The Sun. — London, England, 1832-11-28 00:00:00

ASSESSED TAXES. MEETING THIS DAY. A most numerous and highly respectable meeting of the inhabitants of the Cities of London and Westminster, the borough of Southwark, and the newly enfranchised metro politan boroughs, was held to-day in the great room of the London Tavern, to consider the best measures to be adopted for securing the repeal of the assessed and win dow taxes. Shortly after twelve o'clock the several can didates for the representation of the metropolis and the metropolitan boroughs appeared on the hustings. Sir John Scott Lillie was received with some faint ap plause. Mr. Clay and Mr. Moore and Mr. Payne, were slightly cheered ; Captain Marryatt was received with hisses and cheers. On the entrance of Colonel Stanhope, Sir John Key, Mr. Grote, Alderman Scales, and Mr. Wakley, the room resounded with the loudest plaudits. Mr. HUME was received with deafening applause on being called to t} e chair, after having taken which he ad dreased the meting as follows : Gentlemen,—l owe it to myself, before we pro ceed to the business of the day, to make a single observation, which I hope you will ex cuse, in consequence of the situation in which I am placed, and in consequence of some observations that have been made on the probability of my taking the chair. I think it right to state so, from a sense of the distinguished honour you have conferred. When, Gentlemen, I was met by a numerous deputation from both parts of the metropolis, stating their desire to call the public attention to the important business of the day, and re questing that I would take the chair on that occasion, I stated to those gentlemen that I thought it would be better for some individual of rank and importance in the city to take the chair in preference to myself, as my opinions were publicly known, and that of course there was no nececs sity for my expressing them again.—(Cheers.) The gentle men then said, that they wished all the candidates for the metropolitan districts to attend, and as they were all within the district for which you are the sitting Member, we think it will do away with all idea of par tiality, if we request you to attend, which might have existed in the minds of some if we had requested any of the candidates for the City or Metropolitan districts to take the Chair.—(Cheers.) I have, therefore, Gentlemen, acceded to the request, for the purpose of forwarding an object which many years ago I endeavoured to support in the House of Commons; to effectuate that most important object, which, in my opinion, would most certainly be effected by the repeal of the House and Window Tax.—(Tremendous cheering.) Having said thus much, I will now call your attention, Gentlemen, to the object for which we are assembled; and in doing so, I think it right to state that we do not as semble here to day for the purpose of throwing any obstacle in the way of his Majesty's Ministers—(Cheers) but on the contrary, as they have pledged themselves to economy and retrenchment in every branch of the State —(Loud cheers)—and have determined to do everything for the welfare of the country—(Cheers)—it was the opinion of the committee that it would strengthen the hands of his Majesty's Ministers before the meeting of Parliament if the public attention was called, as it will be by this meeting, to so important a subject as the repeal of the house and window tax.—(Cheers.) I trust, Gentlemen, kis Majesty's Ministers will be strengthened, too, by meetings like the present in diffetent parts of the country, in order that there may be a trial given of the intention expressed by Ministers, who have declared in the House of Commons that the day had gone by when patronage or influence should direct them—(Tre mendous cheers)—and that it would be their most anxious wish to attend to the wants of the people.—(Cheers.) I trust, therefore, if there should be any persons present who have come here with the notion that the meeting was intended to embarrass Alinisters, they will be convinced that it is intxnrie.l to have an op, o site effect.—(Cheers.) It is impossible that any one here can have a wish to embarrass those Ministers who have brought forward and carried so glorious a measure as the Reform Bill.—(Cheering.) But, Gentlemen, it must be recollected that that great measure is only a Means to an end, and the object of this meeting has one of those ends in view. —(Cheers.) Now, Gentlemen, I think it right to say that the character of our proceeding depends on the orderly manner in which it is con ducted.—(Cheers.) I hope every man who feels de sirous to be relieved from the weight of these particular taxes will manifest the importance of the proceedings, by giving to every gentleman due attention, and that bearing which it is my duty to see enforced.—(Cheers.) It is for you, Gentlemen, that I take the chair—and unless I stn suppotted by order and decorum, it must be evident to you that I cannot fulfil the in tentions of the meeting. Gentlemen, this meeting has not been called, as it has been supposed, for any purpose txcept the adopting of measures for the repeal of the Window and inhabited house duties. It is true, Gentle enen, that theme are other taxes equally vexatious ; but the Committee wish to keep distinct those two objects for Which we are met.--(Cheers.) I think, Gentlemen, there is no person present who can be ignorant of the manner in Which those two taxes operate at the present time, and more particularly how they affect this gre,t metro Polis, and some few other great trading communities. gentlemen, my opinion has long been that these two taxes ought to be removed—.(`Cheers)—and every day that passes satisfies me that the time has now come when that event should take place.—(lmmense cheering.) I regret, l i Gentlemen, to find, that instead of these taxes 'lcing alleviated, the assessors and surveyors are act ing in the most harsh manner towards those indi eidualt who are burdened with them, and that the num ber of surcharges has increased to a considerable extent. - --(Loud cheers. ) I have also to state, Gentlemen, that the Committee, in requesting me to take the Chair, requested that I would state to the meating Whether there were any, and what, means that I could s uggest as a substitution for these taxes, if they were re- Peeled, as they were anxious to support public credit by every means in their power.—(Cheers.) Now he saw no difficulty in adopting one of two modes which lie would Point out. The amount derived from the two taxes mounted to about two millions and a half. Now, ki entlemen, in the first place, I have no hesitati on in s a yi ng il let two tr illi ons an d a h a lf may b e eas il y save d out o f 44 e expenditure of the country—(Loud cheers)—and that 40 additional tax is therefore necessary.—(Cheering.) If ,_ tha t could not be done, Gentlemen, which 1 have no do ubt but it can, I could point out one or two taxes Chet might be levied, in order to make up the amount. I Wilt now only state one of them. The proceedings of the te Parliament had all along gone to make taxation un icillals—(Loud cheering.) It has taxed industry instead capital and wealth.