Star.
London, England, 1815-02-23 00:00:00

COMMON COUNCIL.

CORN LAWS.
Yesterday a Special Common Council was held in
the Council Chamber, Guildhall, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the necasaity of petitioning
both Houses of Parliament against any alteration in

the Corn Laws.
The LORD Mayon rose, and stated, that he had
taken the liberty to call a Council. for the essential
purpose of taking into consideration the necessity of
petitioning both Houses of Parliament against any
alteration in the Corn Laws. This he felt to be a
duty he owed to his fellow-citizens, and, from the.'
high office in which he was placed, it made it more
incumbent on him, as the effects the alteration would
inevitably produce upon the manufacturer, would be
a matter of very impos tent . consideration. It was
therefore expedient that the measure should not be
carried into effect—(!yw.) It had been asked in the
House of Commons, if 80s. per quarter for wheat
could give uneasiness ? That question must be put
in another shape, and no doubt would be readily an-
swered. His Lordship concluded by stating, that
he should not take up thstinte of the Court, as he
was sensible that the Corporation atheitizens oil
London would deliver their sentiments upon thesub-
ject in a fair and ;impartial manner.--(lfeenv)
Mr. JACKS took a graduated Mtn, of the re of
corn for several centuries; alluded to the Acts of
Parliament thereon, also to the evidence given before
the Committee in the House of Commons last Ses-
sions ; and in referring to one deposition, vie. that of
a Mr. Potts, it appeared, that about thirty years ago,
the rent of his lAMB was £4OO per annum—now it
was advanced to £1260; it therefore was clear that
the Landholders alone were at the headef the wished
for alteration. And from the evidence given to the'
Committees of both Houses of Parliament, it appeared i
that no alteration was necessary. Mr. Jacks them
stated the average price for the last MS years up to,
1814. From the year 1797 up to 1804, the average
price of wheat was from 40s. to 485.• per quarter.
Landed interest had risen in consequence of the great
improvement of commercial intereourses. If land
went on at the same ratio, how is it possible that the
tenantry could live ? He concluded by proposing
several Resolutions, (fir which see the frog per).—
Also Petitions to both Houses of Parliament against
any alteration in the Corn Laws.—(Hear, hear 4
Mr. FAIHILL, in seconding the Resolutions, was
happy that the usual moderation had been used upon
this occasion. The designs aOnst Joke Beg were
'evident from the number of - quad: about him, (i
laugh) but he hoped Jobewould not be incommoded
by such designing quacks. (Hear: ) He perfectly
agreed with what the Hon. Proposer (Mr. Jacks) had
said, and was sure that the commercial interest would
not be set against the agiicultnral, nor the agricultu!
ral interest against the commercial. (Hear.j A na-
tional interest was what ought to be looked to (Near,)
, and a safe and general principle was the only thing
Irthat would secure that national interest. ( .
. /
Mr. Wnrra did not rise to oppose the R -
/t
but wished that the question should be eonsiq
' upon its proper bearing. The Landholder kept the
farmer as low as he could in the present times.—
About 40 or 60 years ago, the farmer was-a man of
little property, and a great portion of his profits arose
from his own labour : the case was now widely dif-
ferent. He was astonished, now that the Property
Tax was taken off, how they could have the counts.
nance to come forward again, for the purpose apse.
curing an alteration; and he concluded by hoping,.
that the whole community would come forward with
one voice upon this occasion.—(Hear, hear).
Sir WILLIAM CURTIS thought the question before
the Court as important a one as was ever agitated,
and declared he should do all in his power to carry
the sentiments of the Court into effect.- (Hear, hew).
Mr. DIXON heartily supported the motion.
Sir JAHR{ SHAW thdOtZti:r:hat at the rate of 635.
per quarter, the lan irould be sufficiently
paid.—(Hear.)—ln Jude, to himself and consti.
tuents, he should vote against nay measure of al-
teration. :: • ... ' , -.. (4.•
Alderman ihtria "Atom bark and agreed to
the Resolution'. .
Mr. WAITHHAII said,. that upon a cfestion like
the . present, wherein the voice was unanimous, it
were unnecessary to say much. He would not take
up much of the time of the Coos* m be *veld have
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