The Sun. — London, England, 1832-04-05 00:00:00

SECOND E DITION. SUN OFFICE, Seven o' Clock. WEST INDIA TRADE. MEETING.-( I'HIS DAY.) (Coritinued from our Third Page.) Mr. N. Govin, Chairman of the North American Colonial Association, in seconding the resolution, addressed the meeting as follows:—Sir, the resolution just pro posed by the intelligent Gentleman, the indefatigable Member of the House has bseen well placed in his hands, extendedly connected and well acquainted as he was with the value of our colonial and inter-colonial trade in a nationa; point of view, as giving scope for the mainten ince and in crease of the: great national interests, whether shipping, commercial, or manufacturing —as, in fact, •affording use for British capital, and employment for British industry. Similarly connected with other British colonies myself, it may not be thought presumptuous in me rising to second this resolution. I trust I shall not abuse the time of this meeting in the few observations I may offer, indeed the worthy mover has left little to say ; but I cannot help thinking that the value of the colonial trade, as given in the second resolution, and of the inter-colonial trade in the present resolution, are taken at far too low an esti mate; and I would add, that this; country has had it in its power to increase to an incalculable extent this valuable branch of industry and commerce. I allude to those facilities which are now afforded, and still increasing, in the Welland and Redcar canals, and internal communications of British America, by which Quebec, Montreal, and Halifax might, and, in my opinion, ought to have been made the beet and cheapest markets for that produce, whether in bread-stuffs, ur lumber, most required by the West Indies, and by the consequently reciprocal trade, in the increased detnand for the sugars and rums of th e 'Nest Indies for the consumption of the North Ame rican provinces ; but, Sir, it has been the policy of a cer tain set of politicians and economists to say for the West Indians, to force these sayings before the public, and even to bear down by the influence of literature that the Biitish American and the West India colonists were of necessity enemies. I speak not this inadvertently or unarl visedly ; has not and does not the organ of this party, the Edinburgh Review, established as a political party en gine, under the mask of literature, continue, even to its last another, to foment dissentions among us; stating broadly that the cennexion (natural as it is) must of necessity be disadvantageous to the West Indians ? I trust, Sir, that this meeting will show the author of the paper to which I allude, that he has failed in his endeavours to sow diseen eien a:nrag us, and that, in spite of his dicta, we are, as coionists, sensible how much we depend mutually on each other. The old motto of " Divide et impera" has been too long u•e i against us ; experience has made the most iccredulous wise, and our true interests are better under stood, and the value of inter-colonial intercourse better ap preciated. Sir, my recollection has served me to quote the word+ cf a highly-talented, and still more highly-ele vated individual—they are so much in point, that I beg to read them. No state ought to give up any part of her dominions, colonial trade is in every respect a home trade. Every operation of this traffic replaces two capitals, the em ployment and distribution of which puts in motion and supports the labour of the different members of the same state. The trade of London or Liverpool with the Baltic or Mediterranean, replaces indeed two capitals, but ose of theme orgy is British, the other puts in motion the industry of foreigners. On the other b end, the trade of Liverpool with the British West Indies or Northern Colonies replaces two capital., both of which are British, and supports the industry of British subjects in the same manner as the trade between Liverpool and Edinburgh. In like manner, the profits of a colonial trade are all accumulated in the hands of the same people, and tend to enrich and aggrandize the tame nation. The increasing wealth of Russia or Spain can never benefit Great Britain, unless by the increasing demand it may occasion for British produce. On the con trary, it may and often is turned against her wealth arid power. There is not, perhaps, so much as 1,000/. per annum drawn by British subjects in rents from the conti .t of Europe, but the rents of colonial proprietors who five on this side the Atlantic may be computed at millions. WratOl to God how true The sophistries and cavils which political sceptics arid innovators have founded, partly un the misconception of the theory, and partly on a misstatement of facts, tend directly to a degradation of the system in the eyes of superficial reasoners, and may ultimately renew a state of things from which the unas sisted efforts of national heroism would he alto gether unable to redeem any one community.— Sir, is not the last sentence prophetic? and is it not pass ing strange that this highly talented, this highly elevated individual, should be at this time alive to see his fears about to be realized—nay more Sir, to find himself ob noxious to his own anathema? Surely Sir, Government will take breathing titne—Will halt to consider before they ro.npromise interests es extensive and so valuable. Of what I advocate are but a part. But more—to what extent is it intended ? Hew far will they carry such dic tation ? Which of our colonies is secure from such iiegrading stigma ? Of what use, or to what pur pose will they have dignified with a deliberative legislation, if an order in Council is to supersede their deliberations, and compel compliance at the risk of prohibitory duties?—(Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN then put the Resolution to the meet ing, and declared it to he carried unanimously Mr. JILitEMIAII HARMAN, banker, rose for the pur pose of proposing the 4th resolution. In doing so he stated, that lie stood there as an individual wholly uncon neeted and uninterested, but he was bold to assert that there was nut a man in the kingdom who Wits more sensibl.• t a r himself of the alarming state in which the colonies were laced, and he bad no reserve in giving it as his opinion, it ,vas a humble, but nut a hasty iortned one, that if the 'rune system should continue to be pursued, the wort fears of the greatest alarmist in the present meeting would be realized.—(Cheers.) He had been invited to the meting, and though he should have been exceedingly gird to have been excused, yet he felt it his duty not to shrink from doing all he could in giving effect to the obect of the meeting. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by agaiu rearing the resolution. GEORGE Far:ozo.icK YocNG, Esq., Deputy-Chairman of tie Snip-owner , ' Society, rose to second the resolution. In doing so, he trusted he should not he deemed intrusive or irrelevant if he ventured to solicit the indulgence of the meetin2 . , while he adverted shortly to that great gut stion which connected itself with this important sut•ject, namely, Negro Slavery. He solicited that indulgence upon two grounds. First, it was doe to individual character that parties should have the oppoi tunity of being tescued from the foul imputa tions that had heaped upon them in regard to this ques tion.