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QEVEKAZi OOWKXTTBE * TO * SVTKBUniXBtSa TBX RATIONAL PBTITIOW . " THURSDAY , Mat 20 . Mr . Skevingtoalntheehair . The Hall w unMniDj crowded with strangers . 8 everal of the minutes having been read and confirmed : — ¦ Hr . BidleyasfcadMr . Wall if be , as member til the London Committee , bad promised to take caw of the petition ? .. ,. Mr . Wall—I never bad any eoaversatiott « pon the abject _ , , Mr . CaHea received two letters from Glasgow . Aj they were rather complimentary to himself , ha declined *" c " n "" ^ 3 «¦**¦ * ¦¦¦• _ ** * - -- *** * i . I reeeiTed kttei from Shrewsbury
* _ . I > r M'DouaU a , announcing that the petition contained l , l «« signatures , aad that Chartism was progressing rapidly there . Another letter & » n Macdesfield stated that the petition from that town , had 1 , 618 signatures . He then read s letter from the Executive of Salford , signed John Campbetl . This letter stated that it appeared injudicious for the Conrentian to sit longer , aad-regretted that a more constant correspondence bad not been kept up between the Convention amd the Executive ' , which would prevent mistakes . —It also stated thai the Executive scarcely knew what adTioe to give , aa one member wroU that it would be well for the Convention to continue its sittings ; and another wrote that it would be to no good to do so . Dr . MDooall moved that the secretary be directed to reply to that letter . The motion was seconded by Mr . Smart , and carried .
Mr . Jlartln was sorry that indiTiduals bad written , wtDe no official correspondence was kept up between the Executive and the Convention . ( Hear , bear . ) It was the country , however , that was to decide what coarse they should pursue . As a member authorised to advocate the Charter , and as one pledged to twenty-fire imprisoned Chartists , to struggle for their liberation , he would remain in London until the petition be presented , aod nntil he redeemed his pledge . Dr . M'Douall never communicated with the Executive The letters from it merely happened to ba directed to him . He always carefully abstained from writing as a private individual upon the affairs of the body . Dr . M'Douall mored , and Mr . Rose seconded , that ¦ the letter , which a resolution or the Committee directed to be written to the ExecaUve , relative to all correspondence between it and the members of the Convention , should be forwarded to the Executive .
Dr . M'Douall then read a draft of the letter to the Executive , in answer to the one received . The letter stated the Committee had considered it their duty to continue their sittings until the business for which they were sent was concluded , and that they threw themaelves upon the country at large for support . The letter having been approved of , was , on the action of Dr . H'Douall , seconded by Mr . Smart , unanimously adopted , and accordingly forwarded . Dr . M'Douall reported that , in compliance with a reaolntioa of the previous evening , he and Mr . Morgan waited upon Sir John Guest , who asked them if they
were a deputation from Merthyr . They replied in the negative , stating that they were members of the Convention , fie said that they should have brought Mr . Morgan Williams with them , and asked if he was afraid to come . He behaved very courteous , and said that be would most respectfully present at the throne any memorials from Merthyr , as it was his duty to do so . He was then asked if he would present Mr . - Morgan Williams to her Majesty , to afford him an opportunity of submitting to her Majesty the memorials confided to bis care for that purpose . Be wished Mr . Morgan Williams to call upon him , and expressed a willingness to present him . ( Hear , hear . )
Dr . M'Douall further reported that he had waited ¦ upon several other Members of Parliament , the majority of whom were from home , or could not be seen . Sir . Wall had an interview with Mr . Leader , and asked that gentlemen to present him , or other members of the Convention to her Majesty . Mr . leader replied that be himself had not been presented since her Majesty came to the throne . Although he did not like it , he would , if required , go and present any person to her Majesty . Mr . Martin said that Mr . Leader stated that the usual way in such cases was for the members to place the individual's name to be presented on a card , and to leave it before presentation . General Evans was applied to . He refused to present .
Mr . Boee was deputed , with Mr . Williams , to wait aponMr . Wakley , who was from home . They then waited upon Sir Benjamin Hall , and was surprised , after what Mr . Hall stated , to find that he would neither present an individual or the memorials , ¦ with the exception of one from his Baron gh . Mr . Cullen called upon Mr . Leader , but did not see him . He then waited upon Sir Win . Moles worth , and requested his support of the petition in favour of the imprisoned Chartists , and to present memorials for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Jones . He first zaii that he would deliberate whether be would present the Leeds petition or not . He then said that be could not support the petition , or present the memorials . He , howeTer , said that he was bound to present them if they came from Leeds . They then went to Lord John Russell ' s house ; they sent in their card . His Lordship sent for answer that he was busily engaged .
Dr . M'Pouall met with Mr . Walter at the " Old King ' s" mansion . He was to draw up a statement for Mr . Walter who would not only vote for , but would also , he was conndtnt , make a speech in favour of the National Petition . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Ridley moved that a Committee of three be appointed to draw up for Mr . Dnncombe , a statement of the number of prisoners , their names , tbe charges against them , their sentences , their condition , and the sufferings to which they were subjected . Mr . Cullen seconded the motion . The motios appointing the Committee to report upon the prisoners waa then passed , and Messrs . Callen , Martin , and M'Douall were elected members of the Committee . It was resolved that the Secretary write to the Marquis of Xormanby to know from his Lordship when he would be ready to receive a deputation from the Committee .
After tbe disposal of some routine business , the Com mittee adjourned .
FRIDAY , MAY 21 . j Mr . Morgan Williams in the chair . j Mr . Dancombe entered the Hall for the purpose of ; conferring with the Delegates upon tbe best mode of j securing a successful presentation of . the petition , to obtain fall information on the present state and number ef prisoners , to make arrang ements for getting the petition to the House , and to receive final instructions respecting its presentation and that of the Memorials . Mr . Dancombe having examined the number and the ¦ wording of the petitions , expressed himself pleased with both . He then read over the list of prisoners as prepared by the Committee , and after its perusal returned it to the Committee for revision . He then described the peculiar situation in which tbe delegates were placed in consequence of the approaching dissolution ,
which would certainly take place in a fortnight , and might occur immediately after the debate on Monday might If the petition could not be presented on next Tuesday , there would be but little chance of its being presented in this parliament . As it was , he was certain that every thing would be done to interfere with Its presentation . iHsar , hear . ) Sail he could not suppose that the House would insult ttie eountry by-refusing to allow of its presentation , when he was enabled to state that it contained 800 , 000 signatures . ( Hear , hear . ) The orders of the day might be moved , and such similar obstacles thrown in his way ; still he hoped that he would hi enabled not only to present it , but to obtain a discussion upon it . He could not speak * positively abont the memorials . He wished to know whether he should rim all hazards and present the petition at that late moment .
