The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-23 00:00:00

JULY 23, 1847.

ELECTION MOVEMENTS.
CITY OF LONDON.
Wednesday evening a meeting of the electors of the
wards of Aldersgate and Farringdon Within was held at
the Bull and Mouth, Aldersgate.street, "to proinete
the return of the four Liberal candidates for the City."
An adjournment to the spacious yard of the hotel
having been found desirable for the mutual comfort of
speakers and auditors, the former ascended a temporary
platform shortly after seven o'clock, and Mr. J. T. Nor-
ris (in the unavoidable absence of Mr. W. Leaf, from
whom a respectful apology was read to the meeting) oc-
cupied the chair.
The first speaker who presented himself was Sir G.
LARPENT, to whom a most cordial greeting was given.
He said, he appeared before them as a merchant of the
city of London, who, having pledged himself to the
advocacy of free-trade measures, had aspired to a seat
in Parliament as the representative of those principles.
—(Cheers.) It was true they had witnessed the triumph
of free trade, but there was a strong party in the country
still persevering in their hostility to the measures lately
conceded by Parliament, and therefore it was the
bounden duty of every constituency to see that the
candidates a their choice were prepared to sustain those
great principles w Inch had beeo reeogniaed by the Lo-
gislature.—(Cheeits.) To the removal of all unjust
taxes on ford, err labour,- or sa- income, he.pledged his
warmest , exert ons ; ,aud wail regard .to intermural
burials and the • healt rat- towns, he should be always
ready:to give stub Bilis .his hearty support. -National
education, without regard to religious opinions, should
command his advocacy, and he would never sanction the
endowment by the State of any sect of religion whit-
ever.—(Loud cheers.) The Hon. Baronet then.referred
to the Claims of Lord John Russell, and in andsion to
the question often discussed, as to the eligibility of
Baron Rothschild, he observed, that it was one which
affected the people more than the individual, for the real
point at issue was, the right of electors to send whom
they liked to Parliament--(Cheers)—and he trusted the
eleetors of London would show, by the triumphant re-
turn of -the four Liberal candidates, that they would
exercise that right manfullyL:-(fseud cheere.)
Mr. PATTISON, jun. (the son of the Hon. Member),
next addressed the meeting, and in the course of a long
speech on behalf of the four Liberal candidates, mads
some humorous allusions to the proceedings of the Con-
servative electors, as compared with the brilliant, and
frequent demonstrations of the Reformers. Why, he
had heard that a meeting was held the other evening at
which the Tory candidates were called upon to addre.s
some 12 or 14 persons, including those b- recording
angels," the reporters of the public press.—(Laughter.)
Ot course this circumstance gave them (the Liberals) no
concern, brit it was a glorious indication of the victory
that awaited them.—(Cheers.)
Sir W. MOLESWORTH, M.P., apologised for the ab
sence of Baron Rothschild, who, like Mr. Pattison, was
unavoidably absent. The Hon. Baronet called upon the
electors to demonstrate to the nation at large their love
of civil and religious liberty the return of Baron
Rothschild, in conjunction with the other Liberal candi
dates. He passed a high eulogiurn on the public cha-
racter of Lord J. Russell, whom ne hoped would be first
colua tmh ep s
hao—
dl b
efierns t
so ot
ct
oh
re four
di
ally
Lainbde r agl aecnenr
aid iidya tes , whose
recognised
by the constituency.— (
Some amusement and not a little confusion were
created by the remarkable perseverance of a plebeian
orator, who claimed rather more than his share of that
"equal right of speech" which the meeting seemed
good-humouredly inclined to sanction, until thoroughly
wearied by its absurdities.
Two or three questions touching on corporation re-
form and the Thames Conservancy Bill—to each of
which the candidates or their representatives promised
their attention—having been put by the electors,
The usual resolution, expressive of confidence in the
candidates, &c., was then proposed by Mr. PHILLIPS, se-
conded by Mr. CLow, and carried with only a few dis-
sentients.
After a vote of thanks to the chair, the meeting
(which was a very large one) separated with three
hearty cheers for the Queen.

