The Sun.
London, England, 1842-07-20 00:00:00

P. S. This will be presented by Mr. Abingdon, an intelli-
gent, and, I should say, superior workman, &c.
At a meeting of the Hanley and Shelton Anti-Corn-law
Committee, held, July 14th, Francis Wedgwood, Esq., in the
Chair.
It was resolved—That this meeting, after receiving the
report of Mr. Ridgway and other Deputies, to the Assembly
of Anti-Corn-law Deputies in London, relative to its constitu-
tion and proceedings, is bound to express its satisfaction with
the principle on which the Society has been established ; its
conviction of the necessity of maintaining its principle inviolable ;
and its confidence in its consistent and honourable conduct ; it
also congratulates itself and the country, that although its ob-
ject, the repeal of the Corn-laws, is specific, it is of such vital
importance as to deserve the hearty support of all ether so-
cieties; and that it, may receive the same with mutual advan-
tage to its object and to theirs.
That this Committee is sensible of the valuable services
which the Deputies connected with the Anti-Corn-law League
have rendered and are rendering to the manufacturers, shop-
keepers, and working population of this country, by ascertain-
ing and publishing the unexampled distress that afflicts it at
this juncture ; for the honest representations which they have
made to her Majesty, and to the head of her Government, as
to the necessity (.f adopting immediate measures for its relief;
and for the Parliamentary efforts which they have been instru-
mental in bringing forward for the repeal of the Corn-law, the
great hindrance to its trade, and cause of its misery. And the
meeting begs the Deputies to accept its unanimous and cordial
thanks for their zealous and persevering exertion, accompanied
with their devout prayers for their success.
That this Committee begs to encourage the Deputies to re-
main at their posts and to carry on their operations so long as
Parliament shall continue its sittings, or as they can render the
cause any service, persuaded that by so doing they enlighten
the public mind by their statements, cheer the hopes and keep
up the drooping spirits 'of a suffering people, advance the cause
of truth and weaken the strength of their opponents ; and
above all, prepare the way for the triumph of justice and hu-
manity in the everlasting repeal of these most unrighteous laws.
That although this district is in a distracted, as well as dis-
tressed state, the Committee has pleasure in showing its anxiety
to assist the Deputies, in the appointment of Messrs. Whalley
and Abingdon, the former a respectable tradesman, the latter, an
intelligent operative, who will describe the present alarming
state of the district, and also, particularly explain the situation of
those classes of the community to which they belong.
That the thanks of the meeting be presented to Mr. Ridgway
and his colleagues, Messrs. Mason and Morley, for the able
manner in which they have represented this district, and for
the service they have rendered the good cause at ti.is alarming
period. it
That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Chair-
man of the Demties, with the wish of the meeting that it may
be publicly read.
(Signed) FRANCIS WEDGWOOD, Chairman.
He had also another letter from a working-man of Ber-
mondsey, which was to the following effect :
Gentlemen,—l hope you will forgive me for the liberty I
have taken in writing these few lines to you, but being a
working-man I sincerely thank you for your kind sympathy
towards the working classes.
Gentlemen, I am sorry that no gentleman has been delegated from
any part of the Borough of Southwark, to represent our miserable
condition in your assembly. I have been a resident for the last
eighteen years in Bermondsey, which consist mostly of tanners,
carriers, fell-mongers, and leather-dressers, and they are, Gen-
tlemen, in a most deplorable state. I think there is full one-
half out of work, and those that are in work have nut above
half work.
Gentlemen, lam by trade a journeyman currier. We are
not a numerous body, but we have always supported one another
when out of work, which is done by tramping the country in
search of work, but trade has been so dreadful bad for the last
five or six years that many of our trade have to tramp three and
four thousand miles without obtaining any employment. One
man of the Tame of James Mcorgan, tramped a hundred miles
for sixpence which was all he had to live upon.
Gentlemen, when a man is thrown out of work through distress,
he parts with his few goods, and himself sod family are driven on
the roads, but provisions being so very dear, tramps so very
numerous, and employment so very scarce, that men in work
cannot support their unfortunate shopmates in distress.
Gentlemen, I am very glad that some Dissenting Ministers
are kindly inquiring. into our condition. I hope they will
exert their influence in our behalf, for the abolition of the cruel
bread-tax. I think, Gentlemen, if ministers of religion and
the religious community, were to unite and make a similar
exertion for a repeal of the Corn-laws as they made for the
suppression of the Slave-trade, victory would instantly crown
those exertions.
Gentlemen, I hope Ministers will pity our wretchedness and
sympathise with our sufferings ; and I hope, Gentlemen, if I
have done wrong by writing these statements you will forgive
me.—Gentlemen, I remain your very humble servant,
JOHN COVENTRY.
6, Grange-road, Bermondsey, July 19, 1842.
I had forgot to mention we use no machinery.
The CHAIRMAN said that the last letter he would read
was one addressed to Sir W. Clay and Colonel Fox. the
representatives of the Tower Hamlets, and the reply
thereto : . . __ _

8, Suffolk place, Hackney-road, July 12, 1842.
Sir,—l am directed by a unanimous vote of the Committee
of the Bethnal-green Anti-Corn-law Association, representing
a large and an influential body, to request you, as Member for
the Tower Hamlets, to support the motion of Mr. Villiers for
the repeal of the Corn-laws. The evidence of the all but uni-
versal distress of the country is now before the world ; and they
trust you will be convinced that any relief to be practical must
be .‘ immediate;" and also, that a negation of the prayers of
the people must lead directly to an earnest and hearty union
of the present conflicting cla,ses of society to effect organic
changes in the Constitution.
1 am, Sir, your very obedient servant,
JAMES MURRAY, Secretary.
The Hon. Sir W. Clay, Bart.
The following was the reply of Mr. Clay to that letter:
No. 17, Hertford-street, May-fair, July 13.
Sir,—l am happy to have the opportunity afforded me by
your letter, of mentioning to the friends of Corn-law repeal in
the neighbourhood of Bethnal-green, that my not voting for
Mr. Villiers' motion was accidental. I was in the country, and
was not aware of its coming on, or I would have been present
to support it. I presume it was unexpected by yourself also
that it would come on so early as Monday, as your letter is dated
the 12th, yesterday. I am, Sir, yours obediently,
James Murray, Esq. W. CLAY.
Mr. liAwsoN, Jnn., then read the following extract
from a letter received from Nottingham on the 18th of
the present month :
" Our apprehension of increasing embarrassment and dis..
tress, when we went to the Conference, is more than confirmed
by the prevent state of affairs here. Many who were incre-
dulous as to the benefit that might accrue from the repeal of
the Provision-laws are becoming anxious, having no other re-
medy to propose, and none doubt that we are approaching a
most awful state of society. We shall send up one or two more
Delegates this week."
There was also a statement in the same letter to the