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

PARLIAMENTARY LVIIFLLIQEIVCE. HOUSE OF LORDS. IVIoNDAT, Max 8: Mi. Bonanza, and other Members of the Ramo Commonsi wrought up the County of York Election Bill, the Registration o Aliens Bill, the Irish Prisons Bill, and several Private Bill; 6 .rwhich were read a Ant time. The Duke of .NORTHUMBERLAND presented a petition from certain inhabitants of the psrllh of St. Martin's,. against • dame in the Charing-cross Improvement 1141, for Macadamizing the owes in :fiat neighbourhood. The Earl of HARI/WIC-Et; presented • petition from the in. habitants of Westminster, praying to he heard by Counsel against a clause in the Westminster Improvement 1.1111, for Macadamizing certain streets in Westminster. PRICES OF CORN. Mr. Lsek, from the Board of Trade, bmught rap a Return of ' all accounts receives from British Consuls abroad, relative to the .pileetkof foreign corn. during the_yeav 1825. The Earl of 31ALMESIIVRY moved for a return of the ave rage price of corn In lark lane, on the 24th and UM April, and on the Ist and 6th of May- 1826—Ordered. • CORN LAWS. Earl WlLTONpresented • petition from Lancashire, praying for an alteration in the Coen haws. The Esrl of LAUDERDALE presented petitions from ips. * WiCh in Suflitik ; and one from t he A gr i cu ltur a l Society of Norfolk. against the intended alterations in the Corn Laws. His Lordship said that he had on former occasions recommended to persons not to present any petitions in favour of the (inn Laws, • as be did not then think that there was any likelihood of tl e ques tion being discussed during the present Session of Parliament ; and • intestine to that conclusion in consequence of the pledge given to that effect by his Majesty's Ministers. The person, to whom lie • had given the advice thought there MRS • necessity for petitioning, . and a apneared by the event that they were right, and that he was wrrofr.d • TEYNHAM said a few words in support of the petitions, and expressed a •hope that Ministers would withdraw their measures. • Lord KING rose, for the purpose of bringing before their Lord ' **hips • printed paper. which might be consult-terl a breach of the privilersta against their Lordships House. It was a scandalous and malicious libel; he would not say it wan false. but neverthries. ' It might, atvonting to the law, be libellous, olthongh true. The paper to which he alluded had gone through one edition, and would imoll probability appear before their LordshiPs in a second edition; It would therefore be desirable to take some notice of it. Ills Gord• 811'p then read the following extract from Mr. Jacob's Retort ; it is taken (ruin • translation of a memoir circulated among the land ' owners of Brandenburg. Pomerania, and West Prussia:— " The new liberal policy adopted by England, with regard to commerce, has not been extended to the corn trade, anti the rocs lions of Mr. Ilitskisson and Mr Whitmore, as well as the nume rous petitions that were lad before Parliament. did not meet with • any success. It is doubtful whether they will have a better fate in the nest siessiotte. should even a new Parliament assemble. The influence of the Members of the House of Lords, whose interests tin this instance) are at variance with those of the community at large, being too prevailing." —lt wonlil be fa their Lordships to decide whether the publisher of • that libel should be brought to the bar of their House for such breach of privilege, Or, as it had appeared in • Report laid before the-other House of Parliament, reparation might be claimed. by sanding a message to that House for • free conference, in which some satisfaction might be obtained. There was no precedent of • late years fur a free confetence. but tradition said that at such a con ference. held shoat a century ago. the horde and Commons came to high words, and it was even said that they actually came to blows. Ho did not know whether the teal of the Noble and learned Lord on the Woolsack for the landed interest would lead him into any unpleasant collision with the President of the Board of Trade, but • in such an went the Secretary of State would probably Interfere in support of his colleague, and give the Noble and Learned Lord a back-handed blow. It would become the duty of their Lordships . to step forward and rescue the Noble and Learned lard from 00 perilous *situation. He did not wish to make any motion on the subject, but he merely suggested to their Lordships the propriety • of sending a message tp that House of Commons, requesting • free conference to settle the matter. ' The Earl of LI .IEItICR agreed seriously in the troth of what had been raid by the Noble Lord, and thought the publication in question was libellous. That libel, as well as the olecrvations of lk• Noble Lord, were a good comment on the subject which was to come before their Lordships on Thursday next. It was gene rally understood that a General Election was shortly to take place. The manufacturing interests were In great distress. His Lordship &dew that the agriculturist classes apprehended great mischief from I . the operation of the measures before Parliament, and any agitation of the subject of the Corn Laws would only tend to exasperate both parties, to the great injury of the community. rite Marquis of LANSDOWN presented a petition from certain Protestant Dissenters, complaireng of being subjected to the operation of the law, which enforces the celebration of the ce remony of marriage according to the rues of the Church of Eng land. Hie Lordship hoped that Parliament would take the sub. jest into consideration, and relieve the petitioners from the neon'. eh, of submitting to a ceremony to which they were conscien tiously opposed. CATHOLIC DISABILITIES. Lord DUDLEY and WARD 'rose for the purpose of presenting a petition from the Roman Catholics of the coonty of Roe common, signed by several thousand persons, praying to be re heved from certain disabilities under which they labour in come. q.IOIIOC of their religious opinion,. Ili. Lordship observed, that it was not at all surprising to see such a petition numerously signed, when it was considered that the petitioners had only adhered to that religion which had been professed by their ancestors for cen turies. However erroneous that faith might be, there were not wanting excuser foe their adherence to it; and although great pains bad been taken by Government to convince them of their errors, and although their religion had been called superstitious. he was not aware that argumeota had been used to convince them of those errors. Laws oh disqualification had been employed, and it wit • against those the petitioners now complained. His Lordship said be was not disposed to violate • sort of tacit convention which had been agreed upon by their Lordahips, of avoidieg any dismission of that most important subject during the present Session of Perlis. meat. The time for such discussion must he a matter of discre. this ; upon that point he would concur with these friends who had uniformly supported the Catholic Claims, and he would ale, advise the Catholics to be guided by those who hail been their steady supporters, and who had made great sacrifices in their cause. The great obstacle to the claims was, that such concession would . be dangerous to the security of the Church and State ; but such apprehension his Lordship believed to be entirely unfounded. The conduct of the Catholics under the most trying cireumatarices was the best answer to such an objection. His Lordship said he had supported the claims of the Catholics under circomatances the most idaumiciout, and his opinion of the justness of those claims was *Confirmed by every year's experience. The present system pursued towards the Catholics was most incourenient ; sod it was import sibla to disguise the fart that this was she weakest point in this country's policy. This watt the point to which all looked with sp. • prehension, arid be hoped their Lordships would not have recision to look on it with self-reproach. ' l'he Marquis of LANSIMIIWN presented a petition from the Chamber of Commerce of Dublin, in favour of the Debtor and Creditor Arrangerneat Bill. His Lordship shin moved the second ! reading of the Bill for the better 80mititration of justice in emit°. ' rate towns in Ireland.