The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-26 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDO

TO THE ELECTORS OF THE

CITY OF LONDON.

Gentlemen,—The present state of the country, in
regard to its supply of food, cannot be viewed without
apprehension. Forethpught and bold precaution may
avert any serious ev,ils—indecision and procrastination
may produce a state of suffering which it is frightful to
contemplate: , •

Three wee,lis ago it was generally expected that Par.

liament would be immediately called together. The an-
nouncement that Ministers were prepared at that time
to advise the Crown to summon Parliament, and to pro-
pose on their first meeting a suspension of the import
duties on corn, would have caused orders at once to be
sent to various ports of Europe and America for the
purchase and transmission of grain for the consumption
of the United Kingdom. An Order in Council dis-
persing with the law was neither necessary nor desir-
able. No party in Parliament would have made itself
responsible for the obstruction of a measure so urgent
and so beneficial.
The Queen's Ministers have met, and separated, with-

out affording us any promise of such seasonable relief.
It becomes us, therefore, the Queen's subjects, to con•
sider how we can best avert, or at all events mitigate,
calamities of no ordinary magnitude.
Two evils require your consideration. One of these
is the disease in the potatoes, affecting very seriously
parts of England and Scotland, and committing fearful
ravages in Ireland.

The extent of this evil has not yet been ascertained,
and every week, indeed, tends either to revealunexpected
disease, or to abate in some districts the alarm previously
entertained. But there is one misfortune peculiar to the

failure in this particular crop. The effect of a bad corn
harvest is,lin the first place, to diminish the supply in
the market, and to raise the price. Hence diminished
consumption, and the privation of incipient scarcity, by
which the whole stock is more equally distributed
over the year, and the ultimate pressure is greatly
mitigated. But the fear of the breaking out of this
unknown disease in the potatoes induces the holders to
hurry into the market, and thus we have at one and the
same time rapid consumption and impending deficiency
—scarcity of the article and cheapness of price. The ul-
timate suffering must thereby be rendered far more severe

than it otherwise would be. The evil to whick I have
adverted may be owing to an adverse season, to a mys-
terious disease in the potato, to want of science or of
care in propogating the plant. In any of these cases
Government is no more subject to blame for the failure
of the potato crop, than it was entitled to credit for
the plentiful corn harvests which we have lately enjoyed.
Another evil, however, under which we are suffering,
is the fruit of Ministerial counsel and Parliamen-
tary law. It is the direct consequence of an Act
of Parliament, passed three years ago, on the
recommendation of the present advisers of the
Crown. By this la* grain of all kinds has been made
subject to very high duties on importation. These du-
ties are so contrived that the worse the quality of the
corn the higher is the duty ; so that when good wheat
rises to 70s. a quarter the average price of all wheat
is 575. or 585., and the duty 15s. or 14s. a quarter. Thus
the corn barometer points to fair, while the ship is
bending under a storm.
This defect was pointed out many years ago by
writers on the corn-laws, and was urged upon the atten-
tion of the House of Commons when the present Act was
under consideration.

But I confess that on the general subject my views
have, in the course of twenty years, undergone a great
alteration. I used to be of opinion :that corn was an
exception to the general rules of political economy ;
but observation and experience have convinced me that
we ought:to abstain from.all interfence with the sup-
ply of food. IsTeithed ik Government, nor a Legislature
can ever regulate the 'corn market with the beneficial
effects which tliu entire freedom of sale and purchase are
sure of themselves to proguce.
I have for several years endeavoured to obtain a com-
promise on this subject. In 1839 I voted for a Com-
mittee of the whole-House, with the view of supporting
the substittition of a moderate fixed duty for the sliding-
scale. In 1841 I announced the intention of the then
Governmet of proposing a fixed duty of Bs. a quarter.
In the past session I proposed the imposition of some
lower duty. These propositions were successively re-
jected. The present First Lord Of the Treasury met
them in 1839, 1840, and 1841 by eloquent panegyrics Of
the existing system—the plenty it had caused, the rural
happiness it had diffused. He met the propositions for
diminished protection in the same way in which he had
met the offer of securities for Protestant interests in

1817 and 1825—in the same way in which he met the
proposal to allow Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham
to send Members to Parliament in 1830.

The result of resistance to qualified concessions must
be the same in the present instance as in those I have
mentioned. It is no Longer worth while to contend for
a fixed duty. In 1841 the free-trade party would have
agreed to a duty of Bs. a quarter on wheat, and after a
lapse of years this duty might have been further re-
duced, and ultimately abolished. But the imposition of
any duty at present, without a 'provision for its extinc•
Lion within a short period, would but prolong a contest
already sufficiently fruitful of animosity and discontent.
The struggle to make bread scarce and dear, when it is
cleP..r that part, at least,' of the additional price goes to
i'acrease rent, is a struggle:deeply injurious to an aristo-
cracy which (this quarrel once removed) is strong in
property, strong in the construction of our Legislature,
strong in opinion, strong in ancient associations, and the
memory 9f immortal services.
Let us, then, unite to put an end to a system which
has been;proved to be the blight of commerce, the bane
of agriculture, the source of bitter divisions among
classes, the cause of penury, fever, mortality, and crime
among the people.
But if this end is to be achieved, it must be gained
by the unequivocal expression of the public voice. It
is not to be denied that many elections for cities and
towns in 1841, and some in 1845, appear to favour the
assertion that free trade is not popular with the great
mass of the community. The Government appear to
be waiting for some excuse to give up the present corn-
law. Let the people, by petition, by address, by remon-
strance, afford them the excuse they seek, Let the
Ministry propose such a revision of the taxes as in their
opinion may render the public burdens more just and
more equal; led them add any other provisions which
caution and even scrupulous forbearance may suggest;
but let the removal of restrictions on the admission of
the main articles of food and clothing used by the mass
of the people be required, in plain terms, as useful to
all great interests, and indispensable to the progress of
the nation.—l have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your
obedient servant, J. RUSSELL.
Edinburgh, Nov. 22, 1845.

TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAZETTE

In pursuance of the directions of an Act, passed in the
twenty-fourth year of the reign of his late Majesty King
George the Third, intituled "An Act to repeal so much of
two Acts, made in the tenth and fifteenth years of the reign
of his present Majesty, as authorises the Speaker of the
House of Commons to issue his warrant to the Clerk of the
Crown for making out writs for the election of Members
to serve in Parliament, in the manner thereiti ihen-
tioned, and for substituting other nrovKons for the like
purposes :" I do hereby give notice, that it hath been certified
to me in writing, under the hands of two Members serving
in this present Parliament, that John Henry Loftus,
commonly called Lord Viscount Loftus, late a Member
serving in this present Parliament for the borough of
Woodstock, is become a Peer of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, and to whom a writ
of summons bath been issued under the Great Seal
of the United Kingdom to summon him to Parliament, and
that I shall issue my warrant to the Clerk of the Crown to
make out a new writ for the electing of a Member to serve in
this present Parliament for the said borough, in the room of
,the said John Henry Loftus, commonly called Lord Viscount
Loftus, now a Peer of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, and to whom a writ of summons hath been
issued as aforesaid, at the end of fourteen days after the in •
sertion of this notice in the London Gazette.

