The Sun.
London, England, 1826-11-15 00:00:00

CORN LAWS.

TOWN-HALL.—(Tuts DAY.)
This day a numerous Meeting of the inhabitants of
;he Borough of Southwark, was held at the Town Hall,
n compliance with the following Requisition :
" To Jonsr HOLNItS, ESQ. High. Bailiff of the Town and
Borough of Southwark.
" We, the undersigned Inhabitant Householders of the Town
and Borough of Southwark, do request you to call an early meet-
ing of the inhabitants, to take into consideration the propriety of
petitioning the Legislature fin. a revision of the Corn Laws, and
a general reduction in the expenditure of the country. South-
wark, Nov. 8, 1826." Signed by 110 Inhabitant Householders.
Mr. Holmes appointed the present General Meeting for the
above purposes.
The chair was taken at a quarter past :one, by John Holmes,
Esq., who addressed the Meeting to the following effect :—lle
felt it to be his duty to have called the present public Meeting,
iu consequence of the requisition that had been put into his hands
for that purpose. That requisition was signed bytwo respectable
Magistrates, Solomon Davis and WI% Holmes, Esq.; and by up-
wards of one hundred of the most respectable inhabitants of
the Borough. The subjects fbr consideration, as pointed
out
e.bry; thei /jtaegitiositiimotil:relereontotteet,,mittissettritti was
ose n ene-
cessity of observing order and decorum ; that they would hear
every gentleman deliver his Sentiments with candour and impar-
tiality, and, perhaps, with indulgence; that the Resolutions that
might be passed might be such as would do the meeting credit;
and then the meeting would be reapected. The Resolutions would,
of course, be temperate, yet manly and firm, that they might be
attended to in the proper quarter—(Great applause.)
Mr. HoLates read the terms of the requisition, and then soli-
cited the favour of any gentleman's sentiments who might be
pleased tonddress the meeting.
Mr, Gcovut merely begged to say, that the reason Mr. Solo-
man Davis was not present was in consequence of ill health.
Mr. Moutniwa hada resolution put into his bands, which ac-
corded so much with his own feelings, that he had the greatest
pleasure in supporting it, tho Ugh he laboured under a severe cold,
and knew not the situation he was to stand in at this. Meeting
until half-pas; eleven o'clock last night. For the 30 years he
had resided in the Borough, he hid never seen a list with more
talent in it, calling together any public Meeting in the Borough,
than the present one disclosed • it was mixed up with Gentlemen of
diffarent political principles,adcotning forward upon the importatite
question of the Corn Laws to themselves and their country. Hehad
been connected with the manufacturing interests of this country for
the last 80 years in a very large way, but lately unfortunately in a
very small way, as many were in different parts of the kingdom ;
their warehouses had been shut up, and their workmen become
paupers ! And why was this? In consequence of the free import of
corn not being allowed. After having seen a length of legislative
enactments of no less than 600 years standing, leading to serious
consequences, the Legislature bad said they would allow a free trade
with respect to some things, such as sheep, wool, and se on; but
with great deference, in his humble opinion, they had just put the
cart before the horse, as they should bare allowed the free trade
of corn first.—(Hear, hear !)—He did not wish to depress the
agriculturists ; they ought to have a fair price fur their grain ; but
he wished to give employment to the labouring class of mankind ;
and if they were being paid 6s, or fis, a day, they could well afford
to pay the 9d. for their loaf; but unless this was done in sonic
way or other, the agriculturist would have most cer-
tainly to become a pauper on his own laud, or to emigrate
to a foreign country. He knew well that the Americans won
g

istren

_ ..... .. • . ladly take the manufacture of this country, provided they were
allowed to pay for it in corn; so also would our continental
neighbours. They had indeed said they could buy our raw ma-
terial, and rnastufecture it themselves, rather than pay for our ma-
w°u TlLlthney had done so, but they sue-
ot got English workmen; and
centeedtubraeidllyg,ootles in
because
they
therefore if the manufacturers in this country were allowed to re-
ceive their corn in payment, the continental people would
gladly adopt that plan, though at the advance price of 87 per cent.
(the amount of the duty) rather than themselves continue the ma-
nufacturers, No doubt many of our distressed manufacturers
would go to the Continent, were they not deterred from the fear
of running to even worse ills than they were now enduring, and
whjch at present they knew not of,. When he observed that the
altlitfu I I y discharge their
Mayor of Leeds, the Judge Advocate's brother, was at the head of
a meeting, among a body
of the most loyal Alen that ever breathed,
to petition against the existing Corn Laws, he had some
anti
hee hthadatnothdeoupbretTattthey Parliamentwould would speedily interfere;
duty. With regard to the public expenditure, that was a sub-
ject more for the Minister than anybody to consider, because it
regarded the public ettirse ; but we had all been learnt' the Rule
of Three, and could not miss seeing some things, Foreigners,
iudeed, congratulated the country on being wealthy, prosperous,
and flourishing,, as they observed that immense sums were being
laid out on public buildings! well they mighty—but in this the
poor manufacturers were sadly overlooked. For instant*, there
was an hospital at Deal erected by Government at- the
expense of 40001. or /WOOL, and now they were building one at
Chatham, at an enormous expense, too fur the very purpose of
bringing sick to and front the neighbourhood of Deal. This hospital
was being erected just opposite where a steam engine of the value
of 20,000/. stood, and he would be bound to lay, that iu a very
short time, either the hospital would have to be removed, because-
it was not in a healthy situation, or the Steam engine would have
to be taken away, en the ground of its being a nuisance.
(Laughter.) This was the improvident way in which large sums
were laid out, while thousands and thousands of the manufacturers
of this country were in a perfect downright state of starvation._
Ile had no disposition to stint the public servants, for every labourer
was worthy of his hire. Ile was glad to hear the declaration '
made the other day, at the Mansion-house feast, by Mr. Huakisson,
"may, that he would attend to the wishes awl wants of the people. I

