The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-13 00:00:00

GREAT FREE-TRADE DEMON-

STRATION.
BRISTOL, WEDNESDAY IsTroirr.—This evening a tea meet-
ing was held at the large public rooms, Broadmead, in aid
of the Quarter•of-a-Million League Fund. The attendance
was numerous and highly influential, several of the leading
merchants of the city being present. The chair was taken
by George Thomas, Esq., and merchant, and a liberal sup-
porter of the League. When tea was concluded,
The CHAIRMAN said that a petition had been sent from this
City, signed by 18,000 persons, for a total and immediate
repeal of the corn-laws. It wrs sent to Mr. Berkeley, one of
the Members for Bristol, with a request that he would pre-
sent it to the House and support its prayer. A similar
request was also made to Mr. P. Miles, the other Member.
Letters had been received from each of those gentle-
men, the former agreeing in the sentiments of the
petitioners, the latter saying that he could not
give his vote in favour of total and immediate
repeal. The Chairman went on to state that the present
meeting was to assist the League fund, which some time ago
it was determined should be raised, so that they might en-
deavour to obtain a majority of free-traders at the next
general election. It was their ivish to raise a quarter of a
million, and they ought not to relax in their efforts because
they now had a prospect of attaining their end, as it was
possible that there might be an opposition in the House of Lords
which would give rise to a dissolution of Parliament. If Par-
liament were dissolved, they would wt the money. He
hoped, however, that they would -not want it. At present
it was only their intention to call for 20 per cent. on the
amount subscribed. It was the wish of some parties that the
League might be dissolved, and so it will be when the total
repeal of the corn-laws was effected; but till that period.
the members of the League must not give up their exertions.
They were not disposed to offer a factious opposition, indeed,
no opposition to the Ministry, in carrying the present mea-
sure. If the Bill of the Government were carried, they
would attain the object which they had in view, in 1849;
and, therefore, it would be folly in them to run the risk of
losing it in its present shape. It was a matter of congra-
tulation that they had arrived at the present stage, so
as to be able to see that at no distant period they would at-
tain that which they had all along been trying for.—(flear.)
After some allusion to the state of the port of Bristol, which
he regretted was not in a position to reap the advantages of
free trade, in consequence of the dock question, he expressed
his regret that oppoiition,to the Government measure should
have been introduced by one of the Members for the City of
Bristol. He felt that Mr. Miles, as a merchant of Bristol, in
doing that, had compromised the character of Bristol
—compromised it by his having opposed a measure
which would result in so much benefit to the city.—(Cheers.)
He was sure that that gentleman's constituents did not ap-
prove of his conduct ; he did not doubt but that three-
quarters of the Conservatives of the city were in favour of
free trade. Some how or other, it now appeared that hun •
dreds and thousands of the people had become converts to
free trade in a very few months.—(Hear, and cheers.)
After some remarks upon the benefits which would
result from free trade in a commercial point of
view, the Chairman said that after they had obtained free
trade they would hear but very little more of wan—(llean )
Free trade would destroy wars. He firmly believed that free
trade would be the best, and, perhaps, the only way, of set-
tling the disputebetween this country and America.—(Hear.)
'This was evident from the way in which the question had
been met by the Americans, from the sentiments uttered by
the Secretary to the Treasury of the American Government,
h ich were in accordance with the views of the free-traders.—

