The Statesman.
London, England, 1815-03-04 00:00:00

TtlE S'I'ATESNIAN.

Ler corn trade, by which, when corn was above a bear the supporters of•the measure out in their as.
certain mice,
it was not to be exported. It did not sertion, that the price which they required was ne-
signify what were the wants of other nations: she oessary. The real state of the quesei n was, that
jus
ity said, that they must fist take care of their own owing to the prolongation of the eine and other
peefee. The market of France might therefore fail circumstances, the agriculture of th egkuntry was in
us when we most wanted it; whereas Ireland afforded a state of distress, from which it be as much
;in infinite field of improvement, and conkd be easily the wish as it was the interest of ever class of the
elide a fruitful and exhaustless granary to the whole' community that it should be relieved. That relief
kingdom. In this revert, he spoke, riot only from should be, however, but temporary, and then, by
hi, own observation, but from all the evidence that a gradual diminution• of the price of labour, of the
had been examined on that subject. The security of quantity of taxation, and of the. amount of rents,
an internal supply of corn was the great shield of the farmer would eventually be able to caltivate his
oar commerce and defence of our manufactures. This land with advantage. But, 46 ne," said the sup-
-1..,..tity ought tint to be left to hazard, to the influ- porters of the measure, 44 we will not lower our
to •of a (widen' policy. rents; we will support our rents as they are, and
!;ir J. SHAW vindicated himself against the charge the consumers of corn shall pay a higher price for
ti,,„ I, out in the coolie of the debate—that his lan- it."—As to the argument deduced from the necessity
o,ga served to create discontent or promote sedi- of rendering ourselves independent on any foreign
;en,. 'Fe repel such a charge he thought it sufficient supply it was valueless. In things of a more critical
to ,efer to the whole tenour of his life. Iu having nature even than corn—in naral stores—we had seen
stated that the quarterly loaf was likely to be raised during the late war every combination of effint re-
to pel by the proposed measure, he thought him. sorted to to prevent us from obtaining them ; but
wif perfectly justified ; and lie then held in his hand without effect. What the Legislature had now to
a table of the average of assize in London for the last determine was, whether or not the proprietors of
ten years, from which it was evident that if the ave. land should make any concession (he did not wish
rage of the maritime districts amounted to 80s. the , for a considerable one), in order to enable the far-
seize in London would be such as to fix the price of mers to proceed advantageously with their tillage?—
te. to if at 154.1. But if he even had been, through If not—if by artificial means it was attempted to
inaccurate information, betrayed into an over state- support the rents as they stood, the consequences, by
went, he must think that the censure upon him slow degrees, would be these:—in the first instance,
(roe to have been more mild from those on the , a high price of corn would be maintained; by de.
other side of this question, when it was recollected grees this would turn out of the country one branch
that these Gentlemen, not long since, proposed to of industry after the other ; —the population of the
i‘ the import price at 1355. per quarter, which pro- country would diminish, by the emigration of the peo-
p„otion too they grounded upon the report of a ple in quest of cheap food ;—the corn grown in the
Comaiittee, whereas the same Gentlemen came for- country.would then certainly be adequate to its cone
ward. on the occasion, with the report of another sumption ;—ultimately, the agriculturist would find
Cernmiitee, to declare that they would be contented out his mistake, and corn would fall to a state of the
with gee [Hear !] 1 greatest depression.
Mr. ROBINSON denied the assertion of the Hon. I The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER
Alderman, if it were meant that the average of the begged leave to call the attention of the House to the
weritime districts had been generally less than that stage of the Bill which was before them. It was the
in Leitrim. For, on the contrary, it would appear second reading., 'They had not then to determine
from a reference to the London Gazette, that within '1 any question of price, or average, or duration, or
the be 10 years the averages in the maritime dis- any tithe: question of detail. All that they had at
dills were usually higher than the average in Lon. that time to consider was, whether or not it was pro.
don. Nay, during the Hon. Alderman's own per to adopt any measure at all on the subject; and
Mayoralty, the average,in the 12 maritime districts he presumed, that whatever might be the variety of
