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

OPENING OF THE PORTS.

BATH, DEC. s.—An anti-corn-law soirée was held in the
Guildhall of this city last night, over which the Mayor
(Mr. Batchelor) presided. It was attended by many of the
influential inhabitants of Bath; but the issue of tickets at
Is. fid. for tea was limited to 500 only. After tea, however
persons were admitted by sixpenny tickets, and the number
of auditors was thereby increased to nearly 700.
The intelligence announced by the Times that the Govern-
ment were about to give up the corn-laws was very generally
circulated through the city in the ufternoon.
Mr. HUNT (a town-councillor), having repeated the news,
it was welcomed with loud shouts of joy and waving of hats.
Mr. Hunt proceed to remark, that the funeral of the corn-
laws was about to take place. No doubt some of the gen-
tlemen on the platform'were ready to become pall-bearers,
more especially as they had been instrumental in producing
the dissolution of the party.—(A laugh.) He bad thought,
that Lord J. Russell would be the undertaker, but it ap-
peared that Sir R. Peel and the Duke of Wellington were
candidates for that office.—(Laughter.) He was sure that
his auditors would join with the rest of the people in making
up a multitudinous procession of " merry mourners."—
(Cheers and laughter.) He was quite sure that the people
of this country would never have endured the corn-laws so
long had they not been surrounded by political terms and a
paradoxical play upon the phrases of " low wages " and
" cheap bread ;" but that illusion was now destroyed, thanks
to Cobden and Bright.—(Cheers.) Those gentlemen bad
made not only great exertion, but sacrifices in the cause of
free trade, and after much labour had succeeded with the
sagacity of statesmen in convincing the Senate and Govern •
ment of the land that the measure which they advocated
was the right one to he adopted —(Cheers. ) The conduct
of the Government in resisting the repeal of the corn-laws
so long, and particularly under the present scarcity and
prospect of general famine, was neither just nor humane.—
(Hear, hear.) But, if the Government would not adopt
the only remedy for existing and threatened evils, the people
must provide it themselves.—(Cheers.) He concluded by
proposing a memorial to the Queen, praying for the opening
of the ports and the importation of foreign corn free of
duty.—(Cheers.).. . .

The Rev. J. Icluacir (Unitarian minister) seconded the
adoption of the memorial. _

Mr. COBDEN, on presenting himself, was uproariously
cheered. He said this enthusiastic reception was the more
welcome because this was the first time he had appeared
before an assembly of the inhabitants of Bath, who had
already done much to promote the repeal of the corn-laws by
returning Members to Parliament to support Mr. Villiers 's
annual motion and by ether demonstrations.—(Cheers.)
Some of the manufacturing districts had not acted so nobly
and so independently, but still on the part of the manufac-
turing districts generally he tendered the citizens of Bath
his grateful thanks.—(Applause.) In opposing the corn-
laws, they were not opposing a mere Custom-house tax for
the sake of supporting the national income. He believed,
indeed, that the time -would come when all indirect taxes
would be abolished, and it would be seen that much trouble,
annoyance, and expense might be avoided by collecting all
necessary taxes directly .—(Cheers.) At present there were
two sets of Custom-house officers —one representing her
Majesty the Queen, God bless her!—(Cheers)—and the other
the Duke of Richmond and Co., who collected a tax for their
own benefit. Now, he decidedly objected to the collection
of any tax for the exclusive benefit of a class.—(Cheers.)
It was said that goods in bond were under the
Queen's lock. He did not object to that, but he did
object to the food of the people being under the Duke of
Richmond's lock.—(Laughter and cheers.) It was called
protection, but it was just that sort of protection which the
sparrowhawk afforded to the sparrow.—(Hear.) He bad
never been of opinion that the rents of the land would de-
crease because manufactures flourished. He thought the
value of land would rise. It was suicidal to themselves for
landlords to admit that they were living in mansions of the
value of 5001. to 1,0001, a. year, and that all this was got out
of the bread• tax.—(Hear, hear.) Landowners must not ex-
pect to continue to raise their rents by means of the corn-laws,
and by keeping nests of vermin, called game, to destroy the
produce of the farmer—(Cheers.) No, no! They must
learn to act like the manufacturers. They must study,
think, and mind their own business, and let their tenants
have farms on terms which would induce them to lay
out capital and labour upon them ; they must let their
tenants to do as they liked with the land and with their
votes also.—(Cheers.) The matter must be treated in a
mercantile way, without any reference to Church and State
and our glorious Constitution ; just the same as the buying
and selling of a piece of cloth.—(Cheers.) If all Gloucester-
shire were cultivated on the terms and principles upon
which Earl Dude's example farm at Whitfield was, there
would be three times as many labourers employed, and the
profits of the farmers, as well as the rents of the landlords,
would be greater.—(Hear.) He had repeatedly told the
landlords that if they would have a committee and call their
own witnesses, he would prove out of their own mouths that
the corn-laws were of no benefit to themselves nor to any
one else. But that challenge had never 'been accepted.—
(Hear.) He believed that they were approaching a perilous
crisis.—(Hear.) There had been frequent meetings of the
Cabinet, and it had appeared that the Duke of Wellington
and Lord Stanley had stoutly opposed the repeal of the
corn-laws. How had Sir R. Peel reconciled them to repeal?
By conditions ? By clogs on the measure ? By bartering
away the rights of the people, which had been withheld from
them during a long series of years of wrong? If he has
(continued Mr. Cobden), it will- be our business to see that
this compact for bartering away any portion of our rights
in this unjust manner shall not be completed.—(Cheers.)
The League was founded upon a principle which has been
the rock of our salvation—the total and unconditional repeal
of the corn-laws.—(Cheers.) There can be no midway course
between total repeal and total abolition. If Lord John
Russell or Sir Robert Peel can show us any justice, or right,
or reason,—if one fact, one sand argument can be adduced
to warrant the imposition of a single shilling duty on corn,
or a tax of any kind on bread, or the slightest restriction on
the food of the people of this country, then we will submit;
but if not, then not one single shilling or farthing shall be
imposed.(Cheers.) Now, I don't care for dukes or lords.
—(Repeated cheering and laughter.) I say this question is
taken out of the hands of dukes and lords, and prime mi-
nisters, eitherein posse or in esse. The question is placed in
the hands of the people of this country.—Cheers) They will
profit by past agitation, and not fall into a state of joyous
intoxication because they are told that this minister or that,
this duke or that lord, happens to agree in opinion with them.
No, but they will profit by the experience,of the Reform Act
and the Negro .Emancipation Act, and will be determined.
The people are fixed and determined on this question. They
are prepared for every trick or act of jugglery that may ema-
nate from any quarter.—(Loud cheers.) The people are pre-
pared not to accept the repeal of the corn-laws from any party
as a boon, but to take and claim it as a simple act of justice.
—(Renewed cheering.) The Hon. Gentleman then went on
to say that he knew, from personal observation, that the
country was with the League in this object, and that the
people would not suffer themselves to be tricked by any
party.—(Laughter and cheers.)
The memorial was then put by the Mayor, and unani-
mously agreed to.
Mr. EDWARDS moved the second resolution,—
" That the efforts now being made to secure, through the
medium of county freeholds, a more effectual representa-
tion of the people deserve the warmest support of the meet-
ing.”--(Hear, hoar.)
Mr. J. KPIANt seconded it,

