History of the Anti-Corn Law League/Chapter7

by Archibald Prentice

CHAPTER VII.

PROGRESS.

In his "Cobden et la Ligue," M. Frederic Bastiat, in reference to the object of the originators of the Anti-Corn Law movement, says: "Certainly there needed more than ordinary courage to face such an enterprise. The adversaries to be combatted were in possession of riches, influence, the legislature, the church, the state, the public treasure, the soil, places, and monopolies; and they were walled around by traditional deference and veneration. But the aspect of these difficulties did not frighten the founders of the League. After having looked them in the face and measured their strength, they believed they had strength to conquer them. The agitation was decided upon, and Manchester was the cradle of the grand movement." The preparations, in the commencement of 1839, for the struggle with so much and so long-continued power, showed that the free traders were fully aware that no ordinary sacrifice of time and money and labour would be required to give them any chance of victory.

On the 10th of January, 1839, a meeting was held at the York Hotel, "to consider the proper mode of carrying forward the proceedings of the Anti-Corn-Law Association in a manner commensurate with the magnitude of the obstacles to be surmounted, and worthy of the object for which it has been established." Mr. Holland Hoole, a conservative, on being called to the chair, said he stood there as the representative of all the people in his employment, for they, as well as himself, were threatened with destruction by the operation of the Corn Laws. Mr. J. B.Smith said that to give force to petitions presented to Parliament, it was necessary that the people should assume an attitude that would demand attention to their prayers. The course should be followed which was taken to rescind the noted orders in Council in 1812 deputations should be sent to London from every part of the country, and the demand ought to be heard at the bar of the House of Commons. Mr. R. H. Greg recommended the same course, and urged the meeting to show its earnestness by contributing the means of supporting an energetic movement. Mr. Alderman Shuttleworth took a general view of the mischiefs inflicted by the landowners' monopoly. Mr. Alderman Cobden recommended an investment of a part of the property of the gentlemen present to save the rest from confiscation.

The Chairman said that though young in business he would put down £50. (Cheers.)

Mr. J. R. Smith would give £100, and he was commissioned to put down Mr. Shuster's name for £ 100. (Cheers.)

Alderman Cohden said he would give £100. (Cheers.)

Mr. Novelli would also give £100. (Cheers.)

Mr. James Kershaw would give £100. (Cheers.)

Mr. Alderman Brooks would give £100. (Cheers.)

Mr. J. C. Dyer would give £100 most cheerfully, and £1,000 more if it were wanted. (Cheers.)

Mr. W. Rawson said he could only give £50 now, but would give half of all he possessed, if it were needed. (Cheers.)

Before leaving the room, the chairman announced that the subscriptions had reached £1,800 On the following Saturday the resolutions and subscriptions were thus advertised:—

"Moved by J. B. Smith, Esq., seconded by R. H. Greg, Esq ,

"That this meeting, feeling deeply and solemnly convinced that the foreign commerce of the country, upon which the welfare of all classes of our manufacturing population depends, is threatened with impendent danger, from which it cannot be preserved unless the duties upon foreign corn and all other articles of food be immediately abolished.

"Resolved, That a subscription be forthwith commenced, for the purpose of carrying forward the proceedings of the Anti-Corn-Law Association, in a manner commensurate with the obstacles to be surmounted, and worthy of the vitally important object for which it has been established.

" On the motion of P. Novelli, Esq,, seconded by J. C. Dyer, Esq.,

"Resolved,—That the following gentlemen constitute a finance committee, for the purpose of receiving the money now subscribed; and that they may he empowered to solicit further pecuniary aid in the neighbourhood, in the name of this meeting:—

J. B. Smith, Esq.	Mr. Alderman Shuttleworth.
Mr. Alderman Cobden.	J. C. Dyer, Esq.
Mr. Alderman Kershaw.	R. H. Greg, Esq.
Mr. Alderman Callender.	Holland Hoole, Esq.

