The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-01-24 00:00:00

THE STATI

11).*ch• —lt only shows that it does not know what la
coming. He, like CANNING, talked of the Wiggles of
the press, as being a balance *phut the influence of the
Aristocracy, the Church sod the Crown! Pretty balance,
indeed ; when it is notorious that nineteen twentieths
of the base thing sailed the preu is either in the direct
and absolute pay, or completely under the influence of
thchlinistry, the Aristocracy, the Magistracy, and the
Church. However, this has become the fashionable cry.,
VANIIITTIST said it. last writer; CIINNINg said it at.
Liverpool; and this inspedent WORTLIT now says it IN
Yorkshire. We have no time for any more at p t.
A Yorkshire meeting is a good thing; but no teats are
otter.

IRE COUNTY MEETING.

We noticed in ear paper of yesterday the result of
ithie, meeting. We also gave a report of the proceed-
:lB.4i sod we sew proceed to offer some observations
spa those proceedings. The Petition, moved by Mr.
HAMMING was every way unworthy of the county. It
prayed feebly for a reduction of civil and military esra-
islishosents; but harped, principally upon the poor laws
'and other parochial and County rates. Is short,4b~ier
yatition was perfectly coetemptible. !fr. Waraixe
mak the wan very stupid obeervations. He observed
lbai lIOIJM remember' when the taxes were fiction
millions a year, and now they were sixty. Yet lie pro-
posed no remedy at all adequate to such an evil. When,
therefore, the assembled county tame to bear tbe pea-
dos of Mr. HUNT, which asserted that all the calami-
ties had arisen from excessive taxation ; that that is:a-
lien had arisen solely from a want of a fair sod equal
representation of the people is the Commons House of
Parliament ; when they came to bear this Petition which

prayed fora great redaction of the standing army, in-
chafing staff, barracks and colleges; which prayed for
a total abolition of sinecures and useless places, and of
all pensions, grants and emoluments not merited by well
knows public services; n hich prayed for a great re-
daction of all the Salaries of the Royal Family, sod
especially of the German Prince of Saxe Coboorg,
which the petition prayed to be reduced at least to aix;
thousand a year, the sum paid to the President of the,
United States of America; which prayed for a retitle-
Lion of the salaries of all the Offices of State, of the
Judges, and of every other person paid eat of the taxes;
which prayed for an immediate repeal of the tax on
Salt, malt, hops, leather, soap, candles, Fsrmsra' riding
horses, and tradesmen's draught horses; whi ch preyed
for a repeal of the odious sod tyrannical game laws,
sod for a law to be passed to authorise the farmer and
his friends to kill game on the land which he occupies;
which prayed for a law to exclede all Clergymen from
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.olding Commissions of the peace, and from acting as
Commissioners of Taxes, sewers and turnpikes ; which
prayed for a law to repeal the lately past general Turn-
pike Act, which autborixes the Commissioners to levy a
heavier toll on a poor MOO'S earl than on a gentleman's
carriage; which prayed for a Reform in the House of
Commons, in order that such reformed Parliament might
adopt such measures with regard to the Church and
State as would insure the freedom and haprinen of the
People, the stability of the throne, and the prosperity
of the Country:—a hen tit* assembled Comely mu to
.hear this petition read, it was no wonder that Mr. llart•
stixo's poor feeble nonsense was cast aside. As we ob-
d in our paper of yesterday, Mr. HUNT withdrew
his prayer for Reform of Parliament, upon an express
promise made by the Sheriff that he would buld a Meet-
ing for that purpose on Tuesday next. Before we go I
any further, we most remark on the conduct of this She-
riff; whose name appears to be STUCKEY, and who is, wo
suppose, of the concern of & Co. Bankers at
Bristol, and also Bankers at Taunton. Mr. HUNT.E
pe-
tition having been adopted almost unanimously, ho
moved, that the Sheriff should sign the Petitio-4 on be•
half of the county. This was perfectly regular. This
was agreeable to the invariable custom. This was what
the Sheriff did at Norwich the other day ;—but
this was what this Banker STUCKEY refused to do. lie
appears to have said, that it bad been decided, that an
officer signing a petition made it his own. Now, if he
did say this, he mid that which is notoriously false; fur
precisely the contrary has been decided by the Podia.
went, which has frequently decided that a petition signed
by a Sheriff er other person, without statiay that he does
it on behalf of the fleeting, is the petition of that Sheriff
or other person only; but that, if he sign on behalf of
the meeting. it is the petition of the Meeting. After the
Sheriff had refused to sign Mr. HUNT moved a vote of
censure on the Sheriff. The report says that after this
Mr. HaYWARD moved a vote of thanks to Mr. HUNT.
and that then the Sheriff dissolved the meeting. " Thus"
says the Morning C/u•onicle, " the petition, though
agreed to almost unanimously at one of the largest
meetings ever held in Someraetshire, remains without
the signature of any public officer." Stich are the means
that are made use of to stifle the voice and defeat the
wishes of the people. The Sheriff ought to be brought
to the Bar of the House of Commons, to answer for his
conduct. If the voice of a county meeting can be stifled
in this fort of way; then, indeed, is a county meeting a
farce. The meeting appears to have been perfectly
orderly ; the discussion appears to here been carried on
without any sort of clamour. All the parties had a hear.
ing. Nobody was interrupted from first to last. The
ail! of the county was expressed most decidedly and
clearly ; and yet the Sheriff refused to perform that par
of his office, which was necessary to send the document
regularly authenticated to the BouseXpon the speeches
it willbe unnecessary to say much; but we cannot omit to
notice some few parts of them. Mr. Hour said, that he
should wish to see a Reformed Douse of Commons, bring
the Church property and the Crown Lands to the ham_
mer, to assist in the liquidation of the Debt. It must be
supposed that a report taken under such circumstances,
cannot be full as to all particulars; and there mast have
been here some qualification as to the Church property.
In substance, however, this was right ; and whatever
the country gentlemen may think of the matter; whatever
the aristocracy and the Church may dream of, never will.
they be permitted to deduct a shilling from the interest
of the debt, until all the things prayed for in Mr. HUNT',
petition, Reform and all, be granted. The cause of the
Fundholdere, is, in this respect, the cause of the people