Mr. litttaTti, was enthusiastically cheered,
neat addreaSed the assembly, repeating his usual arguments
in favour of an immediate and total repeal of' the corn-laws.
It is not out of any disrespect to the Hon, Gentleman that
we do not repeat their, but because they have been fre-
quently published before. In the course of his remarks he
said, there was a paper—he did not know whether to call It
one paper or two papers, fbt one half was published in the
morning, and the tither half hi the evening—lie Meant the
Herald and 8 Oh," anti laughter)—that paper,
or double paper or half-paper, had lately said that the abo-
lition of the corn-laws would drive the people to a potato
diet—(Laughter)—just as if the introduction of more wheat
would make the, people eat More petitoes..,-(ltenewed
laughter) In allusion to the Viiiied State or America, he
contended that if We ran any rigs. of a war with that country,
we had to thank the restrictions upon free trade for it: But
he believed that there was a vast number of the Anierieans
who were free-traders, and whu Wptild sus Sacrifice
rather than go to war with tie, Ana surely the English did
not desire a deadly Conflict With those who wee not in
theory; but in fact, "bone their Wei slid fle6ll of their
fiseh.”—(Cheers.) !Jeyolid that, let the Americans
know that 00 tofti-laws were abolished,, and down would
go the American tariff, and every little dispute would
cease, for the two nations would perceikt it Was titbit tiiiitnal
interest to maintain
.p.eac and went(' retkiSe to go to war
to gratify the ambition of A yr:Wilke Minister; whether
in America or in Unglaficl.—(Great cheering:) He con-
cluded by observing, that Oe people in this country could
have no hoe in a Privileged aristocracy—he doubted
if theY . fit Any country—their only hope must
he iii themselves, and, therefore, let them not be satis-
fied until they had beaten down the tyranny of the corn-
lal.9ll,—(Cheers.) It was true that Lord J. Russell had writ-
ten a letter, giving in his adhesion to the cause of free trade,
and a more. honest, statesmanlike document, he had never
seen, But still the repeal of the corn-laws- was no Whig
movement. Lord Morpeth, too, had joined the League, and
his talents and principles were more honourable to him than
his alliance with nobility.-4 Cheers.) Still the League had
not sought to prof-note a Whig or party morethOnt: If pit R.
reel should tend lii adhentlii) lie Wituld be received with
JO hearty a Weldonie.—( Hear, hear, And laughter.) But,
after all, the'people, by their votes and their oeinionp.
do the work. T -
non, gentleman resumaci his scat amidst
much cheering and waving of hate.
The resolution was carried unanithously.
Mr. WILSON, a magistrate of the city, proposed a Vote of
thanks to Messrs. Cobden and Bright, which wad settnided
by Mr. Moger, banker, and carried by acclamation.
A vote of thanks was also presented to the Mayor, and
three times three cheers for the repeal of the derv-litWA,
vociferously given, terminated the proceedings at a few
minutes past ten o'clock.
D- A.