Messrs . Wall and Ridley recommended that it should be presented , and its presentation prepared by all means . Dr . M'Douall—The country w » uld be * sadly disappointed if the petition tras not presented . Mr . Cullen—By all means pres 3 the presentation of the petition . If they refuse to hear the petition of 750 , 000 , tie Government will be placed in an awkward position . iHear , hear . ) Dr . M'Douall and Mr . Skevington insisted upon the petition being presented . Mr . Duncombe—Well then , I am to bring on the motion if I can ? Dr . M'Donall—Take any course that will secure the presentation of the petition , iHear , bear . ) Mr . Cullen—You can present the petitien , and , in all probability , brine on the motion ,
Mr . Duncombe—If Icannot bring on both , 1 am , at all events , to bring before the House the petition . 1 cannot say how long the debate upon the sugar question will te carried ; but the moment it is over I will present the petition . ( Hear , hear , ) I rmut take care to make an House . I am aware that many applications will be made for me not to press the petition , but I shall be decided , and shall give the go-by to the orders of the day . ( Hear , hear ) I am anxious to understand the question so that there shall be no misunderstanding or mioepresentation . Dr . 21 'DonaB—How long will the Parliament continue ? Mr . Duucombe—It may last s fortnight or three weeks , and it may not continue four day * .
Mr . Morgan Williams—Present this petition , if it faili , we will inundate the Honse with petitions . Mr . Dancombe—Individual petitions are of uo as * . , Mt Sleriflgton—Thousands hare declared that ttef 1 wiD nerer sign another petition . j Mr . Wall—Will you receive the petition hi the l # bby of the House ? ' ! Mr . Duncombe—If yon please . I will take it there ] at four -o ' clock on Tuesday . J Mr . ' Wall complained of tbe door-keeper of tbe I HoBse ~ refnjhjjf to teke twenty-Sam- letters to Members j of Parliament . ; j Dr . M'Douall—We were thinking of a procession to < accorapaBy the pe&tkm to the House . ] Mr . Dnncombe—There would be no use in that Do 1 it as quietly as possible . Those with the headings ! shalj . be presented by themselves . Besides the National i PetiSan , fcs bad upward * of SP , 0 PO signature * to peO- ! ttons left with him .
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Mr . Wall ewapUinod of tbe aristocratic conduct of Mr . Wakley , wko eould not b « seen wiles * the applicant stated in writing what he wanted . Mr . Dunoombe attributed bis not being so easily sees to bis betag coroner , which left htm little or no spare Urn * . Dr . M'Dowll said that they would have the support of Mr . Walter . Mr , Duawmbe—No , bo , he will not support you after you disturbed his Poor Law meeting . ( A laugh . ) Mr . Martin—Mr . Ward will Tote for the release of prisoners , except Holberry , who was sentenced to four years at NortballertoB , Mr . Wall—He said at * meeting that he would not mind being Ward's executioner . Mr . Dancombe—We must endeavour to present , if possible , the petition and the memorials . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Wall—Any one who has been at Court could present another person .
Mr . Duncombe—Certainly . But that person most have been twice at Court Again , he should be at two levees , and those levees only take place every fortnight It also remained for the Ministers to erase the name after It appeared in the Lord Chamberlain ' s book . Mr . Cullen—The eountry decided that the memorials should be presented by a deputation of working men . Tbe Birmingham Frost Committee ha-ring been in . formed of the difficulty which the deputation experienced desired that every effort should be made to present them to her Majesty ; bat / ailing in that they , desired that they should be returned , and not be confided to the Marquis of Normanby . Mr . Dancombe—He is bound to receive and present them . Mr . Callen—We applied to a number of gentlemen to introduce the deputation . But they all opposed some difficulty .
Mr . Smart—If Mr . Walter , or the other Member for Nottingham , oppose the petition , they may take up their sticks and walk . ( A laugh . ) [ Mr . Buller here entered the room . ] Mr . ¦ Wall—If Mr . Bailer exerts himself , we will succeed , for he has great influence . Sir . Buller—It tr&s not by individual exertion they could succeed . They should work together . Mr . Martin—If Fox Maule and Lord John Russell were qut , we would succeed . Fox Maule said , in the House , that he knew nothing about my case , when Mr . Duncombe stated it ; and at that moment , he ( Mr . M . ) had a letter from the Home Office , to ascertain if he had any Parliamentary influence . ( A laugh . ) Mr . Dancombe—He supposed that yon were a Borouebmonger . ( Laughter . )
Mr . Martin—When I was a prisoner it was deemed criminal if I coughed , spit in an improper place , or stepped awkwardly . Mr . Duncombe—What was the charge against you ? Mr . Martin—I made a speech against the Tories . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Duncombe—Let me have the paper with your trial in it It was not formerly the custom to send political offenders to Houses of Correction . Mr . Duncombe said that Lord Waldegaave complained much of his treatment ( Loud laughter . ) Mr . Bnller—Why , he is verj comfortable and lives in the rooms formerly occupied by Sir F . Burdett He ( Air . B . ) understood that Mr . O'Brien ' s health was not so delicate as represented . Mr . Martin was twelve weeks with him . His cell had no window , and the only passage for tho air was through an opening over the door .
Mr . Duncombe—The Government cannot of its own accord release prisoners . Mr . Bnller—How many prisoners are there ? Dr . M'Dauall—Forty-eight Mr . Martin—Fox Maule is our greatest enemy . Messrs . Duncombe and Buller recommended nothing to be said or done to taunt or exasperate the ministers . Tbe Chartists should as much as possible conciliate them . Mr . Boiler advised a few cases of peculiar hardship to be selected , and the names of each as had only a few months , as well as of those who had a longer period to remain in jaiL Mr . Ridley—I am afraid there is no use of pressing the presentation of tbe Memorials to the Queen . Mr . Buller—I think there is bo use . Messrs . Buller and Doneombe then withdrew , after repeating their pledges to support and press forward the petition .
On the departure of the above gentlemen , the committee resumed business . Dr . M Douall read a letter from Salford , in which the Executive regretted the c » fiflicting statements forwarded to them by the members of the Convention . It admitted that it would have been better if the Executive had sot interfered with the Convention . It also stated that it would have been well if the Executive and the Convention had kept up an official correspondence , and concluded by saying that if tbe Convention thought better of it , they should Btay ; but if not , they ought to break np their sittings . The letter was signed James Leech , Wm . Cartledge , R . Littler , and John Campbell .
A letter from Mr . Cordaux stated that the petition from his place contained 1 , 227 . A letter from Caerleon stated that the petition from that place bad 322 signatures . A letter from Norwieh announced that the petition had appended to it tbe namts of 5 , 489 males , and 4 , 802 females . A Utter from Brampton enlogised the conduct of the Convention , and expressed the pleasure evinced by the men of Birmingham at the manner in which tbe delegates managed business . A letter from Lasswade stated that the petition from tbat district had the signatures of 516 men , and 330 womeD . Mr . Barmby read a letter from Ipswich , highly flattering to the cause . Xlr . Garrard , the writer , stated the names to the Ipswich petition to be 2 , 50 » . Mr . M . William * read a leUer from Bristol , containing the pleasing intelligence that the petition from that influential eity bad ihe names of 5 , 30 ft men , and 1 , 150 ¦ wom en attached to it .