was no less than 3s. 31d. per quarter above the opinion on particulars, all must admit generally that
average in Lnielon. After this comparison the some alteration of the existing laws was indls-
House would be able to appreciate the accuracy of pensibte.
the Honourable Alderman's assertion, and his at.l Mr. WHITBREAD declared, that he had listened
tendon to facts. As to the other assertion of the with the utmost attention to all that bad been said
Hon. Alderman, which those who agreed with him on both sides of the question, and that the result was
so often presumed to repeat, he most distinctly denied a decided conviction in his mind, not only that it
that also, namely, that the object and tendency of the would be improper to legislate on the subject, but
measure before the House was to raise the price of that grejt danger might be the consequence of le.
be-ad.—[ilenr, hear!]—Gentlemen might contro-Igislating on it. He gave credit to the Right Hon.
met his opinion if they pleased, but he would declare Gentleman opposite (Mr. Robinson) for the way in
most unequivocally that his object in bringing for-1 which he had repelled some improper insinuations
ward this measure was to reduce the price of corn. thrown on the motives of those who supported the
e—[A laugh, and hear, hear !]—Such was his calcu- measure ; but he was surprised at the Right Hon..
Lenin upon its effects, and he had no hesitation in Gentleman's conclusion, which was it direct contra- We yesterday gave s report of the commertcement
saying, that if he thought it wnuld have an opposite diction to all that he had said before on the snhjert. of the business tit this Meeting, we tin tv snfjoin the
teleleecj, he %soukd that moment abandon the Bill. If he understood the thing at all, the original o- tfollowing more ciicumstantinl perticulars of the whole
—[l lear, hear, hear! ]—But he not only expected a • position was not that rents were too high, but that , of the proceedings.
seduction, of the price of corn from this measure, but corn was too low, and that it ought to be raised to Yesterday a Meeting of .the Merchants, Bankers,
I reduction in the amount of rents also, which rt:duc. such a price as to enable the firmer to cultivate his and Traders of the City of London, convened pur.
Arm he felt to he bietily ttesieable. • • land with advantage, %hewer reducing tine leacitorde..sunnt two eryleistarm by tire Lord Mayor, was held
Lord A. HA NII ['TON asked, if it was the object to the necessity of lowering his reefs. But to-night in the Egyptian Hall. Great care was taken to ex-
tol the 'light Honourable Gentleman to reduce the the hags ,t Hoe. Gentleman tensed round, and said, elude improper persons ; yet tong before one o'clock
price of corn by this measure, hew was the faralor that he world not have brought forward the measure, every corner of that spneious building was crowded,
to be benefited by its adoption ? According to the bed he not thought that are luctioil iii the price of and the succeeding multitudes in a short time choked
argument of the generality of its etivore,es, and the breed would be the consequence, attended by the up every avenue, till it was no longer possible to oh-
evidence adduced before the Committee, upon whose lowering of rents! Let the landed interest consider fain either an admission or a hearing.
report this measure was grounded, an advae.ce in the I this—let the financier look to this—let hire look to The Leen Mevoit came forward, amidst the
price of core was necessary to insure an adotionte what must follow : the reduction of establishments, loudest expressions of applause. He began by
remuneration for the farmer ; but, in the view of the the reduction. of assessments, the reduction of the reading the Requisition, and stating the object of the
Mover of the measure, that (mil was not to be at. occupation of the artisan, and a long train of attend. Meeting. He trusted that the vast and respectable
tained. Then, after all the speeches and statements ' ant evils. As to a hat had been said of the Petitions assembly he was then addressing, would.above all re.
which had been made to the lionise, one naturally against !he Bill, in his opinion. those Petitions descry- collect, that order, moderationomd temper, were the
asked what could possibly be the object of pressing ed notice in proportion. to the number of the Poi- indispensable securities for free, serious, and uncon-
this measure,which promised no benefit to the farmer, tinners. To those who contended that the people trolled discussion. The part he had himself taken
while it alarmed all the other classes of the people?. were not fit judges of the subject, he would reply lupon this important qUestion lied already been made
Mr. POLE CAREW spoke in favour of the mea- that they were much more competent judges of it than the subject of misrepresentation, but this gave him
sure. I they were of theology, and yet it was well known : little concern or regret. His condut had been ho-

