth folluouttleatiog to the picric :it hour. Consuls, which were looking up in the early part of the morning, and were done at fel4 Mr the Account, have within a short period receded to 8,314 *eller& A French paper, mentions the question now pending in re. gard to Luxembourg, and the discussion of which is to be left to a Congress, and should this discussion terminate in a Nth. tart' intervention, France will oat regard it as a autniect taCall.e a war. In the. Foreign Market little or nothing doingi wad of the foreign pricer are much the same as yeatorday, TN NEN 0' CZ 0 CA; Console are quoted at 831 COVENT-GARDEN' TROATRE.—Last mg lit a laughable farce was produced for the first time at this Theatre, called the Omnibus, or it ("convenient Distunet, Plot it lots none, and the whole fan of the piece is derived from Powitt, who plays the part of a earretty headed Irish servant named Rooney. Ponta was in excellent .pmts, and absolutely Identified Worrell with his elm octet., lie gave cut the fares for repetition amidst genera.l probation. A report ban been previtient here to-Jay, 411 d generally believed, that Minister; intend to reduce th e G v it List very comaiderably. As may be easily iniagiml, this intention, or alleged intention, has given the greatest sas tisfactice tai all powder. Indeed, it is quite evident that not a daY passes over without adding to the pop o h o iti o f the new Government, tit least so far as th e city is con cerned; and we preentee the public opinion of the City may be considered a pretty fair +Tech - toot Of that of 'the country in general. The writer of this article i s nu thorn—Ant considering it his ditty to give what:be leaf s , and describe what he setts, with regard to public affairs, lit i; under the moral necessity of tomatoes appearing line one . It i s said that Ministers have deterininot to th e ir own sslaries one-fiftb, or as others have it, noe.hanth. This is certainly beginning at the right end. The officers of the (internment cannot with justice gruinhit.' l ' being rvluced when the superior ones tied aet the exeith' l " by striking off it part of their own einohments.--NOnlivc ticrofil city wide,