Given under my hand the 22d day of November, 1845,
CHARLES SHAW LEFEVRE, Speaker.
Whereas by an Act, passed in the Bth and 9th Victoria,
cap. 94, intituled "An Act for regulating the trade of the
Isle of Man," we, being three of the Lords Commis-
sioners of her Majesty's Treasury, do hereby, in pur-
suance of the powers vested in us by the said Act,
order and declare, that all or any articles legally im-
portable into the sle of Man, and not enumerated in the

fable annexed to the said Act,' and upon which the duty of
151. per cent. is hereby imposed, shall and may, from and
after the passing of the said before-mentioned Act, be im-
ported into the Isle of Man duty free, so long as this our or-
der, or any part thereof, affecting such articles shall continue
in force • and 'we do further direct, that this our order be
published in the London and Dublin Gazettes, in accordance
with the provisions of the 3d section of the said Act.
Whitehall, Treasury Chambers, Nov. 10, 1845.
HENRY GOULBURN. •
J. MILNES GASKELL.
WILLIAM CRIP£S.
FOREIGN-OFFICE, Nov. 22, 1845.
The Queen has been pleased to approve of Mr. Robert
Cumming, as Consul in the island of St. Vincent for his Ma-
jesty the King of Prussia.

_
-FOREIGN-OFFICE, Nov. 25.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint James
Finn, Esq., to be her Majesty's Consul at Jerusalem.
WAR-OFFICE, Nov. 25.
2d Regiment of Foot—Lieut. 0. Nicolls, from the 65th
Foot, to be Paymaster, vice Anthony Walshe, who reverts to
his termer half-pay, Nov. 25.
10th Foot—Major C. L. Strickland to be Lieutenant-
Colonel, without purchase, vice Considine, deceased; Captain
W. H. Goode to be Major, vice Strickland; Lieut. C. Dun-
bar, from the 18th Foot, to be Captain, vice Goode, Sept. 5.
12th Foot—T. Garner, Gent., to be Ensign, without pur-
chase, vice Crofton, appointed Adjutant, Nov. 25.
17th Foot—Lieutenant D. D. Wemyss, from the 46th Foot,
to be Lieutenant, vice Macan, who exchanges, Nov. 25.
18th Foot—Ensign W. B. Graham, to be Lieutenant, with-
out purchase, vice Dunbar, promoted in the 10th Foot,
Sept. 6 ; F. Stanford, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase,
vice Graham, Nov. 25. _ _ _

31st Foot-Ensign A. Pilkington to be Lieutenant, without
purchase, vice Bernard, appointed Adjutant, Sept 11; C. S.
IsTott, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, vice Pilkington,
Nov. 25; Lieut. W. Bernard to be Adjutant, vice Wilton,
promoted in the 50th Foot, Sept. 11.
45th Foot—Captain H. Cooper to be Major, without pur-
chase, vice Butler, deceased; Lieut. J. I. Oakley to be Cap-
tain, vice Cooper; Ensign 8.. B. Johnstone to be Lieutenant,
vice Oakley, Sept. 10 ; E. S. F. G. Dawson, Gent., to be
Ensign, vice Johnstone, Nov. 25.
46th Foot—Lieutenant T. A. Macau, from 17th Foot, to
be Lieutenant, vice Wemyss, who exchanges, Nov. 25.
55th Foot—Brevet Colonel J. Fleming, from half-pay Un-
attached, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Brevet Colonel Sir
J. H. Schoedde, K.C.8., who exchanges ; Brevet Lieutenant-
Colonel C. Warren to be Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase,
vice Fleming, who retires ; Brevet Major H. C. B. Daubeney
to be Major, by purchase, vice Warren; LieutenaPt E. G.
Daniell to be Captain, by purchase, vice Daubeney Ensign
T. S. Lloyd to be. Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Daniell; J.
Walker, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vicei:Lloyd ;
Nov. 25. '

78th Foot—Lieutenant W. lE. Moncrieffe, from the 92d
Foot, to be Lieutenant, vice Dowse, appointed to the 84th
Foot, Nov. 25.
84th Foot—Lieutenant T. Dowse, from the 78th Foot, t
be Lieutenant, vice Smith, appointed to the 92d Foot,
Nov. 25.

92d Foot—Lieutenant M. M. Smith, from the 84th Foot,
to be Lieutenant, vice Moncrieffe, appointed to the 78th
Foot, Nov. 2c.
95th Foot—Lieut. J. F. Dennis to be Captain, by purchase,
vice Currie, who retires; Ensign H. G. Hayes to be Lieut.,
by purchase, vice Dennis ; H. Foster, Gent., to be Ensign, by
purchase, vice Hayes, Nov. 25.
96th Foot—Ensign R. F. W. Cumberland to be Lieutenant,
by purchase, vice Willson, who retires; J. V. O'Donnell,
Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Cumberland, N0v.25.
Mumon.tripum.—The appointment of Lieut. A. S. Bolton,
of the 21st Foot, to be Adjutant in the 31st Foot, and the
promotion of Second Lieut. E. Clemison to be First Lieu-
tenant, in the 21st Foot in succepion, as stated in the Ga-
zette of the 24th of October, 1845, have been cancelled.
The Christian names of Cornet Cooke, of 7th Light Dra-
goons, are William Ridley Charles.
The names of the gentleman appointed to the 93d Foot
are William Francis Augustus Eliott, not Elliott, as pre-
viously stated.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.
Michaelmas Term, in the 9th year of the reign of
Queen Victoria.

Nov. 24, 1845.

This Court will, on Tuesday, the 23d day of December
next, hold a sitting, and will proceed to give judgment in
certain of the matters standing over for the consideration of
the Court. N. C. TINDAL.

CROWN-OFFICE, Nov. 24, 1845.
Days and Places appointed for holding the Special Commis-
sions of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery for the
under-mentioned Places :
County of York—Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Castle of York.
City of York—On the same day, at the Guildhall of the said
city.
BANKRUPTCY SUPERSEDED.
John Sutcliffe, jun., spirit merchant, Halifax.
BANKRUPTS.

