The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-31 00:00:00

MEETIAG OF THE BIRMINGBA!i

CHAMBER D.F COMMERCE.

BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 27. •
A special meeting of the Chamber of Commerce
for this town and neighbourhood was held this day,
at noon, to consider the propriety of memorialising
the government in favour of the appointment of a
consul at Abbeokuta, and also to pass a vote of
thanks to Mr. Cobden, M.P., for his services in con-
nection with the commercial treaty with France.
The MAYOR presided, and opened the proceedings
by reading the notice convening the meeting. He
also stated that Lord Alfred Spencer Churchill,
Chairman of the Committee of the African Aid
Society, had attended to explain .why it was desir-
able that an English consul should be appointed at
Abbeokuta.
Lord ALFRED S. CHURCIIILL, in a speech of
great length, explained why the African Aid
Society considered it desirable that a consul should
be appointed at Abbeokuta. The movement was
one of recent date, the society being commenced at
the end of the last session of Parliament, in July and
August, and was the result of the arrival in this
country of two coloured men from Abbeokuta
and Yoruba, where they had been sent by their
fellow-countrymen in Canada to inquire if there
were not some districts to which they and their
families might emigrate and enjoy that freedom
which was denied to them in the United
States, though not in Canada. But the climate of
the latter country was almost fatal to the negro
race. The result of the researches of this deputation
(Messrs. M. R. Delany and R. Campbell, both co-
loured gentlemen) was most favourable, and they.
gave a glowing description of the state of society
and the powers of cultivation and production. They
had also executed a treaty between the King and
chiefs of AbbecAnta, by means of which the co-
loured people of Canada and the United Staten
would be enabled to return to Africa and enjoy a i
the privileges accorded to the natives, and to culti-
vate the land and develope the resources of the
country. One of the articles of the treaty is as fol-
lows :—"That the commissioners on their part also
agree that the settlers shall bring with them, as an
equivalent for the privileges accorded, intelligence,
education, a knowledge of the arts and sciences,
agriculture, and other ree9hanic and industrial
occupations, which they shall put into immediate
operation, by improving the lands and in other
useful vocations.' It was upon that particular
article of the treaty that the African Aid Society
based its operations, They were anxious to in-
troduce into Africa, and afford facilities for the
introduction of those skilled labourers who are
now resident in the United States and Ca-
nada. They proposed to do this not by giving the
coloured people money to enable them to reach the
country, but by advancing them sums on loan in
part payment of their passage, and to enable them
to cultivate the soil. By this means the society
hoped, in some measure, to render this country
independent of the United States for the supply of
cotton, as the plant was indigenous to Africa, having
been introduced to America by the negroes them-
selves when they were taken from their own land
into slavery. Already.a supply of cotton was ob-
tained from the western coast of Africa, and he
believed that the amount which had been imported
into this country from Africa during the last seven
or eigkt years was fully equal to the amount received
from America during a similar period on its first
introduction into that country. The increase on
the importations in 1859 over 1858 was no less
than 100 per cent. His lordship read a letter
which he had received from the President of Li-
beria, describing the progress of that country. Not
only did they export cotton, but they did consider-
able business in sugar, coffee, palm oil, ivory,
golddust, &c., in return for which they took our
manufactures. His lordship described the dis-
trict off Abeookuta, remarking it was much
more favourable for the growth of cotton than the
adjoining districts of Liberia, and that there was a
district four or five times the size of England well
calculated for the growth of cotton. It was also
calculated that a district of the same size as York-
shire would produce sufficient cotton for the supply
of this country, so that the result of the extension
of the growth of the article in Africa would have
a great effect upon the price; and not only so,
but whereas we now paid for a greater portion of
the cotton purchased from the United States in
gold, the Africans would gladly take in return our
manufactures. Though he presented the matter
to them in a purely commercial phase, Lord Alfred
Churchill said it would be impossible to estimate
what effect such a movement would have on the
slave trade of America.
Mr. S. S. LLOYD moved the adoption of the fol-
lowing memorial, remarking that it was a matter of
national importance that we should not be depen-
dent on a single nation for such a great article of
manufacture. At present a large trade was done
with the western coast of Africa, which was pro-
ductive of great pecuniary advantages to those en-
gaged in it; and an extension of that trade would
