The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-01-30 00:00:00

ANNUAL

FREE TRADE MEETING
IN MANCHESTER.

(PROM OUR OWN REPORTER.)

The annual political gathering of the friends of Free
Trade and liberal political principles was held in the New
Free Trade Hall, Manchester, last night. There was a
large attendance, and the hall was well filled, but there
was not the crush we have seen upon some former occa-
sions. Shortly before seven o'clock Mr. George Wilson
entered the room,and came on the platform, accompanied
by the Right Hon. T. Milner Gibson, M.P., Mr. Cheetham,
M.P., Mr. James Heywood, M.P., Mr. George Hadfield,
M.P., Mr. Thomas Bagley, Mr. Alderman Bancroft, Mr.
Longworthy, and other gentlemen. Loud cheers greeted
their entrance. Mr. Whitehurst, of the Ballot Society,
of London, and Mr. Nicholson, of Victoria, Australia, also
representing a Ballot Society, were present as a deputation.
The:platform was crowded with gentlemen belonging to
Manchester and the surrounding district.
The chair was taken amid loud applause by Mr. George
Wilson.

The Chairman, in opening the business of the meeting,
stated that it had been the custom for many years past to
hold such meetings previous to the opening of Parliament,
to declare their confidence or otherwise in their represen-
tatives, and to express their opinion on the great questions
of the day. There was absent from that meeting one who
delivered his last public address at the meeting of last
year, and %hose absence would call for their sympathy.
In lieu of the thrilling eloquence of that. gentleman, a
letter would be read from him, in which he offered, if
necessary, to resign his office as one of the representatives
of Manchester. (Cries of " No, no.") It was in the old
Free Trade Hall that Mr. Bright was first asked to be-
come their representative, and now, in the New Free
Trade Hall, it would be for the people to decide whether
he should continue their representative. (Cheers.) Glanc-
ing over the main points of Mr. Bright's past career, the
chairman declared that he had left wherever he went the
impression of a great man, and had connected his name
with some of the greatest popular measures, which per-
haps owed for their existence as much, if not more, to him
than to any other man in the country. (Cheers.) Referring
to Alr. Bright's election as representative-of Durham, the
chairman declared that a sound proof of the fact that
personal honesty, coupled with great ability and manly
independence would always be recognised in England, was
afforded in the fact that John Bright, a Dissenter, opposed
to the connection of Church and State, was elected for
Durham, and that the Dean and others of the clergy
recorded their votes for him. Since he became member
for Manchester, his political principles had al ways been
in Manchester phase " fast colours." Mr. Roebuck, in
Liverpool recently, accused some of the members for that
district with time-serving, and crawling on their bellies
to great men. He could not have referred to any member
on that platform—(hear, hear)—and certainly if there
ever was a man who would not for any consideration
whatever swerve one hair's breadth from his principles, it
was their absent member, Mr. Bright. (Cheers.) The
Chairman referred to the position taken up by Mr. Bright
in reference to the game laws, the mis-government of
India, the condition of Ireland, and other great questions,
and declared that, for many years past, no historical
figure stood forward more prominent and more illustrious
than that of their absent member. (Cheers.) The Chairman
then passed on to review the present financial position of
the country, and expressed his approval of the efforts
made to call the attention of the public to the consideration
of that question by Mr. R. Gladstone and the Financial
Reform Association of Liverpool, as well as the Financial
Reform Association of Edinburgh. He declared that
nothing pressed so severely upon the industry and the
social happiness of the people of Great Britain, as the
present enormous taxation of the country. He demanded
why, if the Government of the country had managed its
affairs properly, the taxation of this country, arising out
of the war, should have exceeded that of France for the
same purpose, while France had spared no expense in
carrying on the war, and had done as much, and claimed
to have done even more, in bringing about its results ?
He condemned an income tax pressing upon industrious
labour, and declared himself in favour of a well adjusted
property tax. The first thing they should look to was to
bring back the taxation of the country to the 51 millions,
which:it was, from-1843 to 1853, in order tnat they might
then be able to throw off the burdens which pressed
mostAmperiously upon the country. Even the amount of
taxation which he, and the party to which he belonged ,
would propose for the ensuing year, was double the
amount of taxation in Prussia. It would be said, no
doubt, that the Government was still involved in liabi-
lities arising out of the war; but he demanded why the
expenses were not at once reduced to the ordinary limit,
from the moment that peace was proclaimed. Ho strongly
condemned the extent of the naval and military
establishments which had been kept in times of
peace, and reminded the meeting that, according to a
statement made by Mr. Bernal Osborne, they were pay-
ing £B2 for each soldier, where France was only paying
'45. Last year they had very nearly been engaged in a
war with the United States, and only for the activity of
one of their south Lancashire members, Mr. Brown, and
the considerate manner in which both Lord Clarendon
and Mr.' Dallas acted, they probably would have been at
war. Referring to the China and Persian difficulties, he
strongly objected, while expressing no opinion on either
question in itself, to having the country engaged in war
without any actual proolamation of war, and without the
sanction of the country being obtained. (Cheers.) He
denied that it was by warlike measures England would
obtain her highest position. He urged that the name of
Britain should be made the synonyme of forbearance and
of justice throughout the world; that the ban of excommu-
nication should be removed which cut off five sixths of the
male adult population of the country from taking part in
its affairs ; that she should begin with measures of im-
provement at home, and that by such a course she would
make the voice of her House of Commons the voice of her
people, and make its decisions respected throughout the
earth. The Chairman then concluded, amid loud applause,
by reading the following letter from Mr. Bright :
Rochdale, Nov. 5, 1856.
_ •