Charles Joseph Russel, scrivener, Ludlow, Shropshire, to
surrender Dec. 11 and Jan. 7, at eleven, at he Birmingham
District Court. Bittleston official assignee, Birmingham;
Motteram and Knowles, Birmingham.
William Lendon, sen., and William Lendon, jun., curriers,
Dec. 9 and Jan. 6, at eeven, at the Exeter District Court.
Hernaman, official assignee, Exeter; Terrell, Exeter.
John Warren, surgeon dentist, George-street, Hanover-
square, Dec. 2, at twelve, and Jan. 9, at eleven, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Whitmore, official assignee, Basinghall-
street ; Buchanan, Basinghall-street.
William Cooke, innkeeper, Egham, Surrey, Dec. 5, at
eleven, and Jan 16, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-place, Old Jewry;
Buchanan, Walbrook-buildings, City.
John Land Roper, linen-draper, High-street, Rochester,
Dec. 2, at twelve, and Jan. 10, at one, at the Court of Bank-
ruptcy. Follett, official assignee, Sambrook-court, Basinghall-
street ; Badham, Houghton, and Co., Verulam-buildings,
Gray's Inn. _ _ _

Joseph Woodhams, plumber, High-Greet, Portland-town,
Middlesex, Dec. 9, at two, and Jan. 16, at eleven, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Abchurch-
lane, Lombard-street ; Chamberlayne, Great James-street,
Bedford- row.
Charles Wadhams, carpenter, Charlotte-street, Portland-
place, New-road, Dec. 5, at two, and Jan. 13, at half-past
one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee,
Abchurch-lane ; Goren, South Molton- street, Oxford-street.
George Little, corn chandler, South am pton-terrace, Camden-
town, Dec. 5, at one, and Jan. 13, at half-past twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Frederick's-
place, Old Jewry ; Hardman, Bowling-green- street, Ken-
nington.
John Evans, cheesemonger, High-street, Shoreditch, Dec.
3, at twelve, and Jan. 7, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Johnson, icial assignee, Basinghall-street ; Ashley, Shore-
ditch.
Richard More, coal merchant, Norwich, Dec. 2, at two,
and Jan. 6, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Tur-
quand, official assignee, Old Jewry-chambers; Jay, Buck-
lersbury.
(Dividends, &c., in our next.)

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.

(From the London New Price Current of Nov. 25.)

SUGAR.—To-day there was a better desire manifested to
purchase British Plantation Sugar, and merchants displayed
more thinness ; a fair business was transacted in grocery and
refining kinds, and the rates given were equal to those of
Friday ; indeed in some cases 6d per Clrt advance was ob.
tained.
REFINED.—To day the home demand was attive for Re-
fined goods, and higher rates were bbtained : brown lumps
according to quality 66s to 665; and Standard lumps
675. BondedOrttetted i 3 Walithd, and Wri,§ with diffietilty
be had under 34s per cwt for first quality.
MAnnrraus.—There has been little desire manifested to
purchase this dettriptibli ii Sugar; The siliall pitteis sold
privately were in some oases upon easier terms, None has
been brought to public gale, Thefe figs again been no
arrival, and the Ste& i 3 less than that of last year.
EAST INDIA ---This afternoon two parcels of Bengal Sugar,
amounting to 2,154 bags, were submitted to public competi-
tion, but a part oily at the fofnier *glue,
FQItIsIGS.a..-`there has been no public sale this week, and
by private treaty the quantity of all kinds of foreign on offer
is still small. The purchases made by private treaty in
yellow Havatituth have been extremely limited, still holders
are reluctant to take lower rates. In white we have heard
of no business having been done. Of Porto Rico only small
parcels have been sold at the former value. In Cuba Mus-
covado little has been done, and 223 to 25s per cwt is the
value. Brazil is not to be had upon lower terms.
RICE.—To-day there was little desire evinced to purchase
Bengal privately : two parcels amounting to 1,451 bags
were offered at public sale, and a part only sold at a decline
on former rates of 6d per cwt. Madras is little wanted and
prices are not so firm. Of Java there is still little to be
had, but it has been little called for. Cleaned Rice is held
with firmness and is wanted.
COFFEE.—To-day there was no public sale of any descrip-
tion of Coffee, and the market for all home trade kinds has
a very firm appearance. Good ordinary pale Ceylon was not
to be purchased privately under 50s per cwt.
TEA.—There has been no public sale since this day week,
but there is a fair quantity of Black and Green on offer by
is s common4dgo ld 0 d
strong to
tphrievartaetterseattayk.enConagre ratherouh a s
underpurchased
those withpreviously
quoted,and
clotidn,mbount
mids
and l inga at 9
mid
13blackish leaf is 5d to is 7d, fine is 8d to is 10d, and
Pekoe flavour is 10d to 2s 6d. Pouchong is not cheaper :
Ikdshtolea lr
lligdotood
r aatne
sd a t barely
former but little has been done. The amount of business done in
fTowrmanerkayrahteass. beNenotwtoithastsannfdalilngexttehnet only,low
the trade ateoperat with
Hyson is to be purchased,
caution. Gunpowder is dull of sale, Canton kind
at Is 10d to 2s 6d, and Hyson sort 23 7d to 4s.
Scented Orange Pekoe has beenpur sold chased with re freedom
and prices are firmer. Young Hyson has been sold to a fair
extent. The lower sorts of Congou are a little cheaper than
last year, whilst the better are much the same as at that
time. Twankay is a little cheaper than last season, and
Hyson, Imperial, and Gunpowder, are 5d to is per lb lower
than at that time.
SPICES.—This afternoon black Pepper met with attention ;
at public sale 1,494 bags of Malabar were sold at rather
lower rates, and went as follow, half heavy brown at 3d to
3:ld, half heavy rather greyish :id to 30, sea damaged 20
to 2.0, sweepings ; 1,0:2 bags of Venang were all bought
in at 2dd for light earthy and dusty, and 24d for good light.
Hors.—There has been only a moderate business trans-
acted since this day veekb but In tic value little variation
has taken place.

