The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-18 00:00:00

THE ANTI-CORN-LAW
CONFERENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

The Delegates re-assembled this morning. at Twelve
o'Clock, at the King's Arms, Palace-yard.
P. A. TAYLon, Esq., in taking the Chair, said they
were met to commence another week's labours. Ile
thought the position in which the country was placed
showed them that it was well that they should remain
at their posts, for he thought it was quite evident, both
from the public papers and numerous private correspond-
ence,,
that the feeling—the perception of the intensity of
the distress and the absolute necessity of immediate relief
was extending itself daily. lie
thought it was well that the
Conference should remain together, for while they were
there as the organs of thousands who had deputed them.
there was a hope that, they being the mouth-pieee—
their giving utterance to the expression of distress and
suffiTing, would have a tendency to extend the pati-
ence of their constituents, and their willingness to endure
to the utmost possible degree. lle (the Chairman)
thought that, when the time arrived that they (the
Delegates) would go home, satisfied that at present it
was impossible to arouse the mad infatuated quietude—
that it was impossible to arouse the attention of the
governors to the distress of the country—when that
time arrived that they should disperse, he believed that
the last glimmer of hope would be gone, and it would
be impossible to say how fearful the consequences would
be. In commencing their labours he had selected a
portilin of the correspondence, which he would read,
for the letters poured in from all quarters. The first
that he would read was the answer of the Duke of Wel-
lington to an application made to him on Friday last,
to receive a deputation from the Conference:—

London, July 16, 1842.
Field-Mardial the Duke of Wellington presents his compli-
ments to Air. Taylor.
He is not in office in the Queen's po'itieal service. He is
not entrusted with the exercise of political power. He has no
control over those who are.

He begs to be excused for declining to receive the visits Ff
deputations fr( m associations, or of ►ndividual gentlemen, in
order to converse with him upon public affairs.
But if any gentlemen think proper to give him, in writing,
information or ►nstruction upon any subject, he will peruse the
same with attention.
P. A. Taylor, Esq., Brown's Hotel.
The Duke has received three notes from Mr. Tailor on this
subject.

The ad
andaccompanied by marks
of surprisee
orfidthiciuslenooten is as
the
• part of the gentlemen
r
present,

