The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-02 00:00:00

ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETING,

TRIUMPH OF THE LEAGUE.

HEREFORD, THURSDAY, JAN. 1, 1846.—A publ
meeting was held at twelve o'clock yesterday, in the el
Town-hali, in the city of Hereford, convened by ills
Worship the Mayor (NV. James, Esq.), in compliance
with a requisition which had been presented to hi!,
numerously and respectably signed by citizens and resi-
dents in the vicinity. The chair was taken by hi!
Worship, and Mr. Falvey attended as a deputation from
the League. There was a large attendance of respectable
inhabitants and agriculturist's of every shade of politics.
Ilis WORSHIP briefly stated the objects for which the
meeting had been convened—viz., respectfully to pray
her Majesty to call to her councils only those men who
would pledge themselves to an unconditional and total
repeal of the corn-laws.
Letters were read from the city Members, Sir R .bert
Price and Mr. Pulsford, expressing their regret at their
inability to attend. Mr. Pulsford declared himself an
advocate for the total abolition of all restrictive duties.
A letter was also read from Robert Biddulph, Esq., who
formerly represented this city.
Sir S. R. 111Eyaseis, C.H., of Gooderich Court, rose
amid loud cheering to propose the fir- t resolution. He
said it may not be uninteresting if I give you a brief ac•
count of the origin and history of the corn-laws. I am
old enough to remember when Napoleon determined to
injure the commerce and prosperity of this country,
when he had the whole of Europe, except this little
island, under his command—he determined to put
all the ports of the Continent in such a position
that no food could be exported. He proceeded
to establish custom-houses at the various parts of the
Continent, the business of which was not to allow any
produce to come to England from any of those countries
under his command. This was followed by the enact-
ment of what were known as the Milan and Berlin decrees!
and this country was reduced to its own soil to supply
the provisions of life. The army and navy took o
very large portion, and it was found that the supply
was insufficient to meet the demand. It was at
this time that the quartern 'loaf sold in London at 2s. 6d.,
The public submitted with patience, because they knew
well it was a case of necessity. The Government could
not afford them any help. They expected that when
peace came they should have its concomitant, plenty.--
(Cheers.) Well, peace did come, and what was the
measure then passed ? Why Mr. Robinson, better
known at that time as " Prosperity Robinson," after-
wards Lord Goderich, and now the Earl of Ripon, came
to the House and said to the landed proprietors—for the
qualification of land alone gives permission to sit in either
House of Parliament he said then to the proprietors of
land, what will be the result, if plenty now takes place,
if there be not some provision made to secure those ad-
vantages which the people know we possess? But, be-
fore I go further, let me tell you the effect of the Milan
and Berlin decrees in this country. In the first place,
the farmers found the benefit—they gof cent. per cent.
fur their money. But the landed proprietors, seeing the
state of affairs, thought they bad a right to get as
much for their land as they possibly could, and therefore
determined that when they had opportunities of granting
fresh leases they would have larger sums—and renewed
or other leases were subsequently granted only at an
enormous rate. The farmers had believed their state of
prosperity would continue for ever, and therefere soon
found the ill effects of the change. But the landed pro-
prietors, not being warned by such an example, quickly
mortgaged their land, and entered into various arrange'
ments, as if the rentals they were then receiving would
always continue. Need I say, then, that they were
justly alarmed when peace came • and at the earnest
threats of Prosperity Robinson they determined to put
upon the people a most grievous tax—in plain English,
they determined to put their hands into the people 'S
pockets.—(Hear, and cheers.) The landed proprietors,
assisted by the clergy, who ought to have been employed
in !coking over that Book, the doctrines of which it is
their duty to practise as well as to preach, deter-
mined that twenty millions should be sponged
upon. When I say the clergy, I do not
mean to condemn all, for there were some who saw the
iniquity of the measure—amongst others, a worthy
rector in this county. The measure was thus adopted
by the Legislature, but it has not been found to answer
though it has continued with various alterations ever
since. And now, g, ntlemen, we are told, when the rues'
sure does not succeed, when there is a probability that
the law will be speedily abolished, that the landed pro'
prietors ought to have—what ? Why, an indemnity I
—(Laughter and cheers.) I should like to know for
what reason they claim an indemnity.—(Cries of
" Hear, hear.") If, gentlemen, any of you were to take
a rick-pocket with his hands in your pocket, what would
be your astonishment should you hear him say, " I will
not pick your pocket if you will give me so much money.
—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) But, there is, gentlemen,
you must be aware, a little difference—the pickpocket
robs you contrary to law, the other man takes from you
according to law.—(llear, hear.) It has been said that
this case assimilates itself to that of the West India
planter. Now, I cannot, myself see the slightest
resemblance. Those men had a property, not
derived from the people of this country i
and if, therefore, the people of this country
call upon them to give up that property,
they have a just right to ask for a remuneration.--
(Hear, hear.) The people, I riainta'n, have for thirtf,
years been trampled on by the landed proprietors, and
have during that time suffered to the fullest extent. 1$
is the bounden duty of Government immediately to give
them that which has been so long withheld from them...."
