The National Register.
London, England, 1816-12-02 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Thunday a Court or Common Council was held, pursuant
to a requisition signed by a considerable number of members,
for the purpose of taking into consideration the present de-
pressed and impoverished state of the country, and to adopt
such measures, by petition or otherwise, as insy best tend to
the abolition of unnecessary places and pensions, to lessen
the present enormous public expenditure, and promote a re-
form iu time representation of the people in parliament, by
which alone we can expect a full redress of public griev.
slices, and an effectual security against public encroach-
ments.

The Lord Mayor stated the object of the Meeting, and
directed the requisition to be read.
%Vaithman, after desiring that the petition of the 6th
June, ISLO, should be read, observed, that ill the motion he
was about to submit, he proposed to go no farther than was
consistent with the prayer of that petition. its prayer was
for a reform in the representation of the people, and it was
founded upon those political evils which had flowed from the
present imperfect state of that represeatation. There were
various reasons for reminding the Court of its Conner and late
declarations on the present solemn and afflicting occasion.
clue great national grievances, which all in common joined
in deploring, had been there fairly stated, and those preju-
dices conquered, which he might otherwise have to fear as
obstacles to his immediate purpose. These prejudices, how-
ever, were still alive, and must he encountered; all he could
hope was, that they might yield to the force of orpiment, and
the incontrovertible statement of facts. It was agreed on all
sides, for it was every where felt, that the present moment
was one of peculiar and unprecedented calamity. It was O-
rions to the eye of every observer, that that large portion of
our population, from which all the strength and opulence of
the State was primarily derived, pas now unable to procare
the sustenance necessary to their own support, or the semen.
sure of their respective families. This dreadful, and hitherto
unknown condition of society in this country, occurred at a
period when, from all that had previously been augured sad
premised, as well as from the uptare of the event itself, the
blessings and prosperity of peace were expected to visit a
happy nation. (Applatur.) They had (molly looked for-
ward to a period of their sacrifices and their sufferings—to a
relaxation of those oppressive burdens to which they had
Nisionitted only from a sense of natimial danger, sad a caw
victim' of public difficulty. There were, as it appeared to
him, two, or rather three classes of enemies, whom the real
frieods Or the public cause had to eneiniuter. The first con-
sisted of the persons directly or indirectly interested in the
wasteful espenditure of government ; the second was coin.
posed of those who, from tempecary or ill-founded appetites.
4iollB, were averse to the undertaking of any serious reform;
iiiitl'a third, by far the most dangerous mid formidable of all,
'lose who, by wild and clamorous and absurd proceedings,
railed down ridicule or detestation upon every attempt to
secure cziedeem the rights and constitutional freedom of the
siOject. (Applause.) Of the first description vt their ens.

