Star.
London, England, 1815-03-04 00:00:00

crrr OF LONDON.

MEETING AT THE MANSION HOUSE.
One of the most numerous and respectable Meet-
ings we have ever witnessed assembled yesterday in
the Egyptian Hall of the Mansion House, to consider
the propriety of petitioning Parliament against the
Bill now in progress through the hearse of Commons.
The Meeting consisted of the Bankers, Merchants,
and Traders of the City of London. At one o'clock
the LORD MAYOR, attended by Sir WILLIAM CURTNI,
SIT JADIFS SHAW, Mr. Alderman ATKINS, Mr. Row-
crow; &c. entered, and were received with loud ap-
'plause.
- The. Lem MATOR informed the Meeting, they
were called together, in consequence of a Requietion
most respectably signed, to consider the measure
now taking in Parliament, to prevent the importation
of foreign corn. He was himself invited to take. tbe
Chair, and conceiving the Egyptian Hall the fittest
place for their deliberations, had accordingly appoin-
ted it. Some misrepresentations had gone abroad
witk respect to his motives, in calling his fellow-citi-
zens together; but if he met with the approbation of
his fellow-citizens, be should be most happy, particu-
larly as it was coupled with the still higher satisfac-
tion arising from his own conscience, and the reflec-
tion of having done his duty. (Loud aftplause.)—
The measure now passing was of such a nature, that
any one holding the situation which he had the honour
'to hold, would have betrayed she trust reposed in
hits, if he had acted any other part, than that which
he was accused of acting. (Aep/aufe.) He would
entreat them tai observe, as the hays ef their conduct,
on an occasion involving the vital interests of their
country, a moderate and sober discussion. _ It was
the course by which their efforts would be promoted,
as by -avoiding any appearance of violence or disaf.
feed( n. their petition could not . fail to be entirely
successful. He requested; therefore, that they would
hear every thing that could be urged for or against
the measure. (Lead applause.)
Mr. Lewis said he should not. trespass on the
Meeting any longer than to recommend temperance
in their deliberations. He then proposed rue Reso-
lutions, Vtich deprecated the measures now betore
Parliament, for imposing restrictions upon the im-
portation of Corn.
• Mr. ROWLAND arzertees seconded them.
Mr. BENTLEY Wished, before they proceeded to
decide on the Resolutions, to call their attention to
what Government ought to do in the present circum-
stances of the country, end what the Bill now pen.
ding in Parliament was likely to do. Having retur-
ned to a state of peace and prosperity, it was their
duty to secure those advantages to the people. With
this view they ought to begin with retrenchment.—
(Here Me oeder was interrupted Is strong marks of du-
approbation, and cries of Qaestion 1 124estion !) He
could assure the Meeting it was not his. intention to
meddle with any pOlitical question not combined with
that which they were assembled to discuss. ,t/s.
/dam.) It was his object to shevi how Government
could give food to the people, and encouragement to
the merchant. He was then proceed!ng to take
view of ere present system oPtazatiou, and to propos,
some alterations, by Which their pressure might be
remedied, when the disapprobation besame so tow,
that he was obliged to desist. •
Mr. WAIT/IMAM then came forward amid the
cheers of the Meeting. He said, be had obtained
permission from the Lord Mayor to read the Peti•
tion to them, in order that they might be fully ap:
prised of all the measures intended to be taken by•
those who bad signed the Requisition. He agreed,
fully in the observations Made from the Chair, as to
the expediency of preserving order and temper in
their discussions. If he was inclined to indulge in
inflammatory matter, he could not select a subject
in which he would be more likely to succeed, for as
all orders were concerned, and the lower orders were
particularly susceptible on the occasion, he should'
avoid saying any thing by which the passions might
be excited. If his voice could hi heard all over the
country, he would tell them that they ought to pro.
teed with temper. particularly as they were not left
to fight their own battle, but were assisted by the
first Magistrate, as well as by•the Bankers, Mer.
, chants, and Traders of that city. In all the discus-.
sions that had taken place in the House (If Commons,
great efforts were made to prove that the Bill would
not press on the trading part of the community. be:
cause they were so combined with the landed, that'
the interest of both was the same. As a gene-
ral proposition he agreed to this ; but when he saw
them determined to interrupt the voice of the people,
and cut them off from the exercise of one of their
undoubted privileges, by indecently hurrying the
measure, he might at least suspect there were some
cases where it was possible that the people might be
forgotten. Some of the great landholders, who
were moderate in raising their rents, had no ohjec-
don to the srateof things against.which Parliament
was now attempting to provide, while others were
all anxiety for the continuance of those advantages
which had grown up in an artificial gate of the coun-
try, and had benefited the speculative part of the
proprietors. From every view that he could take oft
the subject, he was contented that the Bill would'
not operate merely
as a tax upon bread, but upon'
all the other articles of life—(Appiesue)—on butt&
and cheese, and event thing that tame under the do.
scription of sugtenance. How, under such cireume'
stances, could they contend against foreign manufac:
tures in the foreign 'market t—rifpfame.)—They
were told that it would net !as. the price of bread—
as well might ibex teiletttlipeinaket &it a et; upon
ase id 18.6....1111 • • • .• J

