The Sun.
London, England, 1842-04-27 00:00:00

ANTI-CORN-LAW ASSOCIATION. which bad been lauded as the best possible Bill was now gone,
The annual meeting of the Subscribers to the Asso . and he hoped the new one would not last so long.—(Cheers. )
elation was held, yesterday, at the Crown and Anchor -
He hoped, therefore, that they would not despair of ultimate
es suc es . Protection must injure some
The
e el,aenvdid,enineefact
fact,
takenit
Tavern. On the platform we observed the Earl of Rad- was In ury to •an •'hose protected.
j
nor, Lord Kinnaird, the Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P., Mr.
before the Committee, to which he had alluded, proved that
Milner Gibson, M.P., Dr. Bowring, -M.P., Cul. Thompson, those trades were most flourishing which enjoyed no protection,
&c. The room was extremely fall at two o'clock, the and those trades which had protection declined in proportion.
time at which thu meeting was called. He hoped they would all exert themselves to the utmost, and
Mr. WeetuunTos; took the chair, and in doing so said, he begged to conclude by moving the resolution which he had
he would not trespass on their time with any remarks of read. ( The Noble Earl sat down amidst loud cheers. )
his own, as there were several Noble Lords and Gentle- Mr. C. P. VILLIERS said that he felt proud in seconding
-any proposition made by the Noble Earl. The Noble Earl
men ready to address the meeting; he should, therefore,
content himself by calling on the Secretar to read the
had been a faithful labourer in the field of Reform. He was
y not one that took up politics to support a party, but he used
Report. I his talents for the benefit of his country. There was another
Mr. S. Satrarn then read the following Report veteran who had just entered the room (Mr. Hume).—
The Business Committee appointed by the Metropolitan I (Cheering.) He (Mr. Villiers) could have but little to add
Anti •Corn-law Association to transact the details of its affairs, to the arguments that had already been adduced with respect
beg leave to render to their constituents an account of their to the question of the Cora-laws. He congratulated them on
management for the past year, 1841. their prospects. It was but a very few mouths ago that the
The Interim Address issued by the Committee at the close present Government was placed in power for the purpose of
of the year, which has been extensively circulated, and i, in supporting and perpetuating monopoly. But they had evi-
the hands of all the members, supersedes the necessity of here dently been shaken. They had taken a step towards free trade
enumerating various details, of which it would otherwise be but still the old monopolies were supported. It was for this
the duty of the Committee to make a report. that the Income-tax had been proposed. The new Corn Bill
Since the date of the last annual general meeting, the nuns- had been brought in on account of the agitation on this sub-
her of Branch Associations, in connexion with this Society, has jest; and if the opinions of the people had been more fully ex-
increased from seventeen to sixty-four. pressed against the monopolies, the Government never would
The subscriptions which, for the year 1480, amounted to have dared to have propoied the Income-tax.--(Cheers. )
994/. 10s. 4d., have, ep to 31st December, 1841, reached to There were articles of consumption upon which the deficienZ:y
the sum of 1,392/. 16s. ld. The payments have been—
ea
£ s. d. of the revenue might have been raised. And what had used
the deficiency ? Why these monopolies ; for the amount of the
Rent
Public meetings
Stationery
Lithography ...
Printing 192 16 6 • Mt Gregor that, if the reduction of the duty on necessaries had
Advertisements
Salaries, lectures, clerks, &c.
Wages, postage, parcels, and petty dis- tinue their vigorous exertions, and he had no doubt they would
bursements
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
Lord KIN N A It: t; said he would detain them but a very short
time, as there were many Gentlemen round him whom they
had known of old, and whom they would wish to hear again
and again. , But he could assure them that those Gentlemen
!night address them with greater ability, but not with more
sincerity than he did.—(Cheers. ) Since the year 1826, when
lie succeeded to his landed property, he had turned his attention
to agriculture. Ile had nearly a thousand acres of land, and
he could assure them, front his experience, that, instead of
protection being beneficial to agriculture, it was injurious. A
considerable portion of the land had, for many years, been
cultivated with wheat, to the growth of which the Corn-laws
gave peculiar encouragement. And he asserted, that notwith-
standing all kinds of manure being used, drainage, &c., the
land dial not now produce more than one-third the quantity of
former sears, became this most vicious system bad entirely ex-
haustedthe soil. He congratulated them upon the prospects of
the Association, and concluded by moving the following reso-
lution :
"That the proposition formally asserted by the first Mi-
nister of the Crown, that the revenue unit eerily increases with
abundance in the necessaries of life, and is diminished by their
scarcity, is a virtual admission that the Cs rn and Provision-
laws, which restrict the supply of food, have materially conduced
to that defalcation in the revenue which is assigned as the reason
far the necessity of the imposition of an Income-tax ; and that
this Association sees in this new impost only an expedient for
the continuance of the infliction ef the intolerable wrong of the
Bread-tax.
