The Express.
London, England, 1862-11-20 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 20, 1862.

4'

THE DISTRESS IN lANCASHIRL

PUBLIC MEETING AT MANCHESTER.

men, and will only be able to struggle through the crisis
with difficulty. That undoubtedly some manufacturers
and others who are men of enormous wealth have dam

Yesterday a publia meeting was held in the comparatively nothing towards the relief of the present
Towinhall, Manchester, for the purpose of taking into distress, though in comparison with the whole community
consideration the distress eliding in the mmtufansuring these men are • small minority, and it is manifestly unjust
districts, sad the propriety of taking steps to institute a to visit their sins upon the manufacturing districts. Not-
further end more satisfactory canvass of the boroughs of withstanding these facts, which the committee consider
Manchester and Salford for subscriattons in aid of the ought in justice to the district to be made public, the mom
central filed established for the relief of that distress. unites is also of opinion that the time has arrived for more
There was a large attendance. In the abeam of the Mayor, vigorous and systematic efforts throughout the whole coon•
who is ill, the r
was taken by Mr. GOADASY, the ex. try, to raise funds to meet the rapidly increasing distress,
and especially dtuieg the inclemency of the winter months."
mayor. Ainoupt the gentlemen present were—Mr. Bade),
M.P., Mr. Malcolm Rees, Mr. Robert Gladstone, Mr. Thos. After hearing those statements, he thought the meeting
Clegg, Mr. Hugh Birley, Mr. W. R. Callender yen.,
Mr. sen., Mr. would agree with him in the opinion that the trade had
W. IL Callender, jun., Mr. Henry Rawsoa, Dr. 'W
done well mid liberally, and he now called upon the whole
Alderman Mackie, Mr. Alex. Ireland, Mr, J. M. Machin, surrounding district to do its duty. He doubted not that in
and the Mayor of Salford, the main the spirit of generosity that had been witnessed in
times put in Lamushire would again prevail. There *as
, The CHAIRMAN, after apologising for the unavoidable
one important fact connected with the supply of labour to absence of the mayor, said that from his own experieuce
this district that he wished particularly to impress upon the
he was warranted in saying that it would be impossible to
attention of the meeting. At • distance, it was assumed that
find • numberof gentlemen more adequate to perform their
the people in the district were an original race that had
duties than those who were now entrusted with the diatri-
bution of the relief fond. The immediate object of the grown up with the trade, which the trade had found there.
meeting was to stimulate the people of Manchester, and and ought now to support ; but the reel truth was that the
of the district generally, to increased exertions in the People there were an aggregation of strangers—(bear, hear)—
realisation of funds with which to relieve the distress of gathered from the east, walk north, and south, and from
the unemployed operatives of the cotton manufacturing every agricultural county in the United Kingdom. These
districts. According to Mr. Farnall'a returns, on the Bth of contributions of the surplus labour of the kingdom had been
Novernl'er theme were 237,000 persons receiving relief in requisite' no doubt, for the prosperity of the cotton trade,
27 unions, being an increase of 13,000 as compared with but at the same time in coming to Lancashire, they had been
the previous week. In addition, there were6.s local commit- relieving the districts whence they came. They had spared
tees, of which 41 were„on the Bth inst., relieving 93,000unem. the poor rates of their respective localities, and perhaps
ployed people, making • total of 330,0110 receiving relief from kept in a more healthy state the wages of the places they
the guardtens °Labe poor and the various local committees, bad left. The first Sr R. Peel, when he was establishing
This number was increasing at the rate of 13,000 per week. one of his large manufacturing concerns about eighty years
Anything more startling or fearfully calamitous history did ago, bad recourse to parish apprentice' to fill his
not record as connected with the manufacturing industry. I mills. There was no question that be thus re-
If it were true, as SUColloch had said. that the raanufac- I tiered the parishes from vast expenditure by
Wring industry of Lancashire fought the battles of the , having unemployed children in the workhouses. Congre-
Peninsular war, then surely the people of Lancashire, in an I gated as the people were from every part of the kingdom,
exigency like the present, arising from no fault of their every part of the kingdom therefore had some interest in
own, had a clear claim, not only upon those immediately the unfortunate condition of the Labouring classes. When
surrounding, but also upon the entire United Kingdom. that question was fairly looked at, it would be seen that
(Applause.) To meet this fearful distress there was on there was a national claim for help. We should have to
Monday last little more than 70,e00/. in hand—a sum appeal to the government no doubt, but he hoped that the
totally inadequate to the necessities of the occasion. (Hear, appeal would be chiefly to induce facilities for the supply
bear.) He agreed with Mr. Cobden that it wan not wise or cotton as early as possible. He saw no greet effort being
on the part of the relief committees to dole out their funds made to remedy the unfortunate scarcity of cotton. We
proportionately to the balance they had to fall back upon had in our own possession lands that in • short time could
when relieving those who were not the normal poor, give us the raw material that would soon restore
but who were desirous of supporting themselves by the to us oar prosperity. (Applause.) Another foundation
force of their own industry and who ought to be treated in for a national claim was the fact that for • series of years
a very different manner from those who never sought to `thecotton districts bad been contributing immenselysto the
assist themselves. (Applause.) On Satunlay morning henational The taxes paid by the
revenue.