He was also disposed to place faith in the Chancellor of the Exche•
quer, that Right Hon. Gentleman possessed the confidence of th
nation in the days of his prosperity, and would it not be ungen
oils to desert him now in his adversity? The only thing in the
conduct of that Minieternot deseryieg of praise was, that he in-
duced the country to think its commercial interests would for cwr
flourish, whilst, in fact, they enjoyed but a six months' prospe-
rity. Mr. Goulding concluded bymoving the first resolution.
After the resolution had been put from the chair, a consulta-
tion took place amongst the gentlemen who appeared the
chief managers of the meeting, as to what the importing price of corn
was; and although Mr. Calvert repeatedly enquired whe-
ther there was any person present conversant with the
Corn trade, the required information could not be ob.
tained. Some gentlemen gave it as their' opinion that the
importation of foreign corn could not take place until the
average price became eighty shillings. Others contended
that when the average price was 'up to 70s. foreign corn
was admitted, subject to a low duty. In this conflict of opinion it
was suggested that it would be unwise to state any thing in the re-
solution as to the importing price, lest the meeting should commit
itself by a display of its ignorance on the subject they had met to
consider, and of which they professed to have a competent know-
ledge. The first resolution, in its amended shape, was then put
from the Chair; the second resolution was also put at the same time.
• FIRST—That it is .the opinion .of this Meeting, that the law re-
stricting importation of corn, until it has attained 80s. per quarter, a
price double that of any other country, is attended with the most
dangerous and alarming consequences to the manufacturing and
commercial interests, and Listless such an alteration be made in
the Corn Laws as shall place our manufacturers and artisans in a
situation more nearly approximating those of other States, there is
'great reason to apprehend that the capital now used in giving em-
ployment to our own manufacturing population, will be transferred
to those countries where the rate of subsistence will enable the ca-
pitalist to obtain a more adequate return, and subsequently a large
proportion of our manufacturers will he unemployed, subjected to
the most severe misery and distress, and involved in Certain and in-
evitable ruin.
STCOND—That viewing with feelings of deep regret and
auxiety, the defalcation that has taken place in the public Revenue
during the past year, this Meeting is also of opinion, that it is
only by the legislature of the country placing a strict and vigilant
guard on the public expenditure, by strongly urging his Majesty's
Gavernment to makeevery possible retrenchment, in management
and appropriation thereof, by the abolition of all useless places
and pensions, many of which are bestowed on persons who have
never rendered any adequate service for the game, that the
country can be retrieved from its present calamitous condition, its
trade and commerce restored to its former prosperity, or good faith
maintained with the public creditor.
Mr. ELLIS rose to make a few observations on the first Reso-
lution. He was as much opposed to wasteful expenditure of the
public money as ant' man, but lie doubted whether the Meeting
was competent to come to a right decision on the Corn question,
when no person then present could say whether the importing
price was 80*. or 90s. Must not all feel that they would be
justly exposed to derision from the agricultural interest, were
they found advising Parliament on a subject of which they them-
selves betrayed a most profound ignorance. (Hear, and laughter.)
He was free to allow the respectable Gentleman, who brought for-
ward the ResolUtions, all the credit that was due to him for the man.
ner in which he ushered them in. He had spoken as a manufacturer,
and must be supposed to speak the sentiments of that body. With
the latter part of the resolution Mr. E. could not agree. He could
not sanction the opinion that the situation of our manufacturers
was produced by the restrictions on the importation of foreign corn.
This view of the case was in his opinion incorrect, and every man
who dispaesionately considered it must feel that the introduction
of machinery, and the dispensing with manual labour, had, by
throwing artisans out of employment, caused much, if not all,
the distress. It was only necessary to consider the progream
of our manufactures to come to the conclusion, that at pre-
sent as much goods could be manufactured in one month as
our ancestors would take four months in doing. The de-
pression
in the wool trade was attributable not to natural,
but to artificial causes. It was owing to the admission of
foreign wool; and the Mover of the Resolutions most know
that there was owing to this 'admission large quantities of wool at
