The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-06 00:00:00

MEETING AT PRESTON.

(Abridged from the PreAtm Guardian of Thursday.)
On Thursday a meeting, in compliance with a requi-
sition bearing about 700 signatures, was held in the
Town-hall, Preston, for the purpose of memorialising
Government for the immediate admission of foreign grain
duty free.
On taking his seat, the Chain lAN (tfr. Alderman
llaydock, in the absence of the Mayor), said—l regret
exceedingly the absence of the Mayor on this occasion,
for I know that he does commiserate the present state
and prospects of the:country. It is, lam sure, ill-health
alone, that has kept him away. Since you have, in
his absence, called me to the chair, I will endeavour
to do my duty as well as I can, and I shall be glad
to have the support of the meeting. (Cheers.)
It is now, I believe, somewhere about five years ago that
the question of free trade was first fairly brought before
the inhabitants of this borough. I was applied to on
that occasion to preside ; I stated that I was rather sur
prised that I should be applied to, because I was con-
sidered to be favourable to a more moderate measure
than one which went from one extreme to another, and
that, therefore, I was not di,posed to preside. But when
I was told that the object of the meeting was to give the
two distinguished individuals who came to visit us an
opportunity of stating the case against the corn-laws, I
at once consented, and for the best of all reasons, that it
is only fair that both sides of the question should be
stated ; besides, it was also mentioned that on that occa-
sion no resolutions were to be moved. Those gentlemen
did state the case fully anal fairly. The other side of
the question have had their meetings also, and stated
their case ; and, after four or five year' deliberation,
what is the result ? Why, that we have it now
from some of the most distinguished Conservatives
that " the corn-laws are doomed"—(Loud cheers)—
and that it is only a question of time. I apprehend that
it is the question of time that has brought us here to-
day, because it is represented that we have a great failure
in the harvest, and that there is a prospect of a defi-
ciency of supply for the country before next harvest. If,
then, it is a question of time, it is quite time now to take
it into consideration.—(Cheers.) It is on that account
that I affixed my name to the requisition to the Mayor
to call this meeting, to take into consideration the pro-
priety of opening the ports fur the free admission of
grain. I shall be glad now to hear, from any gentlemen
who have anything to move on the subject, their reasons
why the present meeting ought not to take some steps in
the matter.—(Cheers.)
The Rev. Mr. SLATE said—Mr. Chairman, the resolu-
tion which I have to move is, "That this meeting feel
convinced that the alarm in Ireland, owing to the potato
disease, the stagnation of trade now felt in this district,
and the fear of famine generally entertained, have all
been produced or greatly augmented by our present
corn-laws ; that these laws have prevented large quanti-
ties of grain being stored up in. this country, have in-
duced other countries to manufacture instead of extend-
ing the cultivation of the soils, and following upon a fail-
ing harvest, are sure to aggravate the sufferings of the
people by making food scarce nnd dear." Perhaps it
may be thought by some that, as a minister of re-
ligion, I ought not to be present on such an occasion
as this. I must say that I think otherwise, and lam not
ashamed of the reasons. I don't know why I ought not
to be allowed to take a part in some subjects that
may be considered party-political—for it will be a
happy time when our statesmen are truly religious per-
sons ; nor why I should be deprived of my privilege as
a citizen, of taking part in the common affairs of this
country ; and as I think the cern-laws are injurious to
our national welfare, I think it right to come forward
and show that I disapprove of them. I look, however,
on this question as connected not merely with politics,
but with the cause of humanity, morals, and religion.
Now, I have witnessed the operation of the corn-laws
since I came here, and I can say that it has been the
source of much misery. Besides, my Bible is opposed
to the corn-laws. I read in it, " He that withholdeth
corn the people shall curso him ; but blessing shall be
upon the head of him that selleth it."—Prov. xi., 26.
—(Loud cheering.) This shows the Bible is opposed to
the corn monopoly, and I am acting consistently, there-
fore, as a minister of the Bible. We hare now one
statesman after another coming to give in his adhesion
to the object we have in view.—(Loud cheers.) lam no
prophet, nor the son of a prophet ; but I may venture
to predict that if God spare our lives to this time next
year we shall see our object attained—(Cheers)—and as
I have taken a part in some of the first skirmishings, I
am willing to take a part now that the victory is at
hand.—(Applause.) Mr. Slate concluded by moving
the resolution.

