The National Register.
London, England, 1819-08-29 00:00:00

AUGUST 2g

SECOND SMITHFIELD MEETING.

By one o'clock on Wednesday great numbers had
assembled in every part of Sulithheld, and by three
o'clock there were thou:wilts collected together in every
direction. A man then appeared with a placard, an-
nouncing that " the Meeting will commence at four
o'clock; keep order." Just before four, Alderman
AVood passed across Smithfield, on horseback, and uas
greeted with buzzes. Previously to this, extensive pre-
cautions and arrangements had been made by the civil
)power; and at three o'clock, the Lord Nlasor, attended
by his Clerk, end sonic other persons its 'private dress,
went un foot to Giltspur Street, Crupier. Those who
happened to be assembled treated his Lordship and the
party with great respect, making wry fur them us pass up
u the prison door steps.
At tour o'clock exactly, a waggon, drawn by one
horse, appeased iu view. It critic front St. Julio
Street lama, and went round the market till it
at the place where the 'Preston& ineetiog seas held.-11
was Atli need by immense numbers; however the as-
setuldrge was not much above half as large as the lass
Smithfield Nleetitw ; but here could nut be fewer than
JO or 40,000 petsolis ',resew. 111 the wa2gois were
several persons said to be nelbeiging to the Cimintittees.
They carried the Limpets previously used ;--6. Peace
and Goodwill"—" Unicersal Sittfirge"—" England,
Scotland, and Ireland" " Liberty or Death."—
The waggon having halted, a hackney coach imme-
diately afterwards drove up, mul there 1:11111C (ruin it Dr.
I'Vrtson, Thistlewood, &c. who itistrutly ascended the
waggon amidst NJ/Intim
Mr. Phillips, in the absence of Mr. Hunt, begged
to propose that Dr. Watson be called to the elia r; a
proposition 11111 was immediately agreed to.
Dr. ‘Watson then ascended a chair in the waggon ;
and silence being obtained, he proceeded to state, doe
ho, in common with his trientls, felt most anxious to
preserve the peace of the country. As far as they were
cinicerned, it was detennined that it should be, kept ;
!tut unfortunately, the pariles opposed to ;hem, had not
followed their example—they ,had committed breaches
of the race, and some of theircountryinen had fallen
victims to the unhappyilisturbances that had taken place.
He then went on to state, that Sir C. Wolseley had beim
United to the chair, by Mr. 131anJionl, uu.v in custofy,
to which lie had returned time folloveiii answer

" Stn.—l have been favoured with your letter or the loth inst.
written on behalf of the two committees of Surrey and Aliddlesex.
Jo reply, I beg to assure you, that although I shall always feel
groat pleasure in contribuung my services towards the promotion
of public soot!. in every persible way, under existing circum
stances, it becomes indis;wnsility necessary for every individual
invited to attend,at any private or public inieung to be previnsisly
ii:/brnied of thepre,i‘e and Jrl4nilc objects to which the attention
of the a-sembly is to be directed, a; also the measures proposed
II be adopted.
•• A particular engagement in which, however, I am now, and
shall be for some time engaged, in furtherance of the great cause
of political liberty, precludes the possibility of acceding to your
with, and thereby render. any enquiry as to the particular objects
of the meeting enurely unnecessary.
" As, however, it is, I presume, for a good political object, you
can find no difficulty in meeting with some gentleman in London,
whose local connections wdi add weight and importance to the
3ltueing.
" And I am, Sir, your obedient. die.
" C. WOLSELEY.