(Hear.) So many circumstances coming together must im-
press upon their minds the fact that the finger of Providence
was to be traced in them. What they considered to be a
great evil, namely, the rot in the potato, brought the ques-
tion to its point: No doubt but that the Government had
made up their minds upon the subject, and were waiting a
fitting opportunity to bring forward their measures; that op-
portunity had arrived, and they had taken advantage of it.
There was no doubt but that Sir R. Peel had long entertained
the principles of free trade, and when Sir Robert Peel went
out of office, he (the Chairman) felt very thankful that Lord
John Russell could net succeed in ft riming a Ministry. When
there seemed to be a prospect of his succeeding in the forma-
tion of a Government, lie (the Ch:i man) trembled for the
consequences; and when Sir Robert Peel resumed office, he
was satisfied that the question would speedily be settled.—
(Cheers.) He hoped that they would all be united in support-
ing the Government on this great measure, and if the house
of Lords should not accept it, he trusted that they would be
in a position to show that the voice of the country was with
the Ministry.—(Cheers )
The Rev. GEORGE Airmsuroxc (Unitarian minister) fol-
lowed the Chairman. He congratulated Colonel Thompson
and the free-trade advocates upon what he might call the
successful termination of labours extending over a period of
twenty years. It was gratifying now to find men of all par-
ties agreeing that free trade is the only measure which can
work advantageously for this great empire.—(Cheers.)
Colonel Tiroast-sox then rose, and was received with loud
cheering He said that they met under very altered cir-
cumstances from what they were in twelve months ago. He
could truly say that their enemies were made to be at peace
with them. ; let them, then, lay aside all unfriendly recollec-
tions and hostile feeling, let them make the utmost of the
bounty which Heaven had bestowed upon them, and take all
reasonable care that none of the advantages slip away
from their own carelessness, that they would do their en-
deavours to carry forward the fruits of their great success,
wherever the condition of mankind should open the occasion.
He rejoiced that the trust of executing this great object bad
fallen where it had. Ile should be glad if they would throw
aside all remnants of party feeling, throw aside all recollection
of what had passed, and, as honest men, know and feel nothing
except that they were seeking the improvement of the con-
dition of the country.—(Cheers.) It was most remarkable to
see how men's convictions had increased, how their appre-
hensions had sunk, how their jealousies had diminished, till
at last the truth broke forth in that very place where they
looked for the greatest opposition.—(Cheers.) Reasonable care
then was all that was wanted to improve the present object,
and that reasonable care it was the intention of the League
to exert, as it was not for prudent men to be hasty in think-
ing all the danger was over.—(Hear, hear.) In respect of
this great measure one of their representatives in Parliament
was with them. " I know him (continued the Colonel), I know
him well ; lie is a ladies' man.—(Laughter and cheers.) So am I.
—(Renewed laughter.) I know him because we met in what was
called a ladies' committee in the House of Commons. Perhaps
he would remember me ; but, whether he does or does not, I
am sure lie would not take it amiss, if before you all I should
offer him my humble thanks for the part he has taken on
the present occasion in support of your cause, and that of all
of us."—(Cheers.) Your other Member is in a way of learn-
ing—(Laughter)—there is, however, less hopeful ways than
that ; you must teach him.—( Laughter.) You must in-
struct his ignorance wherever that seems removable.
On one point he is right already—he says that if this great
change is to take place, it had much better take place now.—
(Hear and cheers.) " A Daniel come to judgment."—
(Laughter and cheers.) That is what you elected him for—
you knew that he was capable of uttering such a
wise sentiment as that when__ )our city sent him to Par-
liament.—(Loud laughter.) Urge him upon that point ;
let it be publicly known that you approve of his conduct ;
beg of him that he will impress the necessity he sees on the
House of Commons, and let him know that you and he co-

