The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-05-09 00:00:00

P.— rise i n the price of corn having taken place, with. sent, n o r ice of the t ffectiveness of the present system, anti, upon a question being put to out ar l i e -r the other : ore °I. • I tared any intention 'of touching the Corn Owl d" teem. eutommently, • mob inn created sonic disturbances U.. 5 fitturiag districts, and Manchester and other parts, In the l e d by had committed open violation ; and the reefei goa d ed e i ni a panic (hear, hear), these same Ministers now W unedis .,„„,,e - tU'meet that particular grievance by this measure. But P r°l— A eel , which prevailed had existed for months before ; the lb' io the state of things now and at the opening of coif n the circumstance of inumbordination. The Go parliament was earne do wn one ilay,and in the most positive terms declare, refitment- duo they weft not g oin g e to make any alteration in the Corn Laws : e a I s few days after they In emu this Bill. And, adverting again to the arm" que stion' he wou i ld w hat which they done with it Allthose tine-un t (emus. of they had heard so efts i ll tu informed, . .s.h. had. if he was rightly emnited in the recommends. neon rn-e a c um , ! move that in ling! mod they should have no IL in Ireland, ;hey 'Medd have none less than 3!. notes, and y s land, none leis than et note.. (Hear, hen.) That had been the result of all their laboured atte m pts respecting the currency. H e was not, therefore, prepared to trust the greet commercial regu. lotions of this countre. especially the regulations of the price of fed. in the bawls of such a Government. however great might he hiy respect for the characters of those who competed it. when they exhibited themselves before the Hiter s upon these practica l p e s ts, so evidently indecisive an va cill at i ng. B ut st y, o f a ll things in the world, sat at rest your trade in corn. From the present uncertainty the greatest possible contusion had atiwft aa fanner nor landlord could set a rent; and as long as seP ' i esternained unsettled in the country, no person knew what his sere ' o• was worth. If any person esked him what really beas! m' ; e au; upon as his property in his land, for the purpose of making any family arrangements, he Amid, he most sincerely declared it, be at a loss to make ap his mind upon it, an the value of it would depend upon • legtslative measure. It behoved them, then, to look at the subject carefullyourentively, and seriously ; but by all mewls to settle it, and not to let it be brought up from year to your, as had been done during the present Parliament, to be legislated upon as casualties occurred. For the interests of all, both agriculturist, and manufacturers, it was necessary to have one steady, constant, unl. form system. One word upon the ohjemions made as to the parti cular period for settling the question. He believed, if the ltouse sows tespidge by what had fallen from Site ag ri cultura l gent lemen hi this House, that he never saw a time when they seemed to be more rea able,nor when he should be mote anxious to go into a Commit tee with them on the subject. He hail not. with the exception of one ()silent Colonel (Wood) who thought the Corn Laws were quite as they should be. beard any thing extravagant in the remarks which had been made by the agricultural gentlemen ; they all appeared to think the present system objeetioneble. He, therefore, never saw Parliament in a state more likely to settle the question than at the present moment. In the first place, it seemed to be the gene. ral feeling and opinion that open ports with a protecting duty was the best system to be adopted. No person had euggerted any other mode. The only difficulty, then, would be as to the amount of duty. Although he was inimical to the present Corn Laws, lie was not at all an to a considerable degree of protection : and although be was willing to give such a duty as should insure a fair price, yet after all, this must in same degree be a measure of expe riment. He would wish that the duty should be nornething not under lin, and not more than las. That would about protect the grower in a price between Us. and 601 ; but this was not a point of sufficient certainty to depend on without a trial. This, how. ever, would be the degree of protection he thought it desirable to aim at. This, them . was the only question for theta. consideration ; nor did he want to . go into a Committee upon all the bearings oldie subject again, which would be useless; and why they should not been, by trying this Session the open trade with a duty, he was rally at a loss to conceive. In the early part of the Session, the question of the currency was stated as a difficulty in the way ; be. cause it was desirous of introducing a large quantity of gold into the country. It was then said that if the importation of cam were to take plannit would act against the wish to obtain gold. But that objection could be too longer urged ; because the very circum stance of letting out the bonded corn from the warehouses, would occasion other corn to be imported to fill them up again, which it war. desirable should happen, and the importers would replace it with so much the greater confidence now that the secret was out, anti known to all the coot-dealers in Germany, which was, that this country could not grow sufficient corn for its own consumption. Last year, a little before harvest, there was all importation of etteente quarters, while this country had a very fine harvest ; and Yet In the lace of these circumstances there were certain apprehen. shins, though not amounting to alarm, of a scarcity. The secret, therefore, being known, of our incapacity to grow sufficient for home consumption, the agriculturists of England had no other alternative than this, either to fix a permanent price by Par. liament, or to le..ve the measure open to agitation from year to year. Thus the whole argument as to the danger of import rag corn, because it war wanted to import gold. ceased. There was another advantage in having the question permanently settled in the present year, which was this. Any person on reading Sir. Jacob's report would see (though by the way, he could not help ob serving that, if he were going to inquire into the natere of that re. poet, he could not ray that the question was fairly argued, co that he pLced eery great reliance upon it. but this was evident), that the supply that could be at present sent to this country from the Con. tinett was not very great. Ile, however, differed entirely from Me. Jacob as to the supply that could eventually be sent to us. At present the corn growers on the Continent knew there was no market for it, and therefore did not grow an excess of corn. Thu , was 'circumstance under which he should like to begin the experiment of admitting corn at a protecting duty ; for if it hap pened that they should "Mix a duty too low in the present year, the Continental dealeri would not have such a supply