The Sun.
London, England, 1841-12-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY, OECI4:MBER 11, 1841

feared, go on at a fearfully rapid rate if it were not
speedily resisted. It behoved every man to make him-
self acquainted with the subject, which was a great poli-
Aleut ,but not a party question. It required every man
to use his best exertions to avert the impending evil, and
if he were an honest man he must be irresistibly led to
the conclusion that nothing but the repeal of the Corn-
laws would remedy a state of things that had ruined their
commerce and enslaved their Operatives. Mr. Johnston
concluded, amidst loud cheers, by seconding the reso-
lution.

The resolution wes then put and carried by acclama-
tion; and without a dissentient voice.
Mr. WAKEFIELD, of Nottingham, moved the second
resollition. Having been unexpectedly called upon, he
wasefot prepared with the same detailed statements re-
gardihg the trade of Nottinghani as the two preceding
speakers had furnished regarding Leicester and Derby.
Their statements, however, were so satisfactory and so
convincing, that it was almost a waste of time to lay any
further detail of similar facts before them. He should
be enabled, however, by a very brief statement, to show
that the decline in his town had been similar to that in
Leicester and Derby. Experience had undoubtedly
proved that trade was most prosperous when food was at
a moderate price, and the details of the years 1834-5-6,
when food was cheap, were satisfactory evidence on that
.point. It was also evident that if wages were the same
when food was cheap as when it was dear, the surplus
in the former case could be spent in the purchase of ma-
nufactured goods, and, independently of foreign trade,
must make a difference in the circumstances of the
country and its manufacturing industry.—(Hear,
hear, hear.) Now he had referred to the periods
when subscriptions for the relief of the poor had
been set on foot in Nottingham, and also to the prices
of food in these years, and he found that when food was
dear, there was the greatest amount of distress, and when
it was cheap, the working classes were comparatively
well off. The first subscription to which he would refer
was that of 1812; there was another in 1816, and a third
in 1819. Then followed one in 1826-7, and a limited
one in., 1829. From that period till 1836, during which
period provisions were cheap, there was no public sub-
scription. In 1836-7 there was one, in 1.839-40 there
was another, and in the present year 1841 there was one
in progress.—(Hear, hear.) In 1812 the price of wheat
was 120 s. to 130 s. the quarter; in 1816 it was 84s. to
1245.; in 1819 it was 685.; in 1826 it was 585.; but the
subscription in that year was caused by the want of
employment resulting from the general panic of 1825.
In 182 P it was 605.; in 1836 it was 685.; in 1839 it was
785.; and at the present time they were all acquainted
with its price. This fully showed that the subscriptions
were in every case rendered necessary, except in 1826,
by, the high price of food.— (Hear, hear.) These con-
stantly recurring periods of distress showed that
there was something wrong in the position
of the country, and that these laws require
some change by which they would no longer prevent
the free interchange of the serples htbour of that coun-
try, with the surplus produoe of others. He held in his
hand a statement of the price of two descriptions of
cotton hose, from 1811 to the present time. The one
was termed thirty guage; and in 1811 it was 15s. per
dozen, since which period it had been gradually de-
clining in price down to the present time, when it was
only 7s. 6d.—(Hear, hear.) The price of thirty-six
guage was in 1811, 215., and at the present time it was
only 10s. 6d. Now, nothing could more clearly and
strongly prove that the manufacturing labourers must
be reduced to the greatest privations and distress. Pro-
visions were from 20 to 30 per cent, higher than when
prices were much better, and the inference was clear
that the distress of the labouring classes must be pro-
portionably increased. The price of labour did not de-
pend upon the price of food, but upon its being over or
below the demand that was required. He had endea-
voured to obtain the number of frames employed in cotton
hosiery in Nottingham, and he found' they were about
12,000, and these, at an average of one-and-a-half dozen
of cotton hose per week would give 18,000 dcsen per
week. But, not to be under the statement, he would take
it at 20,000 dozen, and that was 12,480,000 pair of cotton
stockings per annum.—(Hear, hear.) He was sa-
tisfied that that was over the quantity aeually pro-
duced, and it offered the extraordinary fact, that if
every individual in Great Britain were to purchase one
pair of cotton stockings, they would consume the whole
which the present trade was competent to produce.—
(Hear, hear.) The depreciation in the trade was caused
by the fact, that those who would be the chief con-
sumers had not their interests properly attended to—
justice had not been done them—class interests were too
much attended to.—(Loud cheers.) He contended that
if such was not the case, these persons would be then
the best customers, and increase the general wealth and
prosperity of the country.—(Cheers.) There had been
Nottingham a gradual sinking and depression of trade
for some timepast, and although there was not so great an
amount of suffering from the actual want of food, as was the
case in other parts of the country, he never knew a pe-
riod when there was greater privation and suffering
among the poorer classes. It was evident that distress
was beginning to be felt by those who had not hitherto
experienced it. Many with decent exteriors were suffer-
ing the greatest privations, rather than make it known.
Some of the details had been placed in his hands,
and he. was sure that a few individual cases
would show the case in a stronger light than
any general and extensive details, without their
practical application. (Mr. Wakefield here read ex-
tracts of the reports from various wards of the town
of Nottingham, showing that the humbler classes were
without food, clothing, or bedding, and-in many cases
literally starving.) He would not wound their feeling by
entering further upon; the subject--they were not sin-
gular or isolated cases, nor were they confined to parti-
cular districts. Now under such distressing circum-
stances they appealed to the Legislature. They claimed
the right to a free trade in corn and provisions on the
highest ground.—(Cheers.) It was, the duty of every
Government to afford the people over whom they ruled
every necessary of life at the cheapest possible rate.—
(Cheers.) It was for the many they ought to legislate,
and if they sacrificed their interests for the promotion of
class interests, they were neglecting the duties they had
been called to perform, and postponed to selfish consi-
derations the rights of justice, and the claims of equity.
--(Cheers.) He contended that whether the agricul-
tural interests or the commercial interests were bene-
fited or not, they were bound to give the people cheap
food ; and he was sure that whatever might be the opi-
nion of the various parties now, they would be confer-
ring a benefit upon all classes by bettering the condition
of the people, allaying the -discontent, and giving the
landed interest a greater stability for their property, and
a greater security for their estates.—(Hear, and
cheers.) The resolution declared that they were
prepared to give up all so-called protection for them-
selves, and he was free to confess that he had not the
same fear of foreign competition that other individuals
had. He had no doubt that the talent, skill, industry,
and untiring perseverance, of their artizans would, had
it but free play, be able to compete with them success-
fully.—(Cheers.) He would give the instance of gloves,
the trade in which was at one time confined to Notting-
ham. They were coarse and badly made, but the
Germans introduced a light fancy article, andl it was
then stated and believed that the Leicester and Notting-
ham trade would necessarily be ruined. It, however,
only called forth the energies of their artisans—they
met the difficulty, and, by improved methods of manu-
facture, beat the Germans; and at the present moment
the manufacture was increased tenfold since the German
article had been introduced, and he believed there were
now very considerable orders for gloves to be sent to
Germany and America.—(Hear, hear.) If food were
cheaper he was satisfied they would be able to produce a
superior quality at a cheaper rate than the Germans.—
(Hear, hear.) He had no fears, that if the Corn-laws
were repealed land would go out of cultivation. He
believed if the same improvements were applied to agri-
culture, as had been applied to commerce, a very different
result would be produced.--(Cheers.) There were large
tracts of land which did not now produce wheat, but
might be made to do so by superior methods of cultiva-
tion.—(Cheers.) He had no doubt but that in agricul-
ture, as well as manufactures, they would be able suc-
cessfully to compete with foreign countries.—(Hear.)
The question no longer was, whether they would import
corn, for that had been already done. The only ques-
tion was, how ? And the Gentleman who would fol-
low him would show them that the sliding scale was one
of the most fatal inventions that ever man devised to in-
jure and oppress the labouring classes.—(Cheers.) He
did not look upon the result of the present struggle with
doubt. If the people could only see their true interests,
he was satisfied; and if they endeavoured to attain them
peaceably but firmly, resolutely but constitutionally,
they must ultimately triumph.—(Loud cheers.) The
works of monopoly were already shaken ; and, if they
could but make a steady and persevering attack, he was
satisfied that the fortress would be yielded up, and the
banners of free trade float in triumph on its walls.—
(Loud cheers.) If such should be the case, the people
of that county would once more receive a fair remunera-
tion for their labour ; they would once more enjoy the
comforts of life, and the prosperity of the country would
continue to increase, and all classes, even those
who thought their interests opposed to that of
the manufacturers, would be benefited, and the ge-
neral prosperity of the country would be based upon
the security of the Throne and the Constitution, and the
general happiness and welfare of the people.--(Loud
cheers.) Mr. W. concluded by moving the following '
resolution :—« That experience has indisputably proved,
that our home and foreign trade have been uniformly
most prosperous, when food has been at moderate prices,
and that depression of trade has been the invariable re-
sult concurrent with a high price of previsions. That
dear seasons have always been times of suffering and dis-
tress, and a general depreciation of manufacturing pro-
perty. That facts warrant us in affirming, that the dis-
tress and misery arise mainly from the prohibitory and
restrictive taxes upon commerce, and the high price
of provisions ; and that;: the wages of operatives, being
wholly consumed in the purchase of food (and fre-
quent!y insufficient for that purpose), it becomes im-
possible for them to purchase manufactured goods.
Hence arises a great diminution in the demand for
home consumption, and the consequent augmen- I
tation to a frightful extent, of the evils which are
caused by a scarcity of employment. That the restrictive
laws which have nearly prohibited the importation of
corn and provisions, and prevented foreigners from re-
ceiving British manufactures in return, have compelled
thew: to manufacture for themselves, and an active, vigor-
ous, and formidable competition has been created, which
has already partially superseded us in neutral markets,
and threatens our commercial intercourse with other
nations with ruin. And that while this meeting claims
as a right the removal of all laws opposed to the free im-
portation of corn and other provisions, it is willing and de-
sirous that all so-called protective duties on foreign ma-
nufactures imposed professedly for the benefit of British
industry should be at the same time abolished, and that
the true and peaceful principle of Free Trade be applied
to the productions of this and all other countries."
Mr. CIIIPPS, of Nottingham and New York, in second-
ing the resolution, said that he had to request their kind