incide in the belief that it would be wiser to remove
the evil than to postpone it for three years, and that
much evil would result from such postponement. That the
proposed measure would give the Continent three
years' warning, by which all the corn that the Continent
could produce would be grown, which would, up to the end
of the three years, be poured upon our country; and that
therefore it would be much better for the farmer that the
total repeal should take effect at once.—(Hear, hear.) I
wonder what "farmer's friend " invented that plan.—(Loud
laughter.) Now surely that is one of the points which the
Minister ought to mind, and you may depend upon it
he is only waiting for good assistance to induce him
to amend it, if I am not mistaken.—(Loud cheers.)
The speaker west on to say that there was another subject
which grieved him a little. He did not like the leaving-of a
remnant of the duty, even the one shilling. If something of
the sort be desired, in ordor that it might be known how
much corn came into the country, he would suggest that
their object was to get corn rather than to know how much
came into the country.—(Laughter.) If, however, it were
desirable that we should know the quantity which came in,
he would, ask if such knowledge could not be equally ob-
tained by a one shilling bounty instead of a one shilling
duty ?—tHear, hear.) He did not doubt, however, that
without either duty or bounty a correct return of the quan-
tity imported could be procured. Let there-be a 501. penalty
for making a wrong declaration, and very few captains of
vessels would be tempted to risk the penalty. Colonel
Thompson proceeded to extol the conduct of the Premier in
respect of the Oregon question, stating that his promptitude
had had the effect of subduing the warlike spirit which ]tad
begun to manifest itself in the United States, and piriogncetht;
eating that his (the Premier's) measures would aye
effect of averting the war altogether.—(Hear, hear.
R. R. It. Moore, Esq., was next introduced
and was received with loud cheers. After congratulating
_
to the meeting,
the company upon the change which had been wrought
the
sm ionfd s
aofctohnesipdeeorapbleleat
ploarrtgi
oe,nand ptahreti c
autpuoren,
uponni
the
the
during the last few years—a change not effected by
public clamour, or by threats of violence, but by
strength, of argument—proceeded to comment upon a
passage in the speech of Mr. Sidney Herbert, de-
livered ill the House of Commons on Monday night,
in which he said that the Corn Bill of 1815 was the worst
measure which was ever sanctioned by the Legislature, and
-aa sno)af, gllB- elast error
was
l.v
rsliee t
h(anMra. Moore)
believed
it
th a
t,
a ts
the passing
tehe measure
pa
rotf oi t%
f n
a wilful injustice and a delibe-
rately done wrong, and he so believed because of
the history of the enactment of that measure.
—(Bear, hear.) lie had no desire at the present
time, when it was so near its end, to go back to the origin of
that injustice—of that wrong—or to call attention to the hot'
haste with which the law was passel, and the refusal of time
for poplar opinion to speck out. Ile had no desire to go
into the history of the working of the law, and to point out
how popular opinion was put down by spilling the blood of
the people at Peterloo, in 1819; nor to go over the black
catalogue of crime which the law had brought
upon the people during the 31 years of its operation ;
but he would go to the legislators now living who assisted
in the formation of that law, and tell them that all which
was past would be forgotten and forgiven, if they would,
now that they must have seen their error, exert themselves
to obtain for the people a total and immediate repeal of the
obnoxious law. (Cheers.) After enlarging upon the
importance to the country of having immediate
repeal. the speaker said he could say upon authority
that the Government were desirous for it. The other day he
was talking with a gentleman who had been informed by
Sir James Graham that both himself (Sir James) and Sir
Robert Peel were desirous that the repeal should be imme-
diate.—(Loud cheers.) The farmers, too, were equally soli-
citous upon that head, fearing that very serious consequences
might result (rem the three years protection. After some further
observations, Mr. Moore came to the immediate object of the
meeting which was to aid the great League fund. He hoped
the money would not be wanted, but as the League were
pledged not to dissolve till the total repeal was finally settled,
they must continue their exertions; anti they w.ould
..nno-
tinue them iu the registration courts and other placVnl"...
vestige of the corn-law was left. The spearke
npeoruncceednt.thewsouubldscrbipetiocnaslieodbsefors;i:n_grioavrtaetti ;soeoermnn)
ata
:71115,17:
250/. ; Joseph Eden, Esq., 250 L;
,-6(1
250/. ; William Tothill, Esq.,
Charlton, Esq.,i 100/ •
100/ • James • ,
There were several
200/. • Edward Keate, Esq.,
100/. ; Naish and Co., ' Vim. Esq , 10C .; 11. 0.
Thomas Sanders, Esq:, qe,,
liiirrY,,ant;;lll_l.l-:,"a'iluutiliNi.'e believe the collec•
ticns amounted to about 3,000• e
---_ -7
After the collection the meeting Wok .np.

inetiliiirraidemr4ini—straitif Olf
some defects
(D.relinniiiiiarill justice) proposes to enact that in all cases where the Court
ADMINISTRATION
,sßiu(ti)rremovisg
now by law empowered to award any sentence of transportalou,
it shall be lawful for such Court, at its discretion, to award such sen-
tence for any term of years not less than seven years: and that it►
all easel where the Court has-power to award sentence of transpor-
tation, it shall be lawful for the same Court, at its discretion, to
award such sentence for any time, however short, which shall appear
just under all the circumstances. The provision of 4 and 5 William
IV., c. 36, s. 13 (requiring parties to prosecute), is proposed to be re
pealed; and it is further proposed, that any person may prefer bills
before the grand jury of the Central Criminal Court for any ofTence,
as before any cthcr grand Jury. Writs cf csrlicacri fci removing in •
d:ctme:As from tillt Court are alo to specify the county, &e., ip
vbisat the Fame 1114 De tried,
- -

RAILWAY SHARES BY PUBLIC SALE.
MESSRS. LAMOND, SMALE, AND
LAMOND beg to thank their Friends and the Public, for
their continued support and patronage, and to announce that their
Public Sales of Railway Shares, &c., take place every TUESDAY and
FRIDAY, at one o'clock, at their offices, at the Hall of Commerce,
Threadneedle-street, London, at which place all favours, con-
taining Instructions, are respectfully requested to be addressed.
All Scrip and- Share Certificates must be deposited for exa-
mination at least one day previously to their bring offered ; and
*dykes of results will be forwarded by the first post after the sale,
and the proceeds immediately disposed of according to instructions.
Offices, HMI of Commerce, Threadneedle-street, London.