Mr. He CIE seconded the resolution in a very eloquent speech,
The revolution was put and carried.
Mr. WILSON proposed the following resolution:—
'° That the proposed reconstruction of the tariff, although
vicious in principle, and, in all, falling short of the full measure
of just and wise commercial reform, sufficiently indicates that
public opinion has driven monopoly from the ancient strong-
holds of the restrictive system ; while the abandonment by the
advocates of the theory of protection of all the ordinary econo-
mical fallacies which formerly constituted its only defence, en-
courages renewed exertions for the enforcement of free trades
principles, which being now recognised by al parties in the
State, can be vindicated without the imputation of factious mo-
tives to their con,cientiteas supporters."
Dr. Howitzer; seconded the resolution. He thought they
could not hope of success, until they saw a different House of
Commons.
The resolution was put, and carried unanimously.
Col. Toomesos in proposing the next resolution, said, that
his Friend (Dr. }busying) had succeeded to the Knight in
Doubting Castle, put under the care of the Giant Despair with
Brother I)espondency.—( Laughter.) He ( Col. 'l'.) intended
to be his BroAter Hopeful. —(Laughter. ) He thought there
was every reason to be full of hope, for their prospects were
most cheering. He concluded by proposing the following reso-
lution :—" That the sy stem of fiscal legislation which pro-
poses to increase the capacity of the people to pay the taxes
required for the public service, by relieving them of those levied
ter the profit ef private and class interests is sound in economical
principle, and would be found eminently successful in practice;
while any attempt to render the maintena, ce of monopoly com-
patible with die attainmant of an adequate State revenue, by
the imposition of new taxes upon a community, which has dee
monstreted its inability to meet those which are already re-
quired of them, is at once enreasonable and oppressive, fraught
with peril to the productive faculty of national industry, and
the sources of commercial enter; rise."
Mr. BEACON seconded the resolution, which was carried
unanimously.
Mr. M'Leon proposed the following resolution, which was
carried unanimously :
" That past experience has proved that the political power
of private interests, and of the beneficiares of monopoly is
such, that no Government, however patriotic in intention or
sound in its views, is able, by its own influence, to legislate ac-
cording to its sincere convictions of justice and true policy ;
and it becomes the imperative duty of the vast body of con-
sumers to steengthen the hands of the executive in any honest
efforts to consult the real interests of the community at large ;
anti that to this end, and foe the purpose at once of vvarningo
our opponents of our irrevocable determination, and of confirm-
ing ourselves in its prosecution, we do hereby solemnly, deli-
berately, and firmly pledge ourselves to each other, and to our
common country, that we will never relax in our exertions,
but, on the contrary, that we will increase the sphere and in-
tensity of their application and activity, until the Corn end
Provision-laws are entirely repealed, and free trade, in spirit
and in truth, made part and parcel of the law of our native
land."

£1,382 11 3
Up to the end of last year the Association distributed in all
parts of town and country, 252,537 tracts on the subject of the
food laws and free trade, of which a particular list is already
in the hands of members ; as also of four hundred and eighty-

seven lectures delivered under the auspices of the Association.
The number of petitioners against the Corn-laws, for the
year 1840, was 1,459,545; for 1841, they increased to
1,756,645 ; and for the first three months and a half of 1842,
they already amount to 1,693,671 ; and the number of petitions
to 3,870. It is satisfactory to be enabled to report the greatly
altered tone of these petitions. While a vtry considerable pro-
portion of those presented in past years prayed only for a
modification or alteration of the Corn-laws, those presented
for 1842 are very nearly unanimous in demanding their total
and immediate repeal.
