Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-23
PUBLIC DISTRESS.

On Wednesday, Sept %, Il numerous
meeting of the Inhabitants of Nottingham
was held i'll the Town Hail, C.. l.. Morley,
esq in the chair after the mavor had
stated the object OF the meeting, MIR. Gill.
in speech, frequently interrupted by APP
plause, moved the resolutions, which be-
ing seconded by mir. Thomas Wylde.
were read by the town clerk and carried
unanimously.
the number of people having by this
time veryl much increased, so that ii was
calculated there were more out OF the hall
than in II, * after considerable DELAY and
interruption of the proceedings by the cry
of adjournment, the chairman adjourned
the meeting To the hall steps, aad the as
semblage, computed at upwards of 5000,
stood below. The resolutions having d
gam been read over, and agreed to with
out one dissenting voice
Mr.. Thomas Bailey addressed the meet
ing as follows :-1l,. Chairman, now beg
10 move that the document held I'm INV
hand, and which is founded on the reso-
lutions just passed, be adopted as the
act of this meeting but before submit
ting ii TO the consideration of this hume
rous assembly, it may, perhaps, be neces-
sary 10 explain the course which the com
nittee have, on this occasion, thought it
advisable To adopt. Ouro6jcct then, sir,
has been, not merely as subjects, 10 PEE
luton the prince regent TO summon par
lament, but dis men, who feel we are ag-
grieved, frankly To address him OH the
state OF the nation, and III firm but res
pectiu language, to demonstrate against
that system OF policy which las brought
our country to the verge of irremediable
ruin. Such, gentlemen, has been our OBJ
Ject; and 1t remains with you to sanction
orcOndeEin our proceeding. In neither case
we shall be well satisfied, considering our
selves for the time, the servants ofthe pub
lie. In acting, sir, upon the plan we have
lald down, we have beennecessitated TO eX-
tend our document to greater length, and
induced to assume tirmer tone than Or
binary circumstances either require or
iCa,7nn. But, believe, sir, that YOU and
our iellow-townsmen in general, wilagree
with us Ill opinion, that this is not the pc
Rod for political regeneration that to
effect any substantial good, the throne
must be addressed III the language of
truth-tilat we must cause the CRY of our
poor 10 echo through the walls Of our pa
iaceS, and make the voluptuous pavillions
of princes TO yibratc with the renons tran
ceS OF an indignant and suffering people
For what reason, gentlemen, have we to
suppose that our complaints will receive
any attention. COR, Ill fact, what regard are
they entitled toy unless we state them with
honesty and enforce them with iirmness.
No man can examine the present state
of British society without being conyin-
ced OF the necessity that exists for such a
proceeding. See our PEERS wallowing
in pensions, and our POOR pining on
alms-the ministry all confidence, and the
country all deSpair-a Superb military and a
ragged popuiatioa-th court full OF feaStiRg
and the cottage full of ioaiing, and say
what can be expected in sucha state of
things, from sOphistry or assimilation 3
surely nothing but disregard, contempt
or insult. To speak with honied lips
when the heart is full OF bitterness-to
merely supplicate when their duty calls
upon them TO demonstrate, may agree
with the timid policy of slaves, but is de-
rogatory to the dignity of Englishmen,
and opposed to the uniform practice of
our illustrious forefathers. But, sir,
shall refrain from any longer trespassing
on the time of the meeting, and conclude
by requesting yeur permission to submit
the document TO the consideration OF nv
fellow tOwnSmen.
TO HIS ROYAL RICHNESS
GEORGE, PRINCE OF WALES,
Regent of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Address, Re
mOnstrance, and Petition, of the Inha-
bitants of the Town and County Of Not
tinglam.
We, your royal highness's dutiful and
royal subjects, impressed with the deep
est concern, for the distracted and miser-
able state into which we see ourselves, i'll
common with our fellow countrymen,
your ministers, venture, at this awful cr-
sis OF our affairs to claim the privilege
guaranteed to las by the constitution, of
laying our grievances at the foot of the
throne.
But, sire, We feel ourselves moi only
called upon to- petition your royal high
ness, but forclbly To remonstrate against
the corruption, prohigacy, aud dlssipa-
ton, which so strongly characterize the
confidential servants ofthe crown, i'll their
administration of these kingdoms.
Entertaining, therefore, as we do, the
highest veneratlOn for the monarchy, it is
painful for Hs, on this occasion, to depart
from those rules, which IN ordinary cir
cunstances we should feel binding upon
Us. But considering, that at this time,
To withhold the truth from your ROYAL
highnesS, would subj ct It's TO the sever
est reprOaches OfOur contemporaries, aud
thejust Indignation of pOstcrity, we can
not conform ourselves to any other rules
than thoseimposcdby outlaws, our rights,
aud the duty we owe our country; and
We consider ourselves the more neccssifa-
ted frankly to makeknoNn our sentiments
and situation, because of the gross delu-
sion which VIC saw attempted by your
ROYAL hi0hnpss's ministers noon ynrv