The Sun.
London, England, 1845-12-05 00:00:00

THE S_ UN,_

OPENING OF THE PORTS.

MEETING oF THE WARD OF FARRINGDON
WITHOUT.—(THIS DAY.)

In consequence of a requisition addressed to Sir James
Duke, M. 1., and Alderman of the ward of Farringdon
Without, a crowded meeting of the householders and
rate-pa} ers of the ward was held 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be repealed, by which alone the threatened famine can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. H. Taylor, Mr. Alderman Sydney, Mr.
Wood, Mr. Edkins, Mr. Pontifex, Mr. Burn, Mr. Wil-
liams, Mr. Buckmaster, Mr. Harding, Mr. Barnard,
Mr. Blackest, 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. Puntifex 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, er 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 together so many of the most respectable persons
in the neighbourhood. But,seeing that they were assem•
bred 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 indestrious 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 to 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 had 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 bad been made to enlighten the public
mind ; but now he hoped they were in a position when,
with some chance of success, ithey 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.
(The meeting had not concluded when our report left.)

DESTRUCTION BY FIRE OF COOKE'S CIRCUIS AT
GLASGOW.—On Monday night, the large building at the
foot of the Saltmarket, belonging to Mr. Cooke, the well-
known equestrian, and occupied by him as a minor theatre,
was destroyed by fire. The flames were first discovered by
two police-substitutes employed to watch the ruins of the
City Theatre, about a quarter past one o'clock. The re-
flection of the light through one of the ventilating apertures
in the roof, near the south-west corner of the building, was
the first thing which attracted their attention, and a
minute's observation afterwards convinced them that the
place was on fire. An alarm was consequently passed on to
the police-office, and in the shortest possible time Captain
Wilson, the superintendent, appeared at the scene of the con-
flagration, followed immediately by Mr. Robinson and the
fire-engines. Notwithstanding the brief space which had in-
tervened, between the alarm being given and the
arrival of the fire-brigade, it was evident from the first that
any attempt to save the building must be perfectly hopeless.
The Circus, although elegantly and substantially erected, being
entirely composed of- wood, and the wind blowing directly
from the point where the fire originated, the extraordinary,
rapidity with which the conflagration extended can scarcely
be conceived. The playing of the engines slightly arrested
the progress of the flames towards the portico ; but so inef-
fectual was all the opposition which could be offered to the
devouring element, that in the course of half-an-hour from
the first alarm being given, the only vestiges of the building
left standing were a few burning poles and a small portion
of the doorway. For ten or fifteen minutes, while the work
of destruction was at its height, the appearance of the con-
flagration was awfully grand. The Circus cost for the erec-
tion between 1,1001. and 1,2001., about three years ago. It is
about two years since it was used by Mr. Cooke, but re-
cently it was taken by a Mr. Daniels, and fitted up for a
minor theatre. We have not heard the slightest hint as to
how the fire originated, but the matter, no doubt, will un-
dergo the usual investigation. Mr. Cooke has the building
insured in the Sun-office for 8001., and Mr. Daniels has the
scenery, dresses, and property insured in the same office for
3001. Both the policies were effected about the middle of
last month, at the time when the building was opened as a
theatre by Mr. Daniels.— Glasgow National.
A CHILD BITTEN BY A RAT.—On Thursday
morning, about twelve o'clock, a most serious accident
occurred to Ann Drew, about three years of age, the
daughter of a charwoman, living at Kennet-street, Penton
rifle. The poor woman had only left the infant, who was ill
in bed with the hooping-cough, a few minutes, when its
screams attracted the attention of a female in the adjoining
room, who, on entering the apartment, discovered the child's
face frightfully mangled, its nose being nearly bitten off.
The woman upon opening the room-door saw the rat escape
from the bed, but she was too much frightened to attempt
its capture.
NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.—PLYMOUTII, WEDNESDAY.
—ARRIVAL OF TILE EXPERIMENTAL FLEET.—The Fleet
arrived in the Sound this morning, between twelve and
one A.m.
her Majesty s ship They must have had severe weather for the last
few days. This afternoon, about three o'clock, the admiral's
being
Majesty the Emperor
ngperial the anniversary of the
ship saluted the Russians; it. was duly returned by the
lli
accessionger m n
to
e froda y
his b
of Russia, the ships ,were dressed in flags, and fired a royal
salute. ntt e throne
p Queen, 110; President 50, and
a l a
Caledonian, fired salutes, and hoisted an array of flags,
amongst which was the Russian standard. The officers of
the lngermanland gave a sur?erb dejeuner to a large party of
British naval and military officers.
NEWCASTLE CORN TRADE.—TUESDAY, DEC. 2.--
At to-day's market the supply of wheat from the growers was
instances
trilling, and the quality xn most indifferent. The
demand, however, was lively, and previous rates were fully
sustained. Coast arrivals were large, and fine qualities
realised about Is. per quarter more than on last Tuesday.
The value of both old and bonde4 wheat may be considered
unaltered. Although the quantity of barley is large, the
demand continues comparatively dull, and holders have been
obliged to submit to a reduction of Is. per quarter. Other
articles present little attention, and generally hang heavy on
hand, the only exception being country oats, which have
fetched late rates. Flour is quoted at 475. per sack.
DEPOSITS wirn THE BOARD OF TRADE.--We are
requested to supply the following omissions to our list of de-
posits with the Board of Trade :_Chichester and Bognor ;
Armagh, Coleraine, and Portrush ; Armagh, Coleraine, arid
Portrush Extension; Exeter, Dorchester, and Weymouth ;
East Dereham and Norwich ; Reedham and North W alsham ;
Fakenham and Lynn ; and the hull and Sheffield Midland
Direct.
FOREIGN WHEAT.—We learn that the first cargo
of foreign wheat, forwarded from Liverpool, from the import
ship, under bond, has just been warehoused in the bonded
warehouses, Salford, an account of Messrs. Buckley and New-
ton, of Stalybridge,—Afanchester Guardian.