My dear Wilson,—l mentioned to you a few days ago that
I was about to leave England for a considerable time, probably
for several months. My health, as you know, is greatly
improved during the past six months,—so much so as to afford
strong reason for the belief that a further period of relaxation,
and change of objects and interests, will so far restore me as
to enable me again to attend to public business. I
have consulted physicians of extensive practice, and eminent
in the profession, and their opinions all concur in this,—
that a complete rest from public labour, for a longer period,
is necessary ; and that this, it may be hoped and believed,
will give me renewed health and strength. Acting upon
this advice, which my own judgment entirely approves,
I am about to leave home for some months, and I
shall, therefore, in all probability, not be able to attend the
House of Commons during the next session of parliament. I
think it my duty, nnder these circumstances, to write to you
in your capacity of chairman of the committee which under-
took the management of my election in 18n. I am very
sensible of the kindness shown to me by my constituents,
inasmuch as I believe they freely consented to my absence
from parliament during the past session. In absenting myself
for another session, however, I feel that lam bound to enter
into a more public and definite explanation with them.
Incapable, as I am at preeent, of performing any of
the duties of their representative, it would seem to
be my duty to resign my seat in parliament, and to
give them the opportunity of electing my successor. I feel,
however, that the wishes and convenience of the constituency
ought to be consulted before I decide. If we were at the
beginning, instead of being, as we are, very near the end of a
parliament, the interests of all concerned would probably be
best promoted by my immediate resignation ; but as a general
election is likely to take place during the year 1857, it may
not be thought desirable to have two elections for Manchester
during the same year. This is a point which lam anxious to
refer to my friends in Manchester before I do anything which
would make an immediate election unavoidable. You will
greatly oblige me, therefore, if you will take such steps as
appear to you best, to ascertain the wishes of my con-
stituents_ as to the course I should take. I shall be guided
by their decision, either to vacate my seat in parliament
on the. opening of the coming session, or to retain it till
the dissolution of the parliament which may come in the spring,
and is almost certain to come in the autumn of 1857. I hope
I am not too sanguine in believing that a few months more of
rest—rest of the faculties which have had almost no rest during
the past fifteen years—will restore to me the power, as I still
have the will, to labour in that field in which so much of my
life has been spent. If lam permitted to recover my former
strength before the occurrence of a general election, I shall
then hope for a continuance of the confidence which the elec-
tors of Manchester have so long placed in me ; if renewed
health be not granted to me, I shall then withdraw from public
life, remembering, as long as I live, how much I owe to the
kindness and forbearance of those in whose name, and on
whose behalf, I have acted for nine years past in the House
of Commons.— Believe me, very sincerely yours,
JOHN BRIGHT.
The reading of the letter was followed by enthusiastic
applause.
The Chairman said it had been at first intended that
Mr. Bazley should move the first resolution; but it was

since considered more formal and becoming that he, "as
chairman, should himself move it. He accordingly pro-
posed the following resolution, which was received with
loud cheers :

" That this meeting, in expressing its profound regret at the
circumstances which unhappily necessitated the absence of its
esteemed representative, John Bright, Esq, M.P, desires to
record its unabated conviction of the signal ability and high
moral courage, universally acknowledged, with which he has
hilted° represented this great metropolis of industry in parlia.
went—that it hereby begs respectfully to express its admiration
of the undeviating consistency, and unflinching firmness, with
which ho has adhered to those great principles on which he
was elected, as well as its warmest gratitude for the eminent
services which he has rendered to the nation ;—that, while
deeply sympathising with hint under the serioqs indisposition
which has compelled him to retire, for a season, front public
duties, it derives the sincerest satisfaction from the prospect

that he will be able, ere long, to reenter upon them ;—and
that, while cheerfully conceding to him the interval of repose
which may be necessary for the ;complete restoration of hii
health, it requests him to allow the continuance of his
parliamentary connection with this city, in the earnest hope
that the cause of popular rights, of social progress, and of
inteinational concord, may soon regain the assistance of his
disinterested and distinguished advocacy in the House of
Commons."