of pricer at had been seen, more good would be done
for the good'of the poor than by any other Legisla-
measofe. What misery had been occasioned by
a price so high as 1265.! The Hill provided the
only remedy against high prices ; it still kept the
pojts open, and no more could be done for times of
scarcity. God forbid Petitions should not be at.
tended to: but they were to weigh their arguments,
and decide conscientiously.
On the division on the amendment, the numbers
appeared—
Non, 218.-Ayes, 56—Majority, 161.
The original question was therefore cai des.
While strangers were excludod, we understand
that it was proposed to go into the Committee " on
Monday," on which Mr. Baring proposed as as
aniendnient, " Monday se'nnight." After some ob-
servations, a second division took place--
Against the amendment, 215—Far it, 44—Majority, 171.
When the gallery was re-opened, the House was
In a Committee on the Mutiny Bill : Mr. FITZ-
GERA LD was commenting on the expressions of
Hon. Members, who had accused hit Noble Friend
(Lord Palmerston) of indecent conduct, and had
made some peculiar observations on the Chairman.
Mr. WHITBREAD meant no reflection on the
Chairman • but thought the proceeding on the Bill at
that later hour improper in a public officer; particu-
larly under the circumstance of the army at present.
Lord PA LM ERSTON never thought that when a
Bill was ordered, it was necessary to give a second
not ice.

MEETING c f the. MERCHANTS, BANKERS,
4c. of the CITY of LONDON.

Mr. BARING rose amidst a cry of " Question !
question !" but the lion. Gentleman declared, that
notwithstanding the anxiety manifested to come to
a decision, he felt it his duty to call for somewhat
more of deliberation, and to state his sentiments
on this important subject. lie should not, perhaps,
at that stage of the discussion, have thought it neces-
sary to trespass upon the attention of the House, if it
were not for what had fallen from the proposer al
this measure, or rather indeed if it were not for
abet had fallen from that Right Honourable Gentle-
man. For that Right Honourable Gentleman had
d slimed to state that about which, indeed, the House
had not heard one word from any supporter of this
measure, namely upon what grounds it was thought'
-necessary to agriculture, to fix the import price at
80s. The House had heard much with regard to the
necessity of protecting the landed interest and pro-
moting the prosperity of agile, lture, but nothing had
yet been stated to show the necessity of fixing the
pike mentioned in the Bill. It was not sullicient,
for the satisfaction of the House or of the popular
feeling, to deal in vague terms upon this important
ct. It ought to be distinctly explained n by the
import price of 80s. was required for the benefit of
the landed interest. and some snch explanation was
naturally to be looked for from the Hight Hon. Gen-
tlemen, who bud not, however, said one word about
It; hut the Right 11611. Gentleman, instead of ex-
planation, and contrary to his usual practice, had,
ail this occasion, made up in vehemence for the want
of argument, and after some trifliiig criticism upon
the statement of 811 Honourable Alderman, had
thought proper to assert, that the object of the
measure before the House was to reduce the price of
bread. This assertion would not, however, serve to
allay the popular complaints ; for the same expe-
dient was tried in vain upon the gaping multitude at
Maidstone, by Lord Darnley. But the subterfuge
was too course to have any effect. It was, indeed,
obviously absurd, for if the purpose and tendency
of this measure were not to raise the price of corn,
how could it be said to held out the pcospect of re-
muneration to the farmer ?—(hear, hear!]—Why,
he would ask, should Gentlemen persevere iu sup-
Polling such a measure if it promised no benefit to
tile farmer, while it was so alarming to the manu-
facturer, while it excited such loud and general eta.
Lear through the country ?.---The evidence would not

