The Sun.
London, England, 1846-01-13 00:00:00

GREAT FREE TRADE MEETING
AT SUNDERLAND.

SUNDERLAND, SATURDAY, JAN. 10.—Last night
a large and influential meeting of the inhabitants of this
town was held in the Polytechnic Hall of the Athenaeum,
" to take into consideration the propriety of petitioning
Parliament to open the ports throughout the United
Kingdom fur the admission (free from duty) of all arti-
cles of food, and the abolition of every duty at present
imposed thereon." The meeting was convened by the
3layor, pursuant to a requisition very numerously and
respectably signed, and it was an important demonstra-
tion of the sentiments of Sunderland on the all-absorbing
uestion of the corn-laws. Amongst the gentlemen pre-
sent we observed Colonel Beckwith, Alderman 1)r.
Brown, Alderman Andrew White, Thomas Mounsey,
Esq., A. J. Moore, Esq., John Mounsey, Esq., Alder-
men Cropton and Bowmaker, Ifessrs. Thomas Robson,
Mordey, John Hills, Vii. Reed, Thomas Thompson, and
several other leading merchants, shipowners, &c.. of the
town. It is a fact worthy of notice, that Dr. Brown,
Mr. White, late M.P. for the borough, and other gentle-
men who took a part in the proceedings at this meet-
ing, did not vote for Colonel Thompson at the late elec-
tion. The Mayor (Mr. Robert Brown) is one of the
largest shipowners in the port, and fills the office of
S .cretary and Solicitor to the Shipowners' Society. He
is a gentleman of considerable talent, and made his maiden
speech this evening in support of free trade.
On the motion of Mr. THOMAS ROBSON, the Mayor
was called to the chair.
The MAYOR observed, that whatever difference of opi-
ni pn might by possibility prevail among them as to the
lestion of the repeal of the cornslaws, there could be
(1 •
only one opinion as to the propriety of that meeting
being held. Whether they considered the great politi-
cal importance of the question, for it had already broken
up one Ministry and prevented the formation of another,
had occasioned the early summoning the House of Com-
mons, and would doubtless usher in a stormy February
—or whether they considered its local importance, or
the experience which the merchants and shipowners of
Sunderland had possessed in the application of the prin-
ciples of free trade, shipping having been selected as the
first interest on which the experiment should be tried, it
was quite clear that the inhabitants of Sunderland ought
to be foremost in giving expression to their sentiments,
and, by some distinct and deliberative act, to proclaim to
the nation their views as to the corn laws, whether the
existing duty on corn is a public benefit, or, as he was
disposed to think, a great national curse.—(Loud ap-
plause.) Considering the number of gentlemerprepared
to address the meeting, he would not detain them by any
lengthened observations; but it would be inconsistent in
him were he to sit down without expressing his convic-
tion that the principles of free trade are well ealculated
to promote the shipping and local interests of this port,
and also the national weal.—(Applause.) His Worship
then urged that it is contrary to the fundamental
principles of British law to tax one class of the com-
munity for the benefit of another, and that there is
nothing in the case of the corn-laws to. make it an ex.
ception to the principles which he had stated. The ar-
guments now used to prove that the corn-laws were not
maintained for the advantage of a particular class; but
for the advantage of the nation at large, were precisely
those used by the shipowners whilst the Reciprocity
Act was under the consideration of the Legislature. The
petitions urging this view of the question sent by the
shipowners were unheeded by the landed aristocracy,
who, before the Reform Bill, ruled in the House of Com-
mons; and the consequence of their petitions being
treated so unceremoniously was, that the shipowners of
Sunderland were almost to a man unflinching and un-
compromising Reformers.—(Applause.) It had been
said. by a great philosopher and statesman, Franklin,
that when you have got a good principle, you must go
through with it ; and if it seemed to a casual observer
that the principles of free trade had not worked well for
the shipping interest, he would say they had not carried
the principle far enough—let it be carried throughout,
and British shipowners would be able to navigate their
vessels regardless of any foreign competition into which
they might be called upon to enter.—(Applause.) Only
let British shipping be freed from the thraldom of " pro-
tection," and there WAS no doubt its flag would speedily
wave triumphantly on every sea, and its superiority be
tar:knots lodged by every nation—affording an exemplifi-
cation of the well-known aphorism, "Britannia rules the
w .ves."—(llenewed applause.)
J. Baosvx, Esq.. M.U., alderman and borough magis-
trate, on coining forward to move the first resolution,
was receivel with applause and faint expressions of dis-
- :yrobation. The resolution stated that protection is
aed would prove ultimately injerious to all
~504 of the community ; he felt convinced these words
re true, and that it was not less injurious to the class