present rotting, not only in his but in other warehouses.—il
In allusion to the silk trade, lie attributed the present depression
to the introduction of machinery, instead of employing the starving
manufacturers. It was well known that the present mender.
were could furnish more goods in a month than our forefathers
a twelvemonth, which had caused the great manufacturing
It was well known that by supporting the agricul-
curists, the manufacturers were also supported, and the present as
a meeting of shop-keepers would know, by referring to their books
end shops, that their trade was never so flourishing as when the:agri-
culturianu flourished as well. He then stated that he considered it
the height of impolicy, on looking to our national debt and the
severe economy obliged to be adopted by our legislature, to take a
step which, when coolly considered, could not produce the desired
effect, and would ultimately ruin the agriculturists. The reason
that foreigners had not grown sufficient corn to export, was that
there was no call for it, but immediately on our ports being open
we should find that they would grow it cheaper than our agricul.
turists would be able to do, and not meet us with any other species of
merchandise, as had been theopinion ofthe gentleman who moved the
resolutions. In the present distress, when it required all the energy
of our Ministers to keep up the trade of the country. He considered,
that ten, twelve, or even fifteen shillings per quarter, ,duty,
would not be too much to protect the agriculturist and prevent
the overflowing importations which might ensue. (A voice here
from the crowd called out that two shillings per quarter was too
much, on which the speaker observed, that he hoped there was
no persou present who had not the courage to hear the
real state of their country's trade; at all events he hoped
the worthy Chairman would have the courage to protect him).
(Loud laughter.) The speculative spirit of ouf merchants was
well known. If the ports were opened, the importation would be
so overwhelming, that the agriculturists would 'then be in greater
distress, than the manufacturers at present. The foreigners not
being .liable to the same taxation as ourselves, would, as he had
before said, ultimately beat us. He then sat down .amidst loud
uproar, attended with a few hisses.
MI: MOULDING then rose in explantition—He expe(' led after
the severe satire of the last speaker, on the ignorance of the
Meeting relative to the price of Corn, to have bad a full elucida-
tion front his own lips. His speech was certainly pithy, because
filled up with something__(alaugh)—but he could not concur in
his views with regard to the ultimate effect of the revision of the
Corn Laws. lie recollected, too, when the parish of Ber-
mondsey petitioned against the corn laws, Mr. H. Sumner said,
present it, but he should not support it, and they might turn him out
if they liked, his Learned Friend had talked of the wool trade, and
said that if wool was lying in the warehouses rotting, it was not
so if they had rotten wool in their warehouses, they
would be eaten by moths, and liable to be Indicted for a
nuisance; it was the corn that was rotting in the warehouse.
Mr. Eeets begged to say a few words in explanation—where
there was a meeting of manufacturers, it all went one way ; and
when the agricultural interest suet, it all went their way. He haul
no doubt but that when the Cora Law question cause to be dis-
cussed in St. Stephen's Chapel, both the agricultural and the ma.
nufacturing interests would have their advocates, and both ,aimies
would fairly meet.
Mr. Mires denied that there were two armies ; we were embark.
ed iu the good ship England, and must be all on one side. Ile then
remarked on the Game Laws. He said there were other thing*
which the poor man wanted besides the revision of the Corn Laws ;
they wanted employment, and wages, for their employment ; it
was proved, that the time the agriculturist was rolling in wealth,
the labouring mall was the inmate of the workhouse. Our an.
the
etorprce of wheat;eipreteetedtbeand h
labourers;eca
tahteeyad wereed:
thattob ap ataat
aidahcrrag of thedingto
kind ought to take place at this time. We used to talk of the
French wearing wooden shoes, now our poor were going with-
out any shoes to their feet. He hoped the gentleman who last
spoke would withdraw his opposition.
Mr. Gauss contended, that the •only thing that could relieve
the distress of the country would be the abolition 'of all sipecures
and pensions, By the Black Book it. appeared that • present
Secretary of State bad his mother and two sisters at present re.
ceiving pensions from the country, In the within which he
resided the applications for parochial relief were beyond all belief.
As to the Corp Laws, he did not care any thing. If the Govern-
ment only Issued a metallic currency they would have nothing to
fear, as the Corn Laws would abolish themselves.

