Star.
London, England, 1830-03-13 00:00:00

COUNTY OF KENT MEETING.

A meeting of the freeholders of the county of Kent
was held yesterday at Penenden Heath, to consider the propriety of
petitioning his Majesty and the Parliament to adopt measures cal-
culated to relieve the existing distress of the country.
At an early hour crowds of persons from the adjacent towns be-
gan to assemble upon the heath, and the weather being remarkably
tine, there were a number of respectable females seen scattered
amongst the crowd. At eleven o'clock the number assembled'
amounted to three thousand, amongst whom we observed the Earls
of Winchslsea and Stanhope. Lout Teynharn, Thomas Law
Hodges, Esq. Messrs. Dwell, Bradley, Rider, Ciosway, Gipps,
Plumiree, Hughes, and Major Waite.
At twelve o'clock the High Sheriff ( Edward Rice, Esq.) made his
appearance. He was accompanied by Earl Romney and Lord Mar.
sham, Sir Edward Knatchbull, Mr. Honeywood, Sir Brook
Bridges, N. Conte, Esq. Colonel Stratford, Sir Wm. Crosbie, and
several other gentlemen of distinction.
The UNDER SHERIFF having read the requisition,
The HIGH SHERIFF said the requisition they had just heard
read was so numerously and respectably signed as to preclude the
possibility of all doubt or difficulty on his part to acquiesce with the
wishes; of those whose names were affixed to it. The object
of those who signed that requisition, as far as he was able
to ascertain, was, having convened • general meeting of the
freeholders of the county of Kent, to ascertain the sense of that
meeting as to the beat means that could be adopted for accomplish.
ing the purpose therein specified. lie hoped, therefore, that any
freeholder who had any observation, to make would be heard with
attention and it only remained for him to say that he felt confi-
dent the meeting would be conducted with that unanimity and good
humour which so constantly distinguished his brother freeholders,
and to request that the same courtesy would be exercised towards
all which had been so kindly shown him.—(hear, hear.)
Earl Seastuorie then addressed the meeting. He said he had
taken the earliest opportunity of calling upon the !louse of Lords
to institute an immediate inquiry into the causes of the present evils,
and the means best calculated to afford the necessary relief. If
that inquiry had been instituted—if Parliament had done what this
county called for, and what they (the freeholders of Kent) had an
undoubted right to expect—that meeting would not have been
thought necessary. But the government having refused all inquiry,
and being informed that the distress was partial, temporary, and
had proceeded from OHMS which were not under the controul of
Parliament, it was for them to require the gracious interposition of
the King, whose kindly feelings towards his subjects were too
well known to need any assurance from him that their prayers
would be attended to. (Hear, hear, hear.) lie believed the
distress to be not partial, but universal—(hear, hear, hear)—not
the result of temporary distress, but proceeding from tar dif-
ferent causes ; and tLat if relief was not speedily administered, it
would go on increasing until the consequences to the coontry would
be dreadful. He nettled not to detain them long while he stated
the true causes. They were to be found in the proceedings of par.
'lament, which had injured from time to time the manufacturing,
the agricultural, and the shipping interests of this country and
the cure of those evils was to be found in retracing their steps, and
reverting to that system of things under which this country firer.
rished prosperous and happy. (hear.) Having said so much he
would not detain them longer, hearing there were many other gen-
tlemen who were anxious to speak their sentiments upon the occasion,
but concluded by reading the following address to the King

"TO THE ICING'S 310 ST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

" The humble Petition of the Freeholder, of the County of
Kent.