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which we were engaged ought necessarily to postpone a..
soecniationts upon the theorrtir.al or practical improvetto id of
oar constitution. The ground of such apprehensions was now
withdrawn: the nation was, as respected foreign hostilities,
in a state of safety and repose. Front that class. therefore,
be cold not anticipate any opposition; bottle was wel! aware
of the existence of a third, o% hoof he considered as the great
est enemies to the cause they greeted to espoose. He recol
leered, that tat thrmer agitating times there were not wanting
men well awl at:tie:Ay disposed to stir up the lower orders to
purpose* of mirchief, and to lead innocent men lute the
humid of their lives. (4pp:were.) To guard against an esti
Of this sort, and at the halve time steadily to prosecute the
great object of political reform, it was incumbent on men of
rank, property and cansideration, whose minds were satisfied
of its truth, and whose interests were not opposed to it, to
step forward: and give guidance to public opinion, forgetful
of party, and animated by the sincere desire of calming the
• popular mind—Of proving that all ranks hail but one collimate
interest—that the safety of all depended on the integrity of
the coustitation. It was the voice of lite people that had put
an end to the contest with America, 30 years ago, and to that
enhappy series of disasters, which, melancholy as it was, bore
to little comparison to the fearfril calamity of the present day.
Areuted, as he probably might be, and those who thought
with him, of endeavouring to divert the public mind from the
cares And olfiees of charity, it was necessary for hint to fortify
Otis hnitible judgment, in bringing forward the present propo7
iition, with the authority of grgat names ; and it was fortu-
nate for his argument that he was enabled to do so with the
opinion of some among the greatest men whoa the country
had ever produced. He should prove by a reference to their
public acts and declarations, that it was the principle of Mr.
' Pitt at one tiane, and Mr: Fox at all times, that the season of
peril anal of suffering was the it season for reform, and the
correction of public abuses. ,It had been repeatedly declared
by both. that the corruption of parliament alone bad caused
and mututained the. contest with our American colonies.
',lle thanks of that Corporation which he was now ad-
dressing were voted, in Deeember 1781. to the Right Ho-
nourable William Pitt. for his exertions iu promoting the
cease of parliamentary reform. To the immortal honour of
Mr. Fox it should he spoken, that the question of parliamen:
tary reform never was discussed at any season, or sander any
circumstances, without' receiving his cordial and powerful
assistance. Tlsis assistance it received. although many of his
, own enlightened friends were of a different opinion • and he
bad therefore all the advantages of his superior understand.
ing Co support him in the principle, that a reform in the repro.
' eentitien of the people was the sole means of securing public
freedom, sad giving permanence to a virtnoui administration.
Euough had been said to secure hint against the charge of
orilinating .chef or unprecedented proceedings, and little
could' be added to this security by an eunmeration of no less
• than 12 other testimonies of similar import, and flowing
from the 'most respectable quarters. It had been declared
by Mr.,Pitt himself, on a subsequent occasion, that there
was no security against future ilia] still more calamitous wars,
except parliamentary *reform and they all knew how well
be bad fulfilled his own predictions. *bat be intended to
propose appeared to Man far snore measured and moderate iu
its expression even than their petit' of March last; nor
could he believe it possible that the Court, by rejecting it,
would act in contradiction to it, own former authority. The
Coert'has often, on former occasions', recorded its opinions
ea the political measures the led to our present degrada-
tion: had before recorded its opium's on the sale of seats,
on the bribery and corruption of the Horse of Commons,
• and on the want of that constaut,onii coutroul which parlia-
ment 0t.e1.: to have over the cape Aitisre of the public money.
lie would avoid returning to Ouse charges against the state
of the rcpr.:sentAtiou which were offered ,u he proved at the
bar of the Hone of Conautons in 1793, and as they have never
been contradicted, might take them for granted. lie would
then ask, from what causes, except the state of our legisla-
titre, had our distresses arisen? Dial they spring front the
ill:leniency of the ~easpi.s, or the scantiness of our crops?
Did they originate la accideutal or nuforeseen ciremustaucest
No: they wele not unforeseeil, they were both foreseen and
predicted. V lieu the agricultural interest complaiurd to
P4ili.anent of the distress snider which they Isboured, a pro-
ject was formed, which, if it had been effectual. might have
removed the burdens from themselves, by throwing it on the
tradesman and the manufacturer. The price of' grain before
the late rise had fallen so low, that the &rater could derive
no profit from big labour or capital: bat the price of mann-
factured goods laud likewise fallen 23 or even eV per cent.
Thus the incomes of all had falleu alike : all were 'nought to
the brink of ruin, and the classes of our population lowest in
the scale were thrown oat of employment, and farces! to sub-
sist on charity. Now we were told that we ought to provide
labour for the porir, while their farmer employers who were
called open to assist them were themselves shipped of their
property, and had becoMe fellow-sufferers. The cause of
this state of things was no secret : he pointed out its opera-
tion), and predicted its result It years ago. 'Fite subsidies
which we had paid at various flutes to our allies, and the
maintisaanee of our own troops abroad, had drawn front the 1
country to the amainit uf millions sterling of the circa's*.
lug tuediniu. Wool(' any Wit say that the station could pro-
ceed under such an immense expenditure, or that we collie
send abroad so much of our metal currency without luconve-
nience? The cousequeece was the total disappearance of
specie, and the necessity of having recourse to paper-money
which could be issued 'at pleasure, and which wait issued to
an immense extent. The nominal price of every article of
aubsistruce and couvenience, of' all commodities, foreigu and
domestic, was raised by this iacreesc of the circulating me-
ahem. Our taxes increased,' hut we did not immediately
"beeate sit

• feii their pVessure ...use they were paid ip the prices..
articles which were themselves raised. As fast as the Ali-
, misters imposed the burden of taxation wt the community
they were transferred to the commodities which were sup-
plied by its ilitkientclasser and the whole was supported on
A factious currency. The delusion had now ceased; eouutry
frank-paper was witle.iruwir to the amount, probably, of 60
millions; the paper of the Back of England was almost the
only I: ind. of eirenlation with which the public were now Ac-
commodated, and nothing had been found to replace what
was withdleutvls. The price of every aHirle hail tidiest in con-
sequence of this diminution of medians of exchange, and pro-
perty bad in warty tusis. Changed 'hands. Its this state of
things we had the same nominal Z11)01111t of taxes to pay as
*hen the eircidating medium was of leer value. We had
eitrltt millions to pay in pour rates in addition to all our other
charges. 'lt wofild now• be asked, what rime-1y he ',unposed
. fur We multiplied sufferings under which the nation groaned.
end wituAtqr be troulditro the people, WI the brink of sturvdt-