as to inundate the British market. But in the first year they would put in their seed, and if the regulation of the corn trade should be postponed to next Session, there would be an accumulation of imported corn that might materially affect the English farmer. As respected the cur tenet of the country, then, there was no difficulty of taking up the question now; with respect to the state of the quantity of corn on the Continent there was no objection, and the disposition of the agricultural body wan favourable to the measure. His bumble ad vice, therefore, would be, that instead of the present measure, to go into the question, settle it, and have done with it. He telt that every Gentleman connected with the que.tion must see that done it must be. He would defy any person, who should apply his tea sun to t h e subject, to say that this country was not in the predict. fluent oh" absolutely requiring an alteration in the Corn Laws, and that as much for the benefit of the agricultural as any other class of pemons. Let the present Report then he brought up, and let it go beck into the Committee, with instructions to inquire into the pre. sent state of die Corn Laws. (Hear.) If the present ineffectual menets should be carried, it would occasion corn to be imported in large quantities, instead of a steady, qualified, and moderate shape: the consequences of which would be much more injurious to the home-grower than the consumer, and nobody would be able to foresee the sudden changes in price that would be continually oc curring. He could not, however, see any reason tor fixing the shut on the corn to be imported at 12s. Ile had heard no reason for 14 except that 12e. was taken once before as the num. When the Bill should go into a Committee, he should propose that fifteen abillines should be the sum, because he did not like to send forth to the public a duty that must be too low. If they took Its., he was quits sere they would have corn imported just as arena and just as cheap. The only difference would be; that instead of English dealers getting an intermediate profit, it would go into the pockets of the foreigners. If they were to fix the duty at 255. he believed corn would be imported. Upon the present occasion, however, he should object in every shape to Parliament giving up . such an important part of their duty ; and delegating their powers of legislating upon this all-commanding question into the hands of his Majesty's Government, whom he in his judgment conceived had, in all the great questions affecting the distressed sue of the country, conducted themselves with great mismanage. mein from theyeey commencement of the Session. (Hear, bear.) Mr. C. WI LSON entirely concurred In the reasons which had been assigned by his Majesty's Ministers, for the adoption of the present measure, which should receive his cordial support. Mr. W. WHITMORE:, being loudly called for, rose, but, from the position in which he stood, we lost many of his observations. He did not intend to cutter into the question at present, having al ready lately addressed the House so largely upon the subject, which he conceived to be of the greatest possible importance to this cowry. He had, it was true. failed in his attempt to carry that measure, which, sooner or later, must, he was convinced, be set tled and the sooner it were so, the better. There were considers tilos alluded to by due Hon. Member foe Brecon (Colonel Wood) which hr felt were of considerable moment. He thought with the Gallant Colonel, that a regulated scale of duty would be adviseable, and, had he succe e d e d i n hi s late motion, he should have proposed Site such measure; so that when the price of corn was low, the duty should be increased, and when it was high, there should be r proportionate reduction of the duty. Ile could not help feel ing with the Hon. Aleuther for Taunton (Mr. A. Baring) that the principal act now under consideration; namely, the delegating to Government the power of legislation, without any duty been lope. efied. and without check or control, was calculated to produce very considerable effects upon the agricultural hatreds of this country ; tot that he apprehended his Majesty's Ministers would abuse the very great poser they now claimed ; but he was afraid that the know. ledge alone that that power was possessed by them would be attended with very considerable effects. If one a panic should get abroad among the class to •hom he alluded, be meant the ferment, who pos sessed but little information on the subject, he dreaded the cone. .quences, more es_pecially since they had h u t j u st e merged front their late &stresses The ex perience of that period would show that they z d recapable of being se i ze d w i t h a panic, and if so they might be gad to hurry and rush into market, to prevent, as they would entente, the recurrence of those evils from which they had but re cently be en relieved. Ile was sure the House would lament any "ellresnit. He had been alluded to as the advocate fur the im mediate alteration of the Corn Views. True he wan, and if he had succeeded in his larger and more extended measure, he should have Proposed a much lower rate of duty than that thought necessary by the Hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. A. Baring); at the same time requiring a proportionate increase, as he had before observed. This gradation of duty was recommended by the late Sir. Ricardo, sem said it was desirable that they should begin with high duties and proceed to lower. He (Mr. Whitmore) conceived it was per fectily consistent, on hi s part, to look at t h e measure now proposetl w very consider a bl e a l aro i , giving, as it did, a power which he tie I - meek ought not, except under circumstances of very imperious necessity, to be placed in the hands of tiovernmenr. It was there fore that he was ready to support the Hon. hlember for Brecon, rod al:m the Hon. Member fur Lyndhurst, If they should persevere urging their objections; because lie thought the establishment if such a principle as was proposed by them would not be attended with at' ,y inconvenient result,. Mr. IRVING perfectly agreed with his lion. Friend who firs? addressed the Holm, as to the impolicy of the measure before the Howse, hut he could not approve of the conduct of the Honourable Gentleman who first agitated the question of the Con) Laws. No lire of conduct csiuld have been more calculated to exene alarm. After gising notice early in the Session, the lion. Member had deferred the discussion from time to time; he afterwards brought it on, after he knew the opinions of his Majesty's Ministers on the subject. and although aware of the ill consequences of premature discussion; and then, alter the question, at his instigation, had undergone an imperfect discussion, and was pomporoal, what was the conduct of the Hon. Member? Ile was not satisfied, but gave notice that he would bring forward the subject nest Session, soil if he should not then succeed, that he would