—The Rill was read a Nevoid time, and or ' doted to be committed to-morrow (this day.) Earl GROS%'ENOR. presented a petition from Dometsbires praying for the abolition of negro slavery; which, after a few observations from hie Lordship, was Lid on the table. Adjourned at Sig o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Mos!)AT, MAY 8. AtTilBY SCHOOL. Mr. HC3IE presented ;petitionito'tnWilliaM Wratteislan, liming to be heard hy Counsel against the Bill for the Regulation if the F onts of the Rugby School. Air. LAW LEY veld, there wee nothing improper in te Bill. Mr. ELLId said, the Bill ought to be looked at wit h caution, had be should tont: at It sauputowly. • The Bill wee then ordered to be COMlTlittfli. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. • Lard A. HILL presented a petition from Bandon. tluildford, Ned soother place, praying fur the abolition of negro slavery in Colonies DUTY ON Hops, Mr. CL'RTEIS presented a petition train Mayfield, praying for a repeal of the duty on hop!..___ • WINDED CORN. Mr. DAVENPORT prribentrd • petition from Cnngleton, pray ing that a portion of tht Intenietl corn mirht he soki fr./ of duty, for the relief of the dummied ruanufacturcrs.—Orderol to lie on the table. Mr. PELHAM presented $ petition from the county of Hunting don. against any alienation in the Corn Laws. LICENSED V ICT UA LLERS. Hr. H. DAVIS pregented a petiaitm front tha licensed yietuallers of Bristol, against the lionising system. ALE-HOUSES LICENSING BILL. On the motion of Mr. JuaTCOLITIT. the name resolved itself Into a Committee on the Ale-houses Licensing Bill, Which, after a few words from Mr. Hcatr and Mr. t. PAl.mr.a. went through a Committee. and the report was ordereof to be brought tip to-morrow. Mr. HUME presented a petiLion from Jamts thorn% cumplain- Jog ot the heenNing system.—ordered ID lie on the table. IMPREASMENT (►F SEAMEN. Mr. 11U3IE preserved • petition.fmm tbe sailors generally, praying the House to inquire tom the law relating to seamen, with a 11101 i to get rid of the flogging and impressing of British seamen. The Hon. Gentleman oh.erred. that the present system was as gruel as unjust. While the law wortld not permit a nerd to be logged till twenty-four hours atter the commission of hit t ffence, a sa:lor could be tied up to the mast, at the order of the Captain, on the lostant. He was sure the country would willingly furnish the toad* aecessary to procure sailors witkout impressment. which was subject to numerous objections. In his opinion, it sr..s tips alone that had occasioned the last American war—Ordered to be printed. A BouppNpF SLAVERY. Mr. BYNG presented a petition from Higglestde, Bedf'ned. shire, praying for the abolition of ',rpm slavery. The lion. Gen ileman presented a similar petition fmapHoeton intim(' to be laid on the table. CPR* lAIVR. • Sir T. LETHDRIDetssid 13 had to pmera a petition from r the Committee of an Agricultural Society at Norwich. It was signet! by four individuals and the Chairman, and might be consi dered as coming from a MOM important body. It had been put into his hands this morning. and was entrusted to him, he was in formed, because his views of the measures now before the Howie .were similar to theirs. 'f he petitioners felt it their duty to express their sentiments on the measures introduced, because they were im pressed with the conviction that they would have material effect on the Coen Laws. I hie of the grounds of their (objecting to any change wart. that they were unprepared for it ; hating confided in 31irtisters, who had disclaimed. at the commencement of the Ses sion, any intention of altering these laws this year. They had no objection to relief being given to those who were distressed ; hut they thteight such relief might to come from those who had bene fited by their labours. They did not object, however, to contribute their fair proportion; it was with having to bear the *hole burden to whirh they objected. which, they submitted, ought not to be thrown on them. If the distress had arisen from the high price nt corn, there might be some reason for refining to it ; but no one of those who favoured the present meagure ventured to logien this; on the contrary, they must know that manufactures were never in a more nourishing enndition than when corn was at a higher price than at present. The petitioners went on to state, that not only the manufacturers would benefit by their loss, but the whole of the community; andothey prayed there might be no altera tion made to Termer the introduction of foreign corn more easy until taxation had been reduced 80 per cent. (Hear, he*.ne ("hr T. It thbridge) could not perhaps go slang with the petit ioners to the extent of wishing a ISO per cent. reduction, but his opinion was, that the peoele of this country could not expect to gm bread as cheap as they did on the Continent, while theistic* of labour continued what it is. Ile should he glad if bread mild be got as cheap here as in other countries, hot with the present 62. penditure that was impossible. The high prices of corn were not. because the food was high, but because there Wes a high taxation; the former must follow the latter as unfailingly as effect lbilowe cause. If the measures now in progress' were carried, they should have that species of ruinous payment whirh would cause discontent and misery, similar to that of n 221. 1822. and 11123; and if the eonmry was aware of their tendency, the table of the House would be loaded with petitions, as it had been during that period. Should he have the honour of sitting in thellouse another nation, and ruinous prices were the re. suit ref the mamma to which he objected, he should feel himself obliged to go along with those who proposed every kind of paring down of the country's establishments. Mr. BEN ETT said, he would take this opportunity of repeat ing that the price of labour bore no proportion to the taxation. The former haul not risen more than 33 per cent., and the latter had risen 200 or 300. He repeated it, however, that in the course of the last 40 years, labour had not increased more than per cent.; corn had increased 2d per cent.. and taxation from 200 to 300 per cent. (Hear, hear.) Ile was satisfied, therefore, that when they talked of the high price of labour there was a mistake ; it formatd a comparatively small part of the expense of our manu factured exports. Machinery. trio, had been introduced to such an extent as to cause a material difference. _ Mr. HEA THCOTE said, seeing the President of the Board of Trade In his place. he would ask him if he intended bringing for ward !demotion relating to the shipping to-night ? Mr. HIittRISSON (as we •nderstood him) said, the motion, stood on the ceder-book, but its being brought forward would de pend on whether or not the Corn question was disposed of. After some conversation, which being quite colloquial was in. audible, hot which we understood eo relit to the expediency of postponing the discussion of the Cornquestion, the petition was ordered to be ininttel. LORD CHARLES SOMERSET. Mr. BEAUMONT' said