if that expenditure had increased so much because there was
no constitutional clack on government by a parliament dulsi
elected, then surely a reform in the representation, which
would increase or crc.te that constitutional check, would'
teuil to produce a remedy for our present sufferings, and pre!
vent their recurrence • io futore. He was stumble that re-
form might not be brought about at once, and therefore that
our recovery might be slow but we were certain to attain
the grand object of our wishes in this rcapect, if we temper-
ately, but firmly, represented our grievances to'parliamost,
and called fur redress. The first prayer in all petitions should
be fur economy, the redaction of our enormous establish-
ments, and abolition of all useless places and unmerited pen
pions. It had awen said, that all-stuns grouted In pensions
were trilling when compared with the general expenditure
of the country, and that by saving them little relief could he
obtained. It he addressed those who were in the enjoyment
of them, he would be are to hear the following answer e—
" There are but about 80 of us ; we enjuy only about 200,0001.
a year : this sum is very insignificant when compared with
what you pay for other purposes, and though rertinded into
the pockets of those from wham it was extracted, would con-
tribute little to their relief." Now, were not the persons
who held such language the grossest hypocrites it, pretend-
ing to remove the diatonic, of the country by promoting a
subscription of 50,000 k while they- declared the 200,0301.
which they took from it quite uneommensnrate will, inch an
object?' How'sbort-sighted were they not to perceive, that if
what they enjoyed was so small an addition to the national
expenditure, the fourth part of it which they gave in charity,
WAS still less efficitaous for national relief. (Great Meanie.)
How inconsistent were they to amigo sale sole art anise_pf our
embarrassments the tratisition china:war to 'peace, white; se-
cording to their own accounts, they extorted Sour times the
sum from the nation which they profaned' to belle-Ye wOold
alleviate its sufferings? Adverting to the qucatirid of reform,
Ire (Mr. Waldman) professed that he Nia always entertained
an ardent wish for seeing it accomplished, and hail spent his
hest efforts hi its cause, but he hail never allowed hisjadg.
meat to be so far misled by his zeal as to be induced to join
those visionary reformers, whose violent conduct aid 'lmprac-
ticable projects made them the best allies of the ministers who
opposed it, by bringing discredit on the ealiselbey affected
to support. He had never frequented the meetings, or co-
operated In the views of such persons. At the last Common
Hali"(we understood Mr. W. to say), he had been requested
to propose the reaolutioes, but he declined the duty, both be-
cause the state of his health did not permit bins to nodertake
it with safety, and because by coming forward on that occa-
sion, he would have bees obliged tidier to eo-operate Rah a
person (Mr. Hunt) with whom he wished 'to *veld forming
any political connection, or to eider into a personal:alterca-
tion with bins in the presence of 4,000 people.' He had upon
reflection thought, that the best way-would be to shake him-
self clear of such a character ; and the corporation, by adopt•
ing measures for security a rational and practicable reform,
would be able to shake the dace from under him and his fel-
low visionaries, and let them drop into their native insigniti.
cance. Atter a variety
,of other remarks, 'Mr. Weidman
said, there was one eireninstance which had struck him fur-
tibly in regard to supplying employmedt fat the poor. It
was this: that numbers of people who were living principally
on the taxes, instead of refiring to the tonntiy iniimproviag
their estates, put pier* an old man or an old woman into
their mansion-house to look after it in their abienci, while
they themselves went **mid, and spent in forage'. pelts the
produce of the country. This was a shocking grievance.
Instead of making those improvements which suggested
themselves to every man who hail any landed property, how
ever small, they harried abroad and spent, the ermine; they
derived Prod this counhy in procuring cheap and untaxed
enjoyments abroad. (A member—" It Wait their own rOn-
tal.") No doubt, said Mr. Waidusaan, many instances it
was; but in other distances, and that nut a few, they went
and spent the ',reduce:et (tae taxes abroad. The fact was,
there way hardly any Mode of relief that' could be adopted,
that would prove universally booeticial. If, for instance, yon
adopted the plan of feeding the peiipk with fish, what was up
become of the butchers? said if you resorted to, some substi-
tute for coals, what was to become of the Newcastle cutle-
ries. and all the numerous broaches of shippiug and industry
therewith cOnueeteil? 'there was no doubt dud the sulmcsip-
lions of the opuleut might affords temporatY relief,and were
extremely laudable as a palliatise, but nothing hut a Horse of
t:oiniuuns effectually emstroulliug the 'public ezykindlture
could prtivert the recurrence of a calamity. He wield
take up the time of the Court So:longer than by naerelY read-
ing the resolutions he had to propose. [Mr: Waithman theta
read a series of resolutions emboilyiog the principal doctrines
of his speech; one of the last of has resolutions was, that this
Court do reeinanieaul mud approve of subscriptions for the re-
lief of the poor, which, howeier, meld only be regarded as
affording temporary relief.]
Mr. Sheriff Kirby rose to yeend the resolutions, and in
doing so he must congratulate the Conj.; ots its this day again
enjoying the benefit of the able and renovated services of
Isis worthy friend Mr. Waltham). His worthy friend had
described the public distressais In Melt true colas, • he hail
traced them to their real ceases ; and, as public opiSion 'was
stow so strongly expressed enstbis subjeet; he congratulated
• on dup prospect hr had of the great objector Wit political
Life being at last realized by a reform in Parliament. He
would implore the Conn to reprttent the grievances of the
country witliCenergy to the Prince Regent, and to promote
by their Influence mail example the cause of parliainent.iry
reform, which was the cause of justice and of for•
what could he more false than to call the membeirs for Ohl
Serino, tbr !'orfe Castle, fur Grampotind sad (iatlon, repro.:
'tentative* of the people of Fatgland (Mar, liner.). /VA;
there even the shadow of trntliin 'rising them such it minim'
It was by the want of real representation, or rather by stieh.
.sairreprcaentation, that In the list Session of parliament soch
an enormous itandine army was voted in time of peace *Hu-
cleallY that the sons. brothel's, and relations of those lectimisli-
mongers might are pouvided with comnissions stud stilt ap-
pointments at the expense of due public, while the 'idle
Mal lower classes elf society were driven to beggary and the
trorkhouse. Wear. Sear.)
Mr. S. Dixonimitl, he felt himself incapable of delivering
his sentiments at smelt kneel' that day but it' iltion:dr in-
.dispositiou hue should be unable for some tune to perform 'his
public duties, he hoped his friends would mese a vote of
thanks to him, nude phonon him ou his reds as had beep
done to a worthy gentleman, in his eye, b: the frit:tots of
that gentleman. (Marmara and laughter.) lie could not hello
remarking, however, that the mode art relieviog the present
digresses had mot beeq at all. touched upon. That ftertited

