The Sun.
London, England, 1845-11-21 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE PORTS.

MANCHESTER, THURSDAY.—This morning, at 11 o'clock, a
very numerous meeting of the merchants, bankers, manufac-
turers, tradesmen, and other inhabitants of the borough of
Manchester, was held in the large room of the Town-hall,
King-street, "for the purpose of taking into consideration the
propriety of memorialising her Majesty's Government in fa-
vour of opening the ports for the free admission of grain and
all other kinds of provisions, to avert the calamity likely to
arise from the scarcity of food, owing to the failure of the po-
tato crop and the defective quality of the wheat harvest.'
The meeting was convened by the Mayor, on the requisition
of upwards of 800 firms and individuals of station in the town.
Mr. W. B. Watkins, Mayor, presided, and on the platform we
observed Mr. Phillips, M.P.' Mr. Brotherton, M.P. Messrs.
Aldermen W. Nield, C. J. S. Walker, James Kershaw, John
Mason, J. Shuttlewortle P. F. Willert, A. Kay, E. Armitage,
and John Burd ; also Messrs. G. Wilson, T. Bazley, Presi-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce; Absalom Watkin, J. B.
AI Smith, James 'Laren, Sidney Potter, Benjamin Pearson,
W. Bickham, W. Woodcock, Robert Gardner, J. Chadwick,
J. Watts, Rev. W. M‘Kerrow, W. Gasket!, Joseph Greave,
Thomas Woolley, Samuel Lees, J. S. Grafton, Joseph Simp-
son, T. H. Williams, W. Morris, Thomas Hardbottle, and
others.
The 'Myron said, that independent of the object of the
meeting, the respectability of the requisition would have
warranted him in calling such a meeting. They were met
to memorialise her Majesty's Government, and he hoped the
business would be transacted not only with good temper, but
with great spirit, and if there were any gentlemen present
who differed as to the objects of the meeting, he hoped they
would have a fair hearing. He would, without further
comment, call on Mr. R. H. Greg to move the first resolu-
tion. •
Mr. GREG then came forward, and observed, that if he had
been asked to sign such a requisition a month ago he would
not have consented to do so ; but now that so alarming a
necessity had presented itself he did not hesitate to ask for the
opening of the ports. It was well known that there was a
failure of the wheat crop, and that the weather for gathering
it in was another source of scarcity. He had been in Scotland
last week, and in some of the most fnrward districts the wheat
crop had not been gathered. He regretted the further cala-
mity which arose from the failure of the potato crops, a de-
scription of sustenance which formed a large portion of the
food of the people of Ireland, Scotland, and the north of Eng-
land. When the extent of that disease became known, the
cry was raised " Open the ports," and that cry was re- echoed
by the press without regard to politics. Four Cabinet Councils
had been held, and he did not hesitate to say that nine-tenths of
the population were ready to see the result of those meet-
ings in the opening of the ports; but from some cause which
he could not explain, no order was issued for the admission of
foreign grain. Some people said that the sudden opening of
the ports would have the effect of advancing the price of corn
in other markets, but this he believed to be a fallacy. He
was decidedly of opinion that the sliding-scale was one of the
greatest curses that ever afflicted this country. He concluded
by moving the following resolution :—" 'That the deficiency
of the harvest and the failure of the potato crop in many
parts of the United Kingdom have produced the utmost ap-
prehension among all classes of the community, and are cir-
cumstances imperatively requiring the immediate considera-
tion of her Majesty's Government."
Mr. J. HEYWOOD, in seconding the resolution, said that
the cultivation of the potato crop was one of the causes of
keeping on the corn-laws. As the price of grain advanced
the cultivation of the potato root progressed, and it was a
curious fact that 'a disease in that root should now come to
facilitate the repeal of the corn-laws. In England the disease
might not be so great, but in Scotland it eN as severely felt.
In Lanarkshire meetings had been held, at which statements
were made from which it appeared that at least one-half of
the crop was diseased. In Ireland the suffering created by
the disease was greater than in any other part of the king-
dom, owing to the fact that potatoes were the staple food of
the people of that country. After a few remarks on the dis-
puted territory in America, he concluded by seconding the
resolution, which was put and carried unanimously.
