The Statesman. — London, England, 1815-03-04 00:00:00

ad ort n. ne lie qg be .l e '0 n, d. of he re re P. 1. it 11 n. tta Id ro i. II S ts It Pr it It It I. 0 r. I. • 9 a • • TtlE S'I'ATESNIAN. Ler corn trade, by which, when corn was above a bear the su pp or t ers o f• t h e measure out in their as. cer tain mice, it was not to be exported. It did not sertion, that th e p r i ce w hi c h t h ey requ i re d was ne signify what were the wants of other nations: she oessary. The r e a l s t a t e o f th e quesei n was, that jus ity said, that they must fist take care of their own owing to the prolongation o f th e eine and other pee fee. The market of France might therefore fail circumstances, the agriculture of th egkuntry was in us when we most wanted it; whereas Ireland afforded a state of di s t r e ss , f rom w hi c h i t b e as much ;i n infinite field of improvement, a n d con kd b e easily the wish as it was the interest of ever class of the elide a fruitful and exhaustless granary to the whole' community that it should be relieved. That relief ki n gdom. In this revert, he spoke, riot only from should be, however, but temporary, and then, by hi , ow n observation, but from all the evidence that a gradual diminution• of the price of labour, of the had been examined on that subject. The security of quantity of taxation, and of the. amount of rents, an internal supply of corn was th e grea t s hi e ld o f the farmer would eventually be able to caltivate his o ar commerce and defence of our manufactures. This land with advantage. But, 46 ne," said the sup -1..,..tity ought tint to be left to hazard, to the influ- porters of the measure, 44 we will not lower our to •of a (widen' policy. rents; we will support our rents as they are, and ! ;ir J. SHAW vindicated himself against the charge the consumers of corn shall pay a higher price for ti ,,„ I , o ut in the coolie of the debate—that his lan- it."—As to the argument deduced from the necessity o ,ga served to create discontent or promote sedi- of rendering ourselves independent on any foreign ; e n ,. 'Fe repel such a charge he thought it sufficient supply it was valueless. In things of a more critical to ,efer to the whole tenour of his life. Iu having nature even than corn—in naral stores—we had seen s t a ted that the quarterly loaf was likely to be raised during the late war every combination of effint re to pel by the proposed measure, he thought him. sorted to to prevent us from obtaining them ; but w if perfectly justified ; and lie then held in his hand without effect. What the Legislature had now to a table of the average of assize in London for the last determine was, whether or not the proprietors of ten years, from which it was evident that if the ave. land should make any concession (he did not wish rage o f the maritime districts amounted to 80s. the , for a considerable one), in order to enable the far seize in London would be such as to fix the price of mers to proceed advantageously with their tillage?— te. to if at 154.1. But if he even had been, through If not—if by artificial means it was attempted to inaccurate information, betrayed into an over state- support the rents as they stood, the consequences, by went, he must think that the censure upon him slow degrees, would be these:—in the first instance, (r oe to have been more mild from those on the , a high price of corn would be maintained; by de. other side of this question, when it was recollected grees this would turn out of the country one branch t h a t these Gentlemen, not long since, proposed to of industry after the other ; —the population of the i ‘ the import price at 1355. per quarter, which pro- country would diminish, by the emigration of the peo p„otion too they grounded upon the report of a ple in quest of cheap food ;—the corn grown in the Comaiittee, whereas the same Gentlemen came for- country.would then certainly be adequate to its cone ward. o n the occasion, with the report of another sumption ;—ultimately, the agriculturist would find Cernmiitee, to declare that they would be contented out his mistake, and corn would fall to a state of the with gee [Hear !] 