The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-17 00:00:00

CORN LAWS, &c.

Four petitioners therefore pray, that not only may the
limited relief proposed by her Majesty's Government be
conceded, but that Parliament may at once proceed to
revise the whole of our crude and injurious tariff of
Customs Duties, with a view to the abolition of all taxa-
tion for any other than purposes of revenue, thereby
strengthening our amicable and commercial relations
with foreign nations, and imparting to our own people
that comfort, happiness, and well-being, which employ-
ment can alone secure.

The following petition was presented to the House of
Commons on Friday night :
"To the Honourable the Commons of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, in Parlia-
ment assembled,
"The Petition of James Wilkinson, of Leadenhall-
street, in the city of London.
" Humbly showeth,

" That, in Conjunction with others, your petitioner has
already prayed your Honourable House for a reduction
of the duties on sugar and coffee, so as to enable the
working people of this country to obtain a Small portion
more than they do at present.
"That since your Honourable House has manifested a
disposition to take the subject into consideration, the
enemies of the British working people have become
alarmed, and, under the mask of philanthropy, are en-
deavouring to circumvent the good intentions of your
Honourable House, pretending to be shocked at the in-
troduction of sugar produced by slave labour.
"'That your petitioner hates slavery of every descrip-
tion, both black and white, as much as he hates hypo-
crisy, cant, and humbug, and, therefore, hopes your Ho-
nourable House will not listen to the working people's '
enemies, but proceed with the good work ; should,
however, your Honourable House be of opinion that
sugar and coffee, produced by slave labour, ought not to
be admitted into this country, your petitioner thinks
all other articles, produced by the same means, including
gold, silver, cotton, wool, dying-drugs, and tobacco,
ought to be refused admittance also ; and this the work-
ing-peoples' enemies cannot, by any twisting or shuffling,
successfully dispute.
" Your petitioner, therefore, prays that your Honour-
able louse will cause such laws to be passed as will re-
duce the duties upon sugar and coffee to not exceeding
50 per cent. on the value of production from British pos-
sessions, and 75 per cent. from foreign parts ; no matter
by what kind of labour produced ; or that all articles
produced by slave labour be prohibited.
" And your petitioner will ever pray.
" May 7, 1841. " JAMES WILKINSON."

I ANTI-CORN-LAW DEMONSTRA-
TION AT SOUTHAMPTON.
A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, in com-
, fliance with a requisition signed by a large number of
I the most respectable inhabitants of the-town, was held
lat the Guildhall on Thursday. The hour appointed
one o'clock ; but befsre that time the Hill was crowded
almost to suffocation by persons of all classes, who ap-
peared to regard the proceedings with intense interest,
and who evinced, as a perusal of our Report will show,
a determined resolution to strain every nerve—to ex-
ert all their energies—to rid themselves of those laws
whose real object is to swell the possessions of a small
section of the community, by stinting a people's food,
and at the cost of a nation's prosperity. The meeting
was more numerously attended, and its proceedings
were of more interest, than any which has been held
in Southampton for years.
The Mayor having taken the Chair,
T. L. HARMAN, EN., moved the resolution that
the people felt themselves aggrieved by the Corn-laws.
Mr. J. R. KEELE seconded the motion. He came
forward on this occasion because, as the father of a
large family, be had good reason to fed interest in the
discussion of this question. He bad been a long time
making up his mind on this great subject, and had read
a variety of opinions on both sides_without being able
to come to a satisfactory conclusion until the List few
weeks, when, on reading the Report of the Committee
of the House of Commons on the Import Duties,
a light broke in upon his mind, and he felt satisfied that
that the Corn-laws were the most cruel, unjust, and
unmerciful tax ever imposed on the people of this
country,—(Che,,‘rs.) He called on his trillw.b%vos.
men ti assist the Governtnent in removing tiais tax.
The resolution was carried unanimously amidst great
cheering.

Other resolutions to a sin ilar effect, and a p3tition,
were unanimously agreed to.
Thanks were voted to the Mayor by acclamation.
The compliment having been acknowledged, the
meeting broke up, after giving three hearty cheers for
che ip bread, and three groans for the Duke of
Buckinglidtll.—llampshire Independent.