—(Cheers.) That such imputations had been made it :way not necessary to appeal to the presen . meeting to prove, and that they were unfounded no man could doubt. He held in his hand a document which he considered conclusive on that point. It had fallen to his lot in the c ruse of the last few days to have ,one communications on the suject of Negro Slavery with the Hon. Member for Middlesex, (Mr. Hume,) and the do cument he held in his band was a letter in reply to an appli cation by him for some documents to throw light on that question, and the remarks made by Mr. Hume were that he detested negro slavery, and would let no op portunity slip to relieve the oppressed.--(Cheers.) The proceeding of. Ministers was catculated to be the ruin of the slaves and their masters, as well as thousands of indivi daals. Such was the opinion of Mr Hume. It was not, how ever, merely for the protection of individual character that he had brought the subject of the slave trade forward, but for the purpose of eliciting truth upon the subject He believed that a large proportion of West India pro prietors concurred with him in thinking that his Ma j- sty's Ministers were proceeding upon an erroneous prin ciple, which they altogether decried. He con,idered it a most unjust and improper interference on the part of Government. that their plans affected the private rights of parties, and were fraught with danew• to the stability of all property throughout the 13,itish dominions. On the other hand, however, lie must admit that he had seen an indis wai t on to go hand in hand with his Majesty'. Government even in that portion of their measures, which he firmly believed had they been calmly considered, wo u ld h ave b een acceded to by those very parties who now opposed them. The present was a time —the great interests of the country being involved, when parties ought to take their stand and in hold language deprecated the hostility which existed, and sa y to the Government, pause, take a tone of calmness and mode ration towards the colonies, and demand from them that only which you can maintain on the painciples of unerring justice, and also to tell the colonies not to take that high, stand and opposition to those use.ul regulations which were necessary, and in fact were the only means gradually to extirpate slavery. lie thought if such a course was pursued, it would be productive of the most happy results. The Hon. Gentleman, after alluding to a delusion which he and his brother ship-owners had fallen into, but from which delusion he had emancipated himself, concluded by seconding the resolution, which, on being put from the chair, was carried unanimously. said that the gentlemen who preceded him bad raised so powerful an argument in favour of the mother untry protecting the colonies, that it was not necesssi/ for him to enlarge greatly on that subject. He would oh s. c ve, however, that there was abroad an anti-colony spirit, —an anti-colony spirit, it was to be regretted, in those who had deeply considered the subject, and who stood in eatinent stations in society. The trade with the colonies, a•+ it had been well observed, was a trade totally distinct 'rum the trade with the other parts of the elope, and was a trade that was perhaps of more im portance to this country than the trade with any other part of the universe. At the same time, whilst things remained as they were, it was impossible that the trade ith the sugar colonies could be carried on as cheaply as the trade with other parts. It was impossible that the produce of the West Indies could be sent to this country upon equal terms with the produce of other countries, and he trusted the day was not far distant when the c7uelty, oppression, and hardships, almost unheard-of, which had taken place, could n, ver again possibly take place; and it was absolutely necessary, to secure this, that the Mother Country should stretch forth a help ing hand to secure the colonies from destruction. With r• card to the Orders in Council to which allusion bad been made, it was not necessary for him to expatiate much on the effect of them The resistance they had met with front every colony to which they applied, was the beet proof which could he given of their effect. They went to an iminedi.ite interference betwixt the slave and his master ; and all the affection and regard for necessary dominion which the master ought to have from and over the slave were entirely taken awry and placed in the hands of another, All the usual influence which the master ought to have over the slave, which was an ingredient of the utmost importance, was entirely taken away by this extraordinary order. Many representations had been male, and made by most eminent individuals, against the issuing of so extraordinary orders ; but still the Council had persisted in sending them forth. With respect to the amelioration of the slave constitution, it was impossible, from the short time which had in tervened from the passing of the resolutions in the in the House of Commons, to suppose that a satisfactory ameliorating effect could hive taken place. A hasty amelioration would he productive of the greatest evil. It was impossible that a rapid and hasty emancipation of the slaves should not produce consequences the most distres sing upon the estates of that country. Colonel BERESFORD seconded the fifth resolution. He should not have been able to overcome his reluctance to address so numerous and respectable a meeting had it not been for the manner in which he had been called upon io give his testimony as a man who bad been in the West Indies to that of the Gentleman who had already Addressed then:. The negro idea of emancipation was perfect freedom from work. Emancipation without utter idleness was by no means what they wanted. Whilst this erroneous notion prevailed in the minds of the negroes, they were evidently it: a most unfit state to receive that freedom which, consulting all proper interest, he, as well as every other humane man, trust he anxious to grant. He concluded by expressing his agreement in every word of the resolution. Resolution put and carried. Mr. G. HIBBERT (formerly agent for Jamaica)—lt gave him great pleasure in having to move the sixth Resolution, ha.viag so long and so zealously, as was known to many gentlemen present, maintained the opinion ex pressed. He had been in constant communication with different Administrations upon the subject of the West India interests, even since the earliest time of Mr. Pitt, and be must declare that not one of the governments with which he had been in communication, ever expressed a doubt of the consequence of the West India colonies to this country, whether as regarded its commerce, its naval and military strength, or its revenue. Certainly in later times thine statements had been expressed with less energy than formerly ; but still Mr. Pitt, Lord Liverpool, Mr. Canning, and every Minister antecedent to to the present had admitted the vast importance of these colonies. It was with astonishment therefore that he saw the attempt which was now making to subvert a system of legislation which had been so eminently successful in developing the resources of the colonies, and in strengthen ing the power of this country. If he might venture to express an opinion concerning the origin of this evil, he shou'd say that it sprung from those notions respecting political economy which had of late becoMe so prevalent, and which seemed to inculcate that we were to seek our gre 'test benefits in giving away the best thin k s we had.