VOL. XXVII. No. 10.] LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 11, 1815. [Price 14 289] CORN BILL: WILTSHIRE COUNTY-MEETING, Held at Salisbury, on the 8th of March, 1815. [290 smallest, was made to inflame, or to mis lead no attempt to mark out any par ticular class for popular resentment; no attempt to stir up the labourer to cut the throat, or to set fire to the house or baras of his employer; but, many endeavours (were used, and it is believed with.com This meeting, which was convened by plete success, to make the vast asset advertisement, under the authority of binge clearly understand, that the propo thellIGHSHERIFF was the most numerous sition to make corn dear had grown out of any that had ever been witnessed in the of the desire to continue to raise war County. The Sheriff opened the proceed- | taxes upon the farmer, that this desire bad ings in the Council Chamber of the City,grown out of the immense expenditure but, it being found, that the open air was still intended to be kept up; and that the only proper place to afford a chance this immense expenditure had grown out of hearing to such an immense assembly, of those measures; which would have an ajournment took place to the square been all prevented by a Reform in the in the front of the Council House. Here, Commons' House of Parliament.-It was after the requsition had been read, the explained to the people, that the owners Resolution, and after it the Petition of land and growers of corn wou'd not (which will be found below) were moved | gain, in the end, by a Corn Bill, which, by Mr. Hunt and , seconded by ir. in fact, was intended to enable them to Cobbett of Botley, who having a free paywar-taxes in time of peace, though hold in Wiltshire was induced to take some of them had been evidently actuated part in a discussion, in which every man by the selfish notion of gain to themselves. . in the kingdom is interested. Whatever It was explained to the Meeting, that the might have been the wishes, or the ex- inevitable effect of the Bill would be to pectations, of the friends of Corruption, | enhance and uphold the price of corn ; they were not here gratified by witness- or, in other words, that it would impose ing any attempts to work up the passions a new tax upon the loaf, and that, too, . and prejudices of the people into - that without any ultimate benefit to the landflame of violence, which, unhappily, has lord, or tenant, however some of these sburst forth in the metropolis, and which | might think the contrary. In adverting it is the duty of every man to discourage, to the Wiltshire Petition for a Corn Bill, and to prevent, if he has it in his power. it was observed, that the Petitioners had -Mr. Hunt gave early proof of his de- said, that they had long borne heavy sire to discharge this duty and of the taxes, AND THAT THEY WERE STILL weight which a mau may have with the WILLING TO BEAR HEAVY TAXES, people, if he proceed in the right way. provided the Government and Parliament -There were earried into the Council | would pass a law, the effect of which Chamber, upon the tops of two long | should be TO RAISE AND KEEP poles, a large loaf decorated with gay | UP THE PRICE OF THEIR CORN. : ribbons, and a small loaf arrayed in crape. That is to say, that so long as they could Mr. Hunt requested, that those loaves | have a price, which should be a, protec (the sight of which was so well calcula- | tion to them against ruin, they did not ted to inflame) should be taken away. They instantly were taken away, and never again made their appearance. To give ,any thing like a report of speeches here will not be attempted. But, it is right to abserve, that no attempt, not even the care how heavily the loaf was taxed, how much money was squartiered away, how large a standing army was kept up in time of peace, nor - how the lberties aud rights of the people were dealt with. It was explained to the meeting, that, in K this the petitioners for a Corn Bill were wrong; that they ought, on the contrary, to have called for a reduction of the taxes, without which the immense standing army could not be kept up in time of peace; and, being relieved from those taxes, they might well afford to sell their corn as cheap as any that could be brought from abroad. It was observed to the meeting, that, in consequence of the price of provisions having fallen, it was notorious, that the price of labour had fallen; that the farmer now, and very justly, paid less to his people than he paid before, including his smith, wheelwright, collar-maker, &c. But, that the meeting should well remark, and bear in mind, that these who are paid by the public still receive undiminished salaries and allowances; that, during the last twenty years, the allowances to the Royal Family, to the Judges, to the Police Magistrates, to public Officers of all descriptions, had been greatly augmented upon the express ground of the rise in price of provisions; but, that now, when provisions had fallen, and brought down with them the wages of the la bourer, none of these allowances were lowered; on the contrary war taxes were to be kept up, for the purpose, in part, of keeping up those allowances, and, as these taxes could not be raised while corn was cheap, it was intended to make corn dear in order to enable the landlord and farmer to pay taxes. Thus was the abhorred measure traced fairly to its source, and an appeal was made to the SENSE, and not, as in some other cases that have occurred, to the NONSENSE, of the people.The conduct of the High Sheriff was remarkably proper. His private opinion appeared to lean towards a Corn: Bill; but, so impartial, and, indeed, so able, was the manner, in which he conducted the bu siness of the day, and so readily did he assent to what was manifestly the una nimous wish of the Meeting, that he retired amidst the applauses of all descriptions of persons.The conduct of the People was equally good. Not a word of violence: not a word of folly. At night, some boys paraded a thing, stuffed with straw, supposed to represent some contemptible friend of the Corn Bill. They hanged and beheaded this personage, opposite Mr. Hunt's lodging; and there even this fun ended. When this account was sent away the Petition hed been signed by some thousands of persons, and it is expected to be before the House of Lords in the course of next week.