The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-09-30 00:00:00

NOTTINGHAM TOWN MEETING.

Is consequence of a requisition addressed to the Mayor of
this place, mid signed by several most respectable inhabi-
touts, that Gentleman appointed the Market-place as the
spot upon which the proposed meeting of the inhabitants,
for taking into consideration the late dreadful proceedings
at Manchester, should take place. Accordingly, on Mw.
day, *boot 12 o'clock, hustings having been erected i• front
of the Exchange, a very iiiinterous concourse of people
assembled in humor them. Their appearance was generally
respectable.
Just at the commencement of the proceedings a procession
entered at the opposite end of the Market-place, preceded by
a band amok, mod bearing a cap of liberty surmounting a
bundle of sticks tied together, and forming au emblem of
wale, and strength. The first banner, which was a very
large white one, had the words " Brituoa, demand justice!"
inscribed tapes it in large black letters. It was edged with
mourning crape. The second was entirely of crape; the
ground being black, and the trimming white. This bore an
inscription, "To the memory of the Reformers massacred at
Manchester." The third was disposed in the form of an
anion jack, bearing in one compartment that ensign, as the
symbol of England; in the second, a harp, and the word
" Ireland;" in the third, " Wales;" and in the fourth, a
thistle and " Scotland." A fourth flag exhibited a curious
legend—" No Oliver; uo hourly reports." The procession
at Aral advanced to the foot of the hustings; but in a little
time took their station at that part of the Market-place by
which they had entered. Upon arriving at the Exchange,
the Mayor, and the Gentlemen by whom he was accompa-
nied, were warmly greeted.
The MAYOR (Isaac Woolley, FAq.) having observed that
Ise had received a requisition, whirl' he felt it his duly to
comply with, requested the Town Clerk to read the same
That beiag done,
Mr. TMOMAII WAKILIIIIILD addressed the meeting, amidst
roissiderable cheering. Before proceeding to the imme-
diate business of the day, he thought it right, he said, as
the organ of the Committee, to read to them two letters
which he had revered; one from their representative, Mr.
Birch, and another from Mr. Beaman, 111.P.--{flear.)
He would first mestion that, as to their own members, the
letter of Mr. Meek would explain the reason of his absence,
but Lord Benefit& was there to answer fur himself.—(Great
eheering.J—On the ltd of September a note had been ad-
deemed to 111r.C.arr, the SeNrciary to the Committee, from
Mr. Birch, dated Buxton, in which be requested that the
Committee might be informed that he fell it a point of duty
to attend at Nottingham on the present occasion. Uofortis-

mistey, the second Ictte► from the same quaefer, ',Web lsh
should now read, would sinew that their Member bad ban
disappointed. It waa arfullows
Bayne, Saturday morning.
" Bean Ste—By a letter which has just got to my heeds
I am informed of circumstances which require my insmediath
return into Lancaster.
4 This unexpected cell not only frustrates the object for
which I came to this plate, but peewees* me slim from ful6H.
big the promise I aide your Committee to attend the Meet-
ing on Monday, for taking into consideration the melan-
choly and dis:raceful events which have lately occurred at
Manchester.
. _

" Were it in any power to be present,at the Meeting I
should feel it my duty, as much as it is nay wish, to make
my constitueuts fully acqusinted with my opiuion and feel.
ings regarding those transactions, which have called forth
almost the universal reprobation of the conntry.
" From every report hitherto given of them, nothing ap-
peals to justify the grounds, or to thew the pretext whereon
Ministers have thought fit to convey the approbation of the
Prince Regent to the Magistrates and yeomanry, for their
conduct upon that COMMISYIOO. Let us therefore hope, that
notwithstanding such praise (in my op' prematurely
sod unworthily bestowed), those person■ will speedily be
brought to sower, through the laws of their country, for
•iolating, as they did, the people's constitutional right, and
disregarding till the better feelings of humanity.
" I write in great baste, and ran only add my request,
that you will lay this letter before the Committee, being
" Very repectfully, dear Sir,
'6 Their and your much obliged
" And very bumble Servant,
" JOSEPH 'BIRCH.

