Star.
London, England, 1831-10-10 00:00:00

PUBLIC FEELING.

the strong determinations of the people to act with firmness
and unanimity. It was at length resolved that a public
meeting of the elector, of Westminster should be held at
the Crown and Anchor Tavern, this day, at two (fur three)
o'clock, for the Purpose above stated. A Sub-Committee
was appointed to prepare a series ofrmolutioos to be submitted
to the meeting, and to open a correspondence with Reformers
in all parts of the country, requesting their co-operation.—
Col. Evans deprecated the speech of the Duke of Wellington
which be characterised as an advertisement for the Pre-
miership. Thanks were then voted to the Chairman, and the
meeting separated.—An Elector of Westminster observed.
that they could legally assemble,* Delegates, but they would
act Mrgally by communicating with their constituents.—lt
was proposed to apply to the High Bailiff of Westminster to
call a meeting; but it was stated that considerable deity
might take place, and the Meeting determined to call a
Public Meeting, on their own responsibility, for Monday.—
A Gentleman said, that the meeting of Delegate. had taken
place at that house that day, when arrangements were
made for calling a general meeting of Delegates from
every part of the kingdom. (Hear, hear.)..-A Delegate
from Bristol said, be had been in company with one
of the Members for that city during the day, and was
assured that there was a Union of Reformers 30,000 strong.
in Bristol, which were determined to unite with other Unions
in obtaining their rights, by aiding the Minister, in carrying
the Reform Bill through Parliament.—(.) It was
moved and seconded, that a public meeting should take place
on Monday (this day). Colonel Evans suggested the pro.
priety of a sub-committee being formed to prepare so Ad.
chess to the King and his Ministers. A Committee was in-
stantly named, and it was resolved that they should meet
this day at twelve o'clock to prepare an Address so the peo-
ple of England. A Delegate from St. Clement Danes declared,
that the conduct of the Duke of Wellington, alter his manor-
able avowal, " that he was opposed to all and every species of
Reform whatsoever," in eanvassingkas he did byhis speech en
Friday night) for the premiership, was chateetnistic of the
gross duplicity of that noble duke, wbo, to get into power again
was willing to grant some half measure of reform ; but be
(the Delegate) was confident the people of England would
not lend themselves to that party who, when in power. and
with bayonets to their bands, derided and scoffed at all
those praying for reform, and they (the peopl) would
unite in support of those hosettrable aod truly patriotic
men, his Majesty's Ministers. (Cheers.) A subscription
was opened to defray the expenses of tbe meeting, and after
several speeches an adjournment took place.
We have taken some pains to obtain information as to
the indications of the state of the public mind, in the me.
tropolis and the country, on the present crisis. The fol.
lowing are a few of the facts which have same to our
knowledge :—" It is known In the city that considerable
purchases have recently been made of American stock....
There is reason also to believe that some persons have pro-
vided themselves with sums of gold, and property easily
available in emergencies ; but great cambia is used not to
create any alarm, and the purposes are seldom avowed.—
At the clubs, and other places of meeting of the trading
classes in the metropolis, various plans for the formation of
a national guard, have been the subject of discussion.
We have been informed that In several districts of the me-
tropolis the tax.gatberers have been informed by the inhabi-
tants on whom they have called, that the taxes which they
have recently collected would be the last which they would
have to receive, unless the reform bill was carried. The dia.
trims to which we allude are not those in which ,determina-
tion has been evinced, with reference to the taxes called rates
imposed by self.elected bodies, to act upon the constitutional
principles that taxation without representation is illegal;
namely, Mary-le-bonne, St. Pancras, and Islington parishes.
We may mention as an instance of the quiet mode in which
these determinations will be carried into effect, that the inha-
bitants of St. Martin's parish, without calling any public
meeting, or making any outward demonstration, have re-
fused to pay the last poor.rates. The amount which it was
expected to produce is, perhaps, 2,9001. and of this amount
probably not more than 1001. has been collected.
A petition from one district of the metropolis was the
other day carried by a deputation of tradesmen to a peer,
with a request that he would present it to the lords. The
deputation consisted of antral of the most wealthy trades-
men of the district; men each of whom eiuld retire from
business on an independent fortune. They informed his
lordship that they considered the bill to be a conservative
measure with respect to the produce of their own labour;
and if the present system was continued, that produce most
be dissipated by its operation, or they would beam* the
mere managers at capital for the benefit of others ; sieves,
toiling to supply the demands
of a body of posegase task-
masters. That they and their neighbours had determined
(though they bad, for the present, thought St not to express
the determination by a public resolution), that they would
at once discontinue to pay taxes immediately they found
that all hopes of reform from the casein Government
must be given up.
We are informed that an Anti.reforming Duke has been
heard to say, that he does not care for the refusal to pay
taxes ; since the direct taxes (meaning the assessed) form but
a small portion of the revenue, and the indirect taxes, by
means of which " a strong Government" may be carried on,
until " good order" is restored ; will, be conceives, continue
to be paid • for, Pays his Grace, the people will not cease to
consume taxed commodities. Never was a greater mistake
committed. The people will undoubtedly continue to con-
sume the commodities but freed from any unconstitutional
tax. The manufactories of several of the most important
commodities here spoken of, as the places where the
attempt. to levy unconstitutional taxes may be the most
efficiently resisted.