" Most Gracious Sovereign—We, your majesty's most dutiful
and faithful subjects, request permission to represent with all hu-
mility to your majesty the grievous distress which afflicts el
branches of productive industry in the country, and which, in our
opinion, is not partial in its extent nor temporary in its nature, but
arises from causes by which, unless effectual relief should be
speedily administered, the evils now suffered would not only be
continued, but even aggravated. We beg leave to state to your ma-
jesty that a continuance of the present distress must render it utterly
impossible for your majesty's subjects to pay the existing taxes,
might lead to • national bankruptcy, and might, in other
respects, produce consequences that would endanger, if not
destroy, all the present institutions of the country. We have, there-
fote, to entreat the gracious attention of your majesty to the causes
of the calamities which we now deplore, of which the pressure is
most severely felt, and which, in our opinion, arises from the want
of due protection to the agriculture and to the domestic industry of
the country, aed also front an alteration of the currency, the prices of
manufactures having been very much reduced ; and therefore the
weight of taxes, as well as all the other engagements to which we
arc subject, very much increased.
" M e therefore implore, with all humility, your majesty's most
gracious interposition to relieve your suffering and afflicted subjects,
mad to avert from the country the dangers to which all Its institutions'
arc now exposed."
Lord TEYNNABI, in rising to support the petition was happy in I
the conviction that that meeting would have a proper effect upon the'
• ds of his majesty's ministers, and could not fail to impress on
parliament the necessity of saving the comity from impending ruin.
(heat.) Had the inquiry, the necessity of which had been urged
upon the government. been instituted—had there been manifested
the most remote intention of even wish to listen to the cry of
humanity, and to afford a remedy to the growing evil—they would
not have been brought there on that occasion. Three modes were
imposed for the adoption of parliament, each of which would haves'
direct tendency to produce the good desired. One was that proposed
by a noble lord (Aithorp), who hail connected himself with a party to
which the hon. barium belonged to urge upon government the ne-
cessity of reducing the taxation. The other party wanted to fire at
the fundhelders, and to pelt them with paper pellets. The third
wished to make the fundholders and placemen pay their share.—
(applause.) This last measure would have the effect of compelling
those who dastardly left their country to sustain at least a share of
their country's grievances--to bear some portion of the common
distress—these were the measures to which he looked for relief.
These were the measures which it was the duty of parliament most
seriously to consider, and which ought to be adopted.- -(hear, hear.)
He would recommend them to be unanimous, and impress upon
parliament the absolute necessity which obliged them to take
into their timely and serious conakieration the petition of the
people of Bent. The noble lord concluded by seconding the address.
Mr. Lwaxix moved an amendment, which he had no objection
to have affixed to the address, provided it met the approbation of
the mvvtins. It was as follows :
" That in the opinion of this meeting most of the causes of the
distress which now prevails so generally in the country arise not
more from the want of a total reform in the Commons House of
Parliament than from the tithe system, as it at present exists, which
is calculated to produce the must injurious consequences upon all,
and upon the agriculturists in particular, being in reality and beau
fide a tax upon industry, and to injure the cause of religion in
general, by producing discord and disunion between the chigyman
and his parishioners. The meeting, therefore, considers it incum-
bent upon the government to abolish that oppressive and abominable
I system.
Mr. BENTLEY rose to second the amendment, but spoke In so
low a tore of voice us to render what he said scarcely audible. He
con lamed of the tithe system as impolitic and unjust— (The
speaker sat down amidst much contusion, and cries of" Question.")
The II ton Sur itirr informed the meeting that be was going to
put Mr. Larkins's amendment to the noble earl (Stanhope's) mo-
tion. He wished them to understand that the question he was about
to put was, whether they would adopt Mr. Larkins's petition.
The amendment was then put, and, on a show of hands, declared
to be carried.

