sumption gives the limit to production.' In 1816 he published his first currency pamphlet, 'The Remedy, or Thoughts on the Present Distress.' It reached a second edition, and was followed in 1817 by 'Prosperity Restored, or Reflections on the Cause of the Public Distresses' (London, 8vo), and by 'A Letter to Nicholas Vansittart on the Creation of Money, and on its Action upon National Prosperity,' in which he maintained that 'the issue of money will create markets, and that it is upon the abundance or scarcity of money that the extent of all markets principally depends.' Attwood's arguments had some influence with Vansittart, and Cobbett complained that in 1818, at the suggestion of Attwood, the chancellor of the exchequer 'caused bales of paper money to be poured forth as a remedy against the workings of those evil-minded and designing men who were urging the people on for parliamentary reform.' His 'Prosperity Restored ' attracted the notice of Arthur Young (1741-1820) [q. v.], and a correspondence ensued, which terminated in the publication by Attwood of 'Observations on Currency, Population, and Pauperism, in Two Letters to Arthur Young' (London, 1818, 8vo). In this work he urged that 'every increase of the population carries with it the ample means of its own support ; at least so long as the circulating medium is kept equivalent to its purposes and as a single acre of land remains to be cultivated or improved in the country.' Animated by these principles Thomas Attwood and his brother Matthias opposed Peel's bill in 1819 for the resumption of cash payments by the bank of England. In 1819 he published two letters of remonstrance addressed to the prime minister, the Earl of Liverpool.
In 1830 Attwood, most of whose connections were members of the tory party, definitely declared himself of opposite convictions by founding, on 25 Jan., the 'Birmingham Political Union for the Protection of Public Rights.' The object of the Political Union was to secure the adequate representation of the middle and lower classes in the House of Commons. Similar associations were rapidly formed all over the country, including the notable Northern Political Union, founded by Charles Attwood (1791-1875), Thomas's brother, at Newcastle-on-Tyne, about 1830. These unions enthusiastically supported Earl Grey's government during the passage of the reform bill. On 3 Oct. 1831 an open-air meeting was convened upon Newhall Hill to protest against the rejection of the reform bill by the House of Lords. A resolution, supported by a hundred thousand men, was passed and transmitted to Lord John Russell, who replied, in reference to the opposition in the House of Lords, 'It is impossible that the whisper of a faction should prevail against the voice of a nation.' The Birmingham Union was unjustly accused by the tory press of having sent emissaries to Bristol to organise the riots which took place there, and of having secretly introduced ten thousand men into London to promote revolution. The whig ministry became uneasy at the power of the unions, and at their elaborate organisation under leaders of various ranks with powers to act in cases of emergency. Alarmed at the turbulent proceedings in London, they issued a proclamation on 22 Nov. against such organisations. This manifesto, however, was met by the Birmingham Union with a motion abandoning the idea of organisation, and reverting to the principle of simple association. They thus avoided the possibility of their position being declared illegal. On 7 May 1832 the government were defeated in the House of Lords, and immediately resigned. The result in Birmingham was that a number of the more wealthy inhabitants joined the Union, which had hitherto been confined to the poorer classes. On 10 May an immense meeting was held on Newhall Hill, the banners and trophies being covered in black drapery. It was proposed to refuse payment of the taxes, but Attwood succeeded in persuading his audience to confine themselves to more legal methods of resistance. Attwood was also in constant communication with the London unions and exerted his influence to prevent any outbreak of violence. The populace was devoted to him, and on a rumour that he was to be arrested his house was guarded by armed men. On the news of the reinstatement of Lord Grey ten thousand people assembled round Attwood's dwelling to celebrate the triumph. On 19 May he had an interview with Lord Grey at the treasury, when the prime minister acknowledged his indebtedness to Attwood's exertions, and expressed his desire to make some return. Attwood, however, declined any reward, remarking that his action had been on public grounds alone. On the rumour of fresh opposition from the Duke of Wellington, Attwood proposed to assemble a million men on Hampstead Heath. On 23 May he received the freedom of the city of London, and five days later he made a triumphal entry into Birmingham amid great enthusiasm. At this time he was the 'idol of the populace, his portraits were in every shop window, ballads in his praise were hawked through every