Mr. Alderman KAY moved the next resolution. He had
no desire to be considered an alarmist, but when he saw the
present, -and contemplated the future state of this vast dis-
trict, he could not help urging the people of Manchester to
devise means to avert a calamity which must inevitably
ensue. If the ports be not opened, or some other measure
adopted, famine and great distress, he was sure, would over-
take the inhabitants of the manufacturing districts. He then
took a review of the difference of the prices cf 'food, and con-
tended that, when food was cheap manufactures were
prosperous. They (the people of Manchester) were met for
the purpose of demanding from Her Majesty's Ministers the
opening of the ports, and he hoped every district in the
kingdom would make the same demand in terms not to be
misunderstood. He was no party man; the time was come
when all names in politics should be forgotten, and the
Ministers told that the people were not to be allowed to
starve for the protection of sectional interests.—The
worthy Alderman then read lengthy extracts from a
work entitled Manchester in 1844. We copy a few of the ex-
tracts :—" In Manchester, in March, 1844, there were 116
factories and other mills which had ceased working; 681
shops and offices had been closed, and 5,492 houses were un-
occupied. The value of mill buildings and machinery had
lessened fully one-half ' • and five spinning mills, estimated
at 211,0001., only found buyers at the sum of 66,000/. The
butchers, grocers, and linendrapers declared that their daily
sales had decreased 40 per cent. A committee of relief,
formed for the distribution of clothing and bedding to the
poor, visited, in the course of the year 1840, 10,000 families,
containing 45,591 individuals, of whom 2,000 could not be
relieved for want of funds. The rooms and cellars occupied by
these unfortunate beings were entirely destitute of furniture.
Bricks and logs of wood were the substitutes for tables and
chairs. Heaps ofshavings, litters of straw, defiled with all sorts
of impurities, served them for beds. Frequently several families
occupied different corners of the same chamber, and there
was no separation of the sexes, save the distance between the
beds of straw. It was found that a certain portion of the
town, consisting of No. 1 and part of No. 2 districts, con-
tained 2,000 families, numbering 8,866 persons, earning on
the average Is. 21d. only per head per week, being at the
rate of ss. 30. only per week fur each family. The
number of pawn-tickets possessed by these families was
22,417, and not 27,417 ; and, upon the articles thus
Owned, the amount of 52,780/. 14s. 4d. had been advancd."
" In Bolton, a town of 50,008 souls, 50 manufacturers em-
ployed ordinarily 8,124 workmen ; in 1842, 30 of these esta-
blishments were closed, or did not work more than four days
per week, and 5,061 hands were thus deprived wholly or in
part of the means of subsistence. Of 2,110 ironfounders and
mechanics, 785 had been thrown out of work, and the re-
mainder, viz., 1,325 of these men, who in 1836 bad been
urged to make nine to twelve working days out of each week,
were reduced to four or five days per week. The other trades
had suffered the same reduction. In short, if to the de-
creased wages of the working classes, we add the augmented
price of provisions—the loss to these operatives must have
been at least 320,5601. per annum, or upwards of 1,0001. per
day. Public charity is powerless against such calamities as
these." Stockport and other manufacturing towns were in
the same condition. He concluded by moving the following
resolution :—" That the recollection of the calamities which
afflicted this district and the whole country during the period
of high prices of food, from 1838 to 1842, renders it impos-
sible to contemplate the recurrence of a similar state of suf-
fering without intense anxiety and alarm."
Mr. Alderman WALKER seconded the resolution, and ob-
served that no time should be lost ; they had waited seven
years and nothing had been done. Sir. Robert Peel had not
grappled with any of the great questions which were neces-
sary for the improvement of the condition of the poor ; he
had conceded the whole question of the corn-laws, and he
was well aware of the injustice of the sliding- scale. It had
been said that he would repeal the corn-laws if he could,
but he (Alderman Walker) believed he could repeal them if
he would. He had not forgotten the advice which Sir R.
Peel had given to Lord John Russell ; he told him if he could
not carry his measures he ought to resign. Now, he (Alder-
man Walker) would suggest to the Minister to apply that
advice to himself, and if his colleagues stood in the way of
the repeal of the corn-laws, let him appeal to the country,
and see if the constituencies of England would not return to
Parliament such Members as would support him in this glo-
rious undertaking. He concluded by seconding the resolution.