NATIONAL Uttros.--The moment it was known the
Lords bad rejected the reform bill, a circular was issued,
calling together the committee of the National Union. A
full meeting was held at the Committee Coffee-house, Tem.
ple.bar, and the following document was unanimously
agreed to s

" We declare individual property of every description,
acquired by honest industry, or under the sanction of laws
(however unjustly enacted) to be sacred and inviolable ; and
that we will, by every means in our power, strive to bring
those to punishment who seek individual wealth or grati.
Ration. by an invasion of the rights of others, instead of
promoting public good. Although •we are, in many
respects, the victims of property, and the slaves of mo•
nopoly and individual wealth—yet we seek not redress in
the chaos of confusion, or an indiaalminate struggle
foe pre-eminence ; we are only anxious that property should
be turned Into those channels which an enlightened Legis-
lature, chosen by all, should determine to he promotive of
the happiness of all. We, therefore, assure all classes, not
interested in existing corruptions. but who are desirous of
promoting the happiness of mankind, that we will cordially
co-operate with them In resisting and opposing tyranny of
every description, and in seeking to procure fur this
country such institutions as shall, in the opinion of the ma.
jority, be deemed the most efficient to promote the greatest
happiness of the greatest number. We, therefore, rely on
the honest Intentions of a patriotic King, and on his Mi-
nisters, who, we trust, have the happiness and welfareof this
kingdom at heart ; and not their own exclusive privileges
and distinctions ; and we hereby call upon them to unite
their solicitations with those of a loyal people in urging
two his Majesty forthwith to take such measures as will
►ad with the least delay to the attainment of this just sys-
tem of representation."
Bnutsesnasr.—The unwelcome Intelligence of the re-
jection of the Reform Bill by the House of Lords, arrived
in Birmingham, by express, about Sr. o'clock on Saturday
afternoon. An universal feeling of disappointment and
indignation pervaded the whole population ; the funeral
bells of the churches and chapels were immediately mused
and toned, as upon the most solemn occasion. The Cornell
of the Political Union assembled spontaneously in the
course of the evening, and yesterday (Sunday morning)
the town was found placarded with the following admirable
Address :

" Friends and Fellow Countrymen,—The Bill of Reform
L rejected by the House of Lords ! Patience 1 Patience!!
Patience I!! Our beloved Kiog is firm his Patriot
Ministers ate firm. The House of Commons is firm--
the whole Nation is firm. What then have the pork to
fat? Nothing ! unless their own violates should rashly
lead to anarchy, and place difficulties in the way of the MPS
and his Ministers. Therefore that moot be no violates&
The People are too strong to require violence. By Pape
...by Law—by Order—every one must rally round the

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