The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-09 00:00:00

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.

Yesterday a Coui i; was held, in consequence of a
requisition " To take into consideration the propriety
of passing resolutions expressing the urgent necessity
of an abolition of all restrictions upon commerce and
manufactures, and especially those affecting the im-
portation of corn."
Mr. HALL moved that the sum of 5001. be given to
the poor widows 'of freemen at Christmas, the cus-
tomary winter vote of the Corporation for the benefit
of those objects.
Mr. GODSON, in seconding the motion, wished very
much to see the amount raised to 1,0001., an improve-
ment which, he suggested, could be accomplished by
cutting atiNty 5001. from the annual allowances of the
Committees.
After • a brief 'discussion the amendment was nega-
tived, and the original motion was carried unanimously.

THE CORN-LAWS.

Mr. PETER TAYLOR said eight months had elapsed
since the question had been fully discussed in the
Court, whose opinion had been expressed as to the
necessity of the abolition of all laws affecting the im-
portation of food. It might be :.sked why the sub eet
was brought forward again, after the declaration of
that opinion, as there was no reason to imagine that
such opinion had undergone any change, and why
there should be a reiteration of what had been de-
clared eight months ago ? His answer was, .because,
if the opinion of the Court was unchanged, so were
the laws. Eight months had passed, not only without
alteration, but with gradually increasing misery and
distress, and a winter was now approaching, which no
man of humanity, or reflection, or foresight, could
contemplate without dismay,—(Hear, hear.) -In
that short time distress and. disappointment had pro-
duced outrage and insurrection. That outrage -and
that insurrection had been put down, but their causes
not been removed, and until they were,
there could be no permanent tranquillity nor
security.—(Hear.) All was hollow beneath; they
were now standing on a volcano, which might at any
moment burst forth, and involve property and insti-
tutions in one common ruin.—(Hear, hear.) He
knew the subject was frequently treated as though
it were one, not of universal, but of conflicting in-
terest; that it was an attack of the unfortunate
manufacturers upon the agricultural part of the popu-
lation, who were in a state of comparative prosperity,
in which they might remain, if the adverse party
would but let them alone. But nothing like that
was the case. The population of the agricultural was
worse than that of the manufacturing counties; and
what trade, what employment, what profession, was
prosperous ? The shop-keepers' returns of profits
were diminished—the mills of the manufacturers were
stopped, or moving languidly—the ships of the mer-
chants were floating idly in our ports—competition
in the professions was invading individual income
—whilst the rush of young men crowding our Courts
of law and halls of medicine, the numbers increased
by the difficulty of finding employment in trade,
seemed to threaten a further decline of professional
remuneration.—(Hear, hear.) He would he told the
distress was admitted, but how was it to be relieved ?
The majority of that Court, and those who agreed
with him in opinion, declared it was owing to the
restrictions upon trade, especially in articles of large
consumption, foremost of which was corn. That
was not a party or political opinion. If it was
not strue it was nothing. Those who entertained it
wanted to oppose, not an opinion, but circumstances
and facts; and, if they were wrong, why not show
that they were so ? They wanted relief, and they had
no interest in anything that would not afford that
relief. No difficulties could be so hard as those they
met with—no obstruction so great as that they had to
remove—no opponents so powerful as they had to con-
tend with—the Church, the landlords, the aristocracy,
the Legislature, were their antagonists. If they had
laid the saddle upon the wrong horse, let them be
shown the right one, for a more powerful and unma-
nageable animal than they had selected could not be
found.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) But he believed
they were right after all. The anger of their enemies
—the rapid union of their friends—the gradual with-
drawal of argument after argument—all proved
that fact ; and being right, nothing would now drive
them from their object. It was said the progress
towards free trade in corn perilled the interest of the
national debt. They made a fearful mistake who
imagined the high price of.the public funds as an evi-
dence of national prosperity. It was the very reverse.
It vas a proof that the usual and wholesome sources
of profit were drying up. Whence could the interest of
that or any other debt be paid but from the profits of
national industry ? and if that industry was fettered
and Made scarce, if that industry was destroyed, pay-
tnent of the interest of the national debt was at an end.
While Government were laying such restrictions upon
trade and manufactures, as had prevented their expan-
sion as the population increased, day by day the na-
tional securities and all other, securities were becoming
more and more impaired. Mr. Taylor concluded by
moving rather a long resolution, calling on Parliament
for comprehensive measures to secure the unrestricted
supply of food.
Mr. STACY seconded the resolution, and described
the Corn-laws as having been founded in fraud and
robbery, and as having surrounded the country with
all the bad passions of human nature.
Mr. W. LAWRENCE objected to the great variety
of subjects opposed to each other embraced by the
resolution, and moved an amendment.
Mr. GODSON seconded the amendment.