bring it forward year after year. This war a line of conduct which could be productive of nothing but mischief. But he (31r. Irving), rose particularly for the purpose of making a few rentarka on the speech of Ms Hon. Friend, the Member fur Taunton : with regard to the present cala mitous distress, he perfectly agreed with him that itwas to be attributed partly to the inconatatit Ind vacillating princi ples of Government. He did not think his 31ajesty'a Ministers were free from blame, who, while observing the state of thing* last November and December, had taken no steps in con segnence, nor did they endeavour by any means to prevent the ills resulting from over-speculation. Subsegoently too, iii their attempt% to regulate the currency. they effected ism sudden, great. aid rapid a restriction. It was his opinion, —an opinion which he offered with great humility—although he thought that he ought to know something on the subject ; but his opinion decidedly was, that it his Majesty's Ministers had allowed the ship to right itself, she would by this time have resumed her wonted course. (Hear.) That measure only tended to precipitate the calamity. But on the other hand, he doubted much whether the opinion of his lion. Friend was the opinion of the House ; if he understood the latter opinion, it was that the House was well satisfied with the prin ciples of the Corn Laws as they now stood. (Hear, hear, hear.) The country was found adequate to supply its own consumption ; no grain had been imported sines 1819, and the price of grain had fluctuated less than that of any other article. All that perhaps did not square with certain systems of philosophy ; it did not square, perhaps, with the opinions of Edln. burgh metaphysicians or reviewers ; but such scheme,' of philo wiphy were only to be admitted when they did not practically interfere *Mb the benefit of the public. lie ( 31r. Irving) would not oppose a modification of the Corn Laws, but he would candidly profits.' to be a friend to the principles of the Corn Laws as they now stood ; and perhaps the House would be willing to hear his reasons for coming to that conclusion. He found, from all the Reports on this subject, even from Mr. Jacobs—to whose facts, however, he was no convert, although he highly respected that gentleman's character, and was sorry to be obliged to dissent from him—hut he found from those Reports, that in the Oen countries of Europe the rent of land varied from Is. 3d. to fid. per acre : he found that their peasantry were remarkably poor; that they lived wholly on vegetable food, especially rye bread ; and that they were clothed in rags ; their soil, at the same time, was capable of great production, and of supporting a great population.. He found again that the population of this country had more wants than that of any other, and he hoped that they would continue to have more wants, because with such an excitement they would con tinue to be more industrious and virtuous; but he could not con , ceive how we could carry on any competition with countries so cir commenced. No duty of twenty shillings, nor even higher than that, could afford any protection to the agriculture of England. His Hon. Friend, the /limber for Taunton, in another part of his speech, had proposed a duty of fifteen shillings, by way of experi ment, but nothing appeared to him worse titan that shifting system of legislation, the very nature of which was to vary from day to day. With (regard to the motion before the House, he should feel great reluctance to refuse his support to Ministers, but there was another mode which might be adopted, and which he would offer to the House. His Hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, had stated, that if a scarcity were to occur, a period of three months. or three weeks after the average of 00s., might elapse before the ports could be opened, according to the present reguiations. But he (Mr. Irving) would propose an alteration should be made by a short Act, stating that on and after the passing of that Act the ports should be open whenever the price of wheat reached 70s. per quarter, without reference to any period of time. Such an altera tion in the Corn haws would, he was convinced, prove sufficient to do away . with all their inconvenience, and if it were adopted, he hoped it would prevent the Hon. Member for Bridgnorth making a motion on the subject next Session. Mt. WHITMORE and Mr. BARING both explained. 3lr. HUSK ISSON commenced by observing that whenever his Honourable Friend (the Member for Bramberi should bring for. ward a motion for the modification of the Corn Laws, calculated to conciliate the House, he (Mr. Iluakisson) should feel it his duty, on behalf of his Majesty's Government, to entertain the measure with fairness and impartiality. But with regard to his Honourable Friend (the Member for Taunton), he thought the Honourable hirnuber might have already perceived that by his occasional ab sence from the Hrtio,e, he had been much in arrest of what had oc curred in that 'loose: when the Hon. Member said that there was no person in the House who was not dissatisfied with the prin. ciple of the Corn Laws, be watt evidently much mieinfortned. Again, the Honourable Member had said that for the last six of seven years corn had never risen in price, but he forgot that daring the last six weets corn had risen, in the face of general depression of prices, from 514. to 60s. std. He was supdsed that the informa tion of the Hon. Member was in this instatice so much less accurate than usual. In the same way his lion. Friend had stated that no rea son had been rossignedwhy the duty on bonded corn should be fixed at 12s. He (Mr. Iluskisson) did not wish to detain the House by repeating what had been stated on a previous day, when, in answer to a question put by die Member fax Wiltshire,his Right lion. Friend had given a reason for the adoption of that duty in which the whole House concurred. Xis Right Honourable mend hal stated, that in legislating on this subject it was not the intention of Ministers to alter the Corn Laws ; they therefore left the duty as it was fixed by the present laws. But in listening to the criticism made by the Member for Dumber, on the speech of the Member for Taunton, he had heard, not without surprise, that those lion. Members thought that this measure ought not to left uncertain, as likely to leave unfixed the rent of land. lie was surprised to find that persons who ought to be acquainted with the state of affairs could entertain the notion that the rent of land would be effected by the legislation on this subject. Among the many erroneous and exaggerated opinions entertained on this subject, there was no error so great as that of supposing that prices could be materially affected by the present legislation. When, therefore, his Honourable Friend, the Member far Taunton, said that a duty ought to be permanently fixed of fifteen or eighteen shillings, and that we ought to feel our wa r, so