Star.
London, England, 1830-11-24 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE WEST.INDIA TRADE.-SLAVERY.

A numerous Meeting of West India Planters, Merchants, and others
interested in the West India Trade, took place yesterday afternon, at
the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's-street, for the purpose of
adopting petitions to be presented to his Majesty and both Houses of
Parliament, praying for a protection of West India and Colonial
property from any threatened invasion arising from mistaken notions
of policy.
Mr. KEITH DOUGLAS, in the Chair.
Sir A. GRANT said, the present crisis was peculiarly interesting to
the West India proprietors, and lead a petition to the King prepared by
the standing committee. The document impressed upon his Majesty
the difficulties under which the West India colonies laboured, and em.
braced other topics connected with the subject of vested rights.
The petition having been agreed to, Sir E. H. EAST moved a similar
petition to the House of Lords, and said, that if the West India pro-
perty were invaded, or the principles by which it was held broken in
upon, there would be an end to the constitution of the law of property.
Mr. MANX two, M. P. thought that the House of Commons would
never interfere with the West India propriety, but if they did, they
would afford a sufficient recompence to those who bad it. Mr.
Manning alluded to St. Domingo, and said that the West India Colo-
nies would soon be reduced to the same situation as that Island, which
did not grow sugar enough for Its own scanty consumption.
Mr. Burge, the Attorney-General for Jamaica; Mr. Stewart, and
Mr. Carrington, late agent for Barbadoes, adopted the same line of ar..
pment, after which
Mr. Cormitis rose and moved an amendment to the petition, to the
effect that the West India body should solicit an inquiry into ie state
and condition of the slave population, which might have the effect of
removing the odium now attempted to be thrown upon the West India
Prcigetors.
is amendment, after a slight discussion, was agreed to, and it was
settled that Earl St. Vincent should present a petition to the Lords, and
Lord Chandos another to the Commons, The latter nobleman was not
present, being required to be in attendance at the head of the Yeomanry
in the disturbed districts:

Lord Rae and several new members were added to the standing com-
mittee ; after which the meeting adjourned.

SELECT VESTRIES.

A most respectable body of inhabitant housekeepers of the parish of',
St. James, on Monday last, presented their protest to the Select Vestry,
at St. James's Church, against any future appointment of a person as
Clerk to the Guardians of the Poor, at the enormous salary of 8001. per
annum with house to live in, coals, candles. &c. Az.
After very great exertions on the part of the beadles, a quorum of the
Select Gentlemen was formed, and ten Men= of the Central Com.
mittee of St. James's parish were introduced, Mr. Ewen, of No. 106,
Jermyn.sueet, at their bead, who addressed the Chairman of the Vestry
In a most respectful manner, stating that they came to preemie the pro-
test of about seven hundred most highly and respectable Inhabitant
housekeepers, against the reappointment of a Clerk to the Guardians of
the Poor.

Lord Haat:oleicaz, a member of the select, addressing himself to
Mr. Knight, the vestry clerk and solicitor, of Great Marlborough.
street, requested him to state on what authority the Guardians of the
Poor made the appointment ; on which Mr. Knight referred to the Act,
as regards the parish of St. James. Mr. Knight, when looking over
the Act in a very careful manner, was requested to turn over to the
clause thacinvested the Governors of the Poor with power to make the
appointment.
Mr. KNIGHT made answer, " I find no clause In the Act, that gives
them that power."
Immediately Mr. EWEN replied to Lord Hardwicke, that is my
point, my Lord. He then addressed his Lordship and said, that the
protest that he had had the honour of presenting to his Lordship and the
Gentlemen present was signed by 700 most highly respectable inha-
bitant housekeepers of St. James's parish, who, by that protest, have
refused to pay any further poor.rate until their grievances are redressed.
My Lord, continued Mr. Ewen, it will be a very serious thing to allow a
continuance of the present excitement, which is prevalent in the parish,
caused by the enormous poor.rates, and the misapplication of the
same.

Mr. Ewen was about to withdraw, when his Lordship said, " Mr.
Ewen, you will take this with you," handing him the protest.
6' No, my Lord," replied Mr. Ewen, " I wish that to remain with
your Lordship and the gentlemen present, that you may more fully un-
derstand the nature and extent of our complaints."
The consequent result is likely to be, that the Inhabitants of St.
James's parish will gain a complete victory over that self-constituted
body.