The Sun. — London, England, 1822-01-31 00:00:00

• war of necessity.—(Cries - of No, no !)—He wished to see corn carry a good price, but when the price became enormous,, he would,open the pOrts; but not for three months, so as to ruin the farmer.' In conclusion he said, that in coming here he had no favour to ask, and he was always ready to Stand forward to support the . just rights of his country.—(Applause.) Mr. MEREST said, that seeing himself sur 'rounded by so numerous and respectable a Meet ing, he was afraid to intrude any observations of his, and he would be silent under such circum stances, but that the subject they were met to discuss was of so urgent a nature that every man mho valued his own independence and his neigh bour's salvation, was called upon to stand forth and openly and manfully avow his opinion.s.— '(Cheers.)—it unfortunately required no elo quence or strength of argument to prove that - which was not denied, that the distress of the agriculturists was of the most severe kind. By the increase of poverty this country had. been re ' duced from its once happy condition to a most deplorable state ; but it was worthy of a better fate, and if the means which it had still left were only economised, it might still bid defiance •to its enemies. In giving his sentiments upon this subject, he was afraid he should be obliged to take a larger scope than the limits of a speech at a Meeting like this would allow him, and he therefore begged to bespeak their indulgence., He looked upon the Bank Restriction Act—or, as it was called, the Insolvent Act—as the primary cause of all our difficulties., It was that which enabled Government to saddle us with a debt which we could never pay, and was the cause of the overwhelming taxation which had eaten up the resources of the country even to its vitals.— : (Cheers.)—And, in aggravation of this evil, by the Restriction, or Peel's Act, the country was obliged to pay the interest of a debt in cash, — which:: was contracted in a depreciated. paper currency, and by this means one-fourth was vir tually added to our funded debt. Speculation became paralysed, and the prices of every thing fell, whilst the poors'-rates and taxes continued the same.. But how was this to be remedied ? Certainly not by the visionary plans of Mr. Webb Hall—(Cheers)—nor by restricting duties on foreign corn, but by reducing the taxes, and cut ting down the public establishments to the lowest possible level.- 7 -(Applause.)—ißut it was said that the taxes were not to be reduced at the expence of the public faith to the creditor. He did not stand up to advocate a breach of faith with the public creditor, but he asserted that if some remedy was not speedily applied, it would come to that. This country might still stand upon a rock if people would only look at their difficulties with manly and British feeling. If they could only demand the free exercise of - their constitutional rights, in the Constitution would be found a remedy for all their dif ficulties, and that remedy would be (though, perhaps, he was the only one present to say so) a Parliamentary Reform.—(Loud cheers.) — Such a Reform as would make the House of Commons a check upon the Crown and the Re presentative of the People, and not the Repre sentative of the Crown, and a check upon the people as it now was.—(Cheers.)—lt might be said that that the question of Reform `had nothing to do with the business of this day, but he as serted it had. The distresses of which they were now complaining were attributable to the imperfect controul which there was over the ex- Fenditure of the public money. It was not to be expected that Ministers would themselves re- duce their establishments, which were the sinews of their power, and by which they kept their places—it was the system, not the men, that cried out for Reform. Ministers had not sliewn a disposition to meet the question of Agricultural Distresses in the way it merited. We were told by Lord Londonderry that we were in a state of repose ; but after all its patience in enduring suffering, the country should at least have been safe from insult.—(Cheers.)—He could tell that great Leviathan, if he was so permitted to call him, that a great change had taken place in the opinions of the country ; and he hoped to see the Noble Lord and his colleagues put to the bar, to receive from their country that just condemnation Which the injuries they had brought upon it so richly deserved.