he had to present to the House a petition, widely different from these which had gone before it. but not of less importance. It was one which reflected on the chime. ter and conduct of Lord Charles Somerset. Ile regretted it had not fallen into the hands of one more likely to do h justice than himself ; but being promised able assistance, be could not have felt himself justified in neglecting it. It was not his wish, nor was it the wish of the petitioner, on this occasion to publish to the country any general charges against his Lordship. The object of the peti tioner was npecilic. He prayed that he (Lieutenant-Colonel Bur. nett) might be examined at the bar of the House. He was formerly Colonial Secretary at the Cape if Good Hope, and was well ac quainted with the condoct of his Lordship, and could give the best information respecting it. Ile complained that the prpsent Secre tary of the Colony had refused him leave to return to the Cape of Good Hope, for the purpose of collecting evidence td enable him to substantiate his charges. The charges were laid before the House on the 16th of last June, and it had been a matter of ques tion whether they should not be repeated ; but it was determined that it was better to avoid this, till they had an opportunity of showing that th.. 7 were not mere scandal. What he hoped, then, was, that the Secretary of the Colony would not refuse him per mission to return, that he nii4lit be enabled to bring witnesses. Mr. Bishop Burnett had been banished from the Colony, whether legally or illegally, whether with justice or injustice, he would not now inquire. The Hon. Member for Wincltelsea (Mr. Brougham) had given it as his opinion, that if these charges were true, his Lordship would be liable to impeachment. He (Mr. Beaumont) would not weaken that opinion by any comments of his own. The petitioner then sought to be examined at the bar. lie had refrained from any detail of the charges, though they could all he satisfee torily proved. He felt that he must go temperately and candidly to the ease, his object being, not to scandalize, hut to obtain jusnee. He (Mr. Beaumont) should conclude with moving that the petition be brought up and printed ; and hoping that the petitioner would be allowed to return to the Cape. he should move that some early day be appointed for the examination of Colonel Burnett touching these charges. Mr. W. HORTON said he had reason to believe the Report of the Commissioners sent out to the Colony would not be very fa. towable to the petitioner. He (Mr. W. Horton) could not say he approved of the administration of the Dutch law, but the Corn. inissioners were sent to inquire into it. In his opinion, to take the course proposed would be to impugn the conduct of the Commis. Sjoberg. Certainly there could be no occasion for the petitioner being examined, while an inquiry by the Commissioners was taking. place. As regarded leave being given for the petitioner to return to the colony, all lie (Mr. Horton) had to say was, that this in. divisiontl was asked to point out any instance in which the informs. (ion he desired could not be obtained without his going there, and this he bad neglected to do. Ile thought, if the House waited till the Commissioners had sent tin it Report, it would be found that the llousehael been imposed on by some exaggerated charges being laid herore it. Mr. HUME said, early in the Session he inquired of Alinisters if there was any Report from the Commissioners to lay on the table, and he was told there was none. The House, last Session, consi dered it an act of justice to postpone any inquiry into the charges against his Lordship until his return. Why had he not returned ? fie (Mr. flume) thought the delay had been the consequence of a desire to amid justice. One, two, and three ships, were at Merest times to have brought him over, but the ships came s th out him. This certainly lo o ked as if h e wished to avoid coming forward. Ile (Mr. Hume) complained of the Commissioners, that that it Wilg just three years since they went, and nothi ng h a d yet been done. He thought this was a good ground for supposing that they were nut very anxious to forward the objects of those who vein them. Ile thought it hard the petitioner should be re:used permission to return ; he was sent away at a moment's notice, and not allowing him to return, looked like an unwillingness to afford him an opportunity of establishing his charges—it looked like a denial of justice. His being denied the means of collecting the ne cessary evidence evinced a disposition to shun an inquiry of the Freatett interest, not only to the tourney, but to his Lordship; for if he was acquitted he could not stand ct the situation he formerly did, unless 3lr. Burnett were allowed to get the testimony rapt site. He (11r, Hume) thought there had been great unneceliary delay. It was 12 months since it was said Lord Somerset had leave to come own, and surely fley were not going to put the inquiry offer:other year, knowing, as they mast, that the delay would be ruinous to the petitioner. He hoped the House would adopt such a course as would enable the cause to be brought forward and fully decided. After **few words from Colonel DAVIES, Mr. W. HORTON explained. Mr. FYSSHE PALMER said, he understood, when the toes non was agitated last year, that an explanation had been given of the matter, of a character similar to that which was advanced that night. It was then asserted that the Noble Lord was most anxious to facilitate every mode of explanation, and to refute the calumnies which had been uttered against him. Yet, with all the anxiety which that Noble Lord was stated to feel on the anbjezt, twelve mouths had elapsed since the period when the assertion was made, and the noose had not been furnished with the desired opportunity. They had, indeed, been fold, that the Noble Lord might be els petted to arrive in a short time, when they might be indulged with the wishethfor opportunity. Ile could not help thinking, however, that It leokett very strange that, so such a crisis, the principal wit ness should be sent out of the country, when the charges against the Noble Lord seemed to require his evidence to substantiate them, lie begged pardon for using the words "sent out," but he still conceived it very strange that Colonel Bird should be engaged in any military commission when the Noble Lord an, Laming over. It was due to the character of the Noble Led that nu imputations which the absence of that witness would create shouter be allowed to operate to Itilsprejui!e. 1;ovil E. SOMERSET said it was not the intention of his Noble Relative to shrink from the fullest ir•.vertigation into his C011(111Ct, as he was convinced the result would be entirely in his favour. It had been intimated by some Hon. Gentlemen that the Noble Lord de clined coining to this country until the evidence which might be adduced against him should hate been withdrawn. But the lion. Member for Reading should consider that it was not altogether optional with the Noble Lord to come over for the purpose of vin dicating hs character, flowerer anxious he might feel for such an opportunity. The arrangementsof the Colonial Office were to be consulted, and those had precluded his departure until the arrival of a substitute. He was thereby necessitated to remain, but private eccounts which had been received from the Noble Lord expressed the most ardent wishes to have the whale matter of hie conduct dis. cursed immediately, and without rescue. Accounts had been re cently brought to this country, and from them the arrival of his Noble Relative might be expected every moment. He had no hesi. tation in saying, that the