The Sun.
London, England, 1824-01-28 00:00:00

VIE SHIP-OWNERS' SOCIETY.

Yesterday the anual Dinner of this Society took place at the
City of London Tavern. The Company which assembled on the
occasion was highly respectable, and in number exceeded 30&
At half-past 6 o'clock, the Earl of LIVERPOOL, the President
of the Society, took the Chair; near him sat the Right Hon.
George Canning, the Right Hon. Wm. Huskisson, Messrs.
I Croker, M.P., F. Ellice, M.P., J. WellsnM.P., A. Robertson,
7 M.P., Aldermen Brydges, and Thompson, M.P., Thomas
Wilson, M.P., G. Lyall, Esq., J. Buckle, Esq., N. Ateheson,
Esq., R. Fenwick, Esq., Bourdieu, Esq., T. Lack, Esq.,
J. Higgins, Esq., Mr. Sims, Mr. Kemble, Mr. W. Curling,
Mr. F. Young, Mr. Blanshard, Mr. Joad, Mr. Domett, Mr.
Old, Mr. Tennant, Mr. Forrest, Mr. Colson, Mr. R. Brown,
and many other Gentlemen eminent in the Shipping and Com-
mercial World.
The Earl of Liverpool and Mr. Canning received the cordial
greetings of the company as they passed to their respective
seats.
The Earl of Liverpool wore a blue coat and a brilliant star
on his left breast ; he also wore the Order of the Garter below
his knee, and the other badges of distinction with which Royal
favour has honoured him. Mr. Canning appeared quite reco-
vered from his late indisposition: he sat on the right of the
Earl of Liverpool, On the left of the Noble Earl sat Mr.
Huskisson ; and the other Members of Parliament present
were ranged indiscriminately on either side of the Chair.
The dinner was served up in the very best style by the land-
lord of the City of London Tavern, and both the supply of the
host and the arrangements of the stewards gave universal satis-
faction. A band attended in the orchestra, which was elegantly
' lighted up for the occasion, and contributed very largely to the
entertainment of the evening, by the introduction at intervals of
lively and appropriate airs. • Several gentlemen of vocal abili-
ties also attended, who, by a seasonable and well-timed song,
aided and augmented the varied amusements of the evening.
The cloth having seen removed, Non Nobis Domine was
sung by tile professional singers engaged for the occasion.
The CHAIRMAN then, without any preface, proposed the
health of the King, which was received with long-continued
and enthusiastic applause.
" God save the King" was then sung with admirable skill,
the whole company joining in the chorus.
" The Duke of York and the restof the Royal Family" was
then given, and drank with the usual honours. Air, " The
Duke of York's March."
The next toast was, " Lord Melville and the Navy," with
three times three ; after which " Rule Britannia" was sung.
" The Army of the United Kingdom" was then given, fol-
lowed by the glee of " How merrily we live that soluiers be."
The CiSAIR3IAN then said—The next toast I shall propose
is among those connected immediately with the object of our
meeting this day ; it is " Prosperity to the Shipping Interest
of the United Kingdom." And, gentlemen, in looking at this
company, and considering the great interests involved in and
connected with the society here assembled, it is impossible, as I
said on a former occasion, to express how much the country
owes to its shipping interest, and especially to that body which
has led the way in promoting that interest—(Cheers.)—Under
the difficulties of the times, and under the difficulties that every
interest has more or less suffered, at the change from war to
peace, few have had to bear more than the shipping interest
avoidable in their nature,
of the country. Those difficultes were unquestionably as un-
as they have proved transitory in their
duration ; and having alluded to the severity of their pressure
on this interest, I am bound likewise to say, that few interests
he was also bound to add, that no Interest in the country had
borne their sufferings so well--(Cheers.)—Amidst the other
great ; nterests of the country, that many have suffered in
coalition, it is now emerging from the difficulties under which
it has laboured for many years—(Cheers.)—l have said
before, and I am ready to repeat, that to our maritime al_
.terests and to our navy principally, this country Owes
whatever safety and greatness it enjoys among the na-
tions of the world ; and that maritime interest, and that
navy, have been created and supported by the attention that has
been bestowed on the interests of navigation ; for it was not
until it had received the particular patronage of the Government
and Parliament that our navy, and consequently our Safety,
became what it now is.—(Cheers.)—lt has been too often sup-
posed that commercial wealth, and military spirit and enter-
prise, are in some respects at variance with each other. If any
proof were needed to the contrary, it is to be found in the state
of our navy, where these two great interests are united. There
is no division of labour.__We see the same seamen who carry
our comeneraial wealth in time of peace thereby learning the
art of becoming its protectors in time of war.--(Cheers.)—l have
therefore no difficulty in proposing this as a toast, or stating it
as my own sentiment, that the first of ,British manufactures is
the manufgcture of British ships-_..and that the most valuable
class of our population, or, I may say, I trust, without giving any
offence, that that class that could be least spared is the class of
British seamen.—(Loud cheers.)—l shall conclude with pro-
posing the toast, which, 1 am sure, you will all simultaneously
9plaud—" Prosperity to the Shipping Interests of the United
Kingdom.'
The toast was received with great acclamations.
part of myself and the ship-
° wl‘A. s Inct. r. e. O
Ihaegt() rroestut—n
thanksnh e
to
the Noble Earl and to the
Company, for the manner in which lie
,
proposed, and in which
they received, that toast. To the Noble Earl particularly I
beg to express gratitude for the favourable mention he has
made of this Institution, and which is consonant with
thosenrta
which he has avowed that he
te
me interests of this country,—
e
(liea entertained
towardstpr predilections
nitioanristi
Liverpool joined.)—He has uni-
formlry, hear'.enter in
entertained liberal Lralsoird views of the commercial policy of this
country ; he has always attended to the representation of the
shipowners with the most attentive and diligent care ; he has
evinced an anxiety for their prosperity which induces me to
express here, in his presence? what I have often expressed
in his absence—that the shipping interest would receive from
him that support which their importance claims. With this
brief introduction I beg leave to propose to you, with three
tuincmieossttheroeria
edalittoy :ast_l The health of the Earl of Liverpool."ich I am sure you will receive with the
This toast was drank with the liveliest expression of enthu-
siasm.