its to modify according as we might be inclined by the experience of a year—when the lion. Gentleman quarrelled with the measures brought forward by 31i nisters, and proposed others which he called simple, although they appeared to him (Mr. fluskisson) the most difficult possible, measures in which all were to agree within and out of doors, and by which every man might pay his rent, he was sure that if the Hon. Gentleman entertained such Utopian speculations, the only issue of his plans would be discomfiture and disappoint ment. He (Mr. iluskisson) did not intend to follow all the arguments on the state of the currency, and the measures which had been taken by Ministers for its regulation; but he slid not know how any blame attached to Government for the embarramments arising out of excessive credit, when that credit was shaken by a fall in priers, when fifty or sixty banks had failed ; he did not know how Government could In that case in. terfcre to restore credit. If it were answered, that they ought to have resorted to a restriction in cash payments, he would uuhesi. tatingly say, that he did not think such a step would have been advisable; but when his Hon. Friend should bring forward his budget on the misconduct of Ministers, he would enter more fully Into those topics. Bait with reference to the question before the House, suggestions of every kind had been made relative to the dis tress of the country. lie was most surprised, however, at the Hon. Member for Bridgnorth, who, although the discussion of the Corn Laws originated with himself, affected to apprehend alarms from the present measure, and from the great and sudden depression of price arising from it. But the Hon. Member might remember that he had also, on another occataon, stated another ground of alamo--that of a deficiency acorn next year. Some thought that Ministers would create an alarm by speaking of a deficient harvest, and others thought that pion would immediately fall in conoquence of the present manures. But, if there was a deficiency, it was evident there would be a rise of prices; if, on the other hand, there should be a redundancy of corn, there would llx a corresponding fall in the markets; but both alarms could not possibly co-exist. It appeared to him, therefore, that his Hon. Friend, in urging both alarms against 31inimers, MU blowing hot and cold at the same time. He hoped that the two effects would counteract each other, but the whole amount of the bonded corn, which was only 3()0,000 qrs., could nut' have any material effect on the market. He had stated lastyear. under circumstances somewhat similar, that, the effect on the market by a much larger quaotity was next to nothing. But he understood that with some the ground of davit was the 500,000 quarters which were to be loin:slued during the next six months; but he thought it had been repeatedly stated that this was a mecsure of confidence, to be acted on according to circumstances, and by which they were not called on to act, unless called on by necessity. Oa that point only the question rested. Ministers came down to ask for a mea sure of confidence, when one proposed a limitation of quantity, another objected to every proposed duty because it might be made a standard of duty, and another was afraid of standard of price. But the quantity of 500,000 qrs. was assumed merely because it ap. peered reasonable and likely to suffice; but if it proved insufficient it would be necessary to have recourse to new measures. That quantity also, of 500.000 quarters, was all that could at present be found in the porta of the Baltic. That quantity, it was true, was varying from day to day, and the small circle from which we drew would increase from day to day in proportion to the demand, but no man could say that circumstances might not arise of such a character as would make it advisable now to be prepared against contingencies. Gentltmen might remember the harvest of 1810; the harvest of that year was remarkably deficient, as well as of bad quality, yet the ports in that to it could not be opened till Novem ber. owing to the Com Laws, when wheat had risen to above 1205., and although there had been an assurance, or rather an absolute certainty in the preceding August of a defective harvest, such were the inconveniences then felt, and he was sure the House would readily adopt measures now calculated to meet similar evils. Ile was aware of all the inconvenience of such temporary legislation, parti cularly in matters relating to commerce, but he thought it was proved to demonstration that they could not allow the Corn Laws to goon at present in their full operation; they could nor permit, In the present state of the country, that there might be a possibility of corn remaining at a high price above eighty shillings, during six teen or eighteen weeks, without any chalice of relief to the country. Ministers were hound by circumstances, and in the present case the bars possibility of such a misfortune.—:hough he prayed it Haight not take place—but the bare possibility wasasufllcient ftllloll why inessurea should be taken to arrest such a terrible calsa mitt'). After the forcible appeal to the feelings and the judgment or the House, made by the Hoe. Member for:Stockbridge, who spoke early in the discusainti, and who bore testimony to the denim per. veiling the population of Lancisehire—after that statement, the eloquence of which was aided by the high station and character of the individual from whom it came—it would be uniteceaanry to urge to the !louse, that this is a crisis when the adoption of such precautionary measures becomes an Imperative duty. But if he were asked why, after the tepee of.three weeks, he hail returned to the discussion of that question, he would answer by asking, why it had been discussed last Session? In fact, they had come to the discussion under very different circumstance.. B e w as averse to the agitation of the general question of the Corn 611•11, but it would be obvious to every one who thought Os the subject, that if 'they permitted the Session to pass without letting out the bonded corn, they would be guilty of great remissnetis. The corn would he spoiled, and the warehouses would be occupied to little pur pose. Ile wished to adopt stach measures as would allow all classes both &mien and mantitacturers, to cultivate mutual good feeling. He agreed with the Member ter Boston. that the discussion of the general question ought to be deferred till it might he coo lly an d impartially considered, which world be impossible at the present juncture; but those who were inclined to concur with the Member for Taunton, to refer the whole rustler to a Committee to consider tfie question, would not, he thought, take the best method to allay the excited feelings of the country. ( Hear-) Sir B. KNATCHBULL was willing to admit that he thought the Member fur Taunton had put the question on au unfair ground. 