"On the motion of James Chapman, Esq., seconded by William Evans, Esq.,

"Resolved,—That the gentlemen now composing the Provisional Committee of the Manchester Anti-Corn-Law Association, a list of whose names appeared in several Manchester newspapers on the 29th of December, and the gentlemen present, not included in the list, be one General Committee, with power to add to their number, for the management of the Anti-Corn-Law Association, subject to the resolutions already passed of such Provisional Committee.

The following amounts were announced:—

The Mayor of Manchester.	£100	Messrs. Evans and Nicholson.	£50
J. B. Smith, Esq	£100	Messrs. Lambert, Hoole, Jackson, and Co	£50
Mr. Alderman Callender	100	Messrs. J. R. Barnes	50
Leo Shuster, Esq	100	James Chadwick, Esq	50
Alderman Kershaw	100	Messrs. Burgess & Townsend	50
P. Novelli, Esq	100	Abraham Smith, Esq	50
Mr. Alderman Cobden	100	Messrs. J. Thomasson & Sons	50
Mr. Alderman Brooks	100	Messrs. Benj. Smith & Sons	50
R. H. Greg, Esq	100	Messrs. Banuerman & Grafton	50
Messrs. H. and C. Ashworth	100	William Rawson, Esq	50
Messrs. Mc.Connell and Co.	100	Messrs. James Hall & Co.	50
Messrs. Simpson, Rostron, and Co	100	Daniel Lee, Esq	50
J. C. Dyer, Esq.	100	Elkanah Armitage, Esq.	50

On Saturday, January 19th, the following additional subscriptions were announced :—

Messrs. Thomson Brothers	100	S. D. Darbishire, Esq	£50
Robert Stuart, Esq	100	Eccles Shorroeks, Esq	50
Oxford Road Twist Company	100	Messrs. S. Schwabe & Co.	50
Messrs. S. Stocks & Co	100	Messrs. Adam Roxburgh & Co.	50
Messrs. John Munn & Co.	100	Henry Hilton, Esq	50
Messrs. J.& N. Philips & Co.	100	Messrs. N. P. Nathan & Co	50
Messrs. A. & S. Henry & Co.	100	Messrs. J.P. Rayner & Brother	50
Messrs. Roberts & Walton.	50	Messers. J. & . Walker	50
Isaac Hudson, Esq	50	Messrs. Schunck, Suchay & Co.	50
Messrs. H. Bannerman and Sons	50	Messrs. Gisborne & Wilson	50
Messrs. John Dugdale&Brs.	50	Messers. Reiss & Brother	50
Messrs. Dufay & Co	50	Messers. Simon & Co.	50
John Owens, Esq.	50	James Carlton, Esq	50
And fifteen others. 20 each; fourteen, at 10 each; and thirteen, at increasing the amount to upwards of £4,105.

On Saturday, January 26th, the following additional subscriptions were announced:—

Messrs. Hargreaves & Dugdale	£100	Thomas Ashton, Esq	£50
Messrs. George Cheetham & Son	100	Messrs. Bannister, Eccles, & Co.	50
		Messrs. Samuel Matley & So	50
Messrs. Ashbury, Critchley, & Co.	50	Messrs. Wood & Wright	50
		Messrs. Jas. Maclaren & Co.	50
Messrs. James Burt & Son.	50	Henry Wadkin, Esq	50
Jacob Bright, Rochdale	50	Messrs. Harvey, Tysoe, & Co.	50
And one at £30; two at 25 each; twelve, at 20 each; fourteen, 10 each; and five, at 5 each.

By Saturday, February 9th, the following additional subscriptions had been received:—

Messers S. Lees & Co	£100	Messers. J.S. & J. Watts	£50
Messers. Fort Brothers & Co.	100	Messers. Reddish, Brooks & Co	50
Messers. Smith & Rawson	50
Messers. Potter & Ross	50	Messers. Nelson, Knowles, & Co	50
Messers. Jos. Smith & Sons	50
And one at £30 ; one at £25 ; four at £20 each ; eight at £10 each ; and twelve, at £5 each; making the total, with sundry smaller subscriptions into the sum of £6,136. 10s.