only a pait'otthe resolutions, and seamed to be dragged in as
au ~:ter thongut. The whole was about rutoriii it parlia-
ment; but if you inquired into the mode in whirl: it was to
ho bronglit *boot, then every one dew of at a taugent. He
admitted 1114 the expenses of the late vier wvre cuormotte.
but it received the support of the country. The hiiiiiiryd
leaden, spent in the last year were well laid out, becansi
they brought it to a speedy tcruiinalion. Wl:en talking of
reform, we should recollect what became of the reformation
in Fianim. (4 !intik.) The first reformers in that country.
most of whom were inen of property, pulled down the build-
ing under pretence of repairing it, and they themselves were
buried ender its ruius. Gentlemen might say they Were mad-
men; something like this Hunt, who was now rni•king such a
noise; but if he recollected right, this Hunt was once the
political friend of the worthy geutleutau opposite.

Mr. Walthman denied that this was the fret, and said be
had always avoided any political communication with that
person.

Mr. Dixon would repeat he had seen him in close conver-
sation with Hunt on the hustings. (Hissisg is some peas Qf
the chamber.)
•I'het Lord Mayor spoke to order, declaring that if there
,' hewere any hissing helot the bar should be under the ne-
'•tloselty of clearing tl:e court.
• Mr. Dixon proceeded to advert to the causes of the pre-
sent distress, which were numerous. During the war, for
1 instance, vast timbers of people were employed in furnish.
11 ins supplies of stores to the army and navy, and who were
thrown out or envtoyment by the return of peace : but a greats
cause of the sofferinp of the working classes was, in his opt.
bleu, the almost nnieersal iutroduetion ofinaeleinery. In his
recollection the Carbine operations of carding, spinning, and
every preparation of the wont, were carried on in the cottages
of the nianqfaetneers, but now they were performed by ant.
chines i.• We used to lie conveyed on the river by the force
I erflomisliandt,'lnit•now we were carried by means df steam,
There 'were strait-boat* to Margate, to Richmond, lidera
"Meat of the great rivers inn the country. Cone was' wive
'thrusted hymens bf machinery. He admired the ingenuity
• thii as mach as any man, but it could not be denied Wit
k t various machinery drove many people out of employ.
._ A great deal had been said of rotten boroughs, sad
dti
*believed it tree that seats in the •HOnse of Commons were
40111 betimes sold. (Hear,iesr.) Nay, he had heard a ateryaf
Illittrorthy gentleman opposite being employed many yeah
111
as an agent for Alderman Smith, fur the purchase of a be.
h.
r. Waithman.—The worthy gentleman its completely
wrong in his information.' • •. . . .
' • Mr, Dixon repeated, that the story, as told him, was. that
that the worthy alderman and the gendettof went dawn • Ili
Maidstone to purchase the borough. •
'• Mr. Waithman must 'again re at that the allegation was
th unfounded; and ife worthy utlemast persisted ia
c
,au with Isis personalities, hamust gof him top out of ettinsi
lied he would personatly settle with him at once. " I agilia
call (von him to state, if I was engaged In any such sale.*
Mr. Dixon.—" I will tell yogi whit Alderman Smith bald to
the person who told it to nee." •
The Lord Mayor spoke to order. He did not like to be
fortard in exereisidg his interposition: bet there vas eleri.
ously some mistake, as Nlaiditone was well known •ta be is
open borough.
Mr. Dixon proceeded. He thought that what was railed a
reformist Parliament aroubl be one of the most dangeroes
'experiments that climbd be made. Metes' minds were not
cool enough for it: and it should not be forgotten that 014
Sarum had once sent one of the most flaming patriots—Horst
Tookeinto Parliament. •
' Mr. Futrell could not resist saying a few words apron this
important subject. HIM arortlfy Trieed had presented, in
glaring colours, a fair vieer; winch had been endeavoured to
be tarnished by a set of feeble objections, surged without any
variation from those 'which had been* brought forward trete
and over again, ever sluice he had the honour °fa seat amoug
the corporation of lie City df London. The ;;Mat'adMeittes
fut the cause of refotm, the statue of dhe of whom was nee,
placed in Guildhall, had ulways been firm hsperectering'it
forwardiug those principles which were essential to the web.
fare and happiness of their countrymen, bat they' had been
opposed by a thousand little objections, as immtesoptible as
they were numerous. All friends to the liberty of their coun-
try would jails in one accord, mid' with one voice to eftet
this lung wished fur and long expeetedachieweineurt.. He et:-
!sorted his fellow-eustutryinen not to let slip this • unity
lIN
to regain their Leedom; aid' be considered' *at Aro-
' ration of London was she fittest body td calletelleitil glorious
sin undertaking.
, Mr. Fasten was followed by Mr. Harvey, who thought one
that ebjeet should be to relieve the existing distress, lad that
being done, thin to con-Sider what practical r intsild
7gl
prevent the recurrence of the evil. Though a • ite-
fur.O in Parliament, yet this was sot the than • inis ch a
change as Reform would introduce, nor did larapparwe of
the Sweeping measures and extensive tight er willing *bleb,
semi• would grant.
• -Mr. Jacks said he could not agree with the worthy mover
that the presort distresses were without parallel. • ()Wary.
'big that such assertions had bent], made at Spitaidelds Rua
other places, 1w had beeeflodueed to Wilds* into the fact,
and Lad loriud that after the peace its litls the efertimstances
were similar, and in some respects Wohie, Dr. Oilsgestiburr,
in his celebrated Treatise on 'the Wealth, Power and lir -
sources of the Britids Enspiee, iii intistisedeg that petted
states, " 'neat fur two Yekrs Ace the Anteritan watt, a gloom
hveispread the comae', so ai.to partilyae every edlot of in-
dustry : that altheogh the prier o 1 the three per rent. eon-
suls -was. then • apwards td "lu, yet they fell considerably
*lii the conese or flat year, and in October 1184 werli as
low as 51e. (slow they are 0) but that in 17ai they
reached upwards of 75, and that in 17s/ agriculture and coin.
tierce began: t 0 flourish, whin a burst of prosperity prevaded
every part of the rountry, sti that iii 1795, a years after the
peace, consols reachel the pare of eta; being a rise of le per
estitt... With'
respect to the remote cure, urix.-parlhameutai y
reform, he &iambi soy but a few words, the subject having
beet so often dmensseiliii that Court andelsewhere, that sin
new light could lee thrown upon it. It was the misers:ll
' piuisces hi a certain party : if an expedition was to lac re.
probated, as, for instance, that to Spain and Portugal, the
faialguitge•of the genii...num opposite. was. cure itiby a ''ll Re-
tinal in Pat linoleum ;" If the General was to be abased after a
baftle, as was the case of the great Wellington after 114 bat.
tie of. Viiieera. a "'reform" would prevent a similar net ti r.
refire : if an expedition was unmeee,sfut, as At xr,,l„.h,ita, a
" parii,tateitiary riforiii" .wiitilill prevent again Aura on 0r..1-
d at! But he (air. 0.) in amity ogler(' with the last spenikv:4
Hut the great ditileisity in forming II jadeeitt of this I (mica),
was to estimate its nature anti eXiCill : no two tietsobt is itn
whom be hod ever etriversed, served on las particular de:iii,
lien, but t'-theatuver of Abe present question tad, throughout.
. .