indulgence in addressing them on the present occasion,
when he was wholly unprepared to do so. But some
facts had come to his knowledge connected with the mis-
chievous working of the Corn-laws' which he should not
hesitate to lay before them. But before he did so, he
would give them one case in corroboration of the state-
ment made by Mr. Wakefield—it was that of a poor
honest industrious workman, whose name was not on
the list of applicants for relief, but whose children
were stretched on the bed of sickness, and he (Mr.
cripps) having requested an excellent medical man
to visit them, his reply was, " these children are
of good constitution, but they are sinking from
want of proper nourishment."—(Sensation.) Let them
couple that fact with the statement he had received yes-
terday from his partner in New York. "In spite of the
Corn laws, and all artificial impediments, by and bye we
must open a market for our groaning granaries."—
(Cheers.) Let them couple that fact with the statement
of healthy children sinking for want of proper nourish-
ment.--( Hear, hear.) " Only think of prime pork at a•
cent. and a quarter," something less than three farthings,
"a pound at Cincinnati, and every thing else in propor-
tion."—(Hear, hear.) Now he would ask how any man
or any set of men, dared to come between that poor
workman and his family who were sinking for want of
proper nourishment, and the man in Cincinnati, who had
prime pork at three farthings per pound?—(Hear, hear,
hear.) He would, however, only speak at present
of the ruinous results to the merchant of the present
system of Corn-laws. Although they might contend
that it was abstractedly right that there should be an
entirely free interchange of commodities between different
countries, he would say nothing of that but to wish to
show them that nothing could be more mischievously
devised than the present sliding scale.—(Cheers.) Lord
Stanley in his address on• his recent election said that
from the United States they had not imported, nor could
they import, a single quarter of wheat except in very ex-
traordinary harvests, and he added that the prices were
subject to greater fluctuations than in England, although
they had no Corn-laws there. That extraordinary state-
ment he wished to notice. It so happened that he had yes-
terday received by the Great Western a New York paper,
from which he would read a small extract : " The
flour trade of the States, and consequently the
Western currency, is in a deplorable state.. There
have been heavy failures in the flour trade
and the commencement of the present difficulties in this
trade took their rise on the arrival of the Britannia from
Liverpool some weeks since, bringing accounts of short.
crops in England, and consequently a rise in price. IM-
mediately speculation began, wheat rose rapidly in price,
and the next news we had was that there had been as
sudden a fall." Now he thought what he had read en-
tirely demolished the statement that Lord Stanley had
the temerity to make on that occasion ; but he would not
rely upon that alone. Lord Stanley said that not a quar-
ter of wheat had been imported, and of course he did not
mean to resort to the quibble that none had been import-
ed if flour had been imported ; and he would proceed to
upset that argument as well as the other. In the spring
of last year considerable difficulty had been experienced
by the American merchants as to the mode in
which they would remit funds when due, in con-
sequence of the universal failure of the Southern
banks. That had been followed by minor consequences
to the merchants, and it became matter of prudence not
to remit in the usual mode by bills of exchange, and
there were clearly sufficient reasons to induce them to
make remittances in another form. Accordingly his
partner purchased 12,000 barrels of flour, and he held in
his hand an account of the sale of that flour. It had been
purchased chiefly in Baltimore. Of 6,624 barrels, the
net proceeds were 6,5751. 195., the expenses, independ-
ently of duty and without reckoning the interest of
money, were 2,5391. 16s. 10d., or more than 38i per cent.
upon the net proceeds. Now he adduced that fact of the
expenses incurred independently of duty, in order to
show that when a free trade in corn was allowed the
farmer would not be without his protection.—(Loud
cheers.) He feared, however, to overstate the case, and
it was strong enough without it. An extraordinary
freight was paid, which swelled the expenses; but he would
take the average expenses of four different lots as some
part paid much lower freight, and they amounted to 4,0161.
or something more than 30 per cent. The great evil, how-
ever, was the sliding scale, and he would tell them how
it operated in that ease. If that flour duty was paid on
1,949 barrels amounting to 8011 3s. 5d., the remaining
4,675 barrels were sold in bond; but had the duty been
paid on that also it would have been upwards of 2,7201.
That was between the 18th of April and the 15th of May
last year. In little more than three months the duty on
that lot of flour would have been, instead of that sum,
just 5201, making a difference of 2,200/., and had the
flour been in the hands of the capitalist or speculator, he
might have held it till then, and become enriched. But
the merchant, if he imported flour, got it as a remittance,
and it was nothing to him to say, " Wait by-and-bye till
there is a favourable turn in the corn trade." He could
not do so ; the manufacturers wanted their money to pay
their workmen, and the merchant must, when he
brought foreign produce to market, sell it.—
(Hear, hear, and. cheers.) Suppose instead of
importing it in May, and selling it, he had purchased the
same quantity in June, and shipped it to this country ;
if it had chanced to get here in September, the duty would
have been only as he had said 520/. If be had held it
till the first of October, or if the vessel had made a long
passage, instead of paying a duty of t2Ol. he would have
paid 4,1121. Bs.—(Loud cheers.) In November the duty
would have been 4,719/. 12s. 61, and in December it
would have been 5,1331. 12s.—(Loyd cheers.)—lle asked
ware the poor to starve, and the American granaries to
be groaning with flour and wheat, and was the merchant
to pay that penalty for bringing it to 'England, and for
exchanging the stockings of Nottingham and Leicester
for what they wanted much ' more, for What they-
wanted more than gold, for bread was the staff of life,
and gold was only valuable as it could purchase food?
—(Cheers.) They could easily conceive how embar-
rassing and totally ruinous the operation of these laws
was to the merchant, and he thought he had said
enough to convince them of that—(Hear, hear, hear)—
and although he ventured to forgive himself for doing
what he innocently hoped would be a benefit to those who
were indebted to him, he would say that under the pre-
sent system, and with his past experience, he would de-
serve to be branded as a gambler, and his credit blasted
and destroyed, if, while the present awful system con-
tinued, he should be daring enough to venture on a like
expedient.—(Great cheering.) He knew of no method
on which to conduct the communication between two
countries but by a direct interchange of corn modities.
(Hear.) They had warehouses full of goods—the Ame-
ricans would take them from them. If they wanted to
be paid for them, that was another thing.—(Hear, and
laughter.) If they wished to be paid for their goods,
they must take that the Americans had to pay with.
They did not find gold and silver in the United States of
America ; and even if they did, it would be better for
the English to receive their flour and pork, and
those other things that were so essential to the com-
fort of the poor man ; but, having neither gold
nor silver, they must either take that they had got to
give, or they must take nothing. That must be evident
to every one. If they increased their exports to Ame-
rica, and disburthened their warehouses of their accu-
mulated stock, they must take what the Americans could
give them in exchange, and Providence seemed to have
placed her there for such a purpose ; but a power which
seemed to him to war against Providence forbid it.—
(Tremendous cheering.) A great deal had been said
about German competition. He had been engaged for
twenty years in the trade to New York, and for fifteen
years-he had been exporting cotton hosiery to a consi-
derable extent. But 3 ear after year there had been a
steady and fatal progress downwards—they had found a
proportionate check, and their profit diminished by the
competition of Germany in the American market. To
such an extent was this carried now, that whereas in
1819, when he first embarked in the American trade,
three-fourths at least of all cotton hosiery in America
was sent from England, and more than that amount,
wbilst, at least, seven-eights of all imported
was brought from Germany; ;,end as he liked to appeal
to facts, he would tell therrt that in his warehouse in
Nottingham there was at the present moment a consi-
derable amount of Hinckley- brown cotton hose, and
after going to New York and unsuccessfully struggling
against competition of the German manufacturer, had
been sent back here again, as the best means and more
prudent-course than retaining them in New York ; and
he believed that it would be found that bringing them
back to England was safer, and subject to less loss than
retaining them there; and these came to swell the present
enormous stock of the Hinckley manufacturers.—(Much
cheering.) He only wished these statements to pass for
what they were worth, and he did hope and believe that
when these facts came to be more universally known,
they would have an overpowering influence upon those
who were to legislate for them. Their legislators must be
actuated by some feeling, and when they found that
their cause was based in truth and justice, they
must concede their claims. When they continued to
struggle to collect facts, and to present them. before the
public, let them cherish the fond hope and belief that the.
day was not far distant when free trade, administering to
the general wants of the world, would restore happiness,
content, and prosperity to their great but sufferingpeo-
ple.—(Loud and general cheering for some minutes.)
The CHAIRMAN said that having been himself for seve-
ral years engaged in the glove trade, he could bear tes-
timony to the accuracy of the statements made by Mr.
Biggs, and that the reduction of the price in Notting-
ham was similar to that in Leicester. And since he had
known the trade the reduction in wages was, as near as
possible, one half.—(Hear, hear.) The Executive Com-
mittee being anxious for some further information on
the subject of prices, wished to put a few questions to a
workman named Bannister.
Mr. BANNISTER then came upon the platform, and in
answer to questions from the Chairman, stated that in
1816 the price paid for cotton drawers was 19s. per
dozen, and the present price was only 9s. 3d.; and that a
man must work twelve to fifteen hours a day to earn
that. There were the improvements in machinery since
then. The price for cut hose in 1819 was 6s. the dozen,
and the price then • was is. Bd.—(Laughter, and cries of
" Shame.") A man might make six or seven dozen a
week. The general state of things in the trade during
the last two years was, that the average of wages had
been reduced one-half. •
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which was
carried unanimously and with loudcheering.
Mr. HANococx, of Belper, came forward to move the
next resolution. As he had been invited to add•sornething
towards substar.tiating the case they had endeavoured to
make out, he should therefore offer a few remarks upon
the branch of trade in which he was himself engaged. He
was engaged in the silk hose manufacture, and as the
aristocracy were the great consumers of that description
of goods, it
.might be supposed that when corn was
highest they would sell the largest quantity of silk
stockings, but his experience testified that the direct
contrary was the reverse, and that when corn was
cheapest they sold the greatest quantity.—(Cheers.)
That, he thought, would prove that neither the farmers
nor the labourers, nor even the aristocracy themselves were
their bust customers, but that their best customers were

