The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-16 00:00:00

WEEKLY

AN TI-CORN-LAW LEAGUE

MEETING

AT COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE

The usual weekly meeting of the League was held last night,
in Covent-garden Theatre. The attendanoe was as large as on
previous occasions. At seven o'clock the Chair was taken by
the Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P., when the following gentlemen
were on the platform :—W. J. Fox, Esq., Joseph Parkes Esq.,
W. A. Wilkinson, Esq., Ralph Ricardo, Esq., J. P. Burnard,
Esq., W. D. Christie, M.P. , P. A. Taylor, Esq., Dr. Cooke
Taylor, T. F. Gibson, Esq.' S. G. Hall, Esq., Patterson,
Esq., Preston, Esq., W. S. Burton, Esq., Henry Keeling,
Esq., William Clay, Esq., Arthur Pattison, Esq., W. T.
Hodgkin, Esq., Pennock Tigar, Esq. (of Beverley), Jabez
Johnson, Esq. (of Manchester), John Bell, Esq., M.P., Thos.
Wakley, Esq., M.P., Charles Williams, Esq., Dr. Simpson,
T. Mason, Esq., D. Aumonier, Esq., T. Ruston, Esq., J. Phelps,
Esq., G. Ridout, Esq., Wynn, Esq., Sir Valentine Blake,
John M'Leod, Esq., J. Cox, Esq., Dr. Hitchman, Summers
Harford, Esq., F. Roe, Esq., M. Thackeray, Esq., J. Dyke,
Esq., W. A. Thomson, Esq., Wm. Vgar, Esq., George
Lambert, Esq., Thomas Bateman, Esq., John Thompson,
Esq., J. Anderson, Esq., . George Osborne, Esq., Richard
Lloyd, Esq., Samuel Drewell, Esq., Wm. Reynolds, Esq.,
Thomas Harbottle, Esq. (Manchester), W. J. Scott, Esq.
(Manchester), C. 0. Boyce, Esq., John Yardley, Esq., John
Burtt, Esq., E. Jackman, Esq., Grant, Esq., R. Harrison,
Esq., Mark Perkins, Esq., J. D. Gaskell, Esq., Joy, Esq.,
Sir William Baynes, Bart., F. H. Toone, Esq., W. Roberts,
Esq., John Chadwick, Esq., F. Scheer, Esq., N. Overbury,
Esq. (Westbury, Wilts), R. Overbury, Esq. (Westbury,
Wilts), W. H. Birchall, Esq. ( London), H. Birchall, Esq.
(Leeds), M. H. Basnett, Esq., Michael Stocks, Esq. (Hali-
fax), Henry Edwards, Esq., Fullerton, Esq., Joseph Ro-
binson, Esq., Richard W. Cole, Esq., James Harmer, Esq.,
Professor Key, &c., &c.
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the meeting, after some pre-
fatory remarks, said the objects of the League were identified
with the interests of the country at large, though they were op-
posed to sinister influences in both Houses of Parliament.
They lived in times when there was no chance of good go-
vernment, except through the influence of enlightened public
opinion. The gross misrepresentations of the objects of the
League indicated the fears of their opponents. What they
wished to do was to produce in the public mind a sense of the
evils which flowed from the present system of commercial re-
striction.—(Cheers.) Since the last meeting of the League
in that place, that word which had been thought effectual to
stay the cries of an injured people in the sister country—(Load
cheers)—he meant conspiracy, had been applied to the
meetings of the League in that theatre. How far that ex-
pression was applicable he could not pretend to say, but the
use of the term showed how much their progress alarmed the
advocates of monopoly.—( Hear, hear.) They had the authority
of the head of the Government for saying that their principles
were founded on common sense.—(Laughter and cheers.)
Whatever progress, therefore, they might have made was a
progress towards the carrying out of common sense principles.
—(Cheers.) What kind of sense those exhibited who had an
object precisely the opposite of theirs, it was not for him to
say.—( Laughter.) NO other answer had been given to their
charges against monopolists except such as was conveyed by
vulgar abuse ; and such a weapon would never be effectual
against the League.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) Those who
had conspired to reveal and make manifest truth would
not fear the censure of those in authority ; but they would re-
joice in it as a proof of the triumphant progress of their
cause.—( Cheers. )
Mr. IluaME then came forward to address the meeting. He
said he had been for many years an anxious labourer in pro-
moting the great object for which that League was formed.
He looked with great satisfaction at the progress which had
been made in that question. In a House consisting of 600
Members, be made a motion, the object of which waste remove
gradually the duty
,on c !rn, he found but thirteen supporters.
( Hear, hear.) Very different was the state of things at pre-
sent. Every hour's experience showed that the objects of the
League were based on immutable principles, and every day
brought fresh adherents to the cause. He had been detained
that evening from attending the committee room of the League,
by remaining in the House of Commons to witness the arrival
of a great veteran in the redress of grievances.—(Loud
and long-continued cheering.) One of his reasons for accept-
ing the invitation which he had received to address the meeting
was, that it would afford him an opportunity of expressing his
opinion as to the manner in which public meetings had been
assailed in Ireland, by the proceedings against those men who
had been placed on their trial in that conntry.—(Cheers.
There was no great public meeting in this country which
would not be assailed in the same manner if the 'parties had
courage to carry out their own wishes.—( Hear, hear.) It
became every man who felt interested in the cause' of üblic
liberty to come forward and protest against thisinterference
lest he himself should become its victim. Since he last had
the pleasure of addressing such a meeting as that which was
there assembled, an important change had taken place in the 1
country. Formerly they were met by a general assertion that
the monopoly of food was necessary, not for the landlords
but for the labouring population, for whose benefit