CORN LAWS-LANDLORDS AND

TENANTS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Stn,—Although the Ministerial project for amelio-
rating the wicked Corn-laws is still in favour of the
landed interest, tie measure will not be carried if the
people do not exert themselves. The aristocracy ought
to be satisfi-d with it, and make the most of their estates
by dismissing their afents, stewards, commissioners,
&c., &c., and becoming more accessible to their tenants.
Their estates, especially in the North of England,
where the minerals are as valuab!e Ls the surface, are as
productive to the above named gentry as to their
owners.

The best farms and mines are let to them and their
connexions on low terms, and the other tenants make
up for this species of fraud. Some landlords are ad -
sised not to grant leases., so that their tenantry may al-
ways be at the mercy of their agents, whilst others who
have aqetit4, with lawyers in their families, grant short
leases which are drawn up in such unintelligible lan-
guage ;led wrting as to be peceetly worthless
to the tenants if they should be such fools as to go to
Law with their landlords. The aristocracy should take
their affairs into their own hands, and give their tenants
clear printed leases which may be understood, and
which would not cost one penny exclusive of the stamp.
Then they need not fear any change in the Corn-laws,
particularly such a one as is proposed by the. Queen's
Ministers. In fact, I believe, the cheapness of oats
will be a great benefit to the owners and occupiers of
pastuie land, for the export of horses from this country,
will be immense. Young stock cannot be reared on the
Continent, the winters being too cold for them to remain
out, and take just the quantity of exercise nature re-
quires, and toe summers too hot and dry. Young
horses shout') be out all the winter and have juicy grass
in the summer, as,dvantages which they cannot enjoy on
the continent.

I am, Sir, your moat obedient servant,
A MEMBER OF THE ANTI-CORN-LAW
Manchester, May 12, 1841. LEAGUE.

TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND.

Fellow-Countrymen,—The subject of the Corn-laws
—a subject far more important than any brought for-
ward this Session—will be brought before Parliament
in the beginning of June. Let us hope that the spirit.
of " party" will be laid aside, and that all parties will
enter the arena of Corn-law monopoly with the deter-
mination to give this important and great national
question that calm and just deliberation which it de-
serves, and which the happiness and prosperity of the
country demands. That there will be great opposition
shown to the repeal of those laws by some narrow-
minded men, there can be no doubt. It therefore be-
hoves you, my oppressed countrymen, to exert your.
selves, to send petitions to Parliament for the abolition
of those accursed laws—laws that disgrace our Statute.
book—laws that deny your children bread—laws that
are consigning thousands of your countrymen to
misery, starvation, and premature graves! It is a
law imposed expressly for the benefit of a few rich and
monopolizing landlords at the expense of the poor and
industrious classes—you have, therefore, to decide be-
tween justice and oppression ; and remember, " He
who allows oppression shares the crime." It is for you
to say whether the monopolizing landlords shall any
longer impose a burden upon the poor and industrious
classes of England, mis-called free, while those and uli
laws that cramp the industry of the people are allowed
to exist. Arouse yourselves, then, my countrymen,
and show yourselves equal to your task ; throw off the
chains of Corn law monopoly, and prose yourselves
worthy the name of free men, for
" A day—an hour—of virtuous liberty,
Is worth a whole eternity in bondage !"
In conclusion, I call upon you to let Parliament feel
the " pressure from without," that good may be done
within. Call forth that mural power which carried the
Reform Bill—array yourselves on the side of the poor
—on the side of justice, humanity, and religion, and
your labours shall be crowned with a glorious victory—
the repeal of the tax upon the " staff of life."
I remain, &c., &c.,
DEMOCRAT.

City, May 6, 1841.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC, &C.—The following is
the total amount of traffic on the several railways in England
and Scotland (29 in ail) for the last week, that is to say, up to
the late,t period to a hid' the several returns are calculated,
viz., total amount of passengers conveyed, 222,210. Total re-
ceipss (including passengers, parcels, carriages,horses, m?r-
clandise, &c.) 648604

COPY OF A PETITION TO THE COMMONS FROM THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MANCHESTER, FORWARDED
FOR PRESENTATION PER MR. LABOITCHERE, MAY 13,
1841.

That your petitioners have heard with great satisfac-
tion that the dangers which beset the commerce of this
country on every side, have, at length, arrested the at-
tention of Government.

