Page:History of the Anti corn law league.pdf/304

288 abolished; and the just and peaceful principles of free trade applied to the productions of this and every other country." It was most gratifying to observe, that during the greater part of the lengthened sederunt (nearly six hours) the attendance was numerous and respectable—the most of the principal merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen of the district being present. The day's proceedings were not only free from all interruption, but passed off in the most cordial and satisfactory manner.

On Thursday, January 6th, a meeting of the Woollen Manufacturers of the counties of Somerset, Wilts, and Gloucester, called by circular, took place at the White Hart Hotel. The meeting was numerously attended, and among those present was Colonel Gore Langton, M.P., notwithstanding his being an invalid. Charles Staunton, Esq., M.P., for Stroud, was also present, on whose motion J. L. Philips, Esq., of Melksham, was called to take the chair. The chairman having explained the objects of the meeting to be, to take into consideration the present state of the manufacturing interest in the West of England, and the great distress consequent on the depression attributable to the operation of the Corn Laws, the first resolution was moved by Mr. Edmunds, of Bradford, who gave an appalling picture of the state of trade in that town, and a detail of facts as to the great decrease of manufactures. From 1820 to 1840 the number of woollen goods made in a given year had decreased from 620 ends to 100. Of 19 mills, in 1820, only two remained employed in 1840. House property had consequently been reduced in value more than 15 per cent., and the poor rates and pauperism increased in a proportionate ratio. Mr. Merlin, of Stroud, in seconding the resolution, gave a similar statement of facts relating to that district, where the number of mills in employ since the year 1831 had been reduced from 100 to 63, of which some were not now half employed, others not above one-third, and very few wholly so. The motion