The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-21 00:00:00

GLOUCESTER, THURSDAY MORNING.—Last night onse
of the greatest meetings ever known in this county wa
held in the Shire Hall of the city of Gloucester, for the
purpose of discussing the question of the Corn-laws, and
considering the propriety of adopting a petition to both
Houses of Parliament, praying a total and immediate
repeal of the obnoxious tax on food..
Seven o'clock in the evening was the hour appointed
for the commencement of the proceedings but long before
that period the immense hall was crowded to suffocation.
Between two and three thousand artisans were present ;
and the platform was occupied by some of the principal
'merchants of the city.
It will be seen that a foolish and abortive attempt was
made by the Tory party to create disunion and confusion;
but it failed, as it might be expected it should.
The MAYOR having been called to the chair by accla-
mation, proceeded to observe that the present meeting of
the citizens of Gloucester had been called in consequence
of a requisition presented to him, most numerously
signed by the merchants, manufacturers, and others of
the city.
J. C. KIMBERLEY, Esq., a merchant, then came for-
ward and said that upon previous occasions, when they
had met upon this most interesting and important ques-
tion, it had been trumpeted forth by the monopolists that
they would resist any alteration whatsoever in the Corn-
laws; but, from certain indications , it was pretty clear
thatit wus the intention of her Majesty's Government to
propose some measure on the subject on the opening of
Parliament: Thus, therefore, it would be seen that pub.•
lie opinion had extorted something even from the Tories.
—(Cheers.) Of course he was not prepared to say what
was the character of the proposed alteration adopted by
Sir R. Peel; but thus much he would aver, that no mea-
sure which recognised the fraudulent sliding scale would
be satisfactory to the country.—(Cheers.) They did not
need to go to see the direful effects of the Corn-laws to a
great distance. Let them look at the port of Gloucester
and its solitary condition, with scarcely a vessel floating
in its noble basin.—(Hear, hear.) Let them look at the
impoverished condition of the labouring classes, and
the
,distress pervading even the- tradesmen.—(Hear,
hear, hear.) Did not these things speak loudly
for some sweeping alteration in the Corn-laws ? He did
not see how it was possible for the Tory Ministers long
to resist the overpowering moral influence which would
ere long be brought to bear against the iniquitous Corn-
laws.—(Cheers.) They might prevaricate, they might
shut their eyes and their ears for a brief period, but ul-
timately they might be compelled to yield, and grant
what the people so evidently desired—a total repeal of
the Corn-laws.—(Vociferous cheering.) Mr. Kimberley
having again road the resolution, sat down amid loud and
continued cheering.
T. STURGE, Esq., seconded the resolution.
S. BOWLEY, Esq., then came forward to propose the
adoption of a petition to both Houses of Parliament,
praying for an immediate and total repeal of the Corn-
laws. He said that this was no party question. The
principle of an exchange. of commodities with foreign
countries had a higher principle than mere national
wealth. It was excellent in so far as spreading civili-
sation, and Christianity too.—(Cheers.) Every country
should be their country, and every man their brother.—
(Hear, and cheers.) Let them look at Wales, for ex-
ample. They speak a different language, and formerly
they were independent. Now, supposing for the sake of
argument, that it still remained an independent nation ;
well, they have discovered iron in abundance, a large
portion of people aro employed in her mines ; and
what is the result ? They have ten times more iron than
what they want • and accordingly they send to England
and elsewhere the superabundance. We also send them
food. Now, suppose the Welsh were to say to us, " No,
we shan't have our food from you." .We reply, " Well,
we shan't have your iron." And what is the conse-
quence? Why, the Welsh would pay dearer for their
food, and we would pay dearer for our iron. (Hear,
hear.) Now, that was a very simple vay of explaining
the operation of the Corn-laws to all: except those who
had the landlords' dust thrown in theit eyes.—(Laughter
and cheers.) Again, let them look at the condition of
the agricultural labourers. He had found, on examina-
tion, that in six agricultural counties in England there
were more paid in poor's-rates thin in any twelve ma-
nufaCturing counties in England.—(_llear, hear.) But
they were, told that the estates were_ mortgaged, and
unless the landlords had high rents they could not exist.
Now, his reply to that was, that if he went into debt, he
must bear the brunt of it himself. The kndowners
would not pay his debts, and he saw no just reason why
he should pay their mortgages.—(Loud cheers and
laughter.) But let them for one moment see what the
landowners paid in land taxi first as compared with fo.:
reign countries, and secondly as compared with the
amount of other taxes paid by the manufacturing popu
lation. He read from an authentic document:—
" The whole taxes imposed in Great Britain were—
Land tax
.01,183,585
Other taxes 51,997,000
FRANCE.

'Land tax....
Other taxes

Land tax ....
Other taxes .

£23,250,000
17,500,000
PRUSSIA.

£3,994,000
3,667,000
AUSTRIA

Land tax
Other taxes
Thus it would be seen, that whilst all foreign countries
of any note paid in land tax more than equal to the other
taxes, England paid about 1,000,0001. out of upwards of
50,000,0001. of taxation. He would therefore throw out
a suggestion which he thought should be adopted through-
out ngland. That was, that a book should be opened
in every borough, where all who were opposed to the
existence of a tax upon food should enrol their names,
pledging themselves to vote for no candidate but who was
a Corn-law repealer.—(Loud cheers.) Their strength
would thus be known.
The petition was then read.
J. G. FRANCILLON, Esq., seconded its adoption.
W. COTIIER, Esq., then came forward to propose an
amendment, when he was, received with a burst of hisses
and laughter, and it was in vain that he attempted to
obtain a patient hearing. lie at length retired from the'
platform, together with his Tory supporters.
The petition was adopted without a dissentient voice.
Thanks were then given to the Chairman, and the
meeting dispersed.

A Cabinet Council will be he'd at the Foreign-
office to-morrow, at two o'clock. •
THE NEW .JUDGE.—..Mr. Creswell yesterday
afternoon received his appointment as one of the Jdes
of the Court of Common Pleas, in the room of Mr.o Jugs-
tice Bosanquet. This appointment causes a vacancy in
the representation of Liverpool.
LONGEVITY.......A few days since a respectable
farmer, named Cummins residing within a few miles of
Carlow, died at the advanced age of 111 years. His re-
mains were attended to the grave by a numerous pos-
terity, amongst whom was a cousin of the deceased, who
has attained the equally patriarchal age of 102.—Carlow
Paper.