The Sun.
London, England, 1831-11-04 00:00:00

PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Yesterday a meeting of a private nature, or rather
a preliminary one, was held in the Commercial-
room, and resolutions were mentioned as ones which
ought to be adopted. lbwever, it was resolved
that the meeting should be adjourned till to-day, in
order that all the members of the room might be in-
formed of it ; and also, as it was desirous that it
should not have a hole-and-corner appearance.
Twelve o'clock was the hour appointed, and before
that hour 1 proceeded to the Commercial-rooms,
and found a pretty large number there assembled.
At the appointed hour the room was well filled,
and much anxiety and excitement was appa-
rent. Groups were collected through the room, and
some angry discussions were carried on. The first
business was the appointment of a Chairman ; and,
strange to say, full half an hour elapsed ere any
gentleman could be prevailed upon to take the
chair. Some were connected with the Corporation,
some were of the opposite party, some were this
and some were that, and the most contemptible and
absurd reasons were made by each in turn. At
length a Mr. Byng was called to the chair, and after
the gentleman had explained himself on accepting
of the honour, and requiring calmness, deliberation,
and so forth, the question was started whether non-
subscribers were to be admitted. This was not
exactly settled, but it was ordered that no one should
be turned out, and it was also explained that the
meeting was to be considered a public meeting and
not a meeting of the subscribers to the room. The
moment that Mr. Byng heard this declaration he
started from his seat—neither force nor persuasion
could induce him to remain; he was not exactly
horror-struck, but of one thing he was resolved, that
sit as their chairman he would not any longer. The
difficulty was soon got over, however; it was an-
nounced that Mr. Cunningham would take the
chair, and that gentleman was immediately called to
it amid loud acclamations.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM, on taking the chair, said that
he consented to take it at the solicitation of his
friends, and he begged and entreated of the meet-
ing that every one should be heard, and that the
discussion should proceed with quietness and order.
Mr. MOORE then rose and said, that he held two
resolutions in his hand to propose to the meeting.
He said that they had been prepared by a Com-
mittee, and that they were only such as the emer-
gency demanded, and he lamented very much, he
said, the necessity of the present meeting. The
first resolution, he said, called for an enquiry into
the conduct of the Magistracy, who had charge of
the peace of the city. It afforded them an oppor-
tunity of explaining their conduct, and of exonerating
themselves from the charges made against them.
Mr. Moore then proceeded to read the first reso-
lution, which was to the following effect :
" TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD VISCOUNT MEL-
BOURNE, HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRE-
TARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPART.
MEN T.

" We, the undersigned merchants, bankers, traders,
and other inhabitants of the city of Bristol, conceive that
the late riotous proceedings and immense destruction of
property in the city might have been prevented, had the
due precaution been taken by the Magisterial authorities;
we therefore pray that your Lordship will be pleased to
cause an inve•tigation to be instituted, and the examina-
tion of witnesses to be produced as may be enabled to afford
satisfactory evidence on the subject."
The second resolution was also read to the fol.

lowing effect :
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HILL, COM-
MANDER-ES-CHIEF OF HIS MAJESTY'S FORCES.
We, the undersigned merchants, bankers, and tradrra
of the city of Bristol, &c. &c. ; concluding with a prayer
that an inquiry might be institute) by his Lordship into
the conduct of Colonel Brereton, which. was described as
being highly reprehensible.'"

Mr. MOORE, having read the resolutions, said of
course they would put the parties on their de-
fence, and it was for the meeting to say whether
both should be proposed to them.—(Cries of
" both.") He proceeded to observe that some
might think that the resolutions prejudiced the par.
ties, but he maintained that they did not prejudice
them, they only put the parties on their defence.
The resolutions having been seconded, and some
trifling alterations made at the suggestions of two
gentlemen,
Mr. MANCIIEE rose, and said that his object in
rising at the present moment was to propose an
amendment to the resolutions proposed to them.
He thought it would have been better had the con-
sideration of the business been delayed for a few
days when they could have discussed the subject with
more calmness and deliberation. He said he had
been all day yesterday at Queen's-square; that he
knew nothing of the resolutions, nor had any com-
munication with the gentleman who drew them lip,
but he objected to some expressions,and said that had
these expressions been omitted, he would have sup-
ported them. He said, after a few remarks upon
the necessity of adopting the amendment, that him-
self and a few others met Captain Codrington on his
arrival with his cavalry, for no Magistrate could be
found. Captain C. was requested to act; the Riot
Act had been read, but the Captain, said Mr. M.,
like a British soldier, refused without the sanction of
the Magistrates, and although they were sought for,
they could not be found.
Mr. COOKE here called Mr. Manchee to order?
and thought that a narration of these things had not.
thing to do with the matter.
Mr. MANCIIEE resumed, and after a few remarks
read the following amendment :

"TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD VISCOUNT
MELBOURNE, lIIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRE-
the inhabitants
notous and dusgraceful
TAItY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT.
" We, the undersigned
.of the city merchants, bankers,yof Bris-
tol, aud_
ttoral,derds,:epainyd
lamotheenrt
proceedings that have recently occurred in this city, and
the sad destruction of property resulting therefrom; that

the lives and fortunes of the citizens were frr
able period entirely at the mercy of a desperate
firmly convinced, if proper precautions had be',
these disasters would have been averted, sf`
request your Lordship will be pleased to ciule:
gatiun to be instituted as the only course tbst.
the mind of the public, and restore confidence°
Mr. WAKING seconded the amendmeHt.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that the 011
was first to put the ainendmen!, when
M. OSBORNE rose, and said that iol
the amendment, he was doing no more'
P 5
due to the outraged feelings and ruined
the citizens.

Mr. MOORE said that his resolution wa6
to, because it prayed for an enquiry into th
of the Magistrates. Why, he said, an enfq
at this moment going on, instituted by .1)
bourne, who had applied for information t°
gistrates themselves, of the very men
conduct we complain. We demand an
tion, and we shall have it. —( Gies of "1
we shall.") In answer to a question, t
man explained that M. Manchee's amend°
ro do away with the resolution first po
(The original resolution and the arnendlo
again read by the Chairman.)
Mr. IIvNG rose, and had earned for 11
very good reception by his vacation of t
He was not at first heard, but proceeded t°
he thought he could unite both parties,
ceeded to read another amendment, which
with cries of " milk and water." Mr. IL
to give farther explanation, but he was roe
deafening noise, and cries of " of, off,
forced to n-tire.

Mr. WEBB HALL (a gentleman who l';/
office under the Corporation) here preseritof:
self, and endeavoured to prove that the„tl,
should not condemn the Magistrates with°"ii.
ing what course they had adopted. iie„
that the meeting should first wait for k
trates' explanation before it passed such are're
The meeting became impatient, and after 0t
0,
ther discussion the resolution relative 001,
Brereton was withdrawn, and the amendiliroit,
and carried. The meeting wus most t'P
throughout.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SV