charges which should be brought con. erring the administration of the Noble Lord would be found unjustifiable. The Honourable Member for Montrose (Mr. Hume) in his observations on the subject, seemed to have taken a view of only one side of the justice of the case, when he insisted on tire propriety of having Colonel Bird examined previously to his departure, on charges affecting a Noble individual who was ab., sent, and thus prevented from the privilege of vindicating his re putation. In the opinions which had been advanced in respect to theadministration of his Noble Relative at the Cape of flood Hone. Hun. iientlenten who indulged in censures on some points, would ~ THE BRITISH PRESS. do well to bear In mind that it 111011 not the fault of that Noble Lord that the laws were not of that English spirit tor which those lion. Gentlemen contended. He did not mean to offer an opinion whe ther the Dutch or the English principle was more correct or suit able to the Colony, but he begged to remind the House that the Governor was bound to administer the law as he found it, and had not the option of acting on his private 'suggestions in respect to the superiority of another code. He should repeat the isstirauce which he Mud already made.of the extreme anxiety of his Noble Helaiive to afford every inforo.ation which could tend to elucidate the measures regarding whicfi his conduct had been arraigned. An Hon. mnt:R. whose name we could not learn, bore testi mony to the high character of one of the Commissioners, with whom he was acquainted, and on whose integrity he could rely. That genleninn, lie was sure, would " nothing extenuate, nor aught set down in malice." _ . . Sir F. BUR I)ETT. in a low tone of voice, observed on the de licacy and ASilficulty (as we undoes:nod) of the general charge. which Might be preferred against the Noble Lord. The only ques tion. however. which was then before the House regarded the evi deice of Col. Bird. He thought that no objection should he taken on dist point, and that it would be becoming in his Majesty's li nisters to afford all the information which Col. Bird had it in his power to give, as such a proceeding seemed suited to 'satisfy both parties. Mr. W. HORTON was not well aware how Colonel Bird came to be' implicated in the charge against Lord Charles Somerset. Yet that Gentleman had been connected with the matter in a way which appeared to impute blame to the Colonial Department, of what he did not think they ought to he declaied guilty. The pe titiorier was of opinion that be was an aggrieved individual ; but which the Report of the Commissioners should be received, the House would be able to form a judgment on the subject from a more impartial source than any person complaining of his own grievance could be suspected to be. If Colonel Bird those to leave the country on his own private &Weirs, however awkward the junc ture might he in relation to the projected charges, he could not see the justice of imputing any blame to Government for the voluntary act of it genlleman conducting himself according to his discretion, over which the Government possessed no control. Mr. BROUGHAM made some observations which we did not distinctly hear. He appeared to contend, that though Ministers might be exculpated from any unfair dealing or collusion in respect to the absence of Colonel Bird, yet that it would be very desirable, both for - the sake of public justice and of what was due to the , character of the Noble Lord himself, that the fullest investigation of the matter should be entered into, andell the requisites furnished for the purpose. That was Meanly mode which would give perfect watisfacttott to the country, whatever might be the result of the decisidn. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed, that Colonel Bird dill not hold any official situation under the Crown which could enable Government to command his services it did therefore appear unreasonable io him that his Majesty's Minis ters should he required to furnish an assistance Vhich was out of the sphere or their operation. The SPEAKER proceeded to observe on some informtilties which the petition contained. Some parts of it were of dubious construction, but one part of it. which affected the pledge of his Majesty's Ministers, was of a more undisguised nature. It re /erred to a promise given by the Colonial Secretary, that the matter should be inquired into, the non-performance of which had induced the petitf=r to send a second petition. He had adverted to what had occurred In that House in the course of a former debate. The Speaker would ask the House, whether it was not contrary to usage and the formalities necessary to be observed, that the petitioner should allude to a debate which had taken place on a former aces sion, and that he should then At of the House so get the pledge of the Under-Secretary of State ratified for his satisfaction ? Mr. Secretary CANNING bad no objection that the petition should lie on the table, but the order of the regulations which pre. •ailed in that Horse did not admit of the adoption of such a pro ceteling under the circumstamois of the informalities comprised In the petition. Mr. BEAUMONT said, that in consequence of those r uts of the petition which were in contradiction of the regulations of the lloure, he hail determined to withdraw his motion. Mr. H. GURNEY spoke, but in too low a tone to collect the purport of his observations. Mr. HUME wished to know whether the whole of the evidence connected with the subject of hoed Charles Somerset's administra• thin was included in the Retort of the Commissioners. Mr. W. HORTON (as we understood) said that the whole of the evidence on the original points would be furnished. The motion was then withdrawn. BRANCH BANK. In answer to a question from Mr. I'. GRENFELL, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied that a communication hail been made to Government by the Rank of Englund, expressive of the intention of that establishment to erect branch banks in the country. CORN LAWS. . . . On the Order of the I;iinging up the Report on the Corn Laws being put, Mr. II EATI!COTE tose and adverted to a petition on the sub. jact, which expressed tbe opinion ut the numerous and respectable occupiers of land in Lincolnshire, who were entirely hostile to any inte•ference with the Corti Laws. It was his intention to oppose the bringing up of the Report, as he did not conceive the agricul. tural interest of the country was properly considered in the mea sure* which were under contemplation. lie opposed the proposed mode of the duty, whether it was to be 17 or Ll shillings. The difference was of no consequence to alleviate the distress of the people, which the measure professed to relieve, as it must go into the pockets of speculators, who could be the only persons to derive benefit from it ; so that the landed interest would suffer unnecessarily without any advantage to the manufacturing class. The precedent would also be of a dan. gerous kind. Besides, he contended that there was no dif. terence of circumstances to call for the measure at present, rather than a fortnight ago. The mode proposed seemed to have been one of those half measures which were never productive of good. The ground on which its advocates relied for its adoption was the apprehension of a bad harvest ; but If that fear were realized the 4041,00 quarters would be insufficient to meet the exigency. The supply would be totally inadequate to remedy the evil by satisfying the demand. It would only produce an increased call for corn, but the right mode would be to meet the evil in its proper quarter, and to enable the manufacturers. by the produce of their work, to