—EAL.—An occurrence of a very distressing nature
took place here a few days ago. The infant son of Mr. Pain,
baker, an interesting child, of three year of age, tempted by
the contents of a box of colours, abstracted unobserved a green
paint, and swallowed it. The discoloured state of the bed
indicated the nature of the mischief, and though some portion
of the poison had been dislodged, medical assistance arrived.'
too late to be of service. The child died shortly after Oka
dilaVerY.—Kent Herald;

OPENING OF THE PORTS.

MEETING OF THE WARD OF FARRINGDON

WITHOUT.

Mr. WALKER (in continuation from our Afternoon Edition
of yesterday) said—
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
duty was still the same. They ought to have been
actively anxious to have had them removed long
before. They should have been impressed with the convic-
tion that the prosperity and well-being of the country and of
the industrious classes demanded their removal, and it was
on this broad ground, and not on the mere exigencies of the
time, that he took his stand. Why should they be considered
through the distorted medium of political considerations or
party feelings ?—(Hear, hear.) He trusted that a better
time was coming, and that the sympathies of all classes
would be amused; that their patriotism would be
called into action, and that they would 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 be extended to their
legislative enactments. By the removal of these laws an
impetus would be given to the. industry of the masses :
the thought which inspired, the wisdom which directed, and the
interest which secured, would each be brought into play, adding
not only to individual property, but to the efficiency of every
department and institution of the country.—(Hear, hear.)
And if these advantages could be secured them by the
abolition of these laws, would they, he asked, cease their ex-
ertions until they were fully done away with ?—(Hear, hear.)
In askiiig the repeal of these corn-laws they did not wish to
depress others ; all they wanted was to elevate themselves,
and they felt that in thus elevating themselves they were
benefiting all classes of the community.—(Hear.) With these
views, he would impress upon the meeting the propriety of
assisting those who had formed themselves into an union
for the purpose of relieving the people from the trammels
which had been thrown around them ; of assisting those who
wished to break the last link of the chain which had been
placed upon their necks by the corn-laws.—(Hear, hear.)
He knew that there were many gentlemen present with more
talents than he could boast of, who could do greater justice
to this important subject, and he trusted that they would
come forward then and do so. They could do themselves no
higher honour than in being instrumental in effecting the
consummation they all so anxiously desired. He would but
acid for himself that he had no personal object apart
from that of his fellow-citizens to serve in this matter.

He had come forward as an independent man, anxious to pro-
mote an independent object.—(Great cheering.) It was the
duty of every Englishman to do his best to get these laws
repealed, no matter what his station in society might be.
He did not despair of their ultimate triumph ; nay, more, he
hoped to see the day when civil and religious liberty would
be freely extended over the world.—(Cheers.) They were
anxious that their views should be fully understood; they
were not of a destructive or injurious tendency; but, while
they sought not to inflict injury on others, they were
equally determined to have justice for themselves.—(Loud
cheers.) They were anxious to have good laws, and to
improve to the utmost the advantages of their present posi-
tion in society.—(Hear, hear.) The speaker then read and
proposed the resolution.
Mr. CARPENTER. said that he had been requested to

second the resolution which had just been proposed by Mr.
Walker, and he did so from exactly the same motives and
feelings which had prompted that gentleman to move it.
He felt that that was a time which rendered it impera-