The CHAIRMAN' said, as soon as the applause subsided, so
that his voice could become audible. " Gentlemen, after the
time which I have already occupied in addressing you, I shall
best repay-the attention with which you have favoured me by
expressing in a few words the sincere thanks which I feel, from
the bottom of my heart, for the cordiality with which my
health was received. I beg further to convey to you the assur-
ance of the high regard in which I hold the shipping interests,
and indeed I should be ashamed of any person bearing my
name, who was not,
as I
of this country."—(Applause.)
am, a friend of the shipping interests
ause.)
Song—" England, the anchor of Europe, and hope of the
world."
Mr. BucKLE next rose.—A toast has been assigned me to
announce, to which I shall, premise a very few observations. It
is now forty years ago since a Committee had been appointed
to watch over the shipping interests of this empire. From that
Committee great advantages have emanated, and for those ad-
vantages the country is in no small degree indebted to the ex-
ertions of the Nobleman, the father of the present Chairman—
(Hear, hear !)—who was appointed to preside over it. No sub-
ject of maritime interest had since its appointment occurred
which was not there entertained and discussed, and afterwards
transferred to the legislature where it met such attention as it'
merited. Its benefits to the-nation-were found in a more minute
attention to the maritime interests of the country than they be-
fore received ; in the extention of a liberal commercial po-
licy, and in the facility of intercourse which it promoted.—.
A circumstance occurred a few years ago, in alluding to which
hope I may , bg excused. Mee must admit and feel that the
countenance and support of;Government mainly sustained and
enhanced the advantages which the Committee of which I
speak conferred upon the country ; but it is fresh in the me-
mory of us all, that circumstances did occur which created a
difference of opinion between the Government, and certainly it is
but right that we should make grateful acknowledgments for
members of this institution. In the opposition which we met,
the candid, the kind, and frank manner in which we had been
dealt with—(Hear, hear !)—our representations were attended
to, and every facility afforded us for the statement of our opi-
nions.—(Hear !)—I beg leave to conclude with proposing the
health of a gentleman who always has watched with peculiar
and sedulous care over the shipping interests of this country."
r` The Right lion. the President of the Board of Trade.
Mr. 1-1 USKissoN rose—Gentlemen, it is peculiarly gratifying
to me to have the proceedings of the Board, over which I pre-
side, sanctioned by the enlightened approbation of such an as-
sembly as the present. It is, indeed, as has been stated by my
worthy friend, the duty of that Board to watch over the mari-
time interests of England. But whilst this is their special duty,
it is their duty also to pay due regard and attention to the other
commercial, manufacturing, and agricultural interests of the
country. This regard and this attention I owe to the situa-
tion which I hold—l owe it to the Sovereign, who appointed
me to it, and to the country, for whose benefit it was en-
trusted to me.—(Hear, hear !)—lf, in the discharge of that
duty, I have experienced difficulties—if differences of opinion
have arisen, as to any particular branch of the interests of this
country, I sincerely regret it ; but I am consoled by the con-
sciousness that, in such differences of opinion, I have always ,
exercised great caution and circumspection in investigating my
own opinions, asalso great assiduity in examining the opinions ef

