The Sun.
London, England, 1838-08-01 00:00:00

NELSON MONUMENT.

MEETING AT THE LONDON TAVERN-(THIS

DAY.)

A public meeting was held at one o'clock this day at the London Ta-
vern, Bishopsgate-street, fur the purpose of aiding the funds for erect-
ing a national monument in Trafalgar.square, to commemorate the glo.
rious achievements of the late Admiral Lord Nelson. The room,
which was excessively crowded, was graced by the presence of a great
number of ladies.

A few minutes after the hour appointed, his Grace the Duke
of Wellington, who had consented to take the Chai', entered the room,
and was received with loud and long.continued cheering.
Amongst the gentlemen present we observed Admiral Codrington,
M.P., Admiral Adam, M.P., Lord Ingestrie, Sir James Duke, M.P.,
Aaran Chapman, Esq., M.P., Alderman Thompson, M.P., Alderman
Sir P. Laurie, Alderman Sir C. Marshall, Alderman T. Wood Alder.
man Kelly, Alderman Wilson, Alderman Lucas, Alderman Copeland,
Sir J. Shaw, Sir Moses Montefiore, Sir William Parker, the Hon. Cap_
tain Gray, Sir George Cockburn, Captain De Roos, Sir William Symonds,
Captain Smith, Captain IDalling, Captain Evans, Captain Sir George
Westfall, Sir James Saumarez.
The Noble CHAIRMAN said that it had been the desire cf a considera-
ble number of persons in the metropolis to erect a suitable monument
to the memory of the late great naval commander, Lord Viscount
Nelson—(Hear, hear)—and a Committee had been formed of which the
Duke of Buccleugh was appointed Chairman ; and a meeting was held
at the Freemason's Tavern for the purpose of raising subscriptions for
carrying into effect the great and useful design. The present requisi-
tionists having thought it desirable to assist in the execution of this plan,
had called upon him to preside at this meeting; and it was with the
greatest pleasure and gratification that he had complied with that request,
and was extremely happy to see so large and respectable a meeting.—
(Cheers.) They had now to provide for the safety and honour of the
nation, by marking their sense of the services of a great individual, and
►hus to invite others to endeavour to follow his example, and again to per-
form such services es they were now called on to commemorate.—( Hear.)
He hoped there would be little difficulty in persuading the meeting to
make such a subscription as would enable the Committee at once
to receive proposals for the execution of this great work.—(Cheers.)
Many persons had questioned whether it was not expedient that this
monument should be erected at the public expense. In public services
these matters were conducted according to precedent, and precedent in
this case would have permitted a monument to be erected, and he believrd
one had already been erected in the metropolitan Church of thin city.
But besides this, it was the intention of the Government and
of Parliament that a monument should be erected to
commemorate the services of both navy and army, in the course of the
late war, and even a sum of money was voted for this service. But
the general desire manifested by all public men for economy in the
public expenditure, rendered it necessary for the Government to
postpone the execution of the plan, and it had never been possible
up to this moment to carry it into execution. Under these cir-
cumstances those who had considered it desirable to commemorate
such services had thought it expedient to come forward to solicit private
subscriptions to carry into execution this great work. There never was
an individual who stood higher in the estimation of the public, and
who better merited such a testimonial.—(Cheers.) At an early period
of his life the Noble Lord was distinguished for his gallantry and enter-
prise, and on the day of which this was the anniversary—the battle of the
Nile—he showed what might be done for the honour of the country.
The last victory of Admiral Nelson was one of the most glorious in itself
and most momentous in its results; but one in which unfortunately he
lost his valuable life.—(Cheers.) And the Committee now called for sub-
scriptions to enable them to erect such amonument to the hero's memory as
would prove that the country was not ungrateful for his services, and
excite others to emulate his bright example.— (Cheers ) In Birming-
ham and Liverpool, monuments to Lord Nelson had already been
erected, and it would be a reproach to London, if a memorial
worthy a7ike of the hero whom it was intended to commemorate, and of
the high character of this great City, was not erected.—(Cheers.) The
Noble Duke concluded by apologizing for the absence of his Grace the
Duke of Buccleuch, abo was obliged to attend a Committee of the
House of Lords.