went to canvass in a district of spinners and manufacturers, ' districts had exceeded in proportion to population any that
and it was but fair to them to state that he could bear testi- g had been paid by any other pert of the United Kingdom.
mony to the amount of benevoleuce they were expending I For more than • quarter of a century he had been drawing
upon the people recently io their employ. He could prove , the attention of the trade of Lancashire, in season and out
that the largest money contribution yet meet' did not repre- .of season, to the necessity of obtaining supplies of cotton
sent ourefifth of that which single individual., hampered i from cew fields of cultivation. (Cheers.' On a public
with many liabilities, were contributing to prevent distress I
_____ ,occisioase, mall7_l.ol)Brear:la he 'said (and the words
. were
and Ull suffering on the part of their unemployed.. re...rue. both to taanoon provincial Papers) —. Whence
(Applause.) The suggestion made in one of the local papers ', comes the supply of cotton ? An epidemic of disease or of
was the very best yet proposed—he referred to the proposal I revolt may destroy the cotton plantations of America ?Is it
to make weekly °Amu.s in places of worship. There I not the duty of the statesman to ask this question, the
were 27,000 churches and chapels in this kingdom, and' general weal and a large amount of public revenue being
if each contributed 30s. per week that would make a I involved in its" Our slave squadron had cost us nearly •
weekly sum of 40,0001., which would prevent the necessity million sterling per annum for nearly 20 yean. If half
of running to other sources for asaistance. With all the 1 that sum bad been expended in inducing. the cultivation of
aid they could call in, everything would be inadequate to 1 cotton in Africa, in the Britteh Best Indies, or the British
the requirementa of the case, and ultimately they would i West Indies, or other one, we should now have been
have to fall back upon the consolidated fund. (Hear, I totally iodependent orttrAmerican supply. (Hear, hear.)
Lear.) But until parliament met they were entirelyldepen. 'lt must be remembered that cotton was the only
dent upon the charity rod consideration of subscribers. ' lasting relief which the great manufacturing com-
He, therefore, called upon all to give with a liberal hand. I munity could obtain. The landed and' mercantile por •
The Town Clerk (Mr. Heron) read letters of apology for tines of the community were now in the fortunate position
non-attendance from the mayors of Liverpool, Wigan, Old- I of having their property standing at an enhanced value, but
haw, arid from Lord Egerton. I the manufacturing and mill property was standing at a
The CHAIRMAN read the following letter :
I greatly depreciated value, He might, therefore, with per.
I feet propriety ask whether te rich or the p shoul
"My deer Mr. Mayor,—We have had here, during the . t contribute in this exigencyto the relief o distress?
last few days, a foretaste of bitter winter. The snow now m"
i Those among us possessing landed estates of from
lies nearly • foot deep, and the frost is intense. You can '
, 1.000/. to 100,000/. r annum, and whose incomes might
believe me then when I tell you, at such • season, how •
have been Inc 50 per cent. by the cotton industry
deeply I sympathise with my suffering fellow-citisens in bring placed on their property, should do their full share ;
Lancashire. I hear you are about to hold a town's meeting I and the merchants who by the inflated value of their ro-
with the object of increasing the fund in aid of the pre • rt reduced by the it of cotton, had made large
ing distress, and I cheerfully mimed to the application of Pe'y' ph
Id also heir'"r" for he 'of
gains,
aou do utmost e mitigation the
your committee. I shall feel obliged if ou will double the etre.. The millownera as a body were almost as great
amount of my subscription of 500 T., and 1 hope end trust all sufferers as their labourers, and it wee too much to expect
classes will now respond to the call of duty. lo July last
4a.. i that the wasting capital should be still further wasted b
I ventured, through the newspapers, to
- offer my Pr?'"'" i exertions and contributioos that might he almost super':
against the smallness of the sums subscribed, and their in- , a
adequacy to meet the object. I am glad'°-- find— a I ottrnall.