among themselves. He would now state to them what
was the actual diininution in the trade to which he re-
ferred, and he should offer such remarks as the subject
warranted. The silk hose manufacture of Derby was
at the present moment 108,0001 per annum less than in
1833, 4, and 5. Those who knew what the entire amount
of the trade was would be able to infer the miserable
remnant that was left ; but he would not state
it lest it might tell the creditors of some of the
manufacturers, that they were not worth half a crown
in the pound. It would seem, from this statement that
distress was gradually working its way upwards, and
that the middle classes were becoming involved in the
privations which had long since overtaken the humbler
ranks. Fashion might have had something to do with
it, but he believed distress was the great cause. He had
been particularly struck with the fact that the falling off
was principally in silk hose, and that the manufactur-
ers of these goods had lately turned to the making of
cotton hose. With regard to employment he found
that in one district there were 191 frames all em-
ployed in making silk hose in the prosperous
times, but of these, at present, there were only forty-
seven now making silk hose. In another district there
were one hundred and sixty-seven frames, which, at the
same period, were making silk hose, while at the present
moment there were only fifteen in that trade, and nearly
one hundred standing idle. In a third district there
were ninety-five frames, of which, at present, there
were only sixteen in that trade, and thirty-four turned
to the making of gloves. The average of the entire was
twenty-one out of twenty-seven unemployed. Mr.
Handcock then referred to other details showing the
sam," results, showing in the total seven hundred and
sixty-nine silk frames all employed at one time making
hose ; of these, one hundred and twenty-seven were still
going, one. hundred and eighty-four were turned to making
gloves, and four hundred and fifty-eight were standing still.
The entire amount of silk frames was about 4,000, and he
had given them the details of one-fourth of the trade,
from which they might infer what the remainder was.—
(Hear, hear.) One thing struck him as being peculiar
to their case—that in order to ask the Legislature to
afford Ahem relief they must show that the people were
actually starving.—(Hear.) He found that the persons
making the very finest description of silk stockings ob-
tained from 1 ls. 6d. to 95., and he believed there were
not in the above trade more than one hundred persons so
employed. The employment over the whole trade
did not exceed more than three-fourths • of full
time, and the average wages would not exceed :6s.
to Cs. Bd. per week. In the three years, 1834-5-6, they
paid for their wheat 107 millions ; while in 1837-8-9
they paid 152 millions, and that would go far to account
for the great diminution that had taken place in the va-
rious branches of trade.—(Hear, hear.) In 1839 Mr.
Cayley, in the House of Commons, made some reference
to the hosiery trade, and inferred from the statements he
made that the manufacturers obtained 3s. 7d. profit on
the cotton stockings selling at 245. per dozen. That
statement was, he believed, quite unfounded, the
highest price for the description of stockings
to which he referred, being only 19s. 9d. After re-
ferring to some other statements made by Dr. Holland,
which he contended were greatly exaggerated, Mr. Hand-
cock concluded by moving the third resolution—" That
the exchange of products between those portions of
mankind, whose fertile lands yield abundance of corn
and other food, and those whose skill and industry pro-
duce articles of manufacture, should be free as the air we
breathe to supply their reciprocal wants. That any
legislative obstruction to this natural right of man (ex-
cept by moderate duties, when absolutely required for
fiscal purposes) is a wanton infringement of one of the
most apparent and essential principles of justice, and
baneful in its consequences to society. That the odious
Corn and Provision-laws are notorious instances of such
impolitic and unjust legislation—selfish and tyrannous in
spirit—anti-christian and inhuman in principle—op-
pressive and ruinous in operation. That they have in-
flicted manifold and serious evils upon the industrious
classes of the empire, by greatly enhancing the price of
food, and by their destructive effects upon commerce and
manufactures ; and that they threaten to annihilate, if
not speedily repealed, the most important branches of
national industry. That to avert the evil consequences
of their continuance, and arrest the rapid progress of
distress and misery, it becomes the imperative duty of
the suffering millions, to unite in constant and increas-
ing exertions for their repeal. That as citizens of a
free State, firm in our loyalty and attachment to the
throne, we claim to be governed by impartial and equit-
able laws, enacted with a regard to the general benefit,
and not to serve the peculiar or exclusive interests of
privileged classes. That in addition to our enormous
taxation for the support of the state, wek are burthened
with monstrous imposts for the support of monopolies,
which are subverting our vital interests, depriving us of
the means of subsistence, and overwhelming this empire
with bankruptcy and ruin. That we hereby solemnly
declare and pledge ourselves, by the union of all our
energies, to employ every constitutional means of resist-
ance, to these barbarous, wicked, and oppressive laws,
and to persevere.with a firm, constant, and unremitting
determination, in demanding their total abolition."
Mr. S. BEAN, of Nottingham, seconded the resolution.
He trusted they would all put their shoulders to the
wheel ; that they would not cease their exertions until
these accursed laws were entirely repealed. He gave his
cordial concurrence to the resolution, and hoped it would
meet their approval.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. JOSEPH STRUTT, of Derby, came forward amidst
loud cheers to move the next resolution-4' That a peti-
tion to the House of Commons, founded upon the above
resolutions, be- prepared by the Executive Committee,
and that they be requested to obtain the signatures of
the manufacturers of the Midland Counties thereto."
Mr. VICKERS, of Leeds, seconded the resolution,
which was also carried nem con.

