The National Register.
London, England, 1822-03-17 00:00:00

No. 1,360.—V0L. XV.]

MIDDLESEX MELTING.

On Thursday last a meeting of the freeholders of M id-
ilkstx, most numerously and respectably attended,
rook place at the Mermaid Tavel n, Hackney, pursuant
lu a requisition, signed by many of the body, Between
one and two o'clock, Mr. Sheriff Veneebles and Mr.
*exit Ulundi, comprehending im their persons the
Sheriff of Middlesest, took the chair.
Mr. Sheriff GAIMATT stated the oliject of the meet-
Mg, and the Under Sheriff read the requisition, which
slated, that the subjects for consideration were the des-
tirrate system of taxation, the distressed condition of
the country, and the necessity of reform in Parliament.
Toe Sherff requested a patient hearing to all parties.
The following resolutions were proposed:--
Resolved—'flat the various causes of the present alarm-
ing distress, felt by the community at large, originate in
an improvidt et waste of our national resources—in an
t xtrasagant expenditure of the public money, raised by
enormous taxation; in a lavish disregard of every princi-
pie of economy, and a total inattention to the prayers
of a suffering people.
Itesolved-1 hat the only certain relief that can benefit
the country is a thorough reform iu the Commons Home
of Parliament, whereby alone the people can be fully and
fairly represented, mut relieved ut that burden of ercea-
svve taxation by which they have been so long and SO
grievously oppressed.
Resolved that a petition founded on the foregoing reso-
lutious, be presented to the )louse of Commons.
;The petition was read and adopted.]
tiesolved—'that the petition now adopted, be signed •
ky the Sheriff. on behalf of the meeting.
Resolved—That the petition so signed he presented to
the House of Commons by the county members; and they
ure het eby haunt:led to support the prayer of the peti-
tion its Parliament.
The Reel Mr. Draper moved the resolutions, and
Major Cartwright seconded them.
S:r J. Gluaosr declared that he was one of the last
men who would say (hit taxation was not a burden,
but he must own that it was a necessary one. The war
was just ami necessary.* tie owned he was net one of
those who could say whether the contest could be
wout,d rip or one million more or one million less, but
he noidis say it hail beets wound up most gloriousl).
(Iliss.-s.) In his opinion the House of Commons never
stood in a higher light than it stood at Ares: t --.(Loud
cries of " Off, off") In fact, there never was a time
at iv;iich refiniu was more unnecessary than it was at
present.
Sher,tf Venabies then put the resolutions, which were
carried with acclamations.

Ott the Shad desiring those who were of a contrary
opinion to hold up their hands, Sir J. Gibbon appeared
tite only dissenter. A burst of laughter instantly took
place, winch was soon followed by groans and hisses.
Alderman WA IT:iMAN said nothing could he more
mischievous at present than making nice distinctions
about terms. We should all hail event' approach to Re.
form.—(llear.)—Every one should concede something
to the opinions and honest prejudices of others. The
want of this gives argument to tile enemies of Reform,
who say that its friends are not agreed on the subject,
and this they appear to consider a sufficient reason for
refusing any Reform ; though certainly if the Minister
wanted to lay on a tax, he would not stand still till all
persons agreed in its propriety. (Hear.)—Much has
been said on the distress of the-Agriculturist, which is
°unlined by all ; but the Minister has said that trade is
in a prosperous state ; but if there were any person in
tire House acquainted with the state of the numerous
class of traders to which he belonged, he could tell the
Minister he was mistaken. The truth is, no great class
attic wnuutuoity can be prosperous when the rest are
depressed, and they 'tumid never be separated.—(Cries
of ss Never, !MVO !") It was probably owing to the sie
leuce ut the City of London, that this opinion of the
prosperity of trade had been formed. He was glad the
City of London had so long suffered in ilettce-; it cup
not new be said that the city of Loudon clewed an outs
cry, and that other hillowed. Rut the fact ts, that every
brunch of trade is depressed ; and every man in trade
tun iuthred a iota on his capital, from 30 to 40 per
cent s—he knew it, and he felt it.—Every trader also
sustained a loss in his returns and profits--.in short,
tiniting was stationary but taxation.—( Hear, hear I
:the question was, whether Ministers should be allowed
toruend m the same manner? Sir John Gibbon had
his thanks for the manly expression of his opinion ;
every one who does SO will serve the cause, soil should
be heard,. He w its never more forcibly struck with any
thing that took place in Parliament than at last night's
debates—it contained doctrines on the part of ministers
welt as were never before avowed.--Mintsters iu etlect
said, that all who were not getting money out of the lases
were enemies it, the cunstittition—that places useless fur
et cry other purpose were twee isary for the ',reservation •
ct the eunstiintiuto The great Lord annum had said
to his trtend *wilt, that tile wheels of governutect were
so easily unwed, that the King's coachman could do ;
but Lord LOOtiolltielty says, the wheels of government
cannot tie moved without the oil of COrlOplI011.••••FIVOI
Mich declarations we must conclude, that the persons
who at pr..n.to support the government, would not give
then support unlos paid; and itt what state roust that