The CHAIRMAN then read the following communica-
tion from Manchester. The resolution it contained had
been signed by upwards of 30.000 persons in one day:-
5, Newall's-building, Manchester, July 15, 1842.
Sir,—At a meeting of the Manchester Anti-Corn-law Aso-
ciation, held this evening, it was moved by Mr. Alderman Brooks,
seconded by Mr. F. Warren, and carried unanimously:—
" That, believing this country to be on the eve of a revolu-
tion, and being utterly without hope that the Legislature will
accord justice to the starvinj millions, a requisition be firth-
with prepared. signed, and forwarded to the Members of this
borough, calling upon them, in conjunction with other Liberal
Members, to offer every possible opposition to the taxation of a
prostrate people for the purposes of a bread. taxing aristocracy,
by argument and other constitutional impediments, that the
wheels of Government may be arrested through the rejection
or prevention of all votes of supply."
It was also further resolved—" That, for the purpose of giv-
ing greater effect to this movement, the Members for other
boroughs ought to be similarly addressed by their several con-
stituencies ;" and the Committee trust you will see the neces-
sity and propriety of immediately originating a meeting in your
borough in furtherance of such object. I am, Sir, your obe-
dient servant, JOHN BRINDLE, Sec.
The following letters were then read :
Chorley, June 16th, 142.
Dear Sir,—l received your note of the 14th inst., and in
reply, I beg to say we are sorry we cannot arrange so as to
send a Deputation from Chorley at this time to meet you in
conference; yet, though we cannot be personally present
amongst you, our heart is with you, and we wish you God
speed, for xott are engaged in a righteous cause. Whilst I
have my pen in my hand, I would just beg leave to say that
things seem to be gradually getting worse amongst us. Paupers
are upon the increase, and poor-rates are also getting heavier.;
indeed it is a wonder how many with large families get a
putting on, for there are many families around us who never
taste anything for a whole day together. And, Sir, to give
you some faint idea of the privations which those are enduring
who are in full work, there are able-bodied men (weavers) who
nave to fetch work ten miles distant from their homes,
labour at it a whole week, take it back, and for all that, only
receive five shillings. These are not solitary cases; I could
even mention worse than these, were it necessary. And, Sir,
the tradesmen and shopkeepers are suffering most severely
from the depressed state of the times. Ido assure you, Sir, I
do not know of one shopkeeper (and I have as good means of
knowing as any one here) in Chorley, who is doing well ; I do
know this, that four out of five are in a ruinous state—and all
this is attributable to the high prices of provisions, for the
people cannot earn what they can consume.
I am, Sir, yours truly, JNO. HOD GKINSON.
To P. A. Taylor, Esq., London.
Carlisle, July 16th 1842,
Dear Sir,—l feel myself highly honoured by your communi-
cation of the 14th inst. We have had two meetings respecting
sending some one to London. A resolution was passed, a copy of
which would be forwarded to the Conference. For my own part,
(I may say), had not my professional duties been such as to pre-
vent me at this time, I believe I should have been proud to have'
added one to your truly honourable and praiseworthy body, on
my own account. I may inform you that if the operative spin-
ners and weavers are not so ill off in Carlisle as they are in
many other places, it is entirely owing to the stability and per-
'everance of their employers. The carpenters, joiners, masons,
and bricklayers have little, and many of them nothing
to do. Pair-rates increasing, and more houses to let than
ever I remember. Oh, SAr, when so much distress is
abroad, it is monstrous to withhold from a suffering and starving
people the kind and bountiful Providence of God. May the
Almighty bless and prosper your labours, and crown them with
success, is the prayer of your's, truly,
THOS. SHEFFIELD.
Easton, July 16, 1842.
Sir,—Although this is a week when most of us are fully
engaged in making up our accounts, or attending the Iron
Masters' Quarterly Meetings, yet we held a meeiing of the
Free Trade Association Committee immediately upon the
receipt of your printed Circular, dated July 14, and I am happy
to inform you that one spirit animated us all, and we at once re-
solved that our esteemed triend, the Rev. W. H. Bonner should
again visit London as our deputation to the Con-
ference; that he should, if necessary, remain a fort-
night, and if the Conference continued its sittings, he
should be relieved by our treasurer, Mr, E. B. Drinck.
We feel with you that this is an important crisis, and we ear-
nestly hope some good will be effected by the Conference pre-
vious to the proroguing of Parliament, otherwise we fear much
an increase of distress, and the coming winter will drive
the at' present patient and peaceable working classes to
desperation. The distress its this town is daily on the increase ;
we have now three relieving officers, where we formerly found
one sufficient. Yesterday the Board of Guardians were
engaged from nine o'clock, A. 5t., till eight o'clock, r.st., in in-
vestigating the cases of the applicants, end they have appointed
a Committee to assist the relieving officer during the week.
To-night a general notice has been given the miners and col-
liers for a reduction of their wages another ten per cent. ; and
the Iron Masters' Quarterly Meeting at Birmingham, on
Thursday last, was one of the worst ever known. Surely, the
Government will try and do something to open the channels of
I our trade, so that there may be " employment for the people,
and bread for them to eat."

I remain, Sir, sours, very respectfully,
ROBERT BEW, Vice-President of the Bilston
Free Trade Association.
To G. Thompson, Esq., Secretary of the
Anti-Corn daw Conference, London.
Dalquhoun, near Dumbarton, July 16, 1342.
Sir,—l am this morning favoured with your circular of the
14th. The bad state of my health precludes the possibility of
my going to London at this moment; and as I leave home on
Monday with a view to the recovery of my health, I shall not
have it in my power to do much personally in aid of your cause.
I have, however, put your circular into the hands of my excel.
lent friend, the Rev. A. Somerville, of Dumbarton (author of
the Address of the Edinburgh Conference), than whom the
cause has no more zealous, able, or active partisan. You may,
therefore, depend that whatever can be done, will be done.
With best wishes for the success of your endeavours, I re-
'main, yours respectfully, J. STIRLING.
P. A. Taylor, Esq., London.