DECEMBER ±.
it was unueee.mary tw may tiny tiling, ou;
be could nut Ant remark that their uporcherr
visionary is his opinion, were always founded
and amousn•d merely to this, that the perilt

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
;he sycnii I lion. parliamentary reform to satisfy their hunger and reliese
s, howeve,. ;heir immediate uantsi The connexion between reio►:n
in ;he war, and relief was nut so loose i.n,l distant as those hinted srlio
struggle in put this:Deering question. If it could he shown that our us-
ostpone all tiunal expenditure was the cause of Our national distress, and

:6416

spoke of the 0 people" ea if he intended all the eopulaf en of
toe country; now lie would venture to as-ei t, *aitliont the fear
of contradiction. that at no period of the history of parlia-
ment kind this right exist. d I the writs, many of %shirk are
now extant, trout the days of Edward I. prove that rho elec-
tive feanehisie was exercised only by persons possessing entice
property or privilege, and never at any time did it proceed
upon the principle of population. He thought that the de-
mocratic branch of the constitution which it was the aim of
the reformers to tenement) was sufficiently powerful already
for its purpose, and if Mitch increased would he dangerous to
civil liberty. The Haase of Cnninunts cool(' now, and not
many years ago actually did attempt to withheld the supplies,
Awl refuse to pass the ninthly act; so mat if this body were
to be rendered too enwerful, they stout(' absorb the other
branches of the leei.lature, and would finally prothiee the
saute convidaiona a.. had 'Aril place in France. Mr..). then
concluded by moy:lig, as mi amendment, with a view to meet
the present ilifficieties of the pour, to the following purport:
"That this Court, considering the depression of the egrienl-
fere, inalmfaetures, and commerce of the country, whereby
a large proportion of its population at present exceeds the
regular demand for labour, that a select cominittee be ap-
pointed to consider of cutitr.buting 1,000 zainean of the city's
emit towards e6tabltshing a Weil fur pieviding employment
for the inhabitants of the city during the winter, anti that the
livery and other public companies be requested to co-operate
in such undertaking "
Mr. Brower, in seconding the amendment, spoke at some
length against the original resolutions. It appeared to him
better to relies e the wants of the people than to eecite their
discontent., inflame their passions, anti teach them to nut-
suer against their rule', under the sanction of the respecta-
ble authority of the Court.
Mr. Das ies was persuaded that the resolutions would have
a good effect, and that the cause of reform would not be
much injured by the finesse and showy exhibition of the
gentlemen who had tried to throw discord among its friends.
Mr. Slade declared be was now, as he had always been a
friend to parliamentary reform. He should be glad to see
the membeis of parlietnent elected by the people at large.
as the members of that court were by their constituents, and
like theist also be under the necessity bf annitally answering
their constituents for their conduct. Were this the case he
shoial never be aft aid of any distorbetters, au I Jai. UO
donor that the people would, in most instances he glad to re-
elect their obi representatives, who were thus subjected to a
proper controul. He instauced a Parliament in Cromwell's
time which none of the ennui' boroughs !tent 'wearers to,
bat which was entirely composed of country members, and
those for large cities, and which was remarkable for its in-
dependence and Integrdy.
Sir' W. Curtis said lie was anxious to deliver his sentiments
Arta the present occasion. If when lie solicited the vote of a
liveryman fur au honour which lie most 14414 prized, that of
being one of the members for tile city of London, he were
asked by an elector—" Will you vote for a parliamentary
reform i''--he would frankly answer. "No, Sir, I am quite
