The Sun.
London, England, 1840-07-27 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
DEAR Sin,— Although wide as the poles asunder in our
political opinions, generally speaking, I am, nevertheless,
pleased by your steady and unflinching opposition to the
accursed and inhuman Corn-laws, which is neither more
or less than a s) phon placed in the hands of power, to suck
out the substance of the people, and I fearlessly assert, if
it is much longer suffered to disgrace the Statute Book,
frightful consequences too shocking to contemplate will,
ere long, ensue, notwithstanding a gens d'armee, so uncon-
stitutionally raised throughout once merry and boastful
England, to prevent so dire a calamity.
Surely Parliament will not be prorogued without fram-
ing some measure, in the event of a deficient or wet har-
vest, for a supply of corn and flour from America, at a
nominal duty, and should the Allwise Disposer of events
bless us with a dry one, there will still require a very large
importation. The recent agricultural meeting at Cam-
bridge is another trick of these aristocratical gentry, for the
express purpose of keeping up rents and continuing the
bread tax—as for scientific purposes it is a secondary consi-
deration, and mere cant and humbug.
What a mass of misery does this diabolical law inflict
on our starving population, in their manifold privations (of
the really common necessaries of life). Much to their me-
dit, be it said, they have been peaceably disposed hitherto.
The scanty allowance in many parts of the kingdom since
the New Poor-law came into operation is scarcely enough
to keep body and soul together, and although direct star-
vation is perhaps rarely a cause of death in this coun-
tr y , thousands die every year from diseases, produeCcl
by want of proper and sufficient food—and to
such extravagant prices have all the necessaries
of life lately advanced (some of them caused by the
cupidity of monopolists), that it is quite impossible
for our poorer brethren to purchase them. Bread
has been placed almost beyond their reach; and is this to
be endured much longer? Arc the many to be sacrificed
to the few ? Are the bounties of a kind Providence to he
destroyed?—which is actually the case in America at this
time, for want of a market to send their surplus corn
and flour, in consequence of our scandalous Corn-law.
Surely not. The eyes of the Legislature must be opened
to the distress and misery it inflicts on the greater portion
of the population of this kingdom.
Should you be disposed to insert the foregoing observa-
tions, hastily penned, you will oblige,
Dear Sir, your's faithfully,
JOHN BARKER.
Norwich, July 20, 1840.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR—Having seen in your independent journal of this 1
evening a letter signed " Secretarius," in which the
writer points out what he regards as a coincidence be-
tween the pulsation of the human body and the hour of
the day, perhaps you may be able to find room for a
few words in explanation. Some years ago I frequently
principle different
made the experiment described, and always with a simi-
lar result ; but subsequent consideration compelled me
ftroearacetehuantt
wfohritebhe
s phenomenonodoptedhynny
When a person, knowing the actual hour of the
day, and believing in the infallibility of the experi-
ment, undertakes to exhibit it to others, he natu•
aTnhxiiso uns
e,
ravnotol s interested
gi
inv
et
sh ei
oseurcecaessesd
o fv
velocity rally feels in a considerable degree excited,
i tayt tteomtphte.
EAST CUMBERLAND ELECTION.—An organ- circulation of the blood, which, communicating
propor-
ized system was adopted, and successfully put in practice, for tionate energy to the pulse,
a gradually extends the range
putting down every speaker. 1\ ot a-single person was allr., ed of the vibration of the shilling, so as to enable it at length
to be heard; and though the leaders evidently did not wish it
to touch ,d
—(probably not being paid for that)—the followers eertan.ily.ass. No sooner, however, has the de-
acted most impartially—putting down with the most persevering sired o b. the
D
object been accomplished, than the agitation of the
clamour every speaker, from the worthy High Sheriff (who is .ts performer subsides the
, blood immediately obeys the in-
thorough-going a Tory in politics as he is an excellent man in fluence of this altered state of the feelings, the
private life) to the most "base, bloody, and brutal Whig" upon o f the thumb rows weaker and the shilling is soon
the hustings. This was evidently going beyond the bargain ,g
~
and some of the Tories, who were probably at the making of found to be almost stationary. The truth of this theory
it, were not a little annoyed by its being carried so far. It had is, I think, clearly proved by the fact, that the shilling
evidently not been intended that the High Sheriff should be 1 may b
e made to strike the glass any number of times,
interrupted; but probably the instructions upon this point had I
, not only from one to twelve,
of the person who performs
but from one to fifty or
not been so legibly written as the cries upon the little " paper 1
pellets" which were so plentiftilly distributed amongst those more, according to the will
who were sent to bawl, and hence the miscarriage of this part I the experiment.—Your constant reader,
lof the plot.—_ Carlisle ,Tournd. 1 London, July 22, MO.

