The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-18 00:00:00

RUMOURS AFLOAT

We know not how the present (19,1 Ate is to terminate,
or not tp terminate, nor when it will do so ; but we
think there are two professed Liberals to whom some ad-
monition is required. We mean Lord Minto and Mr.
T. B. Macaulay. We believe they are both good Men in
their way ; but why 444 they cippow the general sen-
timents of the Cabinet, professed and insisted upon by
their colleagues, that it would be base on the part of the
present Government, and destructive to Ireland, if the
present Government were not to remain in office, to try
a dissolution ? We fear that Mr, B, Macaulay is a
mere rhetorician, and has not the grasp of mind which
suffices for the contemplat;,m of all the consequences
likely to result from the mto step of a resignation, grid
that Lord Minto is so irritated by the necessary recal of
his relative, Captain Elliot, from China, where he has
done immense disservice to the interests of his country,
that he will not listen to reason, or abide by the decision
of his colleagues. If so, the sooner that he, and Mr.
B. Macaulay are sent to the Tory side or the House the
better, The entire Cabinet are of the opinion that the
present Ministry ought to remain in office, whatever the
result of the present or future motions may hel until
they can make a fair appeal to the onwitry, 41.14 at a time
when it will neither interrnps the hnsine-is of Parliament
nor Fit either yenng or old candidates to seats to any
particular inconvenience.
As to Lord Minto he has nothing to complain of. He
has had everything his own way, and has fezollet:ad the
nest of his family, if not also his own, Some awkward
facts might he bronght gilt, were he to swerve; for one
moment, from the all but unanimous verdict of his col-
leagues. And with regard to Mr. Macaulay 4 the sooner
W
he retraces his steps the better, edo not'gq the whole
length with Mr, G'Gnimeii iq th,l declaration of his sen-
timents, althongli we participate largely in, them t but
we must add, that any one wh
01 in . g iniknwio or other dis-
cussions, leaves Ireland anel repeal of the union out of
the question, commits as Napoleon would have said—not
a folly, but a crini!---Morning Advertiser.

.
THE HOUSE OF 10THSCHIL4.—The mother
of the brothers, Rothschild, a woman of very advanced age and
of most respectable character, continues to reside in k snAall
house of humble appearanee, in the Jew's street atiPrankfnrt;
an honourable feeling Brevnnts her from gaitting 3t. si 1i is in
that lumse,"Sl a sa3:s, " have seen my chilgren commenegn
di6ir fitrturl
it is in that house that wish to, de." She P.
fortune'
afraid that eaven would withdraw its blessings from her chil-
,:fer! if, through a sentiment of earthly vanity, she should aban-
don the resfdeuee iu wiii9.114124 have OketibillAt

A requisition, numerously and respectably signed, having
been presented to the High Bailiff, requesting him to convene
a Public Meeting of the Inhabitants of this City, to consider
the propriety of petitioning Parliament fur the Repeal of the
Corn-laws, and a Modification of the Sugar and Timber and
other Fiscal Duties. To which he has been pleased to assent-
by the following Letter :
" 40, Jermyn-street, May 15, 1841.
" Gentleman,—ln reply to the requisition I have received
from you, calling on me to convene a meeting of the House-
holders (inhabitants) of the City of Westminster, to consider
the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the Repeal of the
Corn-laws, and such a modification of the Sugar and Timber,
and other fiscal duties, as the meeting wily deem necessary,
I beg to appoint Thursday next, the 20th instant, for such
meeting, to be held at Covent Garden, at twelve o'clock for
one o'clock, precisely, " Your obedient servant,

" FRANCIS SAIEDLEV."
"To Messrs. Prout and other Requisitionists."
The High Bailiff will take the chair at one o'clock precisely!