NEW WORK ON RI. SSIA
Now ready, in 2 vols., small Bvo., with a Full-length Portrait of
the Emperor, price 21s. bound,
RUSSIAUNDER THE AUTOCRAT,
NICHOLAS T.
BY IVAN GOLOYINE,
A RUSSIAN SUBJECT.
" these volumes are to be regarded as the most cuthentic and
copious exposition of Russia and her Government that has yet been
given to the world.—Britannia.
llenry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough street.

THE WEEKLY CHRONICLE of SATUR-
DAY and SUNDAY, the 14th and 15th inst., will contain
a full Digest of the Debate on the proposition to repeal the CORN-
LAWS. with an EDITORIAL COMMENTARY, a Correct Estimate
of the State of Parties, the Ultimate Result, the Division, the
Pending Westminster and other Elections, the Great Smock-frock
Meeting In Wiltshire, 'and a Letter from COTTON TWIST.

Price Sixpence.
Office, 337, Strand, London.

THE PRINCE'S "C-LUB-HOUSE,
Corner of St. James's-street; In Piccadilly.
Notice.—Noblemen and Gentlemen are respectfully informed
this establishment is now prepared for their recept on, with aug-
mented arrangements and increased accommodation.
Princes' Club, St. James's-street. Entrance in Piccadilly, O.

THLATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
THIS EVENING
WIII be repeatel a Grand Opera, in three acts, called MARITANA,
Charles the Second, Mr. Borrani ; Don Cossar Bazar,
Mr. W.
Harrison ; Don Jose de Santarem, Mr. Stretton ; Maritana, Miss
'timer ; Lazarillo, Miss Poole.
To conclude with a new grand Christmas comic Pantomine, called
HARLEQUIN GULLIVEN; or, Giants and Dwarfs. Harlequin,
Mr. Wieland ; Clown, Mr. T. Matthews ; Pantaloon, Mr. Ilowell ;
Columbines, Miss Hicks and Miss Lonsdale.

TIIrkTRR ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed Mr. Sergeant Talfourd's Tragedy of lON.
lon, Mss Cushman ; Clemanthe, Miss Susan Cushman; and sup-
ported by Messrs. Stuart, Hudson, Brindal, 11. Roll, Miss Telbin, &c.
Between the acts, the Band will perform the "Armen" and
" Cerito Polkas," "La K,.tarina, Cellarius Waltz," the Overture
"Tile du Verger," and "Love's Serenade."
To conclude with a Grand New Extravaganza, entitled THE BEE
AND THE ORANGE TREE; or, The Four Wishes. Principal
Characters by Mr. Hudson, Mr. James Bland, Mr. Caulfield, Mr.
Clark, Miss P. Horton, Miss Julia Bennett, Mrs. Caulfield, and Mrs.
Stanley.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
THIS EVENING

