"Fellow-Countrymen!—This was your declaration in 1820.
"We have only followed in the wake of your own prophetic memorial we are acting on its instruction. Aid us in our labours to give full effect to its indisputable truths. If, in 1820, the pressure on our population was deemed grievous, is it not now almost intolerable? The Council of the League seeks a union with you. The League has already enlisted in the common cause the great majority of their fellow-countrymen, in almost every town, village, and hamlet of Great Britain.
"The provinces of England, Wales, and Scotland, have responded to our call they have united with the League for the abolition of the Corn Laws, and for the concurrent abolition of all monopolies. The immediate efforts of the whole community are needed to rescue the people, our institutions, and our country from impending calamities.
"You will necessarily inquire of us, how is our great object to be accomplished? Our answer is, by enlightening our fellow-countrymen of all classes on our right to the privileges claimed in your own petition of 1820.
"The National Anti-Corn-Law League has undertaken to obtain justice for the people. The League deemed it a necessary duty to instruct their fellow-countrymen by lectures and by other means, and to place in the hands of every Parliamentary elector in the kingdom a library of knowledge on this vital subject. This preliminary action on public opinion was indispensable; and to effect our ultimate success the sum of 50,000 is proposed to be raised. This large sum is now in course of contribution.
"The merchants and manufacturers of Manchester have given effect to our appeal; they have not only placed in our hands munificent donations, but also promised to increase their subscription, if necessary. Liverpool, Bolton,