that they had recently signed Petitions in great nuns.-
bers against the renewal of the doctrine of transub-
stantiation, and the establishment of the Pope in
DlF,ristol ! As to the popularity n hich migi,t be ob-
!Aiwa, in the one way or the other, those who made
popularity their object, would meet a fate similar to
that of the boy who ran to discover the ends of the
rainbow, and who experienced a ducking for his
pains, while the gaudy visions vanished from his sight.
He should have n bad opinion of the House of Com;
mons, if he thought that on a subject like this they
could be swayed by any wish to court popularity.
But he would nevertheless advise them to remain
where they were. If they did not do so they would
speedily be called on to legislate on a subject of still
more ditEcult handling. If they adopted the .pro-
posed measure, the consequence shot ttl be that in
eight months corn should be at a very high price,
would not the manufacturer have a right to come in
his turn and require redress? Arid yet to grant a re-
dress adequate to the necessity %%Dolt; in that case he
impossible. The fact was that Fartlam,iit seemed to
him to be emulating the philosopher in Rasselas, who
fancied that the sun, the wind, and the rain were all
under his contronl, and that at his pleasure he could
raise a tempest or produce a calm. As for a tempo.
rary measure, that seemed to him to be the worst
phin of all. He concurred heartily in the amendment
proposed by his Hono”table Friend.
Mr. ROBINSON explained. It was true he had
said that in his opinion the effect of the Bill would
be to lower the price of corn, not to raise it;- and
consequently to diminish the rests ; but the Yenta to •
which he had alluded were those rests which had
been raised very high, in consequence of the land-
owners speenlatillff elk a very high price of grain.
Mr. W. LLIO explained.
Mr. BC ras,4oN was afraid he must he counted,
among the number of those who were said to be di-
vested
of common sense. The effect of the measure
was not a permanent rise in the price of corn ; it
might be to make it fluctuate between 70 and 80.5.
Looking ht the changes of late years, when the price
had been at 555. and at 1255. could a price from 70
to 80v. be considered too high ? It was thft Abject
to raise the price ri corn, but net to make it per.
mauently dearer. It was to 'give the consumer a
lower price on a given number of years. If they
could only preveat the recurreutte of suck a chase

insured by the approbation of his fellow citizens, and
of this he was prowl and happy; but he had a still
higher reward, the consciousness of duty, and the
satisfaction of his own mind.—[Applause.]—lie had
no hesitation in saying, that during the agitation of a
subject vitally affecting the nation at large, but more
immediately the interests of the trading classes, and
of the city of London in particular, the Magistrate
who in his office should be found slumbering at hit
post, would betray the trust reposed in him by Ili
fellow-citizens.—[Load applause.] —lie had no.
only to conjure them to hear with patience what migl.
be urged on either side of the Resolutions which
would lie submitted, and by firmness mixed with tem-
perance, and moderation with decision, he entertained
little doubt that their efforts would be finally sec.
cessful.
Mr. [Awls moved the Resolutions, and ohcerved,
that the object of the measure now before Parliament
for restricting the future importation of corn, was
one intimately connected with the prosperity of our
commerce, and that threatened the most alarming
consequences to the manufacturing interests of the
empire. The manner in which it had been attempted
to precipitate the progress of the Bill was such as
must at once excite the disgust and apprehensions of
the people.
• The Resolutions having been seconded, were then
read by the Loan M'AVOR, and appeered to be uni-
versally assented to.
Mr. BENTLEY came forward, and wished to show
the Meeting, that Government might,_by adopting
proper measures of retrenchment, render the Corn
Hill as unnecessary for the interests of landed pro-
prietors, as. it was justly obnoxious to the trading
classe,s. He wished to show that it was in the power
of Government to give food to the poor, rind cotes."
merce to the merchant, by applying the surplus of
the Consolidated Fund, and the produce of the Land
and Malt Taxes, with a certain portion of the Sink-
ing Funds, wisely and economically to the neces-
sities of the State. (Here a general interruption '
took place, and loud cries of Question followed, in
consequence of which the Speaker, after some uth
availing-efforts; retired.]
Mr WAITEIMAN came forward-and stated, that in
order that the Meeting might not be tanen by sur-
prise, but might have time to digest the Petition
before they areal to it, he had theveradasioo Of the