—(Loud cheering.) The landed tnperty of the country, which it ought to be, had not en subj e cted t o th e same t a x es as ever y man ' s l a b our w , 113 * --(Cheers. ) The taxing of that alone, G e ntlemen, iropuld give yon the amount that the two taxes we wish have repealed would produce. But, Gentlemen, I "neeive that there can be no difficulty in Parliament pro. , Il ing arrainst any deficiency that may take place, 1:;y a 'tict adherence to econotny.—(Loud cheering.) Gen tle t i li Ten, in conclusion, I have to request that you will give 1 ,. attention to those gentlemen who will submit . the 4 14, rent propositions to your notice, and that the objects the m ee t ing will n o t be frustrated by clamour on your 1,1, t ; The Honourable Gentleman sat down amidst loud th e ' rin g . it The Secretary then read the names of the Candidates 'L "eat, with th e su b s t ance o f t h e apo l og i es sen t by t h ose i Sir WILLIAM HorusE agrees in the propriety of the ', 4t ing, but particular engagements prevent him from 4 E1 , 44.. C olonel EVANS present.—(Cheers.) kergearlt SPANKIE present.—(Cheers.) A ir. BABRAGE present. Ai r. GROTE present. S it JOHN HOBHOUSE absent and engaged.—(Hisses 4 l aughter.) i ki . ,rs Alderman WAryirmAtr, present. A :r. liAwEs present. l r• Alderman WOOD, at Gloucester, but agrees in the , .°?!iety of the meeting.—(Cheers.) Si r JOHN OGILVY e xp ec t e d. I r. Alderman SCALES. 1 ?° 1 . JONE S d ec li nes attending.--(Hisses.) I r. LYALL declin e s att e ndin g , f ro m a wish not to ern -14, ptcss Ministers.—(Laughter.) ' l r. WA KLY present. Colon e l STANHortE present.—(Cheers.) :sir SAMUEL WHALLEY present. \ lr. Aluern Y p rom i ses t o b e p resen t. r ,' ll- • E. PORTMAN is prevented attending by engage r, but agrees in the propriety of the meeting. x !rt TEr.irtYsoN the same. ;IP. ALLEN present. 1 %.4 rd HENLEY agrees in the propriety of the meeting, Lt prev e nt e d att e nding by particular engagements. r Alooae pr esen t "It CLAY present. b r• Lusunttorois agrees in the propriety of the meet , but is prevented attending by particular engagements. ;Ir. T. DUNCOMBE the same. 'Jr. Paris present. tit J. S. LILLIL present. Ir. HUMPHRIES engaged at Guildhall Mr. TEMPLE present. Captain MARRYATT present.—(Hisses.) Mr. WaxicFIELD present. Sir JOHN KEY present.—(Cheers.) Sir FRANCIS BURDETT was written to, but has re. turned no answer.—(Hisses.) Mijor REVELL confined with illness. Mr. ROBERT GRANT—A letter to him, addressed by mistake to Mr. Charles Grant. Mr. Jour/ NICHOLSON in moving the first resolution said, that in the presence of so many distinguished Mem bers of Parliament, and gentlemen who aspired to be such, he would not detain them long. They were all aware of the object of the meeting, and their number was the strongest proof of the deep interest they felt in it. Now they had Reform, it became the duty of the people to give public expression of what they wish from those whom they send to Parliament. For the last thirty years the country bad not been governed by King, Lords, and Commons, but by the Oligarchy—the Boroughtnongers. Their government had been taxation, and they bad ma naged their affairs so skilfully, as scarcely, to lay any taxes upon themselves, but upon the industrious classes, who on the common necessat ies of life were taxed 40,000,000/., but it was injudicious in them to place the house and window tax almost exclusively on the shopkeepers of the country. The Marquis of Hertford had returned six Members to the old Parliament, and had got for his family 20,000/. He had a mansion in Suffulk which cost 400,0001., paying 14/. 3s. 4d. house duty.—(Cries of " Shame." The Marquis being one of the Government, or rather Kings of the country, appoints all the assessed tax officers, so that his collectors and surveyors, have sworn that his mansion is worth only 1001. He had been ex chequered, because one of his servants had given a receipt on unstampted paper ; but ought not the Marquis of Hertford to be exchequered for what he had for 20 years defrauded the public of? The Duke of Grafton paid only 14/. also, and his family received 15,000/. The Duke of Northumberland was taxed highly for his mansion, being rated at 2001. per annum. The Duke of Wellington paid only 40/. taxes. The Bishop of Hereford paid only Si per annum, but houses in Oxford-street or St. Giles's, paid four times the amount of any one of these great aristocrats. Surely a candidate might venture to pledge himself to equalize, if not to remove, this tax.—(Loud cheers.) The first thing the boroughroonger did in office was to treble this tax on the public, but not themselves, which they always took good care to guard against. Pensions to the amount of six millions were kept up whilst business was declining, and he hoped the Metropolitan Mem bers would at once equalize taxation, which was increasing to a certain extent; but those possessing most property, should pay most for its insurance. When he was an elector of Westminster, 14 years ago, he, with others, instructed Sir Francis Burdett to repeal the window tax, and he answered, whether seriously or ❑ot, he could not tell—(laughter)—tlaat if be was instructed to remove St. Paul's, it was his duty to make the attempt.— Pledges were then in fashion when they were of no use ; but a stir was then made, and a reduction of this very tax took place. The speaker concluded by moving the first resoli:tion expressive of the opinion of the meeting of the necessity of the repeal of the house and window-taxes. Mr. CHARLES PEARSON seconded the resolution, and said that he had no doubt that the proceedings of this day would manifest that which had been called " an ignorant impatience of taxation," proceeded in fact from knowledge. Their chairman had properly stated the amount of assessed taxes, but in order that they might be fully aware of the in• jury they suffered, he would again state their amount to them and the manner in which they were peculiarly affected. The house tax in 1830 amounted to 1,185,4701., of which the metropolitan districts paid '780,466/., or five-eighths of the whole amount of the house tax of the kingdom.—(Cries of " Shame," and " It is unbearable.') The amount of the window tax in 1830 was 1,190,7051., and according to the best calculations he had been able to make, the metropolitan districts paid more than two thirds of these accounts. Another mode of looking at the manner in which the taxes were levied was this The population of the metropolitan districts was 1,805,000, whilst the total population of Great Britain was 13,800,000. So that in point of fact one seventh of the population paid five-eighths of this tax.