!those who differed from me and the ground on which they
were formed. Much as I may lament that difference of opinion,
1 beg to convey to you the assurance that it•was,ereated on my
part by a dae regard to the general interests of all classes,
which in this country-are ~interwoven,„ at*, la it were, con-
nected by a common 14.4: An -equal atwition should be paid
to each individual interest;-for an exclu)iiive attention' to any
particular branch or dePartment is as injurious and pernicious
as a total neglect of all.—(Applause.)--As a striking illus-
tration of the truth 'of this position, I Would refer to the
present condition of this country, which, from a due atten-
tion to them collectively, after a season of great difficulty
and embarrassment, are now reviving, and in gradual progress
to a state of general prosperity.—(Hear, hear !) --After severe
trials in war, and after vicissitudesin time of peace, this country
is, I say, rapidly approaching to a state of 'general prosperity ;
and for that prosperity it is indebted to the commercial policy
and to the financial measures which have been adopted since
the close of the American war. With these sentiments I shall

conclude, and no further trespass on your attention, than 7o
indulge in the renewed expression of thanks for the honour that
has been done me, in the kindness with which my health has
been toasted.—(Cheers.)
Song, " Oh'. Nannie, wilt thou gang wi' me ?"
Mr. NirmsoN, M. P. proposed the next toast in the following
manner :—lt has been allotted me to propose the health of a
Right Hon. Gentleman whose merits this assembly will readily
recognise. There are two modes of serving a cause ; first,
by concurring in a disposition to render service to it ; and
secondly, by superadding to that concurrence the energy and
effect of great, splendid, and useful talents. In both of these re-
spects the Right Honourable Gentleman who sits on the right
hand of the Noble Earl who presides, will be found to have
been eminently serviceable to the maritime interests of this
country. In his public conduct, I might safely say, that lie has
given universal satisfaction, by a prompt, manly, and candid
manner, which ensured the respect even of those who opposed
him. tis to the exercise of such talents as he possesses, and
to the other internal resources drawn front the heart of the na-
tion, that this empire owes its greatness. Long may this coun-
try witness the exercise of such talents, aiming at distinction by
honourable means. Long may she be thus able to draw from
her internal resources ; and long may she continue, through
such aid and support, to be, as she now is, the envy of surround-
ing nations (Applause). With a hope that the merits of the
distinguished individual of whom I speak may make up for the
deficiency of ability on the part of the person who submits the
toast, I beg to propose " The health of the Right Honourable ,