Will be performed tirebWmaofLF.OLlNE : or, Llfe's Trials.
Principal characters by Messrs. 0. Smith and Wright, Mrs. Yates,
and Miss Woolgar.
To be followed by a New Farce, entitled THE PHANTOM
BREAKFAST. Supported by Mr. Paul Bedford, Mr. Wright, Miss
Woolgar, &c.
To conclude with a Burletta, called POWDER AND BALL ; or,
St. Tibbs's Eve. Principal characters by Messrs. Selby, Wright,
3funyaril, Sanders; Mrs. Frank Matthews and Miss Woolgar.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF S.
KEELEY.
The Cricket on the Hearth," and " The Enchanted Horse" every
Evening until further notice 1
THIS EVENING WILL BE PERFORMED
THE CRICKET ON TIIE
H HEATII: A FAIRY TALE
OF OM E.
The Principal Characters by Mr. and Mrs. Keeley, Mr. Emery, Mr.
F. Vinins*, Mr. Meadows, and Miss Grove.
To be followed by the original REDOWA WALTZ, music com-
posed by M. Jullien, by Miss Frampton and Master Forrest.
After which will be repeated a New Grand Romantic extravaganza,
entitled THE ENCHANTED HORSE; or, Prince Fireux Schah of
Persia and the Princess of Bengal. Principal Characters by Messrs.
Keeley, Wigan, F. Matthews, Collier, Turner, Kinloch, &c.; tiles.
dames Keeley, Villars, Hodson, Dawson, Howard. Arden, &c.
Stalls, Is. ; Boxes, 4s. ; Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, lid.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
THIS EVENING
Will he performed the Tragedy of KING LEAR. King Lear, Mr.
Macready ; Earl of Kent, Mr. Cooper ; Edgar, Mr. Wallack ; Cor-
della, Mrs. Stirling ; Regan. Mrs. Ternan.
To conclude with the New Christmas Pantomime, entitled THE
REY OF THE KINGDOM ; or. lIARI.EQUIN AND THE FAIRY
BLUE REEL. Harlequin, Mr. W. 11. Harvey ; Columbine, Miss
Bullen ; Clown, Mr. Flextnore ; Pantaloon, Mr. T. 11111.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee, Miss Kate Howard.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the Domestic Drama, called OUR VILLAGE.
In which Messrs. Waldron, C. Boyce, Romer, Cockrill, 0. WU,
Miss Hamilton, Miss Bromley, and Mrs. Leclercq will appear.
After which will be repeated THE CRICKET ON OUR OW)
HEARTH. Dot, Min Kate Howard.
To be followed by ANGELS AND L UCIFERS. In which Mr.
Wild will apperir.
And concluding with the new Pantomime, unapproachable for glee
and grandeur, called FORTUNATUS ; or, TILE MAGIC CAP.
Fortuaatus, Miss Hamilton ; Prince Megrim, Mr. Cockrill ; Fairy
Queen, Miss Bromley ; Harlequin, Mr. Smythers ; Pantaloon, Mr.
Charles ; Clown, Mr. Jefferini ; Columbine, Miss Laidlaw.

NEW STRAND THEATRE.
TWO MORNING PERFORMANCES DURING TILE WEEK.
M. PUILLIPPE will (by desire), and In consequence of the im-
mense overflows which have attended his Morning Performances,
give •irand Juvenile Entertainments every Wednesday and Sa-
turday Mornings, commencing st Two o'clock.
M.lllppe's most Popular Deceptions and Peculiar Experiments
will be repeated every Evening, varied by the Amusing Per-
formances of the Chiarini Family, and the astounding Feat: of the
American Brothers.—Doors open at a quarter past Seven, to com-
mence at a quarter before Eight.
Stalls, 3e.; Boxes, 2s. • Pit, Is. ; Gallery, Gd. ; Private Boxes,
11. Is., and It. I Is. CA.

ASTLEy'S ROYAL AMPIIITYIKATRF, OF ART&
The most extraordinary Novelty ever produced.—The New Grand
Oriental Spectacle, which has been playing in Paris with repeated
snecess.

THIS EVENING
Will be performed a New Drama, entitled THE RAJAH OF
NM/rola: ; or. the Sacred Elephants of the ragoda. In which will
be Introduced the performing Colossal Elephants and Camels, whose
recent arrival caused unprecedented sensation in the metropolis.
New Scenes of the Circle, combining tke talent of the French and
English Artistes.
To conclude with a favourite Afterpiece.

ROYAL VICTORIA THEATRE.
To surpass FO much Novelty and Attraction is impossible. Second
Week of the New Grand Romance of " The Prisoners of the
Seventeenth Century." First Week of " The Cook at Kenning-
ton." Third Week of "The Ruined House at Millbank."
THIS EVENING.
Will he performed a new Drama, entitled, THE MARCHIONESS
DE BRINVILLIERS ; or, the Poisoners of the Seventeenth Cen-
tury. Principal characters by Messrs. Savi:le, Fredericks, Dale,
and Miss Vincent.
To be followed by TIIE COOK AT KENNINGTON ; or, No
Followers Allowed." Characters by Messrs. James, Herbert,
Searle ; Miss Terry, Mrs. Lee, &e.
To conclude with TIIE RUINED HOUSE AT MILBANK.
Supported by Messrs. Saville, Fredericks, Dale, Higgle,, Searle,
Herbert, Misses Vincent, Terry Richardson, /k.c.

THE WEATHER-SUN OFFICE, FEB. 12.
THERMO➢tETER, Lowest, 35; Highest, 44; Noon, 42
BAROMETER, 30.24.-WIND N.W., fine.

RIMS WATER AT LONDON-BRIDGE THIS DAY.
Blaming .. 16 nainntes after 3. I Evening .. 30 minutes after 3.

\ ' • .4*
ye. It_ .4`. 7t-titt 0' ' " ''''
~Q....
.._.,4610,4, 1. 1i I 0 AggfikkL-,5...
". -.e ••'''' '