The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-05-13 00:00:00

THE BRITISH PRESS. se at hilt a century. and so deranged all the laws of commerce and - teen i e r.. and threw Europe into such a condition. that it was in u m to ?elk of whet was the navigation system aner 1792. All ens connected with navigation, the war, Amera manner. ens. ' 64 lw- it It en true, during thee war. the icans, being : I r ma t he only—he might say. the only neatest power—their es. very meth enerturaged. It was elm true, that this by its naval imperinvity, was able to protect on corn. en ear. ma Cal meanie. Mit the navigation of almost all other cnuntries mim e except that their Nags were lent to cover the ships e i England from some other belligerent power. It was therefore enreceesery to dwell upon the state of the law between 1792 and 'KR By the return of the general . peace, and by thine Powers, t e e m riming the war hue envied to seta int thernetives upon the ewe being free again, there was a check to the twee of the United ,I.elea, lad in Isoms degree also to this country because England e e l porcine! her crennial en mmerce, by having compacted many „wee, with which during the war she had an exclusive mire but whic h, on die return of peace, she rr orgy, could not coedit.* lint in this interval of the war many other things be e i nter fered ends the eammercial marine of this country. The kg( was the suppression of the African slave trade in 1111111. .on t he close of the war there was another circumstance which neces ly created a geesedentowien in the employment of shipping. The nomher of venal* that were employed during that war in the ;sabre ser vice, and which were hired for the purpose of transports, be frond 'relented. immediately after the war, to not len than LOS atensperte, amounting to 2711,303 tons, and navigated by yen nearly 16,0 en seamen. That was • number equal to the Mole that were employed in the navy of this country st the Co nmeneement of the war. And he phould show pre toady that the amount of the tonnage wan equal to about one. tenth of what was the whole commercial trade of this country, Der Welting out of the war in 179 e. la addition to this num• of vessels *lnch they had to discharge, and which had to find employ in the commercial trade of this country, they had also entries yawls belonging to the state, which were no longer wanteil, and which were consequently said, subject (in many in rancea) is the condienn of their being broken up; but there were vessels from lee to 4eo toss, that were fit for merchants. the num. bee attic which was not less thee 333. and the tonnage 91,600. 83 thtually the shins that were dinharged. including those that were hired, "and the ship. mid out from the Cog's service lit to be employed, and which were seen into competition with the then trade o r the country, amounted t 0344.900 tons ofshipping.being consider. ably shove one.fourth of the sh I ppi ng at thecommencement of the war. He would not be hsruding much if lie were to say that two-thirds of the shipping would perform the RAM service in time of peace as what would be required in time of war. There was also another incident which nattered at the close of the war, which was the change that took place in the corn trade. From the year 1813. with the ea le of the year of scarcity, there had been very incon. siderable employment in the corn trade, and what there had been had almost all been confined to foreign stripping. This, therefore, diminished the employment of British shipping. The House would allow him to state what was the situation of this country, in respect to shipping, in the year which immediately preceded the war of the Revolution, which broke out in 1792. In that year there were In.ono registered vessels. The amount of our shipping at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, in which we were *Mel upon to make such unparalleled efforts, was 1.340.143 tone, set: the number of ships 16,079. In the year ending 21st Dec. last, the amount of the shipping had increased to 24.174, and the tonnage to 2.442.000. Thus we had ineremed 2.3ths in that period. The shipping employed lest year was found by no means sufficient to carry on the trade of the country ; hut he would carry the corn. parkin one point further, bemuse he knew that the complaints foe tire men part had reference to the trade of the Eastern countries of Europe. and to the shipping of Russia and the Baltic. The num ber of Premien vessels whr.h had entered the poet of Landon in 1824, were 682: in 1823, 887. But in the same years the number et British vessels engaged in the same trade, which entered our port were in 18'24, 470; in 1823. 912: so that the number of Bei. nth ships in that trade had doubled,while that of the Prussians had increased by less than one-fourth; and yet that was the country for which, he had reason to believe, the greatest jealousy was felt, for reasons which he might afterwards assign. But he was anxious to sift the matter in all its bearingmanti to examine it in every possible light, nor did there appear to him any mode of ascertaining the chant/rein the situation of this and otter countries, with respect to the Baltic trade, so satisfactory as by coesidnieg the number of vessels which passed the Sound in a series of years. Fortunately he had found papers in the State Paper Ocffie, which would enable him to make a statement; he had sought to ann. pare ten yens prior to 1792 with the ten years last past and he had the details of all those years with the exception of 1789. He held in his hand the statements of vessels which had passed the Sound each year (with the exception before.mentioned), be tween 1782 and 1792, and also between 1816 and 18211, being petite!. of ten years subsequent to the two wan; and he hoped it would be satisfactory to the House to find that there was a continual increase of British 'hipping. The number of British shim which paned the Sound last year was not only greater than had ever passed be:ore, but was sleet increased in a mach greaser eropertion than the skipping of all other nations. Ile would not detain the House by going into the particulars of all the ,rears; be would merely read the statements of the last five years. The number of vessels passing the Sound were as fidlows :—lu 11P11, British, 2,816—n1 all other countries. 9,199; in 1822. British, 3.eoo—of all other countries. 