— (Cheers and laughter.) Why were we to do this in order by possibility to gain something in exchange which might again by another possibility be equal in value to us. For this chance it was all the whole interests of the country had been given up, and new sources of prosperity endea voured to be formed. He much feared that that search would be vain, and that in attempting to seize that which we had not, we should lose the substantial good we pos sessed. In what manner is the West India interests now threatened ? It is threatened with internal interference by panics at a distance, utterly ignorant of its condi tion. We had a great authority, which had said, any attempt to take the regulation of the Colonies out of the hands of those in which they were placed in the legis lative assemblies, who, by the bye, were persons who lived among the black population, and were well acquainted with all their interests and motives of action, in order to place it in the hands of any branch of Government at home, would he to insure the doing of that ill which at present was done well. This was the senti ment of no less a man than the present Lord Chancellor. (Hear.) Now what was going on lately had very much the character of that which Lord Brougham stigmatised in so expressive a manner. He might nut, indeed, use his words, but he was sure of his meaning. He would not, •slter the able arguments that had been used in support of resolutions, which were moderate, and founded in truth and fact, detain the meeting by attempting to add mu, h ; but there w.s one tli:trg which, from his expet i ence, lie might perhaps be permitted to state. It ap peared to him that it had not been sufficiently impressed upon the meeting hitherto—namely, that the danger was not sufficiently apparent.—( Hear, hear.) It hung over the nation, Ind , ed, far more imminently than they were aware of. A West India estate could not endure after a certain degree of injury was inflicted upon it. They were now approaching to the extremity of their means, and when the time came that these means were totally ex hausted—when of necessity the estate should be aban• Boned, then it was that the trading interests of this coun. try would feel the immense loss they hail sustained, and the grievous folly thy had been guilty of. Then it was that every tradesman would feel—who, al , though he did not now receive so much as he had been accustomed to receive, still got his orders to a certain extent. But he would tell them that what they now received was the faintest of the efforts of a dying man ; and the very tradesmen were in imminent danger of losing the very /shadow of that mart of advantage which they had so long enjoyed. He would apologise for having d.-rained the meeting so long. He only regretted that his ability had nut kept pace with his zeal.—(Cneers.) He concluded by leading the resolution. The Hon. Gentleman then sat down amidst loud cheers. Mr. CARRINGTON rose to second the resolution. No person in the meeting sympathised more than he did with the sentiments expressed by those cheers towards his Hon. Friend who had just sat down. That sentiment originated in A knowledge of the experience and able manner in which that gentleman had discharged both his public and private duties.—(Cheers.) It was founded on the convic tion that all felt of the able assistance which the West India body and the Government had received during a long course of years from the exer tions of that gentleman. lie knew that in addressing the meeting, be should have some difficulty in fixing Attention upon one particular topic where there were so many, all bearing upon one object ; but having been requested to second the resolution, he would perform that duty as shortly as possible. In looking over the resolutions he did not meet with one which bore more immediately on the object for which they were assembled than the present most important one. The first part of it said that the conduct of Great Britain towards her West India colonies has neither been consistent with the prin ciple laid down in the Parliamentary Resolutions of 1823, nor with that spirit of justice and conciliation so necessary to the attainment of any national object. Now what was the principal object of their meeting but to endeavour o find some means of relieving themselves, by sugges tions which might be made to them, and to place their situation 10-fore the public in a clear point of view, so as to prove that they had just grounds of complaint, and that they did not intend needlessly nor improperly to arrest or impede the measures of Government, He, for one, having a to collection of the spirit for Which Mr. Canning's resolutions of 1823 were passed, , had no hesitation in declaring the policy of the Government for some time past, particularly the issuing of the Orders in Council, was wholly at va riance with the spirit of those resolutions. He knew that those resolutions were iutetoled to be conciliatory, and were founded upon a clear understanding, and the avowal of Mr. Canning, that Government would pot close their conviction }at to pa/aeons given in a spirit of fair argument. great statesman slid it was impossible so to modify accepted the code of laws as t o b e immediately by the colonies. But supposing it w e r e other wise suP the Orders in Council were as wise as i t was possible to to make them, how could the Government reconcile the important fact that not only one Order in Council, tut more than one ; bad been issued purporting to be a test of Mr. Canning's resolutions, yet declaring that the former Orders in Council were not wise, and indeed superseded? The first leading clause of the Order in Council was to have the effect of breaking down and destroying the spirit of Mr. Canning's resolutions. He begged the meeting to recollect that every thing depended on a proper consideration of those Orders in Council. A code of laws had been issued to certain ceded colonies, with a mandatory circular to have them immediately put into execution. Of those colonies he did not wish to speak-. He wished only to state what be knew to be true, that it was declared by the Government that the Order in Council lest issued was not a conciliatory hut a coercive measure. He could not help alluding to the spirit which was to be found in these Order!. Surely their cause was a just One, particularly if they proved that the ()refers were not the resolutions of Parlia ment or legal enactments, but w holly at varience with the resolutions of 1523, by which the Par liament was bound.