THE COUNTRY AWAKING•—THE ALTERNATIVE.—So
great had become the dejection and apathy of the country,
that we doubted last week whether the people would arouse
them,elves to support the gallant onslaught made by Ministers
upon our evil genius—Monopoly. We now doubt no more. It
could hardly be expected that the country should pass at once
from the freezing point to boiling-heat. But the thermometer
is rising ; and we shall yet see the combined phalanx of mono-
polists and Tories, natural confederates, broken and overthrows'
by a demonstration of enlightened public opinion. We do not
disguise from ourselves that we have a hard battle to fight.
On former occasions we have striven to obtain the means of
good government. But the object now is the end contemp-
lated in our former efforts—plenty, and the happiness of the
people. And if we need any other stimulus, let us look at the
alternative that lies before us. We hare at present—
Failing Trade,
Intense Misery, and
A deficient Revenue.
The Government perceive and boldly declare this state of
things. Those appalling truths which have been reiterate-I in
the ears of the people and the Legislature, by the opponents
of monopoly, for several years past, are now acknowledged by
the Ministers of the Crown. They propose a remedy, too,
which goes to the root of the evil. They recommend a c:•tange,
entire in principle, most comprehensive in its range, but
moderate in degree, to restore our trade, and relieve the
people, who thus acquiring augmented resources, will
enjoy increased comfort, and thereby replenish the revenue.
Ministers have rivals, who obstruct their measures, eager to
obtain their places. But if the Opposition should succeed to
office, how do they propose to deal with the difficulties of our
position? For Declining Trade, for the Misery of the People,
they have no remedy. They avoid these subjects as if too
small for their notice; and when hard pressed, Mr. Goul.
burn tells us " they would let things alone." Then these be
the claims of the Tories—

Falling Trade—They will let alone.
The Misery of the People—They will let alone.
For deficient Revenue—Two millions of New Taxes.
While the Government offer for

Failing Trade—The Abolition of Monopoly.
Popular Alisery—Diminished Burdens
Deficient Revenue —Restored Prosperity.
Between these parties let the nation choose. But to be an
effective it must be an active choice. It is not enough to say
—these Whig measures are good—pity they can't carry them.
The only language which befits the occasion is—
These Measures are good--
This cause is ours—
And we will carry it.

Of this let the people be well assured, that no Government,
Whig or Tory, can of itself succeed in such measures as these.
We urge our countrymen, then to bestir themselves. They
can never have stronger arguments than now. In all proba-
bility, they will never have greater power. Now, or never, is
the time for exertion ; and the spirit of it must be, not the hope
of success, but a fixed and English determination to succeed.—
Sheffield Independent.
WA K EFI E.T.D.—The lethargy so long prevalent amongst the
reformers in Wakefield, respecting the Corn-laws, has at length
given was, the first sign of which made its appearance on Satur-
day last. On that day, Joseph Holdsworth, Esq., proprietor of
the extensive dye-works, at Belle Isle, drew up a petition in
support of the Government measures now under cor.sidera,ion,
embracing the duties on sugar, coffee. &c. ; and also in support
of the project of Ministers for remodelling the laws relating to
the importation of foreign corn, which, after receiving the vo-
luntary and unanimous signatures of his numerous and intelli-
gent workmen, was handed to other parts of the town for the
same purpose. On Tuesday, a petition to the same effect,
emanating from the pen of W. Henry Leatham, Esq., went the
round of the borough, and was numerous!), and respectably
signed.— Sheffield Independent.
If anything could add to the urgency, and indeed the inevit.-
able necessity, of adopting, in substance, some such measures
as the Ministry now propose, it would be the startling fact that
our system of excluding the goods and produce of other coon •
tries by prohibitory duties, is causing them to establish ma-
nufactures for themselves, and to exclude our goods by counter
prohibitory duties. A feeling of animosity is created against
us, which manifests itself in such measures as the Prussian
league, the American tariff, the intimation given by the Bra-
zils of a hostile tariff as soon as the existing treaty expires,
and in general, by the rapid and dangerous spread of an anti-
commercial system—of which we cannot justly complain,
so long as we s,t the example of it as we now do.
But this must be looked to before it be too late ; and that
makes the present crisis at least as impottant for the kinz;lam
as it can be for the Ministry. Napoleon, at the heiglit of his
power, could plan nothing worse than the anti.oommercial sys-
tem for the destruction of the prusperity of Britain. We havo
lived to see the day when a system, which is rapidly producing
precisely the same results, is keenly defended by the Tories
and the monopolists. But the Ministers of our Gracious Queen
base stenoett forward in the spirit of a manly, just and nation-'
people people to give use maw., , atm -ies- smyi, wit tervy-wmt-t.re
voice and the strength of a free nation, as it was in the 49:% ot
Reform. Scotsman.

