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

MEETING OF THE WARD OF FARRINGDON

WITHOUT.
In consequence of a requisition addressed to Sir James
Duke, M.P., and Alderman of the ward of Farringdon
Without, a crowded meeting of the householders and rate-
payers of the ward was held yesterday in the New Court,
Old Bailey, for the purpose of considering the propriety of
passing " resolutions remonstrating with the Right Hon.
Sir R. Peel for not advising her Majesty to re-assemble
Parliament, under the present alarming state of the
country, owing to the failure of the potato crop, and
the deficiency of the wheat harvest, both in weight and
quantity, that the laws which prevent the free importa-
tion of the necessary supply of food to the people may
be repealed, by which alone the threatened famine can
be averted, and the peace, the safety, and the happiness
of the British empire secured."
Sir James Duke presided,
We observed upon the platform, and in the body of
the Court, Mr. Walker, Mr. Watson, Mr. Prendergast,
Dr. Lynch, Mr. R. Taylor, Mr. Alderman Sydney, Mr.
Wood, Mr. Edkins, Mr. Pontifex, Mr. Burn, Mr. Wil-
hams, Mr. Buckmaster, Mr. Harding, Mr. Barnard,
Mr. Blackett, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Gresham,
Mr. Geoge Baker; Mr. Stone. Mr. Kirke, Mr. Wilkin-
son, Mr. Jones, &c. &c.

The CHAIRMAN then said, that having had a
requisition presented to him by a numerous and
respectable body of the householders in the ward,
he had felt it his duty, as under similar cir-
cumstance he ever should, to call this meeting for
the purposes mentioned in the requisition. He said
he felt it his duty to give the ward an opportunity of
recording their sentiments. He trusted that whatever
difference of political opinion might exist among them
their proceedings would be conducted with moderation
and good temper.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. Pontifex would
now read the requisition.
Mr. Pontifex having done so, a desultory conversation
arose as to the proper course of procedure, which was
terminated by
Mr. WALKER, rising to propose the first resolution.
The resolution he had to propose to them was as follows:
" That the deficiency of the wheat harvest, both in
weight and quantity, and the extensive failure of the
potato crop, cannot be viewed without fearful ap-
prehensions of public distress to the labouring
classes during the forthcoming winter." Perhaps some
apology was due from himself for having undertaken his
very prominent position in the proceedings of that day.
He assured the Alderman who presided, and his neigh-
bours who composed the meeting, that it was not from
any disposition to occupy a prominent place among
them, or from any idea that he possessed the necessary
qualifications to enable him to fill that position satisfac-
torily, that he was induced to place himself so promi-
nently forward. It was the conviction on his mind that
the great and overwhelming magnitude of the subject
they were met to consider, and the many considerations
which it involved, demanded that no member of the
ward should refuse the invitation which had been
sent to him or shrink from the fulfilment of what was a
great national duty.—(Hear, hear.) These were the
reasons which induced him to stand so prominently for-
ward on that occasion. He thought it was a fortunate
and happy circumstance for them that they were met
under the direction and superintendence of the respected
Alderman of the ward, inasmuch as it proved that they
recognised, and were understood to be under the direc-
tion and protection of the law. Without this he appre-
hended that they should have had some difficulty in
bringing togetherso many of the most respectable persons
in the neighbourhood. But, seeing that they were assem-
bled there, and that the question before them was of such
vast. importance, he might, perhaps, be allowed
to explain his own views in the best way he could
--(Hear, hear)—and he would endeavour to occupy as
little of their time as possible. They were not met there
with feelings of personal aversion to those who might be
opposed to their views ; they were not there in the posi-
tion of assailants ; they were not assuming the character
of aggressors ; but they came there together from mo-
tives of self-defence, and from a regard to the welfare
of that industrious community of which they themselves
constituted a portion.—(Hear, hear.) As inhabitants of
a country distinguished in every age for its high
state of civilisation and the many privileges which
were accorded to its people, they regretted
that these advantages were, in a great degree,
neutralised, because their interests by a mistaken policy
were deemed opposed to the interests of those who
formed a majority in the Legislature. The consequence
of this was a long period of what they considered oppres-
sion and injustice, and it could not be expected but that
now, after experiencing the evil of this state of things,
they held these meetings with the view of getting these
grievances remedied. It was not to be wondered at that
they should use their best endeavours to bring about an
important reform by impressing those in power with
the necessity for some great alteration in the laws
which regulated the importation of food into their coun-
try.—(Hear.) They were all aware of the origin and
institution of these laws, and they were now, after many
years' experience of their working, most anxious for
their abrogation. They had been supported by a system
of subterfuge, false reasoning, and self interest,
and the only matter of surprise was, that they
should have continued so long, and that the
people of this country should have submitted
to them. Another year or two would not
elapse however before the universal sentiment would be,
bow the people of England could be so blind to their
own interests, so blunted in their moral feelings, and so
disregardful of what was their duty to themselves
and to society, that they should have quietly
submitted to a system so based upon fraud,
and so oppressive in its exactions.—(Hear, hear.)
They had probably observed that a society instituted for
the purpose of effecting the removal of these obnoxious
laws had been successfully progressing for years past.
He (Mr. Walker) felt it to be his duty at a very early
period On connect himself with that society, not indeed in a
public, but in his private capacity. He had contributed
to it for many years. He had already stated that he
did not charge all these who were opposed to themselves
with being acted solely by motives of self-interest, but
he could not help thinking that it was highly improper
conduct in the Members of their Legislature to
make laws whose only effect was to advance
their own pecuniary interests. They should
have naturally expected that these individuals would
have bad too much modesty—(Laughter)—to sit in judg-
ment on what so vitally affected themselves ; they
should rather, he thought, refer that to others. Yet
this law had been allowed to continue, notwithstanding
the efforts which had been made to enlighten the public
mind ; but now he hoped they were in a position when,
with some chance of success, they might calculate on
these pernicious taxes upon industry being abolished.
He repeated that they had the near prospect now before
them of seeing that these infamous laws would be removed.
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ie
It was not in consequence of the present state of the
country alone that he had been induced to come forward on
that occasion. Without regarding this question, as con-
nected with the produce of the year's harvest, their
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to the sae. a Thhaedy oughtthe tore m
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before. They should have been impressed with the convic-
tion that the prosperity and well-being of the country and of
a3;elwy as
still
the industrious classes demanded their removal, and it was
time, that he took his stand. Why should they be considered
on this broad ground, and not on the mere exigencies of the
through the distorted medium of political considerations or
party feelings ?—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that a better
would be ; that potism would be
tune was coming, and that the sympathies of all classes
called into action,aroused arid that theytheir wouldatri consider what were
the most effectual means of promoting the welfare of the
rising, as well as future generations.—(Hear, hear.) Their
cause would be successful, for it was based upon sound reason,
and was not influenced by crooked or party policy; they
rose in dignity, with the consciousness that they only asked
that justice which should be the foundation of all their laws,
and they were anxious to see that the improvements which
so eminently marked the period should he extended to their