—(Cheers.) So opposed were these Orders to the resolutions of 1823, thee there were SO (will clauses in them, which, like Abernethy's Blue Pill, were suited to every constitution.—(Cheers and laughter.) What was the situation of the West India colonies at this moment He would say nothing of those recent c.laniities which had plunged so many indi viduals in misery and distress; but he asked in what a cruel situation nere those Monies which had received an intimation from Government, when they were told they should not, on the spirit of Mr. Canning's resolutions, that they should not give any reason for a mere compliance of the orders in Council, but that they should adopt them litereily and immediately. They refused to hear any reasons against them, asserting that they knew better what was good for them than the planters themselves. It was certainly the most monstreue cruelty that ever was imposed on a people. That they originated from good motives they did not deny but it had been the greatest error that ever was committed, and would be produc tive of the greatest evil. What he had just stated he could authenticate by letters that were then: in his pocket, in which he hid the most positive assurances that all his resources would be sufficient to meet the demands of his estates. He felt himself in a situation which he could not describe. He felt that he was subject to something, he knew not what, but the effect of which would he utterly to d.stroy his proper ty, to dry up all his sources of supply, to annihilate every motive to industry and almost to quenchevery feeling of humanity.—. (Cheers.) He therefore implored the meeting to adopt some suggestions to the Government by winch the evil now In such rapid progress might be stayed.—(Hear, hear.) The authorities iu the colonies were told they were not to deliberate even upon any clause of the Orders, but instantaneously adopt the whole. When he recol lected the consultations he had had with the late Mr. Carmine upon this subject—when he recollected the conferences he had had on the subject with the Noble Lord in the chair, he could not but suppose the Orders of the Council had issued upon a spirit totally ad verse to any former policy of the country. This being so, the resolution now before the meeting stood upon strong grounds, and the meeting might go back with confidence to the Council and ask for a revision of the Orders which had been issued. If be accurately understood anything of what had taken place in the co lonies, all the proceedings had been in direct opposition to the Orders.—(Hear, hear.) They had been con sidered against all justice, and contrary to the good policy of this country. It was evident, there fore, that the Orders would have to be rescinded or re vised, or, at all events, that there would have to be a Parliamentary inquiry into the subject.—(Cheers.) Parliamentary Inquiry had been asked for before—this had occeeioned delay ; and tLe Council had said, that in consequence of this delay in the promulgation of the orders, ample opportunities had been afforded for collecting all necessary information, and in the end the orders were such as ought forthwith to be circulated and acted upon. The orders had been issued, and he, for one, declared, that if those orders were to continue anti to be acted upon, the property he had in the West Indies would assuredly he no longer worth holding. Similarly circumstanced would most of the individuals in that room be, and then it would be for this country to con sider how they were to frame such poor laws as would support the starving population, both in this country and the West Indies. He accordingly seconded the resolu tion.—Carried unanimously. Lord SALTOUN, in moving the seventh resolution, said that it truly described the effects of the clamour which had been raised against the West Indian interest. Unfortunately a species of hostility had for some time existed between the Government and the par ties which this meeting represented. The effect of that had been most disastrous in more respects than one, for it lead prevented any one from lending them a shilling on their property, although their produce had not fallen off in quantity, or prices materially changed. He imputed no improper design to those who had rased this clamour, but whether their objects had been political, re ligious, or philanthropic, the effect had been such as he had mentioned. Without, after they hal been detained so long, going into further detail, he begged to move the seventh resolution. Sir Enseuven HYDE EAST seconded the resolution. Thi s was the most serious question which had been agitated in this country for a century past.—( Hear, bear.) He came forward as a West India proprietor to express his concurrence in this resolution. He thought this question of too greet import ance to he decided by clamour, or indeed any thing but the principle of Justice, equity, and sound national policy. Clamour had, as they all knew, unfortunately interposed in the decision of this question. He entirely acquitted the individuals who originally had brought the subject before the public of improper motives, but, unfortunately, in the course of these discussions, they had been induced to set forth circumstances and opinions which had undoubtedly raised the clamour of which they now had to complain. It was not merely of those parties they had to complain, but of the Government, the Parliament, and the people, who, yielding up their better judgments, had given way to this clamour, and acted against them. He did not wish to take up the time of the meeting, but there was one point of the utmost importanc e which he could not but advert to. It was, what must be the practical effect of continuing a system which went to the utter destruction of the:West Indian colonies ? (Hear. ) Those who had first raised this question, had urged that the slave trade was in itself a great abomi nation, and next, that the slaves were not preperly treated in the\Vest Indies. In comequence of these assertions, those mea sures had been taken which bad brought on the present crisis. Let them uow consider the consequences of the next step they took. The West Indian colonies were now on the verge of destruction—(Hear, hear, hear)-- and nothing but the strong arm of public opinion could rescue them from it. Tbe next step might plunge them into the gulf that yawned to receive them. The effect,of this clamour had been to ward,other countries, and they had in consequence completely . stocked themselves with slaves—indeed, they had overstocked themselves, so that the effect of the clamour had been directly the reverse of what its originators contemplated—increasing the mi series and horrors of the slave Uncle sixfold, instead of conducing to the happiness of the African race. When, therefore, the destruction of the British West Indian colonies was completed, those foreign colonies which had been active in this proscribed trade, would reap all the benefit of our forbearance, and