An ungenerous use has been made of the avowal of many contributors to the funds of the League, that they felt that their own interests would be promoted, as if they were influenced solely by selfishness. Happy it is when the interest of a class is the interest of the whole community! The producers of corn—or rather the owners of land from which corn is produced—wished, for their own profit, to tax the whole of the consumers, agricultural as well as commercial and manufacturing. To them the charge of selfishness might fairly be applied. It could not be justly applied to those who asked only to be released from an unjust exaction. When the manufacturers of Lancashire, Yorkshire, and Lanarkshire, demanded this right, they demanded what would be a much greater benefit to the hundreds of thousands whom they employed. To the former it was a question of diminished profits, or a change in the employment of capital, or a change in the locality of that employment,—to the latter it was a question of life or death—of fair employment at fair wages or absolute starvation. Each of the former could truly say:—"If I am benefitted, a hundred others will be more benefitted." This was the answer to the cry simultaneously, and suspiciously because simultaneously, raised—for it argued a compact between the chartists and the protectionists. I will not assert the unmixed benevolence of all who gave their money and their labour to the movement. If I did, I should be claiming what they did not claim for themselves. They did not sound a trumpet and proclaim themselves, as others did, the "poor man's friends." What they said was that their interests and the interests of the community were identical. What they asked of the working man was, to help them for his own benefit—for his own rescue from starvation. And yet, while they thus abstained from the claim of being actuated by unmixed benevolence, I have seen the tears run down the cheeks of many a manly countenance, when the great employer spoke of the wretched condition of hundreds and thousands who looked to him for employment when none was to be had.

While Manchester was bracing itself up for the fight, indications were given in other places of the sort of opposition with which the new movement would be encountered. At Leeds a great meeting was held on the 15th January, rendered still more numerous by the announcement that Mr. Feargus O'Connor would attend "to vindicate the rights of labour," which brought the Chartists in great numbers to support their champion, and it was found necessary to adjourn to the Coloured Cloth Hall, where between seven to eight thousand persons soon congregated. The Mayor was called to the chair Mr. Alderman Goodman moved, and Mr. Alderman Williams seconded a resolution against all restrictions on the interchange of nations as unjust in principle, impolitic, and injurious. Mr. O'Connor designated the movement as one intended only to give the manufacturers power to lower the wages of their workmen, and moved a resolution that, although on trade were injurious, no salutary alterations could be made until those for whose benefit the change was contemplated were fully represented in Parliament. Great confusion ensued, amidst which Mr. Thomas Flint stood forward with the Mirror of Parliament in his hand, and having read some extracts in which O'Connor had spoken against the repeal of the Corn Laws, exclaimed "Here is a man who now assents to the proposition that there should be no restrictions on commerce, and yet only four years ago he maintained that such a principle would be ruinous to the country." Here a cry came from the crowd "What have we to do with his consistency?" "What!" said Mr. Flint, "have you nothing to do with it? I should like to know what better criterion you have of a man's principles than his past actions. If he is unable to give a full and satisfactory explanation of his change of opinion he is unworthy of your confidence." Great confusion again prevailed, amidst which O'Connor was heard to tell the meeting, that "if he lived, by the blessing of God, they would have universal suffrage;" but his hearers seemed to think that they would be none the worse, in the mean time, of food at its natural price, for on a show of hands his amendment was lost, and the original resolution carried by three to one.