—(Cries of " Shame !" and, a Voice,—" Is it not in proportion to the property ?") Another view of the subject might partly answer this question. The number of houses rated at 40/. and under—those, in fact, inhabited by that class of the community which was struggling for existence, --(Hear, hear.) By this class one half of the whole amount of these taxes was paid. Their worthy Chair man bad stated that it might be thought reasonable in proposing a reduction of taxes, that they should find a substitute for them, but as they did nut receive the salaries of the first Lord of the Treasury or the Chancellor of the Exchequer—(Laughter)—he did not see that they were bound to tax their brains for any such substitute.—(Laughter.) Their worthy chairman had rendered " Go back to the Expenditure of 1792," almost household words—but in seeking for a standard of expen diture, they could not do better than follow that advice. They were now in the seventeenth year of peace, but he would compare it with a year of war-1793. The amount of taxes in that year was 17,000,0001., whilst now it was 4.6,000,000/. He was informed that he had understated it, for with the expense of collection, the taxation amounted to 50,000,000/. But the first sum was quite enough, he thought, to satisfy the most cormorant appetite of the most insatiable borough monger.—(Loud laughter.) He would not, however, deal in generals, but would corns to three items, in which he thought a reduction should be made—a reduction such as would satisfy the public expectation. His proposition would also serve to show that this was no party meeting, collected together to aid any particular candidates—that they were not a body of revolutionists, desirous of destroy ing all the institutions of their country—and would disap point the malignant virulence of a certain set who bad assailed their motives and misrepresented the it intentions. It might also furnish an answer to a question which had been put by an Hon. Gentleman—viz., suppose Lord Grey should say " that he cannot do without this tax ;" his (Mr. Peat son's) answer would be, that it was the first time in the history of this country that he been told the representatives of the people were to do the bidding of the Minister instead of controlling its expendi ture, and endeavouring to lighten the burden of taxation. Setting forth the expenditure of 1792 with that of the present time, and contrasting the outlays, item by item, he would there find a saving could be made in the department over which he presided, equal in amount to the whole of the taxes now complained of; and he would manifest a noble instance of patriotism by paring down his own salary, and that of his own relatives. In the year 1793, when gigantic efforts were made by the people, seconding the Ministers of the day, to make preparations for what was then miscalled a popular war, it would be found that the whole amount of the army ex penditure in the department alluded to amounted to 4,167,0001., while, in 1831—the 16th year of the peace —when the slumbers bad bean so long undisturbed by the blast of the trumpet, the expenditure of the same depart ment amounted to 699,0001.—(Cries of " Shame, shame." —Let that gentleman, therefore, if ever be should be afflicted with such a question, be prepared with an answer upon the subj, ct that would satisfy the most captious individual. It was not this alone ; he would take another branch of public expenditure, the Navy. All would admit that, as far as the humbler classes of the navy were concerned, they put not their hands too deeply him the public pocket. It must be the higher classes, there fore, who were the fortunate individuals in this department, and if he had time to follow up the subject, he could give a beautiful illustration of it, because he had taken the trouble of ascertaining what Britain's glory cost, from the first Admiral in full pay, down to the humblest seaman who, unless he had had the good fortune to get one or two of his limbs lopped off, was invariably, in the end,after his valuable services, turned adrift on the public,a pennyless beggar. In the time of war the expenditure of this department amounted to 245,600/.—now it amounted to 539,000/. ; yet, the other day, when a rn in-of war was wanted, it was actually found difficult to man her. Let the individual then alluded to go and tell Earl Grey how he could go and man his ships with the bravest seamen, and supply them with the best of British blood—namely, by abolishing the cut that tore the flesh from the backs of honest men. —(lmmense cheers.) Let him tell Earl Grey to alter the army discipline in the same way.—(Loud cheers.) Tell him when a mutinous disposition bursts out in one regiment, not to set another to watch over that one, but let them be treated like men, rewarded like men, and thete would be no longer any necessity to maintain the present extravagant expenditure, which literally was incurred by maintaining one regiment to keep another in check.— (Cheers.) Then as to the Ordnance. In 1772 the ex penditure amounted to 25,000/. ; in 1'793, to 843,0001. ; and in 1832, to no less than 1,613,000/. Dismissing this p in of the subject, there could be no doubt that their enor mous taxes could be reducedwithout disturbing the tranquil lity of the country, or trenching on its national faith. But it might be well to look for a moment at the enormous sums spent in the collection of those tithes. The collection of the assessed taxes was returned as costing 28,0001. With collections, surcharges, overcharges, and so on, the collection amounted to not less than 28,000/. Besides this, here were the law expenses of collection: All knew pretty we-II that the assessors in their different districts were pretty sharp --`;'raping in brokers to mark the goods of individuals when the taxes were not paid. By a Parliamentary Return, it also appeared that within a short period, not less than 2,364 letters had been written by the Crown Lawyer, with a view to compel persons to pay their taxes; and that 686 suits had been instituted within the same time in the Exchequer, with a view of enforcing payment. One of their candidates had sent to say that as a reason why he could not attend, he was at this moment prosecuting people for not paying their taxes. The CHAIRMAN suggested the propriety of spec ers avoiding individual allusions. Mr. PEARSON resumed. Though the Worthy Chair man had done him the favour of reminding him to keep to his text, and avoid references to individuals, yet he hoped he might be permitted to refer to a county by name with • out trenching on the most fastidious delicacy; and the county he particularly wished to name was Nottingham, with which he had had of late some acquaintance. The whole number of houses in that county assessed at above 100/. per annum was 11. And he had had the curiosity to lay hold of Paterson's Roads in reference to this, when he found within a space which might be covered by half-a crown, the description of a vast number of splendid castles and mansions, belonging to the nobility. But still there was not one throughout the country that could he taxed to the amount of more than 3001. per annum. What did this prove ? It proved this, that, in one sense, the Duke of Newcastle's castle was worth literally nothing ; but when burnt down by incendiaries, though it could not be rated before at a hundred pounds value, the Nob'e Duke had the conscience to ask of the poor. oppressed tax-paying people, not less than 40,0001., wherewith to make good that mansion. —(Hisses, and cries of " Shame, shame." He could bring forward many instances, pretty much alike, calculated to call forth indignation. But he desired no longer to trespass on the meeting.