Mr. Bazley seconded the resolution, and paid an elo-
quent tribute to Mr. Bright's untiring energy, convincing
eloquence, and moral and politic 11 courage. (Cheers.)
He stated that there were many subjects lately on which
the aid of Mr. Bright was much wanted. An extraordi-
nary poaching case recently occurred at Norwich—would
not his voice have reached thither ? Would he not have
interfered to prevent a noble lord from acting as judge,
jury, advocate, and witness? (Hear, hear.) Mr. Bazley
also expressed his regret at the recent loss which the
constituency of Salford had suffered in the death of Mr.
Brotherton, but said he was glad that his mantle would
fall upon worthy shoulders in the person -of Mr. Lang-
worthy. (Cheers.) In referring to the coming session,
Mr. Bazley declared that, among many other questions
which concerned Manchester, was the question in which
they were involved with their neighbours in Liverpool.
(Hear, hear.) The very police force of Liverpool,
he declared was maintained by a tax levied upon the
country. and he called upon the people of Manchester to
declare that they would do longer submit to such injus-
tice. (Hear, hear.) He referred to the difficulty wit'i
Persia, and strongly condemned the embroilment with
China. The condition of the people at home. and more
especially the position of popular education ; the manage-
ment of colonial affairs, and the government of the East
Indies, he pointed ont as subjects to which, in the coming
session, attention should be especially directed. Ia their
foreign policy he condemned the system of intermeddling,
by which the government of the country appeared to
arrogate to themselves the right to act as the" police of the
whole world. Expressing a strong hope that all these
questions would receive full attention, and the errors be
amended, the speaker concluded by seconding the
resolution.