Among the events connected with the business of the Asso-
ciation, since tie date of the last Address, the Committee would
refer to the success of the Manchester Anti-Corn-law Bazaar,
the claims of which to the assistance of the metropolitan public
were efficiently urged by. this Association. The appeal was
answered by the presentation of numerous and valuable contri-
butions, which were transmitted to the Bazaar by the Com-
mittee. . . .

The Association took an active part in the management of
the business of the Great Metropolitan Anti-Corn-law Con-
ference; a member of the Committee having been unani-
mously elected its president, while Mr. Sidney Smith was
called to undertake the duties of its Secretary. The Committee
believe that the numbers, intelligence, and social influence of
that assembly produced a powerful effect upon the Legislature,
while the ability, good sense, and spirit with which its business
was conducted were well calculated to secure the sympathy and
confidence of the community.
The Committee have the satisfaction to report the existence
of an increase of zeal, intelligence, and business habits in the
various branches of the Association since the date of the last Re-
pert. Their meetings are more frequent and regular—the at-
tendance at lectures greater—and their local importance and
political weight are much more sensibly recognised by the
community. Their steady support to, and prompt co-operation
with, the operations of the Association, and of the League, have
been of essential service to the cause, and are thus publicly
and gratefully acknowledged by the Commiree; who would at
the same time point out to their constituents the rapidity of
communication and extent of influence which this local organi-
zation places at their disposal ; and the great saving of ex-
pense to the central Association, at which these branches
enable the Committee vigorously to effect greatly extended
operations.
The stock of tracts on hand is at present not inconsiderable,
and the Committee take this public opportunity of thankfully
acknowledging the gift of several valuable and useful contri-
butions of broadsheets and pamphlets. They would also notice
the promptitude with which their correspondents in all parts
of the country have co-operated in the business of petitions and
memorials, and communicated to them much useful Parli-
amentary and other intelligence connected with the cause.
The operations of the Association have been eminently suc-
cessful, not only iu arousing, but in enlightening the public
mind on the subject of monopolies, and of the principles and
nature of public taxation. Indeed the Committee conceive
that the work of conviction among the commercial and manu-
facturing communities has, to a great extent, been accomplished.
But the preponderance of legislative influence possessed by the
agricultural interest renders it necessary that before any signal
Parliamentary success can be attained, there must be an
extensive conversion to free trade opinions of the rural consti-
tuencies. The unseemly spectacle of a kingdom divided against
itself in the existing antagonism of the commercial and agri-
cultural bodies, the Committee are most anxious to remove ;
and the growing dissatisfaction of the tenantry with the opera-
tion of the new sliding scale and tariff, and the infliction of the
Income-tax renders it highly probable that if the Committee
are enabled by the liberality of the public to carry their opera-
tions into the surrounding predial districts, the tenantry of
Great Britain may at no distant date be found in the ranks of
the Association, covineed, with Lord Western, that an entire
and immediate renunciation of protection, which will enable
them at once to know with what they have to contend, is greatly
preferable to the uncertainty of those perpetual changes all in
the direction of the removal of commercial restrictions, which
the progressive disproportion betwixt the domestic production
of food, and the increasing numbers of the population, coupled
with the growing influence of free trade doctrines, render in-
evitable.
