ABSTRACT
THE Manchester Chamber of Commerce comprises amongst its members the principal manufacturers and merchants of the cotton districts. I t is governed by a board of directors, and its special business is to watch over and promote the interests of the trade and commerce of the country generally, and of the cotton and its affiliated trades in particular. Such a body, being practically familiar with the productions and wants of the various countries with which England is commercially connected, ought to have con-- siderable influence with the home government, unless their repre-- sentations are at any time contradicted by those of similar bodies in other localities. Of course their evidence in regard to proposed legislation would be looked upon as ex parte, but the adoption of the free-trade principle as the rule of commerce, very much lessens, if it does not quite annihilate, the danger of selfish representations. The object aimed at in any proposals must be the increase of com-- mercial intercourse, and whatever facilitates this end, must mutually benefit all the parties concerned.