The resolution was carried amid loud applause, and
with several enthusiastic cheers for Mr. Bright.
The Right Ho a. T. Milner Gibson then came forward, and
was received with loud and general bursts of applause.
He said: Sir, although the resolution, which has just
received the unaniomous assent of this immense gathering,
has passed from your hands, I trust I may be permitted to
bear my tribute of respect to my absent colleague. (Hear )
Sir, I esteem him as a private friend—l have cordially
cooperated with him in the discharge of public duties ;
and there is no one who will feel his, loss more than I
shall in the House of Commons. This, sir, I may say—
that whatever may be the opinion of his constituency as
to his merits, there is a still more unanimous conviction
in the House of Commons upon the subject, where all
parties bear testimony to the eloquence, to the ability,
and to the courage which he has displayed—qualities in
which he had few rivals, and none who excel him in that
assembly. (Cheers.) A resolution has been put into my
hands to submit to the meeting, and before I read it I
shall make a few observations which to my mind may
appear appropriate to the position which I now occupy.
A few days since I received a letter bearing the signature
of Lord Palmerston. I am informed in that letter that
the parliament will meet on the 3rd of February, at
which my attendance was earnestly requested, and it was
added that matters of great importance will be imme-
diately brought under the consideration of the House of
Commons. I have no doubt that my honourable friends,
the members on my left, have received similar communi-
cations. (Hear, hear.) I hope I may consider that as
matters of deep importance are to be brought immediately
before us, they will relate to our domestic interests I hope
it is not too much to expect that, now that the war
on the continent is concluded, the Government of Eng-
land may be able to attend to the affairs of England
(hear, hear, and cheers). When we meet, we shall find
parties in a somewhat disorganised state. There is the
Government, there is the Opposition, and there are what
I may call the outsiders (laughter). Perhaps it is not
proper to allude to the "outsiders." It has been the
practice to consider that there are only two parties, the
Government party and the Opposition—ate Whigs and
the Tories; but we know that we have now outsiders—
men of great experience and ability—Lord John Russell,
and the colleagues of a distinguished statesman, the late
Sir Robert Peel; and let me tell you, to use a sporting
phrase, that an " outsider" sometimes wins (cheers and
laughter). With regard to the Government, we were
told that great advantage had been derived from the
exclusion from office of the colleagues of the late Sir
Robert Peel. It was said that when the coalition govern-
ment had been patched up, although there was great
individual talent in the administration, there was a want
of a common principle among them —that they were a
house divided against itself, and that they could not
adminis.er public affairs with vigour and success.
Well, the friends of the late Sir Robert Peel have
been excluded from office. We have got rid of a
great deal of the talent of the administration, and
have we succeeded in procuring that unity of opinion
which it was said was 'so desirable? (No, no.) I am
afraid that although they have lost the talent, mainly, of
the administration, they still remain as a house divided
against itself. (Hear, hear.) Why do I say so ? I
believe, and I speak it with great respect, that the mems
bers of the present government are highly respectable
men, of fair average capacities, but of very doubtful
politics. (Hear, hear.) You have Seen the chief but
lately among yourselves—(hear, and laughter)—you have
had an opportunity in some measure of judging for your-
selves. (Laughter) But when I say a house divided
against itself, am I justified in that assertion.? Frequently
we are blamed in the'Hou3e of Commons for not sup-
portingthe government, but if it be true that the govern-
ment does not support itself, are we deserving of any
relroach ? I undertook the management of a measure
during the last session of'parliament, affecting, no doubt,
but a small portion of the people of this country, but
involving the very fundamental principle of religious
liberty, namely that men shall not be excluded from their
civil rights on account of their religious opinions.—
(Rear, hear.) Well, what do I find ? Why, the mem-
bers of the government in the House of Commons
supported the bill, but a cabinet minister in the House
of Lords, where a vote was much more wanted, under-
took to give his vote directly in opposition to it, so that
upon the fundamental question of religious liberty we
had the member's of her Majesty's Government unable
to agree among themselves, and giving conflicting votes
in different houses of Parliament. Can it be wondered
at then, that a member for a great constituency, who is
bound to support liberal, broad, and enlightened prin-
ciples, is not able to say that he can give his full sup-
port and confidence to such an administration ? (Cheers).
They do not agree among themselves on that most
important question —vote by ballot. (Hear, hear.) Why,
sir, I would much sooner have an adminstration which
would oppose the ballot, so that we should not have the
question shelved, but fairly argued, than have an admin-
istration which was divided upon it, and by that means
retained members who advocate in their, conscience
the ballot, but are unable to give their public
support to it, because they belong to a ministry whose
chief is opposed to it. (Hear, and cheers). The authority
ofa united cabinet upon all great questions of public policy
appears to me necessary, absolutely essential for the
successful carrying on of public affairs, (Hear, hear.)
Well, so to predict what may be the measures of the
coming session, is somewhat difficult. The Queen's
speech, I dare say, is now being concocted, with a view
to putting upon paper a set of words which shall contain
as little definite meaning as possible. (Laughter and
hear, (hear.) Perhaps there may be some attractive
announcements in the Queen's speech. There is such a
thing as putting out flittering announcements, but not
fulfilling afterwards the expectations which thereby
may arise. I remember an illustration which was given
by a witness in a committee of the House of Commons
upon some subject then under consideration, in which he
said, that in consequence of a pressure on the means' of
sribsistence generally, many families, even in affluent
circumstances in the neighbourhood of Clapham were in,
the habit of allowing to be placed on their tables, bottles
of wine at their convivial entertainments, but with a
tacit understanding among all tfie guests, that they
were never to be tasted. (Laughter.) Thus, the
same bottles of wine might do duty upon a great
number of different festive occasions. (Laughter.) This
sometimes is the case with the measures which are an-
nounced in. the Queen's speech. (Hear, hear.) There
are some measures which often do duty, but upon a sort
of tacit understanding that they are not to be carried.
(Cheers and laughter.) My honourable friend on my
right alluded to a most important question which
figured in the Queen's speech during the last session of
parliament, namely, the question of the town dues levied
by the corporation of Liverpool. (Cries of hear, hear.)
It was announced by her Majesty from the throne that
it was the intention of the administration to deal with
that question, and-to pass a • satisfactory law upon
the subject. (Hear, hear.) That intention unfortunately
was not carried out. I may perhaps be permitted to say
a few words upon the question of the town dues. (Loud
cheers) Some time ago, you Rill remember, we re-
pealed the navigation laws. it was promised to the
shipping interests of the country that the govern-
ment would remove all local burthens upon ships,
in order to enable them the better to meet the
competition they would have to encounter. After the navi-
gation laws were repealed, a commission was appointed to
ingeire into all local dues throughout the whole country.
Ample evidence was taker, and full information was supplied
to the government. The commission, in their inquiry at
Liverpool, discovered that the corporation of Liverpool had
been levying tolls upon ships and goods parried in ships,
and applying the funds thus raised not to commercial pure
poses and shipping purposes, but to the municipal expendi •
tore of the borough of Liverpool, which expenditure in all
other towns was defrayed out of the local rates, (Hear?