Beaminster, July 16, 1842.
Sir,—Your circular I duly received, but am sorry to say we
cannot afford to send a Deputy from this town, we are feeling
deeply the sad effects of those starvation laws. When I was
at the Conference in February, I stated that our poor's-
rates in 1836 and 1837 were 1,1001.,. the year ending
March, 1842, they were 2,600/., and for this summer
half year two rates have been ordered amounting to
1,6004 This is sufficient to prove what a state
trade is in in this town. We are surrounded by
an agricultural population, and I believe them to be
in a far worse state than when they rose in this and the ad-
joining counties in 1836, and, I hope to give you some particu-
lar statement in a day or two to prove it.
At the time I refer to I was in correspondence with Lord
Yeomanry Cavalry were
raised to keep them down, and to keep up the accursed Corn-
Portman on the sad condition of the labouring population ; hr
then urged on me the necessity of quelling the mob. and then
he said their condition must be inquired into. I followed his
advice, and was sworn in a special constable with-
most of my fellow tradesmen ; happily, the mob
was
he p
as quelledoer
starving w t ho without
wretches?ou r a s s
Why,anee But what was done for

theirp persons),
laws.
With all the boast of the aristocracy about the happy con-
dition of the peasantry, I have no hesitation in saying, they
were never worse off than they are at the present time, anti if
the manufacturing districts and the agricultural labourers will
join them—call me a fool, if ever I protect anything be-
in the continued supply of j°BEPll T
wi•oTrk for
E
Rochdale, July 16, 1842.
al omnTrusting
tuhryesnafnarrii st thendeavours
e e p
will (excepting
i ng e7nil.
with success, I
be
crowned
moat D eanrf
theSir,—Onhands accountmliloy of
fd
the woollen trade, Rochdale
has not suffered near so much as many other places, yet it is
very evident the pressure is constantly increasing. Bricksetters,
joiners, and many other trades are suffering much from want of
work, consequently shopkeepers, butchers, shoemakers, tailors,
&c., complain of want of trade.
e One master bricksetter, who at this time of the year usually
employed from thirty to fifty hands, told me a few days ~,,,;,
that now he has scarcely work enough for himself and son.
Similar evidence of the deplorable want of trade is very abun-
dant. Take, for instance, my trade. Our present busine:s
connexion is the growth of twenty-eight years of diligent ap-
plication. During most of these years, without travelling to
seek orders, we have had as many as we could execute ; but
for two years back they have greatly fallen off, so that now,
ime in solicit in r
though I spend much of more
than
four h orders, we are nor.
' employed. on the average,
ruinously low, and we are constantly .becoming worse. I find
the amount of wages paid this week is the least we have paid for
many, many years. The prospect of winter is, therefore, very
painful to every reflecting mind.
Many foundries in this county, both large and small ones,
have ceased to work altogether during the last
eighteen months,
and unless trade soon revives, many more must stop, either to
save the remaining part of their property from the jaws of unre-
munerating prices, or of necessity to be at once gazetted, and I
fear that in these respects most trades are in the same condition.
I assure you, as I believe, nothing less than the removal of
commercial restrictions, especial!), that giant curse, " The
Corn-laws," will restore permanent prosperity. I cannot rest
satisfied until this is accomplished, and free-trade principles
(which are our right) esablished. Wishing .you health and
success in the cause you se nobly espouse,
I am, yours truly,
To Mr. J. Bright. JOHN PETRIE.
Aiy dear Brother, I enclose a paper containing a partial ac-