That in the opinion of your petitioners the measures
proposed by her Majesty's Ministers, so far as they have
been disclosed, tend in a wise direction ; and, although
not so extensive as your petitioners would desire, are
well devised for improving our external intercourse, re-
lieving, partially, the existing distress of our industrious
people, and preserving internal tranquillity.
That after a long, careful, and anxious examination
of the results and bearings of our present commercial
system upon the interests of the whole people of these
realms, your petitioners do not hesitate respectfully to
declare their deliberate conviction to your Honour-
able House, that unless a course of commercial
policy more fair towards foreign nations, more just to-
wards our own people, and more consonant with the
benificent designs of Divine Providence than that which
now exists, be forthwith adopted, the most grave and ap-
palling evils will inevitably ensue. At this moment a
very large proportion of people engaged in the manu-
facture of cotton are deprived of one-third of their cus-
tomary employment. _

SCOTLAND.
ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETINGS.
PERTH Towx-COUNCIL.—At an extraordinary meeting of
the Town-Council, held upon Tuesday forenoon, Bailie Clunie
in the chair, it was agreed to on the motion of Mr. Halley, to
petition both Houses of Parliament embodying the statement,
that, while the Council adhere to the opinion expressed in a
former petition in favour of "an immediate and total repeal of
the Corn-laws," they receive with cordial satisfaction the pro-
posed modification recommended by her Majesty's Mihisters,
and petition for the adoption of the reform of the commercial
system, in so far as that has been disclosed by the members of
Government.—Perth Advertiser.

DUNDEE.—In the course of this week, twenty-nine petitions
from various public corks, for the repeal of the Corn .laws,
have been transmitted to Sir Henry Parnell for presentation to
the House of Commons. These petitions have been signed by
every workman at the various works with hardly an exception.
We understand that petitions are in the course of signature in
a great number of other works and in the villages around
Dundee. The petition for the repeal of the Corn-laws and
the revision of the duties on imports, as agreed on at the
- electors' meeting, will, we understand, be sent off to-day (Fri-
day) signed by about ten thousand electors and other inhabit-
ants of Dundee. We understand that the Rev. Mr. Gilfilian
will deliver a lecture to his congregation, on the Corn-laws, on
Monday, when a petition will be sent off ; and we tru4 that
other clergymen will follow his oxample.—Dundee Advertiser.
KELSO.—On Monday evening, a public meeting of the in-
habitants of this town, called by thy Convenery, for the pur-
pose of petitioning Parliament for the abrogation or modifica-
tion of the existing Corn-laws, was held within the Town-hall
here. The meeting was numerously attended. Mr. White,
Convener of the Incorporated Trades, was called by acclama-
tion to the chair, and a petition was moved, seconded, and una-
nimously adopted, there being only one dissentient yoke. The
petition was ordered to be transmitted to the Hon. J. E.
Elliot, member for the county, for presentation.—Kelso
Chronicle.

Anti-Corn-law petitions, have been despatched from the
follow ing places : —liorrowsto wness , with 250 signatures •' Loan-
head, 160 ; Liberton, 120; Bro. anhouse Toll, 100; Uphall,
150; Linton, 149; Rodin, 116; Muttonhole, 60; Cra-
mond , 62.

EA RLSTOU N.-A numerous and respectable meeting of the
inhabitants of Earlstoun, was held in the Relief Church, on
Tuesday evening last, for the purpose of adopting and trans-
mitting a petition to Parliament, for the total abolition of the
Corn-laws. The Rev. Mr. Durie being present, was unani-
mously called to the chair. Mr. Tully then moved a series of
resolutions, which were cordially responded to by the meeting ;
after which Mr. Cranstoun moved that a petition be forwarded
fir presentation to the House of Commons, founded upon
said resolutions, which was unanimously agreed to. A Com-
mittee having been appointed to superintend the subscription
of the petition and its transmission, and a vote of thanks having
been given to the chairman the very interesting meeting then
dismissed, after unanimously appending their names to the
petition:

STIKLINC. —On Tuesday last a very numerous and influen-
tial meeting of the electors and inhabitants was held in the
Justiciary Court-house, called by the Provost, on the requisi-
tioa of a number of the inhabitants. Bailie Smith having
been called to the Chair, in the absence (tithe Provost, various
motions were made and agree i to, condemning the tax on
corn; and it was carried by a large maj,rity, in opposition to a
contrary motion proposed by a supporter of the Charter, to
petition Parliament in terms of the rcsolutiJn of the meeting
for the total repeal of the tax.
MILNATEIORT.—A public meeting was held on Friday last,
at Milnathort, with a view to petitioning Parliament against
the Corn-laws, and all unnecessary restrictions on trade. Mr.
William Shaw occupied the Chair, and various resolutions were
passed. In Kinross similar mea,ures are in contemilation.
GLASGOW, MAY 13.—The petition from this city, in favour
of a repeal of the Corn-laws, and of a revision of the import
duties, after lying for only two days, had, on Monday evening,
upwards of fifteen thousand signatures attached to it. It
would be presented to the House yesterday. The second divi-
sion was sent off on Tuesday, and the third division last night.
The number of the names down to last night is as follows :
Signatures procured on Saturday and Monday '
Dos on Tuesday 6,160
Do. on Wednesday.

Total number of names to the petition in four days
only
There were, besides, petitions despatched from a number of
factories and other public works, on each of the above evenings.
Signatures.
On Monday the number was 25, having Ida
On Tuesday the number was 19, having 708
On Wednesday the number was 6, having 2.25

Petitions 5O Sigs. 1838
On Tuesday a petiton was sent off, signed by no less than
86 Dissenting clergymen of this city and neighbourhood. The
result of the four day's work is, therefore, as follows :
Signatures.
General petiti0n..........
Petitions from 50 factories
Dissenting clergymen's petition

Total number of signatures ... 29,214
—Glasgow Argus.
EDINBURGH.—A few days ago, a petition to the House of
Commons, praying for a repeal of the laws which now re-
strict the impoi tation of corn and all other articles of food,
was forwarded from Messrs. W. and R. Chambers, publishers,
and the various persons in their employment (upwards of 70
in number), to be presenttd by Mr. Macaulay,
SLATEFORD.—Two petitions from this neighbourhood were
forwarded, with Tuesday's post, to William O. Craig, M.P.,
for presentation to the House of Commons. One is from
the parish of Colinton, signed by 351 persons ; one frt,m the
village of Balerno, 108; one from the vitlagellof Hermiston,
41 ; and one from the workmen of Kate's Mill, parish of Co-
linton, 30.

ANTI-Coax-LAW ASSOCIATION. —A meeting of the Anti-
Corn-law Association was held in the Hall of the Royal Hotel
on Thursday evening—the Dean of Guild in the Chair.
There was a very large attendance of members, and all seemed
delighted at. the prospect we have now of getting the Corn-
laws repealed, altered, or materially modified. It was resolved
to hold a public meeting on the subject, and a Committee was
appointed to make the necessary arrangements tor that pur-
pose. At the close of the meeting tickets were renewed, and
several new members added. It was also resolved that every
exertion be made to increase the number of members ; and, to
facilitate the entry of those who wish to join the Association,
tickets were ordered to be left with the Committee, and may
be had also of the Secretary at the Herald Office, and at No.
19, Constitution-street.—Aberdeen Herald.

PUBLIC MEETING AT LEITH.__In compliance with a nu-
merously signed requisition addressed to the Provost, a meeting
of the electors of Leith, was held on Friday, in the Exchange
Building, " for the purpose of addressing the Ministers if the
Crown, praying that they will net abandon the country by
re: gnation of office at this important crisis of public affairs,"
Amongst those present were Adam White, Esq., of Fens;
Rallies Thom, Muir, and Alexander ; Councillors Mitchell
and Gibbs; Treasurer Watson, Convenor Ferney, John Veitch,
Esq., of Woodside; James Miller, Esq. ; Robert Lauri*,
E=q. ; William Ta)lor, Esq. ; James Hai', Esq., &c.
Bailie Timm having been called to the Chair, observed that
the absence of Provost Reoch from the meeting was in con-
sequence of the loss of one of his family--nothing but that
would have prevented him from attending. Having read the
requisition calling the meeting, he expressed a hope that
those gentlemen who might address the meeting would have
a patient and peaceable hearing.
Mr. WHITE then rose and said, that an address had been
prepared for the occasion, which the Clerk would read. The
address having been read, Mr. White said, he hoped the ad-
dress which had nosy been read would meet with the approba-
tion of the meeting generally. If that was the case, he had
to propose that it be immediately 1 irwarded to Lord Mel-
bourne. A great deal of abuse Lad been heaped upon her
Majesty's Ministers, who had always been anxious to do good,
and were prevented solely by a captious opposition from doing
a great deal more. He hoped the adoption of the address he
had the pleasure of moving, would be the means of making
other towns and burghs follow the example of Leith.—(Ap-
plause.)
Mr. BERRY seconded the motion in a speech of some
length.