George Caiinink."
, Mr. CANNING then rose, amidst the universal applause of
the company. When it had somewhat subsided, lie addressed
the meeting to the following effect :—My Lord and Gentlemen,
it is impossible for me adequately to express the thankfulness
I feel for the kind manner in which you have been pleased to re-
ceive the mention of my name, and the sentiments with which
it has been uttered. When to my name you have coupled that
of my colleagues, and a recommendation that we should at-
tend to the maritime interests of the country, I feel that you
have only, in other words, bade us to remember that we are
the Ministers of England.—(Loud cheers.)—And, Gentlemen,
if any thing could add to my satisfaction, in being thus re-
ceived by this large assemblage of my countrymen, it is the
consideration, that you represent an interest so peculiarly
English..--(Cheers.)---Gentlemen, the situation to which this
country is raised in the world, far beyond that to which
it is entitled by the extent of its territory or the amount of
its population, is mainly attributable to that interest of which
you are the guardians in time ofpeace, providing in that time of
peace the means of vigorous exertion on that element on which
it is essential to our power that we should triumph in time of war.
(Cheers.)—Forsoine years past the eminent position of this coun-
try has engaged us in concerns far beyond the immediate limits of
our own interests or possessions: we have been called to mix in
the combat of the world, and while with one hand we wielded
the trident of the sea, with the other we were found not unable
to launch the thunderbolds of war. How great soever those
exploits
may have been—however they may, in the page of his-
tory, enhance the extraordinary exertions of this small island,
which has acted so conspicuous a part in war by land and sea,
we ought never to forget that the root of those splendid achieve-
ments is here—in the maritime interests of England.—(Cheers.)
Ire ought never to forget, that at all period, the field of our
native glory, is that sea which disjoins all other countries from
each other, but which unites them all to England—(Cheers.)—
It must be a great satisfaction to us, after all the exertions
of the late war, and after the lassitude and exhaustion natural
to a state of peaces and arising from the intensity of those ex-
ertions, that we are now fast recovering our native, accustom-
ed, and original strength, and rising as giants, refreshed from
toil and not from sleep_(Cheers.)—lt must be a satisfaction
to those who, like this society, know the secret of our
strength and the talisman of our power, to see to what exertions
they might be carried on future occasions, with a view to which
you recommend the duty of cherishing those sinews of our
strength and sources of our power—(Cheers.)—There never was
a period at which this country was in a course that promised more
permanent or growing prosperity. I trust that no untoward
accident will disturb this state of repose; but it' any such mis-
fortune should occur, let us, remember the experience of the last
20 years, and defy the prophecies of evil, and look with confi-
dence to the future.—(Long and continued applause.)
The following toast was then drank with applause
Vice-Presidents of the Society."
Song—" The pilot that weathered the storm."
Mr. B. SHAW, on behalf of the other Vice-Presidents, and
for himself, returned thanks for the honour conferred upon
them. They could not but feel how much it was enhanced by
the toast having been proposed by so highly respectable a person
as the Right HOn. Gentleman who had condescended to bring
it before the meeting.
Mr. ELLICE then rose to propose the health of the President
and Members of the Committee of the Society. The Meeting,
and the Shipping Interest in general, owed much gratitude to
them for the services they had rendered the commerce of the
country, and it must be a great satisfaction to hear that their
endeavours to promote the commercial interests of the country
were so justly and effectually aided by the views of his
Majesty's Ministers, who were fully inclined to uphold them
as far as was consistent with the general interests of the
country at large. Indeed every great interest was connected
with every other, and the happiness and greatness of the country
depended on the prosperity of the whole.—(Hear allud-
, ing to what had occurred within the last two or three years,
he felt how much the particular interest of the Ship-owners
had been effected by the regulations adopted by his Majesty's
Ministers ; but he was nevertheless convinced, that if they
cordially joined in the efforts made by the Board of Trade,
they would pursue that course which ultimately would most
beneficially promote the general interests of the commerce
of the United Kingdom. There had been some discusion be-
tween the Board of Trade and a Committee in another place, of
which he was a member, on the subject of the removal of all
restrictions from trade. The sudden removal of those restric-
tions had been objected to ; but so far as it was consistent with
the particular interests which heti grown up under a different
state of things, it was certainly desirable that restraints, now
not only become unnecessary, but prejudicial, should be re-
moved.—(Hear, hear !)--He was gratefied at the expressed in-
tention of his Majesty's Ministers to promote the trade of the
country by all the means in their power. He felt confident, for
his own part, that there was no ground of fear or apprehension
as to the progressive increase of our commercial prosperity, and
that the country need not view with alarm any events that cir-
cumstances might hereafter produce. The Hon. Gentleman
concluded with proposing the health of—
" The Chairman and Members of the Committee of the Ship.
owners' Society."
Mr. GEORGE LYALL (the Chairman) returned thanks.—
The Shipping Interest, which the Committee, of which he was
Chairman, had particularly under their care, was an interest
to which the country was at all times indebted for its defence
and security, as well as for no small share of the glory it had
acquired in the wars in which it had been engaged.
Mr. PowLEs, in returning thanks for the Committee, was
desirous of congratulating the Society on the respect which
was paid to them in the countenance of the first Minister
of the country, of other Members of the Administration,
and of Members of Parliament, who took a leading part in
the discussion of the great interests of the empire. This was
a proof that they were looked upon as a body of weight and
influence. He felt the justice of the observations which were
made by the Right Hon. the President of the Board of
Trade, that the interests of this country were linked together,.
and that the prosperity of one branch of the community was
inseparably united with another. This explained to hint the
reasons for opposing what he might think the reasonable wishes
of the Shipowners, but in such opposition he would do Go-
vernment the justice to say, that it always was open to full dis-
cussion, and ample explanation of the measures it proposed or
rejected. He was glad to bear this testimony in the presence
of his Majesty's Ministers, and he hoped that the Ship-owners'
Association would ever contribute to the prosperity of the na-
tioa in time of peace, and uphold its protection in time of war.
—(Hear, hear !)
The Earl of LIVERPOOL then said he was sure he should
speak the feelings of all those by whom he was surrounded, in
proposing the next toast. He had always understood, and he
was fully persuaded he had been correctly informed, that the
rights of British seamen had met with protection twin the
Society of Ship-owners. He therefore proposed, " May this
Society ever protect, as they have hitherto, the just rights of Bri-
tish seamen.