leather would not raise the price et shosa—(AM/sere)
litedlotd was already reimbursed by the in•
cteese 01 the prOtecring duty, .and taking all matters
into account had not paid a single shilling towards
the support of the war. At the 'commencement of
the war, the average price was 445. to year 1800
was a scarce year, relief Was required, and after
SOME time, for the protection of agriculture, the
average was advanced to 635. They now came for-
ward to demand that it should be raised to 80s.-and
the evidence upon whose authority they attempted to
provee its necessity were laud-surveyors, selected by
weers--(aispiceue.).—Yet, even among those,
imuseiecommended 78s. end others 75s and that be-
;fore the removal of the Property-Tax; But now that
the Atoperty-Tai was removed from them, and sub-
istitited by an increased taxation on the trader, they
!asallrbeivs.Bos. • When be looked to the situation of
;the country at large—when fie saw how moth they
had endured, and with what patience they bad en-
dured-it—when be recollected the times in which
those Gentlemen met together to persuade the people
leo te'venteisted with their lot, be could net bbt een-
sore their present proceedings. At one of those
'meetings a Gentleman, and a learned one too, cle-
rked them gravely not to repine, for their sufferings
*me a visitation from PROVIDENCE for the sins they
had committed—(A Laegh)—yet this was, as he had
said, a very learned man, which proved that it was
highly passible to have a head full of Greek and
:4atin, without a grain of common sense. (A Laugh).
lißut it the doctrine was well-timed, and if, as all
must acknowledge, it was right to submit with pa-
t;enceto the will of PaovlDzNca in times of difficulty
and distress, at least they ought to be permitted to
enjoy the blessings that were showered upon them.
War had passed away and peice was returned again,
.yet the very same persons who could preach patience
in calamity, had the arrogance to counteract the de.
'signs of PROVIDINCEAD a happier condition of the
country. (Loud applause). One of their privileges
r was to lay petitions at the foot of the Throne ; those
petitions should be temperate, but firm. They should
call
-upon their Representatives to do their duty in
the 'present crisis. Without violence,' they should be
bold and distinct. It was in public meetings that
the temper of the country was formed, as well as
exprented, and they should bring to those meetings
the disposkidks best adapted to produce advantage.
He then read-two petitions, one to each House of
Parliament, grounded on the Resolutions already re-
ferred to, and maintained, that the produce of land,
if left to itself, would bear a fair proportion to the
other articles of industry; but if attempted to be
kept uli by the measure now in progress, would not
only prevent the competition of our manufactures
abroad, but would share the same fate with these Ma-
nufactures, and suffer equal injuty. (Lord applause).
-I#lr. 'Rowena's expressed his imprint that the
Meeting should manifest such little disposition to dis-
cuss a question of so much difficulty. They were
now in the first Hall of one of the first Cities in Eu-
rope, and were themselves merchants and traders of
intelligence and experience. He wished to •hear
more upon the subject, and would now submit a few
facts. It was proposed by Parliament to protect the
agricriture of the country, and keep the plough
going. (Here some trualorobation was manfested.) If
the World was composed of ph,losophers and philan-
thropists, there might be no occasion for the measure,
but, as it stood, they would find it difficult to ma-
nage 'Without something of the kind. He had good
reason to know that the grain of France would not
be brought to the London market under 60 shillings
a qurtter. It was 'edmitted by all that some :prow-
don wairequired.' 11.1rin of No, no,)—and the only
question was, of what kind that protection shobld be ?
(lire diraplrrobries cow beams general.)
life LORD bLysott observed, that from the under-
standing entered into on his taking the Chair, he ex-
pected that every thing would beheard on both sides.
'Mr. WAITHMAN next presented himself; but hu in-
esrlitencistas rendered unnecessary, as the Meeting
desired thlit Mr. Rowcroft should proceed.
• Mr. Rowcaorr, in continuation, admitted that
corn`shoold be sold as low as it could be grown. The
question was, what protection we should afford to our
own farmer against the foreigner ? Some stated it at
725. others, Again, carried it as high as 87s. But
&either party could know at what it should be laid--
nor did he think that all the heads and brain: in that
room joined together, could arrive at any thing like
&certainty in such an estimate. The House of Com-
mons had taken the medium of the two. He thought
the het of Parliament ought not, and would not,
;'tire the price of 'wheat dd. in the quarter.—(Diraft-
jereistrieg.)—He could not speik to please them alone;
and though he regretted the want of their favour, he
could- not court it by any compromise of his judg-
ment to their wishes. But supposing the price of
torn to be advanced five, or even ten shillings, by
the operation of the law, what would be its effects
on the price of bread ? Taking the advance at five
shillings, the peke of the quartern loaf would rise
one half-penny ; and taking it at ten shillings, one
penny—(disapprobation)—acid as the consumption of
bread by a labourer was estimated at two loaves a
Week, the whole addition to his ezpences would be a
penny, or, at the most, two-pence in the week.--
me dirantrobation becoming more violent the Lord Mayor
again interfered.) What induced him to snake this,
alcitlation was, to obviate the unnecessary and ex-
,travagant alarm that prevailed. If the quartern loaf
was raised to two shillings, instead of one, be was
euraithere would be no objection to raising the wages
bithe labourer to enable him to pay the difference.—
(Load cries of de 0f; v. to which the Speaker
Sowed submission and retired.)
Sir WILLIAM CURTIS said, he wished to offer a few
words on that 'important subject. He had looked at
the question in every point and bearing, and thought
that sufficient protection was already afforded to the
agricidture of this country—(Lard aftplanse.) On
that conviction he had made his stand. If, however,
IN) measure passed the House, he must do his
•