tive on all men to discharge a public as well as private
duty, especially in a case of great emergency like that
which had brought them together—(Hear, hear)—and no
man, however humble his station or contracted his talents,
should shrink from the duties which society imposed on him.
—(Cheers.) The resolution which had first been read had
reference to the prospective state of the industrious classes of
the community, and their anticipation that in consequence of
the disease of the potato crop and the scarcity of the wheaten
harvest the depressed condition of those classes would
be exceedingly increased. Whatever men's opinions
might be in reference to the corn-laws—whether
in the eves of one party they were unjust and
not so in the eyes of another, was of no consequence.
Neither of the parties who divided the country would, for a
moment, blame Sir Robert Peel for a calamity which was
solely attributable to the seasons under Divine Providence ; at
the same time it was right to look beyond the immediate
causes of the present pressure, and to ascertain what course
should be adopted in this comparative dearth of the
ordinary productions of the country.—(Hear, hear.) And
they had a right also, if they believed that these laws were
calculated to aggravate the distresses of the people ,• if they
believed that, in the present extraordinary state of things,
their removal would mitigate those evils by rendering the
importation of food comparatively easy, in those circum-
stances, and with this belief, they had a perfect right to have
these laws abrogated.—(Cheers.) It had been even an
axiom in politics that when capital was in great
abundance there was an increased demand for
labour, and that when there was a great demand
for labour the wages of the productive classes were corre-
spondingly high. It has also been admitted that for the last
four or five years, while profits have been high, wages have
been low, and this because there was too great an inequality
between the two classes of society. What was the state of
things at present? They found capital in great abundance—
in such abundance, indeed, that theydid not know how to dispose
of it, and the wildest projects, therefore, had been brought before
the public, and such was the superabundance of capital, that
men rushed, with open hands and pockets, into the arms of
those who proposed the wildest schemes to them. They
had heard before the railway speculation commenced of
bankers in London, who had lying in their coffers one million,
or it might be two millions of money, which they were
willing to lend at two per cent., and yet were unable
to find persons to borrow it from them.—(Hear, hear.)
And what had been the tendency of this accumulation of
capital?—was it to increase the wages of the working
classes on the one hand, and to enhance the profits of the
trading classes on the other? They found that there had
been, during the last fourteen or fifteen years, a gradual
declension in the wages of the labouring classes, and a
gradual reduction in the profits of the trading classes. Now
was not this state of things calculated to excite the sympathy
of all reflecting and right-thinking men? Let them put this
state of things before those who entertained a different view
of the corn-laws from what they did, and let them be asked
to explain the contradiction. Let them be asked to
account for an increased capital and diminished wages and
profits. They would find that the corn-laws were in part the
cause of this anomaly, because their tendency was to
fetter and restrict the industry of the working men.
It was gratifying now to find that men of all parties were be-
ginning to see their injurious tendency, and to acknow-
ledge that they pressed most unjustly on the humbler
classes of the population. It was lamentable to find that
ill consequence of these the distinction was gone between
the poorer classes and the industrious classes. In-
dustry and poverty were synonimous terms, as were riches
and idleness.—(Hear.) But. they were glad to find that the
causes of this anomaly were being investigated, and he hoped,
sincerely hoped, that with increased knowledge, they would
do away with the causes which had resulted in these evils.
We were told that the question was settled. It was nearly
ten years ago that a letter was published from one of the two
great leaders of one of the two great political parties in this '
country. He alluded to Lord John Russell, who, after
twenty years'experience, had been converted to sound politi-
cal economy. He reminded him of Rip Van Winkle, who,
after twenty years sleep, awoke. Lord John Russell had
been asleep for twenty years, and now suddenly woke up,
and came forward to aid in the work which so much inte-
rested them all.' He had found out, after twenty years, that
corn does not form an exception to political economp and
had contributed his influence to do good and realise the
important aid they were seeking. It had since then
been announced in a sort of demi-official way that
the Premier (who ought to be called the great
Corn-law Silence) had been impressed with the ne-
cessity of doing something to relieve the country from
the oppression of these laws, which had so long disgraced
it. Fie was not one of those who would judge the motives
of statesmen. It would be unfair to decide upon them by
the same principles that were usual to men in the ordinary
walks of life. They appeared to him to be governed by
principles of which the generality of people had very little
idea, and to which most men were strangers, and they would
be in error who attempted to fathom their reasons when they
were actuated by so many particular circumstances. It was
enough for them; to know that if that announcement was
founded in truth, the two great leaders of the two
great parties had at length found it necessary to sub-
mit themselves to the decision of the public will,
and to express their readiness to do what was
required. He had heard it mentioned after the announcement
of the decision of the last Cabinet Council, that this meet-
ing was not to be held to-day. He was delighted to find
that it was held, and that the expectations of some persons
in that ward were disappointed, because it was certain that,
whether the announcement of the Cabinet Council was true
or untrue, there was the same necessity for the very same
course of proceeding on the part of the public. If it was
true Sir R. Peel would require all the support which the
public could give, as it would give a great blow to the aris •
tocratical power of this aristocratic country ; and if the
public mind decided that he did not intend to do any-
thing, there would be the same necessity for coming
forward to help themselves, as the landed interest
would take advantage of any indecision. They
_would fight
the battle to the last step, and would not give up their last
great hold on the finances of this country.—(Loud applause.)
And if the public were not alive to support a Minister who
was thrust into the battle against his will, they would not
succeed in their endeavours, and would be foiled in their
attempts on all sides. He felt that he had already occupied
the time of the meeting longer than he should do—(Cries of
"No, no," "Go on")—and he would conclude by begging to
second the resolution so ably proposed by his friend Mr.
Walker.—(The speaker then sat down amidst thunders of
applausa.)
Sir GAMES bnicE then put the resolution to the meeting,
and it was carried unanimously.
Mr. C, Wows then said that he bad been called on to pro-
their atteaflorl tha resolution That Sir R. Peel, by not
pose the skiednd resolution. lie would begin by calling to
advising her Majesty immedialgy td assemble Parliament to
consider the necessity of repealing the corn-laws, had been
guilty of a ilegletit a duty, aqd had rendered himself re-
sponsible to the country for illd present deficiency
in corn." In support of the resolution he WOllll Call
their attention to the feeling of the public mind soina
five or six weeks ago, previous to the assembling of the
Cabinet Council. It was then the universal feeling that an
Order in Council on the more important measure of assembling
Parliament would be necessary, in order- to open the ports.
Sir Robert Peel was in a situation to open theni, ha he
required the support of the people. It was an act which, as
the chief member of the Cabinet Council, he was enabled
to perform, and on him lay the responsibility if he neglected
this important duty. It was seen that there was a difference
of opinion in the Cabinet Council, as nothing resulted from
their deliberations. The corn market went up in conse-
quence, as many persons suspected from the evident
difference, of opinion that the ports would not be opened.
The inferior soft df corn now in the market was at from
50s. to 545. per quarter, end it was of such a bad quality that,
"n order to use it, it was mixed with a better quality of
"t 745. per quarter, and the
`q mix