—(Cheers.) Lord CALTHORPE.—From the tone and temper of these Resolutions, he felt himself called upon to regret that his name had not been amongst those who called this meeting. He could state fairly, and he was bound to do so openly, that he had been withheld from signing the requisi tion by unwillingness to be responsible for any Resolution which might pass at the meeting of which he did not approve. That apprehension was now needless, and he was pleased that the Resolutions were confined to the immediate busi that being one of their Representatives in Par liament, he begged of them to let him say one word, He had never in his life attended a Meet- , ing with more pleasure than the present. They'; were here assembled not for party purposes— they were one and aLI engaged in the same cause. —(Cheers.)—lf upon one occasion more than another a county distinguished itself, it was at this day when but one opinion prevailed, and when, as there was but one cause of distress, all united—Churchman and Dissenter, land lord and tenant, in preparing a petition to Parliament worthy of this great county, and the effect of which upon the country at large would be proportioned to its importance. He wished to give his opinion as an individual, as well as a Member of Parliament. Last Session he exerted himself to ameliorate their condition, and canvassed for their interests amongst such Members of the House of Commons as were friends to the agriculturists, and to Mr. Western, the Member for Essex, amongst others. He was too often told, however, that the manufacturing and trading interests were opposed to him, and that they would have cheap bread and meat, not thinking that by ruining the farmer the manufacturers lost one of their best markets. —(Loud cheers.)—ln every instance that a ma nufacturer had one order from abroad, he had eight at home ; so that, in fact, to secure one, he sacrificed eight. He knew his duty in Parlia ment, would execute it, and would, without de reliction of principle, advocate economy and re trenchment. During the time he was in Parlia ment, he had al ways opposed one tax—not that he meant to say there ought not to be so many sol diers, but if there were soldiers, let them be sup ported in some other way—and that was the Malt Tax. That tax he always considered obnoxious, be cause it kept down corn, and made beer dear.— He liked to see the poor buy their beer cheaply. He was not an advocate for high prices, but he wished to see the farmers remunerated. He en tirely agreed in what had been said before, that the change in the currency was the cause of dis tress in the country. lie doubted whether pro tecting duties would serve the farmers much.— There had been a prohibition since 1809. — (Clamours of disapprobation.)—The Hon. Mem ber said he was insensible to the hints which had been thrown out against himself, but he over looked all personal considerations in his willing ness to promote the public good. Lord HENRY FITZROY said, that after so many - - different opinions had been given upon the causes of our distress, when some ascribed them to Peel's Bill, others to other causes, but all laying them to the charge of Ministers, lie was called upon to state his sentiments, and he should do so shortly. He had supported the Resolutions, because they stated the matter of fact—namely, that taxation carried to excess was the cause of the situation in which they were now placed. He disclaimed all artificial remedies—all relief at the expence of others.—(Hear.)—He thanked the Sheriff for the latitude which he gave to discussion, but it appeared to him that it was impossible to treat this question otherwise than in connection► with politics. The cause of the distress was of a po litical nature, and the remedy to be applied should be therefore of a political nature also. These causes were unhappily too obvious as well as too numerous. The war, with the taxes which it produced—the stopping payment at the Bank — the artificial currency then grew up, and by which the war was carried on; and, lastly, Peel's Bill, were all accessaries, if not principals, iu the work of political devastation.—(Cheers.)— To these several causes were to be attributed all the hardships and privations which we had suf fered, and were still suffering. But without stopping to discuss the merits of each, he would just say one word upon Peel's Bill.