Star.
London, England, 1821-01-03 00:00:00

PARISH OF ST. ANDREW, HOLBORN.

CLAIM OF THE RECTOR TO lIICREASED TITHES.
A Meeting of the Inhabitant Householders of the
London Liberty took place yesterday, at the Inquest
Room, in Holborn Church-yard, pursuant to the fol-.
lowifig Requisition:
" London Liberty, December 27.
" The Rector having made a communication of hip intention
to claim es. 9d. in the pound for his Tithes upon the rental of
this Liberty, you are therefoie earnestly requested to attend a
Meeting to be held at the Inquest Room, in the Church-yard,
on Tuesday, the ed day of January next, at eleven for twelve
o'clock at noon precisely, to take the same into cnnsideration.
WILLIAM BOY E R, Churchwarden?'
At a little after 12 o'clock, Mr. Deputy REEvES
was unanimously called to the Chair. The worthy
Deputy, having complied with the call, addressed
the Meeting, and after thanking them for the honour
they had done him, expressed his regret that circum-
stances had rendered it necessary for the Parishioners
to take the steps they were now about to take.—
It was his wish, and he had no doubt it was the wish
of every Gentleman who heard him, to live on good
and friendly terms with the Rector of the Parish;
and he felt satisfied that they were not the best
friends of that Gentleman who advised him to mea-
sures, the necessary consequence of which would be
to estrange from him the affections of his Parishioners
--(Hear, hear, bear).—ln conclusion, the Chairman
hoped that every Gentleman who should choose to
address the Meeting might meet with a patient and
attentive hearing.
Mr. JOPSON, the Vestry Clerk, now read a letter
from the Rev. Gilbert Beresford, the Rector of the
Parish, dated December 11, 1820, and addressed to
Mr. Deputy Reeve, in which, after alluding to a Re-
solution agreed to at a private Meeting, of calling a
general Meeting of the Inhabitants, he suggested the
expediency of a private conference between himself
or his solicitor, and the parties interested on the other
side, "as likely to save unnecessary uneasiness, and
calculated to promote the interests of the parties con-
cerned?' Another letter was read from Mr. Goorge
Vanderzee (the Rector's solicitor), addressed to Mr.
Deputy Reeve and others. This sync dated Decem-
ber 16. It stated that "the Rev. Mr. Beresford, as
Rector to the Parish Church of St. Andrew, Ilolhorn,
claims to be entitled to 2s. 91 for every 20s. rent by
the year, for tithes, from all houses, shops, ware-
houses, &c. and it appears to me that the claim
authorized by, and I must beg you to refer to, a sta-
tute of the 37th Henry VIII. entitled An Act for
Tithes in London and to a Decree dated the 21th
of February, 1513, relating to the payment of Tithes
in the City cf London and Liberties of the same.--
1 am desired to state, for your consideration, that if
the claim could be settled as has been done, I believe,
elsewhere in London, a less sum than 2s. 9d. for
every 20.. improved Tent would be accepted. I have,
by desire of Mr. Beresford, enclosed a letter, which
was produced and seal last Thursday."—The en-
closure alluded to was also read. It was a letter
from Mr. Vanderzce to the Rev. Mr. Beresford. It
stated, in answer to an application from that Gentle-
man, the writet's belief that the Parish of St. Andrew,
Holborn, being without the walls, but within the
Liberty of London, was circumstanced alike with the
Parishes of St. Betel ph, Aldgatc, St. Botoiph,Bishops-
gate, and St. Dunstan's, in the West. ‘lllll respect
to the :"17th Henry VIII. and the decree made there
upon, if the writer were not mistaken, there were,
decisions in point on the records of the ('ourtc, esta-
blishing and decreeing the rates due to the Rectors
of those three Parishes, under the said statute, and
!the decree made upon it. He added, that if proper
iuquisies were made, and that the legal advisers on
both sides agreed, the right of the Rector might be
established, m ithout occastoaing ary or much objec-
tion or dissatisfaction. In conclusion, the writer ob-
served, that he thought the case of St. Botolph;
Bishopsgate, applied, and that that case was settled
out of Court.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that these letters were
ead tut strew die nature of the Rector's claim.
Mr. JOIZN Beetic7tes,r, now addressed the Meet-
ing, and observed, that as he had been the original
mover of the Resolution at the Precinct Meeting, he
felt it necessary to offer a few reniui ks. Ile regret-
ted that the subject had net been examined and
brought forward by some person more competent to
the task than he was. however, such as it was, he
had given the matter his most serious attention. The
Rector, as they must already have observed, founded
his claim to this increased rate on the 37th Henry.
VIII. and the Decree made thereon; for, without
this, there was nothing to bear him out for a mo-
ment in equity or justice. He would not, however,
enter into a discussion on the legal question. They
had not met for that purpose. Their object was to
put themselves in such a state of preparation, that
they might be ready with a proper defence when-
ever the Rector should attempt to enforce his claim.
He was one of those whe was anxious to support the
Clergy of the established Church ; so he was certain
was every Gentleman who heard him. He thought
they were entitled to a very liberal support for their
services, but he could not, in this his wish for their
proper support, sanction such an attempt as the pre-
sent. He could not approve of a Clergyman bring-
ing forward an old Act of Parliament—an old sha-
dow of an old law, which had slept for three cen-
turies, as the foundation of a claim which, if esta-
blished in the present instance, would take from the
inhabitant Householders of the Liberty and put into
the pocket of onejnan, a sum greater than that
which was paid for the whole of their Poor-rates—.
(Hear, hear). Was it an equitable claim that one.
individual should deteriorate the property of the in•
habitants in the amount of £60,000? and yet this
would be the effect if the Rector's claim were sub-
mitted to—(Hear, hear). The speaker then went on
to contend that the claim was unjust, because it was
most unreasonable—that the Decree on which it wee
founded had never been enrolled, and that the
amount to which this claim would reach was a sum
never intended by the Legislature to be given to any
Rector. As to the three parishes mentioned in the
letter, the claims on some of which had been settled
out of Court, he thought they were precedents which
the present Meeting ought by no means to follow. If
they submitted to any such claim as a right, it would
be raised by degrees on them to the full amount now
demanded. This was the case in Bishopsgate. A
shilling in the pound was first given. It was suf-
fered to rest there for about six months, and then a
additional sixpence wag denumded and is some