-
hear.) Naturally, thii discovery., as it may be called—
although a discovery it undoubtedly was' not to the people
of this district, whateger it ;map, have -been to the people of
England generally—led to a great desire that an end should
be put to such-an abuse. We who advocate the application of
such tolls to shipping and commercial purposes, as they are
levied on ships and goods carried in ships, are accused of
something which sounds very bad. We are accused of being
ready to confiscate private property—we are accused of being
indifferent to the !moral considerations of private rights.
But the question of private property does not arise in a
matter of this sort. (Hear, hear.) These are tolls levied
by a great public body, the corporation of Liverpool, and
held in trust by them for public purposes, and it is compe-
tent for the parliament of the country to deal .with these
tolls and taxes as with any other tolls and 'taxes, and make
such an arrangement as they think best for the public
interest: (Hear, bear, and cheers.) I have been told that
Charles the First gave to the Corporation of Liverpool an
original grant, which entitles them to levy those tolls and
taxes, and apply them to the purposes of the householders
of Liverpool. Well, I say that Charles the First could not
give what Charles the First never had.--(cileers)—
and I believe that Charles the First never had
vested in him the right of levying taxes and tolls
for any other purpose than granting a corresponding
equivalent for what was paid, and irnthe discharge of some
public duties which were necessary to be performed. (Hear,
hear, and cheers.) If there was vested in Charles 1., the
power of levying tolls on -hips which enter the Mersey, it
was because there was an obligation on Charles I. to keep
in order the harbour of Liverpool ; and, to expend the money
in improving the navigation, so as to benefit the trade of
tee country. (Bear, hear.) If he gave away, or soli
these toils, ho also must have imposed upon those who
tlole,riaem Vie oh'igation which he WAS ander when he received
teem himself; cad, therefore,: there is no question of
injustice, or question of colfischeion in this matter ; —it is
merely a question of applying 'public foxes T o the purposes
for which they were originally levied, and to correct a mis-
appropriation of public money, which has been caused by
lapse of time, and perhaps by the neglect of Parliament.
(Cheers.) I shall not dwell longer on this question, except
to say that, I shall exert myself with all the energy and
ability I possess, to endeavour to _ get this great
abuse set right.- (Cheers.) - It was thrown out that when
the Government last submitted the question to Parliament,
they were not supported by the members for Manchester
and the manufacturing districts. A more groundless
assertion was never uttered. (Hear, hear) The second
reading of the bill was moved, and was actually before the
House. Had the debate proceeded,-we should have been
heard, and should have dealt with the arguments of those
who opposed the bill ; but, in the midst of the debate, 'and
without notice, Lord Palmerston took upon, himself to do
what I venture to say was almost without precedent—to
abandon the measure which was then before the House,
under discuseibia, and of which the second reading had
already been moved.. (Hear, hear.) We were not prepared
for that result, and consequently it would appear to the
world, who were not informed of the particulars, that we
had not taken a fitting opportunity to express ourselves
in support of the bill. We intended to have
done so, but we lost the opportunity, because the measure
was withdrawn before the debate was concluded. (Hear,
hear.) 1 knovi the reason why the measure was withdrawn:
There is a certain gentleman connected with all political
parties called a " whipper in." (Laughter.) The whipper
in on this 'occasion counted the votes, and he told Lord
Palmerston he did not like the look of the division on the
heal dues bill. " Then," said Lord Palmerston, " run no
tisk about it ; let us abandon it, and have a committee of
enquiry Send them into a' room upstairs, and we
shall have no more of them for the rest of the session."
Well, we have been in the room up stairs, we have got a
a great deal of valuable information, and I certainly think
that although when the committee was appointed, it-did not
appear to me at all necessary, and that all possible informa-
tion which could be obtai el had been obtaine I by the
commission, nevertheless, I think the Town Clerk of
Manchester. (Cheers) Mr. Alderman Bancroft, Mr. Ash-
worth, and others, who have given vast attention to the sub-
ject, have laid before the committee such valuable and telling
evidence, that it h eying been published and circuletel through
the country will tend very much to form public opinion
upon the question, and to excite public interest in its
behalf. (Cheers.) Mr. Gibson then referred to the la'e
war, the result of which he strongly condemned, as having
produced no beneficial effect to the freedom of ?.urepe. He
urged that the sooner England cultivated friendly relations
with Russia, and abandoned the policy 'of superior towards
her, the better for the country. He condemned the keep-
ing up of a large military establishment, and urged that to
obtain relief from the income tax, or any other tax, would
depend upon reduction in this direction. He declared that
he was an advocate for direct taxation to a greater extent
than indirect taxation, and argued out this question at
some length. He expi eased himself in favour of a property
tax, and of retaining, as part of the revenue of the count,
a faitimoderate, and properly adjusted income-tax. (Cries
of hear, hear.) Mr. Gibson then referred to the bombard-
ment f Canton. He said : It is my opinion that the
attack upon Caine was not caused by the particular cir-
cumstances which are alleged. The gradual increase of the
forces in -the Chinese seas before the off it of the lorcha
took place, looks as if they saw looming in the
distance some necessity for using those forces. I think
that there had been a meditated pan for attacking China,
with a view to what is c tiled " opening up" China, and
under some notion that something was to be got by that.
Now, I very much doubt whether anytlaingis to be got by
that except an increase of taxation here. (Hear, hear.) I
believe the true way of increasing your trade with China is
not by battering down Chinese towns end killing Chinamen,
but by improving the conditioa of the people of this'country,
so as to enable them to purchase more tea, and to enable
the Chinese to purchase more of your manufactures. (Loud
cheers.) If every old woman in this country could buy as
much tea as she could consume among the poorest classes,
I will Venture to say that you would have a very much
larger increase of trade with China than you will get by
knocking down Canton and burning all the factories.
(Cries of hear, hear, and loud cheers.) I thought, when
they spared Odessa, that they had adopted a policy
mere worthy of an -enlightened -and Chrisdan people.
(Cheers.) 1 thought that it was for ever to be abandoned
—the system of murdering non-combatant and inoffensive
citizens, because you happened to quarrel with their
government. Why I say that Europe at large, had the
British fleet destroyed Odessa—it is known that the whole
of the enlightened iutdlligbnce of Europe 'would have con-
demned the act as a barbarous and ruthless deed, and not
worthy of any enlightened nation.. (Cheers.) Well, if'
that be so, why are we to look with cold indifference upon
such an act as the bombardment of a thickly peopled town,
destroying in one fell mass the old and the young, women
and children, who knew no more about Commissioner Yeh
and the old treaty of 1843; or -of Admiral Seymour, than
did the inhabitants of Iceland? (Cheers.) Why, I ask,
are British merchants and the merchants of friendly
nations to have their property destroyed in their stores and
-warehouses, without having had the slightest notice that
war was going to take place, so that they might have an
opportunity of removing their goods into a place of safety?
It appears to me that we look with too much indifference
np'on these acts. I de not: care whether the lorcha was a
valid pretext for a dispute with Yeh or not, or whether
it was desirable that Admiral Seymour should have
an interview with Yell or not. I do say that under any
conceivable cirournetances it is not justifiable to destroy a
whole mass of the unoffending, non.ornhatant, peaceful
citizens of Canton. (Cheers.)
Blood and destruction seem so much in use,
And dreadful ollects so familiar,
Pity is charged with custom of foul deeds. (Cheers.)
And so it is—when we read day by day these frightful
events—there grows up, because perhaps they occur in a
distant region, and because in our own insular position we
are safe here, there grows up eir want of the due
consideration which, I think, would be becoming an
enlightened and Christian nation. (Cheers.) I protest
for one against the Canton massacre, and I have not seen
any justification published by the government which could
give-them a shadow of excuse for the conduct of their fleet
in the,China seas. Mr. Gibson then glanced at the votes
he gave on recent measures, and defended his vote against
the government in reference to the enlistment of Germans
in America. He then proceeded to speak of the newspaper
stamp.act. -He said I was one of those who advocated,
with others, the repeal of the advertisement duty,
the repeal of the stamp on -newspapers, and
the abolition of the paper duty. I contended that until
these taxes were' removed, and the exciseman's brand taken
from the press of England, England could not say that she
hid a free press. (Loud cheers.) Well, I was told that
we should be footled with blasphemies, that we should he
flooded with licentious publications, that the morals of the
nation would be corrupted, if people were allowed to print
cheap newspapers. I ask you, what is the fact ? Look at
the Manchester Examiner and Times, (Cheers.) Why,
sir, I say there is a paper which bids fair to be at the head
of the provincial press of England, (Cheers.) Where is
all the blasphemous, and all the revolptionary matter which
was ,to disturb society to its very fonndatiOn? Answer, nil.
(Cheers.) What is the melt of the measure generally in
the country? We are told that it is a failure, but recollect
that the measure is but half completed. We have only
repealed the advertisement duty, and the the stamp duty ;
—we must also abolish the paper duty. (Rear, hear.)
But what is the result of what we have already sc•
coraplished ? We read of the decease of some unfortunate
penny paper duly recorded in the broadsheet, sometimes
of the Times—(hear, hear)—which can find space among
other valuable news, for the record of the death of some
poor little penny newspaper, in some obscure part of the
empire. But are there no daily papers springing up in all
the large towns, and showings signs of vitality, and becarn-
ing the great means of diffusing useful knowledge among