—He admit ted all the consequences which were said to fol low from that measure ; he agreed in all the in ferences which were drawn from it in the Reso lutions ; and if it were possible at this time to distinguish all those who had suffered by its operation, he was ready to say that they had a claim for compensation. But this would be im possible, and the cure would be worse than the disease. The very apprehension of it would add more fuel to the fire. But without saying that all the difficulties were attributable to that mea sure, it was clear that the taxes were increased most unjustly by it, and so were the debtor and creditor in every account, and the tenants who had taken leases at a certain rent, and did not have that lowered in proportion as the value of money became less. But, on the other hand, what would he the situation of this country now if that measure had not been adopted—would there not be danger of a general bankruptcy ? The pound note was already worth no more than four-teen shillings, and it was fast becoMing little better than mere waste paper. The desolation was be- ness of the meeting. lie could have wished coming more extensive. The country was still that some of the Resolutions were differently labouring under the effects of this Bill ; but there worded ; but as he was a friend to retrenchment, were remedies which might yet be applied. The he rejoiced that a recommendation to that effect most obvious remedy was a reduction in the ex should emanate from this meeting, as such re- penditure and taxation; and, addressing himself commendation from so respectable a quarter al- to the yeomen and farmers of this county, he ad ways came with greater effect. He trusted this vised them not to place trust in any other. He day would show that men might come toge- desired them to beware of wolves in sheep's ther to discuss their difficulties with no other clothing. There was no good to be gained by objects in view but the public good. Una- the laying on of a tax, though it should he upon nimity would secure for them the attain- other shoulders than their own.—(Cheers.)--Let mint of their wishes. lie spoke as a native the people call out together t o re d uce th e expendi of the county, and he flattered himself the ture on one hand, and the taxes upon the other. proceedings of this day would gain for this (Cheers.)—Ministers must succumb to the wishes of the people. It was i n th e i r p ower t o re p ea l great county that high place for agricultural skill and intelligence which had so long distin- all taxes upon agriculture without saddling them upon the shoulders o f an y o th er c l ass . Retrench guished it. The tone of the • Resolutions was meet ought to be ca rr i e d i n t o p r i va t e lif e . 'Those such as would not fail to secure the respect and attention of Parliament. Such an expression was shopkeepers ought t o b e p a t ron i ze d w h o were necessary to overcome those obstacles to re- satisfied with reaso na bl e p ro fit s . E ver y thi ng trenchment which were, as it were, wound up ought to be made a s c h ea p as th e l owes t p oss ibl e state of taxatio n wou ld a ll ow . —(H ow i s th e d e bt with the official habits of every Administration. It was vain to think Ministers would sponta- to be paid o—Then will the nation be once more re-established. Prevention ought to be used as neously adopt parsimony : they required to be w impelled to it, and by a strong expression. The well as remedy, an d we s h ou ld guar d aga i nst our children's runni ng i n t o the same excesses. ,Let Noble Lord repeated that it was because the Resolutions were calculated to promote the ob- the nation, from John-o'-Croat's house to the ject they all had in view, and were not dictated Land's End, c a ll ou t f or P ar li amen t ary R e f orm . by a party spirit, that he gave them his support. —(Cheers.) These we re th e o nly m eans Mr. Goocit came forward, but from the cla- by which enli g ht ene d men , i n an enlighten mour which prevailed, he was unable to obtain ed age, could ex p ec t t o ga i n th e i r en d s .— a hearing for a considerable time. He then said. Ihe Resolutions which were proposed pledg- ed the Meeting to this course, and therefore they, had his warmest support.