Weiseley Park. Aug. 22. 1819."
AudnAibed to J. E. illundtord, Hackney. Londoo

Dr. %Vinson res _____ ed, utr beeretary oat nig wad the
letter. He contended that the people were alive to their
tighis and liberties, and that they never failed to-showse
becoming anxiety to support them. Heretofore they had
been aildr...ssed by persons iii the higher walks; but
where were those persons nowt lie was one of the
" truces orders ;" he was (meta themselves ; and nothing
should induce hint to cease to be one of the " lower
orders." Some of them had depended on die " middling
orders ;" but even the tn4ldling orders had foriakeit
them ; they had now nothing to 410 bust to take care of
their own interests. It bre:sine •thent •to fulfil their
duties as men, and they were properly looking up to
their natural leaders. 17m Mae': Lhear/conteviled that
it was due to Alt. Hunt that the meeting should be de-
ferret! until Its was cnabled to prelude, that he might
show the Alancliester Authorities how the Powers in
'London veculd beirave--(Cries of ".sav nothing against
NVonler-•—lie'S right.") Nl.Lior Cart wright had been ap-
plied to. and the follosi lux was his. answer
DEAR Sta.—lf it be trot that any steps have beer taken
towards the holding of another meeting in smithllekl, on 'Wed
ncsday next, as twin your note of this attersoon you sixty, to
understand is intended, I call have no hesitation in saying that
under the WMOIIIIOO.I which now exist is would be very desi-
rable that suet' meeting shauld nut at present be holden ; and I
son strengthened in this opinion num the consideration that as
.natters new stand. the enemies of Parliametaary Reform have
given the trientls of that measure 60 great an advantage over them.
that it would he I. r 1,17,0 y 11) halt flit IlVegillg you under-
suuni us be in contemplation, lest mirduiecoss persons should
contrive to produce a tumult, or any confusion which could pos-
sibly be laid at the doors of the fritsids of rctiurm.
" Your's, an. JOHN CARTWRIGHT.

37. Surion Wescent, Aug. 22."
Dr. Watson said, the into% 'dual who addressed them,
and :hose wir, had called the inerting, were trienus. They
wished the Irish Catholics (till and free reliaiotis liberty.
Ile then elated that he had a siring of resolutions to lay
before the meeting, to which, he had not the least doubt
:her would cordially agree.
't he restriir ions were then read.
The firsLatated, that the voice of the.peopleiumembled oa that
occasion, ought to be raised as a eonstitutional means of stop-
ping the progress dull:wry, and of sating the country from
massacre. _

2. 'bat the Magistrates had assumed a power dangerous to
the security of the people. That power had increased, was in-
creasing. and ought to be restrained.
3. AU power hot derived from the people ought to be restricted.
4. That any resuicticin ou the people assembled to r
the conduct of their Representatives was a gross violation of their
rights.
5. The claims of the people to free and fair elective franchiic.
to annual Parliaments. and votes by ballot, were just, coostitu-
t onal, and bet:essay so preserve the peace and liberty of the
euintry.
ti. 411 persons who oppose these claims ought to be considered
,emits to the people.

TIIE NATIONAL REGISTER.

7. That the Meeting revered the principle laid down by Judge
Blackstoire, namely, that resistance to oppression was a conch
tutior.al right, which the people are canal on to exercise when
driven to extrenntiev. _

The 8111 and 9th declared the right of the people to have arms
in their prn.session.
The loth declared, that it was the bounden duty of every
man, having regard for his own liberty, to provide himself with
such anus us rally
.be necessary for his defence.
11. The possession of arms by the F....trek would tend to pre-
serve the public peace, as in former tunes, when people were
armed for mutual protection.
12. That the Meeting saw with Indignation the misconduct
f the Yeomen Cavalry of Manchester, in their attack on the
peaceable people, legally assembled, on the 16th i inst.
13. The Meeting called on the Prince Regent and others to
take measures to try the 31agistarrs and Yeomen, for their
crime, and in the event of a verdict of Guilty, to cons'gn Meru to
condign punishment.
14. The 111ecting could not, without a violation of their duty.
omit to cull fur a subscription for their wounded Countrymen.
IS. That the people of the United Kingdom be requested to
commence the said Subscription.
In. That Messrs. flirt, West, Wyk!, and others, bc appointed
to remise and pay Subscriptions to Major Cartwright, the Tn.*.
surer.