After some discussion it was negatived.
Mr. ASHURST cut down the original resolutions to
a less unwieldly size, preserving, however, all their
force, and they were i n that shape adopted by
the Court.

ANTI-CORN-LAW MEETING
AT WHITECHAPEL.

One of the district meetings of the Anti-Corn-law
Association was held last night at the Eastern Insti-
tution, Commercial-road. The great room of the
building was quite filled by an auditory admitted by
tickets, who observed the strictest order. At the hour
appointed,
The CHAIRMAN (Mr. Martineau) opened the pro..
ceedings. He had considered the Corn-laws for
years, and he was sorry to say that when a change
was made in them, it was not for the better, but for
the, worse. Their sole end and object was to prohibit
the importation of corn, the most important article of
food. This was no class question, it was the most
general and universal that could well be conceived.
It concerned every individual in that room ; it con-
cerned every individual of this vast empire—nay, of
the world. We had mines of vast richness; great and
powerful machinery. We had the largest commercial
navy of the world, and with all these advantages we
had, of late years, been shackled and crippled in our
commercial speculations ; and the first and chief rea-
son of this was, that we could not import the food
necessary for our artisans and labourers.—(Hear,
hear.) The next most powerful and wealthy coun-
try to ours was America, and she had her pro-
hibitive duties, not on corn, but on clothing, the next
important article to food. It was only that morning
he read an account of a large agricultural meeting in
Somersetshire, where the two Tory Members, who
voted against the discussion of the Corn-laws, told
their constituents they must look for the future not
to legislative protection,, but to draining, to greater
skill, to new descriptions of manures, and such re-
sources.—(Loud cheers.) Let us rejoice that our
ranks were filled by any body of men, but more espe-
cially that the landlords and farmers crowded in on
them.=-(Cheers.)
The Rev. Mr. HALLIDAY came forward to move
the first resolution. It had been thought best to con-
centrate their views in the following resolution :
" That this meeting, considering the alterations made
in the last' session of Parliament in the Corn and Pro-
vision-laws to be invidious and unjust—invidious as
operating indirectly in the reverse of their import-
ance, and unjust in continuing the sliding-scale system,
a system which injuriously limits the trade and
commerce of the kingdom, and prevents the develop-
ment of its resources, the source of general employ-
ment—do, therefore, feel themselves called upon to
continue and increase their exertions for the immd-
diate abolition, of these and all other partial and un-
just restrictions and monopolies. That this meeting
warmly appreciate and fully concur in the proceed-
ings of the Anti-Corn-law League, both in Manches-
ter and in London, and therefore consider the League
justly entitled to our pecuniary assistance, believing
that the most effectual means of weakening mono-
poly is to arm its opponents with the all-powerful
sinew of war, and opposing the monopolists plan of
perplexing 'and amusing by an united and general
endeavour to enlighten and arouse."
Mr. RICARDO, seconded the resolution. He
knew that he did not stand alone in such views ; for
though there was no other Member of Parliament
pre, sent there would have been but that they were
engaged on another mission. He was glad the metro-
polis had shaken off the apathy which had long cha-
racterised it, and taken a due part in this glorious
struggle. The only parallel which he knew to their
apathy was (mind, he did not believe it) the case of a
man who had his leg cut off without being aware of
it, from magnetic influence. They were awakened,
and there was no chance of their leg being cut off
without their consent and approbation.—(Hear, hear,
and laughter.) I want to know (continued the Hon.
Gentleman), what a stranger to our manners and
customs would think of such laws? They tell us
there is a Chinese Ambassador coming amongst us.—
(Hear, and laughter.) I wonder what he'll think of
them. Let us suppose he writes to his Emperor; will
not his story be something of this kind?—" Oh most
noble King of the Celestial Empire, these barbarians
are a wonderful people. Since I have been here, I
have seen, wherever I travelled, large shops for the
sale of goods, and manufactories to make them ; I
have seen ships in which to transport theie goods ; but
I felt it my duty to see there was no deception in
these appearances. And when I came to examine
matters closely, I found chimneys without smoke,