On the motion of Mr. JOU NSON, a vote of thanks to
the Chairman, for his very able and dignified conduct in
the chair, was proposed and carried amidst loud: accla-
mations. .

--- ---
The CHAIRMAN briefly returned thanks, and the meet-
ing then separated.

THE DINNER.
Tn the evening about three hundred gentlemen sat
down to an excellent dinner in the great room of the
Royal. Hotel. At four o'clock. the chair was taken by
Edward Strutt, Esq., M.P., supported on his right by
Sir John Easthope, M.P., Dr. Bowring, M.P., and Mr.
Cobden, M.P. On his left by Sir George Larpent, M.P.,
Mr. Joseph Strutt, M.P., W. Evans, M.P., &c., &c.
Notwithstanding the arrangements that had been made
to provide accommodation for all who were expected to
attend, it was found necessary to have an additional
table laid in another room, for nearly fifty gentlemen,
who could not find even standing room in the large
apartment. There was an excellent band in attendance.
The dinner and wines were of very superior quality, and
the festivities passed off in the most delightful manner.
After the cloth had been removed, the CHAIRMAN
gave the health of her Majesty the Queen.--(Great
cheering.) He believed it could be said of her Majesty,
that she was deeply interested in the sufferings of her
people. Unhappily the Ministry at present in power
were opposed to all plans for the promotion of the com-
mercial prosperity of the country ; but he believed it
did not owe its existence to any spontaneous exercise of
the prerogative of the Crown.—(Cheers. The toast was
drank with tremendous cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave the health of the Infant
Prince, heir to the throne of these realms, and he might
say with perfect truth, that never was there an heir ap-
parent to the Crown born with a better prospect of
receiving such an education as would fit him to exercise
the high powers that would some day, and he hoped it
was far distant, be committed to his charge.
The toast was drank with all the honours, as was also
the health of Prince Albert and the Princess Royal.
Then followed the Queen Dowager, and the rest of the
Royal Family.
The CHAIRMAN said he now came to the toast, which
was more particularly appropriate to the occasion which
had brought them together. The object of the great and
important meeting of that morning, was to increase the
means of subsistence and employment, and to promote
the general welfare of the people at large. He could
not,
,therefore, do better than give them, early in their
proceeding's; " The People."
The toast was drank with much cheering.
Mr,COBDEN, M.P., then rose amidst loud and general
cheering,. and proceeded to address the company as
follows :—Allow me to express the gratitude I feel to-
wards the gentlemen of the Midland Counties for the
most instructive meeting which I have attended this day.
—(Hear, hear.) But while listening to the details which
have gone back for a period of twenty-five years, show-
ing the consecutive deterioration in the condition of the
people, and the decline in your own interests, I could
not help saying that the agitation against the Corn and
Provision-laws should have begun long,longago.—(Loud
cheers.) Why, Gentlemen, you have the whole case in
your own hand. We in Lancashire fought against great
disadvantages ; we were told that our distress arose from
our improvements in machinery. But what have we
been told to-day ? Why, "that the stocking-trade is
nearly in the same state as when it issued from the
hands of its inventor two centuries ago. At all events
for the last 25 years there has been no material improve-
ment in it, and there are no steam-engines with their
tall chimneys giving motion to your power-looms.---
(Hear, hear.) Then we are met in Manchester with the
over-production cry, which they say has been :he cause
of the distress ; but here we are told that the production
has diminished, especially in Leicestershire. It was not,
therefore, over-production—it was not machinery that
has caused the distress here. But what else have we
heard caused the distress in Lancashire ? Why, the
joint-stock banks.—(Loud laughter.) They say that the
joint-stock banks have starved us in Manchester.—'(Re-
newedi
laughter.) But here we find that no great mis-
chief has been done by the joint-stock banks ; and I
again repeat, Gentlemen, that you have the_ case in your
own, hands. The whole of the fallacies of our opponents,
as applied to Manchester, are answered here; and hence-
forth it becomes the province of the Midland Counties to
take up the question, to lead in the van, and to be the
champions of this great cause.—(Cheers.) I am glad
that upon this occasion you have directed so many of
your inquiries to the subject of wages effecting the
largest and most important portion of the population of
these counties. I am glad that you have not confined
yourselves to the relative profits of the employer and the
decline of his business, but that you have given a clear
statement of the decline of wages and the distress of the
operatives in these counties. This will be one of the
strongest arguments which you can furnish to the House
of Commons in the ensuing session to justify the words
of the toast which I am now going to read to you—
" The total and immediate repeal of the' Corn and Pro-
vision laws."—(Loud cheers.) Oh I Could not help
thinking as I listened to the details of the diminished
comforts and the waste of means of the working classes,
and the distress by which they are encompassed—l
could not help thinking as I heard of the con-
stantly diminishing resources of the hard-work-
ing frame-knitters of these counties—that our Le-
gislature had indeed departed from the spirit of that