supply this country with colonial produce. He_ heartily con certs.' in this resolution. The resolution was put and carried unanimously. The Hon. Mr. LASCELLES rose for the purpose of pro posing the Bth resolution. In doing so be considered that he ought to apologise for having taken upon hiinselt a duty which BO many gentlemen present were much noire able to perform. The Resolutions referred to a declaration made by Lord Goderich, and af terwards repeated by Lord Althorp, that any future mea sure with respect to the West Indies was to be based on the prin iples of the order that had been issued from the Council-office. He could not hut state to the present meeting a fact which was notorious to them all, that the West India in terest had long laboured under the most severe distress, and when not only the West Indies, but the whole of England, had made themselves h ear d, both by Ministers and Pat liament—(H ear )— an d when they had forced them to adopt some legislation en the sub ect. Government had told them that they would give them !diet; but that it should ba accompanied by a sort of intimation. He would not say it was done for the purpose of throwing obloquy on them, but by a sort of insinuation against them.—(Cheers.) Instead of adopt ing this course, which threw the West India Proprietors into contusi n and difficulty, he should have thought it much better policy on the part of Government to have remo ved all difficulties they 'night labour under. The lion. Gentleman concluded by proposing the Bth resolution. W. R. ELLICE, Esq , seconded the resolution, and hoped that it wolf(' meet with the same cordial appro bation that had hailed the preceding on " . The resolution was put to the meeting by the Chair man, and by him declared to be carried unanimously. Mr. R. Dolmas, M.P. in moving the ninth resolution, paid that he was well aware that it would ill become him to trespass at any great length on the attention of the meeting a fter the may powerful arguments that had bee" adduced in favour of the subject for which the meeting bad been convened. He came here totally unconnected with any West India interest. He derived no portion of income from any connexion with that country; but such were his feel ings on the present subject, and such was the duty he con sidered he owed to his country, that lie could not refrain from addressing the meeting, on being asked to propose this resolution. The resolution which he had to propose for the adoption of the meeting was the ninth. He felt the absolute necessity of maintaining the possession of the West India Colonies, and all that he asked for those injured and depressed colonies was, what every individual in this country would expect if his pro perty was to be taken from him—namely, that strict justice be done to him. No person was more anxious than he was to ameliorate the condition of the slaves in the West Indies ; but he should con- Sider it unworthy of any Englishman, or any person who held a title to property by rights as secure as pro perty was in this country—he should consider it derogo tary if they accepted relief only on the condition that they complied with the orders iu Council.—(Cheers.) Mr. Alderman THOMPSON, in seconding the Reso lution, congratulated the present meeting on its great numbers and respectability. On no occasion had he ever witnessed so numerous a body, and to his mind the present occasion was one justly calling for such an assemblage, end requiring the deliberate attention which had been given to it that day.—(Hear, hear.) He would remind the meeting that probably on the result of that day's proceedings would depend, not only the well-being of the the colonies, but that of this country. From those colonies England had derived her wealth, importance, and in fluence as a nation.—(Hear.) He considered the Orders in Council of Novembe last inconsistent with the reso- lutions proposed by Mr. Canning and passsed by Parliament in 1523. He believed that as far as his information went, the West India planters had with alacrity and the best possible feeling given effect to those resolutions. And who were the defaulters ? the Executive Government of the county. What were these resolutians? They had been alluded to frequently, and it was right they should go forward to the punlic in their expressed terms that though determined, but at the same time judicious and tempetrate enforcement of the measures recommended, such an improvement should be effected in the slave population as would fit them fora participation in the privileges in- . . joyed by other of his Majesty's subjects, but did it not re quire time to mature the fruits of education ? Did it not require time to teach the children the obligations they were under to their master, the King, andGoverntnent ? When those fruits were ripe, it would be time enough to come forward and propose alterations in the treatment of the slaves in the West India Colonies, but in pre• sent circumstances their interference would only increase the alarm, anxiety, and ruin, which was now apparently gathering over the colonies. It would be unpardonable of him, alter so many hours discussion, to trespass longer on the attention of the meeting, but he would say as an humble individual, and as a Member of the House of Commons, he would use his best efforts to obtain for their cause at least a fair and impartial hearing, and if the subject was only fairly considered, and fully investigated, sure he was the result would he very differ ent from what the Government by their Orders in Council seemed to contemplate. He concluded by seconding the resolution, which was then put by the Chairman, and car ried unanimously. Lord RKAY then moved the 10th resolution. Mr. COIN' LE felt that it was unnecessary to say any thing in support of this resolution. In the extremity of colonial distress there was great necessity for relief. Ile was h imself a possessor of pro perty in the West Indies, and with all his different opportunities of forming an opinion, his convic tion was, that independent of all danger and dig tress arising from the political situation of the colonies the pressure from inadequacy of price for their staple commodities had for the last three years been so great that many estates could not produce sufficient to defray the expenses that were necesarily incurred by their cultivation. It would become necessary then for this county to choose one of two things. The colo nies must either be driven out of cultivation, or the public must give such relief as would produce that degree of improvement in the price, Ti would enable the planters to meet the necessary expenses of cultiva tion. The destruction of the cultivation of the West India colonies would not be limited only to one department but would operate on all branches, and spread extensively over all the colonies. So great a decrease. for ex ample in sugar would be the result of this destruction of the cultivation, that its price would reach a famine price, and it would be impossible to make up the de ficiency of supply in less than ten 3 ears. And one million of slaves would require to be transported to the Brazils, in order to make up the deficiency. It was for the sugar consumers to interfere in this matter. It was their interest as well as the interest of the planter to increase the price of sugar, or ultimately they would be completely deprived of it. He then seconded to resolution. Mr. WARD, in moving the eleventh resolution, said, he might be asked, why, during the period he represented the city in Parliament be had not expressed himself on the subject—his best answer would be, that during the period he was there, while he could always obtain an abundance of current statements and speculative opinions, lie could arrive at no well-established facts. It was in order to obtain these facts, and place them in the proper light, that he venturned to request their co operation and assistance in passing that resolution.