, itch considered itself benefited by it than to other parts
the n i ty. —( A pplause. ) It was his firm con-
v •tion that every branch of industry owes its best and
et ly protection to itself—to the skill, science, and energy
et' those who are engaged, and that all protection
elf rded by the state, so far from being a benefit, is a
positive injury to the classes who enjoy it. He had come
to this conclusion from observing that every protected
branch of industry languishes, and particularly agricul-
ture, for the advantage of which the corn-laws were de-
siened.—(Applause.) The Doctor remarked at some
length on this point, and then observed that both agri-
culturist and manufacturer must prepare themselves fur
c tmpetition with the world. It was easy to discern from
the spirit which hid gone abroad, from the changes of
administration which had recently taken place, that
there is a popular voice gone forth in favour of free trade
that will and must triumph.--(Applause.) Let only
E igland put forth her energy, unfettered by prohibitory
duties, and ha had no doubt of its ultimate and complete
success against all foreign rivals, and instead of the vicis-
situdes of prosperity and distress which they had pre-
viously witnessed, employment and food will be found
for every Briten breathing.—(Lotri applause.) The re-
solution was as fellows :—" That all protecting duties
are unjust and impolitic, and ultimately injurious to all
classes of the community."
Mr. Councillor A. J. Moore, on coming forward to
second the resolution, was received with the most enthu-
siastic cheering. He understood the monopolists in the
borough were not prepared to come to meet them that
evening; they had had the matter gravely discussed,
and had come to the conclusion, that as they did not
know the opinions of Sir Robert Peel, to whose faith
they have pinned their sleeves, they had better not com-
mit themselves and run the risk of running counter to
him; they thought it .best not to show fight, because if
they had done so, he was quite sure they would nave
been defeate,l.—(Appleuse.) The monopolists have
acted in this manner everywhere; they have had their
hole and corner meetings, the proceedings at which have
been published at great length by the monopolists, but
they had not dared to call a public county meeting, even
in the most agricultural counties, lest their retainers
should vote against them and condemn their proceedings.
—Olean) He was happy to say the men of Manchester
and Lencaehire had come forward to purchase Tialifica-
Lions for North Durham, and he assured Lord London-
derry that whenever a dissolution shall take place
the free-traders will be provided with two good free-
trad rs to contest the northern division. The indepen-
dent freeholders of North Durham would never allow
the Noble Lord to dictate to there who should repre-
sent the county. And what right had L trd
L andonderry,, a peer of the realm, to interfere in
elections ? He hoped some lion. Member would move
far a committee of inquiry into the conduct of his Lord-
ship in thus violating the privileges. of the House of
Commons.—(Lund applause.) Lord Londonderry had
also claimed one seat for Durham, as belonging to the
Wynyar,l family ; he trusted the electors of that city
would vindicate their own honour and credit, and refuse
to elect one of the Marquis's nominees. Mr. Moore
then adverted to the state of the representation of Sun-
derland. It WAS doubtful how Mr. Hudson would vote,
for he had premised to support Sir Robert Peel, and it
ill now expected that Sir Hobert will repeal the corA-
ees.—(Leughter.) It was their duty, however, to be
pr.-pared with two good free-trade candidates, and on
n",icher occasion, the scalp fever having subsided, they
ereell no doubt be successful. Mr. Hudson was already
eensiderable discount even in this town, for unfor-
et-ately scrip has fallen very low.—(Laughter.) Mr.
V mire then made some humorous and satirical remarks
•e, the manner in which the scrip-hunters had been
!,*i ten with the Eastern- Counties and Cambridge and
Li attoln sharer. He intreated the free-traders on another
e,sien to be united ; let them forget the past, and
;1 .•ermine to elect two gentlemen who will fully de-
clare the views of the inhabitants of Sunderland in the
n- at Varliareent.—(Shouts of "Colonel Thompson:, and
applause.)
This resolution, and those which succeeded it, were
all carried unanimeusly.
Mr JOSHUA WILSO(, of the firm Wilson and Bro-
thers, meecbants, moved the second resolution, which
was as follows : —" That from diligent inquiries which
h'l•"'e been male throughout the country, it appears to be
universally admitted that there is a failure in the pre •
'l4-nt year's erep of potatoes, which constitute a very
large proportion of the food of the poorer classes, and
'that sesur petitioners have also reason to believe that the
corn harvest throughout the United Kingdom has been
unfavourable both as to quantity and quality." lie ob-
served that pprpootto,cotoion to native industry had been the
cry of their "o but freedom to native industry
was the watchword of' the free-traders.—(Applause.)
Native industry Wasp'norastedmiuch promoted by the manu-
facture of iron ei
whilst
tni exchange for corn as in
the growth of cove)
best land is occupied, awnhdottheis known that all the
re are thousands of
our fellow-coentrymenhaveo notk a sufficiency
of food. In the course a his
re remarks he adverted to
the competition so much talked of
proeriussian ships,
vtryeethl e whole
observing that after twenty years of reei
less than
of the commercial marine of that country
the registered tonnage of the port of Sunderland.
Rested that the protection societies should be destsnuegd.
for the protection of native idleness instead of nativeg
industry, and showed that where good farming is
carried on, the farmers produced such greatly increased
crops that they were not in the least afraid of an %bon_
lion of the corn-laws. Mr. Wilson then proved that
the condition of the agricultural labourers under the
Protective system is anything but enviable; one of them
at the Goatacro meeting sail— ' I'm forty years old;
I never had above llb. of goo" beef from the butcher's;
I have bought a little mu ton, but I have not had a
pound yet." These men had the corn•laws for their
protectione-4Applate,e.) In Worcester one of the
protectionists was foolish enough to threaten the pea-
sentry that, if they did not put their shoulders to the
wheel we shou'ldnighhavteheenern down from 7s. to 4s. per
bushel. They
good news to be true." (Lea answered, " That is too
ghter.) After a variety of
other observations, Mr. Wils7 !aid he was glad to find
r. Berelay had declared said he
to support the
a olition of the c.wn-laws re out as fully
a.,sinst the. sugar duties, perhaps th: nxdterland free-
tr :tiers might support him at the nett
• ..•.pplattse.) Few people were aware of the election
ectios
tuns
n.—
f. .by paid to the monopolists in sugar dutiefts:Fro
Li .o,,,zar which entered the port of London elonme
ytur? the Welt itiiani)lanterspociceted,indiff:rence,