We regard the defeat by the Tories
.of the Government's
proposition to reduce the duty en foreign sugar, as a most
grievous evil to the middle and working classes at home.
Had this reduction been assented to by the House of Conremi.„
Mr. Labouchere stated that the whole tariff would in,
undergo revision ; and coffee, which is now becoming, as this
wholesome berry ought to become, a daily necessary at the
working man's table, would soon, be sold at one shilling ins4.ead
of two shillings per pound —and cheap sugar and ch^„p coffee
might be enjoyed by this country, without a•.,-rmenting the
evils of negro slavery in any part of the wq.,. id—for 50 per cent.
is certainly a protection of sulEcies;t, magnitudelo the free-
labour producer. At present, after paying the West Indian
planters twenty milling slerlhig, our industrious classes are
being pinched* in ardor that snore money may be put into
the pockets of these West Indian Shylocks. In the eyes of
party men, the real welfare of the agricultural and commer-
cial classes appear as dust in the ba/anee. When will the day
arrive, when the rethlie weal shall form the ruling principle in
the actions et wlegislators?—Hereford Times.
Nye think that the Ministerial budget is entitled to support.
It is not tariff reform—it is not free twle—but it is something
better than we have at present% root it is infinitely preferable
to the additional taxes wkAitili must be laid on, if it is not car-
ried. We would impress this practical, unexaggerated, un-
partisan view of the question on all nut countrymen. The
g'itt 'held out by Ministers is worth accepting. Thu motley
opposition of philo-blaeks and ex-slave drivers, of East Indian
monopolists and West Indian monopolists, of rampant ultra-
Royalist; and Canadian rebels (as these Royalists call them),
is iiet more incongruous in its txinstituent members, than in the
fallacies by which they waist to cloak their base, selfish, and
short-sighted-co,-,AKdinburgh Weekly Chronicle.
Whwt we may truly call the grand struggle examenced on
Ifriday night week ; and if it be terminated at the time we are
writing, the result has not yet retched us. We shall endea-
vour to communicate the result in a "second edition."
We said—" if ;t he terminated." If what is ec.rfrol-
;wed? The debate in the House of Common may be
teranioated—Ministers may be in a mirterity— Ministers
may have resigned—Sir Robert Peel )say be in communi-
cation with her Majesty—ey her Majesty may be about
to dissolve Parliamc,rit, and to appeal to the general
sense of the United Kingdom. But in whatever way
twitters %rely stand in London, there is uound us all the
signs and symptoms of a great moral end commercial Revolu-
tion—the " grand Debate" is testy begun. Here and there
foceish Chartists are still ..quetelsing out about the Chartcs and
still trying to fill the stomach: of hungry men with bits of
iper, talk about prospective political. rights. But all
ensible Chartists are coming round; they see that a good coat
and a good dinner are not, after all, very mighty impedimouts
in the way of obtaining i,clitical power ; and therefore—as leis
been exempl;Aed is Kendal—they are joining the ranks of the
rigiteting free traders, and swelling the great current which
bagins, slowly, steadily, yet majestically, to sweep over th
country.-- Kendal Mercury.
The whole country is aroused on the subject to thss Corn-
laws. and netitiwis are pouring in from all quarters in support
Gin ernment measure.—Aberdeen Ntrrald.
The petitions for repeal up to thn 3rd May, were 204, the
sie.iatures 83,779. The pntitiane against repeal were Itl.l,
the signatures 7847. The proportion is as II to I!—Sedunian.
The To,vits Cteunoil met to-day to consider the important
I 4 i eqtiqns n reference to corn, sugar, t:suhee, &c., which het
rajesty's Ministers have just declared, their intention tat sub-
mitting to the decision of Ps4arnent ; and on Tuesday in
compliance with such a reiussition as has seldom been presen-
ted to a public of4tisr in Manchester, a meeting of the inhabi-
tants of the borough takes place for the saw purpose. Noticed 4f ether meetings, held, or to be held in this neighbourbeed,
with copies of petition; and ose.ioorials adopted, have se multi-
r.lied upon us, that, in the unavoidably crowded state of our co-
aliens, we are wholly unable even to specify them as we could
have wighe.cl, still less to, give any repave of them. We lope
the public meeting of Tuesday will be such as to do credit to
Mrnchester ; and, we lAnUeve, we may venture to announce
that such attempt% at disturbance as were trade at the Anti-
Corn-law meeting, some two months ago, will not again be to-
kilted. If any persons should go there in the character of
public disturbers, they will lie dealt with as public disturbers
ought to be. —lllanolieater Guardian of Saturday.
A meeting was held on Friday of certain inhabitants, trades,
Artisans, vid, wo,lking-nle4 of the borough of King's Lynn,
Norfolk; when a petition was unanimously agreed to in favour
'the reduction of the Sugar and Timber Dities, and for the re-
pal of the Corn-laws. A dutiful wet well-written address
was also agreed to, calling twin her Majesty to support her
Ministers against the Tory faction that formerly tried to force
their way into the Palace. We regret we cannot find room
for the, petition and address.