—(Cheers.) Mr. G ttioLy said that taxation which grew out of wanton and unnecessary wars was the great cause of all our distress. These were the wars which. Lord North undertook against Ame rica and Mr. Pitt against France, to extinguish the cause of Reform. Before the American war the debt was but thirty-six millions; but now it was from nine hundred to one thousand millions. Thus had it increased seven times as much as it was originally. Was not this the cause of the distress ? And yet they were to be told by a po litical adventnrer, " that the machine works well."--(Cheers.)—So it might for Mr. Canning, who, with 14,0001. a-year, went out to Lisbon to bow to an empty chair—(Applause.)—but did it for the people ? It might. for a man eager to ride behind a Receiver-General, but it did not for the people. The machine certainly worked well for all those in place, and the ramifications of corrup tion were most widely spread about. But if the people were true to themselves they would over throw the monster. If they would with one loud voice demand Parliamentary Reform, it would be conceded to them.—(Cheers.) —No Par liainent could stand in opposition to the wishes of the peOple ; and even in Turkey the Grand Seignior would not undertake to levy a new tax upon his subjects until it had first received the sanction of the Minister of Religion. If, then, in a despotic country, the Prince was obliged to accommodate himself. to the feelings of his people, how much stronger should the case be in a Christian and4ree laud ?—(Cheers.)—They should demand Reform with a voice to be heard throughout the Empire. Although it was not now the practice of Ministers to advocate Re form, yet there were names as great as Lord Chatham, and his apostate son, as authorities in favour of it. This latter said, that unless there was Reform, the liberties of the country were not secure in the hands of any Minister. Mr. Grigly concluded by reading the following' Re solution : " That to the want of controul over the public purse, which a Parliament freely elected would exercise, we attribute the origin of our present distresses. And therefore it is necessary that the attention of the CommonS House of Parliament be di rected to effect an imthediate Reform in the Representation, as the only means of saving what remains of our property, of pre- serving the tranquillity, and insuring the liberties of the country." Sir HENRY BUNBURY came forward to second the ReSolution.—(Cheers.)—He could not let it pass without stating his entire acquiescence in it, and giving it his best support. His sentiments on that question had been long since known. The sentiments of other Gentlemen had been also expressed, and it was therefore thought unneces sary to bring the question again forward ; ,but as it had been agitated, he came forward again most cordially te support it.—(Cheers.)—lle entreat ed them not to be satisfied with the shifting of one tax borne on one pair of shoulders to ano ther. There was likely to be some play about the Mali Tax, and a Property Tax, but he as sured them that no juggling inodification of these taxes could really do them any essential benefit. (Loud. cheers.) The Duke of GRAFTON wished to say that no man had come from a greater distance, or at more personal inconvenience, to attend the Meeting of this day, than he had done.(Cheers.) —He came not to offer his own sentiments, but to hear those of others, who had devoted more time and talents to the inquiry than he was able to do. , He was happy to say he concurred in all that had been said and done, and he entirely adopted the pro posed Resolutions. One obsertation, however, he wished to make with regard to the return to cash payments, upon which so much stress had been laid. He admitted that this might he fairly considered one cause of the distress of the coun try, but it was a necessary and unavoidable mea sure. Bdtivhose business was it to foresee the con sequences likely to arise from this necessary mea sure ? Was it not that of the Ministers, who should have taken steps to prevent and mitigate the effects of it ? It was, without doubt, a measure of necessity, for if it was longer delayed, a great, and probably an irremediable, embarrassment would follow. He agreed that an equal distri bution of taxes and burdens would do some good ; but in his conscience he believed, that Whatever present good might accrue from any other plan, there was not one to which the country could look for permanent relief but an alteration in the representation of the people.