The Sun.
London, England, 1862-02-04 00:00:00

In answer to a question from Mr. LoNGIIAM,

Mr. ROUPELL said he did not think the fact of
receiving an Envoy from the Confederate States of
America would of necessity involve the recognition
of those States as an independent Pow er.
A resolution assuring Mr. Itoupell of continued
support was put and carried unanimously.
Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and
the meeting separated.

MR. ANGERSTEIN, M.P., AND 1118

CONSTITUENTS:

Last evening, at 8 o'clock, a numerously attended
public meeting of the electors of Greenwich was
held at the Literary Institution, for the purpose of
hearing an address from Mr. W. Angerstein, M.P.
The chair was occupied by Mr. Cook, of Black-
heath.

Mr. AN EAST EIN , M.P., said he appeared before
them to give an account of his stewardship. He held
the meeting at a late period to afford him an oppor-
tunity of alluding to the latest questions. After
referring to the death of the Prince Consort and
the death of Lord Herbert, he spoke of the calamity
at the Hartley coalpit. His own belief was that
this frightful accident ought not to have happened.
He was rejoiced to find that the Government had
determined to institute a strict inquiry, and he had
reason to believe that a Goverume nt bill would be
introduced during the next session w ith a view to
protect the large and important body of men em-
ployed in coal mines, and prevent for the future a
repetition of this wholesale sacrifice of human life.
(Hear, hear.) He had to express his joy that another
great calamity had been happily averted, and that
was a war with the Americans. He could not but
express the utmost admiration at the conduct of her
Majesty's Government in making the most com-
plete and efficient arrangements for any contingence
and for the noble manner in which they, and espe-
cially Earl Russell, had maintained the national
honour. He thought the North was wrong in de-
signating as rebels those who were in arms to gain
the independence of the Southern States. He was
no Southerner, and should indeed be sorry to ex-
press sympathy with the views of those who for
many Years had upheld slavery; but they had to
deal with the fact that several sovereign States who
had once entered into a compact of union with other
States, now declared their intention to win their
own independence. He could not forget also that
the Southerners were disposed to carry out to the
utmost the Principles of free trade,while the North
maintained a esystera of
protection. Bet, notwith-
standing these facts, be considered that it would ill
become this Country to interfere in the quarrel. He
fully believed that, with regard to the blockade of
the Southern ports, England and the other nations
of Europe had no right to interfere, and that the
question ought to remain with the Americans.
(Hear, hear.) He concurred with the senti-
ments uttered by Mr. Horsman before his consti-
tuents at Stroud, that whether the Americans chose
to have two or even three separate Governments
Mittered sot to us. Even if Lancashire suffered—
NO as that evil might be—it was no reason why
this country should commit a wrong. The threa-
tened evil of a short supply of cotton had, to some
extent, been productive of good, as it had led to
serious inquiry relative to obtaining the material
from other than American sources. The Govern-
ment had paid great attention to this subject as well
as the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the
Cotton Supply Association, and he believed the re-
sult would bo that in a very short time we should
not by any means be dependent xi
upon America.
After alluding to the progress of liberal ideas on
the Continent, and the useful measures of the last
Session, Mr. Angerstein said that he had voted
against the Government in favour of Mr. Hubbard's
motion for a committee to inquire into the working
of the income-tax, and, although the committee was
much divided in opinion, he considered that much
gltimate good would result from the inquiry. Ho'