_,......
After
which was bur-
Ailer.rAaufenwo
awrorrdossfer,outailldlrbe. 10)gueadic to observe
oi iiinererty
on
the litr . E Ellie,
subject
of
the protecting price of corn. lie would ask what was it that
tihnat 4 he country
asked was, that the
made the 13ritish landholder of more consequence than the foreign
rounded by nouf ers.
landholder should have justice done to him, but not to the ruin of
itlwasabeettultruseheliAvield
all other classes. There was another view he considered the Corn
Laws in, when the foreign corn dealer knew that he could import
corn into this country, it would not only increase the price of
core there, adequately, he bad no doubt to the fall iu this country.
landholder?
He perfectly agreed in the propriety of the Resolutions. '
Mr. Ewa said, that the opening of the ports fur Corn, subject
to a small protecting duty, would certainly raise the price of
corn abroad; but that rise would continue only for a time. If the
price of corn was lowered, the tents and labour which the Eng'

- lish (either had to pay most alma be lowered. It was impossible
far the English farmer to be put in competition with the fo-
r ign farmer.
An Inhabitant contended, that all faxes on provisions coma-
- teracted the will of Divine Providence. ; and if any government
- prohibited the importation of core, when the country was in a state •
• of starvation that Governtuent had to answer for their conduct in
the eyes of the Almighty ; he hoped that this circumstance would
• be embodied in the resolutions.
• Mr. Mouenixa said,:that the farmer, from the high price of
corn, was not enabled to pay his labourer; the poor rates fell prin-
cipally on the butcher, and baker, and tradesmen who sold pro-
visions.
The Hum &tater read a resolution handed to him by an
iu
habitant, it %vas as follows :—" That all restrictions on articles of
human subsistence, are contrary to the intention of the Almighty,"
it was not seconded.
The Hum BAILIFF then put the first resolution, which • was
carried with only one dissenting voice.
Mr. &els then rose to speak on the second resolution, the
benefit they intended by the revision of the Corn Lawy, tended
more for the relief of therich non than the poor man; it was cer-
tain that the national debt must be paid, and he certainly 'agreed
'with the resolution.
•The Hiatt Bazeter then put the resolutions to the meeting,
which was carried unanimously.
Tfitun—Resolved, That Petitions, founded on the above Re-
solutions,• be presented to both Houses orParliament. That the
Petition to the House of Commons be presented by C. Calvert,
Esq. and Sir Robert Wilson ; and that they be requested to sup-
port the same. That the Petition to the House of Lords be pre-
sented by Lord Kiug. y Mr
The third resolution was then moved b
being seconded, was carried o a Inirookody.
The Petition founded on the resolutions was then read..
The High Bailiff said that they had heard the petition read,
those who were of opinion that it should be adopted, should sig-
nify the stone in the usual way.The petition was then parried unanimously.
' Mr. CALVERT said the best land in tillage was rented at tithe 'per acre; on au average the corn grown on an acre of land produ-
ced three sacks of 'lour, that would make about V4O quartern
loaves; it the landholder reduced the rents one third it would
only produce a reduction of ens halfpenny Or loaf, as the
average rent of land was thirty shillings per acre, and the
taking off one third, 10s. would only be one halfpenny on the
loaf. All the commodities of the labourer were taxed. lie could
not lay down in a bed that was not taxed. He could not put on to
coat that was not taxed, the very air he breathed was taxed ; and
in fact, the, only thing he could do without being taxed, was
that of speaking, it was his opinion, that the ports ought to be
opened, subject to a duty for the protection of trade. The agricul-
turists were undivided in their opinions, the first vote he gave in the
House of Commons was against these obnoxious laws ; he was
one of a minority of seven against upward* of three huodred.
lie would recommend Vie agriculturists to follow the plan adopted
by medical gentlemen when they were ill; they generally Consult-
ed some one else on their complaint ; he would advise them also
to do so.

- ARPTHOItr, and

Sir ROBERT WILSON said 230 person who had not lutenist the country, could not, however, believe the distress there existing,
little else but starvation and fever was extended throughout. Sir.
'Robert then read a petition from Glasgow, signed by 250 fami-
lies, and consisted ofabout twelve hundred persons, the Petitiones
suggested their removal to some other country, and particularly mentioned Upper Canada. It was no injustice to seek for the
abolition of that abominable law which prevented the manufac-
turer, with all his capital, with British industry, from sending au
article abroad, that would secure &preference in the Foreign Market,
'there had been a monopoly of the Corn Laws for the last eight s.r
ten yeare,and the peasantry of the country were never before iu
su
wretched a state as at the present time. It had beets said that the
Government would shrink from the question he did not
belieue it.

It was moved and carried that the petition do lay for signature
at the Town Hall and the Vestry Room.
Mr. Moinntlitl moved the thanks of the Meeting to the two Re-
Presentatives,for the Town and Borough of Southwark, for their
kind attention to us this day, and for their general conduct' in
Parliament.
Mr. CALVIRT and Sir R. Wasori shortly returned thanks.
Thalike were then moved to the High bailiff, who having re-
turned thanks, the Meeting broke up.