31inistera were not actuated, lie believed, by fear, but by a sense of duty ; but he was obliged to allow on the other hand, th at h e was surprised that Government had been guilty of the impolicy of introducing the measure at this piriod. The Hon. Baronet con. eluded by stating, that if the House sbeuld agree to the report, It would still he his duty to divide spinet the Bill. 31 r. Secretary CANNING assured the Hon. Baronet (Sir E. Knatchboll), that he had listened to his opposition to the particular measure before the House, as well as to that of the general prin ciple, without feeling any sonow at the course he hail taken; he haul candidly and fairly stated his opinion. and he did hope that lie would give his Majesty's Government credit for doing their duty conscientiously, however mistaken they might appear to him to be in the course they had thought proper to adopt. In his (31r. Can. fling's) opinion, a great part of that night's debate had been beside the question. end lie would therefore state what, in his (Mr. Secretary Canning'a) opinion,. was the real practical question. The real practical question was, that there existed a law for the regUlation of the trade in corn, which was passed under particular circumstances, and which, having been puma] under these particular circumstances at one time, could not justify it as applying to every circumstance that might arise; but which law since its enactment had never had it, extreme power brought into operation. He wes very far from presuming to give any opinion, and was very anxious that no opinion might be inferred as to whether they were in the same state of things as when the law was enacted, or as to whether the law could go, in the ordinary state of things, into full operation without the greatest inconvenience to the country. At that moment the state of things was directly contrary to that in which they were when the law was enacted, and wholly contrary to that which was assumed as the principle of that law. The proof was that without calling upon any Gentleman for a continued opposition, and without pubitslung it provoeatingly to Honourable Gentlemen, he moat say, that there was not one man who had spoken against the motion, who had remitted to say that the extreme provision of the law, as it stood, cculd be carried into effect without provocation and alarm. lie presumed that was admitted even upon the proposition of his Hon. Friend, if he might be permitted so to call him (Sir E. Koski). bull), or of that of his Hon. Friend the Member let Surrey (Mr. Sumner), He would say, that if it was admitted that the law, as it now stood, however good in itself,howeverjust in its origin, or how. ever adapted for one state of the country, if it could not be brought about without apprehension and alarm, it made it the duty of the Go vernment to persevere in that line of duty in which they must run against the prejudices, but not pgainst tthe reasons, of those who wished the law to reman unaltered. There were two waysand two means which Government might adept, as appertaining to the question. They might proceed to make an alteration in the law, as recommended by the lion. Gentleman the Member for Taun ton(Mr. Baring); or they might devise some mode of suspend. ing its operation where it could not be strictly applied. Those be. ing the modes to choose, it became a question of choke with his Majesty's Government whether they should do it at their own din. cretion or under that of Parliament. He hoped he had stated the question fairy. If there was a Gentleman who would stand up and maintain broadly and boldly that the Corn Laws might go into extreme operation in the present mate of the country, then between that Gentleman and him ( 31r. Secretary Canning) there was a fair question at issue, and he became a fair and honourable antagonist, and such an antagonist would be at liberty to say that the case of legislation before the House was vicious, and ought to be opposed. If' that challenge was not taken up. then he must consider that prejudice, and not remit, operated as he had shoed. The Honourable Member for Brecon (Colonel Wood) came nearest to the proposition that the law ought not to be altered, but even he did not say that it ought not to be altered, for he was for admitting corn at a certain price. And even he had risen his price since lost night. (A laugh) He had advanced as., which made the nearest approach to the proposition of the extrentitrof theleve that any man could maintain, and yet it was, pro hoe vice, acknowledging that alteration was necessary. The Honourable Member complained that he (Mr. Canning) had acceded to his proposition of Oa.; but Ise must say that his objection was not to pnce. His objection, on consideration, was not es to price but as to principle, that principle taking price as its criterion. He suppotted the Hon. Gentleman would :all his offer a conciliating compromise. (A laugh.) It was, however, a proposition that would be vicious in practice, and he denied having said any thing about price at all. The Honourable Member bad reprobated h iin (Mr. Canning) for inconsistency, because when sixty-five was proposed as the basis he did not accept seventy-five.' lie had bad the honour of receiving a letter that morning by the post from the Hon. Aleonber (Colonel Wood), wherein he stated that he thought he (Mr. Canning) would come into the proposition of seventy shillings as the natural price, and that would cure all the evil.--(A laugh.)--lie (Mr. Canning) did not place much reliance on the Hon. ,M ember's re collection, whatever he might do on his reflection. He supposed the Hon. Gentleman, having been out of town, and having looked over his grounds, farms, and granaries, thought seventy would do better than sixty-five ; but he had not said how it was that when he (Mt. Canning) had offered the price, the lion. Member had not taken it. The lion. Member was the only one that said the law could remain unaltered. The Hon. Gentleman, the Member for Bramber (Mr. Irving), also differed in some alight degree from the former proposal, for he admitted there was an exi. gency, and to meet it there must be some alteration ; though both the llonourable Members were for maintaining the law. The Honourable Member was anxious for letting out the bonded corn, while another was for admitting corn at a certain price; but no one had stood upon the general principle, that the measure as it stood was a right one; that man would have been a fair antagonist. The Hon. Members, however, had said the exigency must be met ; they admitted that proposition, and that could only be done by the alteration or suspension of the Corn Laws. The lion. Member for Surrey (51r.Sunitier) had admitted it; not hot he would have corn. batted it if he could ; and the Hon. Member for Brecon (Colonel Wood), and the lion. Member for Kent (Sir Edward Knatchbull), and for Bromine (Mr. Irving), admitted the exigency in some form or other. The question was, whether that exigency should be met by suspension or alteration. The Hon. Members admitted the exigency ; and if they did so, why did they not agree to the remedy (Hear, hear), in order that the law might be prevented from coining into operation. Whatever might be imputed to his Majesty's Government in regard to the motives which actuated them on the present occasion, lie would say that, if he described the measure they had proposed, shortly, it would be a bill for the protection of the landed interest. He did not, however, wish to go into all the question anti arguments upon it, because it would be en citing-feelings and discussing topics better to be avoided. He would take the Honourable Member for Brecon (Colonel Wood), as his, " comparitor " (a laugh), in order to show the necessity of' alters. Lion, and the same motives which induced that llonourable .Member to fall from cos. to 70a.