Mr. MALCOIJI Ross seconded the resolution. He said
that now these opinions are shared by others, sad ..a •"'
1 teat in many parts of the country the amount of the de-
it is not yet too late to put matters right. , intim, ofropers.. w. but imperfectly understood.
Let the nobility and landed gentry, whose interest rn am
rem carer calculations he could state, that the actual
is greatest in the welfare of the manufacturing districts, I and positive loss of employers of labour in the cotton trade
and whose property has been enormously enhanced in value I
was 130,0001. per week. This was exclusive of depreciation
by the wonderful and rapid development of the cotton I
,of property and interest on capital. Many of the millowners
manufacture, give in proportion to their ability. Their land . were also cottage owners, and they could not—even if they
will be safe after this crisis is over, and when numbers of I dmmed to do eo_distrnin upo their tenants ;pad there
millowners and manufacturers having their capital in mills, was this loss in addition to depureciation of property and
machinery, and cottage property, may have been ruined ; madam ry The position of the millowner, consequently,
and let them remember how rapid is the depreciation of the I dennindeed. their sympathy. He held in his hand the
latter property when the supply of the raw material is cut i balance-sheet of • large firm, giving a statement of the
off. Manufacturers and merchants also must give according 'wilts of the last year and three-quarters. The mill
to their ability ; professional men, and indeed the whole employed about 1,100 hands, and worked on an average
community, according to their means. Thus shall we rain a forty-two hours a week. During the period mentioned
sum that we need not be ashamed of, and then we can with ' the actual loss sustained by this firm was 12,9851., and in
good grace ask national aid. Parliament will doubtlesseeon be this iunount not one penny was charged for interest on
celled together, and probably government aid be granted. capital or depreciation of machinery, the value of the plant
A well-devised scheme of emigration also will, in my beim 80,0001. If the works had been entirely stopped
opinion, have to be then considered, for this cotton difficulty during the period named the expenses would have been for
may last for years, if, as I believe, the two great antagonistic rents,
principles of free labour and slave labour are, by the will of through work mr-
,..— 0., coals,and wages, 6,4301., thus showing a loss '
of 6,5551 , or 721. per week. During this
Providence, to be now brought to issue in the great struggle period there been paid in wages to the workpeople,
going on in America. There is one subject on which I will 33.966/. Out of 1,100 bands there saeh ot been 20 appli-
venture the expression of my opinion, although I hold it to ; cations to the parish for relief. This same firm had a mill in
be almost needless in a public meeting of the men of Mae. I another locality, working the mine titue at • similar lass.
cheater—it is that I trust no one may be misled by the tales I They at present paid wages exceeding 1,000/. per week, and
idea that intervention by force of arms can obtain cotton. i they held property ensued to the poor-rath at 5,0001. per
A friendly remonstrance and an effort to obtain • modifies- , weie, uno,,, which hey were pa n g rates. in the town.
tion of the law of blockade may do good. Let them by all shi Wier-it the distress existed. yu
le addition to all this,
means be tried.—l am, my dear Mr. Mayor, yours very : the ' cipal had eootributed 500/. and the junior partners
truly, J. B. Porrrat—Pitnacree, Dunkeld, Nov. 12." 13001. nnA
statement like this, extracted from the books and!
Mr. BAZZET, PCP., moved the following resolution : i properly endorsed, showed that the cotton trade had not',
" That this meeting, whilst recognising theexertions already ' been so desirable as some bad imagined it to be. He had in
made to Manchester and Salford to meet the pressure of the I his hand • list of came, all of which he applied for, and
existing distress in thecottou districts, is of opinion that I which had the same tendency as the other :—•` A. feeds his
still greater and more systematic effort is necessary to pro. ' hands, 800 in number, at a cost of 801. per week, or 4,160/.
ride for the increasing poverty, resultiug from the continued per annum. B. has from 1,000 to 1,100 hands, and gives in
want of employment. He remarked that no doubt the ins- money and provision 110!. per week, and 241. weekly to a
mediate cause of the distress was the lamentable convulsion 'sewing class ; this equals 6,968/. per year, and the schooling
in America. He regretted exceedingly that on many public :of 42 boys is also paid for, and money is given to
emulous severe censures had been poured forth upon the the support of many old superannuated hands. C.