satisfied with things m they are. (Cries of k •ar, hear, and
great lunghter.) He would add, at the same time, that it
'eight not be 81111 S% to reform in some things. The cutistitm
tion, like an old pen, might bear a little cutting and mendine,
(Laughter)—" But I believe in my conscience," said the
worthy baronet,." that what many mean by parliamentary
reform is revolution.—(Noire and -corfeesion.)—lnste ad of
doine good, it would Jo a great deal of mischief." Sncli war
his opinion of the matter, and he would never hesitate to de-
, el.ae it. As to the present distress, it was partly occasioned
by the badness of the harvest, not in this cootary only, but
in toilets also; anti in this view the people should be taught
to bear it e iris patiesice as a dispensation of Providence.
Mr. Alderman Gaudheitere professed himself as unaltered
In his (mini m on the subject of reform, and declared himself
to he a willieg and ateedy advocate of that glorious cause.
Mr. Dixo.i stated that he did not support the amendment
prJciused by his worthy friend. but would choose the course
of negativing the original question, rather than meet it in
soy other way.
IVaitliman then rose to reply. With respect to the
observations made by the woe thy gentleman opposite, (Mr.
Dixoe) he did not think it worth h's while to take up the
tune of the Court in answering such personalities. The gen-
Hermes+ on his left (Mr. Hervey) had made a speech certainly,
nt he cuuld not really tell what, it was about, and he had
little doubt, but that if it were weighted, it could not be as-
recutioed out which side of the question It was. With respect
to the worthy mover of this entendowot, he thought that the
resolutions he had proposed were ill placed ; and, indeed, be
was so load of Making amendments where they appeared so
clearly to all but himself unnecessary, that it was scarcely
aver:h while to take any nutice of the present one.
Mr. Jacks withdrew his amendment.
The resolutions proposed by Mr. Waithman were then
read, and put by the officer of the Court, when there appear-
ed to be about a dome lutods held up against the resolutions,
and the rest in favour of them. Many of the members then
went away, and a division was enforced, wlmu the numbers
woe .:s fallow s ;
I alderman, commonera,ll tellers-81 for the resolutions,
and 6 comatourrs against then;.
Whereepon the Lord Mayor declared the same to be
carried in the affirmative; and a committee was appointed to
soithdravr, and, assisted by the law officers, to prepare the
sauna. It was afterwards presented to the Court, read, and
agreed to. It was then (metered to be fairly transcribed
and signed by the Town Clerk, and presented by the whole
Court.
From the LONDON7Iar---TE, Saturday, Nov. 30.
BANKRUPTS.
ItAMSDOTTOSI J. and J. POTTER. Of Norwich, dyers, Dee. 10, 18,
Jan. 11, at Norwich. Att. Mr. Tilbury, Falcon-street, Falcon-sq.
Mt:mese-one's W. of Bradford, YorWlita, woolstaplet Dec. Id,
e 7, Jan, It, at Bradford. Att. Mr. Evens, Hatton-garden.
Gi.ovelt J. of Lecels, wiagstaeler, Dec. 26, Jan. 11, at Leeds.
An. Mr. Wiliuo, Grevine-street, Hutton-garden.
easy J. of Berrow, Somersetshire, Dee. tl, le, Jan. 11, at Bris-
tol. Atts. V,zaril and Po. Lincoln's-inn-fickle.
Beset and J. G. of Billitar-square, merchants, Dec. 7,17, Jan.
11, at Giditlhall. Mt. at r. Smith, Finbbory-square.
Josses C. of Akengavenny, banker, Da. 17. lb, Jan. It, at Aber-
seventy. Att. Mr. Gregory, Cletneit's-inn.
Ranson C. of Sainted, wateatierchant, Der. in, £7, Jan. 11, at
Mancaester. Alta. Duckworth and Co. Manchester.
roan H. of Portsmouth, hardwartutan, Dec. 6,7, Jan. 11, at Bris-
tol. Am. Poole and Co. .ray's-inn-square.
CAA SUVA I. and F. and W DAYI.IYr.of Manchester, calico-prin.
I.re. Dec. I[l, 2S. Jan. 11, at-Leeds. AIL Atkinson & Co. Lee&
As. liAk»s W. and O. of High-street. Southwark, tnevers, Dcc, 7,
14, .t It, at Guilithell. Att. Mr. Stevenson, Lincoln's-inn
N „lime.
IllintAtns W. of Tadeaster, lira-dress. Dec. 18, 19, Jan. n at
Taileastex. Att. Ma, Drake, Grey's-inn-squire.