The Committee would congratulate the Association upon
the extent and rapidity of the success of their exertions indi-
cated by the altered language of the Legislature, and the coin •
mercial revolution effected by the Government. The trite
Corn-law sophisms which were urged in opposition, are now
formally abjured by the members of the Cabinet ; the sound-
ness of the principles of the Association has been as formally
recognised ; and credit has been even claimed for sincere en-
deavours, safely and gradually to carry them into the practice
of fiscal legislation ; while the leading members of the Govern-
ment have explicitly disclaimed the finality of the measures
they propose, and claim for them only the character of the
commencement of a system of alterations in the entire tariff of
the country. This virtual challenge to perseverance in the
enlightening of the public mind, combined with the growing
conviction that the imposition of new taxes has been forced
upon the country solely from the incapacity of the mass of the
people to meet any longer the demands of the public re-
venue, while they are impoverished by the taxation of
private and class monopolies, and their energies para-
lysed by commercial restrictions, call for more vigorous exer-
tions, and give better promise of speedy success than ever ;
while the formal recognition of the principles of fiscal reform
made equally by the late and Vise present Government, removes
from the advocates of free trade all suspicion of party motives
in the advocacy of a cause which is now vindicated by the intel-
ligent Members of both the great parties in the State. While
scarcely thirteen years ago Mr. Hurne's motion, for a maximum
duty en wheat of twenty shillings per quarter, found only twelve
supporters in the House of Commons, the same measure is
new carried through both Houses by an overwhelming majority
of that Gentleman's political opponents. The motion of last
year fur inquiry into the Corn-laws, which found only 177
adherents, when brought forward in the more specific shape
this year of a notion for a low fixed duty, has been sanctioned
by 226 votes, and Mr. Villiers' specific motion for a total and
immediate repeal of the Corn-laws, has received (including
pairs) the support of 110 representatives of the people.
The Committee have endeavoured to conduct the operations
of theiAssociation with as much attention to economy as was
consistent with maintaining a character of spirit and efficiency.
The subscriptions hitherto realised for the service of the cur-
rent year exhibit no falling off in the liberality of the public,
or the resources of the Association. The Comn.ittse have only
to add, that the present state and future prospects of the coun-
try, now more than ever call for renewed exertions for the
enforcement of the legislative adoption of free trade principles;
and that it will be their carnet endeavour, faithfully and use-
fully to apply all the funds which their constituents may place
at their disposal, to the attainment of the objects which they
are associated to accomplish. By order of the Committee, re-
spectfully reported by FRANCIS PLACE, Chairman.
SIDNEY SMITH, Secretary.
448, Strand, London, April 26, 1842.
The CHAIRMAN said, that; before the close of the proceed-
ing he should put the ordinary question, that the Report be re-
ceived, adopted, printed, and circulated ; but he should not put the
question then, in order that the Earl of Radnor might at once
propose the first resolution.—(Cheers. )
The Earl of RADNOR then rose and said, lie rose in obedi-
ence to the call of the lion. Gentleman who filled the Chair, to
propose the first resolution, but he did so with considerable
reluctance, as he was no orator, and even ill calculated to per-
form the duty which had been entrusted to him. But having
been asked to move the resolution, and being exceedingly
anxious on the subject, he had allowed his anxiety for the wel-
fare of the cause to supersede his feelings of reluctance. Per-
haps he might be allowed to say, partly as apology, and partly
as a proof of his anxiety in the cause, that that was the first
meeting of the sort lie had ever attended.—( Cheers.) The
resolution he had been requested to propose was —" That a painful
and protracted experience of the baneful effects of acting in
violation of the principles of this Association, calls on the mem-
bers at this, their third anniversary, emphatically, to confirm
the justice, humanity, and sound policy of the principles they
have always advocated, and that the present depressed condi-
tion, and gloomy prospects of the manufacturing and trading
community demand renewed exertion, to preserve for every
Briton the invaluable power to sell his labour
in the best market, and purchase his food in the cheapest."
He congratulated them on the position of the question of the
Corn-law at the present time. He congratulated them not
only on the flattering Report they had just heard read, but at
the progress the question had made in the course of a few
months.—( Mr. Hume here entered the room, and was re-
ceived with loud cheering.) The Noble Earl continued. He
believed that it was somewhere about three years that this As-
sociation had been in existence, and when they looked at the
progress their principles had made he confessed there was great
cause for congratulation. For the first year and a half the As •
sociation made but little progress; it was not till the report of
the Committee of the House of Commons, which sat on the im-
port duties was published. It was that that directed the atten-
tion of the public to the subject. By that report. the public
mind seemed to be at once drawn to the question, and new
their prospects were most cheering. The arguments used
against them were totally different to those used two years ago
by the same party, and this was another proof of the great
progress their cause had made. In the very last debate that
took place in the House of Lords, during the last Session of
Parliament, the arguments used against the repeal of the Co
laws was that this country ought to be totally independent
of foreign countries. At the present moment that
argument was entirely given up, the only person now
using it being the Duke of Wellinston.—(Hear.) It
was now admitted on all hands that the country could not
supply sufficient food for the increasing population. Tln•re
had been another argument used by their opponents, but which
was not entirely given up, and that was the necessity of pro-
tection to agriculture; but even that was beginning to give
way, for a Noble Lord, in the House of Lords, during the late
debate, had admitted that the system of protection had been
niurious to Ireland. It had also been stated to the House of
Lords that a supply from Ireland could net be depended upon.