At Leeds a chartist was the obstructive at Liverpool it was a tory who opposed himself to the new movement. At the latter great town a very numerous meeting was held; the Mayor (Hugh Hornby, Esq.) in the chair. The first resolution in favour of free trade, proposed by Mr. T. Thornerly, M.P. for Wolverhampton, and seconded by Mr. Christopher Rawdon, was carried with a few dissentients. The second, on the injurious operation of the Corn Laws, was proposed by Mr. Henry Booth, seconded by Mr. James Molineux. Mr. Duncan Gibb, in opposition, said that the effect of the Corn Laws had been to keep up the price of labour. This was received with loud laughter. He went on to say that the high wages consequent upon the operation of the Corn Laws had the effect of enabling a man to earn what allowed him something to spare for the luxuries as well as the necessaries of life. In conclusion Mr. Gibb read a long amendment to the effect that the Corn Laws were just, convenient, politic, and salutary, and that it would be highly inexpedient to alter them. The original resolution was supported by Mr. Ottiwell Wood, then he said in his seventy-ninth year, Mr. John Smith, Mr. Walmsley (now Sir Joshua), and Mr. Rathbone, and was carried by a great majority.

The Manchester Association having resolved upon a public dinner invited the attendance of a number of members of Parliament, who, in the previous session, had voted in favour of Mr. Villiers' motion for the repeal of the Corn Law; and of delegates from associations which had sprung up in various parts of the kingdom; and it was then seen that numerous important towns were ready to join in a great mutual effort. The assemblage, consisting of eight hundred persons, took place in the Corn Exchange, on Wednesday, 22nd January. The following members of Parliament and others were present, seated at the principal table:—

C. P. Villiers, Wolverhampton.

Josh. Scholefield, Birmingham.

Peter Ainsworth, Bolton.

John Fort, Clitheroe.

William Clay, Tower Hamlets.

Francis Finch, Walsall.

Colonel Sawley, Ludlow.

Col. Thompson, late M.P. for Hull

Dr. Bowring, late M.P. for Kilmarnock

Sir William Molesworth, Leeds.

Henry Marsland, Stockport.

John Easthope, Leicester.

Joseph Brotherton, Salford.

Richard Walker, Bury.

J. T. Leader, Westminster.

T. B. Hobhouse, Rochester.

William Ewart, late M.P.

Thos. Potter, Mayor of Manchester,

R. H. Greg, Esq.

At the table running down the centre of the room, reserved for strangers and delegates from distant towns,were:—

G. Cookman, Mayor of Hull.

The Mayor of Bolton.

The Mayor of Lancaster, with Satterthwaite, Higgin, & Hinde.

Hon. Erskine Murray, Edin.

William Briggs, Esq., Leicester.

R. Bradley, J. Sands, and Kelley, Nottingham.

Coppock, Nelstrop, and Hudson, Stockport.

Thomas Eskrigge, Warrington.

Walmsley and Bolton, Liverpool.

Weir and Johnstone, Glasgow.

The Mayor of Leeds, with H. Stanfield, T. Flint, and Edward Baines, jun.

J. and W. Walker, and T. and G. Wynn, Wolverhampton.

Segar, Ascroft, and Barlow, Preston.

The Master Cutler, of Sheffield.

