The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-08 00:00:00

the goods sold, but this he has not done since October,
1852, The gross amount in the statement of accounts
produced was 1,061/., but from this the prisoner would
be entitled to a commission. In conclusion, Mr. Field
requested a remand to make a further and more careful
examination of the accounts, and his request—the pri-
soner having declined to offer anything in defence—was
complied with.

FREE TRADE FREEHOLD LAND SOCIETY.

Last evening a public meeting of the shareholders
dsociety was held at the
London of
Bt
si
hs
oflposugraih
tse-isng t
reet, for the purpose of
balloting for thirty rights to choose land on the attrac-
tive estates they now possessed. Among the gentlemen
present we observed Thomas Colley Grattan, Esq.,
Major-General Sir W. R. Clayton, Bart., John Lloyd
Clayton, Esq., R.N., Sir H. W. Barron, Edmund
Grattan, Esq., Jenkin Jones, Esq., Captain John
Bishop-Culpeper, Frederick West, Esq., Lieutenant-
Colonel Starr, T. C. Un win, Esq., T. H. Burrell, Esq.,
W. Richmond, Esq., Henry E. Canney, Esq., F. A.
Daviss, Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson, and a number of
other highly influential gentlemen.
The chair was taken, shortly before 8 o'clock, by
THOMAS COLLEY GRATTAN, Esq., who, in opening the
proceedings of the evening, said the occasion of their
meeting that evening was to carry out one of the practi-
cal objects of the society, namely, to ballot for thirty
rights to choose land, and also to pass a few short reso-
tions. It was the intention of the society to hold a
ballot meeting monthly until the accumulation of shares
compelled them to hold similar meetings more frequently.
We had balloted for eighty shares, and we had also the
pleasure of having one of our estates allotted, or nearly
so. This fact of itself was one of exceeding gratification
at a moment such as the present, a moment so fraught
with excitement, a moment when all the world is talking
of war, of fleets and armies moving, and of hostile en-
counters. Freehold land societies at the present time
had arrived at a point of great success, a point that their
most sanguine advocates never dreamt of. The pro-
ceedings that night gave ample proof, if proof were
wanting, of the excitement
that existed, and it might be
accounted for by the strong interest created by their
proceedings partaking in some measure of the nature of
a lottery, or playing at some delightful game of hazard,
for such it most truly was. But the occasion of the allot-
ment of the estate at Anerley showed the strong enthu-
siasm manifested by the public, an enthusiasm he could
compare to nothing but the excitement that would be
produced by the brave Sir Charles Napier and his gal-
lant companions on taking up their allotments among
the Russian fleet, or under the batteries of Cronstadt.
(Loud cheers and laughter.) The same pleasing
excitement he anticipated would occur when they allotted
their Camberwell estate. He would not detain the
meeting longer, but call upon their secretary to address
them, after that the surveyor would make a few remarks,
they would then appoint screw-steamers—(loud laughter,
and cheers)—he begged pardon, he meaet scrutineers—
(laughter)—and the pleasing and interesting portion of
the business would be proceeded with. The chairman
then resumed his seat amid loud cheers.
Mr. SMITH then came forward and entered at length
into the various particulars connected with the society.
He dwelt very forcibly upon the success they had
attained, and also on several points in which this society
differed from others ; also the great advantages, both
morally, politically, and socially, that were to be derived
from freehold land societies. He concluded a very ex•
cellent discourse by stating that he should feel a pleasure
in answering the questions of any gentleman.
Mr. VIGERS, the surveyor, in addressing the meeting,
gave a very animated description of the various estates
possessed by the society, and said that half the Camber.
well estate would soon be in their hands, and shortly
after the time the vendor gave up the land, in June, they
would be ready to proceed with its allotment.
Captain J. BISHOP-CULPEPER, in moving the first re-
solution, said he should take his cue from the chairman
and not detain the meeting by any very lengthened re-
marks. He assured the meeting that he little expected
to be called upon to move the resolution with which he
had been entrusted. He had expected that a gentleman
of renown would have been present that evening to have
done so. The resolution he held in his hand was ex-
ceedingly expressive. There could be no question that
freehold land societies were exceedingly advantageous to
the careful and frugal man, for by their aid he was en-
abled, by saving his eighteenpence a-week, to become
the owner of a piece of land, which otherwise he could
not obtain, to become a freeholder, and to take his place
beside the proudest in this great and mighty country.
(Loud cheers.) The resolution was—" That freehold
land societies recommend themselves to all classes of the
community as the most secure of investments, elevating
the humblest individual in the social and political scale,
and enabling him by easy means to become a possessor
of a stake in the country—a freehold and a home."

Mr. GoanoN had great pleasure in seconding the re
solution.

The CHAmMAN then put the resolution to the meet-
ing and declared it carried unanimously.
Dr. ZI3I3fERMAN, in moving the second resolution,
dwelt very effectively upon the difference of tenure of
land in England and on the Continent, and also on the
legal expenses. Here in England, he said, you had to
pay according to the length of the document ; on the
Continent you only paid what was its value. (Laughter.)
The resolution was to the effect that the wide spread-
ing of freehold land societies proved the value and great
benefit that would be derived by their further extension.
Lieut.-Colonel DICKSON said it afforded him much
pleasure to second such a resolution. He heartily and
entirely concurred in it. The more societies there were,
the more likely was the public to find out the good
ones ; and when they had done so there could be no
question but they would join the best. The prosperity
their society had attained was to him a source of the

greatest pleasure, and he felt sure that in a very short
time it would stand forth without an equal.
The resolution was then put from the chair and car-
ried unanimously.
Lieut.-Colonel STARE then, in very eloquent terms,
moved the next resolution. He paid a very high tribute
of praise to the secretary, the surveyors, the solicitors,
and other officers of the society, adding that, however
much the executive committee might exert themselves,
prosperity could not be obtained unless their exertions
were seconded by the gentlemen he had mentioned. In
asking the support of the public to a freehold land society,
the public naturally wished to know on what grounds
its support was demanded. The public was a veryjnquisi-
tive individual—it was an Argus-eyed individual—and
before it committed itself to the support of any institu-
tion, it made the most strict and searching inquiry into
the standing and position of the undertaking. Such an in-
quiry, he felt happy to say, was all they desired, feeling
convinced that by such means their present prosperity
would be largely increased. (Loud cheers.) The reso-
lution was to the following effect :—" That the now fully
recognised and appreciated principles of the Free Trade
Freehold Land Society leave no doubt as to its ultimate
success, and warrant the continued and energetic sup-
port of the public at large." (Loud cheers.)
Mr. JENKIN JONES very briefly but pointedly seconded
the resolution.

The CHAIRMAN put the resolution to the meeting, and
declared it carried unanimously. _ _

The ballot-wheel having been opened by the scrutineers,
and the new shares added, the following numbers were
drawn : 1,139,* 1,140,* 1,141,* 2,189, 273, 432, 781,
2,695, 2,056, 2,621, 2,565, 1,736, 2,041, 1,880, 1,513,
1,284, 2,526, 1,275, 1,927, 2,652, 540, 400, 912,
1,970, 3,087, 716, 2,888, 1,720, 407,* 987,* 1,007*—
*Grouped.

A. vote of thanks having been given to the chairman,
and briefly acknowledged, the proceedings terminated.