The National Register.
London, England, 1813-01-24 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL--REGISTER.

JAN. 94.

~,

-...

resided,) have granted the ttie of th.tt Hall on any occasion which
concerned the City, from which the Citizens were to be excluded.—
( Hisses.)
rdthi - Gentleman would he al-

The -ORD MAYOR hopes. re Worthy
allowed a hearing, be: wished him to compress what he had to say,
so as to confine himself closely to the subject, for which the meet-
ing Was convened.
Mr. W A ITHMAN said, the length of his speech would depend upon
the interruptions he,might receive, as the longer and more frequent
they were, the longer should he hold out.—(H-isses )—He was sure
the use of that Hall could not have been granted for the discussion of
that which concerned the City, if the citizens were to be excluded.
Mr TWINING begged that the Resolution might be read.
The Resolution was read.
Mr•sW AITHMAN hoped no person would again be so disorderly as
to pre ume to dictate to his Lordship the line of conduct which he
ought to pursue. He was a citizen of London, and had a right to
express his sentiments.
Mr. ROWCIOTT, in support of a point of order, and.in defoice of
the ohiect of that meeting, wished to sty that it was called for a
specific purpose, and not to discuss the general question. Those
who diffeied from them would have other opportunities at other
times, and in other places, and take those measures which to them
might appear proper.
Mr. WAITHM AN perceived that he was right in the idea he had
formed.
Mr. ROWCROTT Impel the Lord Mayor would see order main-
tained, and prevent a recurrence of such interruptions. It would be
remembered that when the Mahommedans made a stand against cer-
tain articles of food, if a Mussulman wished to taste the luxuries
enjoyed by those of a different persuasion, he persuaded himself that
pork was beef, and thou had no hesitation to indulge in it.--(Here
hisses and markt of disapprobation from all parts of the Hall ob-
liged Mr. Rowcroft to retire.)
Mr, FAveci, put it. to the Meeting, whether it would not make
better for their cause, that the Worthy Gentleman should be heard
Mr. WAITIIMAN said, the Worthy Gentleman had put the ques-
tion on a right tooting. Some wished to make use of this question to
overthrow the Government. Of this he disapproved. The resold.
tions set forth, that the East India Company lisd Ling enjoyed the
trade, that it had conferred great benefits on the city of London, and
entered into large calculations.
The LORD MAYOA here observed, the first resolution only was now
under consideration.
Mr. WAITHMAN believed it was common on such occasions, when
speaking of the first, to take the whole range of the resolutions.
.otherwise ten speeches would be mule for one. He then went on to
Police the statements made respecting the number of men that would
be thrown out of employ. He could not but think the number mag-
nified. if the import trade were given to the outports, Gentlemen
seemed to say that every thing was given from the Company; the
China trade would he ruined, smuggling would increase, and the re-
%TOW would be diminished. This with respect to the revenue was
nonsense. If it fell ofl; Ministers would take care to supply a re-
medy. He never knew a Minister d.ficient in raising the revenue;
he only wished they would take better care of it when-raised.—(Ap-
plause at d hisses) —These interruptions did not distress, but on the
contrary relieved him Appleuset.
Mr. MAKTIN spoke to order.
Lir. WAIT tiM A N hoped he was not thus to be interrupted.
The Lorie MAYOR again asked it as a favour, that. the Worthy
Gentleman would confine himself as closely. as possible to the
question.
Mr. WAITnMAN. He wished them to consider, whether or not
the opening of the trade would be so injurious to the City and Port of
London, as not to be compensated by the good done to the nation at
large. It appeared from the documents produced by the East India
Company, that in six years the exports had amounted to about
10,000,00d1. and that 5,000,0301. had been sent out in bullion, and
and 5,500,0001. in goods and stores. The returns had amounted to
8,000,0001. so it appears that there had been, within that period, a
loss of -2,000,0001. on this trade. In one year there had been a loss
experienced of 396,0001. The opinions of Mr. Dundas had been
quoted, but he wished them to recollect, that the circumstances of
the Company differed materially from what they were in 171.43. At
that time their debt was 7,010,0001. now it amounted to 31,000001.
and at present it was a losing trade. Had Lord Melville lived to see
this, his opinion might. have changed.
A Gentleman here observed, it was not the interests of the Com-
pany, but. their own, that they looked to in their proceeding.
Mr. WAITHMAN thought they ought then to think for themselves,

F

Gentlemen behind him,'whwhad formerly. been angry with him for
speaking of seats heirs sold in Parliament.—(Heremuch disapproba-
tion was expressed.) .
A Gentleman observed, the persons there assembled could not stay
there all night. if he (Mr. W.) could.. •
Mr. WA I ramaN• was sorry for it, but he could not help it. The
longer they interrupted him, the longer he should be. —He was
proceeding, when . •
Mr. ROWCROFT spoke to order; but could not be head{. The
Loan MAYOR and Mr. W A ITHMAN spoke to as little purpose rand
at one moment all three appeared to be speaking, though it was im-
possible for one to be heard. Mr. ROWCROTT made a new titbit
!o obtain a hearing, and Mr. WAITHMAN coolly took some refresh-
ment.
The LOR D MAYOR was at last heard. He begged that Mr. Row-
croft might speak on a point of order.
Mr. RoweßOl r spoke, but could not be heard, and retired amidst
loud hisses.
Mr. W A Tura AN attempted to proceed, but was prevented by hisses
and loud cries at " OW!" He then said, he would stay till mid-
night, rather than retire unheard.
Mr. T i.v I N I red called upon the Meeting to support the Chair.
Mr. WAITHMAN had never yet given way to clamour, and would
not give way now.—(oW, off, off !) He would stay till they 'had
done.—(Hisses, and cries of Off!) He knew. he should exhaust
them.—(Hisses.)
• The LORD MAYOR requested the Meeting to hear the worthy
Gentleman.
Mr. WAITHMAN said he should have been, able to compress what
he had to say but for these interruptions.—(oll, off, off!) 'He was
sorry to intrude upon the Meeting, but perhaps those friendly.. Ito
him would derive some satisfaction from hearing that he felt himself
very considerably refreshed by the interruptions which had been
given.—(Laughter, hisses, dec .) He called upon Gentlemen to wait
for information, and leave their minds open for .conviction, if
,the
measure proposed should appear likely.to bebeneficial..rather than
injurious. He concluded by moving an amendment, which had tot
its object a postponement of the consideration of the subject.
The motion was seconded by Mr. WAITHMAN, jun.
%Sir W. Cuavis expressed himself .favourable to the extension of
the trade, as tar as it could be beneficially' extended for the country ;
but was anxious to carfine the importi to the port of London.
The Amendmenrof Mr. Waurnstae was then negatived, and the
first Resolution carried. The other Resolutions were agreed to with-
out a discussion. On one of them—
Mr. Davis spoke of the evil effects to be apprehended from colo-
nization if the trade should be thrown open. He was of opinion it
would bring a class of persons to this country from • !Ojai who
would intermix with our females, and spoil the old English breed.—
(A laugh.)
Alderman Comae, Sir JAMES SHAW, and Alderman ATKINS, se-
verally addressed the Meeting, spoke favourably of its object, pledged
themselves to give the subject their best attention, and the rights ail
privileges of the City their firm support.
The Thanks of the Meeting were given to the Loan Maeoe, and
the Meeting broke up.