— (Cries of, go on). He really did not wish to say more. The meeting would have a great deal to hear from others —time was important, and he would suggest that the remarks of the speaker should be few. Having stated this, he read to the meeting the reso lutions intended to be submitted to it. Hiving read them, before he sat down he thought it neces sary just to say, as something had been said about secrecy, that an opportunity had been offered to any candidate who thought of attending, to nominate any of the electors they chose, to move the resolutions.—(Hear, hear, hear•.) Nothing had been done in secret, and any person wlm had not yet shared in bearing the brunt and heat of the day, of bringing together this vast meeting, might see the names every gentleman connected with the calling of this meeting, and find every explanation ready for him, if he would only have the goodness to go round the hooks and there deposit his contribution.—(lmmense cheering.) Mr. RICHARDSON presented himself at the distant end of the room, as it desirous to obtain a hearing, which for a period created some confusion. The CHAIRMAN having commanded silence, begged to inform Mr. Richardson, that the meeting was called on purpose to hear the sentiments of the different candi dates on the question now before the meeting.—(Hear, hear.) Therefore, it was his duty to suggest to that Gentleman the propriety of his abstaining from say ing any thing, until at all events, the Parliamentary can didates] had been heard. Mr. Rich ar d son th en sat down. The CHAIRMAN stated he would take the liberty of calling on the candidates, as their names appeared on the printed lists which had been given him, and consequently in the first place he called on Alderman Waithman. Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN addressed the meet• ing. Not knowing, he observed, how or by whom the present meeting had been called, he had some fears that an obstruction might be thrown in the way of the Government, from whom after all that bad passed, they had great reason to expect some good. With regard to pledges a great deal had been said, and there were many differences of opinion among very able meu. For himself, he held it to be indiscreet and unwise that the electors should so view the past services of their representatives as to throw any thing like a stum bling block in their way.—(Cheers and hisses.) He would not enter into any topics of declaration for the purpose of exciting their feelings ; but he would appeal to their calm and sober judgment. 1 t was by the united and great efforts of the people that Ministers were enabled to accomplish the passing of the Reform Bill. During the 40 years that he had stood before the public he had never been required to give any pledge, and he thought if they required it of him now, after so long a period, it looked something like a distrust of his future conduct. As to his opinions on ell public measures, he would not hesitate in giving them on all occasions ; but that was quite different from anything in the nature of a pledge. With respect to the assessed taxes, he had never met with any one individual who was opposed to their repeal, and particularly that of the window-tax, and he was now asked in a somewhat curious manner whether he would support the repeal of them ? His answer was, " You know I have already done it, and my mind remains unchanged."—(Cheers.) It was not because it was the fashion of the day nor to suit elec tioneering purposes, nor to show any disrespect towards the electors, that he had refrained from waiting upon them to solicit their votes; but it was be cause he thought that the voters should he left to act with perfect freedom, as a means the best calculated to insure a Reform. So far back as Fe bruary, 1825, he moved in the Common Council and carried a resolution representing to the House of Commons the oppressive nature of the assessed taxes, especially the house and window taxes, and upon other occasions he had also been instrumental in endeavouring to obtain their repeal, particularly on one occasion, when, upon his own motion, a deputation was appointed to wait on the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon the subject • It was his firm belief that one of the first taxes, if not the very first which would be removed from the shoulders of the people would be the house and window taxes... (Cheers.) Ile would not detain them by entering into any lengthened details to show the grievous manner in which they operated, but he would state, with regard to himself, that be paid for a house of business which was rated at 2001. a year, and in which there was not a room fit to dine a dozen people. He had also been assessed for another house over the rack rent ; he appealed agrinst it, but all he could obtain was its reduction to the gross amount. He had seen some foolish publications signed by a person who called him self a Commissioner, and who asked, whether many of the shopkeepers had not also houses out of town ? The reason of that was, that people were compelled to take houses fur business which they could nut live in, and were thus obliged to reside with their families out of town, and thus they paid doub'e taxes.—(Cries of " Shame.") To show that the tax was both unjustifiable and oppressive, it was well known by every one, that in the value of his premises he must sink forty per cent. He had given notice last Ses sion fur the repeal of those taxes, and he was only deterred from bringing forward his motion, front the fear of interfering with the progress of the Reform Bill.— (Hear.) A return had been moved for in the House of Commons of the number of surcharges which bad been made in the House and Window Tax, and it appeared that there bad been no less than 160,000 surcharges upon such sinking and depressed property.—(Hear, hear, hear.) He begged to remind the meeting that a great deal was to be considered in the discussion of this subject in the House of Commons, for an adverse party might bring it forward when the Minister of the day was drove hard, for the purpose of increasing his difficulties.—(Hear, hear, hear.) For himself he had only again to say that he had asked for no vote, and he had given no pledge. If any person could put his finger on any part of his public conduct for the last 40 years, and say that he had shrunk from any great public principle, or preferred his own interest to that of the people, let them sink hint at once—(Cheers.) But when he heard any man too loud or too eager in his professions, he could not help being reminded of a woman who boasted of her own modesty, for it showed clearly that at all events there was some distrust. (The worthy Alderman sat down amidst loud cheers.) Mr. Alderman Wood being next on the list, the CHAIR MAN said he had received a letter from that Gentleman, who was at Gloucester. He (the Chairman) could hear witness that the Worthy Alderman bad always voted for the repeal of the assessed taxes, and he knew he would continue to do 80.