people of that country which might with great propriety has expended for the workpeople—cash. 1,3401.; bread,
have been left unuttered. We bad had difficulties in our own 2201. • male, 48!. ; total, 1,6881. D. has 2,000 hands, and
country. (Hear, bear.) History told us that we had not entirely employs his idle workpeople. E. has from 1,800
aellieved our greatesse and our political privileges to 2,000 hands, gives • daily dinner to the whole, has
without a desperate struggle. In the state. of taken their clothes out of pawn. has provided much fresh
America, unhappily, there had been the institution ' clothing, and given in addition 1,0001. to the general
of slavery, there bad been partial legislation fund. (Cheers.)has
F. gives in addition to his subscription to the
founded in injustice, and the conflict of slavery on the one Central Relief Fuod-201. per week to the Provident and
baba and protection on the other band resulted in depriving another society—coals and food to 700 hands.—
us of the raw material, without winch our cotton industry No cottage rents have been taken Since the mill stopped ;
could neither flourish nor exist. Shivery was now proved :ClO children are sent to school at the expense of
to have been a most uncertain dependence for our supply of the employer, who pays for them threepence per
cotton. His deliberate conviction was that that institution head per week- (Cheers.) G. glue 501. per month to
was now doomed, and that we could not hereafter obtain cot- ' the fund, and in addition pays wages equal to 230/.
tnn from America to the extent we bail hitherto received it. I per week to his own hands. H. pays to bra hands 1301.
We must not therefore lose sight of the data of finding new per week, in addition to large subscriptions to the general
fields of cultivation. Atehome the cotton industry was fund. I. (a small concern, with limited means), gives from
blighted, our willing workers were deprived of labour, and 10/. to 20!. per week for clothing. J. have arranged to
capital on every hand, where it was fixed and invested in spend 10,1510!. amongst their workpeople as required, be-
cotton manufactures, was muting away. It well true sides foregoing their rent. K. are spending 8001. weekly
that some merchants and speculators who had held very in relieving the wants of their own workpeople. L gave
large stock, of cotton were to • great extent benefited by 500/. to the general fund, and has given in cash, in small
the augnieuted market value of their property, but lodes-' SUM, to workers, upwards of 1,500/., and has also given
try had long ceased to be remunerative, rust the losses that clothing (Cheers.) There were also two caste as strong as
were accruing to these northern counties he did not at this any of those he had named, of which no particulars could
moment choose even to estimate—they were so lame in be given, one of the persons concerned having given
amount. But unless efforta were nim'e for a remedy we 405 sacks of flour within the lest two months.
should have an accumulation of the sufferings that now This gentleman refused to give any information
existed. We must not permit the labourer to suffer to the :as to what he had given, and the fact just men-
extent that would impair his vigour, nor must we allow the ' Honed was only obtained through the dealer who supplied
children to suffer to a degree that would hinder the demi. ' the flour. It was due to the great messes of the community
torment of the future men and women of England. There • that these facts should be known, and they were the hest
had been grievous crirninatious brought against the charged answers to the charges made evilest the Lancashire onll-
- of the people of Lancashire. He did not 1 owners. (Lind cheers.)
wish to nee bard words, becamee when pecuniary charity was The resolution was carried unanimously.
pleaded for, the charity of sentiment ought also to prevail. i Mr. J. W. Madras, the bon. secretary, stated that the
(Hear, hear.) But he aid not hesitate to declare from his subscriptions received from Manchester and Salford up to
own knowledge Hest Professor Kingsley hell been most mac- I last week amounted to 27,000/. • since then 33,0001., making
curate in the statements he bad made in the Times. On the . a total of 60,000/. to be devoted to the general relief. In
other hand, he could refer with infinite pleasure to the manly ' addition to ibis 110,00:01. at least had been obtained by
and eloquent speech of the Hon. Mr. Stanley at Oxford. i various local committees for distribution in Manchester and
The committee of management that had swinged the pro- Salford alone—making a total of 90,000/.
readings of to-day had asked him (Mr. Barley) Co read the , Mr. ROBERT GLADSTONE moved, "net preparatory to a
following report, intended to name extent to correct the' general appeal to the whole country, this meeting calla
calumnies to which he had been referring :—" The corn- upon the inbabitantsof Manchester and Salford for • further
mittee having the arrangements for this meeting report that contribution according to their mums, and resolves to insti-
the mills and cottages, which in many places constitute the tote • thorough canvass." He said that doubtless there
principal property of the district, are liable to the increased were many persons who, although able, never gave at all.