— (Hear, hear.) He deemed it necessary that the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, should be placed before the attention of the public, because passion bad been excited, and because there existed a class of persons in the country who, whatever their intentions might be, thought that the end fully justified the means.—(Hear, hear.) He hoped the time would not be long before con fidence would be established in some degree ; but till that time, it would be totally impossible for capital to be productive.—(Hear, bear.) The county would re main with abundance of estates, but with no means of raising a shilling upon them. Alderman COPELAND seconded the resolution, and de precated any interference by Government with the treat ment of the slaves. The planters were the only adequate judges of what was proper or expedient in that matter. Mr. NICHOLSON, a person in the Hall, then addressed the meeting. He stated that he was no West India pro- prietor, but as a trader iu London, and as a consumer of sugar, he felt himself called upon to say a few words.—(Hear, hear.) The intereAs of England were identified with tl owe of the West India - Colonies ; bot he complained that while the meeting had passed re solutions declaratory of evils to which they were subjected, and of evils that they were sustaining, they had suggested no remedy to improve their condition. It was his in tention, therefore, to propose a resolution on the subject. If the people of England did not come forward and iden tify their case with that of the West India planters, they should shortly have no interests left. As a consumer of sugar, with 20 millions of people, he gave it as his opinion, that if the West India proprietors understood their own interests, they would adopt measures to create double the detn.ind for the sugar; and in consequence the exporta tion of Blitisli manufactures would be doubled. It be came their duty, therefore, to appeal to the people of England to support them, and meetings should be hell in every town in the kingdom for the same object. (Cheers.) If he were to go into the subject of the importation of tea, he could show that the people of England did not use upon an average half an ounce per day each ; but if they consumed 30 millions of pounds of sugar annually, he would ask, that supposing the duty on it and cuff e to be reduced one-half, would it not greatly increase the con sumption? Look at the consumption of coffee ;it was now ten times the amount that it was when the duty was double the present amount. It was their duty to show to the Government, not that the country could afford to lose 8,000,0001. a year, but t , ) prove that they would get 10,000,0001. or 12,000,0001. where they now got 8,000,0001. besides greatly improving the condition of the people, and greatly increasing the exportation of manufactures. Therefore he would pro pose, as a resolution, that in furtherance of the object of relief to the West India interests, such measures should he adopted as would supply the British consumer at a cheaper rate, would increase the demand and pro mote the shipping interest; and that it would be expedient to reduce by one half the duties on hemp, timber, and every article used in building ships, on tea, coffee, sugar, cocoa, and other articles of general consumption— Then, and not till then, would they be able to com pete with the whole world ; and he was of opi nion that if some suggestions were not adopted by the London merchants, Liverpool would be London in twenty years, and London would sink into a village. Already were Liverpool, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Glasgow looking fur an opportunity of rising to greater eminence through the indolence of the London merchants. He was of ()pinion that if their eleven resolutions went throull the world, as the resolutions of the trades and shopkeepers of London, that they would be in sufficient without the adoption of some such resolution as that which he had proposed, and he therefore called upon the meeting to adopt it as unanimously as that eleventh, with which it did not at all interfere.--(Hear, hear.) A Gentleman, whose name we could not learn, seconded the resolution. The Noble CHAIRMAN baying read the resolution, said that the lion. Gentleman who bad moved it might feel assured that the meeting were greatly o!iliged to him for his attention and zeal in behalf of the West India interests, and he might be as well convinced as he (the Chairman) was, that that gentleman's intention was solely to promote the West India interests. But he (the Chairman) suggested that the most prudent course would be to withdraw the resolution.—( Hear, hear, hear.) The eleven reso lutions which had been passed had for their object to lay before his Majesty's Government end the country, the distresses experienced by the West India interests generally, and to suggest some relief to be granted directly from the Govern ment of this country. There their cause rested all hut to re quest the Parliamentary inquiry to prove to mankind the truth or falsehood of those assertions which had been made against the West India body, and ❑pon that examination either to recommend legislative mea sures, or to adopt any other means to forwad their object. The resolutions were, therefore, limi ted to a representation of their case. It was true that many of the things which were given in detail were already known to the Government, and the propositions made by Mr. Nicholson's resolution, regarding a reduction of duties, were also known to the Government, and there could be no doubt that if they could afford, consistently with the public credit, to reduce taxation, the effect would be to in crease the consumption of the articles, and to increase the happiness of the people.--(Hear, bear, hear.) With no objection to the contents of the resolution, he would put it to the discretion of the gentleman whether he would insist in having it put. It did not form part of tie business of the meeting, and it would be hett-r,r ether than open so large a field as that resolution would do, for him to rest satisfied with having stated his •iews, and to know they were appreciated as coining from the best motives, and the soundest principles.