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,M k i‘i

lot large. This is the sure guarantee fur a Reform of
r he Parliament. Let tbe Sheriffs refuse to sign ; let the
Parliament rejects petitions; and let the Laualords lose
, the last inch of their land: For years and years have
i we said, the debt, the blessed debt, the faithful debt if
the true and unshaken friend of the people. With a
r Mores it may receive a mitigation; without a Reform
it never can; and, therefore, we laugh at Mr. &McKim
~ and his refusal to sign the petition of Soreersetsblre.—
rNothing can be•truer than that which was said by the
1 proposer of this petition; namely, that there must be a
retalettimer that is Nosey, a great change; and that with
0 Reforseinieh revelation would certainly be bloodless.
hut that, vitOtout a Reform, there is great danger of the
contrary., *riot; the speech of Mr. HUM?, he stated
that Mr. Memnon was lessee of a Light House, at ten
' pounds e year, under a great Poen the Crowe:
aad that a Gentleman had lately told him,
that be would be glad to take it at three
Amend pounds a year 1 The High Sheriff called
Mr. Hoer to order; bat Mr. lkortnson wished him t.)
be suffered to proceed. When Mr. Dicatnaos came to
ea. he said, "that the Light House duties bad been •,
" purchased for a mailable consideration by kis grandfa-
r " ter, from R person of the name of Crips! It descend-
" dill to him in the estate of all otbar private property ;
"mid as as Englishman, he would defend that property
14/ain't attack and Ineasioc of every kind.' Here,
; is a pretty story! Were is a county member, re-
crime, VW:Hume has bees correctly informed, three
thousand plaids a year from ships coming into our her-
' boar, and paying to the public ten pounds a year,
for such receipt! Mr. Dicaineotv, from the report of
whose speech we have made a quotatioa of all that heap.
pears to have slid upon the subject, tacitly sallow
ledges the facts to be correct. No wonder, therefore,
that be abuses the Norfolk petition, which prays for a
Imileof erown estates, amongst which crown estates, this
tight House will be found. Mr. Dtcateson said that
the property of the church stood on the same footing as
other property ; that is to say, other property like that
of his Light House! Mr. DICKINSON knows very well
that his Light House never can remain on its present
footing, if a reform of the Parliament were to take place.
This same gentleman will vote for the repeal of no tax,
. if it tend to injure public credit be says. At the bottom
of all this is the Light House. He dislikes the Norfolk
petition; calls it dishonest, though it only suggests
that an equitable adjustment may take place
After a reform of the Parliament. This dues
not look, much like, dishonesty. But the Norfolk
petition raved for that which would to a eer.
%alloy rummage up the history of his Light
Htiuse. This Mr. Drattneest is what they call an Op-
Miklos Member. A circumstance remarked apon in
the following manner.during the speech of Mr. lifoott—
',' It was not, Indeed, likely that Sir Thomas Letkbri,lge
" should call for an alteration of those abuses, because he
"always voted at the Ministerial side; but he would ask
"In God's name, how did it happen that Mr. Dickinson
"bad not noticed them? To be sure, it was not true that
" Mo. Dickinson bed a sty bit for himself —(A lantrh).—He
"wee 1104 a wolf le sheep's clothing—he, though sitting at
" the 0; position side, never voted for Ministers—be was
" not, perhaps, to be found in the enemy's camp. He (Mr.
" Hunt) recollected the story of • reeelioldee, who asked
"of Mr. Dickinson to provide a small situation for his
" son ? Mr. Dickinson said, I cannot ask any tavola( from
",1111nIfters—if I ask a favour from them, they will expect
" • form- from me. No*, that was a very proper answer;
" but Mr. Dlekinson'might have given a still better answer,