—(Cheers.) — Mr. Alderman SCALES then came forward amidst loud cheering. He said he was about to ask at first what de scription of company he was in, for there was a very particular description in the Times of this morning of what the meeting would consist of, and h e wou ld rea d it to them, i n order that they might be informed what description of characters they were.—(Laughter, and cries of " Read, read.") " Th ese peop l e h ave nothing in their conduct fair . and ma n ly. Th e y g e t their half-dozen pates together in a corner,—scrawl the outline of what proceedings they desire to have carried, — pack the hall, or other place of assembly, with tools of their own faction,—hoot and bellow down every man who has spirit enough to speak or think for himself, and then impu dently palm upon the world the result of their own miserable machinations, as a free-will offering of whole bodies of re spectable Englishmen upon the altar of their country."— (Loud cries of " Shame.") He begged ,to ask whether what he had read was from the great leading Journal of Europe ?—(Cries of " Read on.") It proceeded— "We shall watch these Destructivest—these worst and most malignant enemies of all free Govern ment, and it will not be our fault if the people of this country be not taught how to esti mate—how, moreover, to render them harmless." He asked what was the object of the meeting? Was there any concealment in what they were about to do ? They had met on their own affairs, and there was no man who was not allowed a voice in the meeting. They had already had accounts given them how this peculiar and oppressive tax had been put in force in the country. He would give them a specimen of how it worked in London. He then detailed the circumstance of an appeal by himself for having been overrated, while a neighbour of his had been un derrated. He obtained no redress himself, and was told that if he wished his neighbours' rates to be raised, the commissioners would do it, provided he became a witness against him.—(Cries of shame.) It was for the gentlemen to look out for the means of cur tailment, as the people were determined to have those taxes repealed.—(Tremendous cheering.) Some gentle. men were racking their brains to find out a tax to be substituted in order to release Ministers from the embarrassments they might be under by the taking away the house and window tax. Why, there was no way of doing that but removing taxation alto gether.—(Tremendous cheering.) If the tax was put upon the land, the rich would endeavour to put it on . the middle man in some way or other—(Loud cheers) —they would have to pay it in another way; they would pay it under the fictitious name of rent. He did not think, God forbid that he should, that a Government could be carried on without taxation ; but what he con sidered was that the true standard of taxation ought to be determined by the representatives of the people and not by the Ministers--(Tremendous cheering.) He was not an advocate for going to Ministers and asking them if they could do without such and such taxes, he was for going to them and telling them that the people demanded it, and that they had sent him there, to state their wishes.—(Loud and long continued cheering.) Would Ministers say to him when he got into the House of Commons, and be was sure that he should get there— (Loud cheers and laughter)—" Sir, you are come to advo• cate the abolition of the Assessed Taxes—you are a pledged man—you have a scar on your escutcheon."—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I believe I have got a great many scars—(Laughter)—but, very fortunately for me I have got no escutcheon. —(Loud and c ntinued laughter.) If they were so to address me, Gentlemen, I should say, I came here, not merely as the representative of an injured people, but for the purpose of expressing their opinion.—(Tremendous cheering.) The people were already wiser than their Government, and th.y began at last to understand their own interests.— (Cheers.) They would not be governed by great men, or by hales of sham motion, in the House of Commons.—(Loud and tremendous cheering.) The Hon. Alderman who had addressed the meeting had stated that he had for two Sessions a motion on the paper for a repeal of the assessed taxes.—(Laughter.) Was that, he would ask, any reason to recommend him to the notice of the electors ?—(Cheers.) Certainly not. It was rather to be considered as a public dishonour to him.—(Cheers, and cries of " No, no.") He would say " Yes, yes ;" for no man should convince him that for two Sessions such a motion could not have been brought on.—(Loud cheers.) There had been men, it was said, of the greatest abilities in the House of Commons ; but to what a situation, be would ask, had they brought the country ?—(Loud cheering.) He should have thought, from the high encomiums that had been passed upon all that had taken place in the House of Commons, that it was a Paradise instead of the Legislature of Great Britain. But he had heard of a Scotchtnan who had said, that although he had heard many fine speeches which had changed his mind, he had never beard one which had changed his vote.—(Great laughter.) Thus it was the nation had been for a long time ruled and governed.— The people had had their ears frequently tickled with whilst the fingers of the talkers were finding the way to their their pockets.—(Laughter.) This system must now cease, and they must know from candidates what they in tended to do for them. It was by pledges they had attained the Reform Bill, and without pledges a Tory could not be distinguished from a Liberal.— (Great cheers.) If Gentlemen had consciences too de licate to allow of their giving pledges. the people must find representatives whose consciences were not quite so tender. —(Laughter rod cheers.) For his own part he did not hesitate to pledge himself to his fellow men, and the rea son was that he must so perform what he promised : he cordially agreed, therefore, not only in the repeal of these taxes, but of others which pressed with equal weight upon the people.—(CbeerA.) Sir Joim KEY said, that he would not detain them long in the presence of so many noble candidates, who wished to express their sentiments. He congratulated their Wor thy Chairman, not only on the respectability of this meeting, but on the prospect it beld out of his exertions in the Rood cause of economy being crowned with success. He congratulated the meeting upon having such a Chairman, for no man could he better fitted to preside at it than one whose whole life had been devoted to obtaining a mitigation of the burdens of the people. It had been asked how they were to main tain public faith, and carry on the business of the country, if they were always carping at taxation ? His answer was, that if they reduced their lavish expendi ture it would be easy for them to reduce taxation without embarrassing the Government or breaking public faith.