—(Loud cheers.) — This, as it was the most effectual, was also -the most constitutional remedy for all the griev ances under which the country laboured. His Grace concluded by moving the thanks of the Meeting to those Gentlemen who bad signed the Requisition for calling .it together, and assured them that for his own part they would find him heartily disposed to carry the objects of the Meeting into effect.—(Cheers.) , colution *ldch, to say nothing more of it, was' at least very ill-timed. He hoped theitesolution would not he persisted in, as pressing it was likely to disturb that unanimity so necessary to their objects, and which prevailed hitherto in a most desirable degree. Upon these grounds' he should enter his decided objection to this reso lution.—(Cries of off, off!)—But in looking at the terms of the Requisition, he felt more strongly the inexpediency of discussing any other .than the subject before them, for they were stated to have met for the purpose of discussing the best means of alleviating their bur dens.—(This was the best and only means. Off, off !)—Would any man be so absurd as to say, that carrying this Resolution about Reform was likely to serve the cause of the agriculturists ? Ho was not arguing that ultimately it will not reform all systems, to the great benefit of the country ; but looking at the peculiar objects of this meeting, as well with regard to the impres sion which it was likely to make upon Parliament as upon the public mind, he could not conceive that these objects were at all served by connect ing with and clogging them with the extraneous question of Reform.—(Clamours of disapproba tion.) - Sir Wm. ROWLEY in coming forward was loudly cheered. He gave the High Sheriff his best thanks for calling this meeting. Sir Wil liam was proceeding with some more observations in a low tone of voice, when Sir HENRY BUNBURY stepped forward, and stated that the Hon. Baronet was unable, from indisposition, to continue speaking. Sir WM. ROWLEY, who seemed much indis posed, went on to add, that next week they should find him at his post, serving their interests. He appealed to them if he had ever been defi cient in his duty.—(No ! Cheers.)—He should never be' wanting to promote their interests. His best wishes and his heart went with them.— (Cheers.) Sir W. MIDDLETON thought the High Sheriff' deserved the thanks of the county for calling the meeting. He himself came hither rather to hear the sentiments of others, than to speak his own. It was his best wish to see the farmers restored. —(A. voice in the crowd here said, " We cannot believe you till you lower your rents." Sir liam asked, " Is that 'a . tenant of mine ! let him come forward !" The person, " I'll meet you half-way." The reply called forth loud cheers.) He (Sir W.) would not have offered his sentiments at all, if it had not been for the introduction of the question of Reform. Parliamentary Reform was our only salvation.—(Loud cheers.)—lf we had had Reform before the American war, we sh6uld not be now in the state that we were.—(Cheers.)—There were some interested in opposing Reform, but did the people oppose it ? Was the House of Commons the true repre sentative of the people ?—(No, no !)—Out of this very county, there were fourteen sent to Parliament by seven individuals. The mass' of the population of the county was eight mililions, but the House of Commons, was returned by eight thousand only.—(Cheers.)—ln Reform, then, alone he looked for the cure of our gri,v ances ; and he had now to say, that he was de voted hand and heart to the cause.—(Loud and continued cheers.) The horn Baronet concluded by moving the thanks of the meeting to the High Sheriff, for the promptitude with which he had acceded to their requisition. The Resolution being seconded, was carried unanimously. The HIGH SHERIFF then put the Resolutions for the adop tion of the . Meeting. The HIGH SHERIFF had now read through the string of Resolutions proposed by Sir' Henry Bunbury, to the exclu sion of that for Reform, when Lord CALTHORPE came forward, and said, " I now beg leave to move, that the Resolutions which have been read he signed by the High Sheriff in behalf of this Meeting."—(Cries of no, no.) The Duke of NORFOLK said that the High Sheriff had his warmest thanks for his constitutional conduct hitherto. He had observed the same conduct on other occasions, arid he had reason to hope that he would now .give the Meeting an opportunity of expressing its opinion upon the propriety of keeping in this resolution for Parliamentary Reform. It seemed to be the sense of the _Meeting, that Reform was the only means of saving us, and it was, therefore, not dealing fairly with them to stifle the expression of their sentiments upon a subject of such vital importance.