ABSTRACT
The change of ministers had not daunted the resolution of the League; the prorogation of Parliament, without inquiry into the condition of the people, only strengthened the determination that both houses of the legislature should be compelled to listen to their complaints, and to find a remedy for their sufferings. On Wednesday, the 17th of November, a meeting of one hundred and twenty delegates, from various parts of the kingdom, was held at Manchester, Eobert Hyde Greg, Esq., in the chair, to consider the means which should be taken, previous to the re-assembling of Parliament, to promote the repeal of the Corn Laws. Amongst those who attended, in addition to the delegates from the towns in Lancashire, were Colonel Thompson, Mr. Francis Place, Mr. P. A. Taylor, and Mr. James Wilson, from London; Mr. Joseph Sturge and Mr. Wm. Scholefield, from Birmingham; Sir Joshua Walmesley, Mr. Laurence Heyworth, Mr. C. Holland, and Mr. C. E. Rawlins, jun., from Liverpool; Mr. Edward Baines and Mr. Hamer Stansfield, from Leeds: Mr. Dixon (the late mayor) and Mr. Sheffield, from Carlisle. The whole tone of the meeting was encouraging, as giving evidence of un-conquerable resolution and of unabated confidence in ultimate success. Besides passing the resolutions sub-joined, the meeting entered fully into the arrangements made by the council of the League for carrying out the agitation during the recess of Parliament; and plans were formed for raising funds for the employment of lecturers, and procuring petitions. One unanimous sentiment prevaded the deliberations—that it was desirable to be fully prepared with the whole of the petitions previously to the meeting of Parliament; and that it was expedient to concentrate the energies of the League as much as possible upon the different modes of agitation which had met the sanction of the delegates. The following resolutions were agreed to unanimously:—
“That this meeting recommends that petitions for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Laws be presented to the House of Commons, to the utmost possible extent.”
“That the meeting recommends the calling of district meetings of deputies from the towns engaged in the manufacture of the various staple products, and of other districts conveniently situated for acting together; and that they prepare for publication at such meeting statements of facts hearing upon the state of the population of their respective districts, especially with reference to the condition of the working classes, and the effects of the Corn Laws upon the rate of wages, and upon our foreign and home trade. That such meetings prepare a plan for petitioning the House of Commons for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn Law, from, if possible, every town, village, congregation, and workshop in the district; that they promote the calling of public meetings; and, if practicable, that deputations be sent to communicate with her Majesty’s government upon the state of each trade and district; that the council of the League be requested immediately to correspond with all parts of the country, for the purpose of carrying this resolution into effect; and the members present pledge themselves to aid the movement in their several localities.”
“That a committee be appointed to carry into effect the plan proposed by Mr. James Wilson, and to determine as to the best mode and time for bringing the same to maturity; and that the information be sent to the Metropolitan Anti-Corn-Law Association, to be digested and prepared for laying before Parliament and government, and for the publication in such manner as may be most calculated to advance the-repeal of the Corn Laws, and that the association be referred to on all statistical subjects connected with those laws.”