CITY OF GLASGOW.
(From the Glasgow Chronicle of Wednesday.)
Yesterday afternoon a crowded and most respectable
meeting of the Central Committee, with others friendly
to the return to Parliament of the Lord Provost and Mr.
Macgregor, was held in the Assembly Rooms, for the
purpose -of hearing the candidates. Amongst other
gentlemen present we observed John Henderson, Esq
of Park; James Richards .n, Esq., of Ralston; William
Mills, Esq; David Chapman. E q ; J irres Scott, Esq
James Lumsden, Esq., of Lodg ; John flamilton,
Esq., of Duhfillin; H. my Brock E.g.; A. Eccles, .E..q.;
Duncan Hunter. E'l.; Bailie And, 1-,on, Bailie O. ts
Wm.-Milroy. Esq.; Duncan M`Paiail, Esq.; J. W.
M,i,Gregor, E-q.; David ire;herii, El.; Win. Allan,
Esq.; Alex. Anderson. E- q.; John Stenhouse, Esq.;
Wm. Blackwood, Esq Robert Aikrnan.,`Esq.; -Alex.
Harvey, Esq ; George Henderson, Esq.; Win. Leckie
Ewing, Esq.; Wm. M'Ewan, Esq.; Alex. M'Dowall,
Esq.; James Black, Esq.; Dr. Watson, Joseph Reid,
Esq.- Samuel frown, Esq.; Jelin Mitchell, Esq. • David
Yuille, Esq.; David Robertson, Esq.; Hugh iirilson,
Esq.; Thomas Davidson, Esq.; Wm. Steele, jun„ Esq.;
Campbell, Esq.; W. Hay,;Esq., &c.
On the Lord Provost and Mr. Macgregor making
their appearance they were loudly applauded.
HENRY BR,OCK, Esq., moved, and DA.VID CHAPMAN,
Esq., seconded, the appointment of William Mills, Esq.,
to the chair, which was carried by acclamation.
On taking the chair, Mr. Muaa spoke as follows:
Gentlemen, I beg to thank you sincerely for the honour
you have conferred upon me in appointing me your chair-
man. In opening the business 'of the meeting, permit
me to say that our friend Mr. lifacgregor—(Cheers)—
having arrived in town, that gaitleman and the Lord
Provost— (Cheers)—as candidates for the representation
of this city, were desirous of meeting you, the members
of the general committee, and any others that were
friendly to the cause as soon as possible, and you have
been invited here for that purpose. We may calculate
that within the space of three short weeks we shall have
an election for members for this city. Now, gentlemen,
that is a short space to work in, and we must therefore
be vigilant, active, and industrious.—(A:pplause.) I am
most happy to state that! by a partial canvass or ascer-
tainment that has already taken place, our ,prospects
for the friends on my right and on my left hand are
most cheering and encouraging—(.Cheers)—and if each
of us, the members of the general committee, bestir
ourselves and use a little activity along with our other
friends that are with us in the causes I have not the
slightest hesitation in saying that we shall place Mr.
M'Gregor and Provost nestle triumph antly at the head
of the poll on the day of the election.—(Cheers.)
Gentlemen, it would be presumption in me to say one
word in recommendation of either of the gentlemen now
present: Their commercial intelligence and mercantile
information on every subject connected with the trade
of the country is well known to every one now present.
These gentlemen come forward soliciting the votes of
the electors of Glasgow on broad, or en, honest anal
liberal principles, and again I say with perfect confi-
dence, if these gentlemen ase returned to Parliament, of
which I have not a doubt that they will be as our
Members, I have no hesitation in saying that no other
city, burgh, or community in the Urdted Kingdom will
be better, if so well, represented as our own native city.
—(Loud cheering.) On this point I will go no farther.
I feel now a little delicacy as to introducing our friends
to you. As a stranger, I would, from common eour-
tesa , call upon our friend Mr. Maesgregor first to make
any remarks he may thank proper to you on the oc-
casion; but, on the other hand, out of etiquette towards
our worthy chief magittrate, I must take leave to intro-
duce to you first his Lordship.—(Cheers.)
The LORD PROVOST, on rising, -was loudly applauded.
He apologised for not being able to prepare himself in
any manlier for speaking at the -present meeting. The
four candidates before you profess, apparently, nearly
the same principles. They aro all iu favour of free
trade—all of them wish to see endowments put- upon a
better and differ, nt tootitia than at present. In fact,
upon all thaeleading stions of the day the candidates
are very much at one. Ths mom just to-.t, teeret. re, to
take of their fitnes, for the otce is to refer you to their
past history, slid with resp,ct to the manner in which
they have conducts d tin nisi-Ives in the tams which they
have held,— (Cheers.) Mr. Dixon, being the oldest, is
entitled to come first, Ile h.as, perhaps, been longer a
public man than either of the others. Mr. Dixon, I
believe, has all his life been generally forward in pro-
moting those great measures for advancing the condition
of the people at large. Whether is these respects
he has been superior to myself it is not for me
to say. He has had at least twenty or thirty
years to act his past in society, which I cannot re-
fer to for myself, but although my ten years cannot be
placed in the balance against his twenty or thirty in
regard to time, I trust that, without presumption,l may
hope I have done my duty in the several situations I
have occupied, and that the manner- in which I have
discharged these duties may have some weight with you
in my favour.—(Cheers.) Mr. Macgregor in point of
seniority comes next into view. He is not only known
to many of the citizens of Glasgow, to 'the country at
world.
large, but also by his labours to Europe and the
—(Cheers.) Mr. Macgregor has been in connexion
for a
b
one or other of the Governments of this country a
f
period of fifteen years. The manner in which he has
discharged the important duties appertaining to his
situation has not been for the interests of the citizens,
of Glasgow merely, but for the aelvantageofe
an
country with which we have entered into commercial
mercantile arrangements. M Dennistoun and myself,
I believe, entered upon
public
life very much about the
same time. He has had the advantage over me of being
a member of the National
teyears. I, on the other
Legislature, and in that ca-
pacity has served for about
hand, in the more humble capacity of a town councillor,
in the same period, or nearly no,
have filled all the im-
portant offices connected with our civic Legislature.
The manner in which I have discharged my duties there
may be best indicated, I think, by reference to the respect
which has been shown me by those with whom I have
assocut • ted and by my brother magistrates, and who were
so partial as to elect me to the high and important office
which I at present fill.—(Cheers.) I- intended to have
occupied your attention at this time with a number of
other questions, such as the subjeret of free-trade, the
curreucy, church and school endow ments, the poor-laws,
and so on, but I fancy that my explanations in regard
to thesematters have already in different modes been