count of some serious disturbances in Statlerdshire. lam in-
formed that. 5,000 men were to have visited the Paynton
collieries this morning, but they went to Cheadle instead; they
may be here :lay day. They have filled up one coal-pit with
coals that could not be sold ; they say they may as well fight for
it as be starved to death. I sent our foreman, James Bain this
afternoon, and he has seen some of them. They live by in-
timidating people to supply them with food, as they tramp from
place to place in such large bodies. An old collier of ours,
named Birch, told Bain that he had gone with the rioters one
day, and they had engineers ‘i ill them, to st,p all the
engines, or to let men into or ont of the pits, &c.
The road was filled for seven miles with the rioters. They
had beaten some police officers, &c. tv,c. There are thousands
of colliers in this county whose earnings only amount to a few
shillings weekly. They are starving ; anti their present wants
and distress will be greatly increased by outrages of this kind.
Things are deplorab!y had. (In haste).
I am, very affectionately thy brother,
July 16, 1842. THOMAS ASHWORTH.
(The Meeting had not concluded when we went to Press.)

THE SHUGBOROUGH HALL SALE

This long-expected event approaches; and as we feel that
our readers, who have so repeatedly seen the auction announced
in our columns, may take some interest in a sale which opens
to the word treasures of no inestimable kind, we deem some
information as to the place and property will not be considered
unseasonable.

Shughborough Hall is not far distant from the county town
of Stafford, and has fur time immemorial been the seat of the
Anson family. It was much improved and the mansion en-
larged by the celebrated admiral and circumnavigator whose
conquest of the Span:sh galleons brought considerable
riches to an ancient family, and enabled him to increase the
landed estate, and adorn the Hall with pictures of the highest
class, and statutes of the ancient sculptors, which his love
of the fine arts, and almost constant communication with
the Mediterranean, at that time rendered easy. It was,
however, during the life-time of the late much-respected Vis-
count that the family fortunes may he considered to hare been
matured—the princely domain was still further augmented, the
tenants brought to a state of prosperity, the family seat en-
larged to its present noble state, the matchless collection of pic-
tures increased by purchases of the most inestimable description.
whilst, with the assistance and frequent residence at Shug-
borough of Nollekens, the eminent sculptor, the gallery of
statues an.l busts was brought to its present unequalled position.
It is rarely that, so many sta'ues of the ancient sculptors are
found congregated ; and, we believe, that no gallery in this
country possesses so many splendid specimens of the
Greek and Roman sculptors. `1 his portion of the auction
occupies an entire day ; whilst another is devoted to the
collection of pictures, which includes tho rarest treasures
of the Italian arid Dutch and Flemish schools. There are
two grand gallery pictures, by Guido, which are matchless as
works of the highest class, two splendid landscapes by Poussin,
a Claude of unquestionable authority, a Cuyp of a most bril-
liant power and interesting description, a landscape, the joint
production of Both and Berham, which may rank as the finest
specimens of these masters in this country; hut in no collec-
tion arc there known so many and such beautiful pictures by
Vsndervelde, as gill be seen at Shugborough. One is of very
large size, representing a calm, with shipping in the offing,
which may be pronounced the chef d'cauvre of this inimitable
master; and singular to relate, the companion picture, pour-
fraying a stiff breeze, of similar dimensions, is by Backberg-
sett, and a more splendid or remarkable pair rf pictures is not
known. There is also a very extraordinary landscape, with
sheep, by K. du Jardine, a master whose works are seldom to
be procured ; with others of vast merit ler Dorninichino, Pa-
nini, Zuccarelli, Poelemburg, Testier', Rembrandt, and many
more, whose works would adorn any collection.
The Library of Books is very extensive, and occupies the
first three days of the auction, including numberless works of
vast interest and value. A complete series of County Histories,
the works of J. B. lsiramsi, with an infinity of volumes most
beautifully illustrated. A most extensive Cellar of Wines also
offers its attractions, including nearly 1,000 dozens; and when
the reputation of the present noble owner has enjoyed of pos-
sessing wines of a high character be remembered, we have no
doubt the bon cleans or Staffordshire and the surrounding
counties will make a point of attending the auction in the two
days devoted to this portion of the sale. The Champagnes and
Clarets in St. James's-square were highly thought of ; and we
hear some of the same vintages will be found at Shugborough,
with the addition of several bins of the well-known Cabinet
wine, which was imported expressly for the members of the
Me!bourne Ministry, of which report speaks in the highest
terms, and however the public may differ with them upon other
topics, we, have no doubt upon this all-important one, a simi-
larity of opinion will prevail.
The other days of the auction will be occupied by the dispo-
sal of the furniture in the grand reception rooms, the state bed-
chamber, and dressing-rooms, and an endless number of best
and secondary bedchambers ; the great dining-room, library,
and sitting-rooms ; and when we hear, during the hospitable
days of the present Noble Earl, a host of visitors have been en-
tained at Shugborough Hall, we leave our readers to imagine
the extent of property which will have to he disposed of.
The catalogue, as published by Mr. George Robins, is a most
voluminous affair—the auction occupying fourteen days. In
these railroad times a trip to Shugborough and back may almost
be accomplished during the long days of July, except that the
treasures there to be seen will induce the visitor te tarry be-
yond the proper limit for his return. —if rptes.
THE WEATHER. AND THE CROPS.
Almost all the provincial journals afford the cheering intel-
ligence that the recent seasonable rains have been pretty ge-
neral throughout the country ; and accounts from all quarters
agree in the anticipation of an early and generally abundant
harvest.