the people ? (Hear, hear). I have endeavoured to Met'
taro what is the daily circulation of the new press, the
penny press, which has come into existence since the re-
teioval of the stamp, with • the view of eemparing it with
the circulation of all the. high priced daily papers
existing previous to the removal of the stamp The
average daily circulation of all the daily papers in Eaglenl
previous to the removal of the stamp was about 87,000'
From the returns I have got from the penny papers which
have come into existence since the stamp was removed, I
have already arrived at a daily circulation considerably
more than 100,000. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) So this
new press which has come into existence has a largercir-
culation than the old press had, which existed previous to
the removal of the stamp. (Hear.) I say that such a result
as I haye mentioned, in 18 months, for that is the time which
has elapied, is a great success, and shows that with
the removal of the paper duty and the complete emancipa-
tion of the press, we may expect to see the day when oval
town of any size whatever, in the United Kingdom and
Ireland, will have its daily paper, and the great mass of
the community will be supplied at the cheapest possible
rate, with that most valuable of all information, a narrative
of the current events of the day. (Cheers.) I, therefore,
have taken this public opportunity of declaring my sativ,
faction, for one, with the working of diet measure, so fat
as it has gone, and to declare also that I shell endeavour,
to the utmost of my power, in cmanection with others, to
accomplish the object which we had originally-in view, 111
the total repeal of the duty on paper. (Loud cheers.) We
are going with a deputation to the Charcellor of the
Exchequer, on WedneEd ty next, and are- gel. g to tell him
that, having heard hat he is in a condition to make a very
considerable remis4 m of taxation, we appear before him to
nut in a'claim feria small sum of one million of paper du S.
(Cheers.) After an eloquent peroration, Mr. Gibson then
proposed the following resolution :

