The first meeting at which Christian ministers appeared in any number was on the occasion of a tea party, given to Mr. George Thompson, in the Manchester Corn Exchange. In June, the committee of the British India Society passed the following resolution:—
"The committee of the British India Society agrees that Mr. Thompson shall render his services gratuitously to the council of the National Anti-Corn-Law League during the present struggle for the abolition of the Corn Laws ; Mr. Thompson, at the same time, retaining his connection with the British India Society. The committee further pledges itself to aid, to the extent of its ability, the Anti-Corn-Law League in its efforts to promote the establishment, and secure the recognition of the principles of free trade, and to this end the committee tenders the services, as a writer in the cause, of William Adams, Esq., their secretary, and editor of The British India Advocate."
The council of the League gladly accepted this generous offer. Mr. Thompson had, from the commencement of the agitation, taken a warm interest in its advancement, and at Manchester, Edinburgh, and other places, had voluntarily given it his efficient aid.
At a meeting of the council of the League the following resolution was passed unanimously:—"That the council of the National Anti-Corn Law League recognises the legitimacy and importance of the objects sought by the British India Society, as stated in the address adopted as its constitution; that the council regards these objects as kindred to its own, and as inseparably connected with the establishment of free trade, and the protection of the best interests of the British Empire; and the council pledges itself, as far as it is competent, to co-operate with the British India Society upon the settlement of the question of the Corn Laws, now pending, for the attainment of its great object—justice to India."
It was at the same time resolved to give a tea party to Mr. Thompson, to invite the presence of a number of his old and