MORNING SUN

re'
Book, to which the Reverend Gentleman, On P
nounced a blessing upon our meat, bad referred;
they had forgotten the poor in their time of net' „e,i
they protected those who ought to have been 017;5,
in protecting others. Where was the protection
frame-work knitter when he needed protection /led
(Hear, hear)—when the high price of food ren e
•
it more difficult for him to support his family?
we found that the Corn-laws were a protection t0,,,0,
No, we find that he got no protection from the ''usiej
laws. They effected their object for those who P sic
them, and in the same proportion they ministered e2‘ach
misery and destitution of the working classes,--(3ltiss
cheering.) Sir, when Igo into that House again-nns, of
down, and hear a Chapter read before the hosinirets
the day commences from that Book which is nothinsthoo
first to last but a series of denunciations againstthe
who wrest their bread from the poor, I will think 0141
poor framework-knitters of Leicestershire, and I 51;ivei
look on with some degree of surprise and amazement' 0
I shall express my doubts whether I do indeed livei'ltrs
the Rev. Gentleman has said, in a Christian ecn,,,a'S
If I find them upholding a law to tax the Isor ale
bread, in order to enrich themselves and to oPPres aer
destitute, will I not be justified in asking such qf *
tion ?—( Much cheering.) I shall take the ease cs'io
neighbouring nobleman, whose estate is in the irote7o3o,
vicinity of Hinckley, but I shall mention no ~nat ,se
There is a law on the statute book which enacts t'lls cot'
corn grown on that estate shall be maintained a,tt cora
tarn adventitious artificial legislative price; and tlllese•
is sold to whom? To the poor miserable starving re any
work-knitters of Hinckley. Now, Sir, I ask, is tnetsiael
law in return that he should have his wages Lnainleflt")
at a legal, adventitious, artificial rate, or is he nctso bete
the competition of the German and the Saxon, vir" .511
their food at half the price ?—(Loud cheers.) wpb, c5ll
is
this heathenism, Mahornetanistn, Paganism, but hi that
not Christian.—(Great cheering.) But we are toil
cal,
this law is necessary to enable te landlords and t...elp
tivators of the land to compete with foreignetjheero
not you, too, compete with foreigners ?---(
tiv't'
Have you not heard to-day from Mr. Wei`e-e toes,
when the Saxon inundated you with his cheap odor
does the Englishman do ? He is labouring,,‘
ilre
the disadvantage of producing at nearly (loud:pair 7
cost, but does he, therefore,, sit down ill: and in
No; he calls to his aid all his natural energ'eanl' per'
herent intelligence ; he sets to work with addw„etbill
severance and ingenuity, until he has doneires
which will again enable him to compete with the i;e
nd
He enters the common market of the world, ~ coat`
e
ahnedistenimeteibiyasfionreitghniseres,emanpdetsittiileleh,eesheass to sun
pc from °et, feral'
cannot ; and, therefore, I say he is consinitt rartiV
time to a competition with all the .rations of then for the
(Hear, hear.) There is no legislative proteeti;
labourer here ; and why should not the landlerusseeeP,
with foreigners as well as the manufacturing latl'e call,'
yearsv ati or s
ago, of
this the
landsoil
exported
Did not the forefathers of those who are now sesea to
competeote dw titsh
competition with foreigners ; and why shoolnid ttettat
foreigners ? he sold"
be done now 7—(Much cheering.) We are tc' sselek,
great increase in taxation had taken place sin,csect
1770. We have had 500,000,0001. of debt auu e liar" produce 0 not tl3,
to the glory and the honour of those who 11,11 Sot °olio,
out and achieved our conquests ; but of whic,'"oo,ooo,°y, •
am not proud. They have added no tal,e,:t,
to the national debt ; they have put tases,sus`cat'i•
ia
but did not the manufacturer, the artisall, of th'iss-ne
and the labourer, bear more than their sharg-ea „,1
crease of taxation ? What said Mr. Ilus)°,s' Douse or,
the last time, I believe, he ever spoks in tlarge,lll3-ad
Commons ? "In no country in Europe is s° espit'us,
tion of the taxation raised upon producniveosert
labour as in England." " Oh, but (says Sir the lan.euelc
if
look to the exclusive burdens imposed upon. "te‘ii Psnsgs
ers—there is, fur instance, the highwarra_,,„s(Cil-ese
they pay for the highways,:they also use th"-
let elliaste?
.and laughter,—and if it pleases them better's to wstef
the railroads, and allow the highways tog,-ess. -`tse
But the townsmen also maintain the hig'S.-s:igel°,as,
pay for their streets, and they make e° -.0 his 'eus'
agriculturist when he bowls over the stones lover
gon, or the Squire, when he drives .o.hijouril,°ere
in his carriage. But when we visit the eele bitt'
„ai
of the squirearchy they make us pay toll, anicheell,eels
frequently, when they exempt themselves.--Ssobets
laughter.) " Oh, but, then,"
there are the tithes, the land pays
says Sir s; tithes I,
wonder what the Bishop of Exeter will 1 tbo,s,
firth
wheeits,x
hears that statement of Sir Robert Peelle ,es
he will put in a prior claim to tithes for a sews tieo
However, I shall leave that point to be sett'e_nas, .-I;jaid
them, for I am sure the case is in very good li,sat the Jot
we are told that there are Church-rates-4'g c3llO.
pays Church-rates. I thought I bad heard c'e",, Cseroj
in the town di Birmingham for refusing to PJts Osseo,
rates, and I believe the towns are said to Pa.' e,..--(Pef
Sir Robert Peel has not yet abolished the that to,
hear.) Another claim upon the landovvuellita is ale
have to maintain the poor ; and I'm „ate, tea'
quartet of protection claims—the Highvgaecirllsol
Tithes, the Poor-rate, and the rt ,„is 018
I ask whether the town of Stooletholii°,ol
also paying poor- rates ? Aye, more Boitoe
what the land pays? And are "()t needle
Birmingham, and other towns, paying'
(Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") And wherie., V/11/leis
claim to an exclusive protection for the lanu" glory
obe
founded upon the most fallacious statellie%irfl' tg
however, has opened the question, because
tuattoy`r `'
Peel asks you, before you legislate upon th n jaclll en s
inq e
uire into the relative burdens on land and I;),,c1
—(Loud cheers.) And if Sir Robert Peel r;coP',,-- 1)°
trader, and desired to damage the landlords, wile"„ 1.)
have more effectually stabbed them tbsn
said you must inquire into this.—(Reneyt,cetire is' '1
My Hon. Friend, 'Dr. Bowring, has given ji the
sh
motion for a return of the land-tax paid in the rfoet
countries of' Europe;" and I shall tel you Of .franc„
how we stand. Of the whole revenue of fralies
amounting to one thousand millions •
~ detoe'see
d 011,.
more than one half is raised from.the itn 6'este reve,' j 550
In Prussia more than one half of the W the us-leState
raised. In Germany more than,
is raised from the, land. In Austria netis the w"° fourths
revenue is raised from land. ~,,e conies
is raised from the same 5011's-see reve"jand
and in Denmark fully one-third °' flg tare'
ce
bitalY threilolland,
from land. And how stands the eaTh 000/. s &Ws
(Loud cheering.) Of -the 52.96"' the lan
;d by unary 1.
raised in 1839, 1,1; 0,0001. were Pa• co" Stifle'
The thirty-third part of the revenue °tomes the....„seol°
directly from the land ; and whence taxes which
ence ? From the Excise and the Cul coffee' war')
the taxes upon sugar, and tea, an (gear, ,)0(f,
man.-- • Corn
are all raised upon the poor --he jeatt. s
Gentlemen, I predict that we of t- media° relec4ed.
League, who now claim a total and im ones be 4,00
the Corn-laws, will in less than twelvems bi°
upon as a moderate and milk-and-wat,e'tjd tha`i laso:;e
laughter and cheers.) Sir Robert Peellier P°i° of
ll
for it, has directed my attention to all°t the citlet find .11
lord legislation ; and when I look 11P°11 t roe,
on,
the land-tax, from its origin to the preset' second
exhibits an instance of selfish legislation fgese)ioe,
audacity to the Corn and Provision-laws.•_o'ooo,4 rdt
land-tax in its origin was nothing but ae efellaall`
services when the Crown gave up th ben the,ser''
One hundred and forty years ago, w;„ rho rev °,
lords got possession of the Throne, l'AesiolPa
th
the Stagy of King William, by what was called
__es e .
lution, there were a thousand ineurnbsanu t as d
land. It yielded nearly the whole reve,,,nutie aolsheit'iso'
—besides which the landlords had to find was, oti„10
to maintain them. At the time theol'';try esef
and assessed the income of the entire m'-,a ya, ssilP
nine millions a year ; and now, Gentiern_t("ol, len!,
middle closes, whose windows are courier, for el?,
whom a new schedule is left everY to es 10r c'Per
dogs and horses,—you, who pay ' :00E004 ot
ounce of sugar and coffee you dosvu prt'seils
upon you to remember that the 'ante the 510 .3
had their land re-valued from 169 ayislghandre'
time.— (Loud cheers.) Yes, they arc Pt 000 'So col°,
tax upon a valuation which was made
'ill toss ss.Lij sfee'
and forty-nine years ago, while the collsecwhich ler Jog ;
round to you count the apertures through
na you fives
light enters, and count your carriages but reef forty
but who give the landowner no schedule, a 0 lasso
7
assessment upon a valuation made one
nine years ago !—(Cheers.) I exhort;ll,,;, poe. ef es_
to look to it, for it is a war againss
(Cheers.) I hope I shall see petitioii the
tre
them to re-value the land, and that _ fes
sit.soas
will go on collaterally with the agitattonsed ,001;
and immediate repeal of the Corn-lavrsteess s „a or,i,
tribute my mite for such a purpose.--'O, food's, elan
must be a total abolition of all taxes ear opeassrisole
should raise at least twenty millions a othse oda rf3,,
and.then the owners would. be richer than,,,V3 s se,r
proprietary in the world.—(Cheers.) esiste°hi,ll,
commend as compensation for what oils oas ti,; 1,07,
eoelrile r 51
friend Colonel Thompson indeed re .ion to ,ino
step, and that we should claim conseereia",t 0 agise taee
past.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, it is Efilet'in is ts,"by
get restitution, and of all funding Iv- ft nure;son 'set 111;
diffieult—(Great laughter)—but see n° e of a la.,rdeal
should not have compensation the shape ourle 0
which would release us from the wholo 0, the pes,ss of
I should like to see that tar.; called for bh)o-ld bo
00 ft ;
England, and I have no esoubt that we s, ..,,„s as tterje
tal and immediate rer,eal of the Corns°' sndlsogs iss,r
compromise for the ssels,—(Much cheerintenient.,,..issl:o;
I listened with par titular pleasure to the Sally erefi lr
this morning,
plan agreed utsiSut I did not hoar -"AO, Poelitd
on for carrying on the agthear.)
00#
to the meeting of Parliament.—(Hear, the liteelliv
men, you }save nothing to hope from leave
cv
Commons in its present shape—(Cheers) ,` beeleepac,
themselves and they will do nothing, an c foa
and laughter.) If anything is done it
5w1,,10
liged to you for letting them remain so.—Qittbe telit„e‘
Own exertions, and I do confess that.l,. 0.00, iso_sdo,.so
solicitous as to what course things I,ll_l ;hese clui:o
meet in Parliament, and I am anxious ode !'!tese,il
should he well mooted out of doors,e
__hat Ist_ as
competing prsrties may be influencedrhY s!tis
you know how vain it is to Pie Lead i 5 st
°Gentlemen, you know ou :Vrt acelieefo4
from them but what we can extoLthesl
there sh°l1ld
fof
But even upon the Opposition benches
that
seerd
diversity of opinion, and I am anxious
;tl!7'
,hoe li.oto
be rendered as unanimous as possible
appl,t
ositioa nesiiiii
let the °P'slierfe
the country to give the tone to tl
then
in ° t ha
know what principles should in
evl
liament, and it is for them
fittioence
°ail
ensure support out of doors.—(Gre,a„tfs° have ,
a strong opinion on this subject. sv n„ at P. Ort
a total reP feS 011
those who prefer a fixed duty t.o. , next
ion in tut' thing
ranks those who are in favour of no "3_ hn's:es°.
bold to say, that if the Opposst
ot
Parliament will take its stand up
ye
ooct'
power the 411
position cannot stand against the
,e frees ,
of entire freedom of trade—l am hold t° 401 opP
that we 01
perience of the last two years
sole
reo a
ever again rally in defence ofthe
they will have, because I cannot belies they 11.,d
pee&
fined popular principle, and that the