purchase the commodity. It must be in vain to expect a consume. tion of corn, if the price and duty were reduced tofthe lowest pitch, unless the people were possessed of means to purchase what they wanted. Mr. CALCRAFT wielted to explain that the opposition which was given to the original proposition on this subject by him, and those Hon. Members who concurred in his opinion, was removed with the cause. The obnoxious parts of the proposition had been removed, when the fixing a ;erica and a duty was left out of the question. Moreover, there did not a pp ear to him to be any indica tion of an intention to meddle with the Corn Laws. His objec tions, therefore, were considerably softened down, and he thought that those Gentlemen who achieved the alteration of the proposition should be satisfied with the success, and act so moderately as to assent to the bringing up of the report. The only cause of objec tion which still remained on , his mind against the measure was founded on the consideration that the landed interest was still held up to the manufacturers as the barrier between them and sub sistence, and as the cause of the cessation of their trade. He did not mean to impute blame to his Majesty's !Birdwell for adopting the modes of relieving the public distress which had been sug. gested, but still the effect was of that unpleasant tendency to produce dissension between the agriculturists and the manufacturers, when the latter would imply that the relief to themselves was inju rious to the former. He wished to be moderate, and though that result followed, still, as he did not impute blame to Government. he would accede to the bringing up of the Report. By what he learned of the feeling of the country, it was supposed that the mea sure effecting a repeal of the turn Laws was already carried. A stop had been put to matters of bargain and sale, and farms ceased to be taken, aid things had mine to a completestand.still. He was no advocate of the Corn Laws, and he thought that a protecting duty was the best mode that c o u ld b e a d opte d i n t h e c i rcumstances of the country. On this point many agreed with him in principle, but would carry the stale higher titan he supposed the case actually required. He had no objection to comply for the sake of unanimity. There appeared to him to exist great delicacy and difficulty with re spect to the practical application of the measure under considera tion. lie thought that its exercise involved great responsibility, while it undoubtedly c on ferred vast power on th e Government. The growers of corn, and the consumers, whb formed the rema i n d er o f the community, would be necessarily dependent on Ministers ; yet he did not believe that they coveted the possession of such invidious power, for no line in his senses could desire so serious a responsi. bility as it conveyed. Be believed that his Majesty's Ministers were on this poiut in their senses,thounh he had often had occasion to doubt. (A laugh.) Ile did not quite agree In what had been said respecting the exertion of that power, which would require Bill of Indemnity. The tease of Lord Mansfield was not in point. The opposition of that Noble Lord was dictated by political pique, and.the refusal to grant a Bill o f I n d emn i ty did not procee d from the Country Gentlemen, who were willing then, as the same class would be new, if the occasionn re quired to pass a Bill of Indemnity, when Ministers had honestly undertaken to cure an ev il, on t h e cont i ngency of which they cat. culatcd. Ile did DOS niean to oppose the bringing up of the Re. port, for he liked that the opinions of the different Members who were acquainted with the subject should be fully expressed, by which 00415 much useful information might he elicited. Ile was sure that their constituents would be pleased that all the Members should participate in the discussion. Then the Howie would be better instructed on the subject when the period for the second reading should occur. Ile begged leave, however, to have it under. stood that his opinion on the merits of the measure was not com mitted or compromised. Mr. BANKES also profesned himself anxious to know most fully what was the nature of the proposed measures, and what would be the probable effects. He therefore thought that the House would be better informed for the second reading, and agreed in the propriety of bringing up the Report. Mr. LEI CESTER made some observations which were in. audible in the gallery. We could only collect that the Honourable Member was willing to trust to the discretion of Ministers, provided that the maximum of duty should be 20s. per quarter. The Hunourublc Gentleman also said he did not consider that there was any want of courtesy in the answer which have been given by the Right Honourable the President of the Board of Trade to the question which lie lied asked concerning the liberation of bonded corn. 1C,;r11 BELA RAVE said he hail tried every mode, and ultimately found it iinpoasible to went to the proposed measures in any way. a to the liberation of the bonded corn, he thought it would he • r.rfeet nullity, so far as it was intended to affurtl relief to the ma• nufacturing tity would not furnish re qnan would not cause a reduction of the price, for he was not of more than four or five days' co nsumption, but it o pinion that the price of might amount to 40.: • lasses of the community. T o look at it in the most favourable point of view, the entire the article depende on its value. The one of which 20s. frequently would be swallowed up by the intermediate As to the process of sale between the grower and the con sumer. other branch of the proposition, he conceived it only a modi ficatio n of the measure proposed by the Hon. Member for firidgnorth (Mr . Whitmore). A great fault which attached to the measure was, that a remedy of the kind recommended encour a ge d an idea that the Corn Laws were the cause of the misery which was e ndured. He did not like to promote such a delusion. Reenter, lie had been informed that the agitation of the question had caused on the horded corn an advance in price of cent. per cent. Ile was strongly opposed to a roomed for investing Ministers with a power, for the exercise of which not the Government, but the Parliament, was to Ise responsible. Sir JOHN - BRYDGES confetaed, that. on Friday last, he comedown to the - House to muchensiarrassment, fearing h'e should be called upon to give a vote, which, if so, must have been one either against the measure introduced by his Majesty's :dinette's (to whom he was ever desirous to give his support), or against his ohm conviction • and this must have been the case, had the proposition , as first su bmitted, not been altered, as he considered it an inter ference with the principle of the present Corn Laws. But he was happy to find that the measure, modified es it was, had lost its sting, and in his mind was not objectionable. However, though it did not involve in it any alteration of the Corn Laws, it was so nearly allied to it, that he should take this opportunity of briefly delivering his sentiments upon the measure. From an expectation that had for some time existed oi . a revision.of the Corn Laws, and from its intimate connection with the subject of free trade, which had been-already adopted to a considerable extent by Parliament, the question-now before this House cats of the greatest magnitude. He was-of opinion that the close of an expiring Parliament was not the tit time to entertain this question. But thinking as he did upon this subject, It appeared to him that no time was proper; that the present Corn haws ought not to be disturbed ; oar cons metcial system had not undergone any changes that were at va riance with the ptovisions of our existing Corn Laws t and, throughout the regulations for trade and commerce, the perpetuity of these laws had been presumed. These:lent:sites for a repeal of the present Corn Laws, and for the substitution of a freetrade in foreign corn, were of two classes. The first, erroneously supposing that the increase of nattonal wealth was a consideration paramount to all others, believed the doctrines of political economy cotnpre. handed the whole science of government. The second class was I but a faction, which laid hold of any question , ignorant and careless of its meths, which appeared 10 afford an opportu. pity to embarrass the proceedings of -Government. It was to the former class only lie felt it his duty .to refer. The i nsistence of political economy in the deliberations of a Statesman was highly tiaeul ; but in these it ought not to have a sole and ' paramount authority ; if so, it would endanger its character as a science.