Mr. Pnit.ir proposed that the address should be seat off
without delay.
The address having been again read, was unanimously
agreed to, and thanks haying been voted to Bailie Thom for
his conduct in the chair, the meeting, which was numerously
attended, separated.

XECUTION OF TIIE CROSSIfII.L lIIIIRDERERS.—Dennis
Duolan and Patrick Redding were executed on Friday morning
at Crosshill, about three miles north of Glasgow, in pursuance
of the sentence of the Justiciary Circuit Court held at Glas-
gow upon the 22d ultimo, for the murder of John Green,
ganger upon the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway. The two
unfortunate men were conveyed to the place of execution in a
cart, and leit Glasgow jail at eight o'clock in the morning,
under a strong escort of cavalry and infantry. The crowd
present at the execution was calculated to amount to about
50,000, but the greatest order and decorum prevailed, and the
masses began to move off whenever the men were executed. In
addition to a large polies force, there was upon the ground
two pieces of artillery, nearly 600 men belonging to the 58th
regiment of foot, and our troops of the Ist Huy al Dragoons.

The General Steam Navigation Company's
vessel the Ocean, J. Fife, from Rotterdam, arriled of the
Custom House yesterday with the Dutch mail.

--
SUGAR DUTIES.
TO THE. EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR-I rejoice at the measures taken by her Ma.
jesty's Ministers ; they are not only just, but demanded
by the greatest number. The monopolists will now
declare themselves the enemies of the people, and legis-
late for themselves to plunder the people. I believe
the Whig Ministers will be stronger by a dissolution
than ever. I hope the Ministers will come to the
country with the cry of " Cheap bread and the
Queen," a cry which would be understand much better
than the old cry of " Church and King." Some of the
monopolists endeavour to make it appear that the dif-
ference in price to the people on sugar would be about
d. per lb, instead of which it would be about 2d. per lb.
As regards slave sugar the public are deceived ; we
are the only country that use West India sugar.
is too dear for any country but this : and so it will be
if 12s. extra duty is charged on foreign growth. Ti,e
twenty millions is nothing compared with what are now
paid.

The people of England pay the West India planters
on 248,000 tons of sugar, at 281. per ton—extra price for
last-year 1840, at least a stun of 7,944,0001., a round
sum for West India planters to roll about Cheltenham,
Bath, and the West End, in idleness and luxury, at
the expense of the poor sugar consumers. By the change
in the West Indies the planters are great gainers ;
forty-five labourers at 4e. 6d. for four days, do the
work of 170 slaves. (See Mr. Gurney's West Indies.)
I-hope if the monopolists are to govern this country,
that the people of England will set up an Anti-Sugar
Society, which will soon bring tl.ese gentlemen to their
senses. The fact is, that the parsons, landowners,
West India planters, all pull against the people, are
they are all enemies to the greatest number ; but the
time is last approaching when they will find the people
will not be imposed on. I are, &c.
May 14. TOCKINGTON.
P.S. Cdo you inform me how it is that the
very humane planters and anti-slave gentlemen,
kind tender-hearted creatures as they all must he,
should forget the free labourers in St. Domingo. Why
not reduce the duty on their sugar and coffee, and let
us have it. Perhaps you can also inform me the price
4)1 labour in growing a cwt. of sugar ; if it is 6s. we are
then giving 6s. Ar nothing. There is no more reason
why we should keep Wert India planters and land-
owners riding about in carriages, than we should keep
the workhouses supplied with wine for dinner, and
brandy for supper. •