,~ ..

of duty, 1,400,0001.; and it should be remembered that
went, aansdp idd.
forfor tphreo
tpurpose
to
tpoo u
the
d oGf
os
vuegranrml
revenue e n everyue
support the planters or their mortgagee., for protection
and mortgages were very near neighbours.—(Ap-
plause.) It was reported that Sir Robert Peel intended
to make a change in the corn-laws ; probably he would
propose a compromise, for he was very fond of com-
promises. It was said that he and his lady once differed
as to a joint which they should have for dinner; Sir Ro-
bert wanted a leg of mutton, and his lady a shoulder,
so by way of coin promise they got a loin, which was be-
tween the two.—(Roars of laughter.)
Mr. Councillor MORDEY seconded the resolution. He
adverted to the deficiency in the wheat crop, and the
disease in the potato crop which exist in this neighbour-
hood and the country at large, and then proceeded at
serne length by argument and example to show that no
danger was to be apprehended by the agriculturists
from a repeal of the corn-law, closing his speech by a
comparison of the state of the population of the two
counties of Durham and Buckingham, with both of which
he was familiar—the former county appearing to great
advantage in the comparison.
Mr. DicatsreoN, a working man (better known as the
Manchester Packer, and at one time a great advocate
for Chartism), rose, on the motion being put from the
chair, and supported it in an animated speech.
A. WRITE, Esq., moved the third resolution :—"That
the inhabitants of this borough have just emerged from
an unexampled period of distress, as can be shown by
the returns of paupers made to the poor-law Commis-
sioners, and your petitioners, dreading the misery and
wretchedness which must ensue from a scarcity of food,
not only to the borough, but also to every part of the
kingdom, consider that the admission of fbreign corn is
indispensably necessary to avert the impending distress."
He remarked that it afforded him very great pleasure to
have an opportunity of bearing his testimony in favour
of the total and immediate repeal of those iniquitous
laws which prohibit the food of the people being brought
into this country free from taxation, as it ought to be ;
sod he considered that in consequence of the partial
failure of the corn harvest and the great injury the
potato crops have suffered throughout both Great Britain
and Ireland, the question is at present of the most press-
ing and urgent necessity ; and be trusted Sir R. Peel
would feel it to be his duty to listen to the petitions of
the people from the large towns, and to propose to Par
Element the total and immediate repeal of the corn-laws.
—(Loud applause.) The first part of the resolution
referred to an unexampled period of distress. As they
were well aware, he had been engaged in extensive
commercial transactions for a period of thirty years,
and he could truly say that during the whole of that
period he had no recollection of such severe
distress among the great body of the working
class—and indeed among the tradesmen of the borough,
as during 1842, 1843, and partially in 1844; and al-
though it had pleased Divine Providence to give them a
season of prosperity, yet wheat being advanced 25 per
cent. and potatoes now selling at ls. per firkin, the
price of provisions was a very serious drawback on the
wages of operatives ; and there was too much reason to
fear that unless the ports were opened speedily for the
importation of grain and other food, we shall have a con-
siderable further advance in the price of provisions.—
(Hear, hear.) If this took place, it would have a serious
effeet on the country, by reducing the demand for ma-
nufactured goods. The worthy Gentleman then read
the returns of paupers in the Sunderland Union (which
includes a population of about 70,000) during the last
four years. In 1842 the average weekly number of out-
door paupers was 4,898, in-door 330. In 1843, there
were 6,162 out-door, and 343 in-door. In 1844, 5,289
out-door, and 337 in-door; and in 1845, up to the 25th
of December, 4,433 out-door, and 255 in-door. If they