—(Cheers, and cries of, " Withdraw !") Mr. NICHOLSON said the power was out of his hands ; he had launched his vessel, the sailors were the meeting, and they would say whether they would protect her or not.—(Cries of " No. ") For himself he had no interest in the subject, but that of having done what he thought was right.—(Hear.) If the meeting. however, considered it better for him to withdraw the resolution, he had not the slightest oljection to it.— (Cheers, and cries of " Withdraw !") The CHAIRMAN then said, with Mr. Nicholson's per mission, he would consider the resolution was withdrawn. Mr. SINCLAIR said that in rising to propose the 12th resolution and to make the 25th speech, it was ne ces•ury that he should be very brief; therefore he would detain the meeting with a very few observations. We had now arrived at a most eventful crisis with respect to our colonies and their prosperity. The vestion now was whether the colonies were to be relieved, or were to be allowed to go to complete ruin us they had been doing fur some time. He would say no more than that he would give the measure his most decided support in another place,—he meant in his place in the House of Commons. He then proposed the resolu tion to the effect " That petitions founded on these reso lutions be presented to his Majesty and to both Houses of Parliament. Jolts{ Rae REID, Esq., rose to second the resolution, and, as he was a man of business, be would at once come to the point; therefore, without going into detai:s, he cordially seconded the resolution, which was then put, and carried unanimously. Mr. BURGE then rose and said, that the proposed series of resolutions having now been gone through, it fell to his duty to propose one more, viz., that of a motion of thanks from the meeting to their Noble Chairman for his sanction of their proceedings by his presence. He had most cordially approved of all the resolutions and senti ments which had been agreed to and delivered that day, and was happy that the meeting had been so unanimous on the subject, for union was strength. He held an official situation in one of the colonies, so he had thought it better not to offer himself to the notice of the meeting till their sentiments had been delivered, as then it could not be said that the meeting was biassed by any one closely connected with the colonies. There was now one duty which he would have to perform, that was to write to his constituents a notice of the unanimity which had prevailed at that meeting, where their interests were the topic of discussion. It would give them a great deal of satisfaction to know that their case hid excised so much sympathy, that even the spirit of party had been laid aside, and all had agreed that the in terest of the Colonist should be protected. It was now his duty to propose that a .vote of thanks be presented to the Noble Chairman, who, by his temper and ability, had given the meeting the character of a de liberative asssmhly. The Hon. Gentleman then proposed his resolution, to the effect—" That the thanks of the meeting be given to Lord Harewood, for the temper and ability which he had shewn, as chairman of that meeting. Mr. BRIGHT rose to second the resolution. He did not think it necessary, after what bad taken place—the unanimity which had prevailed. The meeting were most deeply indebted to the Noble Chairman, and he had no doubt but that this resolution would pass with u much unanimity as the others. The resolution was passed amidst acclamation. Lord HARIMOOD britfiy returned thanks, when the meeting broke up. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT THIS EVENING. HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord KING presented a petition from a National Politi• cal Union, the name of which was nut read, praying for Parliamentary Reform. Ilis Lordship s lid, that be knew not whether it was fortunate or the reverse, that so few Reform petitions were presented to that House. He ima gined that the fact arose from a confidence which the people had in the Bill being passed by the Peers, and he had fears that this could not be considered as a favourable symptom of a good result. The Mutiny Bill was read a second time. Lord KING presented a petition front a parish in Ire land, praying for an abolition of tithes. Lord GODERICH presented a petition from a Society of London in favour of the abolition of negroe slavery. The Earl of WINCHILSEA presented a petition from Oakhainpton against Reform. Lord RODEN presented a petition front Antrim against the new system of national education in Ireland. The Bishop of BATH and WELLS presented a pe tition from the inhabitants of Illarylebone against colo nial slavery. With the greater part of the prayer of the petition he agreed ; but with one part of it, namely, a pat t that prayed for the entire abolishment of slavery forth with, he could not concur—he did not think that this would be calculated to produce a happy result. The Bishop of EXETER presented a pAition from Newtown-Abbot, in the county of Devon, against the net•, Irish system of education. Lord SUFFIELD presented a petition from the Inhabi tant Householders in London and Westminster, expressive of their satisfaction of the Bill which had been introduced into the other House of Parliament, relative to the ill-treatment of cattle, and praying their Lordships would give the subject their serious attention when it came before them. He was quite sure they would, and therefore abstained from occupying time in discussing the matter now. The Liverpool anti Manchester Rail-way Bill was read a third time anti passed. The Earl of WINCHILSEA wished to know front the Noble Earl at the head of his Majesty's Government whether any report had been received from the commis sioners of the new system of education in Ireland whether any applications had been made, and if there bad been any advance made by Government in favour of the new system. Earl GREY, as we understood him, said no such official report had been received, as to enable Goveenment to lay it befi,re the House. Several applications had been made, but no advance. The Scotch Cholera Bill, the Marine Mutiny Bill, and several others passed through Committee.—Adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. At Four o'clock the SPEAKER took the chair, and counted the House. Only 18 Members were present, and the ad journment of the House therefore stood over till to-morrow. GLOUCESTER. ASSIZES, APRIL 3. Sarah Mills, aged 2.5, was charged with picking the pocket of John Burrowes of two .54 bank notes, and seven sovereigns and half a guinea.