best to hear it; but until it had passed,.he thoisld do
hie best to defeat It. Ie his opinion an advance even
to 725. would be injurious to the people—(Leado-
idastse)ii-sand be should nbt only be ready to present
their Petidon, but to do all in his power to ruinous •
the object of it—(Leadaftleleare.
Sir JAMES SRAW said, that having
to attend a Cont.
mitten at tifro o'clock, which was nearly arrived, he
wished so address a few weeds to them before be left
the. Hall. He concurred entirely in the sentiments
of the Petition, which was written with such modera-
tion, that he should feel great pleasure in presenting
andit supporting its prayer. He agreed that there
iwas no otcasion tor any measure to protect thee agri-
culture of the country at the present moment.—
(Lewd amime.)
- Mr. Alderman Arsons said, that he and his col-
leagttes had opposed the measure in Parliament, and
lithough be word always be willing to prcrect the lac.
ded interests in case of need, he saw no necessity for
it now. No alteration in the Corn Laws waseneces-
airy, but as they were the weaker party in the Boum
of-Commons, he did wish to meet than half way,
not to court the change, but to compromise if possible.
—lt was with this view only he should agree to 725.
The people of this country were not apt to be misled
by clamour, and he thought the metropolis would do
well to imitate the example of Bristol, which had sent
up a Petition, signed by 40,00 h people.: (Load ap-
itlasue).—He thought they would be obliged to meet
the measure by a middle course, or to abandon it
altogether; for though he was confident their Petition
must have a great effect, be was sorry he could not
hold oat much expectation of complete success.
Mr. Alderman C. Siam supported the Resolutions.
Mr. Alderman HairGATE said, that a measure
which was to raise the price of bread, should only be
adopted in a case of imperious necessity. Parliament
ought to call the persons who recommended 725.
before the Income Tax was removed, and ask them
at what rate they would now fix the protecting duty?
He was lure their answer would be different. He
thought there was still honesty enough in Parliament
to attend to the petitions of the people. • •
Mr. FEAROI4 and Mr. HARvar spoke in favour of
the Resolutions. . •