made known to the pubic. If any gentleman, however,
wishes me to speak upon them, I will do so, but I think
you will be better and more profitably occupied in
hearing Mr. Macgregor, than for me to detain you any
longer. His Lordship resumed hit seat amid applause.
man, and
el%daocannrEisoioeng waswas
Inouexdltyienhtreoedreudc.ed
Hbye_ tshaeidC—h pi:.
Chairman and Gentlemen, in coming
among
approach of a general election in the honourableyou on the
pos:tion
of a candidate for the representation of this great city,it
is due to you—it is obligatory on me—that i
sboill d
make a simple statement, partly relative to myself, and
especially declaring a confession of my political faih,
and of my public principles.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen,
considering that the unbounded right which you poss.
sa
to send independently to Parliament such Members as may
efficiently attend to your interests, considering that the
representation of the people is the only safe guarantee
for your political liberties, civil rights, and re-
ligious freedom the duty that is devolved upon you is of
the greatest and most solemn kind, and, under these
circumstances, I certainly require much justification in
presenting myself as a candidate before you. Having,
however, some confidence in the faith which the people
of the United Kingdom and those holding the admini,- '
,r ition of affairs have placed in me, I trust if I should
be sent to Parliament as the representCive of a city con-
eentrating in ik.olf so many great interests, that when
weighed in the b dance I will not be found wanting. ,
Much has been sari with respect to the office which I
now hold in the Government of the country, and if
nothing had been said relative to that office I should not
obtrude myself on your time with uttering a word on the
subject:: ,It is an office, how,-ver, which, if I be re-
turned your representative in Parliament I should not
hold, however important it may he ; still I cannot dis-
miss the matter without stating what are some of the
important duties connected with it. The joint offices
of the Secretaries of • the Board of Trade are of the
greatest responsibility. To them comes, in the first
instance, every memorial connected with trade in these
kingdoms ard the British colonies. To us comes every
law passsd by the colonial Assetnolies ; and we have to

examine these laws in order to ascertain whether they
ar, in opposition to, or in accordance with the geaeral
laws or th,- United Kingdom. All communications t:s
to commercial or maritime matters tnroughout the world
are referred to the judgment of the Board of frade,
and all that comes, in toe first inst ince, through my-
self as one of the Joint Secretaries. Evt ry matter of
dispute as to the customs—;:very subject bearing
upon charters in matters of trade and naviga-
tionthe laws regulating the customs, and count-
less other matters, preparatory to being laid before Par-
liament, come through our hands, and are afterwards
submitted to the Board at which the President sits. I
think that these dunes involve responsibilities and ques-
tions a filch bear upon the general interests and the
trade of this country rather above the responsibilities
delegated to a mere clerk.—(Laughter and cheers.)
Such, however, as they have been, I have had the satis-

, -
faction of discharging to the entire approbation of three
Governments. The Government of Lord Afelb)urne,
that of Sir Robert Peel, with whose political principle*
I wa3 boldly and broadly unconnected, and with the
Government of Lord John Russell, with whom. I ram
happy to state, I am on terms of the utmost confidence.