SPIMTS.—The unexpected announcement of a Government
contract for 100,000 gallons of Rum has caused an extensive
demand for Leeward Island, and an advance in prices has
taken place. In Calcutta a good business has been done, and
prices have risen. Demerara is wanted, and of low strengths
several parcels have been sold at improved rates; strong
sorts are fetehipg 38 3tl to 3s 6d. Holders of
Jame lea choir firmness, and a fair business has
been transacted, 29 to 37 per cent. proof has been
selling at 3s 6d to 4s, and superior 4s 2d to 5s per gallon.
'rho business transacted in Brandy has been to a small ex-
tent only, and holders experience difficulty in getting former
rates, Of Geneva several.parcels have been taken for exporta-
tion at 2s 3d to 2s 4d for eom, and fine for home consumption is
fetching 2s 7d to 2s 10d. For English Corn Spirits the
demand has been active at 10s 9d per gallon net cash, and a
further advance is expected shortly. Malt Spirits, ac-
cording to quality, is worth 128 9d to 13s 6d. Gin has been
extensively dealt in, 17 per cent. under proof at 9s 7d, and
22s under 9s 2d per gallon. Leeward Island Rum
was much sought after and prices keep on the advance,
sales having been made at 2s 3d to 2s 3id per gallon proof
trengtb. Of Calcutta 400 hhds were sold by the Dobah
Company at 2s 2d proof with certificate. Jamaica is held
with firmness : 29 to 35 per cent over proof at 3s to 4s, and
fine at 4s 2d to 4s 9d per gallon.
WooL.—Prices keep up for all descriptions, but there has
been only a limited business done—the consumption however,
continues to be good, and fully as large as last season.
SALITETRE.—To-day there was a brisk demand for Rough,
and prices are on the ascendancy. At auction 301 bags of
Calcutta went at 27s for good strong grey 51 per cent
refraction, which was a rise on the rates of the last public
sale of 6d per cwt. Many parcels were sold privately at
25s 6d to 27s 6d and fine 28s to 28s 6d per cwt. For English
Refined the demand has been active at 30s to 30s 6d per cwt.
The demand for Saltpetre is partially speculative. Nitrate of
Soda is dull of sale at 14s to 15s per cwt, which is lower.
INDlGo.—Holders of East India experience difficulty in
getting •last sales rates for any descriptions; the home and
export demand being extremely limited. In Spanish there
has been scarcely any business done.
Orts.—Palm has been only in limited demand, and prices
on the decline. Cocoa Nut has been in excellent request,
and an advance in value has occurred. Although Olive is to
be had upon lower terms, still the home trade have operated
with caution. Rape Seed Oil is still in good re-
quest, and the supply continuing small prices keep firm. For
Linseed Oil further reduced rates are taken, the quantity
produced being ►till very large. A further reduction having
occurred in the value of Cod, buyers have been tempted to
operate more freely. In Seal Oil a fair business was trans-
acted in consequence of rather lower prices being accepted.
Of Southern some parcels have been taken by private treaty
but it low rates. In Sperm a good business has been trans-
acted privately at firm rates.
TALLOW.-Importers of Russian have been more inclined
to sell on account of the large arrivals both here and at
Liverpool, and they have submitted to a reduction on
previous rates of 3d per cwt. Town Tallow has sold
freely at 41s 6d to 42s nett cash. Other descriptions
have met with less attention, and previous rates are barely
sustained. The consumption of Tallow still far exceeds that
of last year, and the stock is much less than it was at that
time : in prices there is little difference.

BRIGHTON AND CHELTENHAM

DIRECT RAILWAY.

A special general meeting of the Shareholders in the
Brighton and Cheltenham Direct Railway was held
yesterday, at the offices of Messrs. Routh, Austin-friars,
for the purpose of considering the present state and
position of their affairs. Mr. William Anderton,
one of the Provisional Directors, was voted to
the chair, and in opening the business of the
meeting, remarked that they had met there for the
purpose of having the affairs of the Company properly
investigated. He was quite sure all of those present.
intended to do that which they thought was right, and
be need not tell them that he did so too. His
name was before the public in connexion with this
Company, and the public had a right to expect from him
every explanation he could give of it. He told the
promoters of the scheme when he was asked to join it,
" If you mean to do that which is right with the public
you may put my name down ; but if I afterwards find
out that there is anything wrong in it, or any bubble
attached to it, I shall be the first to expose
you." He then had seventy-five shares allotted
to him, upon which he paid 1571. 10s. When,
therefore, he went to the office after he had paid his
money, to give up the banker's receipt and sign the sub •
scribers' deed and Parliamentary contract, he naturally
enough expected that the scrip would be handed
over to him. But no, it was not ; for
after he had signed the two deeds without
hesitation he was told that the scrip was not ready, and
from that day to this he had been unable to obtain it.
Subsequently, however, he ascertained that the Provi-
sional Directors had been disappointed with regard to
the number of shares taken up, and they were investi-
gating the affairs of ,the Company with the view of dis-
solving it. He was then informed that the expenses would
be about 2s. 6d., but certainly they would not exceed
that sum ; but now he understood the amount would be
10s.'per share. He must, in justice to the committee,
state that they disclaimed all knowledge of the transac-
tions on the Stock Exchange in the shares of the
Company, and they believed all the shares sold
had been bought in a bond fide manner.
The amount which bad been paid upon deposit was
13,277/. 10s., and the liabilities of the Company were
6,500/. It was for the meeting to determine what steps
they would adopt under existing circumstances. For his
part he thought it would be better to have a committee
of inquiry. From that time to the present moment he
had not been at the office, and he really knew no more
than what he had stated, except what he gleaned from a
letter he had received, and which letter he believed was
a circular. The folio% ing letter was then laid before
the meeting:—
" BRIGHTON AND CHELTENHAM DIRECT
RAILWAY.

REPORT OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONSIDER

THE POSITION OF THIS COMPANY.

" Gentlemen,—The amount of paid-up deposits is 13,277/.
10s. The liabilities of the Company about 6,5001.
" Assuming all the Directors and Provisional Committee to
have paid their ratio of loss upon seventy-five shares, such
ratio will be 10s. per sbare. Every Director who has been
applied to has already made such payment; and when the
remainder of the Provisional Committee have done so, it is
recommended to dissolve the Company and return the de-
posits to the various parties who have paid them, minus the
same deduction of lOs. per share.
" We recommend that this Company (who will be in pos-
session of the surveys, &c., the expenses on which will have
been paid for) be re-formd for the purpose of obtaining an
Act in the session next after the ensuing one, when such de-
duction of 10s. per share will be credited to each shareholder
who has paid it, in the event of his electing to join in the
new company.
" In th 6 event of the Provisional Committee unanimously
following this course, they will be enabled to discharge every
liability of the Company in a fair and equitable way as be-
tween themselves and the shareholders.
" A case, embracing every point connected with the posi-
tion of this Company, has been submitted to some of the most
eminent counsel of the day, whose recommendation is very
strong in favour of an immediate payment of this contribu-
tion ; and as no final adjustment of the liabilities of the Com-
pany can be come to until it be made, the Provisional Com
tnittee are earnestly requested to forward a cheque for 37/.
10s. to Mr. Frederick Penny, the secretary of the Company
(crossed with the name of Messrs. Barnard and Co.), with
the least possible delay.
(Signed)

" HENRY WEBB.
" CHARLES HENAGE.
" RICHARD HEAVISIDE."