—Prisoner Was acquit►ed. Elizabeth Parker, a cyprian, was charged with having stolen from the person of Daniel Cole, on the 21st of March last, at Tetbury, five sovereigns, five half-sovereigtw,", and two .si. bank notes, his proper►y. Mr. Justice TAUNTON summed up the evidence, and the prisoner was found Guilty. The Learned Judge sentenced her to be trans ported for life. SPIRIT OF THE:PUBLIC TOURNALs. We believe that we may sincerely con - gtatulatc the country on a probable creation of Peers by Gazette of to-morrow—an earnest of the power and decision of the Ministry to settle the great question of Reform. . The number may be considered by the Reformers as some-: what limited, but it will revive and substantiate' their confidence in Lord Grey. The discretiOn of the Premier may justify the delay of a larger creation at the present moment, and the small number will be an equitable and judicious hint to the Anti-Reform Peers, that his Majesty will not palter with the rights of his People. We have reason to believe that the following No blemen and Commoners will form part of the first list : Marquis of Douglas. Lord Seymour. Lord F. Osborn Baron D'Arcy. Mr. Portman Baron of Bryanatoii. Lord Headley. Earl of Llandatr Baron Matthew. Earl of Traquair Earl of Dundon a ld Earl of Dunraven Baron Dunraven. Sir F. Godmanston Sir 'l'. Lennard Baron Brentwood. Mr. Leigh Mr. G. 1). Gilbert Baron Restormel. . Sir J. St. Aubyn ... Baron Penzance. All these creations will comprise men of high family, and large property, whose public princi ples are well known to the country. Mr. Chan dos Leigh, of Stoneleigh Abbey, in Warwick shire, is least known in public politics ; he is the representative of the dormant barony of Leigh, one of the largest landed proprietors in the kingdom, and is a gentleman of liberal opi nions and of high personal character and accom plishments. Sir John St. Aubyn possesses the same requisites. We believe we may confidently assure our readers that the Cabinet is determined with the full approbation and consent of the King, not only to secure the first stages of the Bill, but to preserve the integrity and essentials of the tneasure. We repeat, that the responsi bility of Lord Grey is more grave and eventful than ever rested on any European Minister. Po lignac overturned a dynasty in one hour, Lord Grey may in a moment preserve by moral cou rage and energy the Constitution of his country. The fury of the Tory Press against the just exercise of the prerogative is an index of the fears and despair of the Anti-Reformers ; they know that a liberal creation will extinguish cor ruption—hence their abhorrence of the antidote. The Tories indulged in the same confident and mistaken predictions against the pending disso lution of the preceding Parliament ; but it never theless occurred, and achieved its righteous ob ject. We exhort the Anti-Reform Peers to open their eyes to the utter hopelessiless of their contest ; we exhort the " Waverers" who have just stept knee-deep into the Rubicon, boldly to pass it. If the boroughmongers and their few disinterested adherents could defeat Lord Grey, by faction and intrigue, could they overcome the people ? Impossible ! Corrup tion stands before the country a wrinkled, de formed, and derided harlot ; she can no longer seduce by her blandishments or frighten by her terrors. From all parts we hear of the sullen determination of the people to carry the measure out of doors, if it cannot be achieved within. The large manufacturing towns are stated to be in a course of active com munication, arranging for a suspension of all work, if the Bill is rejected a second time I We cannot approve or justify these plans ; they might end in irrevocable revolution, and extreme national misery ; but can it be matter of surprise ? The constant and reported popular tumults in a neigh bouring country form a solemn warning to the British Aristocracy. The author of the pam phlet on The Prerogative of Creating Peers emphatically observes, " Change does not break up Governments, but opposition to . change brings them to ruin and decay." The question everywhere asked, and nowhere answered, is— will the Bishops now vote against the Bill ? Verily he will be an heroic Prelate, and have exceeding faith in his establishnzents, who, from lack of apprehension, or a romantic taste for "consistency," shall repeat his vote against the will of the Monarch—the people, the Ministry, and half the Aristocracy ! We put confidence in the sagacity, at least, of the Right Reverend Prelates : they know too well the Scripture his tory and fate of the swine, who, " possessed with the devil," rushed down the precipice and perished.—Morning Chronicle. THE MARKETS. COAL MAR PM' Ton. Beaumont .. 17s. Od. Bensham Main 16 6 18 6 Kenton West ..,,..»...,..., 18 6 Killingworth 19 6 Ord's Itedhugh 16 6 1 anfield Townley , 17 6 Wylam l9 0 Walls End Boundary 18 6 Ditto Ile.ll,ltobson,&Co. '2O 3 Ditto Bewicke and Co. '22 0 Wal6 End Ca Horton 17 6 Ditto Clarke and Co. 19 0 Ships arrived since last market-day, 4. KET.-April 4. Per Ton. Walls End Heaton...... 225. 6d, Walls End Hilda 20 0 Walls End Newman:li 20 9 Northumberland D W Ditto t a t l o l s 6 20` End Riddell 's_ a U 3 Walls Knd Hetton 24 3 Walls End Lyons 21 6 Walls End Adelaide—. 22 0 Walls End Tees et; 6 Cewpen 17 6 Graigola Hartley _ _ LEWES I %lARKEl'.—April 3. White Wheat (per quarter).............X3 0 0 to £3 5 0 Bed ditto 2 18 0 3 2 0 Barley__.. --,.100 1 6 0 100 1 2 0 1 15 0 1 17 0 12 0 U per thousand. Oats, New Oil Cake. New. BULL MARKET—ApriI 3. Wheat, Old —s 565. 58s. ...... Nuw —s. 545, 565. Foreign —s. 50s. 545. ln bond... —s. —s. —s. Oats, Poland —a. 1201. 226 Old —s. —a. 246. Small or Feed.... —a. 16s. `_'Os —s. —B. --4. Foreign —s. 168. 18s Barley, Norf. & Sut ... —is —s. —s. Like. St Wold —.6. 34s 365. Foreign Beans 3os. 32 , 345. Foreign —s. 366. 38s. Pease, White —s. 365. 4i , s. Grey —s. —.6. -- 4 . 'Fares Rapeseed, in bond none. Free, par lAst --1. titil. 271. CHELTENHAM MARKET.—ApriI 3, Per Bushel. s. d. to s. d. Pet lb. d. to d• Wheat Barley 4 0 5 6 Mutton .................. 6 ‘,7 0 Outs 4 0 4 3 Veal ...................... 7 r Beans Pease 5 0 7 0 Lamb Hcv 0 0 3/. lOs to 3/. ls s. Od. per ton. .KETS.—March 28. DUMFRIES MA. s. d. s, d. Wheat, Imp. Bush 6 9 to 7 0 B u tt er, 16oz ....... • ..... s 0 ( 0 1. to ll O .d tj Barley ......... :3 9 4 0 Eggs, dozen ...... ....... 0 0 0 0 Oats Kour, tub.l 04' 0 b Oatmeal BIRTH. On the 4th in it. th e Lady Caroline F . Maxse, of a sort and heir MARRIED. On the 3d inst. a t S t. Giles's Coerwell, Henry Weston, Esq.. of Camber we ll , to Eleanor, d aug ht er'of the late J. Wetherell , Esq., of the same place. On the 4th inst. at St. Pancras, George Alfred Green, Esq., 10 Jane Buckley, eldest daughter of the late Kennett Dixon, Esti' of Finsbury -square. On the 3d inst. at Cowley, near Cheltenham, 11...bartfte, only son of th e R ev. Nathaniel Forster, M. k.. Vfehr of Wes , Mersea, E ssex, and a Magistr . te far that enmity, to Ann, third daughter of the latelt;charci Humphries, E sq , , of Cowley. DIED. On the 2Sth ult. at Normantoli, Leicestershire, Richard Ark , Wright, jun., Esq. On the 2d inst. at I eytonstone House, Essex, in the 74th year of her age, Sarah, relict of the late Robert Rich, Esq , of Dock' head place, Bermondsey. On the 3d inst. Mr. Daniel Robinson, of Regent-street, wine• merchant, in the 3.2(1 year of hie age. On the 3d inst, atter a few days' illness, of erysipelas, the Bev. George Clark, of Ponder's-end, aged 3d. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED nti• MURDO YOUNG, AT THli SUN OFFICE, 112, STRAND. LONDON. I 1