contrasted 1843 with 1845, they would find a decrease
in the workhouse of 88, and of out-door paupers 1,729.
—(Applause.) This excess consisted of well- disposed,
honest, and industrious operatives, who were obliged to
throw themselves upon their parishes for relief during
that season of pressure. He feared that unless the ports
were speedily opened a very deplorable effect would fall
upon the commerce of this port, and the general trade
of the coantry.—(Applause.)
Mr. T. Tnomesosr seconded the motion, enforcing the
truth contained in the resolution by facts and statistics.
which produced a powerful effect on the meeting These
showed that within a very short period about 4,000/. was
subscribed for the use of the operatives out of work ;
13,800 persons were relieved from this charity alone,
exclusive of those receiving partial relief, presenting an
amount of distress which if properly divided would show
that every fifth man in the population was a pauper.—
(Shouts of " Hear, hear.") This fearful state of things
had resulted from deficient harvests aggravated by the
corn-laws. A 1 irge demand for ships in the corn trade
at first increased the rate of freights. this stimulated
excessively shipbuilding, and then, when the commerce
of the country was prostrated, our ships became little
better than rotten hulks—our tradesmen and ship-
builders became bankrupts, or insolvents, and the labour-
ing population paupers. He applauded his fellow-towns-
men for the charity which they then displayed, but he
insisted that the men of England want not charity, but
justice.—( Applause.) He called upon them to strain every
nerve for the accomplishment of their object, and in
stirring terms expressed his belief that if the free-traders
of Sunderland had done their duty at the last election,
and returned Colonel Thompson, the father of free trade,
Sir Robert Peel would then have brought on the crisis
which has now come.—(Great applause.) Some were
blinded at the late election by the railway mania to vote
against their convictions ; others refrained from voting
—he was sorry for some of these, because they had lost
a moral power in the town which it was impossible for
them to regain.—(Shouts of " No," and " Yes.") HQ
concluded by urging the audience to abhor expediency,
and to take their stand upon principle.
Alderman CROPTON moved the next resolution :
" That a petition be presented to Parliament praying
that the ports may be opened throughout the United
Kingdom for the admission (free from duty) of all arti-
cles of food, and that every protecting duty thereon may
be immediately abolished, and that the following be such
petition:—
" To the Right Hon. the Commons of the United King-
dom, of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament as-
sembled. The petition of the inhabitants of Sunder-
land
4,` Showeth,—That your petitioners consider that all
protecting duties are unjust and impolitic, and ultimately
injurious to all classes of the community.
" That, from diligent inquiries which have been made
throughont the country, it appears to be universally
admitted that there is a failure in the present year's
crop of potatoes, which constitute a very large propor-
tion of the food of the pourer classes, and that your
petitioners have also reason to believe that the corn
harvest throughout the United Kingdom has been un-
favourable both as to quantity and quality.
" That the inhabitants of this borough have just
emerged from an unexampled period of distress, as can
be shown by the returns of paupers made to the Poor-
law Commissioners, and your petitioners, dreading the
misery and wretchedness which must ensue from a
scarcity of food, not only to the borough, but also to
every part of the kingdom, consider that the admission
of foreign corn is indispensably necessary to avert the
impending' distress.
" Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that the
ports may be opened throughout the United Kingdom
for the admissioe (free from duty) of articles of food,
and that every protecting duty thereon may be imma
diately abolished.