poor rate, although the mills may not be working, nor the The givers to the relief fund might be divided into four
cottages producing any rents ; thus poor rates are extracted classes. Ooe class might be called noregiving, who had
from unproductive property. That, in addition to this extra never learnt the habit of giving, and, consequently, who
burden, many employers are working at a heavy lose were denied its pleasure. The wood class gave by coin.
during a few days in the week, is order to assist pulsion, and when they were appealed to they said,
their workpeople, and others are paying their work- •• let the ratepayer pay the charge ; assess my property
people part wages, though their mills are not and I will pay my quota." A third class refused
working. The following cases are common speci- because they could not accord their approbation to the
mars of hundreds which might be mentioned :—No. 1. A scheme which had been devised for the relief of the
firm in Manchester, mill not working, paying 701. per week distress. But every precaution had been taken to prevent
to the hands, or 3,600/. per annum. No. 2. A firm in imposition ; every application for relief was thoroughly
Salford, buying cotton at the present high prime, and sifted by the committee. (Hear, hear.) The fourth class
workine three days per week, to keep the bands fmm public was, of course, the givers, the number of whom, it was to
relief, besides having disbursed 1,500!. in extra relief to the be hoped, would largely increase now that the real exigencies
workpeople of the coacern. No. 3. A firm in the districts and facia of the case were known. (Applause.)
pays two day. wages to the workpeople, or 2ao/. per week I Mr. HUGH BULLET seconded the resolution. He said that
beteg squid to • contribution of 12,0001. per annum, anti the feeling of sympathy for the distressed—altheugh the
subscribes 600!. per annum to • local relief fund. No. 4. A 1 previous speaker had reminded them that every community
firm in Manchester, employing as many of their hands as' had its churls—was shared by all the United
possible full time, gives three meals a day to the remainder. ' Kingdom, and also by our colonies, as shown by the
None of these firms appear as subscribers to the general i. munificent contributions received from Canada,
fund, and thus what would otherwimi be regarded as print:Nay lndia, Australia, and other colonial possessions. (App--
contributions are unnoticed. That agents in Mae. please.) There had been • considerable outcry against the
charter. of ',pantry manufacturers, have been called , master spinners, and this was measly to be attributed to
=to contribute largely in aid of the several ignorance on the part of those who bad raised it—ignorance
ids where their principals reside. That two of the real state of affairs—and also from the fact that the
firms not of three having warehouses in Mawebestee master spinout bad on previous occasions hese very much
are found to have directly contributed towards the relief overrated. The committee looked not merely to the con-
ed the existing distress in • meaner which does not ap- tributions of the wealthy, but also to assistance from the
pear before the public, and adding these contributioes to most humble individuals. He was acquainted with • case
the public subscriptions of Manchester and Salford the in which the operatives of oseestablishment had voluntarily
total sum raised may be estimated at 250,0001. That • assessed themselves according to their earnings, with the
large station of spinners and manufacturers ars cot wealthy view of raising a certain sum of money to aid their poorer

expected that it will be ready by the end of this week.
The educational school for men is now in full operation.
It is anticipated that in a few days the area of the Corn
Exchaege will be used for a school. The relief committee
have begun to distribute clothing to the poor. To-morrow,
a general meeting will be held for the purpose of inaugu-
rating a third subscription. • The percentage of pauperism
in the union of Preston is 19, and in the township of Preston
20. Upwards of 441 percent of the people in Preston are
relieved by the charitable committee.
CAM BRIDGE.—A numerous and influential meeting
was held in the Town-hall,Ca' mbridge, yesterday. The mayor
presided, and the room was crowded by the inhabitants of
the town of all classes, and several of the parochial clergy.
The absence generally of members of the 'University is ac.
counted fur by the fact that separate arrangements have
been made by that body for raising contributions in aid.
The chairman having opened the prooeedings, Mr. R. M.
Fawcett observed that a great deal had been done already
in Cambridge. Nearly 600/. had been collected in one dis-
senting congregation (baptist), and that had been supple-
mented by a nearly similar sum from various churches.
After expressing doubt as to the policy of retaining so large
a sum by way of balance in hand as that held by the Man-
sion-house committee, ands uggesting that whatever woe
collected in Cambridge ahould be sent off direct to the suf-
fering districts, he concluded by moving a resolution ex-
pregame of sympathy with the distressed operatives in the
cotton districts, and of admiration of the patience and
manly fortitude exhibited by them in their adversity. Mr.
