The National Register.
London, England, 1822-06-16 00:00:00

SUNDAY. JUNE 16, 1822.

AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS AND PARLIAMEN-
TARY REFORM.

KENT COUNTY MEETING.
In consequence of a requisition directed to the High Sheriff
of the county of Kent, a most numerous meeting of the free-
holders of that wealth sod respectable couuty was convened on
Tuesday, in the market-piece, Maidstone, for the purpose of
considering the best means of alleviating the distress which at.
present affects the agricultural interest, and of discussing the
necessity of parliamentary reform as the only *run mode by
which that distress could he relieved.
Soon after 12 o'clock the High Sheriff appeared on *lle...tem.
porary hustings which were erected on a 'ruggers for bis recep-
tion ; and in a short time, the Earl of Thairst, the Earl of Dun
ley, Lord Clifton, Sir E. Knatolibull, Mr. lionywooil, the Hen.
C. Noel, and many other gentlemen of respectability, appeared
ou the scene of adieu.
The DEPUTY SIIERIFP read the requisition.
The fitrin Stireirr briefly expatiated on the great respect-
ability of those by whom the requisition was signed. Such •
list clearly indicated the importance of the subjects which the
assembly were met to discuss ; and he would he happy to bear
the sentiments of every, individual, on the subjects uoticed in
the requisition, To all, he trusted, an impartial hearing would
be given. (Cheering.)
The Earl of DARNLEY then moved, ^ That the High Sheriff
do take the cheir," which propositidn was carried ems rose.
The lie it SHEIttI,F then stated, that he had received a letter
from Lord Sondes, apologizing for his abseuce. The letter was
insmediately read.
Mr. FOOT then proceeded to address the assembly. The
situation of the British twiner—the situation of all those who
depended on his exertions, was perilous in the extreme. Their
sufferings were greater than those of any other class of the com-
munity—their interests were reduced to the lowest state of de-
, gradation. It was true that, fur the purpose of relieving them a
few taxes had been remitted; but nothing had heed done to be-
nefit the agriculturists in the pummel session of Parlianient.—
Ito alt parts oldie empire employment was so scarce, that
numerous families, though thee possessed health and
strength, and were anxious foe 'Olive exertion, could nut
procure work. Such was the littliatioll of the industrious
pocr, and a more unnatural state of society could not be
conceived. 'Flee mein-spring of the labourer's life was
active exertion —when lie had employment lie was an in-
dependent inan, lint without' employment he could not
possibly be removed from the chilling grasp of poverty.—
Hie agricultue isis claimed no undue preference ; they
only asked to be placed on the same footing as their com-
inertial and manufactitring brethren ; they wished, like
those bodies, to be protected time the ruinous system of
allowing foreigners to compete with them in their own
market. It was an undonlited fact, theta great quantity
of rnreign grain was introduced into the English market
as Irish corn, to the manifeat prejudice and byplay of those
who cultivated the Bi itish soil. (A voice in the ci owd,"Do
vou believe that?"—Mr. Foote," I do; I know the fact.")
lirturm eins the only remedy for their distress, aryl for
their still accumulating misfortunes. Such ars the sea-
timent found hi every town, in every village, in every
place, throughout the empire. Those who cherished that
sentiment required new. Their great desire was, and
twee could call it unconstitutional, to circumscribe the
inflittuce of the Crown, and to shorten the duration of
Pat Influent. They wished to seek redress for their griev.
ances in an exteitsion of the right of voting from those
who owned freehold to those who possessed copyliold
property, in short, by a generel extension of the elec.
live franchise. It they were asked what farther propo.
sitious they entertained, their declaration was, that their
wishes were is unieun with these held by many indepen-
dent members of the House of Commie's, and that they
were moo friendly to the measures urged by Lord John
Hessen with so much energy and abitity.—(Applause.)—
Whatever aafietateion he telt from the development of
that young feelings and principles, he was by
uu memos surprised at the course he had take n. 'flirt
measures tending to the public good should originate ie
his cominnuiling intellect, could not surprise any person
v. Ito remeinheirel the history ut the family to which he
was allied, and on whose high and Immutable 'woe
his talents, and his vii tiles shed additional 'lustre.—
lie acted on the principles of his Illustrious ancestors—lie
regarded the fabric of our coustitiition with a jealous and
a lionlatile partiality—lie viewed it as Ills own and his
countrymen's bit thi ight—lie demnieled that it should lie
administered according to the spirit and the letter of the
statute-book. (Applause.) He (ME. F.) apologized fur
having trespassed so !wig on the time of the meeting, and
would now tend the petition, venire lie wished them to
adopt. The lion. gent. then Et ad the petition, which
stated, that the petitioners leliumed under accunitiiiited
amid insupportable distress produced by the u..glit of
taxation, amid hind bug looked in vain to the House of
Commons fur relief—that they lied seen every abuse de-
fended, and every plan for elheient Helium opposed—dud
slier :onetime un the lavish and %enfant expenditure of
the public money, it prayed a retrenchment and reform in
Parliament, which alone could " save tour country from
convulsion, give stability to the Ileum., and perpetuate
the conetitutioe."—The hon. gent. concluded by moving.
" that this be the petition of the meeting."
Mr. KIDER *pegged leave to second the motion.—lt was
quite clear that those who supporieo refoine without
which nothing could be done, was rapidly gaining
ground. He advised
theca
to hero again and agent, to
Meow their determitintion, and to prove to those by whims
they welts opposed, that they sv o,lil not flinch from the
object they had iii view. it this petition. which was
couched in moderate and respectlul language, did not
produce any effect, the next Ouse twist be et a stiooger!
nature.—(Laughter.)—ll.' ent rent. d theist Hot to be slick
is their etiorlae..be trusted the petittue would be utust