ROOT LAN D.
ANTI,CO RN- LAW ME ETIN G S.
PEuvi Towx-CouNPM—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
petitiQll loth 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 reealve with cordial satisfaction the pro-
posed modificsAou recommended by her Majesty's Ministers,
and petition for the adoption of the reform of the commercial
sykte,m, in, so far as that has been disclosed by the members of
Government. —Perth itdvertiser.
DuNnEr,--1n the course of this week, twenty-nine petitions
fro vaiAoue public works, fix, the repeal of the Corn-laws,
have been transmitted to Sir Henry Parnell for presentation to
the House of Commons. Those petitions have been signed by
every wortokan 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-leers and
the revision of the duties on imports, as agreed on at the
electors' meeting, will, we understand, be sent off- to-day (Fri
-
p sioneti by about ten thousand electors land other inhabit:

EA JUST° ti N.—A numerous and respectable meeting of the
inhabitants of Earlstoun, wa; held in the Relief-Church, 011
Tuesday evening last, for the purpose or adopting and .
mitting a petition to Parliament, for the total abolition of the
-Corn-laws. 'I he Iter. Mr. Durie being present, Was unani-
mously called to the chair. Mr. 'fully then moved a series of
resolutii)w, which were cordially responded to by the meeting ;
after which Mr Cranstouti moved that a petition be f.rwarded
for presentation to the House of Commons, founded upon
said resolutions, which was unanimnu=ly 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. _ _ _

- KLING. —On Tuesday last a very numerous and influen-
tial meeting of the electors and inhabitants was he:d in the
Justiciary Court-house,.callet by the Provost, on the requisi
tioli of a number of the inhabitants. Bailie Smith having
been called to the Chair, in the aboence of the Provost. various
motions we:e made and agree I to, condemning the tax on
corn; and it was carried by a large majority, in opposition to a
contrary motion proposed by a supporter of the Charter, to
petition Parliament in terms of the resolution of the meeting
for the total repeal of the tax.
MILNATxour.-_A public ineet;ng uas held on Friday last,
at Milna.thort, with a view to petitioning Parliament against
the Corn-laws, and a:1 unnecessary restrictions on trade. Mr.
Willi un Shaw occupied the Chair, and various resolutions were
passed. In Kinross similar measure; are in contemplation.
GLASGOW, MAT Id.—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 d*ys, 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 15,40
Dos on Tuesday
6.160
Do. on Wednesday

To:al number of names to the retition in four days
only
There were, besides. petiti:ons despatched from a numlaer of
factories arid other public works, oa each of the above evieuings.
Signatures.
On Monday the number was 25, having 78,5
On Tuesday the number was 19, having 708
On Wednesday the number was 6, having 225

Petitions 5O Sigs. 1838
On Tuesday a petitmn was sent off, signed by no less than
86 Dissenting clergymen of th:s city and neighbourhood. The
result of the four day's work is, therefore, as follows :
Signatures.
..... 27,290
1,838
SG