Mr . Ridley meved a resolution that in case that all attempts to see the Queen failed , that they should go in a body and demand an interview with her Majesty ' s Ministers . Mr . Rose seconded the resolution , which was then carried . Mr . Smart was fully aware of the peculiar circumstances under which the Manchester Executive was placed from monetary matters . Hence it was incumbent upon the delegates to come to a definitive resolution , as they were without funds or means . The question was , whether it was the Executive or the country Bent them . That question required no answer . ( Hear , hear . ) However , as they were withont funds , and even 'without tbe means of obtaining funds , he moved that the Executive , and the Noriliern Star , be requested to forward to Mr . Jehn Cleave , their unanimously elected treasurer , all monies contributed for the support of tbe Convention Committee .
Dr . il'Douall seconded the motion , which was then carried . Tbu GeHeral Committee then rose .
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ANTI-CORN LAW MEETING AT STROUD . On Thursday evening week , a public meeting was held at tbe Subscription Rooms , in the Borough of Stroud , for tbe purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of petitioning Parliament for an alteration in the Corn Laws . The time fixed for the commencement of tbe proceedings was six o ' clock , and a proof of the interest the subject had excited , was evident by tbe immense multitude which by that hour thronged tbe spacious room and galleries , and even crowded all the approaches leading to the building .
A mmour -was prevalent tbat an organised opposition had been resolved upon by the Chartists of the borough , led on by persons of tbat denomination from a distance ; and the truth of tbis report -was soon made apparent by a scene of uproar , turbulence , and confusion , such as we have seldom seen paralleled . Of the scene which presented itself during the progress of the proceedings , any description we can give would be faint in the extreme compared with the reality . Advocates as we are for popular rights , and sincere haters as we are of the tyranny of the few over the many , we could not contemplate the aspect of this meeting withont being struck with the wretched consequences which must result from the fnrious unreasoning tyranny of the
many over the few . Looking down from the platform upon the immense mass of human being * which filled tte body of the room , the majority of them withJn _ - flamed faces and cracked voices , yelling their discordant disapprobation at every speaker -whose person they disapproved of , for they "would not listen to bis words ; they seemed like tbe hundred-armed Briarens , ready to commit any violence and any folly that their excited passions might suggest to them . Their fickleness and inconsistency , too , were strongly exemplified during the discussion , if discussion it could be called , in applauding the most opposite and fallacious arguments , and cheering sentiments uttered by their Cbartist leaders , which they hissed dtiwn and leprobated when put forward by the gentlemen who bad called the meeting .
Tbe first decided outbreak of the prominent feeling of the meeting was given « n the entrance of a leading manufacturer of the neighbourhood , who would seem to be unpopular on account of having reduced the time » r wage * of his workmen ~ , we could not exactly understand which . The next temultutus ebullition was on the Toting a Chairman to the meeting . Joseph Watts , Esq . moved , and Mr . Wm . Lewis seconded tbe proposition that Charlts St&nton , Esq . be called to the chair . Ho opposition was offered and Mr . Stanton took his seat , but he had scarcely done so and was about to open the business of the meeting by some prefatory observations , when he was assailed with hissing , at first from a few persons , but which was soon joined in by a far greater number , ani cries were raised
that he had not been duly elected chairman , and insisting thai the question of who was to preside should be put to the meeting . EverysyUable that Mr . Stanton attempted to utter was drowned in tbe interruptions he experienced ; and during the tumult a person , is appeacssee diminutive aad quite youthful , and rather shabbily dressed , came forward on the platform , . and was received with & good deal of cheering from the Chartists , which demonstration he . seemed reij willing to understand was intended to signify that he should act as * ha »' "ffP" ; accordingly , after ft brief space , he very coolly appropriated to himself a seat dose alongside Mr . StantoB , and announced himself as joint chairman with that gentleman ; sad there he sat , affording throughout the evening a marked contrast la appear-
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ance aad demeanour to almost every person around him . It seemed the triumph of the principle of democracy , a resuscitation of the sons cmJoUs ascendancy of revolutionary Franee . Tbe Chartist ehalrmaa , we believe , did not belong to tbe neighbourhood , nor did he seem to be icnowo to any of the respectable people around , for we inquired of several , and no one could inform us who or what he was ; but some of the mob addressed him by the name of PanL His demeanour evinced a strange combination of arrogant assurance and confidence of support from the crowd , and of shamefaced consciousness of the anomalous position into which he had impertinently obtruded himself .
During the prevailing uproar , Charles Stephens , Esq . stepped forward and asked whether they would permit this to be an orderly and quiet meeting for tbe discussion and examination of an important question in which their interests and welfare were involved , or would they resolve that it should be one of unruly confusion and interruption which most end in nothing . Mr . Stephens ' s appearance for a moment calmed the tumult , and he was received in a manner which showed that his character stood high in the estimation of ajl present ' ^ but no sooner had he ceased speaking than his advice was disregarded and the most disorderly tumult again reigned throughout the meeting . t .
Mr . Anthont Fkwster having been called oftito move the first resolution , he came forward and was received with ageoddeal of cheering , but he soon found that he had to address a very impatient audience , and his remarks were consequently rery disjointed . We will endeavour to give tha purport of them , omitting many of the interruptions , which , if introduced as they occurred , would make our report as much a chaos of confusion as were the proceedings of the meeting . He was a man of peace and order himself , and if be had not thought that this would be a peaceable meeting he would net have attended it He had been requested to propose the first resolution , and if they would allow him be would do it ; if they would not bear him he had no ambition to speak and would at once sit down . ( Cries
of " go on , go on . " ) In order to prepare the way for a few observations be would read the resolution . It was " That the present graduated duties on corn are highly injurious to the country , operating as a prohibition till prices are oppressively high , and preventing , by tbe fluctuating nature of the scale , the exchange of manufactures for corn , which , when most needed can only be obtained by draining the country of its gold . " ( Hear ! and cheers . ) He heard some one say Just now that they did not want cheap bread . He would tell -them what they did want .- —They wanted a good trade . ( " And good wages . " ) They wanted labour for every roan's bands , and a fair and just reword for that labour . ( Cheers . ) Now it was apprehended by a good many persons that the present fluctuating duties on corn—the
present high graduated scale of duties—bad a direct tendency te injure the trade of this country , and to keep down the rate of remuneration for labour . ( " We don't want cheap bread till we have got the charter I" ) According to the present rate of duties , foreign corn could not be admitted to the English market till the price became very high—the resolution said , " oppressively high . " Let them take the present prices for example . At this time the average price for the last six weeks was , he believed , 63 s . 8 d . per quarter , and tbe duty on foreign corn was 22 s . 8 d . per quarter . (" Shame , shame ! " ) The object of the present meeting was , if possible , to alter that He would tell them the way in which these duties were regulated . One hundred and fifty of the principal towns
in the country Bent a return every week to the Corn Inspector General of the corn sold every market-day ; and then the Inspector General every week took from these returns the average of price for tbe six preceding weeks , and according to that average the duty on foreign corn was increased or reduced . At the present average of 63 s . 8 d . the doty was 22 s . 8 d . which acted as a prohibition , instead of being merely a fair protecting duty for tbe landed interest , for it was next to impossible that corn could be imported and sent into the market at the present high rate of duty . But when th » price rose much higher the duty was taken off in a far greater proportion ; for as corn rose Is . per quarter , the duty fell 3 s . or 4 s . Suppose the price of corn should be 66 s . 8 d . to-day , th « n the duty would be 16 s . 8 d . only ,
instead of 22 s- 8 d . They would thus see how the present Com Laws operated as an encouragement to speculation , lending a direct bonus to gambling , instead of causing regular trade ; and giving rise to fraud , falsehood , and dishonest returns . They would thus see that there were rogues in grain , as well as in every ether trade . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) There were a great many large speculators in London , who , supposing tbe average price to be tiGs . 8 d . endeavour to cause a fictitious rise in prices and thus to bring down the duty . If they could raise the price Is . the duty would be taken off 3 a . and it would be then 13 s . Sd . per quarter . - If they could raise the price another shilling , then the duty would be reduced to 10 s . 8 d . Now to effect this , they make false returns . A . B . sells to CD . a large