time after another sixpence was asked: If the inha-'
bitants of other parishes suffered themselves to be
cajoled in such a manner, he hoped the Parish of St.
Andrew would be more firm. These circumstances
also spewed the necessity of uniting in the first in-
stance and resisting any claim for an increased rate.
This had in one instance been effectually done by an ,
individual t how much better might it not Ise effected'
by a large body? But he would try it both ways.
If beaten as a body, he would then try themindivi-
dually.. Let the contest last for ever, and be handed
down from father to son, rather than they should
consent to a claim which was so very unreasonable—
(Hear, hear). It was not necessary to go back -to the
Fire Act Clergy, farther than to qbserve, that in the
great fire there were fifty-nine parishes burnt, and
twenty.seven which escaped. The Pa tish of St.,An-
drew, Halborn, was one of those which so escaped
the fire, but it seemed as if the Rector IA ;died to
throw it into a flame on the present occasion—(lcer,
hear). In consequence of the losses sustained by the
Clergy, from the destruction of the houses, their case
was considered by the Legislature; and by the 22d
Charles 11. they got, instead of 2s. 9d. in the 20s. a
compensation of, sonic £lOO a-year, some £:150, but
in no case did the compensation exceed 1:200 per.
annum ; and there were instances where so large a
sum was not given in places of larger extent than St.
Andrew's Parish. The Clergy became in the course
of time dissatisfied with the amount of their settle-
ment ; and having applied to Parliament, they were
allowed by the 44th of Geo. 111. an increase in many
instances of half as much more; but, whatever Par-
liament had then allowed, it manifestly never was
its intention to give £4,000 a-year instead of £4OO.
The Clergy, however, made another application to
Parliament, and though their claims were examined,
they were kicked out of doors, and Parliament de.
tided against them. He merely mentioned these cir-
cumstances, to spew the rapacity of the Clergy in
many instances. His object on the present occasion
was not to go into any detail of the merits of the
question, but to have a Committee appointed, who
might take such steps in the matter as should be
deemed necessary. Ile was satisfied that this was a
subject which would be talked over a good deal, and
he had no doubt a good deal of information might
be had Upon it, if a Committee were appointed.—
The other Lib erties of the Parish would, he felt per-
suaded, look with fellow-feeling on the injustice of
the present demand, and would be ready to come to
their assistance as soon as they began to act—(!!ear,
hear!).--It they had had a Committee sooner, they
might have had the assistance of a Gentleman of
great talents, who was already enlisted on the other
side. However, it was not yet oo late to he active,
and he hoped that, by the appointment of a Com-
mittee, such exertions would be made as would en-
able them to meet this claim with effect.