—the same moon induced trim (Mr. Canning) to wish he had found some plan, harm less as to the law, but powerful as to preventing its operation. Looking back to the debates on the Corn Laws, he found that it had been suggested, that if exigericies should arise, Go. vernment should have the. power to prevent the increase of price by opening the pons; but he also found that the Govern ment had rejected the proposition. Ile would ask, could there be a more cautious proceeding than the one proposed, less grasping, in its nature, when carried under the sanction of an Act of Parlia. fitment ? Here was a law which, if brought into full operation in the particular State of the country, would occasion a considerable increase of otitichief ; and to go into a complete alteration of it in the present state of the country, when such a prejudice existed against it, would be most unfavourable to discussion ; therefore it was that he wished to intelporse something to mitigate the evil ; and his Majesty's Government wished in attaining that object, to pursue their road through Parliament, rather than through that of the Royal Prerogative, and he appealed with confidence to the wisdom of Parliament to attain that object. Colonel NVOOD and Mr. H. SU 3INER explained. Lord MILTON rose to ask ri question, but did not wish to have an answer. (A laugh.) Ile wished to know whether there was not some other measure that might not meet the present exigency; he merely put the question, but did not wish an answer until some future occasion. . _ - - - pee The gallery was then cleared, for a division, when there ap red— Ayes . . 185 Noes . . 53 Majority in favour of the Reaolution - 127 • . _rite in raroo. o. _ On our re-admission into the gallery, we found Mr. RA RING moving that the Revolution should he recommit. ted, in order that the question might be more fully discussed, as, under the then situation of the Continent from the small quantity of corn in fortign ports. it would be the best tinie for going into an alteration of the Corn I.aws. Lord MILTON seconded the motion, and said that the present WWI as good an opportunity as any other for the alteration, the pre sent condition of the Corn Laws being only calculated 'or fair weather. Mr. secretary CANNING reminded the house that, if the pro. position was agreed to, it would involve the I louse in the revision of the whole question. He thought it would be most inconvenient and operose in its operation ; and he thought the opportunity most inconvenient, and unfavourable to the landed community, whose interests his Majesty's Government were accused of abandoning. The question was then loudly called fur, and the gallery was cleared tor a division, when there appeared— For Mr. liating's Amendment. 61 1 Against it, 167. Majority against the Anientiment,lll6. The original motion was then put and carried. KING'S THEATRE. Tills EVENING will be perforated Vaguelll's Opera Saris, In Two Act., enttdr4 ROMEO E GIELIEITA. The principal Charactert by Madame Pasta, Madame Caradorl, Madame De Mizell, signor Dead, Signor Porto. After the Opera the ntw Mythological Ballet of LA NAISS4NCE DE VENUS. *.* No Order will be admitted, and the Free Litt N sumsnded. A new Ballet is la rehearsal, as well as Meyer's Opera of Medea, nod that by Rossini, entitled L'Attrellano la Palloire. • .' x - ' lit i 4r: fiArrar,-,'",,, • 4 47-:::*„....C . '7 , .... ~..; 4 . I - -,' it. •• --1 "- - ' --:::' At. •- ..r• .. , 4 7 1 , '?, . ' • 1.,.... ••• • ..itt Fite tiregso. THE BRITISH PRESS'. Mr. BROGIIEN then brought in a Bill to authorize the ad miledan of foreign corn in bond into the country ; and another Bill . to empower his Majesty's Ministers to import MIO.OOO quarters of foreign corn, if necessary. Both of tehich were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. BRITISH SII I PPING. Mr. HUSK ISSON said. that at that late hour it would be im possible to bring forward the motion of which he had given notice relative to the chipping of the country; and he would therefore postpure it until Friday pest. way H I RT OF CHANCERY. The ATTORNEY-(:ENERAI, postponed hls Rill, founded upon the Rrpnrt of the Commissioners appointed to inquire intu the practice or the Court of Chancery, until to-morrow. .Jr. JAI 1,1,1 A 31S postponed hi+ motion, for referring the Re port of the Chancery commission to a Committee of the House, till to-morrow. 31 r. Pi MOORE postponed his motion, fora grant of public money for the relief of local distress, until Wednesday next. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a quarter past Eleven o'clock. PRICER AV 8R1T11314 Rnnk Stork 200 1991 I per Cent. Red. 77 1 78 S per Cent. Cons. 781 781 Ditto Acct. 771 1 78 1 79 /11 per Cent. 31 per Cent. Red. fi:11 New 4 per Cent. 941 94 1 ITOCRS YESTERDAY. Long Ann. IS 11.16 India Stoek ?$ India lionda 9 pra Ez. SHIN 10001. 10 Open Ditto 6001. 10 9pErt Ditto Small 9 11 pm Lottery Tickets :PRICF-4 Olt FORBIDS Awaits° Bond. Bit Bras Man Bonds Sd • Chilton Bonds 40 Col%midden Bonds Ditto Mood* AN) 41ifi WWI Acet..ll4 i I Danish Bonds (1B23) 641 I French Rentes 6 per Cent. NC h:xchsuggee 26(.60e. French Rentes 8 per Cent. 66f. Est bailee 26f. 60e. Greek Bonds Ditto Bonds t 1826) 16 15i 16 13i 16 Dittt, Acct. 16 STOCKS rxtrre'sDAY. Guadalajara Honda ()nitiates Bonds Mexican Bonds Ditto Acct. 634 Ditto Bonds '1823) 62 4 Ditto Acct. 624 2 4 2 4 Peruvian Bonds 304 4 Ditto And. 104 Prinidan Bonds 90 Ros.ion Bonds 76 1 Ditto Aect. 764 6 84 4 Spanith Bonds 74 8 1 Ditto 86, 84 Ditto Roads (1823) 6 4 PIIICF:S THAI MI 'b YESTERDAY. Shan. Paid. kneloAtiexlean 4Oll 60 20 die General kilning Association ...... $ die PASCO-Peruvian Real del Monte 4OO 400 115 die Ditto New 4OO 14 , 1) 00 dl. Tlldputalme 4(O 80 I) pm United lilexlean 4O 20 14 die Welch iron and Coal 24 26 14 Ws OAS LlOll7 AND CORA COSISANISI. ...... MISCILLANSOVS Continental . Mexican New Cora Exchange 100 16 92 dis 60 a le (Ili DRURY-LANE THEATRE. This Evening, TUESDAY, May 9, will be performed the Grand Romantic Opera, called ALADDIN. The principal Characters bybiess ---- M. Sinclair, Horn, Browne, Bedford, G. Smith, and Harley; Misses Stephens, Cubitt, and PoYey; Elm. Davi son, and a young Lady. To conclude with the Farce of A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER. Mb Mark Chase, Mr. Dowum ; Alfred Hiithfiyer, Mr. Browne; FLatasa. Mr. J. Russell. Mast& Dar:lngtoo, Miss Foote. • DRURY-LANE THEATRE. FOlt THE BENEFIT OF BIls!i FOOTE, And the La , t Nioht of her Performing in Landon this Season. To-morrow Evening, WEDNESDAY, May 10, will be acted the Play of C MOP:LINE. Posthumus Leonatue, Mr. Macready ; lachlmo, Mr. Bennett; Imogene, Bliss Poole. • After wltterthlr Petite Comedy of BIATRIMODit. Delattl, Mr. Maeteady ; Clara, MI., Foote . The whrle to conclude l 4 Ith the Musical Farce of THE HIGHLAND REEL. Shelly, Mr. Harley ; Moggy 314;11phi ;hit time), spas Toot.. COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE. MN Evening, TVESDAY, May 9, will be performed Hie Grand Romantic and Fairy Opera of OBERON ; or, THE ELF-KING'S OATH. . . The principal Characiers by Messrs. Braham, Cooper, Donner, C. Bland, .1. Isaacs, and Baker; Ilisses Paton, H. Calm; Madame Vett tris, Mrs. Vining, and Mrs. Davenport. After which (Sd time; a new Farce, called THREE DFEP • or, ALL ON THF. WING The principal Characters by Mews. Junes, Farley, and Keeley; Misses Henry, Jones, and Love ; and Mrs. Davenport. The BRIT tug Pius commenced publishing yestetday morn. ins at 9ve o'clock. LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 9, IBM The French Journalists continue to make remarks on the number of officers in the French army who have lately thrown up their commissions. They attribute the circum stance to the new system adopted in making promotions, ani to the all-parading influence of the Jesuits, who have introduced a Chaplain of their own orer into the staff of every regiment, with pay to each equal in amount to that of three Captains. The scarcity of money in Paris at the present moment is obvious, from the fact that more than half a million sterling was advanced by the Mont de Piete on goals pledged in the month of April alone. An Officer of Health at Ilyeres has been tried before the Correctional Court of Toulon, for permitting a number of letters from a Greek vessel to be landed while she continued in quarantine. Some of the letters were addressed to Ctrs- TE.WLIRIAND, the Duke de CHOISEUL. and the Aid-de- Camp of the Duke of Ont. F. Ns. The Officer was acquitted. The Government of Piedmont has given orders to erect on the Jubilee an altar in Turin, before the Palace, in the Piazza del Castello, where the troops will be required to renew their oath of allegiance to his Sardinian Majesty. The continued resistance of Missolonghi is proved from a variety of quarters ; but the whole of the news contained in the French Papers cannot, we fear, be implicitly relied on, such as the asserted advance of Fabrier and Gouras, and the death of Ibrahim. _ _ . A conspiracy has lately been discovered in Beryls, the object of which was to excite an insurrection against the Turkish Government. This is important, from the ac counts lately received of the designs of Austria on that province. By the last accounts from Odessa it appears that com merce is there in a state of complete stagnation, in con sequence, principally, of the low price of corn in most of the maritime countries of Europe. The following are some extracts from the Paris Papers received last night. (From the Finite dated Sunday 1 FLORENCE, APRIL 24. The following is the copy of a letter written by M. Eynard to the Duke de Choiseul : " I observe with surprise, that on the 17th April you were not yet easy respecting the distotrous accounts which had been circu lated concerning slissolongiii. I find it difficult to conceive that Paris should have been without correct news on this subject for eight days. ' The letter which I wrote on the 21st April has doubtless al layed your apprehensions by giving you certain facts. : that on the sth of April Al iviolongbi was occupied by the Greeks, who had successfully repulsed all the attacks of Ibrahim ; my news is authentic, and I may even say official; all the other details are merely on dits—the death of Ibrahim, the arrival of Fabric'', thnt of the fleet, &c. &c. : but 2111116 will probably happen. If our brave fellows have been able to resist without succour, what will become of Ibrahim, if the intrepid besieged receive aid by land and sea? " The mail from Ancona will not arrive till the day after to. morrow ; till then we cannot have any news respecting Missolonghi. " Accept, &c. • (Signed) " J. G. EYNARD. FRENCH FUNTAL—Pmus. MAY (I.—Five per Cents, 96f. 10c. • Three per Cents. K4 l . se. ; Bank Stock. 2020 f. • Roues de !NTaples, 72f. 90c.: Royal Spanish Loan, 440. Exchange on London—One Month, 251.60 c.; Three Months, 25f. 40e.— Con rs Authentique. Among the conflicting rumours and different statements, which for a long time have been propagated respecting the affairs of Greece, the accounts which mostly !Ate the character of truth are calculated to keep np the hopes of that country's friends. Whatever may hav, been the dissentions among the Chiefs, it is impossible to deny the fact, that the steadiness of purpose, and the enthusiastic patriotistn,which have long animated the people themselves, remain unaltered. When the Greeks resolved upon man; off the iron yoke that has for centuries so heavily weighed on them, they were fully aware of the danger to which atyslacken ing of their efforts could not fail to expose them. The experience of the past enabled them to form a just estimats of any promises of amnesty, or engager:lentil as toarnelioro tion of their future political condition, through which the Turks might try to tempt them to submission. The per fidious policy of their enemy's Government was so well known to them, that they Were inspired with a firm de termination to conquer their indepentlenee or die in the attempt, rather than accept any terms whieh would ulti mately bring them back to an aggravated state of slavery. There is as yet no reason to doubt their eapsbility of pro tracting a struggle in which they have been so long suc cessfully engaged ; anil if the character, feeotarces, and military tactics of their enemy, be maturely considered, as well as the locsl disadvantages against which they have yet greatly to contend, the entire conquest of Greece will appear a distant event, though not unlikely to be finally accomplished, if she be left to het fete. A variety of conjectures anti speculatiorrs, relative -to Greece, have arisen from a late extraordinary Embassy to a Northern Court, and a Morning. Paper has taken upon itself to inform the world of the meet secret objects of that minket Nothing, indeed, could have been more cheering than the issue which it pretended r t announce, authenti cally, relative to any negotiations which might have been entered into at St. Petersbuth en that occasion; but, at the same time, nothing was more falla c i ous t h an t h e b e li e f it professed that a fresh union of mere remonstrances, ors the part of the great European Powers, was at ail likely to affect