" Resolutions passed at a meeting of the Board on Wednes-
;day, the 19th day of November, 1845, in pursuance of the
Tforegoing report :
" That in order to satisfy, on the fairest and most equita-
ble terms, the liabilities of this Company, each Director and
member of the Provisional Committee, who has not paid his
deposit, be called upon, under the strong recommendation of
counsel in' consideration of their individual liability (while
the affairs of the Company remain unsettled), to contribute
the sum of 37/. 10s., being a deduction at the rate of 10s. per
share on seventy-five shares, towards a final settlement of the
liabilities of the Company, in order to enable the Directors to
return to each shareholder his deposit, minus the same rate
of deduction. And that in every case such amounts be con-
sidered as payments on account of future deposit to be re-
ceived in the event of the parties making the same being de-
sirous of hereafter joining the newly-constituted Company.' " ,
(By order of the Board.)
" FREDERICK PENNY, Secretary.
" Company's Offices, 34, Moorgate-street, Nov. 19."
If this circular were responded to by every one of the
Provisional Committee-men (it was stated there were
127), he thought there would not be much reason to
complain.—(Hear, hear.) For himself ho sh9hld not,
as one of the Provisional Committee, complain of the
proposed course, provided all those who allowed their
names to be advertised as Provisional Committee-men
would come in and do as he had done, and he might say
as he believed others, though he feared a very small
number, had done.—(Hear, hear.) He felt it to be his
duty to exert himself, in order to ascertain how the
expenses spoken of in the circular had been incurred
he said he felt it to be his duty to do so as his name had
been put forth as one of the Provisional Committee.
Mr. ROUTH said, that was the mode of proceeding
he had intended to propose, giving the committee
power to take what steps they thought expedient for in-
vestigating the affairs of the Company, and, if necessary, to
take counsel's opinion upon the legality of the steps
which had been taken by the provisional committee.
Sir WM. WHITE apprehended that the committee had
no right to deduct the 10s. at all.
Mr. SIMPSON (solicitor) said he had applied to the
Directors on the behalf of two gentlemen, Mr. Routh
and his son, to know if they would return the deposits
which those gentlemen had paid. Mr. Routh had paid
his deposit, but had not signed the deed. He believed
other gentlemen had both paid and signed. In his letter
he applied for a copy of the deeds which had been
sigisd by the Shareholders. In reply he received the
follewir :
" B-rieton and Cheltenham Direct Railway Company,
34, ?loorgate-street, 24th Nov., 1845.
"Gentlemen,—l on instructed to send you the enclosed
circular, of the 19th instant (the one read by the Chairman),
in reply to the first paragraph of your letter of the 20th
instant; likewise copies of the Parliamentary contract, and
the subscribers' agreement, altiieugh the latter was not ap-
plied for.
"In reference to the second paragraph of the same letter, I
am desired to state that the Directors dischiii2, in the most f
shares in
unqualified terms, any knowledge of the purchase L.
this Company in the market, either at a premium of in any
way whatever. I am, Sir,
" Messrs. Simpson and Cobb. " F. PENNY.°
Mr. Ross said, from what he could learn of the pro-
ceedings of the committee, they were taking the advice
of counsel, and endeavouring to ascertain bow they
could legally spend the money which had been
deposited in their hands instead of taking steps to secure
the shareholders from loss. Such proceedings were
highly discreditable to honourable men, and he for one
would not consent to receive back his deposits minus the
10s. per share.
Sir WILLIAM WRITE said the committee dis-
claimed all knowledge of the purchases which
had lately been made in the shares of the Company.
Now he happened to be a member of the " house," •and
had sold some four hundred of the shares to the broker
of the Company. They had now, however, come for-
ward and refused him the scrip, and he could not ratify
the transaction.
Messrs. Greg and Cunbridge, two of the acting com-
mittee, here entered the room, when the former con-
firmed the statement of the Chairman, that the commit-
tee, owing to the deposits not all being paid up, had
determined to dissolve the Company. Each Director in-
tended to subscribe for 75 instead of 50 shares, and in a
few days the books and accounts would be open for the
inspection of all parties.
Several of the shareholders warmly censured the con-
duct of the managing committee, and protested that
before dissolving the Company they ought to have issued
the scrip, and then called a meeting of the shareholders
to agree to a dissolution.
Mr. ROUTH said, in the Belfast and Enniskillen Rail-
way the managing committee returned all the deposits
on finding that there was not a sufficient sum subscribed
to enable them to go to Parliament clear of all de-
ductions, taking upon themselves all the expense
which had been incurred, and it would redound
more to the credit of their own managing com-
mittee if they were to follow this example.
The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Greg if he could tell how
the 7,0001. liabilities had been incurred?
Mr. GREG replied that it had nearly all been fairly
and properly incurred. Indeed there was only one ac-
count that he objected to, and that was the account of
the advertising agent.
The CHAIRMAN asked bow much that amounted to?
Mr. GREG replied that it amounted to 2,2001. The
advertising agent had charged 25 per cent. to the Com-
pany, and it must be borne in mind that he received a
large per ventage from the newspapers. There was a re-
tainer fee of 4001. which they were in hopes they should
get back again.
The CHAIRMAN asked if he could tell them the amount
of the solicitors' bill?
Mr. GREG replied that the solicitors gave up all their
charges.
Mr. HARRISON then moved the appointment of a com-
mittee of shareholders, with full power to take what steps
they might deem necessary for the benefit of the share-
holders, which was seconded by Mr. ROUTH, and carried
eizanimously.
The committee was then nominated, and thanks
nated.
having voted to the Chairman , the meeting termi-

We f
WARLIKE PREPARATiZYNO.
ul has been privately en-
that a naval officer high in comi act
n.Z.! We can state as a
gaged in taking measurements of the ;Zee_ steamers under
mail contract service with her Majesty'st-GOCTrfimlent, and
with orders to report immediately to he o
their capabilities for carrying guns of the largest calibre.
The large steamers, forming the fleet of the West
India Royal Mail Company ; also the vessels of Penin-
sular and Oriental Company, together with the Great Britain
and Great Western, are said to have been quietly but officially
inspected. A naval officer, well acquainted with the coast of
America, has been summoned to London, to give information
to the Admiralty. • §uch.a.combined force as these numerous
and powerful ships would form, independent of .the regular
steamers of war, would be one of the strongest ever seen on
the ocean. The West India Company's ships alone are twelve
in number, and of about 1,200 tons burden each.—Liverpool
2'imes,

GREAT FREE-TRADE MEETING.

REGISTRATION IN YORKSHIRE.