LONDON:
MONDAY, DECEMBER x.

Saturday's Gazelle contains a notice from the Bank
of England, that from this day se'unight the Bank will
pay cash or new notes, at the option of the holder, for
all notes of one and two pounds value that are dated
prior to the Ist January, 1812. We had always under-
stood that three years was the utmost time calculated
for the duration of notes of that amount, and that in
general they were so far worn out before that time, as
to require to be changed for new ones. If so, there can
be very few, indeed, to which the notice in question can
apply ; but still we hail the measure as one, though a
very slight step toward the general resumption of cash
payments.

.........11••••-••

A Common Council was held on Thursday, and a
Common Hall on Friday, both for the purpose of con-
sidering the propriety of petitioning the Regent on the
present state of the country,—for a speedy assembling
of Parliament, and setting forth the necessity of Re-
finln in Parliament as the only means of remedying the
Public Distresses. The usual speechifying ensued, the
City Rhetoric•was about the ordinary level, and Reso-
lutions were adopted expressive of these sentiments.
Mi. Hunt was, of course, not absent; but he only
makes more desperate plunges in inconsistency and
folly every time h appears ;—and his speeches and
conduct are now grown to such a pitch of absurdity,
that he is hissed and laughed at, even at a Common
Hall.

_
We see with satisfaction the increasing spirit of
Charity, which spreads thrtmgh the higher orders of the
community.—This is the true method of ameliorating
the condition of the Poor, all other remedies (though it
is highly desirable that others such as those pointed
out in the articles we have lately printed in our first
page, should be adopted) must be distant and contin-
gent in their results. This carries immediate comfort
to the wretched, and kindles that hope and confidence
which stimulate to exertion. With such benefactors,
the poor are worse than ungrateful if they suffer them—
selves to be misled into riot and misconduct. The Prince
Regent, we rejoice to see, has directed the appropriation
of £5OOO from the I)roits of the Admiralty to the ex-
cellent object v:c are speaking of. This is an example
which will create multitudes of followers.