General petition
Petitions from 50 factories
Dissenting clergymen's petition

Total number of signatures
—Glasgow Argus.
EDINBUIIGII.—A few days ago, a petition to the House of
Commons, praying for a repeal of the laws which now re-
strict the hurt tation of corn and all other articles of food,
was forwarded from Messrs. W. and R. Chambers, publishers,
and the' varions persons in their employment (upwards of 70
in number), to be presented by Mr. Macaulay,
SLATEFOaI).--TWo petitions from this neighbourhood were
forwarded, with Tuesday's post, to William G. Craig, 111.1.'.,
for presentation to the House of Commons. One is from
the parish of Colinton, signed by 33i
,persons ; one frrm the
village of Salerno, 10i; one from the vitlageNof Hermiston,
41 ; and one from the workmen of Kate's Milt, parish of Coo
linton, 3(1.
ANTI-COP. -LAW ASSOCIATION.—A, meeting of the Anti-
Corn-lvw Association was held in the Hall of the Royal Hotel
on Thursday evening—the Dean of Guild in the :;hair.
There was a very large attendance of members, and seemed
delighted at the prospect we have now of getting the Corn-
laws iepealed, altered, or materially modified. svas resolved
to hold a public meeting on the subject, anti a Committee was
appinted to make the nee...s&ary arrangements for that pur-
pose. At the close of the meeting tickets weee renewed, and
several new members added. It was also resolved that every
exertion be made to increase the numbetr a members ; and, to
facilitate the entry of those Wee to join the Association,
tickets were ordered to be left wilt, the Committee, and may
be had aLso of the Secretary aw the Herald Office, and at No.
19, Constitutiou.street.-4/erdeen. Herald.
PUBLIC MEETING AT LEITH.—In compliance with a :int-
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 of the
Crown, praying that they will net abandon the country by
resignation of office at this impot taut crisis of public affairs;Th
Amongst those present were Adam White, Esq., of Fens ;
Banks Thorn, 'Muir, and Alexander ; Councillors Mitchell
and Gibbs; Treasurer Watson, Convenor Ferney, John Veiteh,
Es or Woods:de ; James Miller, Esq. ; llobert
Eq. • William Ta)lor, Vett. ; James Hay, q., &c.
13.i:lie Tnom havi•kg been called to the chair, observed that
the absenaa Wovost Hooch, from the meeting was in con-
sequenct ;4; the loss of (me of his f^.mlly—nothing but that
well
...; have treventet‘ him from r.„:..tending. Having lead the
requ sition ealliwit the meeting, Ire expressed a hope that
those gentkeien who ni;',;nt address the meeting would have
a pati,;;lt and peaceabi,,, hearing.
!fir. WHITE th Ott rose and said, that an address had been
prepared for 1'.‘41e., occasion, which the Clerk would read. The
address !,acing been read, Itlr. White said, he hoped the ad-
dresi vritteh had now been read wield meet with the approba-
;:,,,n of the meeting generall). If that was the case, he had.
AA9o.Pcr.stlit tirctßi-Okkl
and were prevented solely by a captious opposition hem doing
a great deal more. He hoped the adoption of the address he
had the ide•aiure of moving, would be the means of making
other towns and burghs fellow the example of Leith.—(Ap-

Mr. 'BER:tx seconded the motion in a speech of some.
length.

PHILIP proposed that the ar:,dress should be sent off
Without delay.

The addiess having been again read, was unanimously
agreed to, and thanks hav:ng been voted to Bailie Thom for
his conduct in the chair, the meeting, which was numerously
atteilded, separated.

EXECUTION OF THE CROSSIIILL MURDERERS.—DennIs
Donlan 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 wen were conveyed to the 'lace of execution in a
cart, and kit 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 are.ount to about
50,000, but the grcate.t order and decorum prevailed, and the
masses began to move off whenever the men were executed. In
addition to a large poliec force, there was upon the pound,
two piects of artillery, nearly 600 men belonging to the 58th
regiment of foot, and four troops of the Ist Royal Dragoon?.