Mr. Wortruast expressed himself also anxious for
the appointment of a Committee, and that nothing
should be said as to the law of the case until that
Committee was appointed. If tkey now publicly en-
tered into the case, they would be giving their ad-
versaries an advantage which they ought not to get.
It would be better, therefore, to let the whole mat-
ter go into a Committee, who might afterwards re-
port their opinion to the Parish at large.
Mr. BEAUCHAMP now read the Resolutions which
it was his intention to submit to the Meeting. lle
did this to let Gentlemen see the nature of them, and
thereby Live an opportunity of suggesting any al-
terations they might think proper.
'*e Resolutions were in substance—that the Meet-
ing heard with regiet the claim set up by the Rector
cf ‘,'s. 9d. in the 2Os. on the rent of houses, &c. that
therefore it became their duty to resist such a claim
by erery legal means in their power, and to enter
into no compromise for a smaller sum, on the ground
that 2s. 9d. might be demanded of them; that a
Committee be appointed to take such steps as might
be considered necessary on this occasion, and to re-
port thereupon to a General Meeting.
The CHAIRMAN observed, that before these Reso-
lutions were put seriatim, he should be happy to hear
any Gentleman who wished to speak on the subject.
Mr. TirostesoN said, he felt embarrassed in speak-
ing on a subject of which the little he knew was de-
rived from the speech of the Gentleman who opened
the business to the Meeting (Mr. Beauchamp). He
agreed, however, that more information on it should
be deferred till the Committee should commence its
sittings. He concurred in what had fallen from Mr.
Beauchamp, respecting the necessity of supporting
the Clergy. As a Dissenter from the Church of Eng-
land, he could not concur in one sense, but he agreed
that, as a political establishment, the Church of Eng-
land ought to he supported. Ile therefore always
paid his tithe, 'though he never visited the Esta-
bli,hed Church. It had been said that this claim of
the Reverend Rector was founded on ancient right
and ancient usage. He conceived it strange, that
those Reverend Gentlemen who were so tenacious of
ancient rights and usages, should only wish to revive
a part of them, without reviving the whole. It was,
he believed, pretty well known, that, according to
" ancient usage," the tithe was not given merely for
the benefit of the Clergy. It was divided into three
potions; one of whicll went to support the Church,
another to maintain the poor, and the third part was
for the Parson. The modern Clergy, however, for-
got distinctions, and it seemed as if they turned
tne two last objects into one, and took the tithe, not
for the poor and the Parson, but for the "poor Par-
sce—(llear., cad laughter).—He was surpiized at
the madness and folly of those who talked of the
spirit which was abroad, and which sought to level
the Altar as well as the Throne. If such a spirit did
really exist—which he denied—it was the duty of
those Reverend Gentlemen to set a good example to
the people, to seem and to be really above that ava-
ricious desire for the things of this world, for which
too many of them were unfortunately remarkable.
They ought to endeavour to make the people at-
tachei to them, by mild, humble, and Christian-like
conduct; and avoid interfering in worldly politics.—
He believed the infidelity which was now abroad was
just such a species of infidelity as prevailed in Eng-
land immediately before the Reformation. The
people were not dissatisfied with religion, bit.they
were dissatisfied with the avaricious and servile con-
duct of the Romish Priests in those days. The
Priests were then the servile tools of King Henry
VIII. they supported all his infamous plans; and
the Clergy of the preAtkt day were, in too many in-
stances, the obsequious servants of Ministers .iu all