The Hox. SECRETARY then read the report, whlch stated that the
Chancellor of the Exchequer had consented that Trafalgar.square
hould be the site of the monument, only on the condition
that the designs and estimates should be submitted to the Government,
that her Majesty the Queen had subscribed 525!—(Loud cheer,)
—and the Queen Dowager 2001.—(Loud cheers.) Altogether
there was the sum of 5,545!. in the hands of the present trustees,
• ' "'

Alderman THOMPSON, in moving the first resolution, said he congra-
tulated the citizens of London on the presence of the illustrious Duke,
w:lo bad driven before bins the armies, of Ellgiall:l'S enemies. It would be
a great disgrace to this city if this monument should not be erected, whe❑
two provincial towns had already set the example, and let it be recol.
lected that the merchants of London had derived more advantage, per-
haps, than any other class from the victories of Lord Nelson. The
lion. Alderman moved, " That this meeting consider a monument
to commemorate the glorious achievements of Admiral Lord Viscount
Nelson as an act of justice to his memory, and a merited tribute to the
service of which he was so distinguished an ornament."—(Cheers.)
Alderman COPELAND seconded the resoluticn. In doing so he al-
luded to this day being the anniversary of the battle of the Nile,
a victory which had effectually f:ustrated the designs of ambitious
France on our "ndian possessions.—(Cheers.) It would be a disgrace to
the City of London if such a monument was not erected to Lord
Nelson's memory as should be worthy of its object.—(Hear, hear.)
He felt as proud in taking a part in the proceedings of the day as he bad
done in taking a part in getting up a monument for their illusti ious
Chairman. As a co:rimer:la' man, he knew the value of their time,
and would therefore content him ,elf with seconding the motion.
The motion was then put and carried.

Al lerman T. \Vonn said the motion which ho hod put into his hands
was one approving of the Report of the Committee, and that they should
irnmedLtely proceed taget designs without selecting any individual for
that purpose. He had much pleasure in assisting in so great and good
a work. He would not detain them after what they had heard from the
illustrious Chairman, who, along with his great predecessor Lord
Ne6oo, had secured the peace of the world.—(Cheers.)
Sir JAMES DUKE seconded the motion with much pleasure. He had
very early in life served in the navy, and now laving one of the commer-
cial community of London, he was wAI aware of the services, the im-
mense good, Lord Nelson had done to the community.
The motion was put, and passed unanimously.

Sir P:!'IBIL LAURIE could not but expr,•ss the heartfelt delight he ex-
perienced at being called upon to take tart in the proceedings of that
day, especially as they had so glorious a man in the chair. It seemed as
if providence had made the Duke of Wellington a favourite, by alio.,
ing him, after twenty-three years had elapsed, to look bock upon the
glorious events of the day of Waterloo. His motion was, that the meet-
ing approved of the proposed site in Trafalgar-square, and thanked the
Government for its appropriation. There could not be a dissentient,
and therefore he would not say more.
Mr. nOBINSON, the Chairman of Lloyd's,' seconded the motion,
which was passed unanimously.
Alderman LUCAS, with much pleasure, moved the next resolution,
which affected their pockets; but in such a cause that he was sure
would not much matter.
-- SMITH, Esq., seconded the resolution. lie trusted that a mo.
nument would be erected worthy of the great roan to whose memory
they were now met to do honour.—(Cheers.)
The Noble CHAIRMAN said these were all the resolutions which it was
intended to submit to the meeting. He trusted the object of the meet.
ing would not be lost sight of, but that the subscriptions would be emi-
nently successful.—(Cheers.)
Sir .1. CARNAC moved a vote of thanks to the Duke of Wellington,
for his kindness and urbanity in taking the chair on this occasion. It
was a proud day in the annals of the city of London, to see the greatest
hero of this or any ether age—(Cheers)—ccruing forward to pay a tri-
bute to the memory of the immortal Nelson.— (Cheers )
Alderman VENABLES seconded the motion, which was put by
Sir G. COCKBURN, and enthusiastically received.
Sir E. CODRINGTON begged to express his concurrence in the object
or the meeting.
The Duke of WELLINGTON briefly returned thanks for the honour
whirls had been conferred upon him, and expressed great anxiety as
to the successful termination of the object of this meeting.
A liberal list of subscriptions was then read.
Sir G. COCKBURN expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Navy fur
their share in the intended memorial.
Alter three cheers for the Duke of Wellington the meeting separated.