We rejoice to enumerate frech proofs of the activity
of the benevolent. The SpitalSelds Association have al-
reatly begun to distribute the liberal subscription which
the distress of that district has called forth. They have
enlarged the numbers of the visiting Committee, and
also allow them to inerease the sum which they give

. • -
to poor families, but which before was below tlwir ne.
cessities: and they have taken measures for resuming
the sale of rice, whiCh the state of their finances previous
to the meeting at the Mansion-house had obliged them
to discontinue. The Soup Society has likewise taken
measures for the daily sale of nearly 6,000 quarts of
soup, at one halfpenny the quart, being one half the
former charge. The Committee of the Gcnend Associa-
tion.for the relief of the manufacturing and labouringpoor have come to an admirable resolution, in declaring,
that they will assist the parochial comMittees to redeem
the bedding, appwel, and working tools of the indus.
trious poor, pledged previously to Thursday last. From
Sunderland and liishopwearmouth we have received
accounts of a literal subscription for providing employ.
went to tboFe who are out of work. This is an example
worthy of gene al imitation. ft is incanceiveable how
much convenience would result to the lower classes if
turnpike-road were bordered by a dry and safe footpath.

There is scarcely any news worthy of mention in the
French papers and cernspondence. The Royalist party
are preparing for a concentrated attack on the ministry,
who, we apprehend by no means feel themselves secure
in their stations; for their revolutionary adherents are
somewhat untractable, and probably require more than
the ministerscan discreetly concede. N. Chatenubrisnd,
who is unwearied in the Royalist Cause, moved an en-
(pity into the Electionsoriieh was negatived without
a division. However, his speech and papers, will, it
is said, be published.—That, Proteus politician, M.
Talleyrand, is now doing all he can to gain the eonfi.
dente of the Royalists,—but they arc rather distrustful
of so versatile a partizan.—He even went so far u to
abuse M. Pasquier, the President of the Chamber, the
other day, at the British Ambassadorli, for his sub-
serviency to the Minister of Police :—and he has, in
consequence, received a polite ('onge from the Court.
We have frequently had occasion to speak of imports.
tions of corn front Holland. The following curious
fact relative to them has come to our knowledge:—
Among the cargoes which have already arrived, are
several which were originally sent from the Baltic to
this country in 1815, but which were afterwards sent
to Holland in consequence of the Corn Bill passed at
that time. This grain now costs at least double the
price laid down in England, which it would have stood
the English importer in, if then landed. Nor is this
national loss the only evil which has arisen from dis-
couraging a regular intercourse with the corn-growing
countries; for it must be evident, that if the warehous-
ing of foreign grain could have been rendered compa-
tible with the interest of the English grower, we shonld
not have witnessed the late sudden and excessive rise
of wheat. The best jndges are satisfied that we shall
be obliged to revise ow present system, if we will not
see Holland become the emporium of the corn-trade of
Europe, and submit to become ourselves dependent on
her for supplies at second hand.

By the arrival of the American ship Electra, Captain
Williams, from Philadelphia, we have received advice'
from thence to the 28d ult. The trade in English dry
goods continued in the same deplorable state as was rc.
presented by our'last accounts ; and so great was the in-
flux, that it was even contemplated to ship back to Eng-
land someof our own manufactures, particularly woollen
goods; the immense stock of which in America was oc-
casioned by the Yorkshire manufacturers having ship.
red in the spring largely on "their own amounts," and
which arriving, of course unexpectedly, with the goods
of the regular traders, caused the distresses complained
of. Exchange on London 16 per cent. advance fluctuat-
ing one and two per cent. every day. American super-
fine flour 10 to 11 dollars der barrel, and very abun-
dant : not the least expectation was entertained of olft
ports being opened.
It is said the Electra has brought back about 50,0001.
value in British manufactures, which could not Le sold
in the United States for one half of their original cost
in this country. Another American ship, the Curling
Ann, arrived in Liverpool a few days since from New
York„ with a quantity of British manufactures.
Philadelphia papers to the 41st ult. have arrivna, one
of them announces the receipt of Antigua papers to
the 20th of September, which state, that the yellow
fever had raged there with violence for several
weeks, and had caused a d 1 mortality among those
not seasoned to the climate: among the natives and those
inured to it the effect of the disease was but slight.
The contagion was brought to Antigua in a vessel from
Gaudaloupe, where it is said to have swept off nearly
one-third of the inhabitants.
6. St. John's. Antigun, Sept. 19.
" The storm of Monday last disposed us to hope that the 1 iolence
of the fever, that had sow too long prerailed there,
.would have
been abated. in this, however, we havebeen painfully disappointed,
as each succeeding day has added one or niece names to the list.
With some few exeeptiens, the fever has been confined to persons
retiolent there but a snort time."

The Sally, from New York, is arrived in Dublin
with 40 passengers that lately went out from Irelune. ;
they were all tradesmen of different sorts, but could not
obtain bread in the United States. The wretched
state of the Trish in America is reported to beggar all
description.
A deluge has happened on the frontiers of China, at
K iacht a. The disaster produce Iby this in' ndation sur-
poles any thing ever seen in those countries.

j.