quantity of corn , a return of which sale , which Is merely a fictitious transaction , is made to the inspector , tbe average is thus brought down , and the speculator bos less money to pay into the Treasury , the duty is reduced to almost nothing ; , gold is suddenly drained out of tbe country to buy up corn and bring it here in a glut to take advantage of tbe corn duty ; a regular trade is prevented , instead of commodities and manufacture ! being exchanged in the way of commerce , bonajidc money is paid , and tbe agriculturists are not protected , but rind tbe markets rising and falling suddenly , injurious to their interest , and deranging all the regular industry of the country . So gkilf ully indeed had these rogues in grain conducted their speculations , that since 1823 , when the present Corn Laws were passed , the average duty
that had been paid was only 5 s . per quarter . Some unpleasant feeling appeared in the meeting just now ; but he hoped to see them in a better humeur by and bye . An unpleasant feeling seemed to exist between them and some persons on the platform . Perhaps they thought that clothiers were saltish peopte—( " Yes they are ")—perhaps they thought tbatfarmeiswerese . riihand that the upper classes were selfish people . ( " Yes , yes . ") Wby so they were , and so were they who called out " yes , yes , " We were all selfish people ; for he must tell them that selfishness was in the heart of man , and there it would remain and rankle in bis bosom till the evil principle was subdued by a higher principle from above . ( Cheers . ) He would not detain the meeting by dwelling any longer upon this topic ; but it must
be quite clear to them from past experience that we do require an importation of foreign corn , for the sustenance of the multitude of inhabitants of this kingdom . ( " We want to have wages to buy it" ) Well , and you ought to have it—every honest man has a right to a fair subsistence . Since tbe year 1815 , 25 years ago , 35 millions of quarters of foreign corn had been introduced into England , at the rate of a million and a half quarters per ann . on an average . Now , how were they to do without this ? ( " Oh , let us have the Charter . ") Farmers told them that tbey could grow sufficient corn for tbe consumption of tbe country ; and indeed every one knew tbat during the lost few years an immense impulse had been given to agriculture ; so much so tliat in some instances the productiveness of the laud had
been increased nearly three-fuld , by improvements in the modes of culture , by tbe application of chemical discoveries , by the employment of new manures , and in various other ways . But they must recollect that although the productive powers of the country had been thus rapidly increased , and were likely he hoped to increase more and more , and who was there that did n » t rejoice thereat ?—( " We don't j we wont the Charter ! " )—yet the population of the country also goes on rapidly increasing , at the rate of half a million a year , and therefore tbe necessity for an importation of foreign corn . Then came the questionwbat was the best manner for the people—what was the best manner for the manufacturers—and what was the best manner for the farmers themselves that tbat
which was indispensible for tbe food of tbe inhabitants should be introduced into tbe country . A proposition would be made to tbe meeting presently , that instead of tbe present fluctuating duty a tixed duty should be substituted . ( " Ne , no ; we want no fixed duty ; wo want no duty at all . " ) Well , be ( Mr . Fewater ) was not bound to a fixed duty ; he Tas rather in favour of a sliding duty , to that when the price was very high there should be no tax at all ; but the diffisulty was to prevent fraud . He theught that if the duty was wholly taken off when the price was at 7 ts . and that for every depression of Is . in price , Is . duty abouM be added , there would be little encouragement to fraud , and would be a great relief to the public . For instance , the present price being 63 a . the duty would be 7 s . which would be 18 s .
less than the duty now existing . The farmers said , that that that would be too low , hut he thought il would amply remunerate the home producer . Perhaps it might be asked , how would that benefit trade ? for that was the great point If they hod more trade , they would have more money to buy butter , and cheese , and mutton , and beef with . He was afraid very little mutton and beef came to their share at present (" Too little , we can tell you that" ! Well then , the decided object , the only object , the exclusive object , as be understood it , of the gentlemen who had called this meeting . was to increase the trade of the country , in order that employment might be be found for every individual , and that he might receive a fair reward for his labour . At present , & great quantity of corn was introduced into
the country , bat it produced very little to the revenue . (" If they want revenue , let them tax steam—let them tax machinery . " ) The farmers say tbey do not want high prices—they knew tbat tie maintenance of a high price of corn was altogether incompatible with the commercial and manufacturing interests of this country they knew that all these interests and their own were all bound np together in one bundle , and that they must all rise or falffSoKrlsh or decline together ; andiven the landholders were beginning to see that it would be for their ultimate benefit that some alteration in tbe present system should take place . ' Now , a few words with regard to wages . ( Hear , hear . ) Suppose tbat by the
present measure , or any other that could be adopted , tbe staple trade of this district could be increased —suppose , instead of a thousand pieces of cloth , fifteen hundred pieces should be required , was it not plain that those who made the cloth must be benefitted ? fie was sure ( hat those who inflamed the minds of the workmen against their employers , or against the formers , or against any cJtes of men , were the worst enemies they could have . He should have been glad if this question could hare been discussed in a quiet and peace able acd rational manner , and that it might have been the means of promoting ft compromise between the manufacturing and the landed interest . For his own port , he had no wish but that tbey should become
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an lndastrioos , » virtnoiu , happy , and a united people . Mr . Fewster oneloded by proposing the resolution . ¦ - ¦ . , ; ¦ ¦; . : ¦ .: ' . . ¦ ' , ' . ¦ ¦ . . . ¦ ¦ ' , ; . " Charlks Hoopkk , Esq ., rose to second the resolution , and was received in a manner which most have been gratifying to bis feelings . He was enthusiastically cheered from all parts of ihe room , and was saluted by the title of "the King of the Clotblere . " He said , if they wished him to address them they must hear him quietly , for he had neither health nor strength to speak through such a tumult as bad been continued up to tbat time . No one could accuse him of being an enemy to any one of them , and he begged of them , as Christians and reasonable people , to conduct themselves like peaceable men . He had two or
three great secrets to tell them , and he hoped they would hear them quietly , ' for be was in top delicate health to use much exertion to raake himself heard . He heard some one say they wanted good wages . He wished every man in this country had good wages . ( Cheers . ) But he thought he could do something more than that—be could tell them how they could get good wages . They must knew this , tbat if a manufacturer wanted a servant , and servants were scarce , —if only one man wanted the situation , that man could say , " no , I wont take ten shillings ( or whatever the sum may be , ) give me fifteen shillings , or I wont work for you . " But if the manufacturer wanted only one servant , and two men' applied , then the case was very different (" they must depend upon the honour of the
gentleman . " ) Yes , and it depended also upon the dishonour of tbe servants . They talked about weaving . He bad never reduced bis prices since lie commenced weaving . ( Great cheers . ) But he could tell them this , it weuld have been their own faults if he bod done so , for hundreds of times men had come to him and said , " Do let me have work , and I will do it for less money than you are paying now . " ( Hear , bear . ) Whose fault was it then that maateis reduced -wages , bnfc the fault of the men themselves ? ( Cheers . ) They talked about their Charter and their political reform : he would tell them that they knew nothing at all about it Let them stand firm to themselves like Britons , and that -would be the best reform they could have . ^ Cheers . ) The Charter was all
humbug till they could get something to lire upon—till they could get a loaf of bread at a reasonable price . Talk to him of & starving man wanting the Charter , —he wanted something in his inside . ( Cheers . ) Wbat could a man do for his breakfast , with his wife and half a dozen children crying for bread , if , instead of exerting himself to improve trade and raise bis wages , be did nothing but call out for tbe Charter . If they could tell him how to extend manufactures , he would tell them how to get good wages . These two things were intimately connected together , but wages and cheap bread bod nothing at all to do one with , tbe other . Many of them recollected the year 1836 : wheat was then 4 s . 6 d . to 6 $ . s > bushel , and he would ask any working man who beard him if he did not get better wages then than he cot now .