corn. That better (pain), -- -
duty Was so high that the good corn, necessary
with the inferior stuff they had already, could not be im-
ported. The duty at present amounted to 14s. per quarter.
lie was told that the report that the ports could not be
opened had closed the hands of all who held bonded corn,
and it was now worth from 4s. to 53. more than it was at
that time: An objection might be made to the second reso-
lution, on the ground that it placed Sir Robert Peel in an
improper position—(Hear, hear)—and he would defend it on
that point, as Sir Robert Peel had taken no measures to as-
semble Parliament. Supposing that in the Cabinet Council
the Duke of Wellington, Lord 'Wharncliffe, and the Earl of
Ripon should hinder him from doing thq.t which he con-
sidered necessary for the good of the country, and which, as
First Lord of the Treasury, he had a right to do,
could he not say that if he was hindered from prosecuting his
own measure, they should seek another Minister?' lie had
not done so, but had called meetings from which nothing
had iesulted• The Times had wetted one thing yeeterday

morning, and it was contradicted the same evening by the
Standard, and this morning the Chronicle asserted the state-
ment of the Times to be true, inasmuch as the allegations it
contained were quite consistent with the professions of Sir R.
Peel and the Duke of Wellington. Whose assertion were they
then to believe? If the Duke of Wellington advocates the
repeal of the corn-laws in the House of Lords, while
the Premier advdcates it in the Commons, then by
' these meetings they were assisting them in their
endeavour, but, if otherwise, they were forwarding
their own views. He wished Sir 'Robert Peel to remain in
office, because he did many things for them which, with all
their efforts, they would be unable to do themselves. If he
was guilty of neglect of duty they ought to impress it upon
him, and point out to him the necessity of some immediate
remedy. Supposing that Lord John Russell's letter had
not appeared, would the article in the Times have appeared,
or would any change in the views of the Cabinet have taken
place? Cobbett and his assistants had done all in their
power to forward that change, which was undertaken with
the view of benefiting the working classes, and enabling the
industrious man to get his own living.—(Loud applause.)
He knew that from ten to twenty-five per cent. had
been taken off from the wages of the men in the north,
and even now in some of the large manufacturing towns they
were working short work. Take a bushel of wheat new from
the last harvest, and its quality was such that it would be,
if cleared, two or two-and-a-half pounds lighter than a
bushel from the preceding harvest ; and then let them think
what a deficiency that would amount to when spread over
millions of bushels. Let them add to that deficiency the
failure of the potato crop, and what a frightful picture was
there. They heard daily the accounts from Ireland and from
Somersetehire, that the decay was going on to an alarming
extent. He knew a potato-merchant who had pur-
chased a quantity of potatoes at 6s. per cwt., and
in i short time after he was glad to be able
to sell half of them to the cowkeepers at ls. per
cwt. Let them, therefore, impress it on the mind of
Sir Robert Peel, who was the ruling power, and who was
personally responsible to the whole country for his own act
in case of an impeachment—and such a thing might occur.
He saw that Sir James Duke was smiling, and well he might,
and laugh also, as he knew how tenderly that word was used
in the Houses of Parliament. Supposing that such a thing
was to arise as an impeachment for neglect of duty—a neg-
lect of duty which brought hundreds of his countrymen to
starvation and death—who did they think would be im-
peached? Would it be the Duke of Wellington? No.
Lord Wharncliffe, or the Earl of Ripon ? No ; it would
be the First Lord of the Treasury—the man who had
the nomination of his colleagues, who has, or ought to
have, the whole power of the country in his grasp. Who, he
again asked, was responsible ? Sir R. Peel, who would alone
be looked to for the remedy for a grievance, and who alone
could remedy it. He felt that he had taken up enough of
their time. He would conclude by proposing the resolution,
and saying, that so long as they obtained what they re-
quired, he did not care who got it for them—Sir R. Peel or
anybody else. 1
Mr. Botts was then called on to second the resolution. He
said that he was taken quite by surprise. He had come there
more as a looker-on. He was sorry that the task had fallen
upon him, but it was necessary that those in power who
did not do their duty properly should have their neglect
expressed to them. Yet the gentlemen of the ward had
not the boldness to come before the meeting and give ut-
terance to sentiments that he had heard them often express
in private. There should be no question of delicacy which
should hinder them from expressing what they considered
the wants of their country called on them to do. They
knew that in consequence of the increased prices of provi-
sion trade bad been paralysed. Many of them knew
that the mills were decreasing in work; the work-
men in consequence were earning less, and eould not
afford to spend so much with the tradesmen
around them. That train of reasoning was simple enough.
It might be that the famine was further off than their fears
had represented it to be, but it was their duty to prevent
its recurrence at any time. if the Prime Minister was not
quick to do his duty, they should not delay. If Sir Robert
Peel had not been so wedded to party, and had adopted the
simple principle of buying in the cheapest market and selling
in the dearest one, there would have been no necessity for
this meeting. They were all convinced of the neces-
sity of free trade in order to save the country from
ruin. How much better off would the country have
been if those engaged by right in commercial
pursuits had followed their own business and paid less at-
tention to railways. Had those persons, whose offices in the
City entitled them to go into the presence of their So-
vereign, done something for the poor instead of attending to
railways, the poor would perhaps have been better off.
Sir J. DUKE said that the Corporation of London had
done all in their power to assist the poor and to obtain the
