The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-12 00:00:00

The LORD MAYOR in the Chair.

Mr. GALLOWAY, in proposing the resolutions said, he could
have wished that the subject on which the Ward assembled had
been more comprehensite, and embraced the great measure of
reform, without which r.o substantial benefit was attainable, and
the existence of u Welt would speedily put a period to the very
oppressive branch of taxation they had so long deplored and
ezeerated. Those, however, who had orlginated the meeting, had
thought it necessary to limit the object to the repeal of the taxes
alluded to, and certainly the necessity was most urgent. After
observing on the great pressure of the assessed taxes, 31r. Galloway
concluded by moving, that a petition should be sent to the House
of Commons, praying for the repeal of the Window and House
Hulks.

Mr. Wool.Ea seconded the resolutions. He did not like the
comae of compliir.cnt pursued so generally towards Ministers, for
what was falsely supposed to be a reduction of taxation. Taxation
flourished as vigorotudy as ever; Ire by the taking off of some
taxes, a consumption of other articles took place, which propor.
tioncd tbe new profit to the old loss, and thus the public were
gulled.
Mr. TATUM said, that as Ministers had taken off one half of
the taxes of which the public complained, there was ground for
hope that the other half would shortly follow. The window tax,
politically considered, would be much better abolished. By its
abolition another branch of rtvenne would he increased. It was
well 'Known that there was a heavy duty on glass, anti if the win.
dow tax were taken old, the immense quantity of glass that would
be used must compensate fur the loss of the tax to thc Minister,
whoeould justly be charged with • conspiracy against thc com-
plexions of the people, by blocking them up in places, from which
that necessary of lift--ser was excluded. IA laugh.)
Mr. PATTEN supported the resolutions, which were carried
unanimously.
Mi. (ist LOWAY said, he had expected some opposition; but it
was matter of difficulty to oppose what was so obvious. He hoped
the time was not tar distant when the City of London would have
MONO' its representatives the man who now presided, with such
talent, zeal, and integrity. It was to be deeply regretted that his
fellow-citiaene had not now the advantage of the abilities and enee-
I gics, and above all, of the honesty, of the Lord Mayor in Parini-
, nient. The day, he trusted, was ne.tr, when the public carriage of the
I City of London would be dragged along by sound horses, and not
' be left to the mercy of three jades, whose efflirts were to frustrate
the honourable tool of their laborious and vigilant companion.
(Laughter.) Bid not the City of London take shame to haelf,
upon seeing the scurvy figure she cut in the House of Commons ;
upon seeing that she was not so well sustained as a rotten borough ;
that the had nothing to say there—or if she had, it was in direct
hostility to the principles and interests of the city, and every other
part of the empire? (Laughter and chem.) The cause of all this
was, that the had the discernment to send to Parliament individuals
who were disposed to serve themselves, 'And who, in that codes- I
sour, threw the interest, of the public to the winds.
A petition, founded on the resolutions, was then read, and una-
nimously carried.
Mr. GALLOWAY, In the highest strain of eulogy, which was
repeatedly cheered, moved the resolution of thanks to the Lord
ayor.
The LOAD IllaYox, in returning thanks, said he could not eon.
mire that he was entitled to the high eulogium just bestowed upon
him. To a certain extent he would not deny that he had his claim.
So far as courage and perseverance went, he had not been remiss in
the performance of his public duties; but his ability moved but
slowly io comparison with die rapidity of his zeal. With respect
to the subject they had met to discuss, he had acted with his accus-
tomed impartiality ; and he took the chair without attempting to
influence any person, and without being in any manner a party to '
the propositions tbat had been made. Vet it was impossible for
hint to remain a tacit observer of passing events, which were
strongly calculated to excite the feelmg% Although he bad not
been consulted on the propriety. of calling a meeting, he could not
but say that he fully concurred in the resolutions and petition which
bad just passed. It was extraordinary that so much delight should
be manifested at the nominal reduction of taxation that had been
alluded to, when a surplus of seven millions was acknowledged,
and after taxes to the amount of three millions had been added to
the burdens of tbe people, in a time of peace. In fact, the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer hardly pretended that it was a reduction at
all : it was a mere regulation, part of a new system--of a system
Called liberal. lye approved of the principk, but afar a long course
of furor it was matter of difficulty to turn into the right course.
As to the tax upon silk, how was the reduction to affect the pub-
lic at large? The regulation to which die Minister came, in con-
sNuence of the outcry raised by those who were interested, was cal-
culated to do extensive mischief. It was introduced as a compro-
mise with the manufacturer, a bile the little trader must suffer irre-
parably. The shopkeeper who had stuck on had must sink under
the measure now penults. Many who traded on credit must be
ruined. No allowance was to be made for them, and it was extra-
ordinary that of all the Members who stood up in the House of
Commons on the subject, no more than two advocated the cause of
this oppressed class. But the fact was, they bad no representa-
tive and had no one to appeal toss • person qualified to serve, or
indeed to understand their interests. Mr. Baring and Mr. Hume
wets the only men whe seemed to have any knowledge upon the
subject, but the latter appeared to have acted on erroneous views;
a circumstance which, however, was to be accounted for from the
slight esonoction he had with he body who were to be so severely.
affected. Some observations had been made upon the subject of
the Representation of the City. lie was too far advanced in life
to entertain any ambitious views, and it he should be sent Into the
House of Commons, it must be only by his fellow ciliate. His
Lordship, after disavowing all intention of acting with any object
but that of the good of his country, spoke of the neeessitf of return-
ing tit and proper representatives to Parliament. When be took up
the daily newspapers, he felt ashamed to see the members for rotten
boroughs taking the lead of the representatives of the City, not one
of whom could talk for ten tninutes on any subject. Indeed, so
miserably deficient were they, that every sentence they uttered was
a provocation to laughter. ((Treat laughing.) The silk manufac-
turers had men to the House who were able to protect them, while
the City of London bad not a man who was possessed of courage,
or honesty, or ability, to get up and defend the interests of his in-
jured fellow-citizens. The consequence was, the Minister had
given a bribe to the manufacturer, who would thus have the oppor-
tunity of underselling, and of course ruining the little trade. The
Citizens talked of degradation. What degradation was so bad as
that of being so represented ? It would actually appear as if the
Citizens had gone upon a regular look out for fools—as if there were
not enough of folly in one unwieldly with whom they had
been blessed for so many years, they ran a ut to find his equal.
(Loud laughter.) Ministers liked this mode of representation. They
would rather see the City represented by a block, or a stone, than
by active and efficient men. They had only to point to the City
of London whenever a rotten borough was mentioned, and a full
answer was given. This was well known, and still 600 of the very
men who had voted for his (the Lord Mayor's) return, had also
voted the individuals who were the means of throwing him out.
Ile had exerted himself against the most oppressive measures ever
introduced into Parliament ; against the Six Acts, the throe mil-
lions of taxes, and the attempt on the part of the London Clew/ ;
and yet the Citizens turned him out to make room for Alderman
Bridges and Curtis. There was but one of the four Members who
had ever conscientiously exerted himself ; the rest were watching
for the beck of the Minister. The Lord Mayor concluded amidst
loud applause, after some further continents, in the same strain,
upon. the conduct of the citizens and the city members, when the
tueeung adjourned.