3lr BRADLEY then lOW to propose a petition to the House of
Commons, describing the dimes to be so great as to prevent indl.
viduals from paying the existing taxes, ascribing the sufferings of
the people, in a great degree, to the alteration of the currency; and
praying fur relief, and also for a reform in Parliament, by which their
just weight in the legislature Haight be r.stored to the people of
England.
Sir WILLIAM COSWAY next addressed the meeting. He said
that he stood forward that day as the farmer and labourer's friend,
and that as such he did not think that some of the measures that
had been proposed were likely to afford the relief that was contem-
plated. Hc wee, however, to second the petition of his friend Alr.
Bradley. He would occupy as little of the time of the meeting as
possible. He was there as the advocate of the farmer and of the
labouring classes: their distress was so great that all personal
I feelings of distaste to assuming a prominent position must
yield. foe farmers, as a class, were ruined ; their last capital
was expended. The labourers could no longer live by
the sweat of their brow: the productive classes paid far too great a
proportion of the public burthen. And what was the cause? The
earth was, or ought to be, as productive as she formerly was. Every
thing was cheaper, and yet all classes were in distress. Cheap corn
was not the cause in 1825, when all seemed flourishing t corn was
then 70s. a quarter. and now it was little more than 50s. All were
in misery. rite real cause he was Inclined to attribute to the state
of money, by which all things were valued. All ago and all na-
tions have proved fotced alterations in the currency to be attended
wits, great- distress and misery, and in peas,vasiatioas in prices
Alajor 11 are r. said, it. visa net his. intention 19 atUreos the meet.
log, or to say a syllable on the subject which they had met to din-

cues, had not the petition that he had just heard read entirely neg-
lected to say one word about the cliumh property. As there w. 116
great failing shout it he would, therefore, have the honour to pro
pose an amendment to that petition relative to that property.
Lord TEYNH•III remarked to the High Sheriff than the present
was an amended petition.
The HIGH SHERIFF Raid he understood it to be such.

Major WAITE then read his petition, the ;UrlO;W which (is
it is by far too long to admit of insertion) we understood to tie
comprised In a recommendation to the ministry that they should
take the reversions of all the church property into their own hatals
as the present holders died, and that in future the bishops should tie
paid at the rate of SAW. per annum, and the deans. prebends, and
minor clergy, at the rate of from 31.00/. to POI. per annum : none
to be less nor any more than those two sums, to be apportiontu
according to the population of their respective cures.
Mr. Ourrxixo immediately rose and seconded the petition.
Mr. Omits declared, ihat it the petition 1111111 s put to the meeting he
for one could not hold up his hand in support of a measure which
went to rob a class of individuals of what was their undoubted pro.
petty; and they might just as well recommend to Parliament to
abstract from him his private property as to take front the clergy
their tithes, which were their possessions.—(Loud cries or • No, no,.
and great confusion.)
The Earl of WINCIIIILSEA then addressed the assembly, amidst
loud cheers on all sides. He could assure them that there was no
one who was more impressed with the fact that a great and pressing
distress existed not only in Kent, but extended all over the county t ,
that was not partial, as the ministers had boldly but falsely asserted
at the opening of Parliament, but that was universal—(hear) - and
that preyed upon every interest, both commercial and agricultitral,
of this once flourishiug kingdom. (Bravo.) The great and leading
object of this and similar meetings was to remove the film
from the obscure visions of the ministers, and to impress on
them that the distress of the country was of that character and na-
ture as to call for some immediate and important measure for its re-
lief. One of the great &Lilo; of gmernment, and that which had
most tended to aggravate the distress, was the enormbuo increase
of the debts and engagements of the country untlet the change in
the currency. Two-thirds of the debt of the country had been con.
tracted in a depreciated paper currency, and the public were now
paying 20s. for what they had received but 15s. This he had al-
ways said, and would continue to maintain, for no measure ever
sanctioned by the legislature had ever been so productive of fraud or
robbery than that which he had named. He was inclined
to the imposition of a moderate property tax, which would have
the effect of compelling every wealthy individual to contribute to-
wards the support of the country. The absentees drew from this
country seven millions, which they expended in the cheaper luxuries
of foreign countries. If that was spent at home they would contri-
bute, either directly or indirectly, to the taxes of the country about
four millions. lie agreed with Mr. Hipps in his assertion that the
property of the church could not be considered as national property.
The clergy, as a body, had, as far as his own knowledge extended,
come forward as liberally and as chatitably in behalf of the suf-
ferers under the present difficulties as could have been expected from
them. (" Hear, hear," " No, no.") That reform was no visionary
project he was prepared to prove; he could not shut his
eyes to the abit.es that had crept in amongst the forms
of electing the reptesentativea of the people and when the ques-
tion of reform came forward he would he found at his post, a steady
advocate in its support, and, though a member of die upper house,
and as such had no right to be put on his trial, yet he would chal-
lenge scrutiny on all the measures that he had ever voted or spoken
in favour of, and his own conscience hail never accused him of any
dereliction from the path of duty. He should feel it to be his duty
to support the petition of his hon. friend Mr. Gipps, and if that
were carried should move an :addition to it of the following par.
port :—" That the Honourable Home of Commons should not se-
parate without having instituted an inquiry into the state of the re.
presentation of the people. for the purpose of ascertaining whether
the people of England had a fair, full, and just weight and influence
in the Commons House of Parliament."