J. Spear Heron, Wigan.

Letters were read from a number of members of Parliament, unable to attend, but expressing their approval of the movement. One from the Earl of Durham, who, in 1815, had moved an amendment on the Corn Bill then passed, excited enthusiastic cheering. The chairman of the Manchester Anti-Corn-Law Association, Mr. John B. Smith, was, appropriately, the chairman for the evening. The first toast was, "Our Queen, Duchess of Lancaster; may she long reign over an industrious people, unshackled by Corn Laws, or any other monopoly." The next, "The total and unconditional repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws," was received in a manner which proved that the assembled delegates were, like those whose guests they were, fully prepared to throw all compromise overboard. The report of the proceedings, and of the subsequent meetings, occupied nearly sixteen closely printed columns of my paper, then one of the largest folio; and those columns, thus devoted, contained as much matter as would fill several sheets of this volume. The speech of the chairman was short, hut to the purpose, and showed that he was worthy of the seat in parliament, which he afterwards attained. The same may be said of that delivered by the next speaker, Mr. R. H. Greg—afterwards one of the members for Manchester—who, however, spoke at greater length. He concluded by proposing, "The mover and seconder of the motion for the repeal of the Corn Laws, in March, 1838—Mr. Villiers and Sir Wm. Molesworth."—Mr. Villiers had entitled himself to the respect of Manchester before he had appeared in it, and now his appearance, at once intellectual and gentlemanly, the tone of his address, the knowledge of his subject, the closeness of his argumentation, his obvious determination to persevere in the course he had undertaken, and the hopefulness of his expectation that the struggle would end in victory, confirmed his hearers in their belief that he possessed high qualifications to be the leader in the parliamentary contest. Sir William Molesworth, although he excited less enthusiasm, spoke well, and gave evidence of a firm determination to bear his share in the movement. And then the worthy Mayor of Manchester, Thomas Potter, albeit unused to public speaking, came forward amidst the enthusiastic cheering to which his private beneficence and public spirit well entitled him, and, as a farmer's son and a Manchester merchant, denounced the Corn Laws as injurious alike to the farmer and the manufacturer, and the labourers and operatives they employed. He proposed, "The gentlemen who voted in the minority on Mr. Villiers' motion." This drew out Mr. Brotherton, who was not the less effective that he did not attempt to be oratorical. Mr. Holland Hoole proposed, "The manufacturing and agricultural classes; may their mutual interests be a bond of union between them." On this, Mr. Clay; spoke asserting that the interest of the landowners would be more promoted by encouraging a more careful cultivation of the soil than by protection.

And here let us advert, for a moment, to a remark of Miss Martineau in her "History of England during the thirty years' peace," in reference to the Anti-Corn-Law agitators. She says "They set to work with a zeal, a knowledge, a pertinacity, and a spirit of self-sacrifice, probably unequalled in the history of peaceful agitation. When their work was done, and they looked back upon its beginning, they were surprised to find how little they themselves knew when they first devoted themselves to the cause. The deepest of them had scarcely an idea how closely the interest of the agriculturists were involved in the establishment of a free trade in food, and how society was injured through all its ramifications by an artificial restriction in the first article of human necessity." No doubt the various bearings of the question became better understood the more it was discussed but I can aver that, from the very commencement of the agitation, the mutual dependance of agricultural and manufacturing interests had been made a strong point by the advocates of free commerce. It was so at all the meetings in Manchester, from the time of Dr. Bowling's visit in September to the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, in December, 1838; at that meeting it bore a prominent part in the discussion; and at this great meeting in January, 1839, almost every speaker adverted to it. Probably Miss Martineau's mistake arose from the frequent denunciation of landlord selfishness in taxing the whole community to keep up rents; but there was, even from the beginning, a distinction drawn between the interest of the landlord and that of the general agricultural body.

We return to the meeting Mr. James Kershaw having expressed his trust that, whilst remembering their particular interests as spinners, calico printers, as merchants, as manufacturers, or as farmers, they would never forget the interests of the working many, proposed "A cheap loaf for the people," which was responded to by Mr. Leader, who, believing that the Corn Laws were reducing the manufacturers to ruin, and the working classes to starvation, and not seeking any injury to the agricultural interest, pledged himself to use every effort to obtain their repeal. Justice was then done to a veteran in the cause of free trade, and the grateful task was appropriately assigned to another veteran of a kindred spirit. Mr. J. C. Dyer proposed "The health of the author of the Anti-Corn-Law Catechism—Colonel Thompson." The gallant colonel was not known as a public speaker. Six years before he did not believe that he could ever be a public speaker. He was a candidate for the representation of Preston after the passing of the Reform Bill, and all that Dr. Bowring and I could say as to the necessity of his going to address the constituency was unavailing, such was his belief that he was unable to speak before a great mixed assemblage. I was told that his friends had, with great difficulty, persuaded him that he had the power of writing things worthy to be printed. He now proved that he was capable of uttering as well as writing pithy argument, and of slaying fallacies as trenchantly by speech as by pen. "The Glasgow Anti-Corn-Law Association," called up Mr. Johnstone, afterwards member of Parliament for Kilmarnock, who was amongst the first who attained a seat there after the agitation, mainly for the advocacy of free-trade principles.