9.000; in 1023, British, 3 000—raf all other countries, 9,000 and a Nona; in 1824, British,.3 303--other countries, 10,600; in 1823, British, B,lBB—of all other onintries, 1390111: ant besides the positive increase of our shipping which navigated the Baltic last year, the proportion of the increase, taking into consideration our whole commerce, was one-third greater than it hid ever been before• from the mune which lie had before enumerated, the shipping interest hall felt a considerable de. preesion after the liar, a circumstance which met the attention of the Legislature, and a COMliliare was appointed to inquire into the state of our navigation and the laws connected with it. Ta the Members of that Committee the country was largely In. doleed. It proposed several alterations and amendments in the then existing code of commercial law, some of which were adopted. One of those changes was, to allele a number of srecles which previously could not be brought in, except in British ves sels, to be imported in vessels of the countries in which they were produced. That change was rendered necessary by the circuns. Raines in which the commercial interests of the country were piseed. This was also intimately connected with a change in the wateletneing system. Wine and oil erne among the articles in. elirled in those regulations. It would be usel,sa to enumerate them all : but the pre-existing system, which prevented the importation of the productions of any country in their own ship. ping caused much inconvenience, and operated rather as • hindrance than as an' encouragement to navigation. When this alteration was made it was confined to the permission to import from the country where the goods or articles were praduced ; and it was thought that the doubled .reights, anti other expenses ne cessarily attending any deviation from that course, would be a sufficient guarantee that it could not give rise to any carrying hide, and he believed that experience now justified that surmise. With respect to the warelonsing system, it was necessary, in enejunetion with the last measure, to monde some accommodation for goods brought in foreign bottmns. But another alteratian had been made: it was provided that Ireland should be put on a feming of perfect equality. It was not, he thought, fair, after the Union, that Ireland, in respect of bee shipping, teaal , l remain in the none relation as a foreign country. All tee hardship of inequality was therefore removed in that quarter. But they were ohlieed to go • a ep further, and to make it a tole not to be outdone in a liberal and conciliating spirit of c om ;neeeisl policy by the United States of America ; when, there. fat, the Brazils became the seat of an imperial government, they were itimiged to treat the Brazils like other independent countries ; and the sane principles necessarily compelled them to adopt the tame line of conduct towards other new States, which had since rum to Independence. He was surprised to hear the lion. Member far Branaber, on a former occasion , complain that those countries to welch he hal last alluded, had been admitted to the commercial rights of independent States ; but those States knew the principle which they bad foend it necessary to adopt in other instances, and 'meld have felt an injury done to them If they had been ex elirlei from a participation in them. They might easily have been stimuleted to a jealousy of the great maritime superiority of this country, and have born induced to enter into commercisl relations with other clientele*, which would have treated them more havoursely. It was necessary, then, to place ourselves on a friendly fweirg wit% those countries which wanted nor productions and ma. eitenteres, anti to set them on a footing M reciprocity. Ile was now app -inching the grereenen of the charge which had been brought Maim him. namely, the introduction of • taw which enabled the Crown to da away with the dnerroinatiog prohibitory duties in Leen of arse country which contented to abolish all similar pro.iihitious in their ports. Such prohibitory duties, he would maimain, were calculated to injure every country in proportion to the extem of in marine. They might serve to create a mantle, as had been the GM in this country ; bet the continustlen of them wand crea t e metinet in other countries, to the prejudice of ours, which at present performs the greater share of the navigation of the weld. IVA it was the situ:atm of this country ? We ex. ported manufen red grmils, which could be compressed into a small compass; they occupied little room , and other countries would seek them elsewhere, if we threw any obstacle in time way of mutual Intercourse. But on the other hand, we draw from onm c tunnies the raw material. altich was in dist:tensible for our building.,, our marine, and our manufactures; is fact, our expert regeirni comparatively small tonnage. while our imports &mended a very great tonnage. Ile wits aware that this e teeny had always, previous to the A mericen revolution, regarded the emeibitury discriminating duties as an essential part of the ravigation laws. Before that epoch many things of importance in commercial policy had paned unobserved; but the revolution of America hail maid the foundation of many changes which hid taken plsce, and of many changes which were yet to take place in Jimmie. It made the nations of Europe consider navigation with more inte rest and attentinmexcited by the great and rapid growth of the navy of the United States. They would not now succumb to the dictation of any oomuierciel state ; they would retaliate by discriminating du ties, and it would then become with us • matter of serious deli. bemire, whether we should make with them such an arrangement as we had made with the United SUMS of America, or else engage in a war of commercial homility, and, after the experience of its injurious dream to make, what no country ought ever to make, a wily and humiliating cancoiulon. But whether the system were stead or bad In itself, we ought to examine it in reference to other countrineand the situation in which we were placed. He held in his hand a document which would explain In some measure tho diffi culties of that situation. It was a letter from h , . If , j*./ y' msill at Dantzle. In 1822, wW:h seeed tne intentian of the Prussian Om verement to increase the porn duties on the shipping of those countries which did not treat the Prussian shipping as their Ova and that the object of the regulation was to induce other countries, and particularly England, to