Alderman C. F. Foster seconded the resolution, which woe
carried. The Mayor then announced from the authorities
of the Independent Chapel that a weekly collection had
been there commenced ; that 101. was collected last Sunday,
and they hoped to realise the same sum weekly during the
continuance of the distress. On the motion of Mr. Alder-
man Bales, seconded by Mr. Macaulay, Q.C., M.P., it was
resolved that subscriptions and collections be entered upon,
and a committee formed to canvass the inhabitants. _ _

brethren. The contributions thus raised had been enough
Ito keep the fire burning iu a hundred households. (Ap-
plause.) Painful as this visitation of Providence had been,
it had been the means of bringing about a better and greater
union between all of the country, of which a very
strong evidence could be found in the fact that the outcry
against the master spinner., to which reference had already
been made, had had no effect in alienating the sentiments
of the employers from the employed. (Loud applause.)
Mr. W. M. CALLKNDIR, jar., moved, " That the existing
collecting committee, with power to add to their number,
be authorised to take such steps as they may see fit to in •
crease the funds at the dispmal oft the central committee."
He Muted that the feeling of this meeting and of the
city at large was that before they thought of applying for
government aid every effort should be made, every nerve
should be strained by the population so that not a
peony of the oonsohdated food might be asked for
until every private and public effort had been put forth to
meet this emergency. (Applause.) The subscription lists
would show that the manufacturers were not open to those
charges of *elfishness and cruelty which had been so freely
made. It ought to go forth to the public that the amount
subscribed during the but week, and the second list which
would be published on the following day, were only pro-
visional lista, and that the subscribers were prepared, if the
present distress continued, to double, or even triple their
subscriptions rather than apply to the government.
(Applause.)
1)r. Warm seconded the resolution. He said he had
noticed • letter that day from some person announcing that
he had money in his possession to be devoted to the object
of taking clothes out of pawn. lie would suggest to the
writer that the money should be pasd to the bank in Man-
chester to the credit of a specialclothing fund already esta-
bliabed there. At a recent meeting of the central corn.
mittee 30,0001. had been voted for clothing, and he hoped
the canvassing 'committee would, in addition to col-
lectiog money, take means to promote further the
distribution of clothing. (Hear, bear.) He had observed
in the Times of the previous day a letter hoot one of the
beat-hearted men in the country, and one of the most mis-
taken occasionally—the author of '• Alton Locke"—a man
whom he (Dr. Watts) loved with his whole heart, and he
very much dssired to see him correct upon this, as he was
correct upon some other subjects. Mr. Kingsley said " the
people of Wessex" would subscribe " grudgingly sod grum-
blingly," because the manufacturers and others in the north
were not doing their duty ; and he said the
people of Women ought to consider that every
penny they sent to Lancashire would come from a
county where the poor rates were in excess of what they
were in Lancashire, and for the relief of the poor rates of
Lancashire. He (Dr. Watts) could say, having been a
member of the canvassing committee, that he had not met
with a single refusal to subscribe where he had not been
quite satisfied with the excuse. In two-thirds of the cases
where he had obtained subscriptions he had learnt that the
persons subscribing were also giving in other, and in some
instances numerous directions, besides giving to the central
• fund. But taking into account the comparative value of
the house in Weaves and in Lancashire—he meant what
would be the comparative rent paid—we should epos an
average find twice as much in Lancashire as in Weems.
A rate of 2a. in the pound in Lancashire would equal
a rate of 4s. in the pound in Wessex. (Hear, hear.)
It was stated the other day by Mr. John Plitt, of Old-
ham, that in the township with which be was connected
there were 16,000 assessments. A rate of 2s. in the pound
would raise about 16,0001. in ordinary times, but at the
present time they had to excuse about 8,000 ; and if they
were to double their present rate they would have to ex-
cuse a considerable number more. This was not a matter
difficult to understand, because when they took into account
that there were at the present time wages amounting to
nearly 140,0001. per week ceasing to be paid, it would be
seen that the shopkeepers who formerly received these
wages would not earn their salt. (Hear, hear.)
If there were any people fin the cotton districts who had
not done their duty they were the men whose goods had
been raised in value by the very crisis which now caused
the distress. (Applause.) If a poor-rte were raised to
meet the case, it would not reach the very people whom it
should reach, as the house and grounds of the warehonie-
keeper were out of the union district. To talk about rais-
ing a poor-rate to meet a crisis like the present was perfect
nonsense. (Loud applause.) For the Times newspaper to
spend its venom upon Lancashire was just as ridiculous as
calling Mr. Cobden a fool, and the Emperor of the French a
knave, during the negotiation of the French treaty.