- The economists themselves asserted that a free trade must be had ; that the aid of the agriculturists was not required: that the poor soils ought to be put out of cultivation ; that the soil in general might as well become a desert, because the commercialists could supply. bread cheaper than the agriculturists could grow it. But it might fairly be asked, how were the famishieg millions de. pendeot upon agriculture to be employed :1 What would avail the cheapness of bread, when no money was forthcoming to purchase It ? To apply the principles of science which regulate the laws for making and using national wealth to the question of the Corn Laws, was assuming that the riches of the nation were the only objects of importance ? He asked, was not the moral character and habits of the people of great consideration ? And was the loom and the anvil wholly to be esteemed in exclu-ion of the plough ? Was the hardy peasant of no importance to his country ? Ile had read Mr. Jacob's Report, which confirmed rather than re moved his fear, that if our lions were thrown open for the imports. tion of foreign grain, it would be the death-blow to agriculture, and finally the death-blow to our happy. Constitution, which, under the present system, had for so many generations been the wonder and admiration of the world. We then. indeed might deserve the appellation of a nation of shopkeepers, which the late Emperor of France in derision had cast upon us. In conclusion, he implored Parliament to. consider with deliberation what they were about, and to recollect, that if by their measures they should enrich one class at the expense of another, they were not distributing even handed justice ; let it be remembered too, that Ireland in particular claimed their attention, and that, the depression of agriculture would be peculiarly baneful to that part of the empire. He would only add his earnest hope, and he should cherish the idea, that no Parliament of this country would ever consent to sacrifice the staple.interest of this great empire, its agriculture, err the altar of national avarice. Mr. HOLME SUMNER felt that the Ministers would have re quired a stronger case than they have yet made out before they could be justified in proposing any alteration in the Corn Laws They should have had a much stronger case than any supplied by the cilium in the manufacturing districts before they resolved to comedown with their present proposition, atter stating on the 18th of April that they were opposed to any alteration in the Corn Laws. Upon the faith of that resolution many of the Irish Members had gene home, and, as had been just observed, the Members for that warty , *ere deeply interested in the proposed measures. The quest on was one of so great moment, that .it should not have been brought forward without a call of the House. He thought the country had good reascaa to complain of the man ner in which Ministers had brough: forward• the measure. Proposing such a measure as a relief for the distress which prevailed in the manufacturing districts, was giving the misguided manufacturers the authority of Government in support of the opi nion that their distress was caused by the high price of corn, and was connected with the Corn haws. The Right lion. Gentleman's (Mr. Canning's) first proposition, was for the unlimiteciadmission of foreign corn. He had since, however, modified his proposal, and limited the admission of foreign corn to 506,000 quarters, be sides the 300,0(1) quarters which were to be let out of bond, The prospect of 300.000 quarters being let out of bond had already affected the price, and how much more powerful would the effect be when 500,000 quarters were admitted ? 500,000 quarters was a greater quantity than had ever been admitted in one year. In the year ending the 20th of February, 1819, 150,200 quarters were imported, which affected the market for throe years, and brought on that crisis of agricultural distress which prevailed In 18'20 and 11121. (Hear.) Notwithstanding all these objections, however, he would be disposed to accede to the proposition, if there were any real grounds for expecting a scarcity ; but, from all the informs don he could collect, he formed the opinion that the supply in the country was sufficient, and ea= corn would continue to be sold at a moderate price --at such a price as would scarcely afford a fair re muneration to the agriculturalist. He did not know whether he should have any one to divide with him, but he should certainly oppose bringing up the Report. The measure was so objection- , able that he should feel it his duty to give it all the opposition in his power. Mr. STANLEY feared that the harsh manner in which the pro posed measures were opposed by the landed interest would produce the most injurious effects. He had spent the last fortnight in the disturbed districts, and had the fullest opportunity of observing the situation of the suffering classes. He was sorry to say that a greet proportion of the looms were idle, and those employed, after working fifteen hours a day, could earn no more than from bs. to 61. rid. a week. Ile had beheld that class, with-a patience which was astonishing, starving on a single meal of oatmeal a day, and with a pride which was really creditable, and which he thought u an d d ro l wn ess in co g o o lo m e n ss , was extinct, preferring this to applying to the parish for relief. a.tu rit raid est wbs s ,e u measure d wished, with e mo r e lcolmi (Hear.) Having witnessed all this, perhaps he came to the discus eedf alwarmth, t n l y i like ion ray of light which of f To thee c n a t rc t h iPt aus a n t ed7 ;teemed likely to pierce the gloomy prospect which he was endea vouring to describe. At the same time lie was not acting under the impression that the present measure was a remedy fur the present distress. it could be nothing more than a temporary and partial alleviation of that distress. It was well known in the country that the proposed measure was not calculated to influence the distress to any great extent. The good effects of the measure he felt would be partial ; but he anxiously hoped it would be received as a proof that the House and the agricultural hatertst were not backward in doing all within their power to alleviate the distress. lit this way it would produce a feeling of conciliation towards the Government and the House. He thought there was no reason for the alarms of the landed interest, and should consider that he had not done his duty if he refused his assent to tfte proposed measures upon r.ice scruples. • Colonel WOOD thought the sentimeets of the last Speaker (Mr. Staniey ) highly creditable to his feelitil e s (near) ; at the same time hisopinion was, that any substamial slter,tion of the Corn Laws would tend rather to aggravate than to mitigate the distress. The interests of the . agricuiturists and tuailufecturers were inse parable.