( " Better ; a great deal better . " ) Very well ; he would ask them how was it , now that the average price of wheat -was nearly doable what it was then , that their wages had not risen with the price of wheat I ( " Tbey never do . " ) Why , that was his argument : they never did ; and it was for this simple reason that wages and cheap bread had nothing to da with each other . They must get a demand for their labour , and then cheap bread will be of some advantage to them . The way in which the Corn Laws operated against the working nail was this : they precluded the people of this country from sending their manufactures abroad , because they could not bring back corn in the place of them . He himself wag at that moment suffering great depression because he could not find a vent for his goods in foreign
countries . If the duty was low , he could send his goods abroad and get paid for them in corn , which he could sell here at a moderate price , and then trade would be improved , and cheap bread would be hadatthesame time . He would show this by stating a simple fact Some of tbe finest cloth that was manufactured in that neighbourhood went into the American market He employed people to work up that cloth . Suppose h 9 should say to them on Saturday night , " I cannot pay you ; I have not got any money , ; " they would naturally inquire how that was ; and be might tell them , "I am owed £ 5 , 000 in America , and my customer says he has got no money , but tbat he will send me so many thousand buabels of flour instead . I tell him , I cannot tvke his flour . He says , his offer is all fair :
he has no money , but he has plenty of flour , and is willing to pay in that way , but I tell him I cannot take it , ' because the law will not allow ma to bring it home , if I had It , without paying 23 * . 8 d . a quarter duty upon it" And thus it was that the manufacturer was rained , workmen were thrown oat of employment , and their children were starving , because this corn was not allowed to be brought into the country . ( Shame , shame . ) One would think that every man of common sense who had to get his bread by his labour would see the point ef that argument ( Cheers . ) What had the Charter to do with that ? What had political Reform to do with that ? He was neither a Whig , Tory , Radical , or Chartist ; he was only a plain commercial man of business , and if they could not see
and feel the effect of the Corn Laws In the simple statement he had made , nothing could convince them . ( Cbeers . ) Now , if they would hear him patiently he would just touch upon a tender subject with them . Tbey condemned machinery , but it was in most perfect ignorance . He could tell them tbat if they had no duty on corn , or only a duty of 8 a . or 10 s . a quarter , that very maahinery which they condemned would bring riches and comfort to all their homes . They condemned steam machinery and the power loom ; they might just as well condemn the plough , and say that the whole land of the country should be dug up with a common spade . If there was a demand for their manufactures , the more machinery they had , the better would their situation be . Did they want to be common slaves ,
working and toiling with common spades , and the rudest implements that could be devised ? No , many of them were men' of intelligence , adapted to higher branches than the commonest and hardest kind of labour ; and by the aid of that Intelligence and the advantages of their machinery they would be able to compete with foreigners if they could get their com , their sugar , their coffee , and their timber , free from an exorbitant duty . ( Hear , hear . ) There was another point which he would just touch upon . They all very well knew , though perhaps the poorer classes did not feel this quite so much as those a little above them , that they had to groan under a heavy burden of taxation . But though this was hard to bear sometimes , yet did they not receive some advantages in return ? If one man lifted
bis hand against another , or robbed him of hUproperty , tho law afforded the in jured party a recompense ' : was net that worth paying for ? He would tell them that notwithstanding everything that could be said they still lived in the very best country in the world—there was nothing they need be so proud of as of being Britons ; and if it were not for the Corn Laws , which would not admit corn till it was at a starvation point , they would have reason to be the happiest people on the face of the earth . Now , many thousands of pounds were lying Idle , or instead of being expended in trade , the niouey was locked up till a favourable moment , and was then all sent away to the Continent to buy corn and bring it here , when it would produce little or no
benefit to the revenue . > What the people wanted was food , sustenance , plenty to eat , plenty to drink , and clothes to wear ; and if they were disposed to labour for these benefits , they must join heart and hand , not to support Whigs , Radicals , Tories , or Chartists , but those men who would really endeavour to bring these benefits within their reach ; ( Cheers . ) They w ^ uld very soon have an election , and for bis own part he should tefuse to vote for any man who would not promise to support the repeal of the Corn Laws or to reduce the duty to a certain sum . Ho would invite all present to do the same , to be united and firm , and not quarrelsome , and all would do very well . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Hooper concluded by seconding tbe resolution .
