The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-26 00:00:00

TILE SUN LONDON, THURSDAY FVENING, FEBRUARY 26, 1845.

THE LACE TRADE WITH SPAIN. '
A meeting of considerable importance to the trade of
Nottingham, convened by a circular signed by Mr. T.
Herbert, mayor, was held this morning at the Ex-
change Hall, and was attended by about forty of the
principal merchants and lace manufacturers in the neigh-
bourhood.
The MAYOR having taken the chair, proceeded to read
the following letter, explanatory of the purpose for
which the meeting had been assembled:—
" TO THOMAS MAYOR.HERI;RTib,rtSItg.ar,,Jan. 11
,
1346.
" Sir,—We take the liberty of addressing you by this
poet, to call your attention to the article we have just
sent through the medium of our friends, Messrs. Duclos
and Carron, for publication in one of the Nottingham
papers, the object of which is of the greatest interest
to every one concerned in the Nottingham lace trade,
as it shows that by the prompt exertions of the
heads of the trade there is yet a great probability of
securing the admission of cotton lace into Spain, where,
through the blindness of its Government, that article
has always been prohibited, although not an inch of any
description, whether plain or figured, ever was manu-
factured in the whole kingdom.
" In calling your particular notice to a subject of such
deep importance to the prosperity of that branch of the
trade, we beg to solicit your co-operation and support to
the measure we propose, of calling a general meeting to
address a memorial to the Spanish Government, and
petition the British Ambassador at that Court to sup-
port your cause. If you should decide on adopting this
step, our Mr. Ponder (who is already personally known
to his Excellency, and has had several interviews with
members of the Board of Trade, and has very lately sent
• variety of samples of the article for their inspection)
offers his service as the representative of the trade, or
will join any deputation you may send to Madrid to
carry out this object. Waiting with anxiety the result
of your decision, we remain, Sir, your humble servants,
" J. PONDER and CO."
Mr. Wm. Felkin stated that he had also received a
similar letter from the same firm, and expressed a strong
opinion as to the desirableness of promoting the trade
with Spain, especially as the British Government was
giving indications of a wish to increase the intercourse
with foreign nations. He suggested that a memorial be
sent to the Board of Trade, to request them to instruct
the Ambassador at Madrid to use his influence, now that
the Cortes were revising their tariff; and he (Mr. Filkin)
doubted not such a course would have a most beneficial
effect.
Mr. THOMAS WAKEFIELD said that the greatest diffi-
culty in satisfactorily arranging this question would be
found in the smugglers • for the contrabandists would
most certainly do their best to prevent any disturbance
of their " vested interests." The smuggling system was
carried on to such an enormous extent, especially on the
northern frontier, that it would be well to memoralise the
Board of Trade to request, through the Spanish ambas-
sador, the government of Spain to use their utmost exer-
tions to put down the nuisance.
Mr. W. CHEETHAM fully concurred with Mr. Wake-
field's last remark, and considered that the Government
of Spain would do a most politic act in getting rid of the
smugglers, by which they would not merely serve the
trade, but would also destroy a class of men that ought
never to have been permitted to exist. The Spanish
Government, he thought, ought to be much obliged to
England for the opportunity she had now furnished
them of making this salutary clearance; and in grati-
tude ought to show themselves ready to permit a legal
trade. At any rate, if they omitted this opportunity, it
might be long before such another would offer itself.
Mr. STEEGMAN said that it had been stated that there
were no machines in Spain ; that was not correct, for
there were eighteen engaged in the silk trade at Barce-
lona, where they were used as a sort of cover under
which to smuggle cotton goods. He was sorry to state
such a discouraging fact as that there were machines in
Spain, but he did not believe the small quantity of goods
eighteen of them could make would at all affect the Not-
tingham trade.
Mr. W.s.xEerzu) then moved the following resolu-

tion:—
" That it is desirable that a memorial should be pre-
sented to the Board of Trade, representing the im-
portance to the manufacturers of Nottingham and its vi-
cinity, that there should be obtained the admission of
cotton goods into Spain ; and that the Board of Trade be
requested to impress upon the Noreign.office the de-
sirableness of this object. That a memorial be sent to
the Foreign-office, praying for the accomplishment of
this object ; and that a deputation be appointed to com-
municate with the Board of Trade and Foreign-office,
and to take such steps as they may deem expedietn to
promote the object in view. That Mr. Felkin, Mr. Da-
clos, and Mr. Reymann be appointed the deputation."
Mr. W. CHEETHAM seconded the resolution, which
was curled unanimously.
Mr. FELYIN moved and Mr. CHEETHAM seconded a
motion, that a memorial to the Board of Trade, founded
on the foregoing resolution, and signed by the Mayor,
in behalf of the meeting, should be adopted, a motion
which was agreed to unanimously.
Thanks were then voted to the Mayor, and the meet-
ing terminated.