The LORD MAYOR said. that to save the time of
the Meeting. he would put the question at once on
the Petitions..

They were agreed to unanimously.
M. Wet Tam AN :Aid, the Petitions 'mold be ready
for signatures for two hours that day at the M4nsion
House, and to-morrow there and at other places.
It would be necessary to be quick, as the measure
had got into a full gallop.—(4 kirgh.) :
The Thanks of the Meeting were then given' una-
nimously, to their Itepresentati' vee to the Loin
Keyort, and to Mr. BARING, and the Independent
Members who supported him in his opposition to the
measure.

Immediately after the Petition was agreed to, se-
veral skins of parchment were laid upon the tables in
the outer room, which was crowded to-excess by per-
sons anxious to give their signatures '

PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE.

. . •

HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCH• S. •
Counsel were heard in continuation, and haallY; respecting
the Appeal Cause, " the Earl of Traquair v. Burrows.and others."
Judgment postponed.
•
On the Chancery Appeal, " Jackson r. Blandforkinnes, and
others, Counsel Counsel were heard in part; to proceed again on
Monday.
_ _

Their Lordships then adjourned for some time, during pleas
awe. On the resuming of the House,
The Bank Loan Bill was read a third time, and passed.
CORN LAWS.

Earl STANHOPE said, several Petitions
to present to their Lordships, relative to the very im-
portant subject of Corn. The first was from the
Parish of Christ Church, Spitalfields,' signed by be-
tween 5 add 6000 persons. He would move that it
be read at length, in order to show the Petition every
possible respect.
This was accordingly done; the Petition was from
the Rector, Churchwardens, Overseers, and others,
the Parishioners of the above Parish. The docu.
ment set out with stating the expectation of the Peti.
tioners, that after the universal sentiment expressed
during the last Session of Parliament, on the subject
of the Corn Laws, no further attempts would be
made to alter or vary the same, &c. The Petition
being gone through, was ordered to lie on the table.
The nett presented by the Noble E trl, was one
from the Inhabitants of the Ward of Bishopsgate, in
the City of London, praying in like manner, that no
alteration might be made in the Corn Laws.
The third was from the several persons whose
names were thereunto subscribed, residents of the
precincts of St. Catherine's near the Tower. Having
presented this Petition,
Earl STANHOPE stated, he had a word to sty
to the House respecting a dreadful misconception of
what be proposed on the subject to which the Peti-
tion related. When a person was so grossly misre-
presented, it became his duty to come forward and
state it was so. It was understood that he was so
absurd as to propose a diminution of the taxes ut ►he
country, so as to affect the dividends of the public
creditor, or the peace establishment. Their Lnrd:
ships would see that there was not the smallest ground
for so false an idea. He had moved Resolutions epon
the subject last Sesssion, which the,' House did not
reject, but postpone. These Resolutions he begged
leave to read, in order to refresh the memory of their
Lordships:

The first went to establish, that to provide an ample supply of
provisions for the public, was at all times an object of the first
national importance.
Tbe second imported, that each could not be provided, unless
due encouragement was given to the Growers et Corn in Great
Britain and Ireland, so as to enable them to awry on the ins-
provedisystens of agriculture with advantage, and to enable the
Fanners to sell their corn at moderate prices to the consumer.
.The third, that in order to procure these essential objects, it
we* expedient that those taxes which bore most heavily on the
growers dawn on Me one bead, or on the laborious part of the
sosupenity on the other, be repealed, as far as the reign of