A Chartist , -who -was announced by the name of Charles Harris , then came forward to move an amendment He said he was not an enemy to a repeal of the . Corn Laws ; he hated these cursed laws ; but let them be repealed entirely upon the best principles , so as not to injure the revenue , nor the working man , nor the rich man . He proposed as an amendment— "That we , the working portion of tbis meeting , consider-tbat an adequate representation of the people in the House of Commons is tbe only means by which labour can be efficiently represented , and the burdens of the state lightened . That we were iwktcedto believe that tbe Reform Bill Would accomplish such a state of things , and did assist to carry that measure ; but inasmuch as its effect has been to make the rich more wealthy , and
the poor more poor , in violation of all the promises held out to us , we have come to a firm understanding with our order throughout the country , never again to sanction any general principles except those which are clearly laid down in the People ' s Charter . ( Cheers . ) We should , therefore , hold every working man ,, who , either directly or indirectly joins , sanctions , or countenances , any less important measure than tbe People's Charter , either a willing slave , or a hired fool . " ( Cheers . ) Having moved this as an amendment to the resolution , he wished , he said , to set the matter right as to machinery . He believed tbat some persons then present felt ft hatred against machinery . He did not care if there were ten times as much . It was against the appropriation of the profits of machinery that be
objected , and not to machinery itself , [ The speaker then read a statistical return of the exports of machinery from England to Russia , Prussia , Germany , Holland , and Belgian ) , during the last ten years , showing a very large annual increase ; . and the conclusion he drew from tbe return was , that all those countries were determined to manufacture for themselves and that now they had begun to do so , they would not come to the English market for their goods , not trouble themselves to raise corn in exchange for goods , which they were determined to make at borne . ] . He ' would tell the meeting what the gentlemen wanted who called for a repeal of the
Com Laws—they cli ' d ; n&t want cheap bread , —they wanted cheap labour . ( Hea&tThey found they could not compete with foreign manufacturers living in countries not half bo much taxed as this , where food was cheaper , and where the raw material grew upon their own soil . These people would always be able to manufacture cheaper than * be people of England , and it was an absurdity to call tbat meeting together , and to tell them that ft repeal of tbe Corn Laws would , bring back foreign trade . He could tell them ; what it was . Lord John Russell and the Queen ' s Ministers knew they could not stop in office much longer , and they wanted to get up an agitation , and to persuade the people to support
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them la power i butiber would find themselves mistaken , after having forfeited every pledge they ever made to the werkiog people . When they carried Lord John Russell to power on the summit of their sheulders—(• Yes , and we will again , " " No , we , " )—he told them tbat by means of tbe Reform Bill their houses should be tiled with pancakes , and their streets paved with plnm-pndding ; but instead of houses they bad bad bas tlles erected to take them in the last stage of life , and Rural Police sent down to imprison every one who was disposed to grumble . The Ministers were out popularity-hunting , as much as any gentleman went out fox-hunting in the morning . ¦ They knew that » disso lution of Parliament must take place soon , and they knew that tna Tories were stepping upon their heels ,
and that if Lord Melbourne and his party should once get off the Treasury bench they would never get on again . But the people were not so easily gulled . There was no question that the Corn Law was a most obnoxious law . Taking Lord John ' s principle for a text , that Taxation without representation is tyranny , aad ought to ba resisted , " by that principle no Parliament had a right to tax the poor man's loaf . ( Hear , hear . ) He was'sorry they had not given Mr . Fewster a better hearing . He ( Mr . Harris ) had heard Mr . Fewster speak much in behalf of the poor man many times , and it was ft pity he had not had a better hearing now . He would now say a word about machinery . The poor man ' s labour was bis life , and it was as jnucb a felony to rob him of his property in that
labour , as it would be to cut any of those gentlemen ' s throats . ( Hear , hear , anddisapprobatlon . ) He contended tbat when any new machinery Was introduced which took away the labour of any man , that man should have a per centage allowed to him out of tbe income of that machinery sufficient to maintain him . Then the introduction of machinery would be a blessing to tbe country , but they would never be able to accomplish tbis till they carried a mighty agitation for a full share of political power . ( Cheers . ) He did not wish to see a Parliament of all poor men , all middle-class men , or all rich men ; but he wanted to see a Parliament where all classes would be equally represented , and then every one ' s interest would be watched over with the same care . Lord John Russell , when out of
office , was a desperate democrat ; but when in office , ha was that that would disgrace a Tery . Those manufacturers , too , that were supporting Lord John Russell , were as liable to be gulled as any person in that meeting . He did not believe that the Ministers ever intended to carry this measure out : but it was just something to gain a little popularity , and then to dissolve Parliament But if it should be carried , it would do no good to the working man ; for the very day that the Corn Law would be abolished would See the manufacturers combine together to lower wages . ( Cheers and cries of "No , no . " ) Bat let him tell the meeting to look out , for they were living at a very critical
moment ; the nation was on the eve of a revolutionnot a physical resolution , but a moral one , —one that would sink them in a state of degradation never to be retrieved , or one which would enable them to hold up their heads like men , which would fill their cottages with prosperity , and make the people look again something like the old ancient Britons . Before he sit down , he would tell them that if they Btopped short of constant , persevering agitation for a full share of political righto aa men and Britons , they would stop short of removing the greatest of their evils , and would still continue in a state of starvation and misery . The speaker concluded amidst tbe cheers of the Chartists .
Another Chartist , who was announned as Mr . Bo Li well , then came forward and said he appeared before the meeting for the purpose of seconding the resolution that had been read by the previous speaker . He did so as an honest man , as a Christian , as a citizen of the world , as one whose religion was to do good to the whole of the human family . He believed that if that resolution was carried out , the condition of the people of England , the poor and rich , would be better . He be- * lieved if that resolution were carried into practice , namely , if the principles contained in the People ' s Charter were established as law , there would be little or no reason to come there to petition parliament for the repeal of that abominable , that obnoxious law called the Corn Law . He had no doubt that many of the
gentlemen who convened tbat meeting had the best ' of motives in view . He firmly believed it , though , being a stranger to Stroud , he was not acquainted with the character or political opinions of any of the individuals who had signed the bill convening this meeting . But though he believed this , he also believed that if tbey carried a resolution that night for a repeal of tbe Corn Laws , they would have met for no good purpose whatever . He believed the repeal of the Corn Laws was brought forward for nothing else than a mere party hubbub . It was true they were told that Lord John Russell wasnow ready to make this a ministerial question , that he had put it into the budget—and a pretty budget they had made of it He wished to God Lord Finality was sitting on that platform now , and if he had not a heart like adamant
be would make him writhe beneath the castigation . — ( Laughterand cheers . ) Lord Melbourne , too , he was for a repeal of the Corn Laws now . Why it was but two years ago when a portion of gentlemen belonging to the Anti-Corn Law League waited upon bis Lordship and asked him if he was willing to make the Corn Law question a ministerial measure , he was astonished at their impertinence . Make it a ministerial measure ?— . no , indeed—he treated them-with disdain and sent them about their business . The secret was , that Lord Melbourne and Lord Finality—commonly called Lord John Russell—that these two distinguished individuals thought they were safe in office , and that they could refuse tonmke it a ministerial measure . Then again tb Is Corn Law question wasa middle-class question . ( No . 'i
He said it was , and he was prepared to prove it He was a poor man , an uneducated man—he did not know how to use sophistry—he was not educated for it ; but he had his opinion , and he would hold that opinion till he was convinced by sound argument that he was in the wrong . He said the Corn Law question was a middle-class question . The object of the individuals generally who supported it , and more particularly , the object of the ministers who brought it forward at the present moment , was not to raise the condition of the poor , to extend trade , or to raise wages , but to give greater power into the hands of the moneyed aristocracy of this kingdom . They heard a great deal about the wickedness , the vices , and the villainy of the landed aristocracy , and God knew their conduct was quite bad
enough ; but look at the conduct of the moneyed aristocrat , and compare it with the conduct of the landed aristoerat , and they would find that the moneyed aristocrat was a worse tyrant than the other . These gentlemen wanted te make England a manufacturing country—they would not be able to do it ; and he would tell them the reason ;—former misrule had done the mischief , and it could not be remedied . It was impossible that England could compete with countries with little or no national debt , where the people were not taxed , and where they could work for three shilings a week . He said , repeal the Corn Laws certainly ; but at the same time , regulate the currency question ; if not touch the currency , then leave the Corn Laws
alone . He said the present government was not qualified to legislate upon this question . He would not have tbe Com Laws repealed till be saw the millions fully and fairly represented in the Commons House of Parliament—it was only when the millions bad power that tbey would find men who would work for the people universally , and not for distinctive classes . He was fully satisfied of the necessity for the working classes to have political power , but they had been lately addressed by Mr . Vincent upon that subject , and it would be vanity for him to go over the sam 9 ground . He would , therefore , thank them for the patient hearing tbey bad given him , and would wish them good evening .
A Mr . Ingley , as we understood , came forward to support the amendment He contended that the Corn Law ought to be abolished , for it tended to subvert for the benefit of a class those blessings which were benevolently showered down by Providence for the sustenance and enjoyment of all . Therefore , it was their duty to see that those blessings so richly sent down from heaven for all , should not be turned aside into another cbanel for tbe benefit of the few , by means of a cursed Corn Law . The speaker here became contused and attempted to read his speech from a written paper , but sadly broke down , and at length by the advice of some of bis brother Chartists , he desisted . The purport of the latter part of his observations seemed to be , that though the Corn Laws ought to be repealed , this ought only to be done by a Chartist Parliament .
The Chartist Chairman then came forward , and said , —not having bad an opportunity of addressing them before , be now appealed before them for the purpose of saying a few words . Every body must acknowledge and lament tbe existence of the abominable Corn Laws , but that was not the question . (" Yes it is . ") Suppose to-morrow , there was a total repeal , of the Corn Laws , and they could buy a big loaf for twopence ; they would only have to wait till next Saturday night , when their employer would say , " you bought a big loaf for twopence ; allow me to take threepence out of the other
pocket" ( Cheers , and " no , no . ") Need he refer them to an instance of the kind for a proof of what he said ? The worthy gentleman who sat in the chair with himbut he was requested not to bu personal—well then , he remembered a circumstance of a gentleman who had a mill just above Bowbridgc ; about five years ago , flour fell to 32 s . per sack . What did this gentleman do , but call bis weavers together and tell them be could not afford to pay the same wages as he bad been giving . They asked him why , and he replied , " why , cant you get cheap bread ? " ( Great uproar . )
Mr . STAtff ON—I deny it ; I beg the meeting to hear this and my denial of it altogether . The Chartist—Six weeks * after , this occurrence , flour rose to 40 s . per sack , and the same weavers . appointed a deputation to wait upon the gentleman , to oak him to advance the wages be took ofE His reply was , I cw't alter my arrangements ; I tell you what you must do : you mast lire hard , work hard , and do the best you can , " ( Great disturbance and excitement among tbe crowd . ) This wou ( d be precisely tbe case if they bad the repeal of the Corn Law to-morrow . He oould tell them that the muter manufacturers , not only here , but st Manchester , Birmingham , and right through the north of England , were the greatest set of blacklegs on the face ot the earth . ¦
Mr . Hooper here came fprward while tbe excitement of | the crowd was it its height , and said he could not sit there and bear the character of any man trifled With . / . ¦ ¦ ' - . . . ¦ •'¦' . ¦ ¦; . ¦ . ' • _ \ : : .- .: ¦ ' ¦; . : . Mr . Stanton said he wAs " quite prepared to contradict wbat bad been iiid , sad h . 9 Loped therefore the
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speaker might be allowed to go on without isi *^ tlon . : . . : - , . . ^~\« f » -B f this time tbe sosue In the body of the ~ - ~ - > most tumultuous , the Chartists becomlM ever * !? ** more excite * , pa the platform , amoag the J ? T * and respectable persons assembled there , thefeeR ? evidently one ofr great indignation at the effroS ? the speaker , whd on his part became ahnned * £ storm he had createdr and endeavoured to aimM ^ uT repeatedly exclaiming that he retracted ' what * . * said . ¦ He was about then to proceed- with hi . « Lj !? but his voice wit soon drowned in indignant hidZ ^* heheldhlspeacV ^« " »* iusse » , . ^ tanio * ^ attem pted to obtaiu ah ^«
out was noi OTceearai . « e wen , to a dumb sho * , 2 the question to the meeting , and the C ! hartistam enH « Was carried by a large majority . "" ua ^ Th » Chartists celebrated their trium ph by *»» . rounds of cheering , and Mr . Stanton , after & shorter declared the meeting dissolved . a « K > rt tiBm It is righVto add that Mr . Stanton conducted hi ™ u throughout the proceedinga with firmness and rw * tion , and never lost the gentlemanly demeano ai- * m 5 . his station required , thus affording a striking cont » 2 ? the violence and abusive conduct of his opponentTT is proper also to state that a great many of the Ch ««^ who succeeded in disturbing the meeting wera' ^ T ' entirely unconnected with the borough . ^
23anftnq)T& &C.
23 anftnq ) t& &c .
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From ihe London Gazette of Friday , May 2 L BANKRUPTS . R . W . Robinson , sen ., and R . W . Robinson , jun ., Bedford , grocers , June 18 r July 2 , at eleven , st the George Inn , Bedford . Solicitor , Eagles , Bedford . J . and S . Holt , Liverpool , glass manufacturers , June 1 , July 2 , at the Clarendon Rooms , Liverpool . Soli * eitors , Robinson , Liverpool ; Vincent and Sherwood , Temple , London . ¦ J . Wynde , Leonunster , Herefordshire , dealer , Jnna 23 , July 2 , at . eleven , at the Waterloo Hotel , Leomittater . Solicitors , Hammond , Leominster ; Smiti , Chancery-lane , London .
R . Whittaker , Bury , Lancashire brazlsr , Jun » 8 , &fc nine , July 2 , at ten , at the Swan Inn , in Bolton-to-Moors . Solicitors , Whitehead , Bury ; Clarke uA Metcalf , Lincoln ' s-inn-fields , London . J . Macalre , J . Linnemana , and / . C . Berger . IiTffpool , merchants , June 3 , July 2 , at ene , at the Cl «« - don Rooms ,. Liverpool . Solicitors , Davenport u » Collier , Liverpool ; Chester , Staple-inn , London . C . Taprell ,. Bristol , grocer , May 28 , July * ¦ « twelve , at the Commercial Rooms , Bristol . Solicitor * , Brittan , Bristol ; White and Whitmore , Bedford-ro * , London . . . T . Linay , Lynn , Norfolk , draper , June 3 , July 2 . « eleven , at the office of Mr . R . Pitcher , King ' s Lyi * Solicitors , Messrs . Sole , Aldermanbury , London .
From ihe G * zcUeof Tuesday , May 25 . BANKRUPTS . J .. Andrews , schoolmaster , Ongar , Essex , Jane J , July 6 , at eleven , at the Court of Bankruptcy . Cana » j Einsbury-square , London , official assignee ; hoty " ** Potter , King-street , Cheapside , London . . . J . Doughtyi licensed victualler , Bristol , J 0 ™?*/? two , July * , at one , at the Commercial Rooms , Brut * Solicitors , Phippen and Craven , Bristol Vf , Brown , cattle dealer . Sutton ^ u ader-WbiUW "' Yorkshire , June 4 , July « . at ten , at the Golden UW Inn , In Nortballerton . Solicitors , Mewtarn , »*»• Winchester-street , London ; Mewbum and Hutcaiwom
Darlington . ... _ T «« J . Watford , grocer Wybunbury , Cheshire , Jn »» *?' July 6 , at one . at the White , Bear Inn , Middle * " ** Cheshire . Solicitors , Graham , Ironmonger-l ane , w don ; Jones , Hough , near Nantwichv _ . G . Dixon and K . Glover , spice nierchan ' s , Jw « l ' July 6 , at one , at the Clarendon Rooms . I " * " ? Solicitors , Taylor , Sharpe r JJeld , and J » «* f ^ . ¦ ford-row . London ; Harvey and Falcon , ^^" Z ^ a , W . Thompson , ship builder , Monk Wesw * w Shore , Durham , June 4 , July « , at twelve , »•* Thompson Amis Hotel . Sunderland . Solicitors , »« - » Cloak-lane , London ; -Wright <* Brown , Sun deniw * J . Porter ,. victualler , Honiton , Devonshire , J « w ' July ? , at eleven , at fine Old London Inn , b w ^ . Solicitors , ; Smark , Flood , and Mules ,. Honiton ; !««*¦' Beevor , and Lane , CbAncery > laner London .. . _ B . Baekell , merchant * Newport , We «*«* " •« , * . 8 , at two , July « , at twelve , at the Bugl «> ¦!»* ¦ I ^ «„ . !¦ T « i « n * w . vh * tanUititara . Holme , I **™ * "I "
Young , Jfew-inu , Strand , London ; BeokingsaW' * port , isle of Wight . . . . _ , r ** I . BeardswortL Umber merchant , Wf ^^ JZ tigbshlre , June 1 , July 6 , at ™ y * ' * $£ ZlT * i Arms , Inn , Wrexham . Solicitors , PlM 3 * L ^ Westmaoott , Qray' 8-inn-iquftre , Iondoa j w P ^^ w ; # ndiJ . Pott .. ^ ship builder , *»* ££ mouth Shore . Durham , June 4 . July « , , £ ll yW * thi Thompson ' s Anns Hotel , SunW ^ JTTT Moss , Cloak-lane , London r Bww ^*^ ; A : M / a ! s and . W . Grimsbaw Seed , eott < m ma . ^ turers , ; Mftnchester , June 8 ,. July « , *„* : £ -Ktf . Commissioners' Kooms . Manchester . S o ^^ T p , * Barlow ^ and Aston * . Manchester ^ Bower »•« Chancerj-laBe ,, London . ¦ ^ , « , Msn ** W , Gnpsba « . Saed , calico m ? ° *?^ o * 0 * ter . June fatten , and July & ^^ r ^ T »^ sioners' Rooms , St Jamea ' s-sqaate / MancMs ^^ ,. citors , Makinso * and Sanders , Blm ^ ort * *^ . temple , London j Atkinson and Saw « W »» * v street , Manchester
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In addition to the above report , which we i ,. copied from the Gloucester Journal , we havereceW , 3 a communicatian from our own corresponde nT ^ stfttesthat : — uu ™ Vw ! k > " Mr . Staaton was never put to the wnFe of tK-. meeting ; but , as soon as proposed and seconder took to the chair , and began to address the meS * The people would not hear him , as ha wffiKft to the sense of the meeting . Mr . Paul wasi »» : posed and seconded , and put to the meeting »\ T a forest of bands was held up . The rooa « 2 crammed to suffocation ,. andhundreds could net i * i admission j the room , with gallery , is estimiJs 1 ? hold eighteen hundred , or upwards . Mr . Marlin / clothier , a noted person for reducing wage * w £ greeted with such hisses on entering the rootn th » t he . got on the platform , and crept behind his m i
» " » gcino . « x . omuwm atrcmptea W > address tk , » meeting , but could hot be heard . At last he eori sen ted that Mr . Panl should preside over his Bartv and he would preside over his , which Mr ^ S ? agreed to . During their conversation , frhich wm very polite , the cries from the meeting were "Don't be bought , Paul . " Tbe people got tired of Mt Few ster . and began to cry " Enough of the old gtoff wo want our Charter . " Mr . Hooper took very well ( as he pays the best wages of any of them , ) til ] ha dipped his fingers in the Charter , and recommended the people to " have nothing to do with a mereBcroIl of paper . " When Mr . John Harris moved the amendment , the clapping of hands and ehoaU iu
almost Deyond description . When silence was restored , Mr ., Harris said it was not a usual occur " rerice for a day labouring man to stand abn * aide of the great manufacturers of this Whig-riddea Borough to address a publifr assembly , it being tbe first time , but nobly did he do it ; he has sained laurels for th 0 class to which he belongs . Wnea Mr . Bolwell rose to second the amendment , he wag received with tremendous applause . He made an excellent speech , which the reporters have eat down . He said the gentlemen convening the meeting might have good motives ; but they were com . pletely galled by" Finality . " commonly called Lwd John Russell . The assembly were very attentive while the Chartists keThe
spo . Whigs were completely confounded ; they looked down their noses . Mr . Bolwell challenged any person in the room to discuss the merits and demerits of the Corn Laws , but the cowards would not accept the challenge . ? Mr . Stanton tried every effort to get rid of our amendment by coaxing , but at last found it of no arail , and rose to pot his resolution . He was met with shoots of disapprobation , and a few of their tools held np their hands , but the poor shopocrats looked confounded , and they were ashamed to hold np their bands before the sovereign < people . Some of their tools grinned like savage hyenses ; when they found they had lost their trick , they began to skulk off .
Mr . Paul then rose to put the amendment , and was saluted with shouts of applause . The amendment was then put , which was carried by a forest of blistered hands , and many more delicate ; for the females took an active part in support of the Chartist amendment . Mr . Humphreys said , " it would be a Newport job . " Mr . Watts , to his honour , said "No , " and requested him to withdraw his words , which he accordingly did . Mr . Paul then addressed the meeting , and gave thelordliesa severe castigation . , He told them of their misdeeds .
Tho Journal says , that the Chartists had mastered from a distance . The only individual from a distance was Mr . Bolwell , of Bath . Three cheers were given for the brave JFeargus , three for Frost and the imprisoned patriots , three for the Star , and three for the People ' s Charter . " P . S . The lordlies were obliged to solicit our Chair * man to dissolve the meeting . The Journal , might sheer at Paul . He was decently attired ; he is small in size , but a bit of the right stuff . —Mr ,
Stanton is a stout corpulent man—well enough ho might—and lives out of the blood and vitals of the work'es . He is a large manufacturer . The last Corn Law meeting ( two years ago ) he said , "he could not proceed without some of that which they had given him on former occasions . It was some of the oil of their applause . " What popularity he must have lost ! I was present and was disgusted to hear it—so was the people . He has some candour , for he told the meeting if they could not get bread cheaper they would have to take less wagetU
Untitled Article
¦* m - - - 6 ^ THE NORTHERN STAB .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 29, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1111/page/6/
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