—(Loud cheers—cries of " Do your duty," to the Sheriff.) Mr. iIISLI.s, and other Gentlemen, reminded the Sheriff that he had no discretion in the situation in which he was placed, and that he was only the instrument of collecting the sense of the Meeting Hpon any proposition made to it.—(Great clamour.) The II IG ti SHE:I.:rt., when the confusion had a little subsid ed came forward and said, " I conceive it would be so perfectly irrelevant to the purposes for which we are met to-day, to dis cuss this other subject, that I shall take the responsibility upon myself of not propoSing the Resolution."—(Great confusion.) Mr. MEREST—" The Resolution is adopted by the Meet ing—it speaks the sense of the Meeting, and we may therefore consider it as passed.—(Cries of Yes, Yes—Cheers.) Sir HENRY B u n Y—" It was allowed to be brought for ward, to be seconded, and to be canvassed ; was it just now to oppose it ? If it was intended to offer any opposition to the Resolution, the proper time would have been when the propo sition was first made. Having gone through so many stages, it was now almost actually passed."—(Cheers, cries of Shame.) The HIGH SHERIFF-1" Lord Calthorpe opposed it when it was brought forward." Colonel RusunnooKE—" We stated distinctly that we were taken by surprise." The Hines SHERIFF said he was petrified at these proceed ings. He had himself a clear opinion upon the subject, and that opinion was fortified by those of others in whom he placed confidence. By all these opinions he felt himself fully justified in withholding his consent from the Resolution in question.— (Cries of shame, shame.) The HIGH SHERIFF then again came forward and said,— " The business of the day is concluded. I now dissolve the Meeting."—(Great uproar.) Mr. MEnEST—" if the business of the day be concluded, then we have not done that for which we met. There has been no petition read." The Hain SHERIFF—" Although the business is finished, yet I will allow the reading of the petition." Several voices--." We will not have the petition without Reform." Colonel RUSHBROOKE said he was entirely taken by surprise by the Resolution respecting a Reform in Parliament, which was just proposed. —(llisapprobation.)—He was at a loss to know how that question could connect itself with, and still less how it could promote the objects of, this Meeting. The Resolution assu:ned that the relief to be afforded should be immediate, or it would be unavailing ; but if they were to wait until Reform was granted, the agriculturists must starve in the mean time. Reform had no more to do with this question than a debate amongst the Aldermen of London had with the balance of power.—(Cries of yes, yes, it had.)-- He would only add, that he considered unani mity necessary to give effect to their proceed.. ings ; and he regretted that, by the introduction of this Resolution, the harmony which before prevailed was likely to be dis!dpated.—(Cla mours.) _ _ Lord CALTHORPE said he was sorry again to intrude himself upon the Meeting, and h e was only induced to do so by the Resolution which was just proposed. lie was taken as much by surprise by that Resolution as his friend who pre ceded him—not however because he was hostile to the cause of Reform, for he was rather a friend to it, but he objected to it, because, as it regard ed himself, he had pledged hii support to the former Resolutions as they then stood, being con fined to economy and retrenchment, and was therefore unwilling to be responsible for a Re- Mr. MEREST entreated the Sheriff to suffer the Resolution to be put. It was the sense of the Meeting, and the Sheriff was wanting in his duty in not putting it. Besides, his charac ter was not at all compromised by any act done then, lie was bound only for such resolutions as he signed. Let this be a Petition signed by the freeholders. Th impartiality of the Sheriff was never before called into question, and he (Mr. M.) was sure he would not do an act that would savour of partiality. —(Loud cheers.)—lt was ridiculous that the Meeting should disperse without agreeing upon a petition which was the object they met for; but they would have only that petition in which a prayer for reform was incorporated.