—(Applause.) 1 doubt I have dwelt too long on a
question that was personal and not public, but I felt
compelled to make some allusion to it from the
manner in which the office and not myself have been
alluded to. Having said this much of myself, if you,
gentlemen, will allow me I will allude to those great
questions which must be brought forward during the
next session of Parliament, and I do so to show to you
bow very laborious must be the duties of a member re-
presenting the city of Glasgow, if he discharges these
duties faithfully and in accordance with that cols=
responsibility which you will repose in him. In the first
place, the question of taxation must become one of the
most prominent during next session. The property-
tax or the income-tax, as it should be called, will
expire next year. It yields at present so large a
proportion of the income of the Government that we
have little expectation of its not being renewed.
The mode of its renewal must constitute a subject
of grave inquiry, much will depend upon the wis-
dom and intelligence of those who have to grapple
with that great question. I may state that I am not
content with the present mode of levying that tax. I
think that a very wide distinction should be made be-
tween taxation on incomes derived from a permanent
source and those from temporary sources.—(Applause.)
The adjustment: of that difference 'will require the
greatest care, and will, I am confident, occupy the seri-
ous attention of the next Parliament. With regard to
free trade, utinubtedly a great deal has been done, but
I, from experience and from the position I occupied,.
think there is quite as much to be done than has yet in
this matter been done.—(Cheers.) In the first place, the
wisole o 1 the tariff requires further adjustment. There
are many articles in that tariff which do not pay one
half of the cost of collecting the duties upon them. I
would restrict the levying of duties upon eight or nine
articles, and am for abolishing all the duties but those
which yield a large revenue. There is also much to be
done for the Customs. The practice of the Customs are
based upon the old tariff and the Customs laws that prac-
tice had based on old Treasury orders and regulations,
and instead of being a convenience and the means of
expediting the trade and navigation of this country, ob-
struct it in a great measure. I think, therefore, that
the Customs' duties may be so simplified that the com-
merce of this country.may be relieved from restrictions,
either as regards foreign countries or our own posses-
sions. With regard to the Excise, I think there is so
much of the Star Chamber practice in connexion with the
present arrangement of that department, that we might
with propriety abolish the whole of the existing Excise
establishment, and the whole of the existing Excise laws.
I think thatyou might except on two articles, get quit of all
the inquisitorial regulations now under the Excise regu-
lations. As to the nuvigation-laws, there is much diffe-
rence of opinion. Many people attribute the whole of
our prosperit) to the navigation-laws. I am of a diffe-
rent opinion, and think that great modifications are
necessary, especially with respect to our coasting trade.
I am of opinion that, at sea, the intet course between
one port and anothei port, ought to be as free as the
intercourse between one county and another county on
land.. Another question of paramount interest is the
colonial system. Now, though we have comparative free
trade in this country, the whole colonial system is a sys-
tem of restriction. There is in fact a colonial battle of
restriction amongst them, as much as if they were foreign
countries at war. With respect to the West Indian
colonies, and especially as regards their legislature and
commercial arrangements, which I have had under con-
sideration for seven years, there is so much to be done
that if you would only allow them that freedom of trade
which they require, those in connexion with them would
find that they would resume at last their former prospe-
rity, and be in a much more secure position than they
have ever been before.—(Cheers.) During the course
of my professional experience I have had frequent in-
tercourse with the members of the West India Associa-
tion, and in regard to questions affecting their interests,
as to which I have differed from Lord Stanley and Sir R.
Peel, these gentlemen almost always agreed with the
views which I expressed. The views which I brought
forward 16 or 17 years ago are now being carried into
operation, and, in this respect, I believe that in the next
session of Parliament measures will be taken to remove
many of the hardships which are now felt in connexion
with trade, and with respect to the West India Settle-
ment. There is another great question in which the
trading community are deeply interested, and as to
which much complaint exists in the whole of our East
Indian possessions. I allude to the system of taxation
and the Custom House duties bearing upon the cost of
production in the East Indies. If there is one griev.
since more intolerable than another it is the taxes
which prevents them from supplying our manufac-
turers with cotton wools. I had entrusted to me the
other day, by one of the East India merchants, a
most important document, which showed that if' the
tax upon land were removed, they could supply us
with cotton as cheap as ever we were furnished by the
United States.—(Applause.) I come now to' another
question of great difficulty, as many interests are con.
cerned in it—l mean the question of the currency.
Agi eeiig with Sir Robert Peel in his general principles
of tree tied-, I never could discover why you should
carry out the principles of free trade with every:lab
limit
commodity or article, and place a most
to the mere matter i f Nanking. Sir Robert Peel's
but I
.13
of 1844, I consider,
was p racical fur
regulations be
' should
never could find why that
"glut was extended to
extended to Scotland ;
aEexkc e
er
Scotland by the present C
and when I gave hntedh Be
was content
of Scotland ; and he said,
not opposed to
1844, he saidlwabsimivrhoinlie:°:Pa
further,th atit shouldtha t
two or three Scotch banks in
It—that there
were was justified in the view he had
r
favour of it—that he
taken. It wasyboeucb tooSemcot te
ht
sorryr ue , Memberstthatbat
shaseet rlcd,ethe had reasons
spilasboetuross
hdfioimdr
191 with regard to tnhhoi
est d,
noi. justification.stenheiiery e 3 duty._
ffe feel rt:spi Iticiootethic,aaatiniq
Bill_
do not see any light
Scot-
land.falling upon That twhaesSmubyject to make that impression other.
wise hereafter. There are' two or three other subjects
to which I might refer. One of these is the question of
endowments—that is whether I should support grants
for the endowment of churcbs or congregations. Now
I am prepared to state that I shall oppose any further
attempt to er.dow churches or congregations. I am not
pbrliesphaerde(l
Churchestosay tohfaEn t Igla o
amnd goingr o f to disturb the este-
Scotland, but I make
no such statement with respect to the English church
in Ireland. I consider that great abuses exist there,
and I am prepared as soon as a measure shall be broight
before Parliament to aid in removing this abuse.
There is another "question of the greatest importance
to Scotland and to the kingdom at large, that is the
question of the poor-rates. Now, as regards that matter,
1 am of opinion that the soil and the property of every
country is that which is bound to support
etr
birthpeople—
onand
that soil upon
which they have obtained
existence. I would, however, opposej law
district, to
- that would
compel a city like Glasgow, ()r anyc
in the general poor-
, support the poor of another disi law, to support its OWL
tri I think that 'each
should be made, by somegenera
poor. In so far I heartily concur
with regard to Ireland-pod
law which the present Government
i?frntbmaetnit broughtall.bepr forward
orriy.
, forced, this country and England will be relieved of a