A numerous and highly influential meeting assembled
on Monday evening, at seven o'clock, in the great room
of the Cutlers' Hall, Sheffield, for the purpose of consi-
dering the urgent importance of making renewed and
more strenuous exertions for placing as many voters as
possible, favourable to the cause of free trade, upon the
register of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
At an early hour the door leading to the hall was be-
sieged by crowds waiting for admittance ; and although
admission could only be procured by ticket, for which Is.
had to be paid, the large hall was filled almost to suffo-
cation for some time before the commencement of pro-
ceedings. At seven o'clock Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright
took their seats upon the platform, and were received
with the most enthusiastic cheers.

Mr. Edward Smith, of Sheffield, was unanimously
called to the chair ; and beside him we observed Richard
Cobden, Eiq., M.P. ; John Bright, Esq., M.P. ; Dr.
ThompsDn; Henry Wilkinson, Esq. ; W. fisher, Esq. ;
Richard Solley, Esq.; Thomas Jessop, Esq.; Aldermen
Turton and N. Hoole ; Charles Wilson, Esq.; I'. Nailor,
Esq.; T. Roebuck, Esq.; and Edward Vickars, Esq.
No inconsiderable portion of the audience consisted
of ladies.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings of the
evening, observed, that he hoped that it would not be
long ere the people of this country would look with sur-
prise at the fact, that such a law as the corn-law ever
existed on our statute-book. What was there ever to
recommend it to their good opinions ? It had acted
injuriously upon the agriculturists of the country, ruin-
ously to the manufacturers, and answered no other
purpose than to serve as an excuse for enhancing the
profits of the privileged classes, at the expense of the
other orders of society. In order to secure these
profits to the privileged classes, the rest of the
community had to submit to a loss one hundred-
fold greater than the profits which were secured
by it. Why was such a law allowed to con-
tinue ? Why was such an imposition still laid upon the
people of this country ? Why, on the first whisperings
of a famine, were the corn-laws not swept from the
statute-book ?—(Hear.) Were they to be for ever ad-
mitting principles in the abstract, and not be guided by
them in their practical conduct ?—(Hear, hear.) Had
they yet to learn that the laws which they impugned
were hurtful to all classes of the community ? Even
cow " coming events" were casting " their shadows
before," and the dread that there might be a scarcity of
food had already deranged all their monetary operations.
—(Hear, hear.) Let them look at the panic which was
now existingin the Share-market, and see how this dread
was also operating in raising the rate of interest ; and
they well knew, from past experience, what must result
from all this. When the rate of interest rose the banks
in due time would become careful in respect to the ac-
commodation extended to their customers, and trade
must necessarily suffer in all its departments. Had the
people of this country yet to learn that dear food
meant low wages, scarcity of employment, interruption
to commerce generally, and depreciation of every
species of property? These lessons they had already learnt
to their cost, and they need not endure seven years
more of suffering to fix them deeply in their minds.
In respect to the question of the corn-laws, fallacy had
been accumulated upon fallacy by the monopolists, and,
for some time, with considerable effect. Now all these
fallacies had been detected and exposed. What, for
instance, had lately become of the cry of " Don't be
dependent upon foreigners ?" They should and would
be glad to be so dependent, if they could only find
those on whom they could depend for a supply of food.
Where, also, was now the cry about the peculiar bur-
dens upon land—those burdens which were invisible
when they were moved for in Parliament ?—(Hear,
hear.) Then was the outcry that, as the corn-laws
were doomed and must be relinquished, time should be
given to prepare the farmers for the change which was
to be effected. But how much time should be given
them ? How much time had already been given them ?
The corn-laws were passed when he was quite young,
and now that he was becoming grey he did not find
that the list of farmers who appeared in the Gazette
had in any degree lessened. There had been, in fact,
no attempt at the preparation which was sought to be
made if time were only given. The cry for
time for preparation was another fallacy which
like all the rest, had now entirely disappeared. All '
parties seemed now agreed upon principles, and all par-
ties
were ready to admit that the right of the cause lay
with the League. But they had relied too much upon
people knowing what was right, under the presumption
that when they knew what was right they would do
what was right.—(Hear, hear.) They now ceased to
rely upon the mere diffusion of information; they had
given over talking, and were beginning to act.—(Hear,
hear.) In entering upon the sphere of action they were
willing to throw themselves upon the highest authority.
and none was more so than that of Sir Robert Peel, who
said, "Register, register, register," and they would take
up and act upon his words, and " register, register," too.
The great battle had now to be fought in the registra-
tion courts ; for it was by perfectly constitutional means
that they must break the fetters which surrounded them.
—(Hear, hear.) It was by means strictly within the
letter of the law that they soug-ht to meet their adver-
saries with the weapons which the,se adversaries had for-
merly wielded against them with sllncess. With these
weapons they were now coming into the iislld. Indeed
they had already used them with some success. What
had been done last year through their instrumel7-
tality ? It was a good beginning that ; but they
intend to do much better during the present year.—
(Cheers.) They were daily becoming more dexterous
in the use of that great weapon, the registry. Last year
they had been disappointed at not adding more than 2,000
to the registry in Yorkshire, but the result of the cam-
paign upon which they were just entering would be of a
very different stamp, inasmuch as they were now better
aware of what they were about, and could use their
weapons more adroitly, and, consequently, more to the
purpose than before.—(Hear, hear.) Their friends (Mr.
Bright and Mr. Cobden) had come there to lay the sub-
ject of the registry before them. They would give the
meeting most encouraging reports of what had been
done in other places, and they would point out to the
people of Sheffield how easy and practicable was the
road to success. Let the people but carry out the sug-
gestions which would be thrown out during the course of
proceedings that evening, and the day of reckoning with
their spoilers and oppressors would not be far distant. Let
them but work together, and with those who thought
with them throughout the country, and he was certain
that, at the dissolution of Parliament, many of those who
were now occupying seats in the House of Commons
would receive notice to quit, which they would
be forced to observe—(Hear, hear.) It was to stimu •
late their zeal in this matter, by showing them what
had been done elsewhere, in reference to the registry,
and by furnishing them with hints and obsorvations on
which they should act, that their friends on his right
and left had arrived amongst them ; and he trusted that
the men of Sheffield would now show some of that cou-
rage, spirit, and energy, which enabled their ancestors
to oppose such resistance to the Norman invader ; and
that they would manifest some of that independence of
prLiciple and action which enabled Sheffield to stand
bon oui 2 bIY at the head of the polling list of West
Yorkshire at the last election.—(Hear, hear.)
Had they lost P nything of their former spirit? Were
principles once espOns.ed now less valuable in their sight?
He believed not ; ana he augured much good from the
spirit which seemed to pi.srvade the numerous respect-
able assemblage now before him. He would trouble
them no more at present, but at once make way for
Mr. Cobden, whom he now called upon to address
them.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. COBDEN, on coming forward, was received with
loud and prolonged cheering. Silence being restored,
he observed that there must be something peculiar in
the present aspect of affairs to induce so large an assem-
blage as was then before him to meet together on that
occasion. He did not know exactly whether the people
of Sheffield were circumstanced as were those in Lanca-
shire at the present moment, who„bad just experienced
a great reverse in their trade. It would not be unde-
sirable thatahey should know how their neighbours were
going on, especially as it generally happened that,
within six months of the time when the cotton trade
suffered depression, the iron districts there and else-
where were sure to follow. Within the last six weeks
they had suffered in Lancashire a more sudden and severe
depression than had been sustained since the time of the
peace. It was not a difficult matter to account for the sud-
denness of this depression. They had haa wheat harvest
deficient in quality and in quantity in this country, and
they had also the failure of the potato crop ; and these
evils together caused a rise of at last 50 per cent. in the
cost of their provisions. Every one before him, both the
wholesale and retail dealer, understood what were the
legitimate effects of a bad harvest. Everybody, there-
fore, was acting upon that knowledge, which, to no small
extent, was owing to the preachings and teachings of
the League. Everybody understood that the high price
of food, which was the result of a bad harvest, caused a
bad state of trade, and the wholesale and retail dealers,
immediately that they saw the prospect of a bad harvest
before them, ceased to buy large stocks of manufactured
goods, lest by-and-by these stocks should be left unsale-
able on their hands.—(Hear, hear.) Eight or ten years
ago, the principles on which they were now all
were known only to a few. There was then a bad state
of trade, and many people were overthrown by the
tempest of adversity which swept over the land, who after
staggering on for two or three years, found themselves
once more on their feet when the ordeal was over; but
none of them ever thought at that time of inquiring what
it was that had injured them. But everybody now un-
derstood the whole matter, and he had the strongest
hopes and the deepest conviction that within a twelve-
month's time the people of this country would apply that
remedy to their present depressed circumstances, which
their knowledge of the causes of the depression would
enable them to apply.—(Hear, hear.) They were on
the eve of a bad state of trade in Sheffield. Let them
not believe that his object in coming there was to make
trade bad. Let them hear what had happened in Lan-
cashire. If people paid 50 per cent. more for provisions
than they paid before—that was to say, if a family earn-
ing but a guinea a week had to expend ss. or 6s. more
than six weeks or two months ago,—they must neces-
sarily have less left to lay out in other commodities ;
less to expend with the draper, the shoemaker, the
tailor, aye, and even with the ironmonger—(Hear)
and if they had thus less to expend for them, there must
then consequently be a diminished trade in the commo-
dities which these dealers had on hand. People's in-
comes did not rise to meet the advance in the price of
food. That was an old delusion, which went down
with people no longer.—(Hear, hear.) Working men
now understood that a high price for provisions did not
cause high wages, but, on the contrary, that high
wages and a low price of food invariably accompanied
each other. Indeed, they might take it for granted that
the very reverse of what the monopolists told them was
the truth. If Lancashire and Yorkshire were depressed

