Star.
London, England, 1813-01-22 00:00:00

I mama of the ay was iambs, with risks
'could this be alledgienis an argument to prevent in-
vestionaion ? If the trade carried on by the Company
Yietas a %Ming one, though carried on in the best postible
•
Amnia., what ground had they for fearing the par-
ticipation in that trade of individuals.? The question
ibefore them required such extensive information con-
cerning the habits of the population of die East, and
.various other subjeets, as could not be acquired with-
out discussion, and it was the duty of the Meeting, as
citizens of London, to keep themselves own to con-
viction, and not to be led away by the senseless cla
moor, that all the trade would be taken away from
[the port of London. They were now told to look to
,their interests. Was any of. this sensibility mani-
fested, when the trade of the City of London was
removed to the Isle of Dogs ? Did any of those
,who were now so loud, then come forward?—(Loud
ifpplauses.)—The zeal for the interests of die city
lwas pushed to such an extent, that it had been en-
cleavoured to exclude discussion, to keep every -one
down who had a tongue in his heads and, dared to
use it ? The streets, too, had been placarded to this
effect : 46 The same power which can deprive the
East India, Company of its rights, may deprive the
City of London of its charter." But there was a
great difference between the cases : the Company
had now no rights—its lease was out. What a cla-
mour had been raised against him (Mr. Waithman)
because he had complained of the sale of seats in the
House of Commons, and some other little things.—
{Continued marl: of disapprobation, mixed with Meers.):—
His wish was to persuade them to suffer the subject
to undergo Parliamentary discussion. He knew he
was on delicate ground, to touch on which would
make some who were present wince—(Lead cries of
question.)—[Mr. Rowtroft attempted to speak to or-
der, but was interrupted by loud hisses.—The Lc'id
Mayor rose, and hoped the meeting would hear the
Gentleman who spoke to order.—This speech was
received with marks of approbation, but Mr. Row-
croft's attempts to he heard were again equally inef-
fectual.—Mr. Waithman attempted to be heard, and
declared his determination to persist.—After Mr.
Twining had made an attempt to be heard, without
effect, the Lord Mayor rose and said, that he was
sorry the meeting should separate, without hearing
the Gentleman who was. before them. Mr. Waith-
man was then enabled to proCeed].—He should have
been able to compress his matter in a great degree,
but for the many and improper interruptions he had
met with.—( Maris of dirajOrobation).—As they had
heard many authorities in support of monopolies, he
should now give them ene or two on the other side
of the question, His first quotation was from Mr.
W. Hastings, which declared, si that Commerce
could then only flourish when it was equal and free."
He would ask them whether—" Or off!"—weighed
against such an authority ? Mr. Rowse, who bad
been examined before the Committee of the House
of Commons, had given it as his opinion, that the
Company's monopoly should not be continued ; and
Mr. Colebrook, than whom no man had better infor-
mation on the subject; was of the same opinion. He
would now return to the subject he was on, when he
was interrupted. The Company, it seemed to be,
argued, could not with safety leave their cause to be
decided by Parliament. He ( Mr. Waltham) had
formerly been charged with endeavouring, by vilify:
ing and traducing the Parliament, to subvert all our
civil and religious establishments- He would now
cast this aspersion back in the teeth of those who had'
cast it. They were now afraid to rely on the virtui
and wisdom of sue independent representatives of the
people. It had been the lot of the city of London
to have, in general, its representatives fighting against
them.—( Cries of question).—The present was a com-
plicated question, to an impartial decision on which
it was necessary to weigh many facts—to decide on
many opposite arguments. Their representatives,
however, had sturdily pledged themselves on it, while
on former occasions, on any the most simple point of
opinion, when they were desired to pledge themselve.
to a line of conduct—to oppose the income tax, foe
instance—they could not forsooth give any opinion
without hearing the arguments on the subject--
(Hisms, with some aMlause).—Some worthy indivi-
duals said, that what was intended was to petition
Parliament ; but it was one thing to state their feel-
ings, and another to state false facts, and to have all
the weight, all the talents, all the eloquence of the
City Members pledged to be exerted on their behalf.
Let them consider the trembling apprehension of the
Ministry at the very thoughts of such an opposition?
—(Hisser .—He should not now detain them any
longer— maths of disapprobation) ;—it was impossible
to exhaust the subject—it was one on which he had
read much, and on which he could not make up his
mind ; but if it was not shewn that such a measure
would injure the City—would affect the revenue—or
have any other pernicious effects—he should be ob-
liged to determine, on the first principles of com-
merce, that this trade should be free. Mr. Waith-
man concluded by moving an amendment to the fol-
lowing effect :
" 'nun this Meeting, duly impreised with te magnitude
and importance of the proposition intended to be submitted to
Parliament, relative to the Trade with India, deem it necessary
to be fully acquainted wi:h the nature and extent of these pro-
positions, and in posseinion of every information, so as to enable
them to form a fair and impartial judgment thereon, before they
decide upon a subject of so difficult and complicated a nature,
involving such varied interests, and embracing su many national
considerations. At the same time they hold it to be their Impe-
rious duty to give the most watchful attention to all the pro-
ceedings relative thereto, and to use every-exertion towards
maintaining their rights, and those of their fellow-citirens; so
far as may be consistent with the great and permanent interests
of the British Empire."