From a gentleman who has recently been through a consi-
derakie part of Sussex we learn that the wheat crops look well,
and in some places they are luxuriant. The straw is unusually
high, the ears large, and the grain good.—Brighton Herald.
he crops in our immediate neighbourhood are looking re-
maikably well ; the fructifying showers and genial weather
with which we have been favoured in this part of the country
have put the corn into such a state as to induce the hope of a
bountiful harvest being realised.— Hants Independent.

The crops in the neighbourhood of Chesterfield promise a
luxuriant harvest. We understand that there has scarcely I,
ever been known such an abundant wheat crop. The hay
crop is generally in course of cutting in the district, and appears
to be an average. All through the county ti►e crops generally
look and promise well.— Derbyshire Chronicle.
A marked improvement in appearance is observable in crops
of all kinds ; and nothing has as yet occurred to alter the
opinion generally believed in, that we shall have a good, pro-
probably an abundant harvest.— Cortisie Journal.
The late rains have been exceedingly beneficial to the crops
generally, especially those of wheat and turnips. A little of the
former has been beaten down in places, but not, we believe, to
nny injurious extent. The hay harvest has been a good deal
interrupted, but full compensation will be afforded by a luxu-
riant crop of lattermath.— Gloucester Journal.
Never was there a season for more congratulation in the
prospect of an early and very abundant harvest than the pre-
sent. The weather is all the farmer can wish. After a long
period of heat the land has been refreshed with some delightful
showers, which have penetrated into the earth. The appear-
ance of the country is most delightful. All round the town,
wheat and barley is in the ear. The hay harvest may now be
said for the most. part to be finished ; although the crops arc
comparatively light, yet the hay was never got up in better
condition than it has been this season. The early potatoes are
fast approaching maturity ; in a few weeks there will be ;in
abundant supply.— erts Paper.
The country looks delightful under the influence of the
general temperature of the weather which continues to prevail.
Herbs, flowers, and fruits, have put forth every beauty, and are
redolent of fragrance. The pasture land and potatoe crops have
derived incalculable benefit from the late rains, as has also the oat
crops, while the continuance and character of the moisture has
not bean such as to produce any injurious effects upon the wheat
lands. We look forward to an early and abundant harvest.
The whole country has a delightful appearance.— Waterford
Chronick.

Our correspondents—east, west, north, and south—write on
this subject nearly in the same words. Take this as a specimen:
—" The country looks most charming. Potatoes and wheat
never promised more, and but rarely such abundant crops. The
hay, though light, is good, and in ',laces has been well saved.
A few dry days will enable the haymakers to complete their
part of harvest, and the farmers arc everywhere looking forwar.l
to its completion with the most cheering prospects and thankful-
ness.—Dublin Evening Packet.
THE FRENCH HARVEST.—The Courrier du Hoot Rhin
says—" The harvest will Lc a very tine one, and consequently
the fall in our markets continues. The car is full, and pro-
mises to produce abundance of flower. The straw will be
short, but this forage' is still at a low price. On the other
hand, the trefoils and other seeds are rcry scanty. fhe vines
have suffered severely from the heat and drought. The
blossom of the vine has been attacked by the parale to such an
extent. that the whole of the vine-growers from Ribeanville to
Guebwiller will lose all hope of a gathering, unless they have
some rain very shortly. In the Bas Rhin, on the contrary, the
vines, which are almost always a fortnight behind ours, are in
a very flourishing state. Even there, however, the want of
rain is severely felt."