v

ORN ING SUN

how
, be
cheated.—(Hear.) Gentlemen, it is the e
:stiy of those in Parliament to take up some defined
I
llft well-understood principle, and tl-at I conceive to be
thea Principle of low protective dude.. Don't let us make
• stand against new protective duties, because I
see very little difference between Lord John Russell
and Sir Robert Peel—between new prohibitive duties
and the sliding scale. Even at preset..,may not Sir Robert
feel
teosnn ifo you not see how many millions of guar-
lei
." wheat have come in ? I will lower the pivots a
And my Lord J. Russellprotestsagainstprohibi-
tiittl
ve_duties ; and he gets the "Marquis of Tamboff,"
he is sometimes called, to say he sees very little din-
Tice between the Noble Lord and himself in principle—
that corn can be brought in when necessary. You are
Tr, protection, and so are we.—(Cheers and laughter.)
tern is no probability of any opposition taking such a
ell as this maintaining its ground with the pub-
.. 44ere-(Loud cheers.) l'On the other hand, if we
'44 up the principle of no protective duties, if we take
ctr.stand upon the principles of free trade, that will form
• such &cement and bond of union, that heterogeneous as
• are #lt... elements composing the Opposition benches, I
''Mures to say it would be the most powerful and
"°Mplete that ever sat in the House of Common.s
k,_Great cheering.) They would not merely have power,
but it would give force and vitality to all their efforts,
against which the enemies of free trade, powerful as they
!re, and unscrupulous as they are, never would be able
to stand two years in succession.—(Great cheering.)
this
I exhort you to look at the importance of taking
Las stand to support those who are in support of those
Principles only. I thank you for having listened to me
s° Patiently ; I thank you cordially for the instructions
Pitt have this day given me. I entreat you to go on in
Pa great work you have so gloriously begun, and hence-
forth let the midland counties have the honourable dis-
tinction of being the head and van of this great move-
kept for free trade.—(Loud and tremendous eheering.)
The Rev. Mr. BURY, in an eloquent speech, proposed
The health of Earl Fitawilliam, and those Members of
the 'louse of the House of Peers who voted for an in-
.l,llirY into the operation of the Corn and Provision-laws.
• he toast was drank with much cheering.
I BOWRING, M.P., said it was a most gratifying and
'nnourable distinction to him to be invited to meet
on the present interesting occasion—to communicate
7 them all so much of instruction, distressing
instruction, and which had put into their hands so many
now arguments, if arguments were wanting, as if they
foreb available to plead that cause in_ which alb were en-
-I,„"gell•—(Cheers.) He had been asked to. propose the
rtitst, "Free Trade with all the world, and may the in-
stri ous millions of all nations be governed by equitable
oa's., and permitted freely to exchange the products
heir labour with each other."—(Much cheering.) He
:410st-blushed, when in the presence of civilised men, such
toast as that was to be proposed, not as a result accom-
plished,but as an object to be desired. The rudest sa-
vage)i, saw with delight the man who came to take from
Mill the little objects he had acquired, and to give him
_EI return one which he did not possess. Now, was it the
going
of civilisation and Christianity, that instead of
more intimately united, they were no longer to form
part of the great family of man. They had reasoned
ltu the Legislature long and in vain—their argu-
ments heit been exhausted, and why ? because they
appealed not to their conviction, but to their interests,
ando angels and arch. angels might have come, trumpet-
• rigued into the House of Commons, and appeal to them
in
vain,—(Cheers.) They were now about to try the
emphatic eloquence of the press. His Hon. Friend knew
that When they were pleading the cause of destitution,
4184sease, and death, which they had witnessed, they were
ti4untened to with impatience—they were refed examina-
--they were called distress-mongersus —and they
here sent back to tell the people that they had
llPllealed in vain—for, in that House, there were
;41,, e to hear. It was said that the distress was
littaFgerated ; but within the last few days they had seenlttstical results of the mast alarming character. Would
he halieved that in 1840, as compared with 1839, the
amount of mortality had increased in the ratio of five
pore
cent, and in the manufacturing districts ten per
?---(Hear.) In May, 1839, the mortality was one in
14e, while in 1840 it was one in 38. Would that tell in
be /louse of Commons ?—and would the great teacher,
at,n, at last come to their' aid, they could not continue
N.,.taeir present position.— (Hear, hear.) A few
117,:s ago, there was a disposition on the
0„." °f Forotign Governments to meet them by mutual
,":eessions, and they then expressed a willingness to
-e.'Procate. He had been authorised to say to the
,t Nish Government, that if they chose to take foreign
1.11 and timber they would entertain the question of a
inution of the duties on British manufactures. The
et i:ernment had refused to entertain the proposal, be-
t] ,„81e; they said, they were sure it would be rejected by
-"2'use of Commons. At the present moment there
disposition, on the part of these Governments,
,41'ePeat that proposal. The agricultural interest
tin Weakened, while the manufacturing interest had
th e 'u strength, and he anticipated the period when
sh°llld ask for food from these countries, and meet
raj tv a refusal. Then would come the horrors of cala-
.i.; and then will be seen the results of that selfish
Istation which, desiring to grasp much, had perished,.
thilefisiled miserably. His Hon. Friend had referred
Ea r01:,-aud• tax, and lie °believed there was no country in
*rl tope Where the land was so lightly taxed. Their.
-Irs
-° the United States amounted to 120,000,000
'4)/1;1.: and of these England took one-half; and of the
—el 7' tni. America she consumed fully three-fourths. Now,
fuxrt asiillitt suppose that of the food which that country
• iv )rts ertiley would take a larger proportion of the
' sea neur from America. In 1839, only one sixth
Mon tto
u, lent this country. The Americans, at the present
Ler, ? tariff was about to undergo. a great change
-"n€ Aious to meet them in ,a spirit of peace and
eo, enee
in and he asked were Alle to enter
regard an Eng-
% aan, not as a friend and a brother, but as a foe and
val ? And it would depend upon their legislation
1,',01 her their interests were to be hostile or amicable,
hei •e was something exceedingly pernicious in that
it"lation which had made the great resources of their
mity and machinery, not a source of wealth, but of
►teak ness. Their country had been favoured with won-
ors I capabilities and developments possessed by no
achy and it was strange, that with their industry, and
.ty, and capital, their operatives were in a state of
dostit :ution and starvation. He contended that they had
It to procure what they wanted in the cheapest
marh et, and to sell what they produced in the dearest.
he 3 had a long account to settle with the landlords,
rho' aught, at all events, to bear a fair proportion of the
burdens ; and he for one would be willing to for-
It; t tteir long series of offences, and to enter upon a new
shdet 'r• Their past misdeeds would be forgiven
lie forgotten, but they must not repeat them.
h.slid not like, he should say, to see that system which
ifr
ted capital in its activity but not in its repose, which
ted it in its transit and not in its accumulation.
tit-7 whole object of our fiscal system was to protect
t,ttti a and to sacrifice labour. He did not wish to
rrass the question of the repeal of the Corn-
frWs'a with the question of an extension of the suf-
tor' --(Hear.) At the fitting time he might be ready
or, is r his testimony, and to express his conviction that
tin sed as the representation at present was, there was
c bailee of any redress until they had reformed that
110, resentation. He knew that many excellent and
iii Itellt able men were of opinion that public °pl-
at pill Was mighty enough to redress public griev-
ft are alone
but he believed there were many upon whom
ab°ne could operate. In conclusion he would exhort
LI 10 meeting
to ea_ to persevere' in that great cause which was
ai "se of nations, and the cause of the world..
EvAars M.P gave the toast of ".Sir John
f",,i.heieepees,teArf,!.. Wynn Ellis, and the Corn-law Repealers
s pees Sir „J. 1, •
-.,ASTHOPE returned thanks in an eloquent
P Aibi• , Which we regret our limits will not allow us to
at length.
CRAIRMAN then gave " Sir John Hobhouse, Sir
21,
ingi'":_ y
rpent, and the Corn-law Repealers of Not-
SirZ•
kr • LARPENT returned thanks.
0 brie
proposed the health of the Chairman,
so% e y returned thanks, and shortly afterwards the
%111 separated.