(Hear, hear.) And now let me ~ay one word on account
of the League. I have often heard it remarked that
leagues of any kind are dangerous institutions.,
In the first instance, the Legislature formed itself
into a league, and then, upon the principle of self-de'
fence, the people had a just right to establish a League'
—(Hear, hear.) The Learned Knight, in conclusion,
proposed the first resolution, praying for an immediate
and unconditional repeal of the corn-laws.
Mr. JOHN BENDOW seconded the resolution in a short
but appropriate speech.
Mr. JOHN Tomei/es, of the Weir, in this county,
farmer, rose to move an amendment to the resolution,
and addressed the meeting amidst considerable inter"
ruption. He preferred a fixed duty to the sliding-scale.
He hated the sliding-scale, and was an advocate for free
trade, but for free trade in everything—(Hear, hear)-"
in every commodity and necessary of life. Why did
they invade his particular rights ?—(Uproar.) The
agriculturists filled their shops, and purchased their
goods. Who, then, were the tradesmen of Hereford
depending on?—who have you to look to if agriculture
does not prosper? He quite agreed with the principles
of the League, so far as free trade went. But
he wanted free trade in everything, and not in
corn alone: The League had done much to convince the
public that the principles of free trade were the principles
of sound and common sense.—(Hear, hear.) What was
the object of their assembling to ask her Majesty to call
to her council those men only whQ will remove the re-
strictive imports on the freedom of commerce? But did
they not forget that the men have been already called/
and what was the consequence ? Why, Lord John,
whose great ability he readily admitted, had sent forth
his manifesto from Edinburgh a little bit too soon. He,
did accept office, and, after some days' deliberation, he
found his position a very difficult one ; he knew that
the measures he must propound would never be carried
through the House of Commons.--(" Yes, yes.") Lord
John knew perfectly well that the sense of the
country was against him.—(" No, no," and confusion.)
When free trade in corn arrived they also expected
free trade in sugar and other necessaries. If there were
to be free trade in corn, unaccompanied by the abolition
of other import duties, three-fourths ef the land would
be thrown out of cultivation.—(" No, no," and tremen-
dous uproar.) The farmer would not then be able to
carry on.-(" Down with the rent, then.") What was
to become of the large population of agricultural la-
bourers ?—(" They are starving now upon six shillings
a week.")—He believed that the farm-labourers were
never better off than at the present time.—(Hisses.)
The speaker continued, amidst indescribable uproar, to
assert his right to an impartial hearing; in which he
was joined by Mr. Falvey and other gentlemen, who for ,
some time in vain endeavoured to assauge the tumult.
Amidst great confusion he proceeded to attack the pro'
ceedings of the Lt ague and of Mr. Cobden, and to argue
that the corn-laws had conduced to the prosperity of the
country in general and of the manufacturers in particular.
He concluded by proposing an amendment to the effect,
that a total and unconditional repeal of the corn-laws,
without an impartial and complete revision of the finals'
cial affairs of the coutstry, would prove injurious to the
landlord, the tenant, and the tradesman. (The amend-
went was received by three cheers from a small portion
of the meeting, which was answered by a call fur three
groans.)
The amendment was seconded by Mr. G. TERRY.
Mr RICHARD DAVIS, corn-merchant, rose and said,
I am not going to enter upon the question as to whether
the city of Hereford is dependent on agriculture. 1
look at the question as involving the interests of evert
individual in the kingdom ; and if the abolition of this
law inflicts injury upon the agriculturists, it will like-
wise injure the manufacturing and commercial classes,
for the prosperity of the one is inseparably linked with
the other I admit the principle of free trade in its most
comprehensive bearing, but I contend that it cannot be
effectually brought into operation, because we are in sn
artificial state of society. The speaker then proceeded
to contend, that with our national debt and our monetary
system, the maintenance of the principle of protection
was absolutely necessary to ensure our national safety.
Mr. FALVEY, a deputation from the League, rose amid
enthusiastic cheering, and in a long and eloquent speech,
for which we regret that we cannot find room, addressed
the meeting in support of the original resolution.
The original resolution ,proposed by Sir S. R. Meyrick,
was carried by a very large majority. A second reso-
lution, praying for free trade in every branch of cote'
coerce, was moved by Mr. Richard Nash, seconded by
Mr. R. George, and carried. Three cheers were given
for Mr. Falvey, Sir Samuel Meyrick, Mr. Tonskins (at
the request of Mr. Falvey), and a vote of thanks carried
to the Mayor; after which the meeting separated, the
advocates of free trade in high glee.

THE FIVE-FRANC PIECES IN JERSEY.—OHF 10011
Legislature have again laid themselves open to stricture 131
the resolution they adopted on Saturday last. Some fele
years since they passed a law making English money the
only legal coin here. Now, in the very face of it, they brae
come to a resolution to receive French coin, by authorising
their receivers to take five-franc pieces at a certain standard
The price adopted by them has been 4s. 3d. old Jersey cur'
reney. In paying amounts of British sterling, a difficult,'
will arise, for there exists a fractional difference between
4s. 3d. Jersey and 3s. 11d. British, which, in heavy pal"
mente, will be iconosideration. The tradesmen of the to of
are paying andeiving them at 4s. British, or one-fifth
an English sovereign, as heretofore.—Jers6ylAdvertiser.
GREENWICH POOR-130X.—The magistrates at the
Police-court have received 10/. from the Goldsmiths' COII
parry, and 5/. from one of the county magistrates of Om'
district, being an annual donation to this fund.