1 greatest depression. Mr. ROBINSON denied the assertion of the Hon. I The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER Alderman, if it were meant that the average of the begged leave to call the attention of the House to the we ritime districts had been generally less than that stage of the Bill which was before them. It was the in Leitrim. For, on the contrary, it would appear second reading., 'They had not then to determine from a reference to the London Gazette, that within ' 1 any question of price, or average, or duration, or the be 10 years the averages in the maritime dis- any tithe: question of detail. All that they had at dills were usually higher than the average in Lon. that time to consider was, whether or not it was pro. don. Nay, during the Hon. Alderman's own per to adopt any measure at all on the subject; and Mayoralty, the average,in the 12 maritime districts he presumed, that whatever might be the variety of was no less than 3s. 31d. per quarter above the opinion on particulars, all must admit generally that average in Lnielon. After this comparison the some alteration of the existing laws was indls- House would be able to appreciate the accuracy of pensibte. the Honourable Alderman's assertion, and his at. l Mr. WHITBREAD declared, that he had listened tendon to facts. As to the other assertion of the with the utmost attention to all that bad been said Hon. Alderman, which those who agreed with him on both sides of the question, and that the result was so often presumed to repeat, he most distinctly denied a decided conviction in his mind, not only that it that also, namely, that the object and tendency of the would be improper to legislate on the subject, but measure before the House was to raise the price of that grejt danger might be the consequence of le. be-ad.—[ilenr, hear !]—Gentlemen might contro-Igislating on it. He gave credit to the Right Hon. met his opinion if they pleased, but he would declare Gentleman opposite (Mr. Robinson) for the way in most unequivocally that his object in bringing for-1 which he had repelled some improper insinuations ward this measure was to reduce the price of corn. thrown on the motives of those who supported the e—[A laugh, and hear, hear !] —Such was his calcu- measure ; but he was surprised at the Right Hon.. Lenin upon its effects, and he had no hesitation in Gentleman's conclusion, which was it direct contra- We yesterday gave s report of the commertcement saying, that if he thought it wnuld have an opposite diction to all that he had said before on the snhjert. of the business tit this Meeting, we tin tv snfjoin the teleleecj, he %soukd that moment abandon the Bill. If he understood the thing at all, the original o- tfollowing more ciicumstantinl perticulars of the whole —[l lear, hear, hear! ]—But he not only expected a • position was not that rents were too high, but that , of the proceedings. seduction, of the price of corn from this measure, but corn was too low, and that it ought to be raised to Yesterday a Meeting of .the Merchants, Bankers, I reduction in the amount of rents also, which rt:duc. such a price as to enable the firmer to cultivate his and Traders of the City of London, convened pur. Arm he felt to he bietily ttesieable. • • land with advantage, %hewer reducing tine leacitorde .. sunnt two ery l eistarm by tire Lord Mayor, was held Lord A. HA NII ['TON asked, if it was the object to the necessity of lowering his reefs. But to-night in the Egyptian Hall. Great care was taken to ex tol the 'light Honourable Gentleman to reduce the the ha gs ,t Hoe. Gentleman tensed round, and said, elude improper persons ; yet tong before one o'clock price of corn by this measure, hew was the faralor that he world not have brought forward the measure, every corner of that spneious building was crowded, to be benefited by its adoption ? According to the bed he not thought that are luctioil iii the price of and the succeeding multitudes in a short time choked argument of the generality of its etivore,es, and the breed would be the consequence, attended by the up every avenue, till it was no longer possible to oh evidence adduced before the Committee, upon whose lowering of rents! Let the landed interest consider fain either an admission or a hearing. report this measure was grounded, an advae.ce in the I this—let the financier look to this—let hire look to The Leen Mevoit came forward, amidst the price of core was necessary to insure an adotionte what must follow : the reduction of establishments, loudest expressions of applause. He began by remuneration for the farmer ; but, in the view of the the reduction. of assessments, the reduction of the reading the Requisition, and stating the object of the Mover of the measure, that (mil was not to be at. occupation of the artisan, and a long train of attend. Meeting. He trusted that the vast and respectable tained. Then, after all the speeches and statements ' ant evils. As to a hat had been said of the Petitions assembly he was then addressing, would.above all re. which had been made to the lionise, one naturally against !he Bill, in his opinion. those Petitions descry- collect, that order, moderationomd temper, were the asked what could possibly be the object of pressing ed notice in proportion. to the number of the Poi- indispensable securities for free, serious, and uncon this measure,which promised no benefit to the farmer, tinners. To those who contended that the people trolled discussion. The part he had himself taken while it alarmed all the other classes of the people? . were not fit judges of the subject, he would reply lupon this important qUestion lied already been made Mr. POLE CAREW spoke in favour of the mea- that they were much more competent judges of it than the subject of misrepresentation, but this gave him sure. I they were of theology, and yet it was well known : little concern or regret. His condut had been ho- of pricer at had been seen, more good would be done for the good'of the poor than by any other Legisla measofe. What misery had been occasioned by a price so high as 1265.! The Hill provided the only remedy against high prices ; it still kept the pojts open, and no more could be done for times of scarcity. God forbid Petitions should not be at. tended to: but they were to weigh their arguments, and decide conscientiously. On the division on the amendment, the numbers appeared— Non, 218.-Ayes, 56—Majority, 161. The original question was therefore cai des. While strangers were excludod, we understand that it was proposed to go into the Committee " on Monday," on which Mr. Baring proposed as as aniendnient, " Monday se'nnight." After some ob servations, a second division took place-- Against the amendment, 215—Far it, 44—Majority, 171. When the gallery was re-opened, the House was In a Committee on the Mutiny Bill : Mr. FITZ GERA LD was commenting on the expressions of Hon. Members, who had accused hit Noble Friend (Lord Palmerston) of indecent conduct, and had made some peculiar observations on the Chairman. Mr. WHITBREAD meant no reflection on the Chairman • but thought the proceedi n g on th e Bill a t that lat er hour improper in a public officer; particu larly under the circumstance of the army at present. Lord PA LM ERSTON never thought that when a Bill was ordered, it was necessary to give a second not ice. MEETING c f the. MERCHANTS, BANKERS, 4c. of the CITY of LONDON. Mr. BARING rose amidst a cry of " Question ! question !" but the lion. Gentleman declared, that notwithstanding the anxiety manifested to come to a decision, he felt it his duty to call for somewhat more of deliberation, and to state his sentiments on this important subject. lie should not, perhaps, at that stage of the discussion, have thought it neces sary to trespass upon the attention of the House, if it were not for what had fallen from the proposer a l this measure, or rather indeed if it were not for abet had fallen from that Right Honourable Gentle man. For that Right Honourable Gentleman had d slimed to state that about which, indeed, the House had not heard one word from any supporter of this measure, namely upon what grounds it was thought' - necessary to agriculture, to fix the import price at 80s. The House had heard much with regard to the necessity of protecting the landed interest and pro moting the prosperity of agile , lture, but nothing had yet been stated to show the necessity of fixing the pike mentioned in the Bill. It was not sullicient, for the satisfaction of the House or of the popular feeling, to deal in vague terms upon this important ct. It ought to be distinctly explained n by the import price of 80s. was required for the benefit of the landed interest. and some snch explanation was naturally to be looked for from the Hight Hon. Gen tlemen, who bud not, however, said one word about It; hut the Right 11611. Gentleman, instead of ex planation, and contrary to his usual practice, had, ail this occasion, made up in vehemence for the want of argument, and after some trifliiig criticism upon the statement of 811 Honourable Alderman, had thought proper to assert, that the object of the measure before the House was to reduce the price of bread. This assertion would not, however, serve to allay the popular complaints ; for the same expe dient was tried in vain upon the gaping multitude at Maidstone, by Lord Darnley. But the subterfuge was too course to have any effect. It was, indeed, obviously absurd, for if the purpose and tendency of this measure were not to raise the price of corn, how could it be said to held out the pcospect of re muneration to the farmer ?—(hear, hear!] —Why, he would ask, should Gentlemen persevere iu sup- Polling such a measure if it promised no benefit to tile farmer, while it was so alarming to the manu facturer, while it excited such loud and general eta. Lear through the country ? . ---The evidence would not that they had recently signed Petitions in great nuns.- bers against the renewal of the doctrine of transub stantiation, and the establishment of the Pope in DlF,ristol ! As to the popularity n hich migi , t be ob !Aiwa, in the one way or the other, those who made popularity their object, would meet a fate similar to that of the boy who ran to discover the ends of the rainbow, and who experienced a ducking for his pains, while the gaudy visions vanished from his sight. He should have n bad opinion of the House of Com; mons, if he thought that on a subject like this they could be swayed by any wish to court popularity. But he would nevertheless advise them to remain where they were. If they did not do so they wo u ld speedily be called on to legislate on a subject of still more ditEcult handling. If they adopted the .pro posed measure, the consequence shot ttl be that in eight months corn should be at a very high price, would not the manufacturer have a right to come in his turn and require redress? Arid yet to grant a re dress adequate to the necessity %%Dolt; in that case he impossible. The fact was that Fartlam,iit seemed to him to be emulating the philosopher in Rasselas, who fancied that the sun, the wind, and the rain were all under his contronl, and that at his pleasure he could raise a tempest or produce a calm. As for a tempo. rary measure, that seemed to him to be the worst phin of all. He concurred heartily in the amendment proposed by his Hono”table Friend. Mr. ROBINSON explained. It was true he had said that in his opinion the effect of the Bill would be to lower the price of corn, not to raise it;- and consequently to diminish the rests ; but the Yenta to • which he had alluded were those rests which had been raised very high, in consequence of the land owners speenlatillff elk a very high price of grain. Mr. W. L LIO explained. Mr. BC ras,4oN was afraid he must he counted, among the number of those who were said to be di vested of common sense. The effect of the measure was not a permanent rise in the price of corn ; it might be to make it fluctuate between 70 and 80.5. Looking ht the changes of late years, when the price had been at 555. and at 1255. could a price from 70 to 80v. be considered too high ? It was thft Abject to raise the price ri corn, but net to make it per. mauently dearer. It was to 'give the consumer a lower price on a given number of years. If they could only preveat the recurreutte of suck a chase insured by the approbation of his fellow citizens, and of this he was prowl and happy; but he had a still higher reward, the consciousness of duty, and the satisfaction of his own mind.—[Applause.]—lie had no hesitation in saying, that during the agitation of a subject vitally affecting the nation at large, but more immediately the interests of the trading classes, and of the city of London in particular, the Magistrate who in his office should be found slumbering at hit post, would betray the trust reposed in him by Ili fellow-citizens.—[Load applause.] —lie had no. only to conjure them to hear with patience what migl. be urged on either side of the Resolutions which would lie submitted, and by firmness mixed with tem perance, and moderation with decision, he entertained little doubt that their efforts would be finally sec. cessful. Mr. [Awls moved the Resolutions, and ohcerved, that the object of the measure now before Parliament for restricting the future importation of corn, was one intimately connected with the prosperity of our commerce, and that threatened the most alarming consequences to the manufacturing interests of the empire. The manner in which it had been attempted to precipitate the progress of the Bill was such as must at once excite the disgust and apprehensions of the people. • The Resolutions having been seconded, were then read by the Loan M'AVOR, and appeered to be uni versally assented to. Mr. BENTLEY came forward, and wished to show the Meeting, that Government might,_by adopting proper measures of retrenchment, render the Corn Hill as unnecessary for the interests of landed pro prietors, as. it was justly obnoxious to the trading classe,s. He wished to show that it was in the power of Government to give food to the poor, rind cotes." merce to the merchant, by applying the surplus of the Consolidated Fund, and the produce of the Land and Malt Taxes, with a certain portion of the Sink ing Funds, wisely and economically to the neces sities of the State. (Here a general interruption ' took place, and loud cries of Question followed, in consequence of which the Speaker, after some uth availing-efforts; retired.] Mr WAITEIMAN came forward-and stated, that in order that the Meeting might not be tanen by sur prise, but might have time to digest the Petition before they areal to it, he had theveradasioo Of the Lord Mayor to read it to them, in this early stage of bosineas. The question now under consideration was one in which the public in general, and the poorer classes of society in particular, were highly interested. They had this reason to be thankful, however, that they were not in this instance left to fight their own battle., but had the Chief Magistrate and the Mer chants, Hankers, &c. of the City of Lo n do n , trit , i, he believed, he might add the Magistracy of the country at large, standing forward in their cause. He could not Ferber expressing his surprise, however, to ob serve the indecency with which Gentlemen were• en. deatou sod seemed determined to burly the pro,. wooed larithrough Parliament, thus doing all that in them lay to cut the people oil (root those constivt. tional approaches to the Legislature which they had at all times a right to resort to. It was DO the landet Gentleman of whom we had at present so _much to complain, but the speculator in land, who wa , . now unwilling to run the risk of his ono sreculatiotts, which being successful fora time ) he was now 'instil. ling to part with. He begged it to ho observeti, tint it was not the price of the quartern loaf alone which would be raid by the proposed measoae. hut the prices of bacon, batter, cheese, tk,:. must all ex perience a proportionate rise; while on the other hand, our ounufactures were more depreciatod now than daring the war. He concluded by reading the Petition, which was received with bursts of applause. Mr. FEAftort contended, that the persons who had given evidence before the Committee as to the coin Mr. BENNETT avowed his opinion that the pro- trade, were all judges in their own cause. eeeding was indecent on account o f th e l a t eness of Mr. ROWUROFT thought that some protection wag the hour. As he had f orm e r ly move d amen d ments , necessary to our own growers of corn,edifficulty ; for what, would be it was likely he should do s o a g ai n , es p ec i a ll y as t h e the proper average was the great army must now be, in a degree, ne w mo d e ll e d. his own part, he believed it might be about 755. Lord PALMERSTON thought the lion. Gentle- Sir W. CURTIS came forward amid loud applause. man had known that this Bill was t o c ome on . Ile declared it to be his fi r m c onv i c ti on , th a t an y . Lord MILTON hoped the Noble Lord would not alteration in the Corn Laws was unnecessary ; but it persist that night. was his maxim, when he cou)d no t d o a ll th a t h e Mr. MANNERS SUTTON said, th e Chairman wished, to do all that he co u ld. O n thi s ' p o i n t h e took his place on the regular Orders of the bay. The had made his stand, and s h o uld con ti oue t o exerthimself to the utmost of hi s ability.. Bill was n only to last till June, when it was to be adapted to circumstances. He had himself suggested Sir JAMES SHAW was convinced that the mea some alterations to his Hon. Friend (Mr. Bennett), I sure before the House of Commons was o f a mo st in who he hoped would be convinced there was n o idea .4urious nature, and he should feel happy i n present of smuggling the Bill through the House. 4 q.L ppositien to anyit. petitio ns , or forwarding anyiteps taken in Lord PROBY said, he had a clause to move, Mr. Alderman krauts expressed himself' to the testing Officers from dismissal without trial. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had 'same effect, and insisted en the short.sightedness of no objection to report progress, and sit again. , the landowners , who,-ie their eagern:ss to g rasp Sir S. ROM ILLY trod clauses to propose. advantages at the expense of the commu n ity, f or got Mr. BENNETT said, the Bill was introduced at that the interests of the cernmercial, the manufactur . three one morning, read a secood time at two hi the ing, and sgriculturai branches, must be ultimately , morning, and now committed at past one. the same. , After further conversation, it was agreed to report, Mr. Alderman C. Sierra supported the Petition. progress, and sit again on Monday . — Adjourned . ! Mr. A:deiman HEYG A TE said, that had he not been precluded, by absereee from town, from attend ing the' debates on this - most important subject, in the Corporation of wi he was a Member, he Moult not !girl olleridlpself on this occasion, al though he belonged tonne l ief the profession pa rticu. tails specified in the 'natio by which were as sembled : but as so 111111 y tif the Magistrates had de dared their , entiments, he foond it impossible not to declare his own. lie did not think the ;slice of 80s. called for by the evidence: some of the most respect. able witnesses stated a smaller sum, and this before the Property Tax (which wait 3s. litd. per acre upon the rack rent of alt the land in England) was taken off, before the other expellees, such as labour, Poor Hates, &c. had fallen. He wished most ansiously, that some plan might be adopted which would recon cile the protection of agriculture with the comfort of the majority of the people. He concluded by re* commending the greatest moderation and temper to the people in their Petitions; any other conduct would ruin their cause. M r..HAaTET went over the same grounds as Mr. Waithman. The Petition was then agreed to unanimously, and with acclamations. The Resolutions passed in the same manner. Mr. WAITUMAN then moved the Thanks of the Assembly to the City Representatives, to the Lord Mayor, and to Mr. Baring. The motions were car. vied unanimously, and the Meeting.dispersed. The Petitions ley for signatures in Hall, and a vast number of Merchants remained to affix their names to it. The Meeting was exceedingly crowded, and of the first* respectability. In the course of two hours, above TEN THOUSAND signatures were put to the Petition against the Corn Bill, and double the number would have been ob. OK M. LAHRTOH'S AIIINDMIENT THAT TRH RORK MILS SHOULD HE READ A SECOND TIME THAT DAT 31* MOZITHS. Atherley. A. Horner, F. Phillips, G. Atkins, Alderman HammerOen, H. Rbmshottorn ~..... Ahereriapbie, H. J. Horne, W. Hominy,. Sir S. Allan, Col. finrvey, W. Robinson, A. Baiclay, Charles Harcourt, J. Smith,. Ald. Barung, Al..s Lamiitnn, J. Smith, W. Butterworth, Jos. Liinburk, J. W. Smith; J. ' Buller, J. Lefevic, I:. Shaw Smith, Robert fiiibii , gton, T. Marrynt, J. Simeon. --. Collaad, --,--. hdadoeks, W.A. Lay, §ir J. ' er Calvt, C. Murray, Sir J. • Isaw, B. Curtis, Sir Wzo. Morbiod, .1. B. Hi t A. Davis; H. Moore, Peter f gilds. T. Ditd.ieswell, J. Onslow. Serjeant Tityli IP. V. A. Fa wce w , H. pecon, Sir A. Tieriwyt Ht. Ha.G. Forbes, 111b . v.. Pr i• Is .•roe. H. Whitbread. S. Finlay, F. Palmer, Owl. W. Gascovor, (len. Portman, E. B. 'Mal ' , ---iie Trtaaits—Lord A. llsinsiiron-Col. Gore Langtou. ' r•-fter' UTFZIISIV Ori 7 i _eat _nsThparte s ti. pet quarter of the price . go'th the Brittth ship.owner, factor, and labourer.e4tVii,;:vcastle especially, a very , great portion of the laboutili4 dabs of the people &pentl chiefly upon importations of foreign corn for their employment. The Bill •will at once -diminish the media, and enhance the price of their s istence. Lord GEpaos GATEttrosu Nag taken Burlington. House, in Panadilly, the residence of the late Duke of Portvc.6to, and is about to put it in thorough re. pair for his reception. The Property Taa sinks into oblivion qn the same day that the Lottery begins drawing; when soma who have been aceastotned to pay,.may, to a cer tainty, receive Two of the Five Thousand guinea Pliaes, which must be drawn on that day, and will be paid in Gold within an hour alter they are pro claimed ; betides the more attractive Three Thirty Thousan Popnd Prises, which may all be drawn on the same day, viz. the sth et nut mouth. his I seined, ba 'ere been utrteient roo.. • d • . his ~ me d • • A llr 'Ai l i ra ll ir / / )0 , 0 , )W i t ...... r/ . ...-- lit I in II •• m • • le L 1 QT OF THE MINORITY