The Sun.
London, England, 1834-02-19 00:00:00

THE POLISH EXILES.

GREAT MEETING AT THE FREEMA
SON'S TAVERN—THIS DAY.
A public meeting of the friends of the Polish exiles took
place this morning, in the great room at the Freemason's Ta-
vern, for the purpose of devising some additional means for the
relief of the unfortunate Polish refugees in this country. By
directions from the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment (as we were given to understand), a sergeant of police
and six privates were present at the meeting, whether to pre-
serve order, prevent pickpocketing, or anything else, we were
unable to learn. Several elegantly dressed females were among
the assemblage, which was most respectable and numerous.
At half-past one o'clock Colonel DE LACY EVANS took the
chair, and expressed his delight at the agreeable company of
so many ladies, which augured well for the success of the cause.
He acknowledged himself somewhat deficient for the office he
had assumed; but he was the first person, without success it
was true, who sincerely brought this subject under the notice
of the British Parliament.—(Cheers.) The object of the meet-
ing was by no means unimportant; the history of our own
country in the case of the Flemings and other foreign re.
fugees, more particularly in modern times of the Spaniards
and Portuguese, showed that persons in the unfortunate
situation of the Poles received sympathy and protection from
the British public; but the Poles were particularly entitled to
the benevolence and support which was asked for them, they
being not the proteges of any particular party, but men who
suffered for vindicating their rights, and attempting to secure
their country from the encroachments of foreign domination.—
(Cheers.) On such objects benevolence could never be mis.
placed, and nothing could be more godlike than to afford an
asylum to those who had been driven out of their own country
rather than become slaves. The object of the meeting was an ap-
peal to the British public and to the Legislature, in behalf of
the unfortunate Poles now in this country.
The SECRETARY read a report of the proceedings of the "So-
ciety for the relief of the Polish exiles," which detailed the ope-
rations of the Committee in endeavouring to collect funds for the
objects of the Society. About 1,0001. had been collected from
different sources during the past year. For some of the Poles
they had found situations and employment, and to those who
wished to emigrate assistance had been given ; but the Russian
Autocrat seemed to wish to leave no rest to the sole of
their feet, they having been driven back from Dresden, Trieste,
and even Siberia, in great numbers. Only last week
200 Poles landed at Portsmouth, with scarce a day's
provision; and the weekly expenditure of the society was 261.
An application had been made to the Lords of the Treasury
for a grant in favour of the Polish exiles, but an answer had
been returned, stating it could not be complied with.—(Partial
hissing.) Under all the distressing circumstances, the com-
mittee had no other alternative than to appeal to the generous
and patriotic feelings of the British nation, knowing that such
an appeal could never be made in vain.— (Applause.) There
was only a balance of 491. in the hands of the treasurer to meet
numerous claims.
Lord DUDLEY S'TUART rose to propose the first resolution,
and while he lamented his want of eloquence to advocate the
cause, he assured them he was not deficient in zeal. This
was a just and holy cause, and he doubted not that everything
would be done by thosewhom he had the honour of addressing
to support it. The Society had persevered through many dif-
ficulties, and had the satisfaction of knowing that considerable
benefit had resulted from its operations, not only by way of
private relief but public influence. A certain number of Poles
oad just arrived from Prussia, who, though not likely to remain
here long, deserved their kindest notice. They consisted of the
remnant of that brave and patriotic army, which accomplished
feats unparallelled in the history of the world—(Cheers)—
achievements against the enemies of freedom, and the crea-
tures of despotism.—(Cheers.) The Prussians having butchered
the Poles until they were tired, took charge of the remainder,
but placed them to work in fortresses, and places where they
were reduced to mere slaves. A proposal was made to send
them across the Atlantic, but having a love for their country
remaining in them, which never could be extinguished, as soon
as the ships cast anchor in the British harbours at Harwich and
Portsmouth, they determined not to go to America. But
though they had landed here they did not wish to become a
burden to the country, but to obtain such employment as might
sustain them until that thy, a day which he doubted not would
arrive, when they would be emancipated from foreign despot
and be restored to indepenclence.--,(Ctieers:) They had made an
offer of their services to the French Government, which they
had every reagolt to Wien w 0414 be accepted.-.(Hear,