Mr. J. Hawxstas, after giving an alarming account of
the extent of the potato disease in this district, said—
It will be rather strange if, after all the agitation and
opposition we have had for the last seven years, this
potato rot should be the means of softening such a per-
son as the old " Iron Duke," or Lord Stanley and others.
I should not be surprised if it does not upset the whole
of the Cabinet.—(Loud cheering.) The present state
of things is intolerable ; and I hope every man in this
town, and in the country in general, will come forward
and do his utmost to do away with that odious tax that
has so long oppressed this country. I beg to second the
motion.—(Great applause.)
The CHAIRMAN then put the motion, which was car-
ried unanimously.
Mr. LIvESEY rose to propose the next resolution, and
said, no greater calamity can possibly come to the coun-
try than a scarcity of food ; the very measures of
Government should tend to make food plentiful and
cheap. In fact, food is the strength of a country. Look
at all your buildings—the immense extensions of your
towns--the cuttings of your railways and canals—the
vast increase of your manufacturers and mills, and the
improvement of your soil—whence proceeds all this ?
From the labour of men sustained by food. Food is the
physical strength of the country ; and to lessen the
supply of food, or to make it dear, therefore, is to lessen
the physical power of the peJple, to deprive them of the
ability of adding to the wealth, the strength, and the
importance of the kingdom. Of all things that ought to
be left out of the list of articles for taxation, food is the
one. There should be no tax on human sustenance. If
we were left free, we should always have plenty ; al-
though there would be periods of change and compara-
tive scarcity, yet if all countries were tree to exchange
with one another, there would be plenty, becaue.
it never happens that a scarcity is universal
The corn-law agitation has made it as clear as
that two and two make four, that in proportion as
people have more money to expend on food, they will
have more also to lay out on manufactured goods and
other articles the produce of this country. Now, we
will not speculate on the extent of the potato disease ;
we just take the matter as it stands by the returns made
to us weekly. I have not met with any who dispute
that there is a considerable loss, yet some contend that
it is not so extensive as is represented. Perhaps it is
not so ; but if you refer to the price of potatoes you
ought to bear in remembrance two things—First, the
farmers are selling off all their potatoes in order to make
what they can out of them, lest they should ultimately
lose the whole, and that overstocks the market ;—and,
secondly, you must bear another fact in mind—that
whilst it was usual for housekeepers possessing the re-
quisite means to lay in a winter stock of potatoes,
scarcely any one can be found now that has laid in any
stock at all. What will be the consequence ? When
farmers bring in their few remaining potatoes to the
market in spring, and those householders and others
proceed to buy, the prices will rise. If there be one
thing which should concern us more than another, it is
the sustenance of the poor.—(Hear, hear.) In a time of
scarcity the rich can afford to purchase their usual sup-
plies ; the middle classes can curtail their luxuries, and
so procure plenty ; so that when a positive scarcity oc-
curs, nearly the whole weight of it fulls upon the poor.
And it may not perhaps be out of place here to remark
that if you were to raise the largest subscription ever
known in England it would not mend the evil—it would
not create a single additional potato or additional quar-
ter of wheat—it would, in fact, create a greater compe-
tition, and so raise the price.—(Hear, hear.) It is the
bringing in of fold, and not the subscribing of money,
that will remedy the evil. It has been said that provi-
sions are from 30 to 35 per cent. higher than they were
two years ago. You will perceive that that makes a
very material difference in the expenditure of the great
mess of consumers.—(Cries of " Hear, hear.") How is
it possible that the manufacturers and other traders of
this country can be supported if you give so much more
money to the Duke of Buckingham, the Duke of Rich-
mond, and the ether landowners of the country. It is '
not possible that you can give it to your own tradesmen
when you are giving it to them—and if there were no
other reason, this alone would account for the depression
now coming over our trade. Justcontrast, for instance, the
sent state of things with the advantage of low-priced
oducing good trade in Preston. I remember
food, pt, IIP
standing Ile:
71,
this spot nineteen years ago, denouncing DIED. uare'
-sq
other measures—it was in the panic of On the 29th ult., at Crawford-street, Portman io
the co held in January, '27. Since then John Creswell, bookseller, aged 54. 11"
lb to.
'26—the ni:vting
less or more, against the same On the Ist inst., at Alby-hill, near Aylsham,
there has been d atrugg:TieCsir
League have been enlight- Baret, aged 85. tree.,
evils. For seven yes;:d t • •,h a good harvest, there On the 2d inst., Mrs. Jane Hale, of William-s
e.
ening the people. In 184:i whs
ec, and rents of cot- donian-road, Islington, relict of the late Mr. E. list Disideli‘
were in Preston 1,000 cottages; csOs
I don't tell you of side
h d 80
ea , a,ed .
On the 3d inst., William Brewster, Esq., Northfield,
tags property reduced 25 per cent.
'lvance in poor-
the charities that were instituted, of the b 4, .
All this
mg Burlington-gardens.
On the 4th inst , Mr. J. Taylor, of the PpulboCrhirltreel
rates, or the complaints that were universal. ~,r. On the 4th inst., Ellen, wife of Mr. T. Bart,
was caused by dear food. Then came a change;
iztpte:r anu Published by
three years we have had good trade with cheep food—
Y"R 0 otrliGg100tl!0P
crime reduced, as we are told by the Chaplain of the
Nrica, No. I Pa, Ste
Longo. :
louse of Correction-there has been less sickness in the
oStrand,
f Ulm SAM',
b..m
ispensitry--..everz gOttege haa been inhabited, and the . Palbe 008116 of W4414.414(41