—even if therin Sheffield found in the meantime no
visible or material falling off in their trade, they might
depend upon it that their wholesale de alers,;when they
sent their travellers and commercial ;gents into York-
shire and Lancashire, would have very nifferent accounts
from them than those to which, for the last two or three
years, they had been accustomed. The depression
would, therefore, infallibly reach them in the end. In
six months' time it would be:sure to overtake them.,They
would then be in as bad a plight in Sheffield as their
neighbours in Lancashire were in already. The
time had come when the people of this country
would no longer stand the continuance of the pre-
sent state of things. The other day a gentleman in Old-
ham, where a meeting similar to the present one was
held, asked his friend (Mr. Bright) what resolutions
they should propose, when Mr. Bright proposed that
they should resolve " that they won't stand it any
longer."—(Cheers and laughter.) If such were their
resolution at every similar meeting, it would require no
great power of divination to foresee the result. A bad
harvest had, at last, come upon them, and in this country
such an occurrence must necessarily be a great calamity.
—(Hear, hear.) Were corn with us a regular article of
commerce the evil would be much mitigated, and, he
would venture to say, entirely counteracted. But the
monopolists would not allow that corn should assume
such a place in our commercial transactions. They
kept no store of corn against the evil day, when a defi-
ciency came suddenly upon them, and when it did come
it visited every interest with depression, caused pro-
perty, which was worth 50,0001., to drop down at once
to 25,000/.. and forced the working people to resort to
the union workhouses for that sustenance with
which they could not supply themselves from having
no employment.—(Hear, bear.) Such were the
evils and convulsions superinduced by weir re-
strictive laws, which prohibited them from stor-
ing up corn against the day of want, and
being prepared for the contingencies of a deficient har-
vest.—(Hear. hear.) Was it not a disgrace to them
that, with all the resources which they possessed for
commerce with the whole world, by restrictive laws,
they should set at nought and nullify all the improve-
ments and all the discoveries of recent times, and having
nullified all these, that the people of this country should
be reduced, by being limited in the supply of their food
to what could be raised upon their own soil, to the con-
dition of the Hottentot and the Red Indian?—(Hear,
hear.) Such a state of things was a scandal to the
country—a country which should, and might, be the
store-house and granary of the world.—(Hear, hear.)
It might, in fact, be the modern Egypt for meeting the
deficiencies of other countries, instead of being unable,
as it was at present, to make good its own.—(Hear,
hear.) He was now speaking of the quantity of grain'
which might be accumulated in this country, and kept
here at a profit to the merchant when it was ultimately
sold, provided there was no law in existence to prevent
the storing up of corn. Wheat was a thing which could
be kept for any length of time. Wheat, which had been
produced three or four thousand years ago, was now
growing in this country—wheat, which was perhaps part of'
the identical stock which Joseph stored up for the famine in
Egypt.—(Cheers and a laugh.) Although it might not be
profitable to keep it so long as three or four thousand
years, it was still a satisfaction to know that an article
which formed the chief subsistence of the people should
be thus indestructible.—(Hear, hear.) It was possible
for wheat to be kept for three or four years, and with
a good profit too to the merchant, if the trade were
free. Suppose it were kept for three years instead of
one year, it would not be any great charge against a
casual deficiency which might occur in the fourth year.
—(Hear, hear.) But how stood the case in the present
year ?, It appeared that we were now in Dantaic
offering 50s. to 60s. per quarter for wheat, which could
have been obtained by us eight or nine months ago for
from 28s. to 30s. What was the cause of that state of
things ? It was that we kept in this country no stock
on hand for the purpose of meeting the wants of our
people in a year of casual deficiency. In fact, the
avowed object of the corn-law was to prevent a free
trade in corn, with a view to keep the corn shop in this
country safe from any competition from the shop over
the water.—(Loud cheers.) It was that cause alone
which prevented us from having a sufficient stook of
corn on hand sufficient for the purpose of enabling us
to meet a casual deficiency. Why, it was a scandal to
the country that such a state of things should be
allowed to continue—(Cheers)—and he would not go
down to the grave with a feeling that he had acted the
part of a man if, with his present convictions, he did
not constantly exert himself to oppose its continuance.—
(Loud cheers.) Talk of the spirit of their ancestors who
resisted William the Conqueror ! This was a worse
state of things than any which he endeavoured to esta-
blish in the country. Yes, he (Mr. Cobden) was satisfied
that William the Conqueror never declared that he
would keep the people of England on short allowance.—
(Hear, hear.) Nay, on the contrary, he was sure that
one of the first professions with which he came forward
after the conquest was, that he would give to the people ,
better food than that to which they had previously been
accustomed.—(Hear, hear.) The men of the present
day in England submitted to a more odious dynasty than
that of William the Conqueror—they submitted to the
" little loaf dynasty," by whom the collar was put around
their necks, and tightening it so that they could not
have enough of food.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) There
never was a state of things in any country Well was
worse than this—a system by which hucks ers were
enabled to sell bread—aye, and bad bread too—(Hear,
hear, and a laugh)—and to say to the people, we will
oblige you to buy this bread alone, and we will not
allow you to go to any other shop to purchase a
supply of better bread.—(Hear, hear, and loud cheers.)
was the most cruel oppression that men ever submitted
to ; nit the most cruel part of it was, that in a time of
casual scarcity, such as this year, we were deprived by
it of the advOntage of having the means of obtaining a
sufficient stock f food. Who were liable for this state
of things ? Distinctly they were liable who passed a
law to prevent a free trade in foreign corn in this coun-
try.—(dear, hear.) Thz!t law alone was the cause of
this want of means to supply the existing scarcity.—
(Hear, hear.) If they took, for example, any other '
article which we imported from foreign countries. Let
them look to cotton, which we principally import from
North America. For the purposes of manufacture, tie
less than 3,000 bales of cotton were required every day—