This Amendment was seconded by Mr. WArru-
MAN, jun. and several other Gentlemen.
Previous to its being read from the Chair,
Sir W. CURTIS stepped forward, and said, that
when he heard such sarcastical observations made
upon the representation of the City of London in
Parliament, from the Honourable Gentleman who
spoke so long and so irrelevantly to the question be-
fore them, he felt it his duty to present himself to the
attention of the meeting, and to reprobate, in the
strongest terms, such gross and unjust ridicule.--
They were met that day, not for the purpose at
examining the trade to and from India in detail.
but to come to a resolution to give every aid in
their power towards supporting the rights and in-
terests of the City of London.—(Applawe.)—The
question for consideration simply was, whether the
City of London had not, for a long time, enjoyed
the exclusive benefit of the Indian trade—and whe-
ther the continuance of that trade, in its present
form. was essential to its future prosperity ? And

the petition proposiod to be preluded Igloo sotto I
dictate tn Parliament what thei wet e to do,lbt
humbly, ancklike gdbd subjects, to state-what their
opinions were upon the topic; and an important one
it was, which excited such general interest and 4tten-
tin at the present moment. Upon this question he
would be glad to hear the opinion of any worthy Gen*
timers who might think proper to utter his senti-
ments.
With respect to the trade of the India
Company, for his own part he thought it ought to,l
be extended. It was not, however, his intention
then to enter into his reasons fur this opinion, sati: ,
fled that when the matter came before Parliament,
it would meet with that full, free, and fair discussi, n,
which would give satisfaction to all parties.
those benefits which were enjoyed by one part of the
community, however, ought to be exwnded to all
his Majesty's subjects, was a proposition which, in
candour and liberality, he did tint think admitted of
a doubt.—(Histes anti aftplause )
The amendment was then put from the Chair, and
negatived bye considerable majority.
the original resolution was then put and carried.
The second Resolution was proposed by Sir Ro-
bert Wigrara ; the third by Mr. W. Johustone ; the
fourth by Mr. Borrowdale ; the fifth by
.Mr. Twin-
ing ; the sixth by Mr. Brown, who was of opinion,
that the removal of the Import Trade from the Port
of Lond In, would not alone be iujurioka to the Port
of London, but to the City of London and all its in-
habitants.