." The

The toast was received with applause.
" Prosperity to the trade of the City of London," was then
drank, after which,
Mr. Alderman BRIDGES returned thanks. He congratu-
lated the meeting on the improvement of the trade of the coun-
try generally, and adverted to the fact that the Customs alone

had been increased one million of pounds sterling during the
last year.—(Cheers.)—He also alluded. to the.prospects that
were opening in South America. Every lover of his country.
must rejoice in the extension of its trade. It was the commerce
of the country that had laid the foundation of the weight we
possessed in the scale of nations.
The Representatives of the City of London in Parliament,'
was then drank.
pir. Winsox, in returning thanks, observed that on this
toast, as on the preceding, his Hon. Colleague, the worthy
Alderman, was more entitled to address them than hinnielf, but
as he was expected to return thanks, he could assure them no.
one more deeply felt or sincerely valued the honour they had
conferred on him.
" The Outward and Homeward bound," was then given.
The Cuatitstaist- next proposed the health of the Stewards,.
with a few observations, which we could not collect.
The toast was received with a warm welcome by the corn-
! pang.
Mr. H. BLANCHARD returned thanks for himself and his
Colleagues.
The CHAIRMAN then said, that with a view to their next
Meeting, he begged to propose the Stewards elect.
The CHAlrtstAx then rose and said, Gentlemen, I have now
' arrived at that which always has been and always ought to.
be the concluding toast of this Meeting:—" The Wooden
Walls of Old England."
In the midst of the applause that followed this toast, the
Noble Chairman rose to withdraw, accompanied by his Right
Hon. Friends. When the company perceived his Lordship's
movement, there was a simultaneous rising in all parts of the
room, and the warmest acclamations were repeated in every di-
rection. The Noble Lord and his friends withdrew, bowing
respectfully to the multitude by whom they were surrounded.
His Lordship having retired, Mr. Lyall was unanimously
requested to take the Chair, when, after his health had been.
given with much applause, he proposed the health of "
Atcheson, with thanks to hint for the eminent services he had.
rendered the Shipping Interest:"
Mr. ATCHESoN returned thanks, and after pointing out the
important services which the late Joseph Marryatt, Esq. M.P.,
had in a long course of years rendered the Society, proposed
that " His Memory" should be drank standing, in silence,
which was done.

The following toasts were afterwards given :—" The Letter
health of Mr. Cock"--" The Agricultural, Commercial, and.
Manufacturing Interests"—_" The Ship-owners in the Port of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne," &c. etc.—The party then separated.
It was the largest meeting of the Ship-owners of the Port of
London we ever saw but it was remarked, that with the ex-
ception of the Noble Chairman, none of the Elder Brethren of
the Trinity Fouse were present.