factories without occupants, habitations without
tenants, and whole families without bread.—(Cheers.)
I thought it right to inquire why this was so. I find
this country has great resources, riches, industry, and
skill; and yet, from an insufficiency of food, com-
merce is crippled. But your Majesty may ask,
Why is this ? With manufactures, and ships to
carry them to all parts. of the world, why don't they
bring back a sufficiency of corn for their people from
those countries where it is the staple production ? '
The fact is, the great Mandarins here—(A laugh)—
are the law-makers and proprietors of land. They
met together, and said let us make a law to prevent
ships from bringing food from the north, south, east
and west, until our own corn is sold at a price that
gives us an enormous profit. They went down to
Parliament, and, backed by an armed force, they made
this law. But in process of time the population in-
creased, but the land did not increase an inch—(A
laugh)and the people began to murmur. They
ssiti that the goods of Providence were distributed
over this earth, but they could not enjoy the blessings
vouchsafed them. They said, other nations want our
commodities; we their corns'r hey said these and many
other things, but the Mandarins in the blue, red, and
white ribbuns—(Laughter)—said These things shall
not be.' The advocates of the people pointed out how
foolish it was in the Mandarins to destroy their own
customers; that trade and agriculture grew on the same
stalk, and that commerce could not flourish and
agriculture decay at the same time. But to all these
arguments the Mandarins answered not one word, but
that these things shall not be. To argument piled on
argument no other response was given. But then the
people murmured again, and formed a political asso-
ciation, with ramifications throughout the empire, and
they called it the Anti-Corn-law League. Not a
town or district that they did not inoculate with their
principles, and they found the people willingly con-
tribute part of their means to furnish the funds of
agitation in order to save. the remainder." So far goes
the dispatch, but supposing his Royal Highness does not
write it until'44, may it not conclude in this way ?
"When the Mandarins saw the determination evinced
and the' money raised for the purpose of destroying
their monopoly, they began to tremble exceedingly, and
not daring to resist any longer, these laws were re-
pealed and totally abrogated.' When we see the iefforts
now making by the people, and the Prime Minister
enunciating a principle about buying in the cheapest
market and selling in the dearest (and any old wife
might have toll as much) ; and when we observe the
Secretary of the Colonies acting on perfectly free
principles of trade in his department, it is not too
much to expect that in another twelvemonth this mo-
nopoly will be no more.—(Loud cheers.) We shall
have sincere pleasure in attending its funeral.
Dr. TAYLOR was then introduced by the Chairman
as the author of a clever pamphlet on the manufactur-
ing districts. He began by saying—lf I told you
that I'came as one of a deputation from Cork, you
must at once admit, from the few words I have spoken,
that I bear unquestionable accentuated credentials.—
(Much laughter followed this allusion to a rich Mun-
ster brogue.) But as I come from Manchester, and
as you have just heard a very good harangue in Chi-
nese, perhaps you would have no objection to hear a
few words by way of justifying my appearance here
in Irish.--s(Continued laughter.) In the first place, I
have to read a letter from Mr. Ashworth, apologising
for his non-attendance [Dr. Taylor read the letter]. I
shall only notice one or two of the arguments some-
times urged in defence o'f these laws, but now almost
completely abandoned. It is said these laws are ne-
cessary, for agriculture must be protected. Is it pro-
tected ? Does the labourer get a fair reward for his
work ? Does he get, in the words of the best com-
mentary on the Divine text, that man must eat his
bread in the sweat of his brow—l mean a fair day's
wages for a fair day's work ? He does not. He had
lived in a country, where the industrious farmer was
turned out of his home—where the roof of his cabin
was driven to accelerate his flight; and where he was
compelled to take shelter in a ditch, with no better
covering than the withered branches of trees. When I
hear of protection, then I always take it to mean the
protection of the withered boughs by the road side.
Another argument often resorted to is, that cheap
food will cause a reduction of wages. I deny the fact.
In America food is cheaper and wages higher.
Wages are paid with money, or they ought to be.
Now, we have a saying in our country—Solomon was
a very wise man, and Sampson a very strong one ,
but it would puzzle either of them to give you 2d. if
they had not got it.—(Much laughter.) If employers
have not means, in consequence of their markets being
diminished, it is impossible for them to remunerate
properly their labourers: The cry that the price of
food should be kept up in order to secure wages to the
labourer, reminds me of a proposal once made to
me by a friend (who was a Corn-law man) when
we were on our road together to Trinity Col-
lege. I was exceedingly tired, and proposed that
we should have some brandy anti water. " Very
well," said he, " but I'll drink the brandy,
and you may have the water.". The monopo-
lists drink the brandy themselves, and they leave
the labourers the water.—(Laughter.) I remember
when the prospects of our success were not so cheer-
ing as they are at present; but, as my countrymen
say, the darkest hour is that which precedes the day
and when a people are once convinced that their ob-
ject is a just one, they should not despair of the means
of attaining it. I may well address you, looking at
your present mighty movement after your past
struggles, in the words of the lover :
" Thou art not conquered ; beauty's ensign yet
Is crimson in thy lips, and in thy cheeks,
And Death's pale flag is not advanced there."
Mr. EVANS told the meeting how happy he should
be to announce to the people of Manchester how
warmly this question was taken up by the metropolis.
Mr. P. TAYLOR, 'of the Young Men's Anti Corn-
law Association, delivered a clever speech.
The Gentleman who wrote some letters on the
Corn-laws, under the signature of "Diogenes," was
called on, and made a short address.
Mr. Tnomesox was sure that Sir R. Peel only,
--wanted the opportunity to strengthen himself by in-
troducing free trade principles, for he was evidently
convinced of their justice. After all, great questions
of this 'kind progressed more by feeling than argu-
ment. It was only the other day that Mr. C. Wood
(intimately connected with Whig aristocracy) pro-
claimed himself " a whole-hog man."—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. S. SMITH made a long speech, in which he al-
luded to the display lately made by the scions of
aristocracy. Let him first introduce them to Lord
Huntingtower. How did he dispose of' his share of
the bread-tax ? Why, in the purchase of race-
horses ; and he was remanded by the Commissioners of
Bankruptcy because he could not give a satisfactory
account of his liabilities. But the moral and physical,
line of beauty was full of variation. Turned he then
to another Noble Lord—Lord ,Frankfort.—(Loud
'groans.) To what purposes did he convert his share
of the bread-Mx? Why he provided carriages and
livery for a class of females not to be further observed
upon in the presence of the women whom he saw at
that meeting. These sums he wrung from the poor
Irish peasantry, who gladly toiled for 6d. a day. There
was a third Nobleman, the lineal descendant of one
who wrote a book to show how a man might be a very
fine gentleman and a very great scoundrel. Well,
so things went on in the West-end ; but how fared the
poor of the East ? Why you know that the poor shirt-
makers of this parish were starving, though they
worked eighteen hours a day, and gave 2d. out of
their 6d. to enable these Noblemen to carry on their
meritorious practices.—(Hear, hear.)
The meeting shortly after broke up.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S—"*YESTERDAY.
DERBY.
17 to 1 agst Mr. Bell's Winesour—taken
40 to 1 agst Mr. Griffiths's'Newcourt—taken
50 to 1 agst Colonel Peel's St. Valentine—taken
1000 to 20 agst Sir G. lleathcote's Sirikol—taken
1000 to 15 agst Duke of Richmond's Clara colt—taken
1000 to 10 agst Duke of Grafton's Pastille colt—taken
14 to 1 Winesour and Blackdrop—taken
The attendance was thin and the betting flat.