required measures for them.
Mr. BoYLE said that there were splendid reminiscences
connected with the city of London, but the time had passed,
and they bad now become so bad and so degenerate as to
become a by-word and a reproach to all men.—EA round
of continued and loud applause followed this declaration.
Instead of leading on every great question, they are found
the last. They come in after Manchester, Glasgow, and
other minor communities. One's heart throbs while think-
ing of the glorious deeds of old; but now the most they do
is, if a gentleman's character be irreproachable, but because
he differs in some sentiments from them, to expel him from
amongst them, arid make an election null and void.—
(Immense applause.) He (Mr. Boyle,) seconded the reso-
lution with the greatest pleasure imaginable. He hoped this
would be the beginning of a change in the ward, the largest
in London, and that it would take its proper place in leading
on these great questions. When it was thought that every
luxury we taste, every gem in her Majesty's crown, comes
from abroad ; that not a wind that blows but wafts a vessel
laden with the riches of other countries; that this inter-
course has a power to civilise, an effect most desirable,
considering that round the globe the people are from
one great hand and for one great object—(Applause)—
it, would be lamentable indeed if the cause of these
laws being continued till now were traced to our
own supineness. If this ward had done its duty—
if the Corporation of the City of London had done
their duty—they could have compared with pleasure
the glories of former days with the present. They
would, in that case, look upon each alderman as he passed,
and say, there is a man who spends all his time for the good
of his fellow-citizens; did you read his speech ?—(Laughter.)
But, on the other hand, they, the degenerate descendants
of former aldermen, are occupied with some trivial matter of
a 'sewage.--(Applause and laughter.) If they are not car-
ried away with the gold chains, the sword, and other gew-
gaws of office, they would act so as to be entitled to the
name of the poor man's friends.—(Loud Applause.)
Richard Cobden, that great man, has borne on the contest
to a victory without the aid of such men as Lord
John Russell or Sir Robert Peel. Is not that
man of genius deserving of being presented with the
freedom of the City of London?—(Applause.) Why should
Glasgow and Manchester be forward in this, and anticipate
the City of London. If a soldier, who has been fighting
with savages, unknown and unacquainted with the modes
of European warfare—if such a soldier come home, honours
are heaped upon him, snuff-boxes are handed to him, but
such a man as Richard Cobden, who labours to ameliorate
the condition of the people, and to christianize the world,
such a man is passed by.—( He sat down amidst great applause.)
Mr. Ricrrann TAYLOR said he had been requested to se-
cond the resolution read and moved ; but, having declined, he
just begged to say his reason was, that while he agreed in all
that had been said by the mover and seconder, he could not
agree to censure the ward, or to put Sir Robert Peel in the
position which the resolution puts him in. He thought that
we should speak courteously of our opponents when they
were coming over to our side. The framer of the resolution
perhaps had not made allowance for opposing forces. Sir R.
Peel has been moving round to free trade, and Lord John
Russell has but lately declared his conversion; allowance,
therefore, ought to be made for these things. He moved as
en amendment to the former reselution—" That this meeting
expresses Its satisfaction with Sir Robert Peel's course in re-
ference to free trade, and begs that, since he has admitted the
scarcity of food, he would advise her Majesty to repeal the
corn-laws, and thus merit the lasting gratitude of the people."
Dr. LYNCH said he had great pleasure in seconding the
resolution as amended. They ought to be thankful to
Sir Robert Peel : he has launched the barque and it is for the
people to waft it along. The intimation made in the Times
is by the same journal affirmed to- day in every circumstance,
therefore they owed a debt of gratitude to Sir Robert Peel.
At such a moment of congratulation it is a pity to hear one
word out of keeping with the spirit of the times. Such hap-
piness is too great indeed, he was afraid, to last long He
had read an anecdote of a gentleman who went to dine with
a miser, where he had never dined before. After _dinner he
rhymed it thus
" Here we have dined, where we shall dine no more—
Chimneys smoked that never smoked before."
—(Laughter.) In public calamities it is better to try to
prevent than to cure. Sir Robert Peel is trying this. Sir
Robert had the best interests of the country, lie believed, at
heart, and would secure them, if the power with which he has
to contend be not too great for him; for in all times, ancient
and modern, the power of the British aristocracy of Eng-
land was unequalled ; and their interests were wound up
in monopoly. But this proud aristocracy, yielding only to
necessities, must yield before the terrible necessity of public
calamity.—(Applause.) Truth and matter of fact reach the
peasant and the prince, the castle and the cottage. He said
he would just give them a few facts. Typhus fever and pes-
tilence are never out of Ireland. For one hundred years
typhus fever had always accompanied scarcity, and this
scarcity of food in Ireland is never absent. Our
reports on health of towns prove this. Round this
neighbourhood there were hovels and huts. 11l drainage
and sewerage, and if there be a scarcity of food the
people will die, as if the angel of death had breathed upon
there. To make England the emporium of the world, and
make it avellable to all, should we not merge their differences
for this noble object Sir Robert, the most powerful Mi-
nister ever existing, before whom Pitt sinks into insigni-
ficance, who puts away his sliding-scale when he finds it will
not work, and every consideration natural to a Premier, and
carries the object for which the meeting had come together,
the meeting would be worse than foolish to censure Sir Robert
of ter express other than gratitude. (He sat down amid
great cheeitirig.)
Mr. ANDEirroff begged the mover and seconder of the
original resolution would Ogee to allow it to be withdrawn
in favour of the amendment.