increase the advantages derivable therefrom. •He
concluded by moving the adoption of the following
memorial to Lord John Russell :
TYE MEMORIAL OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR
BIRMINGHAM AND THE MIDLAND DISTRICT.
Humbly showeth,—That it is important to the trade and
commerce of this kingdom that the cultivation of the cotton
plant upon the west coast of Africa should be encouraged,
in reference both to the supply of cotton for the English
trade, and the opening of new markets in Africa for Eng-
lish manufacture.
That the King and chiefs of Abbeokuta have by treaty
undertaken to grant settlers the fullest advantages at pre-
sent enjoyed by natives.
That if settlements be made in Abbeokuta it would pro-
duce a rapid extension of our commercial relations with that
part of Africa, and especially a vast increase in the export
of cotton to this country.
That, to induce the investment of capital in such settle-
ments, it is necessary that an accredited agent of the Eng-
lish Government should be resident in Abbeokuta.
Your memorialists therefore pray that your lordship may
be pleased to give early and serious attention to this sub-
ject, and that your lordship may be pleased to advise her
Majesty to appoint a resident Consul at Abbeokuta.
Mr. BROWETT seconded the motion, at the same
time expressing an opinion that the effect of the
introduction of the growth of cotton into the wes-
tern districts of Africa would not only result in a
Ilarge supply, but the price of the raw material
would be much reduced.
I Some discussion ensued, in the course of which
the policy of the Government in adopting a free
I trade policy was questioved by a member of the
Chamber, who expressed an opinion that a differen-
I tial duty should be imposed on cotton, so as to give
cotton the produce of free labour the benefit. This
Iproposition was however decried by the other mem-
bers, and the motion was carried unanimously.
A vote of thanks to Lord A. S. Churchill, for the
I able manner in which he had introduced the sub-
I ject, was then passed unanimously, for which his
lordship returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN then stated that the only other
business for consideration was the adoption of a
vote of thanks to Mr. Cobden, for his services in
connection with the French treaty. He had re-
ceived a letter fro n Mr. Scholefield, M.P., express-
ing regret at bring unable to attend, but bearing
testimony to the invaluable services of Mr. Cobden.
Mr. C. WAGNER, who, with Mr. Fletcher,
formed the deputation from this Chamber to Paris
to arrange the terms of fixed instead of ad valorem
duties, moved the following resolution :
"That the cordial thanks of this Chamber be presented
to Mr. Richard Cobden, M.P., for his invaluable and suc -
ceseful services in connection with the recent treaty with
France--services not more distinguished by eminent talent
and zealous and unremitting labour than they were by dis-
interested patriotism; and that the thanks of this' chamber
be presented to Mr. Mallet and Mr. Ogilvie, the English
commissioners, for the valuable and efficient services ren-
dered by them in connection with the French treaty." .
He believed that all persons connected with the
hardware trade must be of opinion that their inte-
rest could not have been in better hands then in
those of Mr. Cobden, who had succeeded in obtain-
ing the adoption of such moderate rates of duties
that both he (Mr. Wagner) and his coadjutor were
astonished at the results. The effect of Mr. Cob-
den's labours had been felt not alone in the trade
with France, for Spain was at present remodelling
her tariff; the United States were about to abolish
the ad valorem for a specific rate of duties, and
other nations were following in the same direction.
He believed the labours of Mr. Cobden had put
an end to all protection,' and as commercial men
they were deeply indebted to him.
The motion was seconded by Mr. FLETCLIER.
Mr. BODINGTON took exception to the. motion,
considering it premature. Considering that the
operatives.of Coventry, Kidderminster, and other
places were out of work, he regarded it as inoppor-
tune to adopt such a resolution.
Mr. G. A. EVERITT, while agreeing in some mea-
sure with the resolution, said that in one branch of
industry--the manufacture of locomotive tubes, the
trade in which used to amount to £lO,OOO a week—
through a mistake of Mr. Cobden the trade had
been entirely destroyed. He was in Paris and had
an interview with Mr. Cobden, and he left with
an understanding that a low scale of duties would
be adopted. But, unfortunately, a much higher
duty—more than double
What was originally in-
intended—had been fixed, and the consequence was
that the brass tube trade and the wire trade had
been ruined. Another proof that the treaty was not
well received in this district was the absence of the
members of the iron trade on that occasion. The
imposition of a duty of 7f. per ton on bar iron
amounted to a prohibition, and the treaty was looked
upon as a dead letter. Though he should not op-
pose the vote of thanks, he wished to record his
protest against the terms of the treaty.
Some discussion ensued, in the course of which
Mr. THOMAS LLOYD stated that the inhabitants of
the South of France complained of the terms Which