NEWMARKET (COURSING) CHAMPION MEET-
• ING, WEDNESDAY.—(CONTINUED.)
First Ties for the All-Aged Stakes.—Minerva beat
Selina ; Railroad beat Willy-go-faster ; The Miller's
Only Daughter beat Victorina ; Margaret beat Admiral ;
Westwind beat Knab ; Banner beat Jewess ; Busy Body
beat Agrippa ; Ajax beat Lapwing.
Second Ties.—Busybody beat Margaret ; Westwind
beat The Miller's Only Daughter; Railroad beat Banner;
Minerva beat Ajax.
Sweepstakes for Puppies.—Second Ties.—Mango beat
Duncan ; Win-if-I-can beat Ernest the First ; Sweet-
briar beat England's Queen ; Thorn beat Burfield Junior.
The Exiling Stakes.—Lord Glentworth's Lablache
beat Mr. Drinkald's Defiance ; Mr.' Bryant's Ephraim
beat Mr. Morant's Mavourneen ; Mr., Vipan's Velure
beat Mr. Tyson's Fairy.
The last course for this race was not run when the
coach left. The company was very numerous, and the
coursing the best ever witnessed. The weather cold,
rainy, and foggy.

THE CURRENCY CREEK, AUSTRALTA.—A meeting
of persona interested in this undertaking was held
yesterday at the London Tavern, Mr. De Costa in
the chair, for the purpose of appointing some compe-
tent person to be agent in the town of Adelaide, Aus-
tralia, for the purpose of carrying out a proposed plan
of emigration and colonisation. After sonfe discus-
sion the meeting was adjourned, in order to ascertain
if any house connected with the town of Adelaide
would undertake the agency.
The wife of General Sale is the daughter of the late
vicar of Puddletown, Dorset, the Rev. Mr. Winch.--
Salisbury Journal.
A recently-published census of Van Diemen's Land
to the Ist January gives the following totals :---males,
34,504 ; females, 15,712. " The disproportion of the
sexes," remarks the Australasiatie Review, ". is• a
grievous calamity."