"Peace and free trade with all the world," was appropriately replied to by Dr. Bowring, whose visit in the previous September had given rise to the association, now meeting in such strength and with such coadjutors. After short speeches from Mr. Ainsworth and Mr. Ewart, the company separated, not, however, without adding considerably to the fund, more than £600 having been subscribed in the room.

On the following day, a meeting of the delegates was held in the York Hotel, Mr. Smith in the chair. Mr. Cobden said that the members of the Manchester Association had thought it desirable that the various associations throughout the kingdom should act together, and read the following resolutions, which were submitted to the consideration of the assembled delegates:—

"Resolved—1. That this meeting of representatives from all the great sections of our manufacturing and commercial population, solemnly declare it to be their conviction that the prosperity of the great staples upon which their capital and industry are employed, is in imminent danger from the operation of the laws which interdict or interfere with the exchange of their productions for the corn and other produce of foreign nations, and thus check our trade, and artificially enhance the price of food in this country; and believing that the facts upon which this judgment is formed are little known, and of such national importance as to call for their disclosure before tie people's representatives, they earnestly recommend that petitions be immediately forwarded from all parts of the kingdom, praying to be heard by counsel and evidence at the bar of the House of Commons in the approaching session of Parliament."

"2. That in order to secure unity and efficiency of action, this meeting recommends that delegates be appointed by the several Anti-Corn-Law Associations of the kingdom, to assemble as a Central Board, in London, at the opening of Parliament; to whom shall be entrusted, amongst other business, the duty of obtaining the services of such members as may be inclined to urge their cause with efficiency and in the meantime the meeting impresses upon all those local bodies, the necessity of immediately collecting and arranging their evidence, and placing it at the disposal of the Central Board. Those manufacturing and commercial towns not already possessing in Parliament; such societies are earnestly recommended to form Anti-Corn-Law Associations; and, in case they require information or advice, they are invited to put themselves immediately in correspondence with the Manchester Association, whose fundamental rule, prohibiting the discussion of any party or political topics, is especially recommended for the adoption of all similar bodies elsewhere."

"3. That the agricultural proprietor, capitalist, and labourer are benefited equally with the trader, by the creation and circulation of the wealth of the country; and this meeting appeals to all those classes to co-operate for the removal of a monopoly which, by restricting the foreign commerce of the country, retards the increase of population, and thus depriving them of the manifold resources to be derived from the augmenting numbers and wealth of restrains the growth of towns; the country."

"4. That this meeting cannot separate without expressing its deep sympathy with the present privations of that great and valuable class of their countrymen who earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brow; many of whom are now suffering from hunger in the midst of boundless fields of employment, rendered unproductive solely by those unjust laws which prevent the exchange of the products of their industry for the food of other countries. So long as a plentiful supply of the first necessaries of life is denied by acts of the British legislature to the great body of the nation, so long will the government and the country be justly exposed to all the evils resulting from the discontent of the people. With a view to avert so great a danger by an act of universal justice, this meeting pledges itself to a united, energetic, and persevering effort for the total and immediate repeal of all laws affecting the free importation of grain."

"5. That the delegates appointed for the furtherance of the objects of this work by the different Anti-Corn-Law associations and towns, be advised to assemble at Brown's Hotel, Palace Yard, Westminster, at twelve o'clock on Monday the 4th of February."