The gentleman showed the paper to a mandarin of
his acquaintance, who advised the matter to be hushed
up, giving as the reason for so doing that some manda-
rins might lose their lives it the existence of such a
paper was known to the Emperor, who makes them an-
swer personally for every irregularity committed in their
several districts.

J. 'W.

EVENING ED ITION

DISCHARGE OF LOVETT AnD

COLLINS.

WARWICK, SATURDAY.

Lovett and Collins were released this morning at six
o'clock. They were met in the vicinity of the gaol by
numerous friends, who congratulated them on the ter-
mination of their imprisonment. As soon as the firat
congratulation was over, they conducted Messrs. Lovett
and Collins to Mr. French's, where breakfast and every
other refreshment were in readiness. Mr. Lovett bears;
every evidence of a broken-down constitution. I need
not hesitate declaring that a few more months in War-
wick gaol would have consigned him to his last resting-
place. Mr. Collins is not much alter'd in appearance.
As soon as Messrs. Lovett and Collins had refreshed
themselves and received the congratulations of their
friends, Mr. Lovett expressed his readiness to meet the
deputation from Birmingham. Messrs. Barlow anal
Thompson were then introduced.
Mr. Tl.omoson then rose, and, addressing Mr. Lo-
vett, said, " Sir, we have been deputed by the men of
Birmingham to wait on you for the purpose of inducing
you to alter your determination of not visiting that town
oa Monday. if you were aware of the amount of
public sympathy that prevails for you, I am inclined to
think that you would not refuse the favour asked by
the Birmingham people. As soon as you and ycut
colleague, Mr. Collins, were sentenced, a Committee
was formed in Birmingham, who opened a communica-
tion with the men of London, for the purpose of raising
a joint fund for the support of both families. But, after
some consultation, it was agreed that a fund for the be-
nefit of your family should be raised in London, and
another for that of Mr. Collins' family at Birmingham.
I assure you that the men of Birmingham, but for that
decision, would have as willingly subscribed towards your
family as Mr.Collins',as they deemed you both to be suf-
fering for the same cause, and for the tame offence—if of-
fence it can be called. To the last moment the men have
coupled your name with Mr. Collins, and they ardently
hope if peculiar circumstances, delicJey of health, or
the dread of feeling any dangerous effects from excite-
ment, prevent your attending the dinner, that you will
present yourself to them at least for an flour. You
and Mr. Collins are looked upon by the country as
martyrs, and as men to be its future guider."
Mr. Lovett replied—" I receive with gratification
the very kind expressions of attachment of the Bir-
mingham men conveyed to me through you.. I fee!
particularly gratified with their pressing invitation, But
about two months ago, when a conditional release wa
offered us by Parliament, I received several letters from
my friends in London requesting me not to go to Birming-
ham for certain reasons. Mr. Collins, the Member for
Warwick, who has proved a sincere friend to us in our
imprisonment, also pressed that recommendation. As.
I had not then received any invitation, I promised to
comply with the request. Having made that promise I cap-
not now break it. I have further reasons for declining
the invitation. I allowed myself to be entered a regis-
tered proprietor of the Charter newspaper. During my
imprisonment the paper failed, owing to the Stamp Office
a debt of 61 /., exclusive of costs. My friends are ne-
gotiating with the Stamp-office an arrangement ; until.
that is effected it would not be proper for me to appear
in public. My health is also very bad. I trust that I
have assigned strong reasons for declininc, the invitation
of the men of Birmingham. lam exceedingly anxious
that everything should be done to add to my friend's
triumphal entry into arming-ham." Mr. Lovett ap-
peared quite exhausted at the close of his address
The deputation then retired. After which, Messrs,
Lovett and Collins proceeded to the house of Mr.
Collins, M.P., to thank him for his kindness and atten-
tion.