" litilmaad said, " ally Itaod friend, I have got se stockier
masetf. that I am attuuned to ask any thing for you."—(A
laugh).
The tone of Sir TROIKAS LaTHBRIDGE was extreme-
ly low. lie said that he saw nothing so striking in Mr.
HeaT's petition as to induce him strongly to object to
it, except the question of Reform which be wished to
be pat off to another day. He differed somewhat from
Mr. DICKINSON as to the property of the Church ; but
Le did not clearly see his way with regard to a remedy.
He said he should oppose the government if the Govern-
ment (lid not exert itself to relieve the land. Sir Tnouss
said very little, and he, as well as his colleague ap-
peared to be completely humbled. There was a clear
difference, however, in the tone of the two; but Sir
Thomas did not feel the effects of the Light House;
and, therefore, he appeared not to have so much ob.
jection to the principles of the Norfolk petition. Thus,
as we have long said, those Landlords who are tax
receivers as well as Landlords, are and will be, enemies
If all real Reform and remedy; and their number and
iindnence is so.•great, that we think it likely that the
illing will be pushed clit, till all those, who are not tax
receivers shall have lost their estates.—lt is retuarkaLl
that,' man, who is called " GENERAL DATIIURST." stood
up at this Meeting ; he called Mr. Hunt's propositions
moderate. Yes, and we say they were moderate ; that is
to say, they contain nothing more than a prayer for that
is hich justice and necessity demand ; though they would
probably leave the General little besides his rank, upon
which he nitglit grow as fat as he pleased. Moderate'
however, as the propositions dere, he declared his inten •
Lion of voting against them, though, as be observed,
they did not appear to have come from a disciple of foe
PAINE. DOW civil these gentlemen are becoming
What a change in their manners? How candid, how
liberal, how affable, nay, how humble they are becoming.
Gist of evil conies good. An empty picket tends to
make men modest. Amongst all the circumstances at-
tending this Meeting, noise is of more importance than
the epplanse with which was received what was said by
Mr. HUNT relative to the Clergy and the Church pro-
perty. Those gentlemen have had an unbounded sway
for the last thirty years and more. They have had •
large part of the civil anti political power of the Country
in their hands; and they have used it in a manner that
we need not describe. As long as that power Lore
solely upon the laborious classes, the Landlord,
' liked it well enough ; and to oppose it, or even
to wksh it injtigated, was deputed sedition and
blasphemy ; but things have taken a turn at last,
In order to obtain rents, something must give
way, and the awl.] would not he the world that
we have always lived in, if the Church escaped
wholly untouched:—To do the gentlemen juts
rice, they appear to;be fully aware of their danger; and
a' iO. their opponeßts justice, no complaint can be made
against them of an endeavour to keep the danger a se.
cret. Thus we close our remarks on the thi rd County
alerting that has taken place. Let it be recollected, that
it is not now bands of abused Radicals that are meet.
ing. Let it be recollected that the Meetings are now
principally composed of those very person., to protect
whom. against the Radicals, or, rather under pretence of
protecting whom against the Radicals, all the new and

terrible laws were passed. Thus is itemise precisely hp *list
is Ibls, Mr. COMIETT told Mr. VANSITTAItt it wool
MOM to ; namely, the yeomanry themselves, crying out
to be delivered from the rystem,' to support which they
had so long been deluded by the worst enemies of the
country. What will he done as to the presenting of this
petition to the Parliainest we know not ; bet, at any
rate, the County of Somerset has eluded, and its (66-
slob is gone abroad.