—(Cheers.) A Gentleman cried out—" Mr. Sheriff, deal fairly with the county—let us speak our opinions." Sir HENRY Btrxnuart addressed the Meeting to the same effect. Mr. KING—" Mr. Sheriff', you have no discretiori, your business IS simply to put the question to the Meeting, and you are bound to abide their decision. T am a freeholder of Suffolk, and have therefore a right to speak here. I say that you have . nullified the prOeeedingi of this Meeting by 7aur diJgraceru. snv l dishonourable conduct.— (Cheers. ) - the The I-I Iti toy r * u SF t d he persisted in not putting Resolution. . ... - Mr. GILIGLY-•-The geioltithm having been moved,- HO pose that thz.: AL - Tting, be now dikOlved.—(Clarnotir.) A Genthanan—jf we are to have a Petition without Reforw!' I iseeond the Motion. This Motion was withdrawn. . • Lord Dr NWIC it—.l move that a Petition, founded upai ° Resolutions, he now read. , Lord CALTHORPE:s econded the Motion. • The lieu SHERIFF...was proceeding to read the Petita ol 2: but wai interrupted by the clamour. which was now at it height. Sir HEPTRY BUNBURY then endeavoured to obtain a bear; , ing, and after some time succeeded, H e re j o i ce d th a t they'i so warmly on the cause of Reform, to which he was hitnsch,2l great a friend ; but he submitted, that with a view to pract''' objects, it was better to let this Meeting pass of without pr; ing the question.—(Cries of no, no; don't turn your back or ° ,, , us.)—There was no necessity-for giving an o p inion . no w aP°.', the subject, because the sens e of th e c o un t r y h a d b ee n lo ng since taken upon it, and its importance would he felt as well the Senate as by the public, to whoth the proceedings of t° day would be distributed, through the medium of the pry" • Upon these grounds, he considered it unnecessary now ag 3 l il to give an opinion upon 11e subject ; and, for the sake of un annnity, he proposed to waive it fOr the present.—(DiSar probation.) Mr. MERE:I+—SO far from giving it hope-you will ill agree with me that it is actually carried.--:(Loud cheers.) , • fir.. Kiegp--4 move a vote of censure on the Hi g h Sheriff ,°` his con d u ct.-7-( Cheers.) The HIGH then came forward in Order the petition to the M eeting, but Was for some time totally um?' ; to obtain a hearing. Updn putting the question, " WhPti le the Meeting would adopt this as their Petition ?" the shOW °f hands was decidedly in the negative. The HIGH SHERIFF thendeclared, that the Petition s' l4l, not carried; and that the Meeting was dissolved.—(ireat roar.) A. considerable interval then elapsed, during Which the S'.4f riff and the Noblemen and Gentleinen on the httstings were co' suiting together. Sir IdEN - nr 11113;runir then Came forward and said, Requisition is now signing to the High Sheriff to call aria!'" Meeting on the spot, to consider of Relief and . Reform." . . This declaration was followed by loud applause. Mr. MEREST said he hoped, if the petiti on was t o be sign by the yeomen and freeholders, that they wo u ld come . fotwa' r . in numbers. They might be assured - that he and his friend: about would sign it, and that pl a n whi c h was so .effeetuulli Norwich might be here put into practice.(Cheers.) cc J The Duke of GRAFTON then came forward and said, understand from `the'High Sheriff, that though he rejected li e Resolution about Reform, yet he will no w acce d e t o a Reclu',. sition for a new Meeting at which Reform would be discussed. —(Cheers.) A GENTLEMAN observed, that it was contrary to law to b 3 assembled together after the Sheriff had dissolved the Meetint, The Mott SHERIFF said a person h a d b e e n sen t to consu the Six Acts upon that subject. Whilst the Messenger was absent, a person from a wine, in the street cried out Three cheers for R e f orm ;" to wiu"' he was responded by the crowd assembled below. The HIGH SHERIFF having then learned that he was jus— tified in holding another Meeting, proceeded to read the folloor ing Requisition " To tile High Sheriff,—We, the undersigned, request . e immediately to call a Meeting to consider of Agricultural P is : tress, and a Refocus in the House of Commons.