Lord Mayor to read it to them, in this early stage of
bosineas. The question now under consideration was
one in which the public in general, and the poorer
classes of society in particular, were highly interested.
They had this reason to be thankful, however, that
they were not in this instance left to fight their own
battle., but had the Chief Magistrate and the Mer-
chants, Hankers, &c. of the City of London, trit,i, he
believed, he might add the Magistracy of the country
at large, standing forward in their cause. He could
not Ferber expressing his surprise, however, to ob-
serve the indecency with which Gentlemen were• en.
deatou sod seemed determined to burly the pro,.
wooed larithrough Parliament, thus doing all that in
them lay to cut the people oil (root those constivt.
tional approaches to the Legislature which they had
at all times a right to resort to. It was DO the landet
Gentleman of whom we had at present so _much to
complain, but the speculator in land, who wa,. now
unwilling to run the risk of his ono sreculatiotts,
which being successful fora time) he was now 'instil.
ling to part with. He begged it to ho observeti, tint
it was not the price of the quartern loaf alone which
would be raid by the proposed measoae. hut the
prices of bacon, batter, cheese, tk,:. must all ex-
perience a proportionate rise; while on the other
hand, our ounufactures were more depreciatod now
than daring the war. He concluded by reading the
Petition, which was received with bursts of applause.
Mr. FEAftort contended, that the persons who had
given evidence before the Committee as to the coin

Mr. BENNETT avowed his opinion that the pro-
trade, were all judges in their own cause.
eeeding was indecent on account of the lateness of Mr. ROWUROFT thought that some protection wag
the hour. As he had formerly moved amendments,
necessary to our own growers of corn,edifficulty ; for what, would
be
it was likely he should do so again, especially as the the proper average was the great
army must now be, in a degree, new modelled. his own part, he believed it might be about 755.
Lord PALMERSTON thought the lion. Gentle- Sir W. CURTIS came forward amid loud applause.
man had known that this Bill was to come on. Ile declared it to be his firm conviction, that any
. Lord MILTON hoped the Noble Lord would not alteration in the Corn Laws was unnecessary ; but it
persist that night. was his maxim, when he cou)d not do all that he
Mr. MANNERS SUTTON said, the Chairman wished, to do all that he could. On this' point he
took his place on the regular Orders of the bay. The had made his stand, and should contioue to exerthimself to the utmost of his ability..
Bill was n
only to last till June, when it was to be
adapted to circumstances. He had himself suggested Sir JAMES SHAW was convinced that the mea-
some alterations to his Hon. Friend (Mr. Bennett),
I sure before the House of Commons was of a most in-
who he hoped would be convinced there was no idea .4urious nature, and he should feel happy in present-
of smuggling the Bill through the House.
4 q.L
ppositien to anyit. petitions, or forwarding anyiteps taken in
Lord PROBY said, he had a clause to move,
Mr. Alderman krauts expressed himself' to the
testing Officers from dismissal without trial.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had 'same effect, and insisted en the short.sightedness of
no objection to report progress, and sit again.
, the landowners, who,-ie their eagern:ss to grasp
Sir S. ROM ILLY trod clauses to propose.
advantages at the expense of the community, forgot
Mr. BENNETT said, the Bill was introduced at
that the interests of the cernmercial, the manufactur-
.
three one morning, read a secood time at two hi the ing, and sgriculturai branches, must be ultimately
,
morning, and now committed at past one. the same.
,
After further conversation, it was agreed to report, Mr. Alderman C. Sierra supported the Petition.
progress, and sit again on Monday.—Adjourned. ! Mr. A:deiman HEYGATE said, that had he not
been precluded, by absereee from town, from attend-
ing the' debates on this-most important subject, in
the Corporation of wi he was a Member, he
Moult not !girl olleridlpself on this occasion, al-
though he belonged tonne lief the profession pa rticu.
tails specified in the 'natio by which were as-
sembled : but as so 111111 y tif the Magistrates had de-
dared their ,entiments, he foond it impossible not to
declare his own. lie did not think the ;slice of 80s.
called for by the evidence: some of the most respect.
able witnesses stated a smaller sum, and this before
the Property Tax (which wait 3s. litd. per acre upon
the rack rent of alt the land in England) was taken
off, before the other expellees, such as labour, Poor
Hates, &c. had fallen. He wished most ansiously,
that some plan might be adopted which would recon-
cile the protection of agriculture with the comfort of
the majority of the people. He concluded by re*
commending the greatest moderation and temper to
the people in their Petitions; any other conduct
would ruin their cause.
M r..HAaTET went over the same grounds as Mr.
Waithman.
The Petition was then agreed to unanimously, and
with acclamations.
The Resolutions passed in the same manner.
Mr. WAITUMAN then moved the Thanks of the
Assembly to the City Representatives, to the Lord
Mayor, and to Mr. Baring. The motions were car.
vied unanimously, and the Meeting.dispersed.
The Petitions ley for signatures in Hall, and a vast
number of Merchants remained to affix their names to
it. The Meeting was exceedingly crowded, and of the
first* respectability.
In the course of two hours, above TEN THOUSAND
signatures were put to the Petition against the Corn
Bill, and double the number would have been ob.