(hear); and, in his opinion, a gond home market was the best escape for the manufacturers. As to the proposed measure, he thought it would be much less objectionable it Government were empowered to open the ports by an Order of Council, when the price rose to Os.: all inconventencewmild then be obviated, as the ports would remain open for three months, until the average' were-again 'truck. lie was a friend to the Corn Laws as they now stood ; yet he hoped his lion. Friend (Mr. li. Simmer) would not persist in his intention of bringing up the Repent. When the measure was brought into Committee in the form of a Bill, he trusted a price would be inserted to which corn must rise before the 500, 1 40 quarter's were admitted. A M EMBER, whose nt.me we did not learn, raid a few words in reply to an observation which he understood Mr. Secretary Peel to have matte in the last debate on this question. Though deci. dirtily hostile to any alteration in time Coin Laws, he hoped the lion. Member for Surrey would not press a division. Mr. Secretary PEEL rose to explain. The Hon. Gentleman had misunderstood, as he (Mr. Peel) had offered po opinion as to what the price should be, when it might be advistble to admit fo reign corn. In fact, he entertained no opinion on that point, and had carefully guarded against giving any thing like on opinion. He had merely observed that 7lis. and Ms was considered as the tilaximion price, but that under the present laws corn may be for three months at 100 s. before the ports couhl open, aad that this was a reason for investing Government with the discretion. The Hon. 111 EMBER expreesed himself perfectly satisfied with theexplatiation of the Right Hon. Secretary. Sir !MATTHEW W. RIDLI would vote for bringing up the Report, without pledging himself to support the Bill, if he found it contained anything injurious to the landed interest. In his opinion anything that injured the agricultural interest would injure all other interests, and nooe more than the manufacturing interest. He hoped it would be understood by the sufferers that their distress was not attributable to the high price of corn, nor was it connected with the Curn Laws. the best protection for agriculture, he thought, was the free admission of foreign corn at a protecting duty. But without entering ou that subject he felt it was moat material that his Majeety's Government sh :hey bed not proposed the prowl( measures under m that a *amity was probable. He had received letters theout7d pdTecisteiri: e h v o e w nt tir i e lo u . n e a v n e i r m , in had al t r h ea e d m y O p o r i o n v n ed tli m ine i‘ w ch ' erier i; : persona,eh n e n w ar a scarcity of corn. He feared th at thetsepttin-e— -ii7nenfoon s r nin, to ne i nforme d of r s u anus, and on that ground he regretted that Ministers had brou g h t forward the measure at such a , lore. Mr. FRANKLANG LEWIS gave his full, cordial, and aitatit.g support to th e proposed measure. He as sured . that he had no other imerest. tour nu other nine) of t h e -- what u &need from the land e d i nterest. Y et he did not a(& Lut disinterested technic:. when he gave the p resent mesourshis u et tt an e , 7 lified support, ter he ems ientiously believed that the m e as ur e was not fraugh t w i t h any injitry to the a g ri cu l tura l interest. e; to the utility of the manure, it could not be denied that if th e d ',- named could lie supplied with corn a t a l ower price than the '. at yresent, the measure would he found a successful and y us w el palliative. Ile was co nv i nce d t h e measure could do no harm, u e" it was found necessary to import a l arge quant i ty of corn, a f", quantity of manufactur e d goo d s wou l u b e exported in reutrn, wh b e;,' would afford that employment for which the manufacturers s. now famishing. The present miestion was altogether sepvm," from that of the Corn Laws ; it was a case of ementeney,,4 Parlitenent was called upon to .In all in its power to alleviate intolerable dieiress. the Mr. JONES believed that bringing in 4 or 500.000 quartet s corn into the market would certainly be a great benefit to the di e. tressed population of the manufacturing distlicte. ft was I Q thin measure was a limited one, and that it only went to empower Minioers to introduce a certain quantity of corn. Now, it ap p hn d that MOM* quarters Was all the corn that could be got, and „4 ,1 t was the quantity which his Majate's Ministers demanded to hare a right to introduce. lie would not designate this measure as g side wind attempt to get rid of the Corn Laws, but he thous ; that an idea might be raised in the minds of the people of ' country that the 12a. duty no w proposed to be affixed as them testing duty would be hereafter considered sufficient. He haven.; trusted the country Gentlemen of this House would perceive that such a sum was not a sufficiently protecting duty. Lnder all the circumstances, reserving to himself the right of expresd-g (Orion when the Bill eliould go int o a C omm i ttee, he certainly ed nut intend to oppose bringing op the report. He considered a ler , would be a great responsibility incuned by those who should port this Ball. and he lamented that any such measure should bail been proposed. Al r. .1011 N SMITH wished to state the grounds upon elide, was induced to vote in support of the measure intended to be r% posed by his Majesty's Minister. for the adoption of this/Imo. It appeared to him, that if his Majesty's Government had, In the present distressed state of the country, suffered tine prorogation if Perlfament to take place without having proposed some such sure as the one now contemplated, they would have intoned are, sponsibility of the most grave and serious kind. He would e n allude more particularly, at present, to the distressed state of the manufacturing districts, than to observe, that those who r owed generally about the prices of corn, were bound, in consistency, to . take into their view the condition of the•agriculturiets. Be could put a case which might possibly happen, and which he was Jas, titled, under the circumstances, in putting to the House. The case be would put was this. Corn had been rising in ptice Ise certain time past t the average of the price would be found to be higher fora short period now just past than cur some tint. before. Assuming that to be true, he would just ask the Bout, supposing a dissolution of Parliament should be determined upon, how it was possible to leave society with the cm. tingency of having rheas) or dear bread upon the chance of a good or a bad hareem taking place? And whether th 7 considered the country wax prepared to meet that case which mien occur should the ensuing harvest fail ? There would then be to distinction of interests in the country ; all distinction would rube in such a state of things. He therefore felt he was doing his dal in giving his support to this me asure . Wi t h out troubling himself by inqutriag whether his Majesty's 31inisters ought not to bare examined into this important question st a considerably esdiet period of the Session, he seeing, as he thought he saw,anernerpn-y which might occur, was bound, according to his views of eon. sisteney and common sees,, to give them his support; because be could easily imagine such disastrous circumstances might ensue as to require the exercise of an extraordinary power on the part of he Alinjesty's Government. Some Hon. Gentlemen had said dimities was no chance of a scarcity occurring in this country. No newt vu more