In consequence of Mr. Lovett's delicate state of
health, he expressed a strong desire to leave here as
soon as pcssihle for London. He was, however, very
desirous to prolong his stay for the purpose of being.
present at the banquet, prepared for him and his col-
league ; but his broken constitution proving unequal
to the undertaking, he was most reluctantly compelled
to proceed to London by the 12 o'clock mail. His
departure sadly disappointed his frierds.
The Pavilion in which the banquet took place wAs
was most tastefully fitted up, and was adorned with
profusion of laurels, flowers, &c. The sides were fes-
tooned with flags and banners, bearing the following in-
scriptions :—" Victory increases by Concord"—" Wel-
come Collins and Lovett, the liberated 'victims of thcs
Charter"—" Liberty is the Birthright of Man"—
" Union is Strength"—" Equal Rights and Equal Laws'
Universal Suffrage, and no Surrender"—" Vote by
Ballot," " Justice." Full length likenesses of Messrs.
Frost, M'Douall, Taylor, Collins, O'Connor, and a
drawing of the National Convention Hall, Bolt-court,
occupied prominent positions amidst the banners.
At eight o'clock the company assembled, and shortly
after Mr. Cardo, the late delegate for Marylebone, was
called upon to preside, Mr. Collins sitting at the right
hand of the Chairman. Mr. Wheddon, of Leamington,
occupied the Vice Chair. As soon as grace was pro-
nounced, and the cloth removed, the Chairman rose and
proposed the following toast :—" The Queen, and may
she comprehend the rights of her crown and learn to
defend them." He accompanied the toast with a very
appropriate address, in which he dwelt upon the-
sufferings of Messrs. Lovett and Collins, the
abandonment of the rights of the people by the
Crown, and the determination of the released
victims to assert the claims of their fellow-country-
men. The next- toast was to " Our liberated friends,.
John Collins and William Lovett."--(lmmense cheer-
ing.) Mr. Collins said that he could not find language
for since his releace he had re-
to express his feelings,
ceived a mass of intelligence of a conflicting nature.
He regretted to hear the Chairman say that he was
looked upon by the country as its saviour. Woe to his
country when its fate depended on any man, or any set
of men. The people alone were the saviours of their
country, and on them it depended. He could tales
unfold—tales of torture inflicted in enlightened Englaild
—in England which sends her missionaries to Chris-
tianize distant climates—in England which expended'
20,000,000/. in the redemption of slaves—that would
disgnce even the Spanish Inquisition in its worst days.
Difficulties should not damp their spirit or relax their
exertions ; but should, on the contrary, stimulvte them
to renewed vigour. He would again, it' necessary, re-
peat the same nets for which he suffered. For six
months after their imprisonment they had not tatted
animal food, and at the expiration of that period tiboy
were indulged twice a-week with about a quarter of a
pound of such meet as would sicken the strongest
stomach. When they complained of not having got,
half a pound of meat, as they were ordered to have,
two days in the week, they were told that, although
they had it not in a solid they had it in a soluble state.
Mr. Collins then described a course of petty and
vexatious tyranny that had been practised towards hint
and Mr. Lovett, the recital of which excited one gene-
ral burst of indignation amongst the auditory. Mr.
Collins acknowledged the exertions made in his and
Mr. Lovett's behalf by Messrs. Collins, Duncombe,
Waklev, Lord Brougham, Sergeant Talfourd, Mr.
War‘aurton, and Mr. Place. He concluded a most
powerful and affecting address, by an appeal on behalf
of the other Chartists confined in the several gaols
throughout England, many of whom, he was sorry to
say, were all but forgotten, and repeated his devotion
' to the cause, and his willingness to meet again all the
terreis of a prison, sooner than desert it.

THE DINNER TO MESSRS. LOVETT AND
COLLINS IN LONDON.

The Committee for conduct:ng the above diluter,
have received letters from Mr. Lovett on the subj.tct,
from which the following are extracts :
" Warwick Gaol, June 19, 1840.

My dear Moore—Previous to receivicg your
letter, I bad resolved to set off immediately on my re-
lease for Cornwall, to see an anxious and fond parent, as
wcil as to recruit my strength, for though I am tolerably
well health, taking all circumstances into account, I feel
very weakly and think that I should greatly benefit by
such a journey. But as my kind friends and associates
have judged it advisable to welcome my return by a
public dinner, I should be wanting in justice and grati-
tude not to set aside my private feelings in compliance
with their s'tshes ; the only reservation on my part
being that they v; ill not enter into any extra expenses to
make it a subject for display of any kind. I shall
therefore have great pie.aure in being with them on
that occasion.

" I am your obniced affectinz‘ate fellow-citizen,
" WILLIAM LOVETT."

Warwick Gaol, 2, 1840.

"My Dear Moore—l hope by the help of the
surgeon, and by the prospect of a speedy de;ivcrance,
to be in tolerable health by the 3d of August.
" I am happy to hear that friend Powell will be with.
us on that occasion. Mr. Collins is in pretty good
health, and the time you have selected will suit him
very well. Your's
" WILLIAM LOVETT.".: