Star. — London, England, 1820-04-25 00:00:00

THE EVENING STAR, LONDON. TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1820. THE FUNDS. ritICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY AT ONt O'CLOCIi 3 per Cent. Reduced 68N 3 per Cent. Consols 69% 3i per Cent. 77%-4 per Cent. 87% Sper Cent. Navy 105% 'A - India Bonds 265. pt. txchequer Bills (2d.) 4s. 6s. pre. Commercial Is. pre. Consols for Acct. 69% Ys. We mentioned some time ago that a Petition to the Parliament, in favour of FREE TRADE, was in course of signature. The Petition, which we sub join, is well drawn, and the principles which it ad iocates are, upon the whole, well argued ; but it is a subject of no uncommon difficulty, the system of our Commerce and our Revenue being so corn- pletely interwoven, that no radical change can take place in the one without completely remodelling the other. The Petitioners seem aware of this, and there fore, towards the conclusion of their statement, they have actually involved themselves in the very sys tem of Restriction against which their Petition pro fesses to be levelled. Principles, to be truly effective, must be followed out to their extent, without any limitation whatever. It may be difficult in any case where distortions of principle have, by any means been induced, to apply an instant remedy : in the case before us, where the whole system is radically wrong, and has been suf fered to grow up with malformations which-have be come inveterate, the application of an immediate cure is absolutely impossible. But the first steps may be taken, and eventually a remedy may be pro vided—or rather, the causes of the evil may be re moved, and the system will cure itself. The changes that must take place before this healthy state can be induced, are, we apprehend, great beyOnd anything that the Petitioners have yet contemplated—at all events, they will extend much farther than the Petition seems to contemplate.— The whole Revenue department, connected with the Customs, must be remodelled : the very point which -the Peti:ioncrs wish to save, must be abandoned— annihilated—before that system of Free Trade which would insure to the industry. and enterprise of the country its full remuneration, can be attained : nor will this, whatever may be the impediments to its adoption, prove ultimately injurious to the Revenue as a whole—though it may annihilate some of its branches—for the facilities of contribution always have been, and always will continue to be, pro portimed to the undeteriorated fruits of our na tional industry. Whatever causes an unnecessary waste of labour to procure a certain portion of enjoyment, tends to diminish, in the same pro por.ion, the abilities of the consumers to con• tribute to the necessities of the State. The con verse of this is equally true; and, therefore, though the difficulties in the +w•ay of a change may be many, a comylete change—the complete establish ment of a Free and Unrestrained Trade would, at one and the same time, increase the wealth of the Community, and increase the Revenue ;—but not through the medium of that branch denominated the Customs. To the Government or the subject it can eventually make no difference, whether a certain sum be paid in one way or another, if both be equally economical ; but it makes a very great dif. ference if the one be attended with a certain sacrifice of industry, which is, in the strictest sense of the word, national property, is sacrificed by one method of con tribution, which might be avoided by another: PETITION OF THE BIE:a.CIIA NTS OF LONDON. " To the Honourable the House of Commons of the Uni:ed Kingdom of Great 13ritain and Inland, the humble Petition of the undersigned Merchants of the City of Lor.don, " Sheweth, 'Fast foreign commerce is eminently conducive to the wealth and prosperity of a country, by enabling it to im port the commodities, for the production of which the soil, cli mate, capital, and industry of other countries are best calcu lated, and to export in payment those articles for which its own situation is better adapted. 4 That freedom from restraint is calculated to give the utmost extrusion to foreign trade, and the best direction to the capital and industry of the country. " That the maxim of buying in the cheapest market, and wi ling in the dearest, which regulates every merchant in his indi vidual dealings, is strictly applicable as the best rule for the trade of the whole Nation. " That a policy founded on these principles would render the commerce of the world an interchange of mutual advantages, ti diffuse an increase of wealth and enjoyments among the in habitants of each State. " That, unfortunately, a policy the very reverse of this has bon, and is, more or less, adopted and acted upon by the Go vernmeut of this and of every other country. each trying to ex clude the productions of other countries, with the specious and well-meant design of encouraging its own productions; thus in flicting on the bulk of its subjects, who are consumers, the ne cushy of submitting to privations in the quantity or quality of Commodities; and thus rendering what ought to be the source of mutual benefit and of harmony among States, a constantly jealousy and hostility. recurr ing occasion of " That the prevailing prejudices in favour of the prot ec ti ve o r restrictive system may be traced to the erroneous s u pposition that every importation of foreign commodities occasions a di minution or discouragement of our own productions to the same extent whereas it may be clearly &hewn, that although the particular description of production which could not stand against unrestrained foreign competition would be discouraged, yet as no importation could be continued for any length of time, without a corresponding exportation, direct or indirect, there k 1 ` . 1! L; would be an encouragement, for the purpose of that exports deo, of some other production to which our situation might be better suited; thus affording at least an equal, and probably a greater, and certainly a most beneficial employment to our owii capital and labour. " That of the numerous protective and prohibitory duties of our Commercial Code, it may be pro►ed, that while all operate as a very heivy tax on the community at large, very few are of any ultimate benefit to the classes in whose favour they wer e originally instituted, and .none to the extent of the lose occa sioned by them to other classes. " That, among the other evils of the restrictive or protective system, not the least is, that. the artificial protection of one branch of industry, or source of production, against foreign competition, is set up as a ground of claim by other branches for similar protection ; so that if the reasoning upon which these restrictive or prohibitory regulations are founded were fol lowed out consistently, it would not stop short of excluding us from all foreign commerce whatsoever. And the same train of argument, which, with corresponding prohibitions and protec tivk duties, should exclude as from foreign trade, might be brought forward to justify the re-enactment of restrfctions upon the interchange of productions (unconnected with public reve nue) among the kingdoms composing the union, or among the counties of the same kingdom. " That an investigation of the effects of the restrictive system, at this time, is peculiarly cailed for, as it may, in the opinion of your Petitioners, lead to a strong presumption that the dis tress which now so generally prevails is considerably aggravated by that system, and that some relief may be obtained by the earliest practicable removal of such of the restraints as may be shewii to be most injurious to the capital and industry of the community, mad to be attended with no compensating benefit to the public revenue. " That a declaration against the anti-commercial principles of our restrictive system is of the more importance at the present juncture, inasmuch as, in several instances of recent occurrence, the merchants and manufacturers in foreign States have assailed their respective Governments with applications for further pro tective or prohibitory duties and regulations, urging the example and authority of this country, against which they are almost ex elusively directed, as a sanction for the policy of such measures. And certainly, if the reasoning' upon which our restrictions have been defended is wotth anything, it will apply in behalf of the regulations of foreign States against us. They insist upon our superiority in capital and - machinery. as we do upon their comparative exemption from taxation, and with equal foundation. Tbat nothing would more tend to counteract the commer cial hostility of foreign States than the adoption of a more en lightened and more conciliatory policy on the part of this country. " That although, as a matter of mere diplomacy, it may some times answer to hold out ih: removal of particular prohibitions, or high duties, as depending upon corresponding concessions by other States in our favour, it does not follow that we should maintain our restrictions, in cases where the desired concessions on theit part cannot be obtained. Our restrictions would not be the less prejudicial to our own capital and industry, becawe other Governments persisted in preserving impolitic regulation& 1, That, upon the whole, the most liberal would prove to be the most politic course on such occasions. " That, independent of the direct benefit to he derived by this country on every occasion of such concession or relaxation, a great "n idental object would be gained by the recognition of a sound principle or standard, to which all subsequent arrange ments might be referred, and by the salutary influence which a promulgation of such just views by the Legislature, and by the Nation at large, could not fail to have on the policy of other States. " That in thus declaring, as your Petitioners do, their convic tion of the impolicy and injustice of the restrictive system, and in desiring every practicable relaxation of it, they have in view only such parts of it as ate not connected, or are only subor dinately so, with the Public Revenue. As long as the necessity for the.prescnt amount of Revenue subsists, your Petitioners cannot expect so important a beanch of it as the Customs to be given up, nor to be materially diminished, unless some substi tute, less objectionable, be suggested. But it is against every restrictive regulation of tradf, not essential to the Revenue— against ali Duties merely protective from foreign competition— and against the excess of such Duti:s as are partly for the pur pose of Revenue, and partly for that of protection—that the prayer of the present Petition is respectfully submitted to the wisdom of Parliament. " Your Petitioners,thmfore, humbly pray that your Honour able House wiU be pleased to take the subject into consideration, and to adopt such measures as may be calculated to give greater freedom to Foreign. Commerce, and thereby to increase the re sources of the State" 'Limburg]: Papers to the MI instant, Stutgard to the 16th, and other German Journals, arrived last night; The following are extracts: STOCKHOLM, APRIL 7. An Import Duty of 40 schillings Ilamburgh banco per pound on Spanish, Portuguese, and fine Saxon Wool, is imposed by a Decree of the Royal Board of Trade, dated 13th April. STUTGARD, APRIL 15. The marriage of his Majesty the Ring with her Serene High ness the Princess Paulina of Wurtemberg, daughter of his High ness the late Duke Louis of Wurtemberg, was solemnized to day in the Royal Palace. not outraged ; the person of the King is sacred and inviolable:* The tenour of this Pkoclamation spews that there had been some ferilientation among the troops. A letter from the GoveVnor of Andalusia, Don JUAN O'Dowoju, inserted in the Gazette of Madrid, gives a detailed account of his-entry ihto the Isla of Leon and Cadiz, on the 4th instant. The joy of the people was expressed with an enthusiasm difficult to be described. He was accompanied by Generals QUIEOGA. and RIEGO. The new Major-General O'DALIT has been nominated by General O'Do- NOR/ to command the district of St. Hoch. This last Officer is one of the principal companions of Gene rals QUIROOA and RIEGO. The ceremony was performed at twelve o'clock, in the Great Gallery, by the Chief Court Chaplain, in presence of the Mem bers of the Royal Family who are now here, of the whole Court, as well as of the Officers of the Household of her Ma jesty the Queen Dowager, and of those of the Members of the Royal family present, the Diplomatic Body, the Staff Officers of th's and the neighbouring garrisons, the Royal Ministers, a Deputation from both the Chambers of the States, and of the University of Tubingen, and the Magistrates of this City. After the ceremony, their Majesties repaired to the Presence Some Spanish Officers, who were formerly of the party of JOSEPH BONAPARTE, and had taken refuge l in foreign countries, having required passports from the Captain-General of Navarre (MINA), in order to return home, the latter consulted the Governor, to know whether they were comprehended in the De cree authorising the return of Spaniards-absent from the kingdom through their political opinions. In conformity to the report made to his MAJESTY by the Secretary of State, Don ANTONIO Portort, answer was given, that , it was not the intention of the KING to interfere with the Decrees of the Cortes relating to those who had served the Usurper's Go vernment ; it was, therefore, necessary to wait the determination of the Cortes on this subject. Orders w ere consequently sent to the frontiers, to prevent the entry into Spain of such as are thus implicated. The BISITOP of MALAGA has taken the Oath of Fidelity to the Constitution, with the following reser vation :—" So far as religion will allow me." This circumstance is much discussed in Madrid. Chamber, to receive the congratulations of the Court, and of the Diplomatic Body. After which there was a grapd entertain ment, and in the evening a ball. French .5 per cents. 746.10 c. OLD BAILEY. THIRD TRIAL.—JOHN THOMAS BRUNT. CONTINUATION OF YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. at some length, by, The witmss Adams was Mr. CUAWOOD. The other witnesses examined were Eleanor Walker, Mary Rogers, Joseph Hale, Thomas Sharp, Charles Bisset, Henry Gillett, Edward Simpson, J. H. Morrison, James Aldpus, John Monument. After him, Thomas Monument was the next wit ness examined. His evidence corroborated that of his brother, John Monument, who was afterwards recalled, and examined as to certain fa ts. The next whiles was Thomas Hyden, who repeated the evi dence which he had given on former trials. Ile was closely The Paris Papers of Saturday arrived this forenoon. They are quite barren of French - hews. ACCOUNTS FROM SPAIN. Some uneasiness is saidlo be entertained at Ma drid respecting General CRUZ DE MUROZON. On the Slst of March he entered Xeres with the half of the cross-examined by Mr. Cestwoon. After his examination had closed, he evinced a disposition to stay in Court, on which the prisoner Brunt observed, a My Lord, the witness stays in Court." Wilson, another of the prisoners, then rose, and said, with great indignation, " My Lord, let that perjured villain be turned out of Court." Hyden immediately withdrew. The Earl of Harrowby was then called, and repeated his former evidence. John Baker, the butler to the Earl of Harrowby, corrobo rated his Lordship's evidence. Richard Afunday and George Kaylock proved the presence of the prisoner in Cito-street, on the evening on which the plot was discovered. George Ruthven, James Ellis, Thomas Westcott, and others belonging to the Police-office in Bow-street, were then exa mined as to the seizure of the gang in Cato-street. Lieutenant Fitzclarence repeated the evidence which he had given on the former Trials. Mr. Ocala-1r then stated to the Court, that the case for the prosecution was closed, except so far as related to the examina tion of the arms, ammunition, &c. which had been seized in Cato-street, or on the premises of the conspirator& As it would be most prudent to examine them by day-light, he hoped that the. Court would adjourn their esar,!ination until to-morrow. The Lotto Cuter BAILON acquiesced in the proposition, and. adjourned the Court till to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. During the whole of the day. Brunt was engaged in taking notes of what occurred; so also were two of the other pri soners—Harrison and Wilson. OLD BAILEY-THIS DAt This being the seventh day's trial, and the second of the prisoner Brunt, the Court sat at the usual hour to which it is adjourned. At half-past eight o'clock, the arms, ammunition, grenades, pikes, pike-handles, &c. taken in Cato-street, and at the houses of two of the prisoners, *were brought into Court, under the superintendence of Taunton, the officer, and disposed in formidable array on the table and in front of the witnesses' box. Among the arms, there are two blun derbusses, several pistols and swords, one of the latter of unusual length. The ball-cartridges are in an old paper trunk, and the hand-grenades in a rush basket. The pike-baidles are young saplings, about eight feet in length, with a ferule at the end. At nine o'clock precisely, the LORD CHIEF BARON, Baron GARROW, and Mr. Justice Ricriannsoar, en tered the Court, and took their seats on the Bench. Proclamation being made, and the names of the Ju rors (who had been brought from the London Coffee house, under the charge of the proper Officers), called, over, Brunt and the other prisoners were brought into . the dock. They still retain their general firmness and composure.—The first witness called on the part of the Crown, this morning, was Ruthven, the Officer, who was examined by Mr. division which he commands, that is to say, with GilitNET, and deposed to the arms, &c. found in 3000 men, who came by forced marches from Utrera Cato-street. —for what reason is not known. On the 30th, Ge- John Hector Morrison, shopman to Mr. Under neral O'Dcamits ordered two battalions to remove wood the cutler, identified the sword which had been from Cadiz, and take post between the Landgate and left to be sharpened by one of the prisoners. the Cortadura. A Proclamation which this General, Taunton, the Bow-street Officer, deposed to such has addressed to his troops, entreats them to believe parts of the ammunition as had been found at the that " his Majesty has sworn to the Constitution with- houses of two of the prisoners. out the least restraint." " Soldiers," it adds, do Serjeant Harrison, of the Royal Artillery, examined not listen to any false reports; the Holy Religion is; the bags of powder, and dissected a hand-grenade, the contents of which ►ere exhibited to the Jury. TLIs closed the prosecution for the Crown. Before the commencement of the defence for the prisoner, the SOLICITOR-GENERAL made a private communication to the CHIEF BARON and the other Judges, which we understood to be presenting a sort of memorial from some Students of Gray's Inn, com plaining of the Students' Box being occupied by Gentlemen who were not entered-of any of the Inns of Court. CHIEF BARON,--" We shall take an