—signed I ) / the Duke of Norfolk, the Duke of Grafton, Sir W. parker; Sir George Harland, Sir W. Rowley, Sir Henry llunburY7"`"‘ George Webb, Mr..Grigly,. and Mr. E. Bidden." Mr. 3IEREZr then came forward with loud applause• They had succeeded in obtaining another Meeting;and had Owl; fore .an opportunity of discussing their real grievances- 0 „ would be only necessary to go through th e comm on It e 4 r; dutions PRO FORMA for the adoption of this Meeting. l d Merest then read the Resolutions. He hoped that there be no unpleasant feeling towards the Sheriff for the rrt 0 1 4", - he took : for though he 'happened to differ from him iMr• and his friends, yet he was doing what he considered to be ' 1- duty.—(Cheers.)—He had no hesitation in saying that b e re ; spected his character the more for calling thi s second NJ ee , and giving them . an opportunity of passing this Resolut i° ,„ Having thus attained their objects, he hoped they would ser;,. rate, and totally dismiss from their minds every thing lik ecr e s u pleasant feelings with regard to what had happened.—(Ch Sir ROBERT HARLAND seconded the Resolutions. Mr. MEREST then read the petition founded on the Re s :a lutions, and moved that it be confided to Sir W. Rowley ailt Nlr. Gooch, with instructions to them to give it all the stiPP L in their power. This was carried. Thanks were then moved to the High Shelia'. Mr. BENNETT shortly returned thanks. to Mr. E. BIDDELL then moved the thank s o f the ,;11e• the Duke of NorfOlk, the Duke of Grafton, dud those (ielld men who signed the Requisition for the second Meeting. This Resolution was carried by acelsmation.—The Mee ti then dispersed at four o'clock. DISTILLITION.—On Thursday last; five illicit stills were taken out of one teneme n in Laurieston, Glasgow, one in a court a djoinii!l the Gorbals police office, and a seventh I L, another part of that village. A battl e royal to% place on the occasion,at one seizure, b e tween t w s Irishwomen, about the characters of the pers ° , ° connected with this nefarious trade, the one math talulug that they were respectable, and the oth er ' that they were not, and w hich t erm inated lli bloody noses, and, the interference of the 11 - the evening of Wednesday last, 1 ‘ 11 :: Shand, Supervisor of Excise, accompanied P i .' two officers, proceeded to Bardowie LO c i where they discovered a work with a still fifty gallons, five fermenting tuns, cooler, 013 other necessary utensils, which, with a tlu al►. city of low wines, were instantly destroP% The same party also destroyed, at the rv' s , end of the loch, a more extensive work, consi li c i ing of a still, six tuns, a cooler, and live hundr e o gallons of wash, and a quantity of malt. vie of the men engaged, in this pernicious traffic'w e ' v e secured and carried to Stirling, where they ha t since been lodged in jail.—(Eatinburgh, Coora li Jan. 28.) The Chamber of Commerce and Mannfactu r d of the city of Edinburgh has voted a piec e : /{ , plate, value fifty guineas, to l Alr. ALExANI 3 ' O WIGHT, banker, in approbation of his services a one of the Secretaries to the Chamber. Off HIGIPWAY ROBBERY.—On Sunday night, at a late 1 2 ° Thomas Brant, a young man, residing in Wigmore-st re 0 was crossing i‘lanchester-square, when a ruffian came 0 10 4 him, and without speaking knocked him down and Tob m 4 him of his watch, three gold seals and a gold key, and new hat, with which he effected his escape before Mr. O r '' could obtain any assistance. —.wee COAL-111,r'.RKET, JAN. : , ,O. Ships at Market. Ships sold P7ice• 4j, 57 Newcastle - - 21:1 - 3ls td to 11S 0 19 Sunderland - - 14 - - lls Oct to 4.2!..., BIRTHS. t.lO On the 28th inst., in Nelson-se i vare, Lady of P. Anichini, Esq., of a daughter. At Kensington, on Monday, the 28d1 inst., the Lady o f W. Blunt, Esq., of a son. MARRIED. es , On Tuesday, the 29th inst., at Bridg a ewater, Mr. the Laurance, of Reading, Beth, lo Miss Eliza Awbrey, of former place. DIED. r • v On Friday, the 25th inst., Mrs. Dadd, wife of Mr- L ls4. of his Majesty's Dock-yard, Plymouth. if t: On the 211th inst., at Kirkby-Mallory, Leicestersh l T e : a al' Hon. Lady Noel, wife of Sir Ralph Noel, Bart., and S' B " the O late Thoas Lor 'W. n the 25th instant at Viscount Athlme, entworth Ireland, aged 41, W illi°l Weaver, Esq., Ordnance Storekeeper of that place. DIP At Coldstream, Scotland, on Saturday, the 12th insta nt, William Cupples, Surgeon, R.N. aged 43 years. __.... ~e,,...:_: SO' Printed and Published for the Pnornivrosts, at the- OFFICE, 112, Strand, by J. 3J. CAUST.AIIIS. //- { ,/f~ J T' COu t it it 2 Tha COLT of E, Prior Paid Jai -....... "e . r 3 th Sixty Dr 4;, Ces s ca "Nti Shar t,lt rrc t 4;:: ( nn Pi, i 411, 1%1 3, 1)}1. 1 (is.