Mr. BRIGHT—Five thousand.
Mr. COBDEN—His friend Mr. Bright, who was better
acquainted with the trade in raw cotton than he, said
that it required 5,000 bales every day. Well, great as
that demand was, the supply never failed.—(Hear,
hear)—there never was a deficiency of cotton expe-
rienced since the peace—there never was, since that
period, a mill stopped or a machine in danger of being
starved for want of cotton to feed it.—(Hear, hear,
and cheers.) We had at present eight months'
provisions of cotton in Liverpool, whilst the new harvest
of cotton was gathering, and almost gathered, in America,
so that in all we might calculate on having at present
twenty-ono months' or two years' supply of cotton. That
was the case with respect to an important article of our
consumption which was of foreign growth, but the trade
in which was free. Then there was the article of tea,
which we were allowed to lay in a stock of. Tea came.
from a foreign land—from a country whose inhabitants
or extent we scarcely had any acquaintance with—yet
the supply of that article never fails, and we had at
present a sufficient quantity in England for two years'
consumption. Take indigo, which was another article
of foreign production, but the trade in which was free ;
and it would be seen that we were always enabled to
have a sufficient stock of it in the country. In the same
way all other articles of foreign growth, the trade in
which was free ; and it will be found that our supplies
of them did not fail ; whilst the case was different in
the case of the articles which the foul finger of mono-
poly had touched, such as sugar and coffee, which were
articles of great importance to our people. We could
not get these in the same manner, but in all the articles
of foreign produce the trade in which was free, such as
indigo, spices, cotton, and tea, we had always from one
to two years' supply in store. Well, what a predica-
meat the country had been brought into from the ope-
Eation of that Jaw.—(Hear, hear.) What excellent
hou.sekeepers they were who never looked to the state
of their larder until it was almost empty, and allowed
it to become in that condition before they inquired if
there was a market open at which they could get any
further supply.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) It was said
that the potato crop had failed—so it had—but the
failure of the potato crop ought not to have been such a
calamity to a great country like England.—(Hear.) Why,
the potato crop had failed for three years succesively in
America, and it was thought so little of that in this coun-
try it had hardly been heard of, and wben heard of it was
only through the means of scientific publications. Why
had they heard so little about the failure of the potato
crops in America for three successive years? Because no
man, woman, or child, in America, was constrained to live
on potatoes alone. If that were the case there, why, he
would ask, was it, that in England four or five millions
of people rejoiced on potatoes, as Dr. Marsham said, and
he deserved nothing better to rejoice upon for such a
speech?—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) The Americans had
an abundance of corn, and if we let them know that we
wanted wheat or Indian corn, they were able to supply
us with! it, and would willingly supply us with it,
if they were informed that they could have in
return our cutlery, and our manufactured cottons.
—(Dear, hear.) If they could obtain those in return,
we should soon obtain more corn from America than
we could pay for. It was recorded in Holy Writ, that
the son of the Patriarch laid up corn in Egypt, in
order that a supply might be easily obtained
in a time of scarcity, and when a time of
scarcity arrived, his brothers went into Egypt to obtain
from him a supply of corn. Why should we not, in a
similar way, apply to our brother Jonathan, in America,
for a supply, as we had no brother Joseph in Egypt ?
(Laughter and cheers.) It was, he was quite sure, a
great deal better to go to our:brother Jonathan for od,
than to go to fight with him.—(Cheers.) He (Mr. Cob-
den) did not like to hear of people's minds being fami-
liarised with the idea of fighting, for he conceived that it
would be a great deal better to trade with him than to
encourage the idea of going to war with him.—(Cheer.)
Those states which produced cotton and tobacco, the F-
ticles which we consumed, had no desire to go to war with
us—(Hear)—and it was only within a few days that he
read an account of a dinner at Charleston, in South Ca-
rolina, at which the health of the Queen was proposed,
and received in the most enthusiastic manner, for that
was one of the portions of the United States which
produced those articles which we took from America.—
(Hear, hear.) What were the portions of the states in
; which there was no desire to go to war with England? The
• Atlantic cities, the State of Pennsylvania and Now
England, .those which were connected with England by
trade and commerce ; but in the states of the west,
where wheat and Indian corn, and pork and beef, were
produced, those articles in which we refused to trade
with them, the warlike spirit towards this country was
evinced.—(Hear, hear.) If we, however, took a different
course from that which we at present adopted—if we
took from states of the west their barrels of flour, and
pork, and beef, and butter, they would like us SS well as
the eoutherra states, inasmuch as people do nOt