alone restrictive laws were imposed and continued.
But the evidence had since been withdrawn ; the truth had
come out ; and it was now avowed in the speeches made by the
League formed against the Anti-Corn-law League—( Hear,
hear )—that these laws were continued in order to maintain
rents and to keep up prices. This was a most important step
in the progress of their career ; for no honest man could now
stand up and declare that these laws ought to be continued.
It was for the mass of the people to say how long exclusive
laws should exist.—( Cheers.) Another most important
change had taken place. The Prime Minister of England,
Sir Robert Peel, had, in 1842, declared himself a convert to
free-trade principles, and he expounded those principles in a
manner which would do credit to any statesman. How mor-
tifying to find that the man who had made such declarations
should now submit to be dictated to by the landed interest of
the country.--( Hear, hear.) The Duke of Richmond had
told him that if he ventured to propose any altera-
tion, lie should go out of office ; and at a
meeting of the opposition League, he was told that the
country gentlemen placed him in power, and i f he did not
support them, they would net suffer him to retain power.—
(Laughter.) This was the state of the question. They now
knew their relative positions. In a country which had all the
requisites for making its inhabitants happy and powerful,
their wealth was interfered with, their privileges were nar-
rowed, and they were kept in a state of great misery and
suffering, in order that monopolists might continue to flourish.
He knew no reason why certain capitalists should have pro-
tection, whilst merchants and manufacturers were amerced
for their ,upport.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) The League
demanded that all restrictions should be removed. The people
had wherewith to buy ; their warehouses were loaded with
goods ; their ships were ready to convey English manufac-
tures to all parts of the world. Should monopolists be per-
mitted to say that they should not enjoy the fruits of their
industry ? He had cut out from the Times a few days since
thirteen or fourteeen advertisements of different institutions,
formed for the relief of destitution. Was that state of things to
be permitted ?—( Hear, hear.) He was an advocate of free
trade generally, but the most important branch of it was free
trade in corn. Let them secure that, arid they would soon
have free trade in everything.—( Cheers. )
Mr. CHRISTIE, M.P., next addressed the meeting. He
congratulated them that no Government proclamation had as
yet been issued against the Anti-Corn-law League ; though,
two nights ago, Sir James Graham had uttered what must
have been intended as a warning to the Anti-Corn-law League.
He said that the altered circumstances of the times required an
alteration in the law of conspiracy, and, quoting a maxim of
Madame de Steel, he said that, now-a-days, leagues held their
meetings in theatres, and traitors built conciliation-halls, to
disseminate sedition.—( Hear, hear, and laughter.) It was not
from Sir James Graham that such language might have been
expected ; for the Home Secretary had refused to allow the
police to attend the meetings of the League in that theatre,
thereby giving testimony to their peaceable character.--
(Laughter.) He reerred to the adhesion of Lord Morpeth to
free trade principles, as an event of great importance, and ex-
pressed a hope that Lord John Russell, the leader of the Oppo-
sition, would follow his example.---( Cheers. )