~ ~..

THE ARUNDEL BANK.
lefiti"nia, TRURSDAY.-Yesterday afternoon a numerous
aoCng of the creditors of Messrs. Hopkins and Co.'s bank
4 0 place at the Norfolk Arms Hotel, Arundel. R. Watkins,
vs 14:,,thr,e Mayor of Arundel, was called to the chair. •
~„",`-,RAialiAli stated that at the last meeting he made a
//t °tlds`,tion for' them to take 13s. 4d. in the pound, thinking it
ol) "e of advantage to all parties; but Mr. Drewett, jun.,
to it. He (the Chairman) now wished to recal that
t"
•oi ,I°°. He hoped they would allow Mr. French to go
altthe statement of the affairs without interruption, and
4—kwards the creditors could put any question they might
PrPiper.
tExcx then read a statement, showing the total
°lint of liabilities of the firm to be 40,0861. 4s. 4d., and
it
9 assets, 23,146/. 12s. 3d. ; leaving a total deficiency of
39/. 12s. Id
,1011,1'•ITi „„*lr* Hopkins' estate was stated to be 10,0791.: his
Nr,kpb lte liabilities were 4,2101. ; showing a surplus in favour of
lent estate of 5,869/.
,414 t-b.sr.• brevvett's private estate was 12,8131. 15s. ; and private
, it including rent, &c., 4601. ; leaving in favour of the
• 4r a balance of 12,3531. 15s.
11 V 1i: to two estates making a total of upwards of 18,0001.,
t,;; ISt
the deficient I 16 239/.125. ld. leaving a balance
Pwards f Yis on •
'• d ° 0001.; at the same time all Soubtful debts have
educted t
4isilla.ctlioroyL.LiE(.s said he considered the statement perfectly
Hear, hear.
seAej°te of thanks having )
g been passed to the Chairman, the
k, %LI 'ng separated, apparently well satisfied with the result.

IR. BIRKBECK'S FUNERAL,
!th ON MONDAY, DEC. 13.
Le following is the order determined on :
e4,,i:e Funeral will leave Finsbury-square for the
wei,'3.l, -green Cemetery, on Monday morning at eleven
precisely ; all persons therefore who desire to
in Puny it, whether on foot or in coaches, should be
Mourners
at half-past
.ten o'clock at the latest.
anv_ on foot are requested to arrange themselves
the side of Finsbury-square, between Sun-street
'lug-street ; they will be preceded by mutes, and
43 walk immediately before the hearse four abreast.
a 4feN%a!rivin„.• at the Cemetery they will proceed to within
sett, Yards of the Chapel, then halt, and arrange them-
' Ina double line on each side of the path through
the procession will pass.
C emuose mourners who prefer meeting the funeral at the
IcketerYt are reuested in like mner to arrange them-
. cla both sides of the path and wait its arrival.
urzierS in carriages will take their places in the
beT Ar of their arrival in Finsbury-square ; precedence
til9 ,
"!:re. ,evhegi,ven to the London Mechanics' Institution, im-
'lt'elY after the family and private friends of the
d.
pa-ti,t iz-1 necessary to remind all those who intend to take
to in this ceremony, that the strictest attention should
thopid to these arrangements, and to the request of
e to will carry them into effect ;soas to avoid a
-onr_ .
t which would be equally indecorous and painful.
Lib coin's Inn-fields, Dec. 10, 1841.

THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN.
UNDER the MANAGEMENT of MADAME VESTRIS.

THIS EVENING, DEC. 11,
Will be repeated Bellini's Opera of NORMA.—Pollio, Mr.
W. Harrison ; Flavius, Mr. Clement White , Oroveso, Mr.
Leffler ; Adalgisa, Miss Rainforth ; Clotilda, Miss Giant ;
and Norma by Miss Adelaide Kemble (her seventeenth appear-
ance upon the English Stage).
After which, a New Farce, entitled UNITED SERVICE.
Captain Whistleborough, Mr. W. Farren; Capt. Pacific), RN.,
Mr. Bartley ; Rivet, Mr. C. Mathews ; Mr. Euclid Bam, Mr.
Harley ; Mrs. Coo, Mrs. Glover ; Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Orger.
After which the Ballet Divertissement of THE WOODEN
LEG.--Principal Characters by Mr. Gilbert and Miss Bailin,
Master and Miss Marshall, Messrs. J. and T. Ridgway, Miss
Jackson, &c.
Doors to be opened at half-past Six—the performances to
commence at Seven. Dress Boxes, 7s. •, Second Price, 3s. 6d.;
First and Second Circles, ss. ; Second Price, 2s. 6d. ; Pit, 35.;
Second Price. tls. • Gallery, Is. Tickets and places for the
Boxes to be taken of Mr. Grogan at the Box-office, from Ten
till Four, where Season Tickets may be had upon application.
Private Boxes to be had solely of Mr. Andrews, bookseller,
167. New Bond-street.
On Monday, the New Comedy, entitled Court and City, with
Wooden Leg, and Free and Easy.

ROYAL SURREY THEATRE.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF MR. DAVIDGE
AND MR. WILLIS JONES.
Mr. Graham, Mr.'Phelps, and the most powerful Company,
supporting Shakspere's Tragedies.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 11.
Will be acted Shakspere's Tragedy of OTHELLo.—Othello,
Mr. Graham ; lago, Mr. Henry Hughes; Cassio, Mr. N. T.
Hicks; Desdemona, Miss Waverley ; Emilia, Mrs. H. Vining.
To conclude with the successful French Drama of rivetting
situations and intense interest, THE TWO LOCKSMITHS,
OR. POVERTY AND CRlME.—Characters by Messrs.
Hughes, Hicks, Smith, Neville, Mrs. Vining, Mrs. Daly, 8:c.

ROYAL VICTORIA THEATRE.
'JNDER THE DIRECTION OF MR. OSBALDISTON.
Immense attraction. Virginius, supported by Mr. Osbaldiston,
Mr. E. F. Saville, and Miss Vincent ; and only appearance
of Messrs. Cony and Blanchard, with their celebrated Dog.
THIS EVENING, DEC. 11.
For the BENEFIT of a CHARITABLE INSTITUTION.
Will be acted Mr. Sheridan Knowles' Teagedy of VlRGl-
NlUS.—Virginius, Mr. Osbaldiston; Idilius, Mr. E. F. Sa-
ville ; Dentatus, Mr. Dale ; Appius Claudius, Mr. Seaman ;
Virginia, Miss Vincent; Servia, Mrs. Lee.
After which, WOMAN'S LOVE 2 • or, THE WIVES OF
CLtTHEROE.—WiIford Clitheroe, Mr. E. F. Saville ; Old
Wynsley, Mr. James ; Hollyhock, Mr. Gardner ; Kate Wyn-
sley, Miss Vincent; Lady Adeline, Mrs. G. Lee.
le conclude with MY POOR DOG TRAY.—In which
Messrs Cony and Blanchard, with their Dog, will perform,
conjointly with the strength of the Company.
boxes, 2s.—Pit, ls.—usilery, 6d.— cialt-price to theßoxes
only, at Half-past Eight.