The Mayor of SALFORD (Mr. Pearson) moved, and Mr.
Alderman Ivi MACKIE seconded :—" That the aldermen
and councillors of Manchester and Salford be requested to
manias ward committees for the collection of clothing and
other useful articles, to be distributed amongst the unem-
P10.,_yed...."
ar. RAW SON, in answer to • question from the
body of the meeting, said that the question of the pro-
priety of collections in churches and chapels bad been
brought before the notice of the committee, and circulars
were being sent to each place of worship in the district on
the subject.
A vote of thanks was moved and seconded to Mr. Alder-
man Goedsby, for his services as chairman ; and before it
was put,
A WORKING MAN said that the best reply to the charges
of the Times against the Lancashire =Howlers was the
orderly conduct of the working classes. If the working
classed believed that the millowners as a body had neglected
their duty to their hands, depend upon it they (the opera-
tives) would not be as quiet and well-behaved as they now
were. (Cheers.)
The vote of thinks having been carried with acclamation,
the meeting, which was a very spirited one, separated.

MANSION-Know COMMITTEE. —The total amount
received by the Lord Mayor yesterday was nearly
5,0001. Amongst the subscriptions which came to hand
durintrildthwe day were 1,0001., being a second subscription
from '• htots ; collected in New College Chapel, St. John's..
wood, 1 . ; Henry Tucker Pendleton, 2001. ; Trowers and
Lawson, 1051. ; C. Tennant, Son, and Co., 1571. 10e. ;
Edward Eutley, per the Lord Mayor, 100/. ; St. Lawrence
Jewry and St. Mary Magdalene, Milk-street, 2001. ; Josh.
Dawson and Sons, 501. ; weekly collection at St. Mary
Magdalene, Peckham, 561. se. 241. ; Richard Wanord, Esq.,
50/. ; St. John's district, Lewisham, 604 ; F. W. Fume,
Esq., Paris, 40/. ; collected at a dinner of a few of the royal
tradesmen who dined at Exeter-hall together to celebrate
the majority of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
591. 17s. ; collected at St. John's Church, Blackheath,
991. 4s. Bd. ; Messrs. Swaisland and Stable. 501. ; collected
at St. Magnus the Martyr, London.bridp, after sermons by
the Rev. Dr. id 'Caul and Rev. C. Brady, 571. 11.. 9d. ;
house to house collection at Ewell, BGI. Os. ld. ; Joseph
Partridge and Co., 521. 10s. ; Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, and
Tattoo, NUL

At a meeting of leading congregational ministers
and laymen of London held at the Poultry Chapel, on
Tueeday, it was aesolved to form • committee in London
charged with the ditty of promoting systematic efforts
among the churches for the relief of the distress in Lanca-
shire, and of receiving congregational and other subscrip-
tions for the purpose, not of distributing them, but of send-
ing them on to the special or general funds, in harmony with
the expressed wishes of the donors. There was • strong ex-
pressiou of opinion against the policy of special appeals to
the public on the part of individual ministers and others, in
which we cordially concur. Up to the present time the
Central Congregational Committee have received about
6,00 W., which has been divided between 63 churches—that
sum, however, not being a moiety of the sums autacribed
by the Congregationali.u, who have sent large funds to the
Mansion-house and Manchester committees. —Nonronfor-
*tie. _ _

ST. MARY, NEWINGTON. —Last evening a crowded
meeting of the parishioners of this parish was held in the
Infant-school-rooms. Mr. E. C. Deemer was voted to the
chair, and on the platform were the principal clergy of
the district and must of the parochial officer.. The chair-
man having briefly explained the object of the meeting, the
Rev. Mr. Statham moved the Ist resolutioe, as follows :
" That this meeting deeply sympathise with the sufferings
under which their fellow countrymen in Lancashire ars now
labouring, and is of opinion that the patience and resigna-
tion with which the operatives are now bearing their priva-
tions is deserving the admiration and respect of all classes of
the community.' The resolution was carried unanimously,as
was another, appointing a oommittee to collect and receive
subscriptions, and to make a house to house visitation
throughout the parish.

ASHTON- N DER-LYN E, —The Borough Relief Com-
mittee, of which the mayor is chairman, relieved last week
14,882 persons, at a cost of 4221. 17s. 3d. As compared with
the previous week, there is an increase of 626 persons, and
of the relief given of 201.175.