Mr. William Weir, a member of the Scottish bar, then editor of the Glasgow Argus, who had suggested that the agitation should take the course which had been successful in causing the repeal of the Orders in Council, stated that the petition from Glasgow for the total repeal of the Corn Laws had, in a few days, been signed by 80,000 persons, and that the number would probably be doubled. The association there would take nothing short of repeal. Mr. Boultbee, of Birmingham, argued that money saved by the reduction of the price of bread would be spent in the purchase of other agricultural produce. Colonel Thompson promised the aid of the London Association. Mr. A. Prentice said that a petition, signed by 22,000 persons, had been sent from Manchester on the previous year, and yet their right honourable representative was complaining that his constituents were not urgent in the matter. The Hon. J. Erskine Murray said that although no association had been formed at Edinburgh, there had been a meeting there attended by 2,000 persons, all for total repeal. Mr. Wahnesley, of Liverpool, said that at the meeting there, resolutions in favour of total repeal had been carried by fifty to one. The Mayor of Leeds stated that the petition agreed upon at a public meeting, praying for total repeal, had received 15,000 signatures, Mr. Thomas Bolton, of Liverpool, promised that the members for that borough should be urged to vote for repeal. Mr. Walker, of Wolverhampton, the Mayor of Lancaster, Mr. Flint, of Leeds, Mr. B. Pearson, Mr. W. Rawson, Dr. Bowring, the Mayor of Bolton, myself, and others, all spoke in favour of immediate repeal, some of them urging as a reason against a gradual reduction, that it would be most ruinous to the farmers. The resolutions were agreed to unanimously.

In the evening of the same day an adjourned meeting, or "dessert" as it was called, was held in the Corn Exchange. The first toast given was "The eloquent and indefatigable advocate of the repeal of the Corn Laws, Mr. Paulton, of Bolton." Mr. Paulton stated that he had lectured in seven counties, and addressed upwards of 80,000 persons, and he conceived, from what he had experienced of the popular feelings, that the alleged unwillingness of the working classes to join in the movement, was not borne out by facts. The meeting was subsequently addressed by Mr. Ewart, M.P., Mr. George Wynn, Mr. Alderman Brooks, Mr. Erskine Murray, Mr. William Rawson, Colonel Thompson, Mr. Henry Ashworth, Mr, William Weir, Dr. Bowring, and myself.

A meeting of the Manchester Association was held in Newall's Buildings, on the 28th of January, J. B. Smith, Esq., in the chair, at which it was resolved:—

"1. That the association be called 'The Manchester Anti-Corn-Law Association,' and its object is hereby declared to be, to obtain by all legal and constitutional means, such as the formation of local Anti-Corn-Law Associations, the delivery of lectures, the distribution of tracts, the insertion of articles in the public papers, and forwarding petitions to Parliament, the total and immediate repeal of the corn and provision laws."

"2. No party political discussions shall, on any account be allowed at any of the general or committee meetings of the association; nor shall any resolution be proposed, or subject entertained which shall be at variance with the declared object of the association."

"3. Every person who shall be a member shall pay in advance an annual subscription of the association."

"4. Every person on paying a subscription of five shillings or upwards, per annum, shall receive from the secretary a ticket, which shall entitle the subscriber to attend all general- meetings of the association, and to take part in the proceedings of the same."

"5. The management of the officers of the association shall be vested in a council, to consist of a president, vice president, treasurer, and not less than one hundred members, to be chosen by the members out of their own body."

"6. The council shall elect out of its own body an 'Executive Committee,' consisting of twelve members, three to be a quorum, and other committees if necessary, whose duty shall be to conduct the business of the association."

"7. The council shall also select out of its own body, a 'Finance Committee,' consisting of eight members, three to be a quorum, whose duty shall be to receive all moneys on account of the association, and to pay the same to the treasurer, to examine all accounts and to direct payment by the treasurer."

"8. The president, vice-president, and treasurer of the association shall be, ex-officio, members of every committee."

"9. Every committee, at its first meeting, shall appoint out of its own body a chairman and deputy-chairman."

"10. The council shall meet at least once a fortnight, to receive the reports of the sub-committees, and for the transaction of the general business of the association"

"11. No alteration shall be made in the rules of the association, except at a general meeting of the members, convened for that purpose, of which a week's notice shall be given by public advertisement, in at least two of the Manchester newspapers."

The following gentlemen were appointed of

THE COUNCIL.

President: J. B. Smith, Esq.

Vice-President; C. J. S. Walker, Esq.

Treasurer: Mr. Alderman Kershaw.

