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

THE ANTI-CORN-LAW
CONFERENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

The Delegates met again this morning at Twelve
o'Clock, at Herbert's (late Brown's) Hotel, Palace-yard,
William Shuttleworth, Esq., of Manchester, in the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN stated that the absence that morning
of their former Chairman, Mr. P. A. Taylor, was Owing
to the circumstance of his being actively engaged in pre-
paring for the afternoon meeting, which was to take
place between the Delegates and the Merchants and
Bankers of the Metropolis. He was happy to ittfuriu
them that their cause was progressing, That was evi-
denced by the feeling created among their legis-
lators, who but a short time since were in-
different to their meetings. He might mention as a proof
of the increasing interest felt in their proceedings
throughout the country, the meetings which had just
been held in various towns, and especially in Liverpool,
Manchester, Salford, Coventry, and Leeds. He was also
happy to be able to say that Mr. Alderman Brooks, or
Manchester, and L. licyworth, Esq., of Liverpool, heel
returned to the metropolis to join in their deliberations ;
and that Alderman Chappel, of Manchester ; Holland
Motile, of Salford ; the Mayor of Leeds, and other new
Delegates had just arrived.—(Hear, hear.) Their pro-
ceedings would commence with the reading of a portion
of the correspondence which poured in upon them from
all parts of the kingdom.
Mr. S. SMITH then read the following letters, or ex
tracts' from letters

Chorley, Lancashire, July 18, 1842.
The limits of a single letter are insufficient. to convey an
adequate representation of the intensity of distress which is
prevalent, in this neighbourhood. Previous to the adoption of
the Poor-law Alteration Act, the ()veneer of this township
might. easily have answered and disposed of the weekly appli-
cants for parochial relief in two, or at most three, hours in one
day ; now, however, with the eddition of four or five country
townships of small extent, two active men might be kept ex..
tremely busy in attending such applications twelve hours on
every day in the week. Within the preceding six weeks the
number of applicants has more than doubled. The
crowds of paupers who arc in daily, nay nightly,
attendance at the overseers' office is surprising to witness.
I believe that I have seen a greater number of beggars and
paupers last week, than if I bad traversed the entire king-
Om of France, and more poignant anguish in their looks
than if I had made a tour of Ireand I could have observed in
that country. Is any improvement expected? you will natu •
rally ask, and I have asked the same question a thousand times,
and of all classes of people. Only wait until the winter sets in,
' and finds us in this state, and you will see the consequences, is
the reply,—it is mine too. The working classes owe a debt of
gratitude to the members of the Anti. Corn-law League which
they can never repay, andthey are beginning to perceive their
obligations to your body. It will give me. great pleasure to be
enabled to join you in a few days, and I am, Sir, your obedient
servant.

N.B. While writing this letter. the overseers' office is at-
tended by several scores of able-bodied men from the country,
waiting for relief, though the farmers are in the midst of the
hay harvest.