MRS. GLADSTONE IN BLACKBURN. —O3l Monday
the wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer revisited Black-
burn, and brought with her a sum of money for the benefit
of the Industrial School established by Mr. G. G. Potter,
of Myttowlisill, Yorkshire, who also established the soziety
for boding domestic employment for factory girls, which
has been the means of getting 214 into service, at an average
salary of 61. per year. In the forenoon, after visiting that ,
institution, she proceeded to another part of the same build-
ing, one of Messrs. Yates's mills, and opened a second In-
dustrial School, which is now being tilled with young men,
who are to be paid 2s. per week and instructed in writing,
arithmetic, tailoring, shoemaking, clogging, carpentry, end
drill five days per week and live hours per day. She alba
read a letter from one of the maids in waiting to the Queen,
expressive of her Majesty's sympathy with the distressed.
DuaLue.—The Lancashire distress committee
held their first meeting for the week at the Mansion-house,
Dublin, on Tuesday. The secretary announced the addi-
tional subscriptions received since Friday, amounting to
8881. 164. 108. A letter from Mr. Henry Bewley was read,
in which he enclosed another donation, and expressed his
intention of giving 2.5/. per month until there is some miti-
gation of the present preemie. In reply to Sir R. Peel,
the secretary stated that the total amount received was
about 9,400/.
CORK. —A large and influential meeting, with
the object of collecting subscriptions in aid of the distressed
operatives in lencashire, was held in the County Court-
house, in Cork, on Tuesday. The County High Sheriff
presided. Resolutions expressiveof sympathy and organis-
ing a committee to collect subscriptions were pared unani-
mously. Amongst the speakers were Lord Bandon, Lord
Doneraile. the Right Rev. Dr. Gregg, Lord Bishop of Cork.
Subsequently, on the motion of T. G. French, J.P., it was
resolved that a committee, consisting of the requisitionieta,
be formed to consider Lord Fermoy'm letter, and report the
result to a future meeting. Before the meeting separated
between 6001. and 7001. were collected on the spot, and
names put down for additional subscriptions.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGL—A meeting wris held yes-
terday at the University College, Profesaor Key in the
chair, and wee largely attended by the students and pupils
of the usbooL Professors De Morgan, Maiden, Williamson,
and other gentlemen addressed the meeting, and a com-
mittee of students was appointed to receive subscriptions
and gifts of clothes. Professor Malden was appointed tree-
surer, and Professor Williamson bon. secretary, and arrange-
ments were made for receiving donations and subscriptions
at the college.
MEETING OF Tows COUNCILMEN AT LIVERPOOL.--•A
meeting of councilmen, aldermen, &c., we. yesterday
held at the Liverpool Town-hall, for the purpose of coma-
dering the steps to be taken io Liverpool to secure addi-
tional funds for the relief of the distressed operatives in
the manufacturing districts. During an animated discus-
' aloe, Mr. Gladstone, brother of the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, said no one would feel disposed to underrate the
amount of distress which 'listed, but be certainly thought
the government should come forward and aid private bene-
volence, which could not possibly grapple with the diffi-
culty. These remarks met with the general approval of
the meeting, and it was urged that, unless very decisive
, measures were taken, the miseries of Use distress
and famine would be intensified by pestilence.
After the subject had been freely discussed, the following
motion by Mr. Councillor Hutchison, seconded by Mr. F.
; A. Hamilton, wu unanimously carried : " That the con-
tinned and daily inzreasing distress in the cotton menu-
lecturing districts cells fur renewed exertions on the pert
of the community.' The following resolution, moved by
Mr. Alderman Turner, seceded ny Mr. Forget, was also
adopted : " That the aldermen and councillors be requested
to call public meetings in their respective wards, for the
purse of co-operating with the parochial clergy and other
ministers of religion, sod of organising a system of from
house to house visitation, or adopting such other means as
may appear to the inhabitants to the several wards best
, calculated to obtain the object in view." It was stated
during the meeting that the amount collected in the churches
and chapels up to the present time was 3,500 t.
" _

- .
Plummy:J.—The fever which bas prevailed for
some time Appian to be slightly 011 the imam. A new
fever ward is being erected near the workhouse, and it is

point wu raised by the allegations of the bill or by the
prayer, red if it had been raised neither the terms of the
memorandum nor the evidence seemed to establish with suf-
ficient clearness that there was any agreement which bound
the assignees to admit the validity of the bill of side ; there-
fore, upon the whole, as to the equitable lien claimed by the
plaintiffs on the proceeds of the ships there must be a de-
cree in favour of the plaintiffs, with outs, and the bill, so
far as it sought relief in respect of the bill of sale, must be
dismissed with coats.