This was complied with by both.
The amendment was carried unanimously.
Mr. PRENDERGAST said he had been taken by
surprise. He would always express himself in favour
of the repeal of these laws; but to come on now
with an harangue against the corn-laws seems like
a person coming in at the end of a fight who
had stood coldly by. They might now light their fires and
glory all day, He would not debate about the share of
hono'g due to each party in bringing about this issue.
He was certain Bichard Cobden was a man too high
for - having the freedom of towns presented to him.—
(" No, no !") But he must say the Corporation of Lon-
don; long before Cobden or the League were heard of,
/as in the front of the fight.—(Disapprobation.) Lord
Jahnaluslell deserved greatly the honour which
any an ,till Might be inclined to render him. He had
not published iii 3 utter to oust Sir Robert from his office,
but to retain him longer In it. And who does Lord John
represent? Tub City of London itself, which his friend
had thought fit to dfisure .7o severely. Time had elapsed
but there is a season
during the debates on the corn-1e....,
for everything. Considering there 5w...." a largeeei arwi'ltoh-
cracy in the country. and a Church cam.— - op-
that aristocracy—considering thee are 80 man),
posing interests. Sir Robert Peel has done just that whim
a great statesman would do—lie has delayed till the proper
tun., :lived the bringing in this great measur'. The elle-
tocracy must now that either this measure must be car-
ried, or Sir Robert must resign his office, and throw the
country into confusion : hence the propriety of Sir Robert's
delay to the proper time. His friend had censured the corpo-
ration. He would not go ever these points to-day,
as it was not St. Thomas's-day ; therefore he would
leave corporate matters. But why dared his friend to
bury that great talent of his in a napkin ?—(Laughter.)
He has not done his duty. After this, he knows what he
has to do.—(Laughter.) He moved, " That in the opinion of
this meeting, the time had arrived when the corn-laws and
all differential duties should be abolished, and an outlet
opened for the produce of the country into foreign markets,
thereby securing the prosperity of the people."
Mr. W.A.rsort seconded the resolution.
The resolution wee put to the meeting and carried without
oppolitim

Mr. ANDERTON said he would take no honour to himself i❑
appearing there that day, but he would say he had been one
of fifty gentlemen who contributed first to the abolition of
the corn-laws, when Mr. Hume and Mr. Warburton entered
themselves on the long list of opponents, long ere Mr.
Cobden was heard of. Not corn only, but tea is necessary to
the poor. In 1804 tea was purchased at 10d. per lb. ; the
duty was 2s. ad. Now tea is down to 7d. per lb. in China,
but the duty remains the same. lie would draw their
attention to soap. In Ireland, Dr. Lynch's country,
the poor man had his soap without duty, but if he came over
the water, it must be under an additional duty. He hoped
Sir James Duke would draw Sir Robert's attention to these
particulars. He moved that Sir James Duke be requested to
present the foregoing resolutions to Sir Robert Peel, and im-
press on his mind the great necessity of repealing these laws
at the present moment.
Mr. BUCEMASTER seconded the resolution.

The resolution was put and carried unanimously.
Sir JAMES DCKE said he would with great pleasure wait
on the Prime Minister, and give effect to the resolution.
He said he owed it to himself and to them to correct any
error. lie had the requisition sent to bins late on Saturday
evening, and early on Monday morning he waited on the
gentlemen sending the requisition, to know what day would
be most convenient. A gentleman had said that the Corpo-
ration had not been the friends of the" poor; for himself he
must say it did not apply to him.—(No, no.)
Mr. OBBA3D moved that the thanks of the meeting were
due to Sir James Duke for his kindness on the present oc-
casion, and on all occasions. -
It was unamiously carried, and Sir James shortly and
warmly acknowledged the honour they had done him.
It was afterwards resolved by the meeting that the reso-
lutions should be advertised in the papers.
The meeting was then adjourned.