Now, five years ago, when he (the Earl of Radnor) had stated
this in the House of Lords, he was laughed at, and the Noble
Lord went so far as to say that he ( the Earl of Radnor) had
been misled. But time had proved that he was correct,illit mats• for
six or seven years the supply had been diminishing t
now reduced to nearly nothing. New this argument had been
used by Noble Lords favourable to the new Corn Bill, lie
(Earl Radnor) thought they had matter of congratulation in
the new. Corn Bill, for although it was but a very few steps to
free trade, still it was one, he thought, would act as stringently
as the old one. But the old Corn Bill was broken up. That

'fhe Repo' t Iva.; then adopted and ordered to be printed, a
vote of thanks was given to the Chairman, and the meeting
eparated.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE JOB.
.( raom A CORRESPONDENT.)

I see that Colonel Fox has a motion on the paper for this
evening relative to the Cape of Good Hope. Will you allow
me, therefore, to d•rect your attention to one of the many jobs
that are perpetrated, 1 am afraid, in that forgotten and ne-
glected colony. Mr. I fume's task, it he resume his old voca-
tion of hunting out and exposing jobs, will be immensely aug-
merited by the labours of his friends when in office; but the
following job is, I believe, a Tory job. Colcnel John Bell, C. 8.,
left the Cape for this country nearly a year ago. He was then
Colonial Secretary, with a salary of 1,5001. per annum, half of
which goes to the person acting for him. It was understood
when he left the colony that he never would return. At the
late brevet he was made Major-General, which incapacitated
him for the situation. Yet he is still, 1 believe, receiving half
salary, as Colonial Secretary we leave. He holds also, I
believe, a situation in the Queen's household. The act-
ing Secretary is a relation of the Governor, a very
young man, and quite unfit for the situation, although a
very amiable person. In such a colony as the Cape,
with a Governor who is a good meaning, but not overwise
nor over-energetic man, a Secretary is a person of great
importance. The greater part of the active affairs of Go-
vernment rest en his shoulders, and an efAcient man ought at
once to be appointed to fill the place which Major-General
Bell cannot again occupy.

✓
By a late order in Nuncil at the Cape, the duties on im-
ports have been increased, which will add at least 16,0001. to
the revenue. It would not surprise me were an addition made
to the Cape pension list, which already takes away six per
cent. of the gross revrnue, in favour of Major-General Bell.
'that he is otherwise provided for, and has no just claims o:a
the Cape, only makes the suppo,ition the more feasil.ae, for
such is generally the ease with those for whom the inhabitants
of the Cape are already obliged to provide. These facts may
be worth your notice, Mr. Editor, because they are only a
sample of what occurs in many of the Crown colonies.

SALE AT STRAWBERRY-HILL.—The sale \MS re-
sumed yesterday The room was well attended, but we observed
no collectors of any note present. Among the lots which were
sharply competed for, and which fetched the best prices, may
be mentioned—Lot. 5. A Godly Meditation on Twenty
select and chosen Psalms, by Sir Anthony Cope, Knt.,
printed at London, by John Day, in black letter 4te, from the
library of King James I. and the Court of King James I. 4to,
which was knocked down to Mr. Payne for 111. Lot. '2. A
Brief and Pleasant Treatise, by Thomas Flyll, black letter,
1586, and four other black letter tracts, which was purchased
by Mr. Thorpe for 31. 10s. Lot.. 47. Ashmole's Antiquities
of Berkshire, by the same, 41. Lot. 50. Collin's Peerage of
England, 6 vols. 3/. 10s. Lot 59. Aubrey's Natural History
and Antiquities of the county of Surrey, whh plates, purehasea
by Bohn, 13/. 15s. Lot. 166. Ilistoire Genealogique de la
Matson do France, and Ilistoire Genealogique de la Maison de
Montmorency, purchased by Thorpe, for 8/. Lot. 168. Horace
WaL ole's Bible, after a long contention was purchased by a.
gentleman for 31. 12s. This day's sale realised almost to a,
pound the same sum as that of yesterday, namely, 370/. odd.