Mr. W. J. Fox addressed the meeting in a powerful and
eloquent speech. He commenced by referring to a state-
ment that the Corn-law League had dwindled into in-
significance. It had dwindled, he said, from a revenue
of 50,0001. a year to one of 100,0001., from small
local gatherings to such as he then beheld. It had dwindled
from petitioning the House of Commons into appealing to its
masters. The League was not dependent either on Sir Robert
Peel or on any other party leader, and nothing could stop its
progress. The dicta of parties would have no influence over it.
As well might it be supposed that its success would be retarded
or prevented by the bellowing of the hull in Tamworth Park.
—( Great laughter.) He then referred to the combinations
against the League, and to the charge of conspiracy brought
against it, neither of which, he said, in the least alarmed its
supporters. He expressed his sympathy with those who were
to be punished for the use of free speech in the
sister isle. Mr. O'Connell did not, however, need
their sympathy, for even in a dungeon, if he were sent to a
dungeon, he would rule—and in the thoughts and hearts and
devotion of the nation would be served.—(Great cheering )
Many charges had recently been brought against the League ;
amongst them was the charge that they sent paid lecturers
about the country. The greatest lecturer of all—one who
spoke with undying power to the heart of humanity and the
cause of free trade—was the love of justice. Another charge
brought against the League was that they had forged petitions
—and it was stated that a man had been employed to copy
signatures from the tombstones in a churchyard. There was
at least great shrewdness in the rogue, for many were the
victims of monopoly lying cold in the grave.—( Hear, hear,
and cheers.) The corn-laws were said to be maintained
for the benefit of the labourers. The landholders loved
the labourer ; they loved him so much that they took care that
his fine proportions should not be spoilt by too ample living.
—(Hear.) He was gifted with twenty-pence a day if the
weather were fine, and with nothing if it were wet. It was
said that the corn-laws was retained as a security for the
agricultural population. He denied that the landholders had
any title to that appellation. If they were to designate the
occupations of men by the use which they made of their pro-
perty, the Marquis of Westminster would he one of the greatest
b icklayers in London, the Duke of Bedford one of the most
distinguished dramatists and musicians, and the clergy of
Westminster Abbey professors of prostitution.—( Great
laughter.) The landed proprietors of England were formerly the
nation,- but they were so no longer. In order to make them
the nation they must turn back the wheels of time, and bring
the country back to barbarism. They had many advantages,
but they were not content with them.—(Hear, hear.) They
might depend upon it that feudalism was past, and that the
spirit of feudalism could not govern this country. The spirit
of feudalism must succumb to the genius of humanity. The
spirit, the principles, and the power of feudalism must stand
by and make way for the rights of industry, and for the pro-
gress of the nation, towards commercial, political, and intellec-
tual liberty. (The Hon. Gentleman concluded amidst loud
and long •continued cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN then stated that Mr. O'Connell had con-
sented to attend the next weekly meeting, an announcement
which was received with vociferous applause.
The meeting then separated.