Mr. Alderman NIELD, in supporting the resolution, said,
he respectfully submitted that the sliding, scale should slide
away, and never again be heard of in England. It was well
known that the protection afforded by that law had done
more to prevent the cultivation of the soil than any other
circumstance. In Lancashire, Cheshire, and many other
counties, the land was in a state of almost original nature,
which never could have been the case had it not been for the
protection of the sliding-scale. He concluded by calling on
Sir Robert Peel to comply with the prayer of that meeting,
in which he would be supported by the great majority of the
people.
Mr. A. WATitnes moved the third resolution, in a speech
of some length, in the course of which he stated, that Sir
Robert Peel had been bound down by the owners of the
soil, and it did appear to him one of the most extraordi-
nary cases of aberration of a noble mind. He could not
conceive why he allowed himself to be thus bound down,
knowing as he did that these very men hated him. He
moved—" That the immediate opening of the ports for the
free admission of •food, and the repeal, without delay, of
every law which restricts its importation, are measures ob-
viously required to prevent a serious revulsion in trade, and
consequent grievous suffering to the whole of our industrious
population.
Mr. B. PEARSON seconded the resolution, and contended
that the people had let themselves too low in asking for a
repeal of the corn-laws alone ; they ought to demand a
bounty on all corn imported into England for the next
thirty years as a compensation for the injury they had sus-
tained since the imposition of the corn-laws. Whilst they
were demanding a repeal of these laws they must take care
they do not split on the rock of a fixed duty, which would,
in his opinion, be more injurious than the present law, be-
cause it would delay their ultimate repeal. He regretted that
the Government had taught the people, that however good
their cause was, it could only be obtained by clamour, and
therefore he urged the people to demand an immediate and
total repeal of the corn-laws.—(Cheers.)
he with
of acclamation.
Commerce,
Tmhre.
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Lmyw, apsreteht
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andte
moved the next resolution That this meeting, therefore,
respectfully, but most earnestly, calls upon her Majesty's
Ministers to suspend immediately the operation of the Corn
eCarrhai cind
Bill, and to Submit to the Legislature, at an early day, a
measure for the entire abolition of all laws which restrict the
free supply of food," With cheap food they had seen pros-
perity in trade and manufactures, and with dear food a revul-
sion of that prosperity) and therefore he urged them to de»
mend the opening of the ports, and having procured that
object cafe should be taken never again to allow them to be
closed. The manufactures of England had scarcely recovered
from a depression of many years, when, by a failure of the
crops and consequent dearness of food, they were again to be
plunged Into the same date. With cheap food and pros»
perity of trade the wages of the workmen bad been advanced,
but with the prospect of bad trade and dear food before them,
a reduction of those wageS must folio*.
Mr. Alderreati ittasitaw seconded the motion, and de»
claied that he would not have seconded the resolution had it
hot contained a demand for a total repeal of the eorn-laws.
He bad not the nerve to eoriterhplate the pending Ode
without serious alarm. What has already been the conse-
quences f The state of the money market had been seri-
ously affected, :and the price of manufactures had declined
within the last two months at least 10 pet ant. He felt
that in calling dn the doveintrietit to d•sdn the ports be was
attilhaittg a measure of humanity, and where were they to
look for such succour but from the paternal government of
the country. He did not wish to exaggerate the State of
the country, but he could net help eallin? the attention of the
meeting to the ztwrul kale of the country, more especially
the manufacturing districts, a few years ago, when its trade I
was interfered with by the operation of the corn-laws. He
lien theth e
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hoped the voice of every town in the kingdom would ring
sof thenfi us tt
if they refusel to listen to the prayers of the people.
Mr. MARK PHILIPS, M.P., moved the adoption of a me-
morial to Sir R. Peel, and observed that the country had ar-
rived at a most important crisis. He concurred with every
opinion :which had that day been expressed respecting the
pending scarcity of food, and could not help contemplating
with alarm the fearful result that may ensue if something was
not immediately done, to avert the forthcoming evils.. He
then read the following memorial :

" TO TIIE RIGHT EON: SIR ROBERT PEEL, BART., M.P., FIRST

LORD OF THE TREASURY.
The Memorial 0 the Nerchinti) Bauters, Ma gloturel;