Star.
London, England, 1813-01-23 00:00:00

Resolved, on the motion of Sir ROSSRT WICRAM, Bart. se-
conded by Wm. FAIKLIE Esq. That undei the regulations of
those Acts, and the restrictions thereby introduced, numerous
classes of his Majesty's subjects have established themselves in
London in different branches of business connected with the
Fast India and China Trades, and have for the purpose of carry-
ing on the same, fdemed extensive establishments, and etubatited
large capitals; and that .for the purposes of this trade as now
conducted by the East India Company,and by individuals, ware-
houses have been built in the metrianolli, and wet.docks have
been formed in its vicinity, at an immense expellee • and very
large sums have been invested in the shimbing employed therein,
almost wholly by persons in London, and those immediately
concerned in the East India and China Trades.
Resolved, on the motion of JOHN JOHNSTONE, Esq. seconded
by JOHN HORSLST PALSUK, Esq. That it appears by the printed
journals and votes of the last Parliament, That numerous applica-
tions were then made from the out:pone aid provincial towns
of the united kingdom, with a view to the East India and China
trades being carried on to and from such out-porta, should, those
trades be still further laid ()pen at the expiration of theEsst .ndia
Company's present charter : and from a letter of the Right Hon.
the President of the Comtnissioners for the Affairs of• India,
dated the 4th of January, tele, to the Honourable tbeEast India
Company, it now. hardier appears, that the Mioistees of his
Royal Highness the Prince Regent's Government, have given
countenance to the object of such applications as far as they re-
' late to the Easeindia trade; and that this Meeting feels itself
• deeply interested in any measure of this extended nature, as the
same must materially affect the numerous classes and descriptions
of persons now engaged in these trades, which, whether confined
as they now are, or under any extension thereof, must necessa-
rily form the means of support to those who have embarked
therein, and to whom any removal or diet:lariats of the trade will
be highly injurious and petrimental.
Resolved, on the motion of Ricitaansom Baßallimar, Esq.
seconded by Feenzascs MoLLING, Esq. That the experience
of many years has proved, that the Legislature, by confining to
the metropolis the trade of India. and China, !us beneficially
created one large and open market, enabled purchasers to meet
in one point, preserved to importers the full benefit of competi-
tion and to purchasers the advantage of the greatest assortment,
and 'the best opportunity for their respective seAections and that
by Means Thereof the revenue has been most clltctuaily secured
and materially henefitted.
Resolved, on the motion of RICHARD Twtsit NG, jun.. Esq. se-
coctled by Jon N.TAlrtta, Esq. 'that by the present method of
conducting the import trade, and its being confined to the port
of London, smuggling is in a great degree protested, and the ad-
valorem duties are collected, not only with the utinost exactness
and facility, but on the full value of the commodity, and at the
least possible expence to the nation : whereas should the ilnport
trade be dispersed, smuggling could not be prevented, sod not
only would the revenue be exposed to this loss, now so effectu-
ally guarded against by, well-proved regulations in the collection,
but the duties paid ad-valorem would be materially diminished
by the want of those regular markets, and that concentrated
competition by which they are now secured and augmented.
R esolved,• on the motion of THOMAS Baow , Esq. seconded
by Was. DAVIS, Esq. That nein most. consideraVe part of the
articles imported from India aee for foreign consumption, it has
been the practice to make the sales in London at fixed periods of
the year best suited to attract the purchasers from abroad, and
to have the greatest variety of each species of goods put up to
sale at one time, that their demands may be more extensively
supplied, and their motives fir visiting this country strengthened;
but if the present salutary system should be changed, it would
be impossible so to regulate the sales at the different out-ports in
point of time, or assortment of goods, as to induce the foreign
merchant to come t 3 this country, and this circumstance would
not only occasion a very material diminution of the large revenue
arising from Iridian importations, but would be highly detrimen-
tal to the manufacturing interests of the country; as it is an in-
disputable fact, that the foreign merchant, induced to come to
London, a: being the sole emporium for Indian produce, pur-
chases to a still more considetable extent the manufactures of the
United Kingdom.

Resolved, on the motion of Charles Hampden Turner, Esq.
seconded by Robert Humphrey Martin, Esq. That no advan.
sages, commensurate with these sacrifices, and with the losses
which would be sustained by the numerous classes of persons
now carrying on the trade in London, will be obtained by the
public at large from its dispersion in the out-ports, and that suck
a radical alteration in the system now established by law, could
only in justice, be made upon an indtmnification to those who
would be injured by the change..
Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Sherirßiades, seconded by
Sir Robert Wigram, Bart. That a Petition be presented to both
Houses of Parliament, in the names of the Merchants, Bankers
Traders, and others of the City and port of London interested
in the East-India and China iinport trades, praying that the
homeward trade from India and China may be continued exclu-
sively to the port of London.

Resolved, on the mot!on of Henry Smith, Esq. seconded by Sir
Robert NVigratn. Dart. 'lhat the Petition now read, be the Peti-
tion to both House; of Parliarunt, and that the same be signed
by those present, and do lay fur signature at the City of London
Tavern until the Ist of February next.
Resolded, on the -motion of W. Cotton. Esq. seconded by
Robert Humphrey Marten, Esq. That the Members of the City
of London and V'estminster, the Borough of Southwark, and
counties of Middlesex, Essex, Surrey, and Kent, be 'requested to
snppart the Prayer of the Petition in Parliament, wheel any dis-
cession on the subject shall take place.
Resolved, on the motion of Abel Chapman, Esq. seconded by
Mr. Sheriff Blades,That the Committee of Merchants, by whom
this 'Meeting has baen convened, be requested to continue per-
manent during the discussions in Parliament, and to use their
best endeavour; to promote the object of this rieeting.
Resolved, on the motion of Abrl Chapman, Esq. seconded by
l's•lr.:ilieriff Blacks, That the thanks of this Meeting be given to
the Committee for their continued and unremitting attention to
Impor, ant subject.
Resolved, on ;he motion of John Taylor, Esq. seconded by
William Cottons Esq. That these Resolutions be published in the
1%40111i:1g ai:d Evening.papers. SCHO,LEY, Mayor. ,
lite Right Honourable the Lord Mayor having retired from
the Chair, the ,arne 'was, taken by Sir Robert Wirain, Bart.
and it was thereupon moo. d, by Richard Ciubpbell North, Esq.
seconded by Alderman Heyga:o, and ottani mously Resolved,
That the thanks of this Mreting be given to the Right Hon. the
Lord Mayor for his able, polite, and Impartial e.onduct in the
Chair, andior the' uie -of the Egyptian khan on this occasion.
ROBERT WIGRAM.