CENTRAL CRIVIINAL COURT.
OLD COURT.
(Before the RECORDER.)

Henry Sheminine, aged 30, was indicted for a misdemeanour
in obtaining money by false pretences.
From the evidence adduced, it appeared that the prisoner
had been a seaman on board her Majesty's ship Phantom,
and he had gone to lodge with a woman named Brown, in
the neighbourhood of Wrapping, and he represented to his
landlady that he was entitled to upwards of 2001. as prize
money, for the capture of slaves on the coast of Africa, the
Phantom having been engaged in that service. Upon the
faith of that representation she had advanced him various
sums of money amounting to 361., and according to her state-
ment she had even pledged her own clothes and other articles
to raise the money. It subsequently turned out that the
prisoner was not entitled to more than 461., and that he had
already received the greater part of that amount from a ship
agent, to whom he had sold his interest.

The prisoner, in his defence, declared that the prosecutrix,
while he lodged in her house, charged him double the value
for every article he had, and that when he borrowed one
pound ofher she charged ten in his account.
The jury found the prisoner Guilty, and the Recorder sen-
tenced him to eighteen months' imprisonment.
In consequence of an intimation that there was some pro-
bability of the prosecutrix getting part of her money, the
sentence was ultimately annulled, and judgment respite('
until the next session.

Elizabeth Brown, who was convicted on Monday of rob-
bing a Mr. Robert Clavering Savage, with whom she had
been first connected as chere amie, and afterwards as a do-
mestic, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and hard
labour.
The Court then adjourned to Monday, the 4th March.
SENTENCES, &c.

At the termination of the session a number of prisoners
were brought up to receive judgment, and some to have the
sentences which had been passed instanter revised. The sub-
joined are the principal sentences:—
Transportation for Life—T. Lawrence, T. Edwards, J.
Davis, alias Blythe, 11. Robinson.
For Twenty Years—J. Smyth, alias Boodle.
For Fifteen Years—J. Lawrence, C. Edwards, Thomas Ed-
monds, J. Marabello, W. Johnson.
For Fourteen Years—J. Stagg.
For Ten Years—P. Murphy, J. Boyd, J. Davis, J. Frost,
J. Hert, W. Hammett, J. Hutchinson, W. Wicking, P. Con-
nor, T. Connor, N. Kershaw, J. Reeves, T. Friend, W. Murdy,
T. Smith.

For Seven Years—W. Holder, H. Cooper, W. Hammett,
11. Anscomb, J. N. Watson, T. W. Jones, H. Payne, G.
Pellett, J. Hughes, E. M. Jones, E. Thompson, G. Hureum,
11. Alford, A. Shepherd, J. Green, S. Hurman, S. Johnson,
H. Neal, C. Evans, T. Leaton, S. Brown, 11. Williams, G.
Neal, T. Hook, 0., Francis, W. Hengk.
IMPRISONMENT AND HARD LABOUR.

The convicts hereafter named. were sentenced to be kept to
hard labour, in the House of Correction, for the counties
wherein their offences were alleged to have been committed,
for the following periods :
For Two Years—Mary Cook, Emma Knight, C. Brown, E.
Todd, S. Trussler, W. Knight, G. Curtis, S. Hansford, W.
Handiford, C. Scott.
For Eighteen Months—J. Petrie, T. Smith, E. Winter, T.
Broadle, C. Beckley.
For One Year—T. Parr, G. Bowles, S. Mullins, S. Pettitt,
G. Jones, W. Smith, H. Jefcott, H. Melford, E. .Nugent, C.
Murray, S. Broughton, alias Judd, T. Brown, J. wood, G.
Stokes, T. Goodman, W. Anderson, R. Emery, T. Tyson, J.
M'Carty, J. Sponser, G. Gardener, S. Collicutt, T. Jefcott, H.
Milford, W. Henderson.
For Nine Months—G. Griffiths, J. Elmes, T. Cunningham,
S.. Bears, S. Jones, alias Casey, W. Glenell.
For Eight Months—J. Harradine.