their measures, whether Tax hits or Divorce 8i144
—(Near, hear!).—Such conduct would create
content at their receiving not 2s 9d. in the 20s; Lit
even 6d. in the OM Mt. Thompson was now pra,
ceeding to animadvert on the Conduct of the Rev.
Mr. Beresford, on a recent occasion, in theletter
wrote to Alderman Waithman, when he was ineer.,
rupted by cries of " Question." Ile added, that he
only adverted to this circtraistance to shew that the);
ought not to give way one, inch to such a man. if
they yielded anything, however small, to this chi;
it would be increased until, as in the case or nthei,
pantiles, it was raised to the sum of 2s. J.I. in theitt
Mr. PosTiFax thought, that I:cfme the Resolutions
were put to the vote they ought to be conslJered
three 'or four Gentlemen, who should be appointed.
for tillt purpose. It was important that nothin4
should go abroad which might militate against tit
object they all had in view. No one should indhlo
himself on such an occasion as this in an attack on
Church—(Some disappiohation, and some cties
" No one has r.'one so." ).—They had a soon enemy
to contend with ; for he feared if Mr. Bereford It d
not strong ground to go upon in this claim, he would
not risk his popularity for an uncertainty. The pre;
sent question was as important one, and they sIioe!I
be cautious before they acted. With icq,ect to 1114,
scriptions—(it was one of the Resolutions that a
scription should be entered into to carry on the (is.
ject of the Meeting)—he thought it better that min
sums should be subscribed at a time.
A short discussion here took- place, as to whether
the expenses mild not be added
:to the parish txio,
but this was declared to be unattainable, exceia by
Act of Parliament.

Mr. WILKINSON asked, what was.the•amounzo!
present rate?
The CHAIRMAN replied, that it was lITIZIOsSibIe
know at present; but if it were known, it Inidit Era
be prudent to mention it now.
Mr. IlEaucnAme said, that some idea might be
formed of the rate when he mentioned that the clam
of the lt,ctor w ould. if acceded to, raise his income
on the City Liberty alone (there are three Liberties ii
the Parish) from 1:247 to above £4,ooo—(lkarl.
The Resolutions were put separately, and were
each unanimously agreed to. It was also
ruously agreed to, on the motion of Mr. WEsrEas,
that a deputation from the Committee be sent to the
Churchwardens and Overeers of the twenty-eight
other Parishes, soliciting their aid and subscription
to carry their object into effect.
Votes of thanks were then unanimously passed to
Mr. Beauchamp, to the Churchwarden, and to the
Chairman, after which the Meeting broke up.

WORSHIP-STREET.—Three Officers of Worship. .1
street, in consequence of information, went to the
house of IV. Hearn, in Providence-place, Bell-yard, .
Golden-lane. They found the lower part of' the house
barricadoed, and the Officers lifted one of their party
up on their shoulders; but he had no sooner entered .1
the room, than Hearn, who was in bed, jumped up,
and ran to open a place where there was a crack in
the partition, from which he took a brown paper •
parcel, and flung it down stairs. The Officer <etzed
him, calling to the others to break in the door: they
accordingly did so, and the parcel was found on the •
stairs. It contained fifty-nine El forged notes. They
took the prisoner to the Office, \Olen he underwent
an examination. One of the Bank Inspectors proved
the notes to be forged in every respect. There was
no proof that the prisoner forged them; bit he was •
fully committed for having them in his possess on.
LA MEET 11-ST ECT.• —Yesterday, Mr. a
master silk-weaver, in Pelham-street,
preferred a charge against It. Bennet, cne of the
patrol attached to this O. e, for wantonly sho
ing at and wounding him. The complainant, who
appeared much indisposed, in consequence of the
wounds he had received, stated, that on Sunday morn- ,
ing he was walking along the foot-path between the
hedges leading from the fields to dhe Three Colts, at
Old Ford, with a gun in his hand, when he was met
by Bennet, who demanded his piece, at the same time
producing his emblem of office; on which the coo-
plainant immediately surrendered his gun, and pulled 4
out his pocket-book, in order to give his name and
address. But this was not satisfactory to Bullet,
who seized his arm, and insisted un his accompany-
ing him back to the Three Colts. The complainant
refused, saying, that he considered it quite sufficient
to have given his address. Bennet then was about
,to force him to a compliance, but he resisted, and
got away, and ran through an opening in the hedge.
Bennet instantly exclaimed, " Stop 1 or shoot
your—The complainant continued running, when
Bennet instantly discharged the carbine at him, and
the contents, which consisted of small shot, lodged
from the back of his head to his loins. He, with
great difficulty, got home to his house, and a sur-
geon attended, who extracted a quantity of the shot
from his back, which were here produced. The
complainant was then taken into a room by an oflr
cer, for the purpose of examining him ; and on his ,
being stripped, his body, from the back of his bead .1
to his loins, and along his arms, exhibited such ap-
pearances as if lacerated by shot.—The Magistrate
said, this was one of the most flagrant cases he ever
remembered, and assured Mr. Squires that the matter •
should be thoroughly investigated, and ordered him
to attend on a future day, when 3ennet, who had ob-
tained leave of absence, would be brought forward.