—(Hear, hear.) He, therefore, repudiated the charge that the meeting was convened to hamper Mi nisters. If, however, these taxes could not be repealed without substituting for them some other, he said let there be a tax laid upon property.—(Hear, hear.) This would place the burden upon those who had the means of bear ing it, and in some instances upon those who derived their means from the very expenditure of which they complained. —(Cheers.) Mr. Gaorx said that he had attended many meetings in the city, and had at all of them unequivocally declared his sentiments against these taxes. He also advocated economy and the reduction of expenditure to the lowest p ,ssible minimum ; and if these taxes could not be reduced without a substitute, he had thought it his duty to propose the substitution of a tax upon property.—(Hear, hear.) what was the best of all ways of bringing a mutual re- venue? Mr. GEORGE Ilvtic then rose, but was re ceived with such a shower of hisses, groans, and cries of off, off, away with the Corn Law monopolist; he wishes to starve the manufacturers into giving: his own price for his corn," that it was some minutes before Mr. Hume could prevail upon the Meeting to hear him at all. We understood the Hon. Member to say, that he con sidered carriages, horses, and servants, proper sub jects of taxation, and therefore lie had not underrated a repeal of the whole of the assessed taxes, but only of the house and window tax.--(Hear, hear.) He had represented the metropolitan County for forty-two years-- (Cries of "It is too long")—and they must therefore know his opinions too well to require him to pledge him self.—(Laughter and hear.) (We shall give the conclusion in our SECOND EDITION.) On Friday forenoon, about 11 o'clock, one of the houses at Stobbs Powder Mills blew up with a tre mendous explosion. The materials of the house were scattered in all directions, and the roof was carried to a considerable distance. We are sorry to learn that one man was killed ; another man and two boys made a most pro vidential escape, having left the house only a few minutes before the accident.—Edinburgh Paper. Last week the navigation of the Clyde was again considerably interrupted by the dense fogs which prevailed for some days; the oldest ship captains do not remember such early long-continued dense fogs. Some of the steamers plying on the river were nearly lost by running on the lower part of the long dike, which was covered by the tide.-- Glasgow Chronicle. LOR D BYRON.—According to Mr. MOORE'S statement in the last published (the 1 1 th) volume of his uniform edition of Lord BYRON'S works, a curious omis sion was made by Mr. NIURRAY in his first print and publication of Manfred. The conclusion of that dramatic poem runs thus :.—. "Abbot. -----Cold--cold even to the heart. But yet one prayer.—Alas! how fares it with thee ? " Manfred.—Old man ! 'tis not so difficult to die. (Man fred expires.) " Abbot—He's gone—his soul has ta'en its earthless flight _Whither ? I dread to think--but he is gone." Mr. AIuRRAy left out the last line of Manfred-- " Old man ! 'tis not so difficult to die." It was so published, and none discovered the omission; it was noticed, Mr. MooRE states in a note, by Log d BYRON, who thereupon thus wrote to Mr. MURRAY :—" You have destroy, d the whole effect and moral of the poem, by omitting the last line of Manfred's speaking." R EBUK E.—ln the course of his canvass a few days ago, Sir RICHARD VYYYAN called on a political cobbler, who, on being asked for his vote, replied, " No, Sir, I won't give you my vote, but I'll give you this"— producing a halter. Sir RICHARD'S prompt reply was, " Really, my friend, I am mud) obliged to you, but I should be sorry to deprive you of ouch a valuable faultily relic," DALKIETH CORN MARKET.—Nov. 2.2. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Pease. Beans. First figs 044 32s rid 22s Od 34s Od 34s Od Second sos Od 29s Od 20s Od 30s Od 30. Od Third 406 Od 246 Od 17. Od 266 Od 266 Od OLD BAILEY. TIIE ENSUING SESSIONS. A SUMMARY STATEMENT, DESCRIPTIVE OF TILE VARIOUS OFFENcEs WITH WHICH THE PRISONERS SEVERALLY STAND CRAROED. Highway robbery Housebreaking 4 Embezzlement 4 Burglary. 6 Stealing from the person Stealing in dwelling-houses LS Receiving stolen goods Horse-stealing I Larcenies Total ;Mt Of the above number, 46 are charged with crimes committed in the City, and 218 in the County. STATE OF HIS MAJESTY'S GAOL OF NEIVGATE, MADE UP TO TUESDAY EVENING. Prisoners tinder sentence of death Prisoners tinder sentence of transportation for life l7 14 years 15 7 years Ditto, sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, having been convicted of felony, &c . Ditto, whose judgments are respited 9 Ditto, for trial at the ensuing Sessions Admiralty Sessions :1 Ditto, remanded from the last Sessions 4 Ditto, acquitted on the ground of insanity, but remain dur - . ing Royal pleasure Ditto, capitally convicted, but whose judgments have been respited during Royal pleasure 4 Males ....... 264 1 Females l5l. 1 Total 415. DOVER, Nov. 27.—The Eugenie schooner, Lieutenant JRNKINS commander, came in here to-day. She is the vessel that was fitted out here some months ago for the service of Donna MARIA, armed with 13 guns, and having 57 men. She sprung a leak whilst blockad ing Figueiras, and came here to repair• She had no very recent communication with Oporto, and is eight days from Figueiras. The - foreign exchanges are rather lower to day. They are still much above par; but this being the third foreign post day on which some decline has occurre , ', has caused some attention to be directed to the subject. As far as it has hitherto gone, it is, however, a matter of no i m porta nce.