' For SiX Months—W. Scurrow, Maidon, J. Jefcott, W.
Anderson, J. F. Watson, R. Eldridge, T. Higgins, W. Sawyer,
' T. Britain, E. Kelly, W. Jones, Sarah Smith, Elizabeth Rey-
nolds, Mary Lewis, Elizabeth Fowler, Mary M'Carty, Jane
Penn, Emily Ferns, Elizabeth Reynolds, Mary Hen-
kess, H. Jones, W. Drumscourt, A. Kelly,- W. Tait, C. Wil-
liams, W. Dear, T. Smith, T. Stacey, J. Baker, W. Ward,
'l'. Scott, T. Allen, G. Webb, C. Allen, IL Hadden, H. James,
P. Bendon, J. Wilson, H. Knight, T. Felix, S. Headford,
F. Sullivan, F. Graham, T. Hursant, B. Burton, C. Harnett
A. Bentley. W. Funn. ,
For Four Months—T. Willock, H. Hancock, T. Smith, R.
May, T. Durrant, Mary Lewis, Sarah Ann Hunt, J. Bartho-
lomew, J. Hickinson, N. King, T. Webb, G. Griffiths.
For Three Months—G. Chadwick, F. D. Legron, E. Hank-
ings, G. Chapman. W. Holmes, C. Rumbell, G. Fudey, E.
Mayes, T. Turner, E. Llls, 11. Joyce, W. Way, alias Ro-
berts, H. Cunningham, W. Berkley, I'. Henderson, T. Blake-
man, J. Defour, T. Thompson, I'. Parker, J. Sharp, J. White,
T. Berry, 11. Way, J. Tush, T. M`Ginty, T. Henderson, J.
Harris, 'W. Warde, G. Lamb, W. Pratt, W. Lawson, D.
Collorn, Ellen Turner, Sarah Williams, R. Simmons, W.
Anderson.

For Two Months—J. Fennsburv, C. Hemmings, J. Jen-
kins, J. Williams, T. Byrn, J. Smith, T. Williams, Mary
Ann Knight, D. Callaghan, T. Raskelly, W. Churchill, J.
Gabruth, T. Briggs, 'l'. Connor, T. Read, J. Stedman.

THE FRENCH ARMY.—It appears from a recent
return that the French army has, at this moment, 75 regi-
ments of infantry of the line, and 25 of light infantry, each
of 3 battalions ; 10 battalions of chasseurs d'Orleans, 2
foreign regiments, 3 battalions of light African infantry, 5
battalions of zouaves, and 3 of native tirailleurs in Africa ; 3
regiments of marine infantry, 30 companies of marine artil-
lery, which number is to be extended to 40, and 6 companies
of )vorkmen in the ports. The cavalry is formed of 2 regi-
ments of carabineers, 10 of cuirassiers, 12 of dragoons, 8 of
lancers, 13 of chasseurs, and 9 of hussars, each of 5 squa-
drons; 4 regiments of African chasseurs, the three first of
6, and the other of 5 squadrons ; 15 squadrons
of spahis, and the cavalry school of Samnur. The artillery
is composed of 14 regiments, of which 10 have 15 batteries,
and 4 have 14; 1 regiment of pontonniers, 12 of artil-
lery workmen, and 6 squadrons of park artillery. There are
3 regiments entrineers, 1 battalion of ouvriers d'administra-
tion, 4 squadrons du train des equipages, and 4 companies of
workmen of the same branch. The veterans consist of 8
companies of non-commissioned officers, 4 companies of horse,
10 of fusiliers, 13 of gunners, 1 of engineers, and 2 of artil-
lery. In the compagnies de discipline, there are Bof fusiliers,
and 4of pioneers. The above is exclusive of the sapeurs-
pompiers and municipal guard of Faris, and the gendarmerie
of the department.