Mr. Peacock lead succeeded in erecting
light-
house on the Lland of Santa Clara, or Amorlajado, in NO MA
the light was to be permanently fixed on the lot of December
last. It. was taken oat in pieces, with an ironwork lasthorn,
and was placed about one•third from the head, showing a fixed
light about 230 feet above the level of the sea, having ten :visaed,
burners, with burnished silver reflectors, visible in every direc-
tion except from N. .1; W. to N. by E., and should a vessel ap-
proach too near the island in a southerly direction it would be
shut in with the edge of the cliff. The most brilliant fees- ex-
tends from W.N.W. to E. N.E. by the South, in which di-
rection it will be seen in e:ear weather from five to six degrees
off. It bears front the beacon buoy off the Payana shoal We
by N. N. 10 mile's, from the south buoy of the Bajo de Mala.
or Arena's Shoal, S.W. by W. 25 miles Punta Espanola
considered to be a place well adapted for steamers, or other
vessels getting supplies of fuel and water, which are represented
to be of the best dessriptien, and expectations were entertained
that coal existed there, anal Mr. Peacock, who appears to be
' an experienced geologist, had pointed out the places in which it.
was the snore likely to be found, and attempts to diteover i
were to be made forthwith.
DIARY OF THE COURT or Qui:EN CitAmAYTTE,--
It is no longer a matter of surprise that so great interest stsould
have been felt respecting the new volume of Miss Burney's
Diary, comprising the account of her residence at the Court
of Queen Charlotte, which has at length appeared, when it is
discovered that, in addition to innumerable minute detail:, re-
garding the personal habits, conversations, and manners of the
King and Queen themsolves, it contains numerous sketc seer
anecdotes, anal characterestie traits of the following Royal and
noble personages, namely—the Prince of Wales, the Duke of
York, the Princesses Elizabeth, Sophia, Augusta, Mary, and
Amelia ; the Duchesses of Portland, Marlborough, Beset's; t,
Spencer, Waldeerave, Ikmeaster, Deward,' Mar-
Aiister, Poliguae,
lotte Finch, Challotte ssre
&c. ; the Ladies Pembroke,ymouth, Rothes, Harcourt,
Boston, Effingham, Ilerries, Carleton, Se. ; the Dukes of
Montagu, Marlborough, &c. ; the Lords Blandford, Walsing_
ham, Moruington, Harcourt, Mnlgrave, George Se:el:tifle.
&c. ; the Bishops of Salisbury, Worcester, Winchester, Dn..
more,
great battle. between Jofirsay
&c. ; not to mention a host of the Literary and Se:eu...
title celebritie of the time.
will
jet:: t
account
oau full
of report Bell's Life in London of Sunday next, May 1,
poo.r.tFoi.frstthSepring Meeting at Newmarke t ;"
Broome and Bungaree, the Australian champion, a copious :and
sses in the Betting Market ; Piseato rial
btyheAogperinpili,tag; ofc iCiersise,komet
law_nd
No. IV.
aiA.:
algsutshaaetgi
eceshs,..obep.yss
„Ea
if;
):.hi
ecOihriraeilc,lei.t al Poetryinei;dents of the week. Price of
litt.h,aerlSyorting
orders to agents indispensable, to pre-
vent
As Amt.:m(7.lN E xc, EPT oN Boston (Ante
rica) Atlas say.s," The steamboat Oneida, which left Wheeang
on Thursday tor Louisville, took fire and was burned to the
isni'
disappointment.
water's .eike, with everything on board except the paftienger s
•