SlR,—lri this town we are blessed

magistrate who is an alarmist, a man vih:ftef°
buted largely to Sidmouth's reputable 5c",,09
able mass of filth, which was holden forth'?
for passing the abhorred Six Acts; he likelv,il4,
a local corps, and on the event of an illutsTioe
honour of the late Queen, led on the soldier, Iti
of riot or disorder, and nearly caused both;
continue and fill nearly a column of your YOB;,
his Don Quixote like achievements. fie ofi;
in nomination, and re-elected to the rofi'',ool4
direct contradiction to the charter of the 41;
though the !Jody of the freemen supporteu
ponent, a liberal, yet by the mystificatOefdl
charter, which makes it in appearance°'v eft
election, the liberal wishes of the freemen ioo'(
feated, for in reality the election is in the
fetr
the Aldermen, who, with one or two ou" 00
individuals, can return whom they pleaseireJ,l
the execrations of the freemen he was elec,coi
under the escort of the police, and the inu„,/00
hootings of the populace, he arrived at his 410
house. Lastly, he is a favourite (fizeourel
of Hugh Smithson, Duke of Northumberlityti
that I have said I consider necessary to OP'
following disgraceful act :
The Duke and Duchess of Northumberleset
passing through this town on Wednesday sets
alighted at the house of the Misses Davidson;
their horses were changed. A crowd of ab°eil
persons collected, mostly tradespersons;
most respectable crowd that I ever witnessed'
chief magistrate hurried up to offer brio
of subserviency, and make retribution for bets
" with pleasure," presided at two Reform ipe,or
at one of which three groans were utterediV
Bishops and Boroughraongers. No sooner ulor
adored officer of peace issue from the house °di
ing the advocate of corruption, than the bfr,d
the multitude caused him to recoil like
pl
has missed its spring. He then beckoned 'Oll
police officers to come near, a large posse droll
wei e in immediate attendance, and gave ° (LI;
" mark the countenances of those who hi'sheli
bring them to him." No sooner did the
Duke venture in the face of Heaven and thed:'
tude, than their natural feelings were vellteiio
withstanding the Magisterial threat, in
neous hiss. The head police officer inoe.r,g
seized a young man, a surgeon, and after ifiv:hrel
in charge to another officer, who paraded /10 'di'
the streets like any wretched thief, went)
siding as Magistrate in a kitchen oPrg.r°
Mayor's Chamber, ordered him to aPPei
.-rprc
morning. A number of persons attended, "or
young man was bound over in two sureties cio
each, for his appearance at the Sessions' it)
what act he is committed I cannot imagine<oir.
flagrant outrage on the liberties of Eng,:o
for as yet, if even a dog approached us in t'l)iti
we have been unmolested if we ventured able,
him; dare we do it now ? Surely our verier° off
right, and discriminating Chief Migistrate
labouring under a delusion, imagining thetji
his darling Six Acts was one termed the
Act, and that he would claim the honour of
the first victim.

The printers of an account of a trial of 13,/iofli
who exposed an obnoxious flig on the de)„3
immense meeting of the Northern Union, e'ber.
illustrated their report with a sketch of If
have been sent for and threatened by the sar°;oo4,
Magistrate. To-day an advertisement aPPe%
ing printers, that the fine will be imposed tio°
who have not their presses entered at then
01;
office. I will merely ask the question, c',ll,ref'.
rather ought not, Ministers to interfere Nore it;
such petty vexations, arising from a paer'; el
and contemptible spirit, from annoying ji 4
liberties of the subject ?
13cfore closing this letter, I may as weojeo:
you that on the 27th there was a Reforrn apt
held at Sunderland, which consisted of about, jC?
The Marquis of Londonderry and the
Durham %%ere burnt in effigy in the eve%ode'
mob disputed as to the most ignominious :04'
disposing of the latter, he was therefore ae"
on the spot. „ noo
Yesterday a meeting of from 10 to J.Y"',O
held at Durham; the Tories dared not Pe' c' er;
The Council of the Union headed the Pro
from the north, which was of great exten;;;b011„;
miners had heather and a piece of blue r""1,0
their hats. The freemen of thei. town!. sly Ijir
been partaking of Tory liberality since kr'—'o'
attempted to seize some colours and create eels
rutbanee, but they received such speedy alnA'lns )1'
chastisement, that in two minutes the Ineer,otj,e
restored to perfect undisturbed order, I by
never left their ranks, but were again headed (
Council, and marched two miles and a 1181'
°01: Durham, where refreshment was given thewhe 4
'hey returned peaceably to their homes. 1-pool'i
titication of the Tories on this occasion is ex for
but every day affords them a new lesson,
meeting was held in the Priests' den and the

strong hold. Your's, &C.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nov. 1.

er
The " New Monthly Magazine," and
p,e6o,'
Editorship of Mr. EDWARD LYTroN BuLwEnt 3P•eq?:
have taken a fresh ground in periodical litei-agF3u
rerntived from the iabour.d formality of tie 7' oftfr
Publications, and the frivolous personality' of son,.rit pl
which appear monthly. Its general tone and t.",,i):004/
remind the reader of the early numbers of the "
Review," wherein political and literary discu9"°-'
rendered fascinating by the wit and originaiiih).:olll;
writers. Should the work be continued with t"th O'
of the present number, which is the first underi'• the
management, it will probably take that place
Quarterlies once held, hut which they have hot
of their heavy contents, and their tardiness in Oc-
wants of the time.-- Chronicle.

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