The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-26 00:00:00

CITY GARIBALDI COMMITTEE,

A special meeting of the City Garibaldi Committee was
held yesterday at the London Tavern, for the promotion of
the testimonial fund to General Garibaldi, and for the pur-
pose of taking into consideration the suppression by the
police of the Garibaldi meeting on Primrose-hill on Satur-
day last. Mr. Edmond
_Beales occupied the chair, and
among those present were Mr W. Lawson, M.P., Mr P.
Taylor, M.P., Mr S. Morley, Professor Beesley, Messrs.
We iber, Stapleton, Richardson, Common Councilmen, &c.
Mr P. TAYLOR, M.P,, said Mr Lawson and himself had
just left the House of Commons, among the independent
members of which, of all shades of opinion, there was but
one opinion as to the impropriety of the conduct of the police
on Saturday last. Mr H. Lewis, the member for Maryle-
bone, had that afternoon questioned Sir G. Grey on the
subject, and the Home Secretary disclaimed all knowledge
of the transaction. Neither himself, he said, nor Sir R.
Mayne had given any orders to the police aLout the meet-
ing, and he supposed they had acted on their general in.
structions to prevent any meeting likely to lead to a
breach of the peace. He (Mr. Taylor) felt the liberty
of the subject was in 'peril. He felt strongly about the
matter; but should like to have a statement from their
chairman, who had also been chairman of the meeting
which had been suppressed, before he could decide what
steps, in conjunction with other members of Parliament,
should be taken in the matter. Sir G. Grey had stated
that the accounts in the papers were incorrect, and that
only one inspector and two or three constables were present
when the meeting was %topped.
The CHAIRMAN said the accounts which had appeared in
the papers were substantially correct, and whoever had been
Sir G. Grey's informant had reported falsely. More than a
dozen policemen accompanied the inspector, who ordered
him to desist from speaking, and large bodies of constables
were making their way up to the top of the hill, where the
meeting was being held. The interference of the police was
a gross violation of public liberty, and had any riot ensued
the police alone would have been responsible. He had ad-
dressed a letter to Sir R. Mayne, stating the full particulars,
and it would depend upon the reply of that functionary
what further steps he should take.

Messrs. Hartwell, Whitelocke, Shaen, Taylor, and Wain-
wright confirmed all that the chairman had stated, There
wsre several hundred policemen on and about the hill, be-
sides a strong body in reserve. From personal observation,
they were prepared to state that the reports in the papers
had been rather under than over stated.

Messrs. Morley, Nicholay, Rogers, Webber, Richardson
and others thought if this conduct of the police were tole-
rated there would be an end to the liberty of public meeting,
There must be some understanding from Sir G. Grey defin-
ing the powers of the police, o: he must be held responsible
for their illegality.
Mr. P. TAYLOIL, M.P., said they might depend upon it he
and other members with whom he acted would not allow
the illegal act of the police in suppressing a peaceable and
orderly meeting to be slurred over. Some one should be
made responsible.

It was ultimately resolved that a deputation be appointed
from the committee, to act in concert with the Working
Men's Committee, in waiting upon Sir G. Grey, upon the
subject, to protest against the illegal act of Saturday and ob-
tain guarantees for the future; and also that a petition be
presented to the House of Commons praying for a full in-
quiry into the matter, The feeling against the conduct of the
policeamongall parties in the room,which was much crowded,
was quite unanimous. An address was then brought up
from the Finance Committee, to be issued to the public,
solicited subscription to the testimonial fund. During the
discussion on this address the chairman, Mr Nicholay, and
other members said they had seen Garibaldi at Cliefden on
Sunday. He had assured them he was in perfect health,
and that the cause of his departure must be attributed to
other causes. It was the duty of the people to insist upon
the mystery involvinghis hurried departure being aleared up.
Mr RICHARDSON stated that after all expensos connected
with the demonstration had been paid a sum of £3OO remained
on hand to form the nucleus of the Testimonial Fund.
The address was then agreed to, and after the transaction
of some routine business the meeting adjourned.