Secretary: Mr. John Ballantyne.

Elkanah Armitage.
Joseph Adshead.
James Ashworth.
Edw. Ashworth,Bolton.
J. R. Barnes.
Thomas Burgess.
Andrew Bannerman.
Robert Bunting.
John Brewer.
William Besley.
John Brooks.
W. R. Callender.
James Carlton.
James Chapman.
Richard Cobden.
Waiter Clarke.
Matthew Curtis.
James Chadwick.
J. C. Dyer.
George Dixon.
S. D. Darbishire.
Peter Eckersley.
Edward Evans.
William Evans.
Richard T. Evans.
James Edwards.
J. G. Frost.
J. H. Fuller.
R. H. Greg.
H. H. Grounds.
Jeremiah Garnett.
J. S. Grafton.
William Goodier.
George Hadfield.
Edward Hall.
James Hampson.
Thomas Hopkins.
Joseph Heron.
Holland Hoole.
Isaac Hudson.
James Hudson.
John Hyde.
Thomas Harbottle.
James Howie.
William Harvey.
Alexander Henry.
John Higson.
Thomas Higson.
Robert Holland.
James Kershaw.
William Lockett.
William Lindon.
William Labrey.
F. Lowe.
James Murray.
John Malin.
John Macfarlane.
Henry Marsland.
Samuel Marsland.
Henry Mc.Connell.
Thomas Molineux.
F. C. Morton.
William Nicholson.
Robert Nicholson.
William Nield.
Aaron Nodal.
John Naylor.
Philip Novelli.
Joseph Nadin, jun.
John Ogden.
J. S. Ormerod.
Benjamin Pearson.
Robert N. Philips.
Thomas Potter.
Archibald Prentice.
Jonathan Rawson.
John Robley.
John Rostron.
William Rawson.
Henry Rawson.
John Shuttleworth.
Jonathan Shaw.
J. B. Scott.
Thomas Smith.

Stephen Smith.
Robert Stuart.
Abraham Smith.
Samuel Stocks.
John Standing.
Isaac Shimwell.
Charles Tysoe.
John Edward Taylor.
John Whitlow.
John Wilkinson.
Samuel Watts.
William Woodcock.
Absalom Watkin.
George Wilson.
C. J. S. Walker.
T. H. Williams.
Henry Wadkin.
P. F. Willert.
W. B. Watkins.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

Jas. Kershaw, Treasurer.
Richard Cobden.
Holland Hoole.
Thomas Harbottle.
W. R. Callender.
Henry Rawson.
J. C. Dyer.
Edward Hall.
P. F. Willert.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Richard Cobden.
Archibald Prentice.
William Rawson.
Edward Hall.
W. R. Callender.
James Chapman.
William Evans.
James Howie.
Waiter Clarke.
George Wilson.
George Dixon.
Peter Eckersley.

PETITION COMMITTEE.

Walter Clarke.
Edward Hall.
Samuel Lowcock.
Archibald Prentice.
Isaac Shimwell.
John Bright, Rochdale.
W. Perkins.
John Ogden.
Matthew Curtis.
John Blakeman.
George Smith.
James Naylor.
J. S. Ormerod.
Henry Rawson.
John Standring.
George Wilson.
Henry Ashworth,Bolton.
Thomas Hopkins.
William Goodier.
Aaron Nodal.
Edward Worthington.
John Gadsby.
James Howie.
J. Groves.
William Lockett.
Wm. Barratt, Newton.

The Executive Committee of the Manchester Association was afterwards elected to be the Executive Committee of the National Anti-Corn-Law League, and continued its almost daily labours during the seven years' agitation. The death of one of its members, and the removal of the residences of several others, made a change in its constitution, and at the close of the contest the acting committee consisted of:—

William Bickham.
Richard Cobden.
W. R. Callender.
William Evans.
Samuel Lees.
Archibald Prentice.
William Rawson.
Henry Rawson.
George Wilson.
Thomas Woolley.

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