the line of policy which the Porte had determined to pursue with respect to Greek affairs, and bring that ob stinate Government to terries of composition with its rebel subjects. It should not be forgotten that every att of diplomacy has been employed in vain at Constantinople— that even threats, made not only with the concurrence, but alsJ through the medium of England, Turkey's most powerful and best friend, hare remained unheeded. fhe SULTAN has all along insisted on being left sole arbiter in his contest with the Greeks, and in his (We- , rences with the Russian Court. in neither has he ever evinced any disposition to conciliatory terms; and, blindly confident in the importance he has but too long been allowed to suppose he holds in the balance of European politics, he has resisted the most reasonable claims of Russia, with an arrogance little compatible with the real insignificance of his power. Indeed every new attempt to bring him to a sense of the danger he incurs by thus pro yoking his natural enemy to hostile treasures, and of com pelling his friends to abandon him in that case to his fate, has had no other erect titan to strengthen his delusion. From the consideration of these incontrovertible facts, we come to this conclusion : that if Russia be ultimately drawn into a war with the Porte, the other powers of Europe, interested in the event (if they can be satisfied as to the purity of her motives), will make no attempt to pre vent a contest which may tend to compel the Turks to such a submission as would appear best calculated to secure the future tranquillity of Europe. An understanding of this sort, we have good reason to believe, exists between the Russian and British Cabinets; and Greece; whose independence will be neatly secured by the Porte's folly in suffering Russia to declare war, would be left to herself, until the time when circumstances might suggest measures that would insure her permanent welfare. CITY, MONO*? DFLNINO. The report of the natal armament being ready for sea was re. newel this morning, and an immediate war bet coca the Russians and the Porte was confidently spoken of; but after the first notification of it gig events had passed away, they appeared to he entirely lost sight of, and Consols advanced to 78 Buyers; afterwards 78 to was the price, and they closed at 78. The other English Securities and Foreign Stoeks remained nearly at Saturday's quotations. At Liverpool, there has been an imprbrement in the cotton mar. ker. and about 13,000 bags sold. There was taller more business doing on Saturday at Manche". fer, and in some instances the power-loom cloth had been disposed to at higher prices. There have been extensive sales at the late low prices. There was a great failure on Saturday, an eminent spinner, for about 60,0001. The following paragraph from a German paper notes an increase n the demaud fur cotton in Germany : FRANLYORT, Apart. 26. Purchasers from Switzerland, who bought at the Leipzig fair pr:nciptilly Saxon woollen cloths, have passed through here on their return. Cheaptieu is the main point with this class of purchasers, and in this respect they did not seem satisfied with the fair, the prices, as they said, being much high e r th an t h e y expected. The direct accounts from Leipzig, however, do not agree In this ; they say that large quantities of Saxon clothe have indeed been said. chiefly to Swiss houses, but at very low prices. " With respect to the wool trade, the same accounts any that the Prussian land-owners asked pretty high prices, not being under at, absolute necessity of selling at too low a rate, as they obtain loans from their Government on deposits of wool; but the Saxon land. owners, not having this advantage, were obliged to submit to low prices. " Cotton has risen In our market five dollars per cwt., but It seems doubtful whether this rise is caused by English speculation, or by a really increased demand for the manufactories." VIENNA, Aram 26.-31etalliques 89,1 • Bank Shares 1.069. One of the oldest and most eminent banking-houses of Europe, that of Messrs. Fries and Co., of Vienna, has suspended its payments. (EETRACT OP A LETTER RECEIVED THIS 3IORNTND.) " AMSTERDAM, May G. " A courier from Germany announces the failure of Messrs. Fries and Co., bankers. Vienna; the principal partner, Mr. David Parish. has disappeared, and is reported to be dead." Another letter, we are sorry to say, mentions all these circum stances, accompanied with a rumour that Mr. Parish had committed, suicide. The current rumour now is, that the Directors of the Bank (..t England have under consideration the forming Branch Banks at the four following places, viz. : Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham. and Gloucester. In the three last, as central points of great manu facturing districts, and in Liverpool, as the second commercial town in the kingdom, the experiment, whether of utility to the country or advantage to the Bank, may, it is conceived, be f ai rly tried, and on the result of that experiment, in all probability, the extension of the system will depend. Despatches were received Yesterday morning at the Foreign Office, from the British Consuls to the South Ame rican Republics. Miss Foote's benefit, to-morrow evening (Wednesday the 10th), at Drury-lane, Theatre, is expected to b e ver y great; and we understand it w ill be a sort of farewell be nefit, as the very great terms offered her to go to America will very soon occasion us to lose this public favourite. Mr. Macready is to perform two of his best characters for her; and, in addition to Inzogen, in which Miss Foote is perhaps unrivalled, she is to appear in ebara, and Nogo APG(liiin, a new Scotch ch a r ac t er , w hi c h , we un d erstand, she studied in Scotland, and will appear in the real High land costume, which has been p resen t e d to h er f or t h e pur pose by one of the first clans of that country. NE WM ARKETSECOND SPRING MEETING. (By EXPRESS.) NEWMARKET, MONDAY NIGHT. Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 son. each for 3-yr olds and upwards. A.F. Duke of Richmond's be. c. Toil and Trouble, 3 yrs. fist. 61b. Duke of Rutland's El Dorado, b yrs. list. 31b. The following started, but were not placed :—Duke 01 Orafton's Pucelle, fiat. 131 b.; General Grosvenor's Crockery, fist. 91b.; Scott's Wings, Bst. 61b. ; Mr. Greville's Dahlia, list. 21b.; 31 r. Rogers's Turban, Cyst. 71b. ; Lord Veralam's e. by Wuful, as:. 61b.; and Mr. Vanslttart's Sligbt colt. list. bib. Vrtm by a head. Match 100 sovs.—T. V. C. Mr. Udny's Tarandus, Sit. 41b. Lord Exeter's Redgauntlet, Hat. 41b. Match 100 sovs.—T. Y. C. Duke of' (irafton's f by Woful.—kfiltoula, list. Mb. Lord An.o.i's I by Bastard, Sat. 41b. Makch-200 son. D. M. D. of Grafton's Rufus, list. 71b. - Lord Orford's Pleanee, Bst. Sampatakes of lOU sows. each, h. ft. D. M. Lord Anson's ch. c. by Aladdin, Oat. 41b. Lord Exeter's Recruit, by Whalebone, fist. 71b. Mr. Uterine's c. by Wbalebone—Gran:atie, Bst, . I . I 1 2 3