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59 There now began to appear symptoms that merchants and manufacturers were rousing themselves from indifference as to the operations of the Corn Law. At the annual meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, held February 14th, Mr. J. M. Lees, in moving the adoption of the report, congratulated the chamber on the attention which had been paid to the subject of the Corn Law by the directors, who had brought forward an urgent petition for the repeal of the then law. He said that the subject had been introduced to the chamber by Mr. J. B. Smith, several years ago, with great earnestness and zeal, and knowing that Mr. Smith was of the number of directors, he was glad to see the subject receiving the attention it deserved. Mr. Cobden recommended quarterly meetings instead of annual, as there were important questions which ought to come before the members more frequently than once a-year; but the chamber, having done nothing in opposition to the Corn Laws for some ten years, was not to be suddenly persuaded into taking more frequent opportunities of action, and Mr. Cobden had to withdraw his motion. The then average price of wheat was fifty-five shillings and threepence, only nineteen shillings and threepence higher than it had been after the harvest of 1835. The chamber had made its protest, and would stand still until a greater pressure came from without.

In March, Mr. Villiers brought forward a motion in the House of Commons, for inquiry into the operation of the Corn Law, and had the support of some members of the administration; but the house would not inquire—would scarcely even listen. The Manchester Times thus commented on the debate:—

"The question of the Corn Law is, it seems, an open one; and why? Because ministers know very well that, while the preponderance which the reform was intended to give the landed interest continues, there is no chance of the repeal being carried. Mr. Thomson, Sir Henry Parnell, and Lord Dalmeny, may give their votes on this question, because they are sure to be thrown away; but in favour of the ballot they