-The following are copies of the Resolutions and Petition. WILTS COUNTY MEETING. RESOLUTIONS Unanimously agreed to by the most no merous Assemblage ever witnessed in the city of New Sarum, on Wednes day, March 8, 1815. GEORGE EYRE, Esq. Sheriff, in the chair. RESOLVED, That political corruption, after having exhausted all the other sources of taxation, has, at last, proceeded to the outrageous length of attempting to burthen with a heavy tax, the very bread that we eat, being thereunto urged and encouraged by the false statements of certain rapa,cious Landowners; that, therefore, a petition be presented to the House of Lords, praying their Lordships to interpose in behalf of this long insulted, and long suffering nation, in such a manner as to prevent the enacting of any law, to prohibit, or restrain, the free importation of corn. RESOLVED, That the Sheriff be requested to sign the petition, and that copies of it be sent for signatures to the various towns in the county. RESOLVED, That when signed, the Sheriff do transmit, the petition to the Earl Stanhope, and request his Lordship to present the same to the House of Lords. RESOLVED, That the Sheriff be requested to sign. the resolutions, and to publish them in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal, and in two London morning and two London evening Newspapers. RESOLVED, That the thanks of this Meeting be given to the High Sherif of the county, for his readiness in calling this Meeting, and for his inpartial conduct in the chair. That your Petitioners, seeing, in other Quarters, political Corruption and private Rapacity so firmly and resolutely leagued against them, fly with Confidence for Protection to your Lordships, and appeal to your Noble-Mindedness, your Justice, your Humanity, against the Machinations and Violence of this unfeeling, this merciless League. Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray, that your Lordships will reject any Proposition that may be made to you to entertain any Bill, or other Measure, tending to diminish, or restrain the Importation of Corn, And your Petitioners shall ever pray, &c. CHEAP CORn. Aristides' statement is incorrect.-It is the real cause of the evil." He says, "since this person's lease has expired, his landlord has doubled his rent:" but he has not told us when this lease was granted; whether in the cheap or in the dear times, or why the landlord thought of doubling the rent. He has also forgotten to state the comparison of the quantum of taxes paid, and housekeeping expenses, &c. in the year the lease was granted, and that in which it expired. These particulars are certainly very ma Mr. COBRETT.—In perusing your va terial to be known, as a criterion to enaluable Register last week, I saw in it a ble us to judge whether the landlord letter entitled " Cheap Corn," which, wanted a double income or not. Ariswith your permission, I would offer a few tides lays great stress on manylittle farms remarks on, and put a few queries to the being consolidated into one. This is not writer, Aristides. He begins with stating, so general as he states, although it will that he "sets his face against all that has be more so soon; for now that a prison "been said or written on the subject." stares the little farmer in the face, and But if he were to ask Mr. Whitbread, if has stared some of them out of countehe had ever made, at a public meeting, nance, as auy one may see by looking similar declarations as to the manner of over his own parish, and observing the farmers' living, I believe he would an inerease of paupers caused by an influx swer in the affirmative. If he were to of labourers, the consequence of oppresask Mr. Hunt, if he had ever spoken sive taxation. So far Aristides' statement against bigh renis, he would give the is true, when he says, that " they are same answer. Now, Sir, if this be true," either working as day labourers, or "gone out of the kingdom;" but, reader," beef," ccntinues the writer, " Aristides is not content with the farmers' mode of living; he calls upon the reader to enter a farm-house, and tells him, he will "no longer find the farmer's daughters, Madge and Molly, (for such "he will have their names) feeding hogs, fetching or milking cows, churning "butter, or making cheese;" but will find them in the back parlour, drawing or at music, or preparing for a county ball. But, reader, be not content with stepping into one; go into nine, and see if idleness is the order of the day; see if they are not attempting to earn their livelihood by making cheese, or perform ing some other duties. But, mark me, do not come from town to do this, when you have taken a fashionable breakfast at ten o'clock, and then, after a ride of twenty miles, expect to find them churning their butter. No, no, they will have half finished before you get from your beds; they will be in their back parlour, if they have one, mending their garments, or recreating themselves by some agreeable and pleasant amusement, perhaps at music, perhaps at drawing, or perhaps embroidering. Allow me to ask Aristides, what harm there is in farmers' daughters amusing themselves in this way, provided they do not neglect their business? Does it follow of course, then that they cannot make pie, pudding, or dumplin, because they learn music? Or because they sometimes sit in their back parlour, must they neglect going into the dairy? gives way to modern delicacy." This also is true; but the reason, Sir, is, because their own mutton and pork is cheaper to them. After all, Mr. COBBETT, why does Aristides envy the farmers? Does he think they live in luxury? Does he think they get too rich? If he does, le him try; let him take a farm at 41. per acre; let him pay 31. per acre in taxes; after he has tilled and sown the ground with all possible care, let him get fifteen bushels of blighted wheat per acre; let him pay like an honest man the tenth of all he has laid out on it to the church; let him make Gs. the bushel of the remainder, and then he will know and taste the sweets of farming; then, he may sport bis "nilitary-cut upper-coat of sulingtonian boots; and then, instead of perfine, lined with silk," and his Welkeeping his