"That, in the opinion of this meeting, the re—establishment
of peaco renders it an imperative duty of the government to
dimimsh at once the existing load of taxation which, by injuri-
ously affecting the industrial interests of the country, is seriously
detrimental to the material well being and social happiness of
all classes of the community ; and that, while pledging itself
to relax none of its exert ons to procure a wise, efficient, and
economical expenditure of the national resources, it looks to a
just and comprehensive measure of Parliamentary Reform, as
the only adequate means by which• the acts of the legislature
may be brought into permanent harmony with the convictions
and interests of the people."
Mr. Cheetham, seconded the resolution, which wag
carried by acclamation.

Mr. Hadfield, M P., proposed, and Mr. Heywood,
seconded, the following resolution
That, in the opinion of this meeting, the requirements of
our national industry, and the welfare of numerous classes of
British subjects, call for the immediate removal of the
obstacles which, in our colonies and possessions—especially in
India —impede the application of skill and capital to the dove'
lopment of their resources."

This resolution was a'so carried unanimously.
The mee`ing having been a ldressed by other eneakers,
the procoedingr closed with a vote of thanks to the chair-
man.

How . AMERICANS. PAY THEIR PUBLIC DEBTS.—The
greater part of the public debt of the state of California has
been repudiated. This debt amounts to £600,000, and
considerable port'on of it is held in Europe. For some
time there had been a disposition to question its legality,
and, the matter having been brought before the Supreme'
Court of the State, judgment has been given that the bond;
are unconstitutional awl void. According to the newspapers
and private letters, there is reason to anticipate that a law:
will be passed to recognise the entire amount ; but this
feeling is not unanimous.
FEMALE DIPLOMATISTS.—Madame de Lieven, whose
death we have already recorded, was well known as an
inveterate political intriguer. It appears that the system of
employing women in affairs of state is an exclusively
Russian system, and that it is in every way pregnant wio
the worst results. Females of the German houses of \Ver.
temburg, Strelitz, and Oldenburg, and daughters of the
Czar Nicholas himself, have been all engaged in these'
equivocal transactions, in which they can reap no credal
honour—in which the grace, and bloom, and innocence of
the female character is entirely destroyed. •
REPRESENTATION OP Demettasssetne.—We see from the
Dumfries Courier that the danger of having Lerd Henry
Scott foisted upon the county as member, has been obviated
by the acceptance on the part of Mr. Hope Johnstone et
the requisition of the liberal electors. The Courier sale
that Mr. Johnstone has resolved to sacrifice his private
feelings for the public benefit, and will come forward Ver.
sonally as a candidate for the high and honourable position
of representative of Dumfriesshire, which he formerly filled
for a period of seventeen years. It is not stated that Lord
Henry Scott's friends are inclined to withdraw their can-
didate.