— Times. The Journal de Rouen of the present week mentions a singular and melancholy instance of suicide, in connection with the pursuits of phrenology, which oc curred a few days since in that city. A young man named DLIGAT bad been employed to cleanse bones (grafter des os) for collections of phrenology. This occupation, from its disgusting nature, produced on this individual a mental hallucination, which induced him to consider its practice as improper (illicite). and be fancied himself continually reproached by the individual on whose remains he was thus employed. This state of mind induced his friends to place him at the Bicetre, an hospital for lunatics, at Rouen. Some amendment was perceived, and it was hoped that a final cure would be effected. The patient, however, pursued by the same ideas, rose in the night of the 12th instant, and hung himself to a hinge of the door of his apartment. Su determined was he to effect his purpose, that the height not being sufficient to permit his suspension at full length, he bad bent his legs under him, and Ives found stiff and lifeless in that position. Ihe Talavera, 74, Captain BROWN, and the French frigate Calypso, brought to at the Nore on Tues day last, to repair the damages they had sustained by run ning aboard each other in the North Sea, at half-past ten o'clock on Saturday night. It appeals that as the Tala vera was on a wind, taking up her station, the Calypso mistook her for a Dutch man of war, and having cleared for action, crossed her bows, when the Talavera struck thc Calypso just at the gangway, and with such force as to break fifty of her timbers, twenty knees, and twelve beams, The shock was so violent that the side opposite to that which was struck was so breed by the beams as to cause it to round out, whilst the side on which she wts struck rounded inwards, causing her to make three feet water in the hour. The damage sustained by the Tala vera is the loss of the whole of the knee of the bead. The Calypso was tak-n up to Chatham ou Wednesday, to he docked to-day. The Talavera was taken into Sheerness on Wednesday, into the basin on Thursday, and was docked yesterday. She will be ready for sea in ten days. In the confusion of running foul, several men in their fright ex changed ships, fearing their own was going down. The Ca lypso it is said, will take 30,000/. to rep air ; this must, however, be an exaggeration of the Morning Post. She will, doubtless, require large and long repairs._ Tamp. shire Telegraph. LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET, Nov. 26. —The sales of Cotton to-day are 1,500 bales :—viz., 400 Brazils and Egyptians ; the latter at 81d. to 90., the former in Bahian, at lid and Bd. ; and Maranhams, at Sid. to Sad. ; and upwards of 1,000 in American de ‘criptiong, iron] 6fd. to 71a. IARON'S COURT, AND THE ABERCoR i'A‘IILY. Baron's Court, the Irish residence of the Marquis of Abercorn, to which it is stated he is about to conduct his bride, is in the county of Tyrone, and is one of the finest seats of which the north of Ireland can boast. It was consi derably embellished by the late Marquis, and the demesne is singularly beautiful, bounded by steep mountains, and possessing in its centre no less than three lakes ; it presents at every turn the most picturesque views, and the extent and beauty of its woods form a fine contrast with the wild mountains that overhang them. The house is modern, and of a plain and simple character, without any attempt at architectural ornament. The Marquis and his family, with a numerous suite, and accompanied by various English friends, visited Baron's Court once every three years, and remained a year there, keeping up a splendid scale of hospitality, and dispensing charity all round ; so that his arrival was hailed with general joy through the country. The Marquis had been three times married ; his first wife was Miss Copley, sister to Sir Joseph Copley ; by her he had a numerous and lovely family, all of whom found premature graves by that insidions enemy to youth and beauty, consump tion. The Marquis married secondly the Lady Cecil Hamilton, by whom he had one child, the present Countess of Wicklow. This marriage was annulled in 1798, and in 1799, Lady Cecil married the present Sir Joseph Copley. The Marquis married thirdly the Lady Anne Hutton, sister to the Earl of Arran, and widow of Henry Hutton, Esq., by whom he had no issue, and who survived him until 1827, when her Lady ship died at Naples. Baron's Court used co be, in former days, the scene of great feszivity. There figured the bells and beaux of half a century ago. There electioneering interests were conciliated, county feuds appeased, and feudal influence cemented. There the present Countess of Glengall, the Lady Caher, and her sister-in-law, Miss Butler, now Lady Manners, led the revels; while the Viceroy, with his suite, and the few exotic English Noblemen who could be lured to the wilds of Ireland, with the in digenous Nobility and Gentry of the country, mingled together ; and with .Tohn Kemble to make them grave, and Miss Owenson (now Lady Morgan), and a few of the neighbouring 'squires whose rich and racy brogues often set the table in a roar, to make them gay, presented as heterogeneous a group as could well be as sembled beneath the same roof.— Court Journal, PAGANINI.—The Court Journal of Sa turday next will contain, we understand, an article of sin gular interest, comprising numerous original anecdotes of PAGANINI, by one of his most intimate friends, who has long enjoyed the most unrestricted personal intercourse with that unrivalled artist. The article will, it is said, con t tin PAGANINI'S personal opinions and feelings on various mibjects, expressed in his own words. The salary of Sir Jon N HOB HOUSE as Secre tary at War is 2,5001., and he also has the appointment of a private secretary with a salary of 300/. Sir FlENity PARNELL appointed his son, Mr. JOHN PARNELL, a lad from school, to tbis secretaryship; Sir Joits HOSHOLqh has bestowed the situation on his brother, Capt. 1101,- HOUSE, of the Coldstream Guards, who lately united him self to a daughter of the late Lord GRAVES. Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE and Sir HENRY PARNELL were both can didates for the post of Secretary at War when it became vacant through the resignation of Mr. WYNN. The Secre tary at War fires the Lumber of the forces to be kept. up, the general or particular distribution of the troop•, the number of men to be sent on any particular service, and acts as the directive power of the army. The cost of the Secretary at War, his deputy, clerk., &c., i. 36,439/. per annum, of which 1,2001. is paid by fee fun i and 25,2391. by vote. MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT IN PARIS. —Madame HINDARD, Rue —n—, is the only person in France, who has the fixed attention of all by her zeal and discretion in procuring advantageous matches for those who address themselves to her. Madame H. has at present a considerable number 0408 nombrease clientelle) of tivh widows and young ladies to get mart ieci.—Affranchir les lettres. The Registering Barristers, besides finding no money in the treasury, have had to pay considerable sums out of pocket, for the reimbursement of their ex pensea, for which they are likewise required to await the slow operation of a Parliamentary grant. In this predi cament the Registering Barristers have natura;ly enough, assumed long faces in additio❑ to their long robes. EXPENSE OF THE MARYLEBONE POLL.-- A correspondent icforms us, that one of the Corm - Muff. of Mr. MURYHY (the candidate for the bori,ugh of Maryle bone) called yesterday upon Sir PETER LAURIE, the returning officer for the borough, and inquired what would be the probable expense of the poll at the ensuing election for Marylebone, when Sir PETER estimated the cost at 3301. There are at present six candidates in the riehl—namely, Sir WILLIAM HOItNE, Ml'. PORTMAN, Colonel JONES, Sir SAMUEL WHALLEY, Mr. MURPHY, and Mr. GAIIAGAN ; who, if they all go to the poll, will reduce the individual expense to 352. EXTRAORDINARY ACClDENT.