TOCI EICIANOIt. HALII-PVIT I2.—A great panic pretai!s
in the above market this morning, owing to the nrrival of
expresses from Paris, stating very warlike preparations
going on In France, es well as a fall in the French Funds.
They were done in Paris under SO, but left off at SI ; Spa_
nish 41. Inconsequence of this intelligence, Consols which
opened at 77, was done at 763 , and are now 76i to 77. Sls-
push Bends opened at 44¢i, but recovered again to 13.
people who were decidedly of opinion that no war woulet
take place, begin no* to view the measures of France rs
decisive of hostilities. The great monied men iu the city who
have been speculating for peace, and carried over their sr.
counts with a high interest, begin to *hake in their slioes, as
their losses mast have been already very greet.
Panama, FUNDS.—MI was bustle aad confusion in the
Foreign Market this morning.

Chili, 731—New Spanish, 4S—Old, 48 —Wry Prussic!,
—Old, 63—Rossia, 774—Danish. 664—Neapolitan, 74,
Script—Permian, 7b—Colombian, 131--Spaalbb Scrip,
211 i dill.

Paris papers to the 22d iostaat kite brow& airuo.l•
ante of rumours relative to • change of Maiden us
France, and other accounts gi►e notice of extensive
warlike preparations. A letter written yesterday at
Calais, which arrived with she French papers, :taus
that the troops At St. Onser's and some of at Calais
had received orders to march to the South.

Frets Frankfort papers, which have arrived Ai.
mornings to the 13th inst., and Aastrien Warmers ,
the lltb, we learn, that the Turkish forces have resit
into Winter quarters, and the Weeks are fortifying
Mussolonghi. Lord Strangford was, on the 17th
daily expected at Constantinople.

Yesterday, at two o'clock, a Cabinet Council was held
at the Foreign Office, Downing Street, which was at-
tended by the. Earl of Harrowby, the Berl of Wmitmor-
land, the Earl of Liverpool, the Chancellor of tae
Exchequer, Lord Maryberougb, Viscount Sidwouth,
Earl Bathurst, Mr. Peel, Mr. Secretary Cannine,
Mr. Robinson, &c. The Council sat in deliberation
about an hoar and a half. The Members of the Cabilgti
were summoned on Wednesday night.
In addition to the Ministerial changes we mentioned
yesterday, we have to state, that Mr. Hasidism) is to
succeed Mr. Robinson as President of the Board of
Trade, and is to be succeeded by the Right Hon. .
Arbuthnot, in the Office of Woods and Forests. 4r.
Lashio/Eton takes Mr.. Arbatbnot's situation at lii.
Treasury, and Mr Herrin is to be appointed to the Se-
cretaryship which Mr. Lushingtos held.
Oa Wednesday the Reel of Liverpool, as Premier,
gave the first Cabinet dinner for the season, at Liver-
pool house. Whitehall. The Earl of Harrowhy came
to town is the even*, for the purpose of being present
at it.

Bras.-----On Wednesday evening, in Grosvenor
Place, the Countess of Uxbridge was safely delivered
of a daughter.
Prince loopold landed at Dover on Tuesday, and pro-
ceeded immediately for Claremont, his salt is riurrry,
where his Royal Highness arrived at one o'clock yester-
day morning.
A Deputation from the Committee of Common Council
for promoting Parliamentary Reform, waited yesterday
upon the LORD MATOII with a Requi.dtion for a Court,
to consider of a Petition to Parliament, when hit Ltd-
ship was pleased to grant a special Court for Wedue:day
next.

CORN EXCHANGE, JAN. 24.—The frost prevents all
fresh supplies of corn, and no business has been dune,
except in a few small purchases from the granaries, at
prices as per last.
SMITHFIELD MARKET, JAN.24.—The market was, in
consequence of the weather, not plentifully stippli-41,
and the trade very dull. Prices the same as last mark, t
day.
The Thermometer this morning, at eight o'clock,
was 24 deg. ; and at one, afternoon, 2 deg.
COURT or Ktsm's BENCH.—Yesterday was the first
day of Hilary Term. In the case of Sir in. Hort v.
Lord Newry, the Court granted a rule to chew cause
why the verdict for the plaintiff should not be set aside.
and a new trial had. In the cases of l3ranecomh r,
Bridges, Wayte v. Lady Carr and the King v. Puynder
a ru'a fur a new trial, which was severally moved fur'
was refused.