THE WEATHER.—NooN,' DtoE'misa • 10.
ROYAL GALLERY OF SCIENCE, ADELAIDE-STREET.
Thermometer... 52 1 Highest 52.1 Lowest . 3B
Barometer 29.47.—Wind S.W.—Freezing Point Z 2 Deg.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY.
U0ri1ing.....21 minutes after 0 I Evening 0 minutes after V.

LONDON:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1841.

We have given at great length, but not greater

than the importance of the subject warrants, a
report of the proceedings which took place at the
great. Conference of Manufacturers held at Derby
on Thursday. The meeting lasted for five hours,
and during that period the gentlemen deputed from
numerous towns in the Midland districts ad-
duced well attested facts, showing the ruinous
influence of the Corn-laws .on the manufac-
turers, shopkeepers, and operatives. These
facts no arguments can gainsay. The distress
has not been brought on by over-trading, or by
the introduction of improved machinery, or
by wild speculation. No. It is the irre-
sistible result of a system which has for years
been undermining the trade and commerce of the
United Kingdom, and raising up successful com-
petitors with our merchants in every market in the
four quarters of the globe. Owing to this competi-
tion, and the high price of food, all kinds of ma-
nufactures in the Midland districts have been- de-
clining for years, the spirit of even cautious spe-
culation in trade is checked, and unless some
relief be brought, and that speedily, the country
will be involved in one general ruin. Sir Ro-
o.
BERT PEEL, who, no doubt, has heard the
result of the meeting, attended a Privy
Council yesterday at Windsor, for the pur-
pose of fixing the period for the assem-
bling of Parliament, and was able therefore
to communicate to his Sovereign the cause of the
general distress, and point out the urgent neces-
sity for taking immediate steps to meet

the fearful crisis that hangs over the country.
No half measures now will do. If the Prime
Minister does not listen' to the general voice
of the manufacturing and commercial population,
he will, before Parliament haS been assembled
two months, find more formidable opponents
than RICHMOND and BUCKINGHAM, and all the
representatives of the landed interest united.
For want of space we must, in. the mean time,
only refer our readers to this great meeting,
which forms such a remarkable feature at the
present moment.

From the train of argument adopted in the
Tory Journals; their perpetual references to the
black bread in use on the Continent; from the
assertion printed in the Standard, with all
the emphasis italics can give, that "
English
misery would be comfort in most of the continen-
tal nations," our standard of living is so much
superior to theirs ; and from the inquiries which
the Premier is said to have instituted into wages
and prices on the Continent, it appears without
disguise, and in all the hideousness of unpatriotic
brutality, that the monopolists found the de-
fence of the misery they inflict on their own
countrymen and countrywomen on the perhaps
equal, or possibly greater, misery inflicted on
the comparatively recently emancipated serfs
to the eastward of the Rhine. What
amiable, what patriotic, what noble-minded men
these Tories and monopolists must be, to seek
for the rule ;of their conduct, not in the best and
.
most elevated condition of human life, but in the
lowest, most degraded, and most depraved !
If
the monopolists must have a foil for their own
guilt in the wretched condition of some other
people, we would recommend them to turn their
eyes to the nasty Hottentots, with yet quivering
entrails of hunted beasts hung round their necks ;
to the savages of New South Wales, grubbing
for a scanty meal in a worm-eaten log; or to the
mild warriors of New Zealand, feeding- on a well.
fed European; and then.assuage, if they can, the
hunger of the starving artisan, by telling him
how much better off he is than the wild men of
the southern hemisphere. Badly off as the
labourers of Germany and Belgium may be, we

very much doubt whether the comparison will
suit the monopolists, and whether, if they stop
short of the interior of Africa, they will find any
body of human beings in quite so destitute and
deplorable a condition as our ingenious and in-
telligent labourers.
At the same time this unpatriotic and hideous
principle will not suit another branch of the
Tory policy. When the bread-tax is under dis-
cussion, then our labourers are to be satisfied if
they are not quite so badly off as those who
must subsist on black bread on the Continent ;
when the New Poor-law is the question, then
no measure can be found for the indignation of
the Tories against those who would degrade the
condition of the labourer by the workhouse test.
When it has been desired, too, to enlist the pre-
judices of the people against the French or
Germans, then they were represented as
wretched frog-eaters and wearers of wooden
shoes, or as the slaves of rascally Princes who
sold them body and blood, and with all the ac-
coutrements of a soldier, at so much per head to
any Prince who would buy them.
It will not do, therefore, now for the monopo-
lists and the Tories, who still boast of their pre-
eminent attachment to the glories of Britain, to
tell the people that they must be contented, be-
cause they are not quite so badly off as JOHNNY
CRAPAUD or the boors of the Elector of HEssE.
If the Tories and monopolists, with Sir ROBERT
PEEL at their head, fancy that they will make
free-born Englishmen, living under a paragon of
constitutions, submit to a bread-tax, or any other
bad law, by the most lugubrious pictures of
wretchedness on the Continent of Europe, they
will be completely mistaken. They must be
driven to their last shifts when they dream of
having recourse to a mode of justification which
dispels all the illusions, and strikes down all the
prejudices, on which their power and the praise
of the Constitution rest.

The population returns supply some corrobo-
ration of the unfortunate condition of the three
midland counties, which was brought so promi-
nently and painfully under notice at Derby.
The test of all national welfare is the increase
in the number of the people, while their con-
dition remains undeteriorated or is improved.
The United States are very prosperous, and in
them population' doubles itself under the in-
fluence of their natural and healthy circum-
stances, in less than twenty-five years.

It is now ascertained that, during the last ten
years, the population in England has not in-
creased at the same ratio as in the previous de-
cennial periods of this century. Between 1801
and 1811 the increase was 14 per cent. ; between
1811 and 1821 it was 17 per cent. ; between 1821
and 1831 it was 16 per cent.; while, between
1831 and 1841 it was only 14.5 per cent.; or, it
has made no more progress during the last ten
years, than during a period of calamitous war.
Now we find, on looking to the population
returns, that of the three midland counties only,
Derby equals the average of the diminished
value of England and Wales. During the last
ten years Derby has increased 141 per cent.,
but Leicester has increased only 9.5 per cent.,
and Nottingham only 10.8 per cent. The average
of the three is 11.7 per cent., or 2.8 per cent.
below the average of England and Wales. But
where all have been suffering, particularly during
the last four years of the decennial period, the
suffering of these three counties, as • evidenced
by the population returns, must have been very
great.
We should suppose that such facts as were
brought forward at •the Derby meeting will en-
able Sir ROBERT PEEL to open the eyes of his
colleagues. His own eyes, we believe, do not
require to be opened. He is as strongly con-
vinced as we are—we firmly believe—of the
mischievous effects of the Corn-laws; and if he
would not be branded by posterity as the most
infamous politician that ever stood at the head
of affairs in• this country, he will throw over-
board the
,colleagues whom he cannot enlighten,
and repeal the Corn-laws.

We have received the whole of the French papers.
The trial of QUENISSET and his accomplices continued
to occupy the Chamber of Peers. These Journals con-
tain no political news of engrossing interest :
" The departtire of M. Oloza„aa " says the Gazette de
France, "is certain, but it is not for the Presidency of the
Council that he is going to Madrid. He is going thither to do
merely what M. de Salvandy is to come back to do at Paris ;
he is going to give the aid of his vote to the Government.
M. Olozaga has again demanded, in a pressing manner, the re-
moval of M. Martinez de la Rosa and M. Zea Bermudez."
BOURSE-I%mm, TUESDAY, DEC. 7.
Itst Highest Lowest Last
Prie. Price. Prick. Price.
French'. per Cents lid 35 ... 116 35 ... 116 Y 5 116 35
3 per cult'. ex div. 76 40 78 40 ... ;8 30 ... 78 30
Loan ex div
1100, Cl erance
Latlitte Bank 1.0(011. Shares 1120 ...IC3O —lO3O
5,0001 Shares 5050 ...5050 —.5050
Belgian Bank, Old. 790 ... 790 ... '790 ... 790
New 1(20 ... 10-20 ... lil2o ... 1020
Belgian 5 per Cents.
Her Cents., 1840 lO3 103 ... 103 ... 11.'3
Spanish Active 53% ... 23% 23'4 ... 2334
Passive 5% ... ... 514 ... 5%
Old Deferred -• 5% •-•
Portuguese 3 per Cents 28% ... 28% ... 28%
Neapolitan
Bomar, ex. div

* ftb
4
4,4
, 1/4Jr
T m tlll. 6" %

,;)ttit..