curricle, he had better march along with that illustrious personage, the next time he goes to fight for the re-establishment of the Pope and the Inquisition, than attempt to raise another year's rent and taxes. wonders why they should be made to eat Aristides pities the poor; so do I. He dear bread; so do I. He says bread ought to be cheap: so dol. But, instead of envying the supposed riches of the farmer, I would pray Parliament to take off the taxes; to do away the support of a vile system of corruption, so as to enable the landlords to lower their rents, and the tenant his corn. I would pray that we might be relieved of tythes, that curse to agriculture, which supports a set of men, a tenth of whom are scarcely But the "old mare (what a grievance!) worth any thing but to roar out 'Churc "is discarded." It is true; for those "and State;" a system which every agriwho kept her only, have found it neces-culturist ought to set his hands against; sary, by the late increase of assessed . taxes, to make shift without her, and are content to walk.---But why may not farmers have the privilege of getting money enough to enable them to ride a good -Aristides-it behoves you, as an nag, as well as a tradesman? As for active citizen, to give a proof of your their "curricles, gigs, and chaises," is sincerity in wishing bread cheaper, and there one in fifty, or even in a hundred, the people happier, by helping to prothat keep any of them? I shall pass mote such a petition, and if yours and over the young gentleman, his hobnails our prayer is heard, and the taxes and "end smock frock, and carter's, whip,'tythes taken off, then we shall have bread although I consider there is a medium cheap; then we shall be content and between this and the other dress which happy: that will be the period, and not Aristides describes; and would wish to till that period arrives." I am, &c. know, why a farmer may not be a genA FRIEND TO SINCERITY. Aleman. "The ox's cheek, and leg of Hertford, March 3, 1815. and by doing which they would prove their patriotism, their sincerity for national improvement more than the sup port of wars, or of agricultural societies. CORN LAWS. per quarter was possible. Now Sir, I presume that no comment is necessary, MR. COBBETT.-Having from the and that I need only add that whoever commencement of the present and pre- thinks this gentleman did wrong in this ceding discussions upon the proposed instance, or in giving similar informaalterations of the Corn Laws, in behalf tion to all his foreign correspondents, or both of agriculture and the grower, that gentlemen in this profession collec given the most constant attention to the tively in giving such information to all argument whereby they have been sup- their respective foreign connexions are ported, and also to those which have been censurable, is ignorant of the regular opposed to them, permit me through practice and interests of commercial the medium of your invaluable Journal, trade, and of what constitutes credit to make a few remarks upon the same. and respectability in the contracting of it. From the occasional conversation with I have no hesitation in adding that every the farmer and grower of corn, I frankly regular factor of foreign grain must have confess myself to be one of those who remitted such information to each of have been persuaded that a very consi- their respectable correspondents, by the derable and valuable body of men among earliest opportunities after the expected the farming tenantry, require the protec-rise, probably by the succeeding post. tion stated to be sought in their behalf; I cannot however pass from the subject and as far as my observation has ex- of importation, (which will doubtless betended, I am also fully satisfied that come very considerable to the port of the class of agricultural labourers, col- this metropolis) without noticing, though lectively and distinctively as a body, re- with great deference to your superior quire consideration and legislative assist-judgement, that I do not think in con ance. Presuming therefore, that these nexion with a durable peace that the statements are facts; I must conclude proposed measure will have quite the that they ought to be duly weighed, and effect in raising the price of the London generously appreciated in connexion with quartern loaf, which has been supposed; all remonstrances against any measures certainly not for a permanency. If the that are proposed professedly to obtain price should pass 13d. I must attribute a fair and proper amelioration, which I it to the alarm which these obnoxious conclude the present measures, precipi measures have excited. This remark tating through the houses of parliament, I beg you will not suppress. are not calculated to produce, but, on the price exceed, it would certainly only the contrary, are practically mischievous benefit the class of speculators whose and particularly inconsistent with public ability to enrich themselves at the public welfare. However, Sir, as you have al- expence, you would not I am sure willingly ready fully and repeatedly proved this contribute to. I do not allude to regulatter opinion, I shall only add one fact lar middle men, whose credit with their in confirmation of one of the objections connexions, and whose permanent inwhich reflecting persons stated in the terest is involved in regular profits, and first instance. I allude to their assertion, not in fluctuating prices. But, Sir, are "That if the proposed measure could the inhabitants of this ancient and enbe established, the difference conse-lightened metropolis to be persuaded by quently paid in the higher price of foreign corn, can but prove principally a premium or bonus to the foreign grower of, and dealer in corn." The following fact I humbly presume is convincing on the subject. A cornfactor (whose name can be suppliedy as soon as those measures were known to be sanctioned by the Government, and likely to be established ander some modification, immediately in-inasmuch as the said measure of prohi ormed a foreign correspondent, advising im to delay his shipments and wait a iw weeks for advanced markets; and ark reader, as a rise of no less than 17. Should the country representatives, that without biting the first sale of the importations |