—Yesterday an inquest was held at St. Thomas's Hospital, on the body of JOSEPH CLOUTES, a drayman in the service of Messrs. Coomox and Co.—Mr. W. DUNNING, uphol sterer, of the New Kent-road, said that on Wednesday evening he was returning home from Tooting with his wife and child, in a light chaise- cart, when the fore horse of a dray, upon the shafts of which the deceased was sit ting, suddenly dashed across the road, and coming in col lision with the chaise threw it and the horse in the road• The dray horse and the two leaders then galloped off with the dray. Witness and wife were lying partly under the chaise and partly under their horse, when they observep the deceased crawling on his hands and knees, and lie that the dray had gone over his stomach. A carriage soon drove up, and witness, his wife, and child, were released with safety from their perilous situation. The der , ,,,ked, however, was so injured that he expired on Mundt) , last. The dray was stopped on the road. Verdict..." Accidental death." LAMENTABLE SUlClDE.—Yesterday an in quest was held at the Two Brewers, Vine -street, Hatton wall, on the body of Mr. J. GRAHAM, proprietor of the house. A few days ago, the son of the deceased, a fine young man, about nineteen, left the house of Mr. HAINES, a silversmith, in Red Lion-street, to whom he had been apprenticed, and the deceased subsequently received a letter from him, stating that he had enlisted in Don PEDRO'S army, and was on his voyage to Oporto. The deceased was much affected at this, and he said several times that he would rather be shot himself than his " poor boy" should. The deceased was also bound in the sum of 1001. for the good behaviour of his son during his apprentice.. ship, and he was fearful that he would be sued upon the bond. On Monday, he was found hanging by a piece of packthread from a beam in his yard. Verdict—Tempo rary Insanity. MELANCHOLY CIRCUMSTANCE.-011 Sa turday last, Captain DANIEL, of the sloop Neptune, of Maryport, while on his passage to the Isles of Fleet, ob served a long boat, which seemed to he floating about at the mercy of every wave that rolled. At this time he was as near as might be at mid-channel, and, on reaching the boat, discovered, with the greatest pain and astonish ment, two men lying at the bottom of the boat, and both dead. The boat, which is an excellent one, is marked " The Jane, of Whitehaven, Wit traNt WILSON, owner." The unfortunate sufferers were most respectably apparelled, and in the pocket of one of them wa• found a silver watch, a tobacco-box, and 4s. Sd. in money. Many fishing lit s attached to the boat, and the opinion ie, the the crew had been blown from their station on the Eng lish coast, and that after vainly endeavouring to reach some place of safety, had resigned themselves to their fate, and literally died of starvation. One of the two had folded his handkerchief, and placed it under his head as a substitute far a pillow ; and it was further evident that a period of at least a day or two had intervened between the respective death,. The naement Captain DANIEL reached Kirokbex, he communicated the circumstance to the pa rish authorities; and nearly as soon, enffii.s were prepared and the bodies decently interred in Kirkandrew's church-. yard.— Carlide Journal: COURT OF CHANCERY. SEALS, REHEARINGS, ♦PPEALS, AND PETITIONS, BEFORE THE LORD CHANCELLOR, AFTER MICHAELMAS TEEM, 1832. The First Seal—Thursday, Nov. 29. Rehearings and Appeals—Friday, Not. SO; Saturday, Dec. 1 ; and Monday 3. Second Seal—Tuesday, Dec 4. Rehearings and Appeals—Wednesday, Dec. 5 ; Thurs day 6 ; Friday r ; and Siturciay 8. Third Seal—Monday, Dec. 10. Rehearings and Appeals—Tuesday, Dee. 11 ; Wednes day 12 ; Thursday 13 ; and Friday 14. Fourth Seal—Saturday, Dec. 15. Rehearings and Appeals—Monday, Dec. 17 ; Tuesday 18 ; and Wednesday 19. Fifth Seal—Thursday, Dec. 20. Petitions—Friday, Dec. 21. To sit at Lincoln's Inn, at ten o'clock each day. SEALS, PLEAS, DEMURRERS, EXCEPTIONS, CAUSES, FUR THER DIRECTIONS, AND PETITIONS, BEFORE THE PICK CHANCELLOR, AFTER MICHAELMAS TEAM, 1832. The First Seal—Thursday, Nov. 29. Pleas, Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes, and Further Di rections—Friday, Nov. 30; Saturday, Dec. 1 ; and Mon day 3. Second Seal—Tuesday, Dec. 4. Pleas, Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes, and Further Directions—Wednesday, Dec. 5 ; Thursday 6 ; Friday 7 ; and Saturday S. Third Seal—Monday, Dec. 10. Pleas, Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes, and Further Directions—Tuesday, Dec. 11 ; Wednesday 12 ; Tburs. day 13 ; and Friday 14. Fourth Seal—Saturday, Dec. 15. Pleas, Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes, and Further Directions—Monday, Dec. 17 ; Tuesday 18 ; and Wed nesday 19. Fifth Seal—Thursday, Dec. 20. Petitions—Friday, Dec. 21. To sit at Lincoln's Inn, at ten o'clock. COURT OF EXCHEQUER. The Equity Sittings, in Gray's Inn Hall, before Lord Lyndhurst, will commence on Friday, Nov. 80, and con 'inue till Tuesday, Dec. 11, inclusive, at ten o'clock each day. FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. ARRIVALS. Sir Thomas Williams and Lady Williams, at Nerot's Hotel, from Gloucester; Rev. Ashurst, at ditto, from Oxford ; J. Ogle, Esq. and Mrs. Ogle, at Marshall Thompson's Hotel, Ca. vendish-square ; J. Fitzgerald, Esq. M.P., and Mrs. Fitzgerald, at ditto ; T. Reeves Thornton, Esq., at ditto ; William Jones, Esq., at ditto. DEPARTURES. Samuel Briggs, Esq., and Miss Briggs, from Marshall Thomp son's Hotel, Cavendish-square ; Mrs. Attwood, John Attwood, Esq., and the Misses Attwood, from ditto ; Captain Manjin, and Mrs. and Miss Manjin, from ditto ; Madame Clary, from ditto ; John Slater, Esq., and Mrs. Slater and family, from ditto ; Lieut.. Col. Macintosh, from ditto. THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. The arrivals of Grain and Flour this week are small. There is se little Wheat at market to.day, that Monday's prices have been rather exceeded. Barley, Beans, and Pease, are firm at last quotations. Oats find a fair demand at Monday's advance. The top price of Flour is expected to be fixed at 555. per sack. ARRIVALS. Wheat. Barley. English 3,270 qrs. I 5,560 qrs. Irish - - Foreign - Oats. I Flour. 2 650 qrs. 2,BBosaas ,105 - brls NOItWICH, Nov. 24. Wheat (per qr.) ... 42s 575. 60s. I Beans (per qr.) 30s. 355. Barley 20s. 335. 375. Pease, Grey --30 s. 3ss. Oats 20s. 225. 245. Flour, fine (per sack) 408. 428. MANCHESTER, Nov. :14. Wheat, per 701 b. Bs. 9d. to 9s. Od. Red Ss. 0.1. to Ss. 3d. Barley, per 601 b 5 6 6 0 Oats 3 0 3 1 Beans, per Imperial quarter Pease, White, per Imperial bushel 5 0 5 6 Malt, per 6 Imperial bushels 43 0 48 0 Flour, per Sack of 2801 b 45 0 50 0 SCOTCH MARKETS. HADDINGTON CORN MARKET.—Nov. 23. Wheat. Barley. Oats. Pease. Beans. First sBs Od 32s Od 2.2 s 64 27s Od 30s 01 Second 49s Od 28s Od 193 6d 26s Od 251 0,1 Third There were 440 qrs. of Wheat in market, 433 whereof were sold 3 Unsold.--0 Grey. 21. 9s. sd. ll.l2ths. Average