§ The Duke of Richmondrose to present a petition in favour of Protection to Agriculture, which was adopted at a public meeting held at Guildford, called in pursuance of a requisition signed by 150 tenant farmers, agricultural labourers, and others interested in agriculture. A good deal had been said about the meetings in favour of protection to agriculture all consisting of those who were of one opinion, and not admitting discussion of the question. The answer to this complaint was—Bridgewater. Hired ruffians, called bludgeon-men, came to the Bridgewater Protection Meeting to make a row and disturb the proceedings. But did the free-traders allow discussion at the late Meeting in Birmingham? Not a single person was admitted to the Meeting without a ticket. They said the Chartists would come and interrupt. Here it was. He would tell the noble Earl, that the League, with Bright, Cobden, and its whole crew, would not dare to hold a public Free Trade Meeting in Birmingham, a meeting to which admission could be procured without tickets, for they knew the Chartists would attend and obstruct their proceedings. He was surprised, after all that had taken place, that any doubt could exist of the farmers being almost to a man hostile to the delusions of free-trade. He now presented a petition from tenant 796 farmers and others engaged in agriculture, in favour of protection to agriculture.
The Earl of Radnordid entertain doubts on that subject. With respect to the statement that payment was given to persons who attended the Meeting at Bridgewater, he would state that no such payment had been given.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.