OK M. LAHRTOH'S AIIINDMIENT THAT TRH RORK MILS
SHOULD HE READ A SECOND TIME THAT DAT 31* MOZITHS.
Atherley. A. Horner, F. Phillips, G.
Atkins, Alderman HammerOen, H. Rbmshottorn ~.....
Ahereriapbie, H. J. Horne, W. Hominy,. Sir S.
Allan, Col. finrvey, W. Robinson, A.
Baiclay, Charles Harcourt, J. Smith,. Ald.
Barung, Al..s Lamiitnn, J. Smith, W.
Butterworth, Jos. Liinburk, J. W. Smith; J. '
Buller, J. Lefevic, I:. Shaw Smith, Robert
fiiibii,gton, T. Marrynt, J. Simeon. --.
Collaad, --,--. hdadoeks, W.A. Lay, §ir J. '
er Calvt, C. Murray, Sir J. • Isaw, B.
Curtis, Sir Wzo. Morbiod, .1. B. Hit A.
Davis; H. Moore, Peter f gilds. T.
Ditd.ieswell, J. Onslow. Serjeant Tityli IP. V. A.
Fa wce w , H. pecon, Sir A. Tieriwyt Ht. Ha.G.
Forbes, 111b.v.. Pr i• Is .•roe. H. Whitbread. S.
Finlay, F. Palmer, Owl. W.
Gascovor, (len. Portman, E. B. 'Mal' , ---iie
Trtaaits—Lord A. llsinsiiron-Col. Gore Langtou. '

r•-fter'
UTFZIISIV Ori7i _eat _nsThparte s ti. pet
quarter of the price .go'th the Brittth ship.owner,
factor, and labourer.e4tVii,;:vcastle especially, a
very , great portion of the laboutili4 dabs of the
people &pentl chiefly upon importations of foreign
corn for their employment. The Bill •will at once
-diminish the media, and enhance the price of their
s istence.
Lord GEpaos GATEttrosu Nag taken Burlington.
House, in Panadilly, the residence of the late Duke
of Portvc.6to, and is about to put it in thorough re.
pair for his reception.
The Property Taa sinks into oblivion qn the same
day that the Lottery begins drawing; when soma
who have been aceastotned to pay,.may, to a cer-
tainty, receive Two of the Five Thousand guinea
Pliaes, which must be drawn on that day, and will
be paid in Gold within an hour alter they are pro-
claimed ; betides the more attractive Three Thirty
Thousan Popnd Prises, which may all be drawn on
the same day, viz. the sth et nut mouth.

his I seined, ba 'ere been utrteient roo.. • d • .
his ~
me d •
• Allr'Ailirallir / /
)0, 0 ,
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lit
I in II •• m • • le
L 1 QT OF THE MINORITY