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

entire abolition of the Corn-law, and by its constitution and
rules it is absolutely prevented from engaging in any other
agitation. To attempt this would he to annihilate the body as
a League, and it is believed by some of the sincerest and best
friends of the people that the dissolution of the League at this
time would be in reality, and would be held to be a victory on
the side of monopoly. You ask us to give up the great work
in which we are are now engaged, and you ask it onl3 upon the
ground that our effort] must fail, and that without a full re-
presentation of the whole people the Corn-law cannot be repealed.
We submit to you that this is an opinion opposed to the firm
conviction of very many of the best and most experienced
friends of the people. No man can doubt that the labours of
the League, by laying bare the injustice and oppres-
sion of which the Corn-law is the instrument, and thereby
exposing the corruption and selfishness of the ruling class,
have greatly subserved, and do now most powerfully
assist in furthering the objects of those who are wishing for a
thorough reform in the system of representation. Amongst
the ranks of Corn-law repealers are men of every shade of poli-
tical opinion, and many of the most active of its members are
also zealous members of societies for the promotion of Parlia-
mentary Reform. Individually, they act as they think best,
along with all other societies, but as members of "the League,"
they believe their great object and the best interests of
their country are most advanced by a steady and
unwavering adherence to the fundamental principle upon
which this organization was originally based. I think lam
justified in saying that no other agitation for any great object
has ever made a progress so rapi I, when we consider the
immense obstacles which have opposed themselves in its way
arising from the obstinacy cf the aristocracy, and from preju-
dices, and the want of information on the part of the people.
I arn, Scc.,
(Signed) P. A. TAYLOR.
The above reply was unanimously adopted.
The CHAIRMAN then read the following letter from
Coventry :--
My Dear Sir,—l thank you for your communication. I
think you will have another Delegation from Coventry, but not
fur repeal only.—(Cheers.) The people here are ripe for a
struggle. We have to-day presented a requisition to the
Mayor, well signed, at short notice, to call a meeting to con-
ei,:er the state of the country. He has done so, and we meet
on Tn,„:,sday. Our measures are not resolved upon, but we
cannot keel: the people back ; and I think we had better give
the reins in favt-Zy of democracy. Do urge upon the League the
propriety and policy of leading the people. We want but
least- Ind we will do anyt:Zjag and everything, but the masses
will . •estriet their efforts to -corn-law repeal. Our lan-
guage-. be denunciation of ariztocrao; and class-legislation,
and defi:, of the present House of Comm.?ns. I shall be
glad of t. test information from head-quarter:7z that our
measures on esday may be in harmony, if possible ; wit;
write on Mot • night? Above all, impress upon the Dele-
gates that if t want the people at their back they must take
up the suffrage 'stion. Without that, their efforts are hope-
less, and the pe, • will throw themselves upon more daring
I and reckless leade. —I am, yours truly,
J. WHITTERN.

The CHAIRMAN begged to say that the Conference
was not responsible for the opinions contained in the
different letters that were written to them, but they
thought it fair that all they received should be read, that
they might have the fair reflex of public opinion.—
(Cheers.) He would now read a letter from the Pot-
teries, which had been brought up by a gentleman de-
puted to supply the place of those who left them :
Cauldon-place, July to, 1841
_ _

Dear Sir,—l have the honour to enclose you a copy of cer-
tain resolutions, which I trust will nut be unwelcome. The
proceedings of the Deputies have given unbounded satisfaction
in this district, and all classes feel deeply indebted to them.
As you will recollect, I intimated to Sir R. Peel at the in-
terview with him, the public peace is disturbed, the operations
of manufacture suspended, and the safety of society endangered.
Oh, Sir, these are fearful times ! May a merciful God touch
the hearts of our rulers, so that they may grant us relict, and
that speedily. I am, dear Sir, very truly yours,
JOHN RIDGWAY.
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
C hair.
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 cf 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 this alarming
period.
That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Chair-
man of the Deputies, 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,
curriers, fell-mongers, and leather-dressers, arid 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 not 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 name of James Morgan, 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 snd 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 bad 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,-1 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 fur
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 66 ininzediate ;" and also, that a negation of the prayers of
the people must lead directly to an earnest and hearty union
of the present conflicting daises 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. 1 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. RAwsoN, Jnn., then read the following extract
froui a letter received from Nottingham on the 18th of
the present month :
" Our apprehension of increasing embarrassment and Cs-
tress, when we went to the Conference, is more than confirmed
by the present 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
eir,ct that there had been great disgust excited in Not-
tingham at the statements of Mr. Gaily Knight that trade
was improving there.—(Cheers.)
Mr. ABINGDON, of the Potteries, said he recollected
when the Corn-laws were not spoken of in the Potteries.
In 1837, a gentleman whe was now an advocate of re-
peal, was opposed to it. Shortly after this they began
to get et little more information on the subject, and Mr.
Sidney Smith &livered a lecture, and threw such
flood of light, that the opposite party had
been unable to extinguish it.—(tiear.) At first their
meetings were opposed by the Chartists. They divided
the meetings by proposing counter resolutions. But
last July they had vie pleasure of the cordial co-opera-
tion of the Chartists, and by their assistance they had
returned Mr. Ricardo to Parliament, as the Chartists
worked heartily in his cause ; and he had no doubt that
if the distress continued twelve months longer that the
whole population of the Potteries would be repeal
awe. He recollected that some years ago it
was a pleasure to go along the streets in the
Potteries on a Sunday morning, to see the people
going to church. They looked happy and com-
fortable. Now how the picture was changed ! they looked
haggard and care-worn. Men he had known for years,
who had habitations c f their own, were obliged to mort-
gage. Many young men were growing grey with sor-
row. Ile was aware that distress was greater in
other districts than in the Potteries, as he be-