The Corn Laws were import tariffs, which increased the price of imported wheat to the population, and thus allowed the landowners to sell their domestic wheat at a higher price than would normally have been the case.
The League (ACLL) was operated principally by the middle classes, and was founded in Manchester in 1839.
It was a high-volume operation, in 1843 nine million tracts were distributed; it had a large funding base as it “worked for” the industrial companies, who wanted cheap bread for their employees, which would then be content with lower wages. It was the first national lobbying group.
“A great Anti-Corn Law Bazaar was held at the Theatre Royal, which had been fitted up for the purpose. The proceeds amounted to £9,000.” 2.49
“A petition, praying for a repeal of the Corn Laws, was despatched to London, signed by 75,000 women, and at the same time 1,300 other petitions were sent, emanating from as many different companies in the town.” 2.50
2.49 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, January 1842, p. 216.
2.50 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, February 1842, pp. 216-217.
Herr Kohl had letters of introduction to the leaders of the League, was received by them in their offices, and was very impressed by the efficiency of their high-volume operation.
“George Wilson and other well known leaders of the League, who were assembled in the committee-room, received me as a stranger, with much kindness and hospitality, readily answering all my questions, and making me acquainted with all their operations. I could not help asking myself whether in Germany, men, who attacked, with such talent and energy, the fundamental laws of the state, would not have been long ago shut up in some gloomy prison, as conspirators and traitors, instead of being permitted to carry out their operations thus freely and boldly in the broad light of day; and secondly, whether in Germany, such men would ever to admit a stranger into all their secrets with such frank and open cordiality.” 2.51
“They have committees of working men for the more thorough dissemination of their doctrines among the lower classes, and committees of ladies to procure the co-operation of women.” 2.52
“All the publications of the League are not only written, but printed, bound, and published, at the League-rooms in Market-street, Manchester. I went through the various rooms where these operations were carried on, until I came at last to the great League Depôt, where books, pamphlets, letters, newspapers, speeches, tracts, and wafers, were all piled in neat packets of muslin and calico, in the great warehouses of Manchester.” 2.53
2.51 Kohl, p. 143
2.52 Kohl, p. 144
2.53 Kohl, p. 145
The ACLL was successful in its task, as the Corn Laws were abolished by Peel in 1846.
“A grand fancy dress ball, in aid of the funds for the formation of public baths and wash-houses in Manchester, was held in the Free Trade Hall. The display was very picturesque and made a great impression.” 2.54
“A grand fancy dress ball, in aid of the funds for the formation of public baths and wash-houses in Manchester, was held in the Free Trade Hall. The display was very picturesque and made a great impression.” 2.54
“The Anti-Corn-Law Bazaar, held in the Free Trade Hall, began October 15, and continued for several days. The articles sold were the remains of the great bazaar held in London, at Covent Garden Theatre. The proceeds were devoted to the £100,000 fund.” 2.55
2.55 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, December 1845, p. 234.
“The repeal of the Corn Laws was commemorated by a general holiday and an immense procession, followed by great festivities and an illumination.“
2.55 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, August 1846, p. 238
“A great banquet was held at the Free Trade Hall, to celebrate the triumph of the Anti-Corn-Law League.” 2.56
2.56 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, January 1848, p. 243.
“A banquet was held at the Free Trade Hall, January 31, in celebration of the final repeal of the Corn Laws. Upwards of three thousand persons were present, including twenty Members of Parliament and two hundred merchants and persons of influence. Mr. George Wilson presided.” 2.57
2.57 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, January 1849, p. 249.
“In consequence of fears that the Conservative Government would resort to Protectionist measures, a meeting of the Council of the Anti-Corn-Law League was held in Newall’s Buildings, March 2. Mr. G. Wilson was in the chair, and the subscriptions promised amounted to £27,520.
A meeting of the Council of the League was held in Newall’s Buildings, March 2. Mr. George Wilson presided, and it was resolved to reconstitute the Anti-Corn Law League, under the rules and regulations by which that body was formerly organised, and £27,700 was subscribed, within half-an-hour, by the meeting towards carrying out the objects of the revived league.” 2.58
2.58 Axon, “Annals of Manchester”, March 1852, p. 260