Mr. Davis, in proposing the seventh Resolution,
said, he was considerably concerned in the Imp',rt
India Trade in the Port of London, and was satisfied
that its extension to other ports, would not alone tend'
to the destruction of those who were concerned in it,
btu would materially interfere with the colonization
orthe Indian territory. It was said, that none bur
confidential men would be selected to go pet, and
men who would leave their families behind them as'
a guarantee for their return. This was, however, a
circumstance, which, in his opinion, was not likely D
happen, for those individuals would be the very pet-
sons who would remain in India, and in their room,
a class of Indians would be brought home, who, by
intermixing with our females, would spoil the old
English bread.—[Loud laughter and hisses, with
cries of shame ! arising, no doubt, from the number
of dashing belles, who, at the moment, graced the
music gallery in the Hall, and who seemed not a
little affected by this bad compliment to their discri-
mination.]—These Resolutions were all carried in
the affirmative. On moving the tenth Resolution,
Me.MatitTlN took occasion to deny that the placards
to which Mr. WAITHMAN had alluded, were issued
by the Committee. He believed he might say, "au
enemy bath done this."
On the Resolution calling on the Representatives
ofthe City in Parliament to support the Petition,
Mr. Alderman Comae expressed his readiness to
give every support in his power to the Petition. He
I did not pretend to have a great d.. 1 of knowledge o
the general question, as to the opening of the trade t
India; but of this every one must be convinced, tha
removing the import trade from the cit/ of London,
must bear hard on the poor pei-sons employed oa the
River, and at the water side. To prevent such sitt)

occurrence, the present Petitions should have hid
support.
Sir JAMES &IMP/ said, viewing the present to be
question of the very highest importance—one in which
at least 100;000 citizens were directly orindirectly:
concerned, who, if the measure now petitioned against
were to be carried into effect, Would have their ownf
prospects, and those of their famden, destroyed, 14
felt himself bound to support the Petitions which hack
been read, and should, to the utmost df his powers'
contribute to the success of thsni, and of the other

petitions of a similar nature►
Mr. Alderman ATKINS declared, that his opinions
continued the same they had been during the last
year, when he was appointed Chairman of the Com
mitt nominated to watch over the interests of the

bodies connected with the Port of London.

he could not now consistently continue Chairman
that Committee, he was still equally alive to thi

interests. He had since been placed in the cl,stini
guished situation of being one of their Reptesenta.
tives, an honour which he trusted had only tented tt
render him more anxious to protect the rights of hit
fellow-citizens. He did not think himself call:d out
L in the present stage of the business, to answer any oi
the observations which they had heard to-day. Irk
would be more becoming their dignity, taikt lat
should reserve himself for another time and place.—,
He had never used an expression on the subject d
the East India Company's Charter, which could a
all go to shew that he bad prejudged the quettion.-.
He had only begged of those who anticipated gm*
advantages from an open trad.ts to be on their guard
that their expectations were not disappointed. He
was anxious to say this, observing that it had beet
represented elsewhere, that the Members for the City
had already committed themselves on this subject.—
This he denied, and he wished that it should be st
understood. It was but right that they should no
unalterably have made up their nitnds on the sots
ject, not for their own dignity alone, but for that of
' their constituents. He should take cue not to neglect
their rights ; indeed, he would be wanting is gratii
tulle if he did. Before he parted with any of chid
privileges, he should be well satisfied that the min.
try in genera! was largely beneficed by the sacrifice.
Mr. Cuarstax having moved the thanks of chi
Meeting to the Committee,
Mr. ROWCROFT said a few words in explanation of
the conduct of the Con►tnittee this day. It was not

their intention to enter into elaborate discussions, but
simply to agree to a Petition to Parliament, repre.
seining their intereYts, their wishes, and their tears,
accompanied by a conviction, as well as interested pet:*
ple could be supposed capable of judging, that thef
measure proposed would be highly injurious to them.;
without producing corresponding advantages to the
Out-ports. That the trade to India, by being laid
open, might be extended, there could be no doubt ;1
but the question was, how that could be done with+
least danger 'That must depend on the decision of
the two Houses of Parliament : and all that the pre-
sent Meeting asked of Parliament was, a due, anew.
tire, and deliberate consideration of the subject.—
Their decision, lie doubted not, wouli be this best that
human fallibility was capable of. These wane tile
motives by which the Committee had been actu 'red,
and he trusted they were justified in the eyes of trie
Meetings—Thanks were then voted to the Loiw
Amity and the Meeting adjoarned.