opportunity of mentioning this circumstance to the Sheriff: it is a subject best settled in private with him." This brought tip Sheriff PARKINS, whose hostility to the Gentlemen connected with the Press is well known. .He assured the Court, that the regulation , had been made without his consent: Mr. 91:eriff RoyttwELL net being . in Court, the' Under Sheriff, illr. TURNER, explained to the Penh / that the regulation had been made with a view of rendering every facility to the Gentlemen connected with the Press, and not from any wish to injure tilc rights, or affect the conveniente of the Students. The CHIEF BARON said, it was highly necessary that Gentlemen studying the law should have eve: y facility in a Court of Justice: the box alluded to was appropriated exclusively to Students. His Lord ship referred to some law authority on the subject, and pointed out the adjoining box as being empty, and one where the Reporters might be accommodated. Baron GARROW confirmed the remarks of the Chief Baron as to the right of the Students, and said, he recollected that, on a former occasion similar ::o the present, the box adjoining that for the Stuciel:z, had been erected to afford accommodation to the Gentlemen connected with the Press,--We un derstood the Learned Judge to allude to the HIGH TREASON. • lin 1791. All the Reporters, except such as4were Students, were then ordered to quit the bor, on which four Students only, robed in their gowns, entered the box, all of wheM might and would have been most rea dily accommodated, without the exclusion of a sinLle Reporter. The Students occupying so small a part of the box, several of the Gentlemen of the Press were per mitted to resume their seats; others were accommo dated in the adjoining box, to whicb the two Jud►ges had alluded. The UnJer-Sheriff, Mr. Turner, and Mr. Brown, the Keeper of Newgate, expressed their wishes to afford every facility in their power to such Ge. - tlemen as Were in attendance to give an account of the proceedings; but several of them, disgusted with the manner in which they had been publicly ex cluded from their seats, left the Court. The excluded Reporters were no sooner seated in the box which had been assigned them, than some person rudely told them they must quit it, as it be longed exclusively to the Grand Jury; at the same time several Ladies were introduced. On being infor med that the Reporters were there by the appoint ment of the Judges, the person hastily quitted the box. It is remarkable that while these proceedings took place, the Court was not half filled, and the Grand Jury might have had ample accommodation in ano ther box. Mr. CORWOOD rose at ten - o'clock, on the part of the prisoner, and, in a speech which lasted an hour, went over the same grounds of defence as on the preceding trials : these principally referred to the extension of the law of High Treason, the doctrine of constructive treason, and the little credibility, due to the evidence of an accomplice. He then called John Bennet on behalf of the prisoner, but afterwards •declined to examine him, and said he would not call any witnesses. • Mr. ADOLPUUS proceeded to address the Jury for the prisoner at a few minutes after eleven o'clock. He took a comprehensive view of the whole of the evi deuce, denied that the evidence of Adams the accom plice was entitled to the slightest credit, and con tended, that as it was not 'supported by more credi ble witnesses, the offence of which the prisoner had been guilty, however great, did not amount to the charge in the indictment of High Treason. He con.. cluded his address, in which he displayed much zeal and ability, by appealing to the Jury on the danger to society of receiving the unsupported evidence of an avowed accomplice, in a crime of a nature so serious as that with which the prisoner stood charged. He entreated them not to convict the prisoner because he was a bad man, but to exa mine how far the charge against him had been sub stantiated. • CHIEF BARON.—John Thomas Brunt, your learned Counsel have concluded their ♦ery able defence ; but, if you wish to say anything on your own behalf, this is the time. Brunt then rose, and with a firm voice said, that a written defence had just been put into his hands ; but, as he had not had time to read it, he would make a few observations on the evidence. He then stated the origin of his acquaintance with the witness Adams, and attempted to impeach the whole of the witnesses who had appeared against him. He alluded to A person in the list of witnesses on the part of the Crown, whose name has often been men tioned in the course of these proceedings, but who has not bees called upon. He declared that he had bcen seduced by this man, and had often received reti-esh ment of meat and drink at his expense. cor.- r i ' ~. i , :i