-ATIC
—Since last Monday, the neighbourhood of St. J-
Clerkenwell, has been thrown into a state of gratrdielr4,
consequence of the following daring robberies
the house of Mr. Walker, surgeon, John-street, is
whence it is supposed that the burglars Clio'
a shed, and thus effected an entrance tbrel34
stair-case window into his bedroom, where. h-ts-
Mrs. Walker were sleeping. Being in want of it, ji
drew up the blind, and pinned it. They then te°,,7 bies
watch from the pocket in the curtains, a gnsislp
Irons the drawers, and likewise emptied
trouser's pocket of their contents; after which tbel'lbol
1
down stairs, ate a quartern loaf and a pot of Plitt, to
then proceeded to an adjoining house, and enterea
where a man and four children were sleeping, stetbreift;i
writing-desk, and took out of it 91. 103. They Ist,/
descended to the kitchen, where they drank ePrt tf.,"/
smoked cigars, which they found there. After the
entered the two adjoining houses, the beds of 1'7'1.; they
ransacked, although several parties were sleeping!,:f to
Strange to say, although valuable plate was expes`itotti
predation, they never touched it, lest, it i 3 suppose:l%4olBo4
marks upon it should lead to their detection. The res
these robberies were perpetrated in an hour, end :o
frted
discovered until the servants arose at the usual he:
morning. Mr. Walker has offered 1001. for any in'
that will lead to the arrest of the burglars.
BARBAROUS MURDER.—On Sunday - 4
man named James Costelloe, a tenant of Burton Per -
red
of Moyada Castle, county Galway, and who set
warner, was murdered on the townland of Killeeline-
lfse
Freshford. The unfortunate man was seated ll' ichevi
with the members of his family, and was shot throe .4
ad
window by some unknown assassin, who took -e h
from the outside. The ball passed threlroo
neck, and killed him on the spot. The ecettd.
was a witness most instrumental in the P`""circelo
and conviction of the notorious Tracys,
de 11e
stance would be of itself sufficient to adjudge that id
him by the Rockite code ; but we understana Att" eLl„res
was also lately concerned in driving stock dietr,,,,P-OP:,h,
rent on a neighbouring farm. It is a curious elfc"ibe;io
that a gentleman a few days since informed us theodroff
served the ruffian Daly, who was implicated in the
of Mortimer and lloyne, and gained his freedom bY„,,„sb.,,e
an approver, lurking in the neighbourhood of
soo
and remarked at the time, "We shall soon hear °fbetic'd
V 1,
assassination in this part of the country"—a Pr°ed. "
servation whioh has been too well and speedily re,,stinet
inquest was held on Monday, and after the exeml/0011,
witnesses, the jury returned a verdict of " Wail Joe
against some person or persons unknown."—Kilo"7
rator. 01
The Governor of the Bank of England, , edo
Deputy-Governor, had an interview with the CIO°
of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official resi
Downing-street.

rth
MARRIED.Jed
On the 3d inst., at St. Pancras Church, A.-1/1.
Lane, Esq., to Miss Caroline Jones Ramsden. robot/
On the 4th inst., at St. George's Church, 131°°„flutiget
Frederic Alexandre Le Fevre, Esq., M.D., toEnlla,Jiesces'
(laughter of the late W. Maxwell, Esq.,
of Wilton-c
Belgrave-square.

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