acceptable to his (31r. Smith's) ears than such a declaration; but, unfortunately for this country, he knew not the grounds upon which Gentlemen formed their opinion. Government certainly had the best means of obtaining information upon that subject. Ile knew not what that information might be—be nested it was not unfavoureble; but he must contend that if niatera felt the least doubt upon the subject, and had any reason to apprehend that corn could not be raised In the country sufficient to meet the demands of home consumption, it would be a gross abandonment of their duty if they molded to meet it by some measure of the kind now contemplated. He was not one of those who was in the habit of placing any particular de. gree of confidence in his Majesty's Government, but. he must de. clare that he, for one, preferred the measure which was originally p oposed to the present, because, by the former, they put themselves under a moat serious testae nsibility ; but in lie sureite of the power Cc:be given, he felt assured that their disposition sued not be to injure an any degree the agriculturist, which was the grew leading interest of this country. It might happen that the quantity of corn which the proposition. as now modified. west to authorise his Majesty's Ministers to throw into the market, trite be insufficient. In that case be knew no measure that could be taken by Government for the benefit of the people lei:bout a viols. ton of the law which indeed might be done with the reliance that Parliament would indemnify them. He hoped that no darget whatever would result from the abandonmeut of the former wore extended measure, anti that the one now proposed, such as it was, would be sufficient to prevent any mischief to be apprehended from a scarcity of corn. He gave his vote in support of this question full and entire confidence that in doing so he was coneulting the best interests of this country. Ile trusted that his Majesty's Go vernment would proceed in the liberal course they had chalked out for themselves, in their doing which he had the greatest confidence; and in return he thought he could assure them that they wend finally have the thanks and gratitude of the nation. Mr. A. BA RING observed, that if he could only set what wet the course that Government had chalked out for themselves, he perhaps might be induced to agree, as his Hon. Friend (Mr. J. Smith) did, in the measure now proposed by them. But it was the entire obscurity of what it was they wete chalking out to them. selves, and the difficulty he experienced in ascertaining what tiny were about, and what they meant, that constituted his principal ground of objection to their measure. Without attaching soy very great importance to the present stage of this Bill, he certainly could not help saying, that the whole proceedings of his Majesty s Government was to him as unsatisfactory upon this subject, artery proceedings whatever could possibly be. One leading argument which had been used on the present occasion, had arisen from r n• tlemen variously influenced on this most important question—be referred to the great agricultural interest in the House. One Limn Gentleman who had spoke on the subject, seemed to think that the great value of these proceedings arose from the intention of Govern ment to have the price of food in their own hands, for the purpose of adapting it to circumstances. That indeed seemed to be the mein argument. They addressed themselves to thellouse emoting in language to this effect :—Dangerous tumults and convulsions arise in one part of the country and the other front the distreseni condition of the people, a nd i n thi s state of things it is incumbent on Parliament to arm Government with the power of shaping price of corn so as to meet those cirenmsetnees. Now, he week' assert that this • was not only a most mischievous and s most false mode of proce e ding for any Government to adopt; but he weed contend, that if there was any one tinware which was likely to produce those convulsions and tumults more than another, it was such a shaping and changing of prises. lie had. from the time the question of the Corn Laws was first introduced into Parliament, invariably expressed himself adverse to the present system. Be wee convinced that the extent of protection to the corn grower was fixed much too high, and that the mode in which it was affordtd was open to every objection. That opinion he continued act hold: therefore.any observations that he should make would not be made from a desire to support the Corn Laws, but it would be because he objected to leaving in the hands of Government a power which he thought would be dangerous, and also from a conviction that not s day shoutd be lust by Parliament in putting the country, ar regarded the price of corn, permamntly and solidly upon some general loth ing. There were some objections made last year to the Muse going into this question, which were sufficiently uatisfactory to many Honourable Gentlemen for postponing its consideration. std now came some further objections this year to the subject being considered; and the consequence of all this was, that the counter, from one end of it to the other, were in a state of uncertainty bow to act ; neither the consumer, the grower, nor the dealer, knew what was to be the permanent price of torn : all that they knew was, that it was to depend on the will of his Majesty; Ministers. Now this lie was strongly inclined to ehjeet . against, for he was compe ll e d to ray t h at t h e co nduct o f Ministers, throughout the recent commercial distresses, had been of a description not calculsted to increase his coefidence u to the judic ous manner in which they would exercise the great l ose r now required to b e en t ruste d to t h em . H e t h oug h t t he ON country would agree with him, that the great original maw shy they did not get over that condition of distress, which arose front over-trading last year—hut when Lo spoke of over. trading be wished to correct himself, for he could scarcely call it so; lie would rather . say that foolish, w ild man i a f or epecuteCon, which seised upon al l cLiases(hear)—the reason, he repeated, why this state of thinp bad not been overcome, was that his Majesty's Ministers bad set about effecting a remedy in the most imprudent and injudiaious manner. They began by to uc hi ng t h e currency (hear, bear.) wl en the y 'Mould not have done so till the ferment was past, and a more 0 1 0 1 state of things had succeeded. (Hear. hear.) Had they done this, the House would not have been left next to retrace their steps wit h respect to one pound notes. But in opposition to that, his Majesty 's Ministers Caine dowu to Parliament, and, as every person in the country now perfectly believed, aggravated the distress by the measure they proposed. (Hear. hear.) They derroyed the credit of the country tuition and thereby knocked up the little capital which every trader had. The distress did not origin for want of a market ; there had not been any drug of goods ; it had all oriai• nated entirely in a want of confidence and want of capital it had consisted entirely in the want of the ordinary credit between men and man. without which no trade could be carried on, and in the ob. structimi of which there must in such acountry as this be great mi sery. Thesole reason why the ahipdid not right itself, and why the difficulties of the country had lasted now so much longer than ever they did on any former occasion of distress, was that measure which had touched the currency, which was applying a cure that was worse titan the disease itself. This very Government corn,: down to Pst.iateent, the state of things being the same as at pre. I