A-PRIZE FIGHT ON CIILLINGWORTH MOOR., —Early 011
Monday morning last, a party of " roughs" left Halifax, by
way of Bridge, and proceeded to Cullingworth Moor, a
wild strip of land in the vicinity of the Ogden reservoir.
Here the necessary preliminaries were gone into, al7cer,
which a pries fight ensued, between an Irishman P:arneu
Roach, and as Englishman known as " Curly."
as the historians have it, was obstinate and htind-,
Y lastiag
two hours and a q cart r, at the terminat'm of which
" Curly" was declared the winner. Oa 1,)•,e evening of the
same day the Irish residents of the j.ow quarters of the
town armed with bludgeons, Sre t
-ty-P.ed out in large nun 3;
bers, and threatening dire revel) ge on their Eng'te'
Ttie battle'
neighbours. The pile° were ()now,'
in, but it was with the
greatest difficulty the disturbs-',„ was
quelled.
FOLEY'S A MERIC.I.N P. OLD PE NS. —Charles Willing'
wholesale and retail 'stationer, 19, South John street'
respectfully intimate, to n3erchents, tradeis, and dealer!,
that he has been ar,pointed sole agent for the sale of Folev,.
celebrated Arner.Lcan Gold Pens, which are universal
acknowledged to be far superior to any other manufactured
either in AmPirica or this country, They are sold cheaper;
are made 'of the best gold, with superior points, and ar,
warratated to wear at least ten years. In America tbel
haive be:en extensively used for that period, and are Pre;
fared to new ones. The prices range from five shillings
a guinea each. Supplied wholesale by Charles Willaler'
19, South John-street, Liverpool.—Advt.
RA TS. —There are two objections to the common mode to
killing rats bynlaying poison for them ; first, the danger I.
which it exposes other' animals, and even human beteg!!
seoond, the possibility that the rats, haying partaken of 4
may retire to their holes, and dying there, cause an intoler;
able stench; and produce numerous crawling insects. Greera
Patent Anti-Vermin Mixture for the immediate destruct''
of rats and mice, is free from these objections and h,
effectually cleared dwelling houses, ships, and other place&
that were much infested with these destructive 0
disagreeable inmates. The smell of the bait will attract
the vermin from their holes, and it being such a specea
delicacy to them, they will devour it with greedines.s2
and die on the spot. To be had at the Anti Vernel:
Office, 49, Brownlow hill, Liverpool, at 6d, ls, and 4s eaP,
Can be sent free by post to any part of the United Kingdelli'
America, Australia, &c.—Advt.

CAUTION TO PLATE GLASS IN3UREREL.-- At a Counti
Court, held at Winchester, on the 20th instant, the folio"-
ing case was entered for hearing, which we consider worthle
the attention of tradesmen and others insuring in
various societies now starting into existence
plaintiff was Mrs. E. Flight, of the tailoring establishl:
High street, Winchester, and the defendant a Mr. R. ,
Roberts, alleged to be the secretary of the Saxon Fire
and Plate Glass Insurance Company. The defendll
was sued as the accreaitA officer of the said society, whicd
formerly carried on business at 25, Old Jewry, an
latterly at 49, ring William street, London Bridge'
Mrs. Flight had assured the plate glass front of he
establshment, to the amount of £35 103 , in the Sal°9
Office, and one pane, of the value of £3 9s. (accords
to the society's own tariff), bad been broken
some boy in the street throwing a stone and striking tb
window. The Society, however, would not replace tP,
broken pane (although frequently applied to for that ptibre
pose) and hence the present action. Mr. Flight, son of t„.,
plaintiff, produced the policy of assurance, but his 1100,610.
said that was a contract entered into and complete°. ho
London, and, therefore, was beyond his jurisdiction; t, 0
summons ought not to have been issued. He could not 'eif
whether the secretary was the proper person to sue, eyeovo
the policy had been executed in this district. If he
the plaintiff a judgment, it would be useless, for prohibiticif
must ensue. Mr. H. W. Frampton said he was forinehria
the local agent.in Winchester for the Saxon offices, and
in compliance with the directions of their trave";lo.
manager, (Nir. Chatfield) called on Mrs. Flight, 50d, '0(1.
premium had been paid through him. He had since gLltiot
up the agency, as he. had to summon the society to bzt.
court to obtain the value of a plate be had replaced aid
another assurer, and on that occasion the money washto
before the summons was returnable. His Honour :
you may consider yourself a lucky man' Mr. Framptomtwo
that he should have proceeded in the same way in this cite
if he had intended to continue the agent to the society 4 fp
had written three times to the office, and could 03'10
acknowledgement of Mrs. Flight's claim. It was to.° the
that a set of gentlemen (?) occupying splendid offices 1114beir
very centre of the city of London should get oat of "'oh
obligations to the policy holders in this way, and cast goo
unpleasant responsibilities upon their agents: His dr, ia
said he could not help the state of things • a shareholue for
the Royal British Bank might just as well apply to billbitaio
a judgment against .the directors, as Mrs. Flight to °
his judgment is this case. Her proper course might the
perhaps, to issue a writ against the secretary, if he Waf wag
proper officer to pr teed against, but as far as this coact ea
concerned, she must be nonsuited, A nonsait was
entered accordingly."

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