a Mr. J. Carr, Sec. to the Committee."
The letter from Mr. Denman was dated Moasford.lodge,
Ilford, Sept. 20, 1519; expressed his entire concurrence in
the feehug is which the requisition for this meeting had
been drawn up, but suggested, that as in that Paper the
proposed meeting had been described as of the inhabitants
of Nottingham, and so characterised also in the summons
issued by their respectable Magistrate, it would be improper
for hint to attend, hut that it was " for this reason alone be
tonal obtain from joining their assembly."
Mr. WAKEFIELD then remarked, that it was not his isles-
lion to have come forward on the present occasion ; but
that no other person who had signed the requisition having
been prevailed on to do so, he bad felt it his duty to set the
example.—(Chetwr.)—He also felt himilelf buuud, as one
of the requisitionists, to strttc the 4.1311011111 which had induced
him to j • those gentlemen in condemning the conduct of
the Manchesferreomidary and Magistracy. In the mean time,
fie I,i:treated them to act with calmness and moderation ; to
consider the subject with attention and impartiality; and he
was sure they would come to the same cotieltision upon it.
Violence never could do a good cause any benefit, but it
might do it a great deal of harm. Now theirs was a good cause.
They were met in support of public principle and of politi-
cal liberty; all of which bad been shamefully violated in the
daring dispersion of the meeting in question by the Man-
theater Magistrates, and by the cruel and inhuman mammy
in whirls their determination was carried into effect by the
Manchester yeomanry mitrabi.--!Shane.).—The subject
naturally divided itself into two heads: firstly, the violation
of the constitutional right of persons to meet in public
for the common and free discussion and consideration of
public grievances, and to petition for their redress: second-
ly, 11reobdel I
owhich struck n
wasgaiu o
s t tnhee constitution tns
thattioot inotnn
nature
that the by the I:rtoceedcon:
sti!tition itself would have beets equally violated by it, had
the yeomanry cavalry acted with as much gentleness and
tenderness as they hail manifested of outrage and atrocity.—
(Loud applause.)—The right an endangered was one re.
corded, cherished, and respected by all persons on all occa-
sinus; it was expressly recognised by the Bill of Rights, and
had been mentioned with peculiar distinction by every writer
on the British Constitution.—(ilear )—lt was, iu abort, a
right peculiarly British, and worthy of freemen; and if they
once allowed it to be wrested from them, they would retro.
grade with amazing celerity to a complete despotism.—
He was satisfied that that feeling which had gone forth from
all quarters, would prevent the recurrence of the evil for a
long time. He was satisfied that hereafter no Magistrates
would dare to disperse a peaceable meeting legally assembled;
and that no cavalry would so far forget the feelings of men
and the claims of nature, as to attack helpless age, &repot-
less beauty, and unresisting childbood.—(bamense cheering,
which woe hmta continued.)—He was satisfied that therein.
not at that moment to he fouled throughout the whole
Tioited Kingdom the same number of men, or persons rather,
as composed the Manchester yeomanry, who in a body could
be pleaded to for mercy, by men, women, and children,
and who would yet deny their plea. The clue-.refer of Rug-
lishmen had ever been famed for mercy. Their character, it
had been one praise of, that they never attacked those who
were incapable of resisting, sod that they always acted with
gentleness and feeling.--!Great applause.)—He spoke it to
the credit of those to whom he was opposed in politics,
that, with some few exceptions, lie had met with none alto
did not join in condemning the infuriate outrages of the
16th of August; but they had urged that it was proper to
watt the result of pending trials before they proceeded to
censure the conduct of those who were parties in tlwm.
And so he would have waited, and would here exhorted his
fellow-townsmen to wait, had it not been for one circum-
stance ; he would have forbore to blame, had the Prince
Regent and his Majesty's Ministers forbore to praise.--(77lte
observation was !reeled with Icons appientse.)--But lie was
convinced that it was the duty of every our, let his polities or
(minium be what they might, to step forth is support of an
actual right ; and to preveut, by a timely appeal to public feel-
ing, the example of the Magistrates at Manchester being
brought into a precedent, by the actions of those who, its
their eagerness to reap the thanks of the Prince Regent and
the favour of his Majesty's Ministers, might be hereafter
tempted to break through all the rights and privileges of
Englishmen. be the circumataaces of the case what they
might. He should now move certriti Resolutions, which he
should first read over to them, previously to their being for-
mally submitted for their approliation.—[This speech was
listened to with every demonstration of respectful attention
throughout, and was only interrupted by the occasional
marked approbation which it elicited.]
The Resolutions assert the principles laid clown in the
speech, and are nearly similar in terms to those voted at
preceding similar meetings.
The Resolutions having been put and carried unanimously
Mr. Psalm moved an Address, founded upon them, which
was seconded by Mr. DUNS, and carried unanimously.
Lord RANCLIFFE the. came forward, amidst the most
enthusiastic cheering, which °misused for some se marls.
Upon its cessation his Lordship addressed the meeting ire
time words :

a Fellow-burgesses and Friends—After the able manner in
which the Resolutions have been just moved, and the Ad.
dress proposed, and in which both have been seconded, I
should, were I to consult my own feeling, remain silent, and
not attempt to add, for I know I cannot, one word diet
might give weight to all that you have already beard. Bet,
brother burgesses, on an occasion like ibis, next to the
unpleasant ditty which I must say is imposed wpm me,
arising out of the circumstances which have occasioned
this meeting, the late horrid and disastrous transactions
which have taken place at Manchester, this is one of the
must irksome tasks I ever had to perform, seeing even the
few words I shall have to say on the occasion. I cougroulate
yen un the numbers and respectability of this meeting. I felt
and knew, that the people of Nottingham would not be want.
int to come forward, when the people's tightened privileges
were invaded. I knew that you would come forward, and that
you would do it iu that constitutional and proper manner,
which will carry with it its weight, wbeisever this address may
be presented. I cannot at ibis tune refrain from caressing my
disgust at the manlier in which his Royal Highness's Ministers
have coupled the Prince Regent's name with the thanks
they have addressed to the Manchester yeomanry. It is,
brother burgesses, screening themselves; it is making •
scape-goat of the Prince Regent, in order to prevent that
puuishusent (ruin falling on their uwu heads which they have
DO righteously deserved.—(rekersent applause.)—But I do
trust that his Royal Highness will nu longer give ear
to those Ministers, his present advisers, who have pur-
sued every measure likely to withdraw your affections from
him, which I should be must sorry In see. I du trust, hum
the general expression of feeling throughout the essoutry,
that his Royal flightless will, though I dare not my be wills

HIGH WATER THIS DAY AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Muraiug 22 after 11. I Evening MI ■fter 11.

LONDON : Priored sad PabliOred at do Moe, N.. Mt
Suomi; vosee Adrartionorob are rooriod, ad truss
t=l) most b. arklearari--O. ISNITN, N. 1,
Pik Iva, Peirodr+,/, WIIITZ, No, 1111. aural,