At the Mansionhouse, on Wednesday, Mr. Bradfield informed the Lord
Mayor, that a petition had been placed in Mr. Leader's hands to be presented to the House of Commons, praying for the abolition of the tax of one shilling and a penny per ton, upon the coals brought to London, or within fifteen miles • of the Metropolis, by railway. Mr. Bradfield stated, that the great coal-owners in the North would not supply coal-merchants who refused compliance with the rules of the monopolists. Mr. John Dyer had in vain applied for coals to fill two vessels of 300 tons each The Lord Mayor said- " In currying on the opposition which I have suggested, several vessels of no more than 200 tons each will be required. By im-d- by we shall have inland coals brought to London, of as qood quality as any Newcastle coals, and for 20s. 6d. per ton they will be left in people's cellars. It will then be unnecessary to refer to the Lord. Mayor's coals at 22s. a ton. The whole Metropolis will find a supply ; and I am convinced that the public will most readily aid the efforts of those who are now making great exertions to carry into effect such legitimate measures for breaking down the monopoly."
Alderman Thompson remarked, that it was impossible to comply with the prayer of the petition Mr. 'Bradfield exhibited, as immense sums of money had been borrowed by the City on the credit of the tax ; and the Lord Mayor said lie entirely agreed with the Alderman.
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