The HIGH Stmitirr then read the various petitions before the
meeting in the following order :—Mr. Bradley's two petitions, one
to the Commons. the other to the Lords, seconded by Sir W. (40%.
bie ; Major Waite's petition, supported by 31r. ()uotting ; Mr.
Hipps's ditto, supported by Lord M inchiliwa, with an amendment
to be proposed by his lordship.
Mr. HON Y WOOD, M.P. for the county, next obtained the atten-
tion of the meeting. He wits inclined to say that the members of
the House of Commons acted without any responsibility to their
constituents. As it was at present constituted, it was any thing but
a represet.tation of the people of England. When 150 persons could
return a majority in that house, could it be pretended that it was a re-
presentation of Kngland ? As one of the people his rights were too
dear to him to suffer such an interference of that nature. He should
expect, not a future protector, but a future king, to enter the house
as Cromwell did with his band of armed soldiers, and say " Take
away that bauble." The king had no right to interfere, and he
should oppose such interference with all his might.
The thou bmeater then put Mr. Bradley's two petitions to the
meeting, and both were carried by a show of hands.
Sir W. Canaan! moved that the two members for the county
should be requested to present the petitions to the House of
Commons.
Earl STANHOPE seconded him.

Sir E. KNATcust.Tu. and Mr. HohrETwoop expressed their
intentions to present the petitions. and to support them.
Sir. W. CROIRIE moved that Earl Stanhope be requested to
carry the petition to the House of Lords, and that the noble lords
who were present should be requested to support it.
Earl STANHOPE pledged his support to the petition, and hoped
to have greater success than on a former night when the distress of
the country had been the subject of a motion his.
The Hum Sit EXIT'S' then put an amendment of Mr. Bentley's,
which had been brought forward at a early stage of the proceedings,
relative to an appropriation of the tithes. It was carried.
Mr. Em.rs brought forward a petition to the House of Commons
praying for a repeal of the malt and hop duties.
Sir W. Caosit E seconded the petition, %dick when put. was car-
ried unanimously.
Mr. BRADLEY moved that the High Sheriff should be requested
to sign both petitions.—('arried.
Earl Srastmore then moved the thanks of the Meeting to the
High Sheriff; for his impartial, candid, and manly conduct in the
chair that day. The noble Lord expatiated in glowing and very
just language on the merits of Mr. Rice, and concluded by pro.
posing the thanks with three times three, which was executed cos
aritere by the multitude.
The HIGH SHERIFF returned thanks, and dissolved the Meet-
ing, which separated in the most orderly manner.
whole business was conducted in the most creditable and
praiseworthy style. such as became the occasion of a great cout.ty
assembling in order to press on the attention of Government the ne-
cessity of endeavouring to afford some alleviation to burthens which
were so oppressive and so patiently sustained.
The whole business concluded by half-past five o'clock.

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