1.7. That the Thanks of the Meeting be given to Henry Hunt,
Esq. fur Isis manly and prudent conduct on the late trying oeca•
non, sod his enthstvour tr obtain the rights of the people
convened on the dur of the 31verine, of Reformers at Nlanchester
on the Ifith inst.—(This Resolution was carried with three cheers
and loud clapping, of hands.)
In. The language reported to have been use? by a Judge of
the land on a late OCcoislon, was • • •, as it invited one patty of
the people to arm themselves against another party.
19. That a conspiracy WU formed against the Rights and Li-
berties of the 'people.
to. That they heard with satisfaction the liberal spirit which
pervades the Catholics of Ireland on the subject of Civii and
Liberty .
21. 'limy would never cease to call, in a firm manner, for
Reform in the COITIMOIIS House Of Parliament.
. . .

sa. They ca reseed regret that his Royal Highness had been
advised by his Ministers to issue a Proclamation, when he might
have had the advice of Parliament. _

t 23. That an appeal be made to the Prince Regent. praying
his Royal lliglineta to put doan Borough Proprietors, and to
save the country from bloodshed .md murder.
24. That evcty ethirt be made to get the Appeal conveyed to
the hand of the Prince.

• -
25. Expreaseidiblike of the proceedings 4 the Magistrates at
ltfunchester.

Popular Meetings were best caleuliced to keep do the,
spirit of the people.
x 7. That Itetbrm in Parliament would the means of de.
strming vexatious divisions. disbanding a standing army, and
providing for the brave soldier atter his honourable services.
QM. That those tv:io refuse to attend a Meeting of the eople in
p the open air, are only the pretended, and nut the real friends of
the people.
Alr. hisilewood then said, " the asientUage this day
would hate been more numerous brat for she insidious
means taken so prevent the meeting. lam sure if you
assemble this way; you will have your rights in a little
time.—(A laugh, arid cry of Bravo.)—The horrid trans.
actions which have taken place at Manchester, require
the libliorrence•of every man, and I trust the spirit of
every nun, and I trust the spirit of Englishmen will
bring the •• • to justice. I second all these rrsolu.
Lions which you hate all heard.
Doctor Waisom—You h.sve heard all the resolutions
read ,hill I put then' to you separately or collected.

. .
A cry or altottethet.
The resolutions were accordingly carried by a show of
hands.

Preston then stood forward to address the tneeting,
amidst loud !rushing: some one exclaiming, 1 he so-
tier ? _ _

Dr. Watson .—I do assure con, Gentlemen, he is pet-
fetthr sober. On a former occasion he was not sober.
Prentm, thus introduced, said he stood forward to ad-
dress an assemblage of his fellow citizens, and he really
felt more on the occasion than he could express. it was
a proud day fur Englishmen, and like the Spartan, he
would die at his post rather than fursske his duty. He
supported the resolutions, and the general object of the
Meetirg. . _

Dr. awns then announced, that certain letters from
Sir Francis Burdett, Mr. Hunt, kc. would be read to
the Meeting.
The letters of Sir F. Burdett and Mr. Hunt were aC•
cord maly read, and received with shouts of applause.
The letter of Lord Sidnionth, returning thanks to the
Manchester YeOlnatirY Cavalry, was also read, and re-
ceived wadi expressions of disapprobation.
Au instrument. which was fronted an Appeal to his
Royal Highness the Prince Regent, was next read and
agreed to.
A Vote of Censure was finally passed on the Lord
Mayor, for stating that the previous Meeting in Smith-
field was part of a plot to destroy the City.
This resolution apparently restored the Meeting to
good humour. 1i1y..., agreed to with lanzlitet, and the
whole seemed to go (dos a good joke —'lnc flags and
banners w theft waved iu triumph, and the whtde
flew ~lirM~l?'r~ttli~ 'ZAP 4h

Parliament was on Tuesday further prorogued by
commission. The Lord Chancellor, being recited in
his robes, with the Dukeof Wellington on his right,
and the Earl of Liverpool on his left, (also in their
robes), commanded the Yeoman Usher of the Black
Rod to desire the attendance of the Commons; who
being come, the commission for ti►rther pmroguing
the Parliament was read by Benjamin Currie, EN.
the Additional Clerk Antietam; which dune, the
Lord Chancellor prorogued the Parliament to the
2d of November. The Commons, who were repre-
sented by Jeremiah Dyson, Esq. and several of their
clerks and officers, then withdrew.

Extract of a letter from Chester, Aug. 9.5 :—"The
trial of Sir C. Wolseley, it is untlersuxxl, will not
take place at our next Assizes, but at the ensuing
Spring Sessions."
Thursday the Mayor anl.Cerporation of Newcas•
tle gave a grand dinner at the Assembly-roo.us, to
their distinguished townsman, the
-Right Han. Sir
W. Scott.