ea
rents raised. So that nothing in the world is OWL'
caple of demonstration than this, that if the Pr'‘,l
food be high, you have bad trade, poverty, Inisell'eree
crime; but if cheap and plentiful, you have the fel to
—(Loud cheers.) I move the resolution wil,ric,hdt
been put into my hands. It is as follows:—"1114
following memorial be presented to Sir Roberto
praying for immediate opening of the ports, by anvor
in Council, and for the immediate assembling ofluto
ment, and that he would recommend the Legisis.onti
pass a prompt measure for the untaxed adatistel
all kinds of food." Now, can any man assign s sniff
cause why any Government should pa. a law Iggit
other countries from sending us food, when we t!re.,;ltt
ing to buy it from them? The twofold effect M;
wicked measure is, first, it raises the price of fneu;diet
secondly, it depresses the manufactures, because 7-0
who bring us provisions are in general willing trait
our goods in return. The sliding-scale, of all measof
is the most ridiculous and oppressive. The slidingl4,
is designed simply to keep out food and raise the re
in order that the rental of the landholder Oslo
maintained. That rental, I hare ro fear, would blot,
tallied even if there were a total repeal of the collet ty
but on this principle, that to get more money
land the landowner would have to improve it ; 1135`.„111
getting high rent for bad land, he woulil have 0;0,
the land worth the rent. I have no apprPbensitM
ever of a total repeal doing the slightest Well!, ea,
culture. I don't think anybody believes it; turtgoa
make a noise about it don't, but they want to ge' "for°
rental without improvements. It is now 0°3,8
change ; I believe that a change is near at hesne• 01,1
never was so much change,within so short a titre; of
we get free trade, whether from Whigs or Torictoi
industrial department of the country will thrive' 'A
but the country does not deserve it unless it sal
it. I believe the thing will never be done effectu
the people themselves set their shoulders to the A'
and hold something like another Birmingham 017110
—(1-Tear, hear.) Then will the Government see to% fie
triad
the are in earnest, and will no longer be P
the support of the aristocracy.—(Cheers.) 1$1,1)
Mr. JAMES FBANKLAND—I second this nue-i_fir
Sir R. Peel with great pleasure ; for I would ttlase
as head of the British Government, should make,' .1
dons consistent with his professions.—(tlear,
woulel that gentlemen making professions of Christ
should act a Christian part, and not withhold fro Deli
poor man his bread.—(Cheers.) The day has, P„ duo
when we would have gone begging cap in hand der_
(Cheers.) I contend that it is our right and
(Cheers)—and no man, be hie power what it InaOr
a right to interveee between God and his ererss
and by prohibitory laws prevent them from 150
those blessings which, in his mercy, he has proci
their use. The farmers, for whose benefit we tete.
this law was expressly framed, don't derive a09,--„00
from it. It has been the curse and bane of sgrto
as well as of Manufactures. Oh that we hod tbi
election by ballot ! —then would the farmers le rid'
landlords know how much they value their pnstedettti
I have conversed hours with many of them, 111.001°
tell me that they know these laws to be initirli,,oo
every sense of the word; " but," say they, w`igo
we do ?" To what a state are they reduced whe"sttal
come to this ! They are poor, dependents deo
of the aristocracy, and know that if tbi#4
to breathe a complaint, there is some onodo
to supplant them, and they ask, " What can 1„ 011
The farmers are not benefited, and they know ".ilO
manufacturers are not benefited, but crippled bill,
serious extent ; the operatives know they are not
fited, for I have felt the law an evil, and am sure®
when food rises in value every department of trec;of
be seriously affected. The corn-law, in my opini. )0'
injurious to every class ; it ought not to bef.,,e,
existence at any time ; but, under the present Woe
stances, I conceive it ought not to disgrace the 514
book of any country. I beg to second the motive'
The CHAIRMAN then read the resolution ant'
rial, the latter of which was as follows :
TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART., .."."

LORD OF THE TREASURY.
The Memorial of the Merchants, Bankers, 31.50d 4 ltd'
Traders, and other inhabitants of the borough of
in public meeting assembled,
Showeth,—. That your memorialists feel conviii
the alarm in Ireland, owing to the potato disease, ths„wtsjesr
tion of trade now felt in this district, and the fear
generally entertained, have all been produced or gres4eff,,
mented by our present corn-laws; that these laws
vented large quantities of grain being stored oPte°tw,
country; have induced other countries to manilla; f
stead of exte'ding the cultivation of their soils; eau' 001
ing upon a failing harvest, are sure to aggravate the
ings of the people, by making food scarce and dear. fit:
" Your memorialists desire, therefore, to express:o
strongest manner, their deliberate and confirmed OPUS
the circumstances of the country require that the Pclrtsiodo
forthwith be opened for the free admission of all ko err
grain ; and, further, that her Majesty's Ministers illboOP
sult the true interests of all classes in this kingdom
mitting to the Legislature, at the very earliest OPP°he
a measure for the entire removal of the corn-laina---"'"
of agriculture and the blight of commerce."
The motion was agreed to. egg
Mr. LIVESEY moved that the Chairman be re"-rfori
to subscribe the memorial for the meeting, and °
it to Sir Robert Peel. 017

The Rev. Mr. EDWARDS seconded the motion,
was agreed to.
Thanks having been voted to the Mayor for_lefl
called the meeting, and to the Chairman for the_jr
satisfactory manner in which he had presided, the
ing separated.
Nothing could be better devised than Nieelpes
gistered Paletot to suit the ever-varied nature of our of 11/1
forming, as it now does, not only the sine qua Initori
railway traveller, but is equally so adapted for any geljnolly
taking out-door exercise. It may be said distinctly'
the costume of the nineteenth century, if that to s'edil
called marked which is only conspicuous for an lora sr
and graceful bearer, the wearer feeling so much
Certainly as an over-coat it is patronised highly, 014
a general public favourite, being so peculiarly Eng 7. ben,
avoiding all foreign extravagance of style. It Etto
knowledged as a vast improvement over the old gilt_ a ter,
associated in our remembrance with an uncomfortstuttelle;i
tion of tight buttonings, which, from its very VI A.
defeated its object, the warmth of the person, its.
with the proper circulation of the blood. The princloio"/
are black, blue, brown, and olive • also the clerical ,
called Oxford, and can be had of the patentee's, (7...."111,1;
the most respectable clothiers out of London. El..,et•Tng
paletot is three guineas, and is stampted in the wiliap'‘
the words, "Registered 6 and 7 Vic., cap. 65. 11.
Nicoll, 114, Regent-street, London.
fms 1,4
AUDACIOUS AND SYSTEM ' H,
lOWst."