EXPERIMENTS AT DEAL.—During the time the
experiments with large guns at long ranges were being carried
on, last week, one of Mr. Monk's guns, a s(i pounder weighing
97 cwt., burst into four pieces when the fifth round was tired,
and injured, but only in a very slight degree, tire persons, a
corporal and two gunners and (hirers of the Royal Artillery,
and two ;nen belonging to the preventive service, who were
present as spectators. Corporal Campbell received the greatest
injury, having been cut in the forehead above the eye', and at
first presented an alarming appearance, but fortunately on exa-
mination it proved to be of a very trifling nature. At the time
the gun burst, it was calculated there could not have been less
than 700 persons present to witness the tiring, and it was
most providential that a great destruction of human life did
not occur in consequence of the accident.. No blame whatever
could he attached to the gun or the pinciple on which it was
constructed,. as it stood the original Foot test in the most satis-
factory manner, and had been fired about 150 times since. So
far as the experiments have been made they have proved satis-
factory, but the bursting of this gun has shown that, to be made
with safety, long ranges can only be obtained by a species of
ordnance constructed for that purpose with a great solidity of
metal at the breech.

•
THE ASSEMBLY FAST.-At the meeting of the
United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh, held on Tuesday,
the sth current, a letter was read from the Rev. Mr. Smart,
Moderator of the United Associate Synod, enclosing copy of a
communication from the Rev. Dr. Welsh, Moderator of the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, requesting the
ce-operation of the Associate Synod in observing the Vast to he
held next week. After discussing the subject at considerable
length, the Presbytery came to the unanimous resolution, that
as the chief reason assigned by the General Assembly as a
ground for fasting—via., the sins and difficulties of the Estab-
lished Church—is one in which Dissenters cannot sympathise,
the Presbytery decline the proposed co-operation. All the
other Dissenting bodies in the country have, so far as we have
seen, come to a similar resolution.— Scotch Paper.

EXTRAORDINARY RAILWAY TRAIN.— 2011 Thursday
the six o'clock train, A.M., from Paddington to Taunton, car-
ried the immense and unprecedented number of 2,115 pas-
sengers !—the great attraction being the agricultwal meeting of
Bristol.—Berkshire Chronicle.

WOOLWICH, JfILY 17.—Divine service was per•
formed to-day, for the first time, in her Majesty's Dockyard.
Woolwich, by the Rev. James Campbell Connolly, Chaplain of
the William and Mary yacht, and was attended by the officers
of the various vessels in her Majesty's service at present in the
harbour here, by almost all the head officers of the dockyard,
and persons connected with that extensive ,e-tablishment, and
the crews of the vessels on the Woolwich station, and the whole
of the officers and men of the Royal Marines off duty. The
number of persons present was upwards of 7CO, and there ap-
peared to be ample accommodation in the large and spacious
room of the new engine store-house, temporarily fitted up for
the occasion, for :300 more. A selected portion of the band of
Royal Marines, with wind instruments, and the others with
their vocal powers conducted and led the congregation in the
part of the service where sacred music is introduced, and had a
powerful yet melodious effect. The Rev. Mr. Conolly selected
Mark viii. 36 and 37 verses .6 For what shall it profit a man, if
he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what
shall a man give in exchange for his soul ?" from which he made
an excellent and appropriate seroon.
ttiukE.---LOne of the largest seizures of tobacco
made at-this port occurred yesterday, when upwards of four tons
was discovered by the officers, concealed in cases of Confectionary
ham Guernsey. Hamphire eldvertiser.