" And your petitioners will ever pray, Ste."
He observed that, as a shipowner he had been a free-
trader ever since Mr. Huskisson passed the Reciprocity
Act ; he believed he stood alone for many years ; but
amidst all the outcry which was raised against that mea-
sure, he never signed a petition for its repeal.—(Loud
applause.) He was confident it only required the full
and united voice of the people to assist such men as
Nlessrs. Cobden and Bright in or ler to secure the repeal
of all protective laws, and to induce those Dukes and
Afarquises who now fancied the people fared sumptu-
ously on potatoes and curry powder, to give way, that
the people might have a good and cheap loaf of bread.—
(Applause) He spoke to several of his friends among
the shipowners being now in favour of free trade in all
articles of food, and hoped the time was not far distant
when this blessing to the country would be secured.
Mr. G. HARDCASTLE, in seconding the motion, ob-
served that at that late period of the evening he would
not detain them long, and after the speeches which had
been delivered, it was unnecessary for him to do so.
The circumstance in which he was placed reminded him
of an anecdote of a gentleman who, riding along to New-
castle, met a (peer looking pitman, to whom he good.
naturedly said. " It's a fine day, my friend." The pit-
man turned up his face and said, " Whae said it wasn't"?
--(Laughter) So if he told them that the corn laws
were wicked, unjust, and oppressive, some person might
reply, " Who says they are not ?" They all appeared
to be in one mind on the subject. Mr. Hardcastle, how-
ever, branched into the question of free trade as it bears
on the shipping interest, the farmer, and the public. He
stated that on the Duke of Cleveland's estate in the
county of Durham, for every tenant who had gained a
competency, he could point to tweniy who had been re-
duced from tenants to labourers, and some of them hur-
ried into the parish workhouse.
Colonel BECKWITH, of Silksworth, moved the follow-
ing reso:ution:—" That David Barclay, Esq., M.P., be
r, quested to present and support a petition founded
on the above resolutions, and that George Hudson,
Esq., M.P., be also requested to support such peti-
tion." He looked at the corn laws in two

points of view—es they affect the foreign relations
of the empire, and its domestic policy and industry,
In regard to the former, he had no hesitation in

saying-, that if we had a Government having solely in view
the general welfare of the empire, instead of (as all
Governments since Lord Chatham's seem to have in

I view) the propping up of an oligarchy, its object would
be to render this country the commercial capital of the
world ; and suppasing this to be the case, everything
, must be arrived at by affording every facility to all the
countries of the world sending their staple produce ha
1 as free as possible from interruption.—(Loud apolaus7!")
A violation of this rule has at the present time occa-
sioned most serious results. They were all aware of
our relations with the United States of America. Some
two or three years a•-co a treaty was signed with that
power which has been justly designated a capitulation ;
it surrendered many of our interests, and in conse-
qu.nce of that treaty a tone of dictation and system of
aggression have been had recourse to by the United
0,
States, which no man, however
peac..ably disposed he
may be, can permit to pas.. The question of peace and
war indeed is no longer in our hands. MI we can do
is to maintain our possessions ; Ae cannot retreat one
font ; upon the United States will be the responsibity,
and upon their heads mustie be
>,n the
some year,ueneeL
Now, had the corn-laws b
ago, America would never have thought of going to
war with England ; and we should now strike out
of her hand the beat weapons sho can, wield by
abolishing the corn-laws.—( Applause.) The Galltan:
Colcnel "then turned to the cl.pw..stic policy of the
- lif i e hation, he
country: On looking at the Cage (.)

' found the whole of the manufacturing and a large por-
tion of the commercial classes cpposed to the corn-laws;
a majority of the agriculturists are in favour of protec-
tion, but the more enlightened of them are as much op-
posed to it as any other portion of the community.—
( A pplause. ) There was another and more numerous
class—those who are not able exactly to make up their
minds on the question, and who are confused by looking
at the magnitude of the interests involved. To such he
would simplify the matter by supposing that the Mayor
and corporation had the power and wi 1 to levy protective
duties or to prohibit goods being brought from Monk-
wearmouth or Shields. Did any man think that would
conduce to the prosperity of the borough ? No : by
abolishing competition, it would destroy enterprise; and
although the maker of any article might gain an in-
creased price for it, he would hare to pay every other
tradesman in the same proportion, and would therefore
lose in the long run. The same principle applies to the
country generally.—(Applause.) The Gallant Colonel
then contended that protection is not beneficial even to
the landed interest, and adverted to the experience of
the past as affording satisfactory evidence that trade and
manufactures prosper most without protection. As Pre-
sident of the North Durham Registration Society, he
concluded by calling upon the meeting to qualify for
North Durham, observing that any one calling at the
Registration-office, in the High street, might purchase a
qualification which would be better as a speculation than
many dozens lately afloat in this neighbourhood.
Mr. Councillor CARLING seconded the motion in an
energetic speech.
This closed the proceedings, and a vote of thanks
having been given by acclamation to the Mayor for his
able and impartial conduct in the chair, the meeting se-
parated.