09.- . , 1
ii/r;)-- A 7
/_
_., .
... .
I very t tax n' ct , burden upon it. With resmct to
-----
-- - firk
the levying tepoor-rates, as I,tr as I can bring my mind
to 4 conclusion, I think that property, or tbe'profits of
... - ,- or the TnnTrrif rinperty should-be-theliiinei-
pal sources, if not the sole sources, on which to levy
poor rates. I believe that any other: method of raising
the poor's rates !Ain be found un,qutd and inquisitorial,
but on this subject I shall be prepared to receive the best
evidence from parties who know the question, _to weigh
the eff.ct with deliberate attention, and Co' arrive at the
best conclusions which their suggestions will enable me
to come to. lam not awar any other subjects on
which it is necessary to adds you. Foreign policy
is one, however, deserving our b attention. On that
point I am of opinion that the old diplomacy should be
lit
done away, and that the best guarantee for prosperity
and happiness to a nation is peace.—(Chcers.) I be-
lieve that aggressivotiwars, or wars of opinion between
nations should for ever cease.—(Cheers.) These are
the principal heads of the great questions that will
he brought forward in the next Parliament. If there
be any questions which you would like to put to ma
I will endeavour to answer them according to the
best information I possess, and according to my best
judgment.—(Cheers.) I thank you for the very kind
and warm reception you have given ma. I know that I
have trenched upon your time and patience, but I trust
that any professions I have made, my past conduct will
justify-you-in believing-tbat-I-wilt-be-prepared frankly,
fearlessly, and honestly to carry out.
,Mr. Macgregor
sat down amid loud cheers.
B

.EIGATE.—This snug little close borough, which has
been under the nomination of Earl Somers and the
owners of the Priory for nearly two centuries, is at last
about to be emancipated through the Liberal candidate,
El. M. Parrett,.E.q.,of Effingham liou.p, who has been
canva;sing pretty successfully against Mr. Somers Cocks,
the Protectionist notoiiiee of 1,,Jr.1 SomQrs,
wl lira's disc
missed his own SO7I, Lord Elstnc.r, the. present M.P.
because he voted for Sir Robert Peel's repeal of the
corn-laws.