The unfortunate man now under sentence of death in
the gaol of Edinburgh for murder, has hot yet, we are sorry to find,
evinced a becoming sense of his melancholy situation. Neither the
certainty of the awful fate which ir. a few weeks louse overtake him,
nor the reflections to which his crime and his punishment are likely,
in solitude, to give rise, have hitherto produced any salutary in,.
presslons on his mind. He seems, on the contrary, to repel any
Advances of kindness from those about him. To the inquiries of
one gentleman he abruptly replied, .• 1 am not the better of you,
nor of any like you." To another gentleman in an official situa-
tion, he betrayed similar Impatience, and haughtily expreised a
wish that he might tot receive any more visits of such a nature.
As to the affair which had brought hint there he added, that it was
a matter which concerned himself alone. Ile is observed to be
restless, and continually moving to the full extent of the chain
allowed to him ; in this respect differing from almost every one who
has been placed in the like ui happy circumstances. While others
sought repose, or were sunk into despondency, he is for ever in mu.
tion.—Cakdoitias .Mercury.

A singular circumstance took place on the river Thames,
which stopped the navigation for barges on Wednesday night some
hours. Two coal barges, heavily laden, in endeavouring to shoot
the centre arch of London brid, became so wedged together, they
could not be separated, although every exertion was made, till high
water, near ten, having been in that situation nearly three hours :
fortunately it was neap tide, or they must inevitably have been
dashedto pieces. This accident caused a great number of persons
to assemble on the bridge, amongst whom were wine of the light-
fingered gentry, eho were actively engaged unloading the pockets
of the gazers. A Mr. Lewis, of llawkhurst, in Kent, lost a purse
containing notes and cash to the amount of ninety-six pounds.

A ROBBER Silo:Jr.—Wednesday morning, between two
and three o'clock, the shop of Messrs. R. and Graham, silver-
smiths and jewellers, Stable-yard, Woolwich, was broken open, and
property in jewellery, pearls, diamonds, plate, &c. to a very coo-
siderable amount, earned off. The villains effected their purpose
by means of centre-bits, with which they pierced the shutters, and
the hand of one of them was in the act of drawing out a gold neck-'!
chain, at the moment Mr. R. Graham, alarmed by their proceed- I
ings, entered armed with pistols, the contents of which he dis-
charged in succession, and wounded the intruded arm, and, it is
supposed, the side of its owner, who retreated, exclaiming, •• Olt !
my side—l'm rui. d!" A great quantity of blued was discovered
on the spot where the robber stood, and one of the bullets dis-
charged by Mr. Graham ; who this morning made application to
the different hospitals in town, in expectation of finding the wounded
man, but no tidings of him have been received.

SUCCESS AT HAZARD AND CO.'S.--Both the Twenty
T:iousand Pound Prizes drawn the First Day of the present Lot-
lery, were sold in shares by Hazard and Co. and their Agents. The
Second Day of Drawing will be next WlNlneiday. when Two more
Twenty Thaisands will be drawn in the first fire minutes; the
Wheel contains Fire Prizes of Twenty Thousand and many other
Capitals. Tickets and Shares are selling by Hazard and Co. at
their old-established and fortunate Offices, Royal Excluusge-gate
26, Conlin! ; and 324, Oxford-street, end of Regent-atreet i and
l by their Agate in all the principal Country TODD/.