ANTI-CORN-LAW DELEGATION.
On Ilfonday 4th February, the following gentlemen met as Delegates appointed to watch the Parliamentary proceedings relative to the Corn- laws. From Manchester, 'Messrs. J. B. Smith, R. II. Greg, C. J. S. Walker, W. Rawson, G. Wilson ; Bolton, E. Ashworth, Paulton ; Li- verpool, Walinslev, Aikin ; Glasgow, Alexander Johnston, Weir; Leeds, E. Baines junior, Stansfield ; Stockport, the Mayor, the Town. Clerk, M. Stark ; Kendal, Wilson, Edmonstone; Huddersfield, Brook, D. Shaw ; Preston, Barker; Bradford, (Wilts,) E. Edmonds junior ; Birmingham, Joseph Sturge ; London, Colonel Thompson, Dr. Bow- ring, M". Weymouth, Mr. It. A. Taylor.
On the motion of Mr. Johnston of Glasgow, seconded by Mr. Aikin of Liverpool, Mr. Smith of Manchester was called to the chair. A letter from Porismouth was read, intimating that Delegates would be sent front diet town if it were deemed necessary. The resolutions adopted by the meeting of Anti-Corn-law Delegates at Manchester were confirmed. A number of Delegates known to be on their way from the country not having arrived, it was deemed inexpedient to proceed to business that day. A resolution was, however, adopted, on account of the importance of losing no time, requesting Mr. Vil- liers to take the fit St opportunity of placing on the journals of the House of Commons a notice of a motion for the total repeal of the Corn-laws
On Tuesday, a resolution was moved by Mr. Johnston of Glasgow, recognizing the principles of free trade to their utmost extent. This decleratory resolution was intended to meet the objections advanced by some to the repeal of the Corn-laws on the allegation of protection en- joyed by British manufacturers. The motion being seconded by Mr. Stansfield of Leeds, was unanimously- adopted. On the motion of Mr. Greg, seconded by -Mr. Wahnsley, the meeting of Delegates resolved itself into a General Commiltee, meeting each day at half-past two o'clock, p. at. On the motion of 3Ir. Walker, seconded by Mr. Barker, a Finance Committee was appointed, authorized also to act as a Confi- dential Committee to assist the Chairman, The Members are—the Chairman, Messrs, Greg, Johnston, Wellesley, Ashworth, Aikin, Colonel Thompson. On the motion of'" Mr. E. Baines junior, seconded by Mr. Sturge, an Evidence Committee was appointed to coiiperate with the Parliamentary agent. The members are-1)r. Bowring, (Chair- man,) Messrs. Ashworth, A ik in, Baines, Coppock, Ewell, Greg. Rawson, Stansfield, Sturge, Weir, Wynne, Wellesley. The Committees were directed to meet daily at ten in the morning, and to report daily. On the motion of Mr. Aikin, it was requested of Mr. Villiers to include the hearing of evidence at the bar in his notice of motion.
On Wednesday, at the meeting of the General Committee, Dr. Bow- ring reported front the Evidence Committee, that Mr. Joseph Parkes had been engaged as Parliamentary- agent, and instructed to retain Messrs. Austin and Rushton as counsel. A sub-committee had also been appointed to prepare a circular for the collection of' evidence. On Thursday, Dr. Bowring reported from the Evidence Committee, that the circular list of queries had been prepared. A recommendation
was reported front the same body to appoint a deputation to wait upon Lord Melbourne. On the motion • of Mr. Weir, seconded by Mr. Ewart, the following gentlemen were eppointed—the Chairman, Dr.
Bowring, Messrs, Grey, Wahnsley, Stansfield, Johnstone, Ashworth,
and Sturges 3Ir. Young was introduced to the meeting as Delegate from Maryleboue. 2Iessrs, Greg, Brook, and Baines, reported the pro- ceedings of Corn-law meetings at Huddersfield and Lancaster. Inti- mations were received of Delegates having been appointed in Lancaster and Derby.
On Friday, the Chairman intimated that the Deputation was to wait upon Lord Melbourne next day at one o'clock. The Finance Com-
mittee reported that it had met and organized itself. The Evidence Committee likewise reported progress. It was announced that Dele- gates had been appointed for Greenwich, 'Woolwich. and Deptford. Mr.
Ewart delivered an excellent speech on the question of precedents; which, we observe, is erroneously attributed to Mr. Weir, in the Cue- nide of this morning.
The meetings of the General Committee have been daily made use of by the Delegates far the purpose of publicly meeting and rebutting misrepresentations and fallacies. The attendance of Members of Par- liament at these meetings has been numerous, and has daily increased. At the meeting of Friday, Etat Fitzwilliam was present. To-day, Saturday, the Deputation waited upon Lord Melbourne, at one o'clock. The Chairman opened the question of the effect of the
Corn-laws upon commerce and manufactures generally, and touched upon the cutlery trade ; Mr. Greg directed his attention to the state and prospects of the cotton trade ; Mr. Stansfield read a statement of the
woollen trade in this country and Prussia, and the exports of British wool to be worked up by foreign manufacturers ; Mr. Walmsley demon- strated the large protection afforded to the home corn-grower by the expenses of freight, St:e.; Mr. Sturge followed on the same subject, and also illustrated the working of the Corn-laws upon the hardware trade of Birmingham ; Mr. Johnston made several important statements regard- ing. the exports of foreign and British manufactures to liavannah and the ports of South America, and the progress amid effects of deep-sta steam navigation. Lord Melbourne received the members of the Depu- tation with his usual politeness; asked a number of questions ; and as- sured them that the subject should receive the most serious attention of himself and colleagues. The res yestce of the meeting were reported by the Chairman, and Mr. Stansfield's statement was read. On the mo• tion of Mr. Sturge, resolutions declaratory of their adhesion to the de- mand for total repeal and nothing short of it, and to the principles of free trade in their full extent, were adopted by the meeting.
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