crime to some arrange. ment more favourable to the navigation of Prussia. The Prussian Government did it with • view of protecting their own shipping, widen at that time was going to ruin. In consequence of this; step, he (Mr. Iluvkisson) was mailed in 1823 With me morials and pritions from all quarters, complaining that it was in). possible to carry on trade in the Baltic under the heavy pert duties. Ile then tomninnicatted wiih the Prussian 51 teister on the s ubject , but what amid he sty? Mean hear.) Ile said, "14 e would have you con , ider your own system : so far is my master from having imitated you completely, that the duty hes been torn Heed to the shipping; hut next year he will lay it on the goodsimported in fereign vessels, because you do an." That measure would have produced genet commerciel evil; it would hats caused the embarrassment of our meetteicturers, for such measures were not to be considered merely es they affeced the interest of the shipping, but also as they coneetned the consumers and the manufacturers. (Hear, hear.) In comimplence an arrange meet was made with the Prussian Illovernmeet, on the basis of a mutual repeal of prohibitory duties; and after that arrangement was completed, similar motives led to an extension of the same policy to Sweden, and it was afterwards extended to the Ilan. 'cane Republics. He should have thought it unworthy of this country, if, after exteniing • liberal system of policy toother nations, those small states had been exchided from its advantages—states to which we owed so many of the first principle,' of commerce, and to whichnn consequence, Europe was indebted fur so much of zanon. He considered it sound policy to uphold the small states. It meght to be the policy of this country to maintain the little states in independence, nor was there any change in the state of Europe which he so much deplored as that which affected Mettle. which from being a free town, and possessing a free commerce, had become dependent on • great military power. Had Dantxic remained a free town, the demands of the Prussians might not be complied with, as Dantsic might have become the emporium of the trade which had previously been carried on with Prussian parts. When, in considering this question, it was seen how greatly our maritime force had increased, it was sufficiently obvious that it could prove no injury to us to allow the email states, which could never become great maritime powers, to share in the common advantages of trade. From those states we recruited our naval force it) time of war; so that, in fact, we divided the navigation of Europe with states which might be useful in time of war, but which never could be formidable to as; for we never could entertain any apprehensions front Prussia and the email States en the shores of the Baltic. But those com plaints respecting the Baltic trade were not new ; similar com plaints had been made in 1788, and since that time. The cheap. netts of the Baltic ships built for that trade, and which were good for melting else, proved injurious to our ship-building. In 17afi, complaints were made of the increase of foreign tonnage employed in that trade, and it was recommended that the alien duties should be doubled In 17117, and increased in 1788 to three times their original amount. But even in those days the Board of Trade were unwilling to sanction a measure so repugnant to the first principles of commerce. The duties remained as they were, therefore, and the trade of England, nevertheless, went on increasing. The statements which he had gone through held oat sufficient proof, he thought, that the interests of British shipping were in no jeopardy. Seeing. during the last Session, the necessity of making the law emigre with the practice, Government had invited all countries to join in the measure of abolishing all discriminating duties, leaving no duties but such as were required either as a moderate benefit to the State, or as a protection to our own manufactures. He would now pass to the Colonial statement. After the peace with America in 1782, we found it a difficult anti haserdous thing to call on our Wen Indian Colonies to draw all their supplies from this country; but what was the expedient resorted to We passed Orders in Council from time to time, allowing the Colonies to draw supplies from the United States ; and Ministers applied from time to time for bills of indemnity. In consequence of those infractions of the law. But they afterwards took courage, and permitted the Colonies to trade directly for supplies with the United States. But the United States said, shortly after, if you want supplies from us., and want us to export them in our own shipping, we will refuse them to you altogether. On this, the British Government tried another eva sion, and Turk's Island was pitched upon as a place where the Americans might carry supplies to be bought by the colonists ; but the tioremment of the UMW State.; interfered again to sup press this mode of dealing. At last, in 1822. the Colonies were thrown open to the American trade. It would not then be com mon sense to allow a State, which was growing a great maritime power, to engross the Colonial trade, Instead of sharing it with as many as possible, such as Prussia and Hamburgh. He had no jea lousy of the United States ; but yet he thought it more politic to create it as many partners as possible in every branch of commerce. Last Session the House had thrown open the trade of the colonies to all nations, but had limited the importation of each commodity to the shipping of the country which produced it. and confined the carriage of British goods to British vessels. Whether we re garded the interest of the colonies, the feeling of the colonists, or the ultimate benefit of navigation, this system was necessary to be adopted, unless we should wish to hazard a repetition of those mistartuncs which we had before experienced from too rigid an adherence to the system of duties mai restrictions. Lest year the shipping of this country was over-employed, freights were raised to an inconvenient degree, anti even the coast matle was affected by the demand for shipping. It was well known that all, not only British but foreign, ships, wnich could be procured, were engaged; that was solely iti consequence of that rage of speculation which pervaded the whole country, which seemed to suppose that prices would never fall, nor profits be affected by the extensive dealings carried on, and which seemed to limit for a time all that coolness and caution, which usually directs the conduct of commercial men in their mercantile transactions. .He would produce some statements, to show how very much all dealings were increased in the cattle of last year. Ile "total compare the importaions of last year with those of 1822, in a few articles :—The quantity of timber imported in 1822, was 110,00 e tons ; in 1823, it was 300.000 tons ; of Canada or mast timber there was imported in 1822, 6.000 toes ; iu 11125, 14.1100 tons. The Lit imported in 1322, was 499,000 cat.; in 1826, it was 1,1150,000 cwt.; of hemp there was imported in 1822, 1,940,000 cwt.; in 1825, 2M82.000 cwt.; the quentity of linseed imported Was, In 1822, 1,94,,e00 bushels; in 1825, 2,002,080 bushels. These statements were sufficient to show how greatly the com merce of the country was excited by the spirit of speculation; that excitew.ent, indeed, was followed by a depression, but that depression was not confined to tide country. There was an equal stagnation in the commerce of every State in Europe. Ile had received letters, particularly from the north of Europe, which represented thing , ' to be in a deplorable way, and complained in particular, that the shipping interest was now out of employment. lie hoped that the House would now permit him to call their atten dee to the point which had been the principal object of his address. l ing them. There was no real ground for alarm, in respect of our commercial marine, the source and nursery of our greatness. But we ought to look at the state we were in at the breaking out of the war; at that time the navy of France and of Spain were far greater than they were at preset; indeed, at present, the navy of Spain had no I xistence, and that of France was less than it was in 1792 ; if then it was found that our navy had increased in strength soil in proportion as those of other nations declined, it was evident we had no reason to complain. The comtnercial, as well as the military marine of France, was deficient. its men, as well his in that sort of feeling which constituted the great strength of a navy. Ile could never forget the circumstances under which we assem bled one naval forces at the commencement of the war—he could never forget the painful circumstances which attended the nume. ideal superiority of the enemy in that war—he could never forget that Gibraltar was relieved by stealth, and that it was attributed as a great merit to the gallant Admiral who had relieved it, that he had avoided an engagement with the combined forces of the enemy. The shipping of the country had increased considerably since the year 1791 It was tiro-fifths larger at the present time than at that period ; and with respect to the navy, it was in a state of greater readiness for duty, if there should be any occasion to call it into service, than it ever was before. There never was a period at which the country could look with greater triumph to the state of the navy than at the present moment. By many it had been said that the navy of the United States of America was in a more pros perous state. lie would take upon himself to say, that the com mercial navy of England had guttered since the last war a lesser diminution than that of the United States. In that country the decrease of tonnage was 188,000 tons, upon 700.000 em ployes! in foreign commerce; and without confining himself to the United States of America, but looking at all the countries of Europe, England had no reason to apprehend danger to her ship ping Interests from the competition of foreign shipping. It was true that British shipping was exposed in some instances to greater cluirgee than foreign vessels were exposed to ; but some of the charges were cheaper in this country than others, and he would give as an instance the article of iron, which was so material to the shipping interest ; but the minim who had petitioned the House respecting the state of the shipping intermit, complained that direct taxation Was the ground of the disadvantages under which they laboured ; and they called fur a du'y to protect them from the compe tition of foreign shipping. The very course which they recom mend would amount to a direct taxation. He was aware that many attempts had been made to connect the present difficulties of the country with the scheme of commercial policy which had been pursued by this country, but he called upon those who maintained such opinions to trace the progress of that policy, and if they could to show the cennexion between it and the present distress. The only faiour which he asked of those who cast those censures was to point out by argument what had been the course by which that effect had been produced. The alteration of duties was confined to those articles the use of which contributed to the capital and pros perity of the country. It was true that the free trade had been car ried to excess by means of • paper cretlit, which gave a facility to speculation ; to this source it was that he attributed the unfor tunate circumetancen in which a great portion of the community were placed; and lie would continue to maintain, until convinced by argument, that the country would find, in • liberal system of commercial policy, the best security against a recurrence of those difficulties. Be hoped the documents which he intended to move for would prove the correctness of the view which he had taken of the subject. The Right lion. Gentleman then moved for a return of the number of ships built in the British dominions be tween the years 1814 and 1815, both inclusive, die inguishing the number built in each year, and the amount of their tonnage. Mr. BAILING Bald, he did nut intend to trouble the House but with • very few observations, and although he did uot entirely con cur in the opinions of the Right lion. Gentleman, he could not but express his thanks for the information which he had communi cated to the House ; such information was most valuable iii an in. quiry Into the commercial law of the country. The commercial policy of any country was of great importance, but that of this wintry was pectriarly deserving of consideration. Ile had watched the new system of free trade, and he was face to contens . that the statement first made by the President of the Boar , : of 'Lade had induced him to think the more favourably of that system. Several monopolies must be abandoned. The Coos Laws should be revised, or imrortant interests must be secraticed. The Co lonies must be preserved ; and there was no other way of preserv. log some of cheat, but by extending to them the b ene fi ts o f a libe ral commercial policy. IFltetever might be the views of this coun try respecting the Lettuce best to be penned., there was no power of enforcing that policy in sane of the Coloniesi, extent by allow. ing reelprocal advantages. In the West and Eau Colonies, this country had the power of carrying her own speem Into effect ; but that was not the cue in the North American settlements; there such a course could not be pursued. It would alao be very important to the interests of this country to preserve the island of Trinidad, which was moet convenient and necessary to be preserved as a tie. pot for British trade to South America. Although he felt grateful to the Right lion. Gentleman for the statement which he ha , ' made, he millet be Aloud to differ with him respecting the effect *e duced relative to the silk trade, which lie ( Mr. Baring) contended contributed to the present distress. In consequence of that measure, many 04 the silk manufacturers were compelled to discharge their weavers, and Met of course was a emse of diuresis. o;her amen. tries having certain advantages over England, and this country los ing the benefit of protecting their', laboured underdiCicultiem which it would take time to remove; but lie hoped the statement which had been made that night would rend to remove many of the objections and prejudices which prevailed among particular classes. respect. ing any change in the ancient commercial system of the country. There I/ 43 one great inconvenience arising out of th e a lt erat i on i n the Navigation Laws which he would wish to be remedied. At the present time nine tenths of the trade of Liverpool was carried on in American weasels. The docks of that town contained so many American vessels that they resembled an American seaport. He was anxious to hear some suggestion to remedy so serious an evil. Ile had no doubt but that some regulation might be made to procure for this country a fair proportion of that trade. The present system led considerably to the increase of the American shipping. Before the war their shipping amounted to 1,500A0 tons, and at present the American tonnage amounted to sixteen or seventeen hundred thousand. As he had heard an satisfactory a statement from the Right lien. Gentleman at the head of the Board of Trade, he hoped also to hear front him some suggesti on to secure to this country a fair share in the carrying trade from this country to America. Mr. ROBERTSON said that he differed from the Right lion. °sideman (11r. Huekisson) an to the amount of tonnage 14 applied to Foreign and British ships ; for, front the documents pruMuced, it appeared that the amount of foreign tonnage was 200,000 more then stated by the Right Honourable Gentleman. Ile had also said, that et the commencement of the last war the French merchant ships were compelled to go round the north coast of Scotland, In order to reach their ports in safety, front the disparity that existed in the naval force of the two countries. But what did he think of the increasing tonnage of America. when he drew a comparison as to the relative amount of British and foreign shipping, which amounted to 1,600,000 tons, and which was equal nearly to two-thirds of the tonnage of Great Britain. With respect to the feeling of foreign powers, as to a reciprocity of interests, what appeared the fact! The Right Honourable Gentleman had himself admitted that America would not submit to the regulations made by the Government of England. Prussia did reciprocate with us , and France did so as far as she pleued, but he could not help observing that. previous to the last treaty with that country, the produce of the West Indies came direct from thence to England, where it was warehoused and then exported to France; but by the treaty he had mentioned France lid been allowed to import directly, and the consequence was that England, which had been the emporium for the supply of other nations, was so no longer; that system which had been so favour able to the colonial and coasting trade, from which sources the navy of the cotintry was to be drawn, had been thrown down. and the warehousing system of the country had beet) annihilated by the act of the President of the Board of Trade. He could not but object to the short-sighted policy of the Right lion. Gentleman, which went to open the eyes of foreign nations to their own interests, which before England had in her own hands : he must protest loudly against the power which had been conceded to America, to trade with the West India colonists; and he must maintain that, unless protection was given to shipping in the same way that it was given to other brtnchen of the trade of the country,it would be impos sible for England to grapple with the navy of other countries so as to afford protection to the trade of the country. With respect to the competition of foreign countries with England, he would take the article of * 01. France had so improved in the woollen manufac ture, that although there was a protecting duty of 10 per cent., woollen goods, of French man ifacture had been toed in England at a profit. and in all probability woul d . tend greatly to the detri ment of the same goods manufactured in England. In cotton they haul not made the same progress, but their advance and int provement in the manuftettire of that article was a matter of some apprehension, as likely to supplant that of Great Britain. In what ever way the question was looked at, seeing how the country was taxed, it w s necessary that England should act upon a prir.ciple different from all other countries, because her situation was essen tially different, and that could oily be done by *Warding protection to her trade in every department eft it. Sir 11. W. RIDLE V observed, that he did not rise to detain the House ; but as he had presented a petition from a great body of his constituents, who felt deeply on the subject, he was anxious to say a few words on the present occasion, and to enter into a short statement of their case. In the first place, he would draw the attention of the House to the extraordinsiy increase which had taken place of foreign shipping into the port of London during the years 1822, 1023, 1824, and 1825. That of Russia had doubled itself during that period; Sweden had increased from 11.000 to 32,000 tons; Norway from 25,000 to 56.4104 tons ; Denmark, which was the most extraordinary increase, was froni46o to 8,18.19 tons, and from Prussia, Germany, and Belgium, in the same pro portion. Such an increase could not but show that considerable danger was to be apprehended from the increased aincent of foreign tonnage admitted into the port of London. It was to be supposed that the exports and imports should have borne some rela tion to each other • but such wan not the fact, for it appeared that from December, 1021, to December, 1825, the amount of int. ports from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Prussia, had increased 243,151/awhile the exports from Great Britain to these places had decreased 290,0001. and he must say there was something not per fectly clear or convincing in that breech of the trade of the country. If it was found that the imports had increased and the carrying trade had tailed, it was impossible that the shipping interest could be protected under the duties and difficulties under which they laboured. lie would wish to see what was the cost of ship. building in the different ports. and) he thought the House would cease to wonder at the difficulties under which the British shipping laboured. In Germany, Holland, and Deemer*, vessels of the first class coat from seven to eight pounds a ton, while in England the charge was from 16/. to 17/. In the charge of victu alling there was as extraordinary a contrast, and which was worthy of the attention of the House. At Hambiugh the price of beef was 2d. per lb., and that of bread 15s. per cwt. At 31emel, beef was 3d. per lb. and and bread 15e. per cwt. At Rigs, beef wan 2d per lb. and bread 12s. per cwt., while in England beef was no less than 6d. per lb. and bread o. per cwt., being more than double the amount of the highest prices in the porta he had mentioned. In the wages of smilers there was a still greater disproportion, for while they varied in England last year from 41. 10s. to 31. 10e., and were this year at 3/. 155., on the Continent, for the same period, they had varied from 20s. to 12s. MI., and when to these came to be added the extraordinary advance on all articles used in the pro. tess of ship-building, it would at once be seen that it was impos. sible for England to compete with foreign castes under such disad vantage. It was those circumstances, combined with others, that had thrown the mitts upon the petitioners to whom he had alluded, to call upon the House to interfere. He would not say that it would be politic to lay on a protecting duty; indeed it might not be practicable, but if that was the case, then the House ought to take the question into its consideration, and see whether some means could not he devised by which the British shipping might be re lieved. What those means might be he did not pretend to say, but he feared, from the late period of the session, no measure could now be brought forward. He frosted that the President of the Board of Trade would look to the subject —not that lie accused Mtn of having neglected it--and that they might look forward next session to an inquiry ; for it it were longer delayed, the Government would neglect the best interests of the country. Not only was England losing the trade of other countries, but she was in the same predi. cement with regard to the cowing trade. Ile could not help informing the House of a remarkable fact which he had witnessed only yesterday. lie happened to be present when a foreign mer chant was opening an account with a banker, the amount of which was from 30,000/. to 35,11001., which was for a freight from Ham burgh to Newfoundland. The House would be nurpriseul to learn that the provisions were going from Ilamburgli, the 816 p and sailors were from Hamburgh--end not one articleof that investment was from this country. That circumstance firmed conclusive evidence as to the deep root which the evil had taken. A general revision of the system was necessary, in order to enable England to compete with foreigners, that by that revision they might en deavour to ascertain where the defect was, and to remedy it. Mr. ELLICE said that he perfectly agreed with the Right Ilon. Gentleman in many parts of the statement which he had just made to the House. Ile mold not but observe that there was an im mense portion of British shipping unemployed at the conclusion of the war, in consequence of the demand which had previously existed for it, which shipping was only called into action by the events of last year, but which, instead of having thine any good, had in volved the shipping interest in still further ttiltregn. Net only did that distress extend to the shipping interest, and to every branch of the trade and manufactures of the Empire, but it had gone to effect a commercial revolution almost in every part of! the globe. Gentlemen talked of over-trading, but he would main.l tam that the Government had been cause of that over-trailing. It was but necessary to look back to the years 1818 and,ll.lle, and at the present, 11126, and it would be secs that the calamities which had been so severely felt had been brought about by a sudden con. traction of the currency of the country. That was the real cause of the distress, and that was attributable to the conduct of his Majesty's Government. It was true that last year there were very large speculations in ship-building, not only in this country but also in the Colonies. There had been ship-building Companies instituted, for carrying on those operations in the Colonies on a large scale ; but what had been die result ? The ships were brought to Englaad and sold, but did not fetch half the price. The same had taken place with respect to ships built at home, and lie feared it was an evil that the Bight Hon. Gentleitimi would nut be able to remedy. If employment could not be found for the additional shipping there was bat one course to pursue; that wan, to reduce every charge that by possibility affected British shipping, before it c mad be placed on • level it on wa u s ie nottil with that of other countries. It was well knewn to the Right i ct on r ou t r i tl e e or Gentleman foue c. H ii t n is i‘ kis t eo he n) s , ub t i h e a c t , atten tion of the House, that ho (Mr. Ellice) succeeded in obtain of three four hundred tons burden ing a partial relief, a ship yea ( rs M pr r. having up to 'diet time paid 300.. for fees. It was impossible that England could have a free trade, and raise the amount of taxation with which the country was burthened. In hit opinion, anything was better than that vicious system of fever and ague to which the country had h-cn lately subjected, and to which the Government had lent its assistance. The trade of the c .entry had been leered, upon the principle of an hot-house, to which his Majesty's M ini otitis had supplied the fire, and when it hail arriv,d at is highest excitement, they exposed it to a chilling frost. In the present state of taxation, and the manufacturers exposed to high prices for all ecominntlities, it was impossible for them to coin pete with foreigners; with such serious disadvantages tn maser-it will, the trade of the country could not revive. Ile thought Mi. niaters took upon themselves a responsibility which few would wish to share with them. lie did not envy the responeability which the pre sent system threw upon the Admittistration ofthe country. lle had, however, no doubt that the natural energy of the c: uotiy would set the vessel right. Ile considered the exceptions tarn to the Right Honourable Gentleman were unfounded. Ile ct u'd do no more than lie had done. The enlarged policy which he had adopted hail not injured the shipping interest. If it had suffered did its difficulties not originem in the reciprocity system, but grew out of other causes quite distinct and separate from it. Mr. IRVING a nil he was glad the question had been brought forward, as he considered it one of great importance. There could be no doubt but foreign chips might be employed on cheaper terms titan our own ships, in consequence of the cheapncseof the materials of which ships were constructed being so much in favour of foreign ers he would not undertake to decide wheth r the policy hitherto practised, of affording protection to particular interests, was a sound system or not, he would, however, observe that tinder that system the country had prospered, nor did he think that it hatl been proved that with that system it was impossible fir the shipping in. tersst of this country to compete with Oat of foreign countr es. Mr T. WILSON said the protection given to the bubblrs and wild specttlations of last year had contributed more to the present state of trade than the commercial system which had been adopted. Ile thought it was not a fair mole of viewing the awe of lilt shipping interest of the country to refer to the rate of freightage, as a criterion to judge of the prosiierity of that interest; and to con elude, because freights were high last year and low this year, that therefore the shipping interest was in a state of prosperity. The high freights of last year proceeded from the system of neet trading which had been pursued, and which, in consequence, created a de mand for ships, to be carries of tile emmucserties which were spe culated so largely in. Mr. HUAI did not think there was so match cause for congra tulation as the President of the Board of Trade supposed. He (Mr. Hum') was of opinion that the distress of thecauntry arose from excessive taxation. Mr. P. GRANT thought it would be better to defer formina an opinion on the subject until the papers were printed which the Pre. sident of the Board of Trade had moved for. The object of the Rt. Hon. Gent. was to show that the system which he had introduced was not calculated to injure the maritime interests of the country. He would not now say anything further ; in fact, his Right lion. Friend had exhausted the question. His speech was calculated to give great and general satisfaction. He must say his Right lion. Friend had been placed in a most painful position. The complaints circulated out of doors attributed every evil to the liberal policy which had been pursued; and it was a subject for congratulation that the present opportunity had been afforded for its justification. In his (Mr. Grant's) opinion, the more nearly the measures of his Right Hon. Friend were examined, the more they would be found to recommend themselves. (Hear, hear.) Tile return moved for by the Right lion. Gentleman was then ordered. --- _ _-.--.---•-- . I t " ~ - ---Z. P - i , - ---.. ~--:-=—.. ~ A fc. , -,..V • :.',."?.. 4 tw ' - N„ ult,,m, L l. _ -- 7 1t tre',72 6 14.1 1 , r xt..i.;7.:. • tt, , - JIB - 14 se, -,.. (~ '%-;,..717-,- , , -, i ,,,,,,, , , y 1 oi l telitt , _ . • •.,..-- :..,,-;_ a ....a The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at Half-past Twelve tijl Wednesday next. PRICES OF BRITISH I per Cent. lied. 773 78 74 S per Cent. Cone. ,n 3 j Ditto Acct. 7S) e 53 per Cent. 85} 31 per Cent. Red. 841 New 4 per Cent. NS Yt TOCK 9 YESTF:RDA Y. Long Ann. IS 1a . 16 / Inch; Stock 231 India Ildnd. .1 9 pm Ex. Bills 100411. II 9pm Ditto 6001. 11 9pm Ditto Small II 9 pm PRICES OF FOREIUN Brazilian Bondi bit e # Coloinbian Bonds Ditto Honda ;DIU 421 2 21 Ditto Acct. 42# 2 / I/ 2 2 Danish Bonds (1825) Ditto Acct. 341 3 j French Rente.s 3 per Cent. 66f. 64f. 2.5 c. Exchange 25f. 55c. COURSE OF RECK Amsterdam C.F. 12 8 Oltto at sight Rotterdam 2U. 12 9 Antwerp Hainhurgh ............2f U 37 10 Altona U. 87 9 PSITIY, 3 days 1rm0..................2 tr 24 Bordeaux Berlin Prankfort on Maine Ex. M . 153 Petersburgh. rble 3 Vienna, effective 3 2 M. 10 .24 _ ....... _ . Mutts .......... 3sf Itilboa Saville Lilting*" STOCKS YESTERDAY. Greek Bonds Ditto Bonds'flo23) 131 f Mexican Bonds 1 , 3 Ditto Bonds (1923) 621 i 2 i I 3 Ditto Acct. 623 j f 2 f 3 4 Peruvian Bonds 311 2 Portuguese Bonds 72 Ruotan Bonds 711 8 Spanish Bonds 71 8 LANGE YESTERDAY. Leghorn 474 Genoa..... ...... ... .. 434 Venice Malta Naples Palermo ....... per o 111 - Lisbon Oporto ............ 801 Rio Janeiro ........ 43 Bahia 47 Buenas Ayres 42 Dublin, 21 days' sight lurk 1101110 W. PU Olt. 4 rt. d. Portugal Gobi. In eats .. 0 0 0 Foreign Gold, In Mn. .. 3 17 6 New Doubloons ........ 0 0 0 New Dullar4 ... ... 0 4 9 Silver, in bar.. a utadard .. 0 0 vate 13tittlift ilireoo. COVENT- GARDEN THEATRE. WHITSUNAME. GRAND PERFORMANCE OP ANCIENT AND MODERN MUSIC, This Evening, SATURDAY, May 18, Under the Management of Sir George Smart. Pt RT Selection from Der Frelschutz, under the direction of the Composer, Carl Maria Von Weber. PAnT lI.—A Selection from Handel's Serenata, Ads and Galatea. Pail. 111.—A Grand Mi.cellatteons Act. Principal Vocal Performers.—Messrs. Witham, Horncastle, Phillips, Robinson, and Tinney ; Masters Barker and Lonshurst i lilts.iss H. Caws*, Farrar, Paton, and Stephens! and Madame Vestris. ENGLISH OPERA-HOUSE. MR. MATHF.WS AT HOME This Evening, SATURDAY, May 13, with an enti •ely new Entertainment, in Two Part% founded on Ids Observations on Character', Manners, and Peculiarities. entitled MR. MATHEWS' INVITATIONS. PAST 111.—A Monopolylogue, to be called THE CITY BARGE ! Seven Characters by Mr. Mathews. Doors open at HaMpast Seven (Instead of Seven, as hereto/ore); the Performance begins at Eight precisely. •y The Lottery now onialgls the Last that will ever he allowed In this Kingdom. The price of 'rickets and Shares will rise In a few days. There are Six of AWOL All to be Drawn In One Day. The BRITISU PRESS commenced publishing yesterday morning at a quarter past seven o'clock. LONDON, SATURDAY, MAY 13, 1526. The French Papers of Wednesday, and the Elnile of Thursday, have been received. They are completely filled with the debate on the Law of Substitutions. The reports about Greece are repeated, without any additional circum stances either worthy of credit or worthy of translation. Frttexcit Fturtts.—ExcrtawnE ON PARIS.—Five per Cents. 96f. 53c. • Three per Cents. 64. f. 30c. ; Bank Shares 2010 f. ; Nea.. politan Renter, 73f. 115 e. It is lamentable to observe the incessant endeavours which are making to irritate the working classes against the agriculturists, and to excite them to raise an outcry against the land-owners, as if their distresi at this juncture was produced by a combination among landlords, so to keep up the price of subsistence, as to place it utterly beyond the reach of the ordinary wages of labour. We have our selves no interests to promote but those of truth and tran quillity ; and amid the ferment of extremes, it is our en deavour at all times to preserve the centre point. The questions regarding the Corn Laws have divided the opinions of the ablest politicians, both in Parliament • and nut of it. Stripped of all firebrand epithets, and of all party heat, there appears to be nothing in the subject which men of common sense may not approach, without finding in it anything really perplexing. It is desirable that the price of bread should be such that the working classes, by their wages, may be enabled to purchase it. Does any one dispute this? Not one. Let US then ask, must not the growers of corn themselves de sire that it should find consumers, as much as the manu facturers nmst wish to find customers for their goods? Surely they must ; and if so, where is the agricultural community to find customers but in the manufiwturing chisycs? And bow—if we reflect at all—can we bring our selves to believe that those who grow the article which is to make bread, should wilfully combine to nice it to a pric e ut which the bulk of the nation cannot afford to purchase i it ? Can we rationally supposa any set of men so ntterl insensible to their own interest? Is there any one com modity within the whole circle of commerce, in which the dealers, who are to sell, do not regulate the price by the means of the consent-1-s who are to tuy ? Can the cern trade be conducted on the reverse priDeiple of every other trade, or can those who traffic in wheat, and barley, and oats, profit by a system which would be ruinous, if tht y dealt in cloths or pepper, indigo, or any other trerchandire ? In articles of taste or luxury, indeed, a few monopolists may fix the price acecrding to the estimate they may form of the wealth or vanity of that class in which alone they look for purchasers: in a very limited market of rich corn , p .titors an extortionate price may be obtained. But to im: gine that is an article of national consumption, such as corn, the bulk of which—if sold at all—must be sold to the great mass of the population who live by their labour—we say, to imagine that the class of cultivabrs who raise it to sell, will combine to advance it to a price at which it can not be toughl, and conspire to keep it at that price, is not to suppose them selfish, but insane; yet that they do this act is assumed by those who charge the Agriculturists with keeping up the ratans of subsistence to a price which starves the manufacturing districts, ;and puts it out of the power of the industrious classes of the community to live by the earnings of their labour. The interests of the grower of corn and the consumer. when well understood, ought never to be at variance; and they arc the real enemies of twit c ass.ra who would attempt to separate them. Their interest; are mutual. They are essentially d-stined t.t uphold each other's strength, and to supply each other's wants. In vain would the mechanic toil and spin, if the farmer did not multiply the bounties eC Providence, by devoting his labour to tl e soil. And elm.. der, indeed, would be the in- ducement for the farmer to spend hi; strength over the plough, if he could not barter its produce with the me- chanic and the manufacturer. All brnitches of industry are interwoven ; and the pursuits of each are diree•eil to the common benefit cf all. That the maniCacturing classes hay.l suffered, and arc suffering greatly, is most true. But while we deplore dick distressed condition, we will not concur in tnisleading them as to its origin. It is not by malfng wet' against the masa of cultivators, or against the power of machinery, that they call remove it. They are wofully deceived when they are taught to trace their distress to the Corn Laws. The more rational and reflective among them are well persuaded of this; hut unfortunately the reasonable and reflective do not form the majority either of the class to which they belong, or, in truth, of any other class in the community. But we hope the reviving spirit of commerce will soon _afford employment, subsistence, awl comfort to the manufacturing population, and they will then find that it was not the price of the necessaries of life that was the cause of their distress, but the want of a price for (ha; labour which thy were to give in exchange for them. CLTV, FRIDAY ATTER/MY, Though in the early part of the morning the Consols Market ex, hibited signs of improvement, opening as they did at 7 91 , anti being soon done at 78i for the account, it became in a short time somewhat agitated, and Consols for the account fell to 7143. This was attributed to a rumour acquiring currency that a very large quantity of money stock had come into the market. At two o'clock, however, they wire quoted at 78,12. At the close tf the market they left t ff at 78i. The set:cunt' reported to have been received from India, by way of S. He'ens, with h we subjoin, seemed to affect India Stock ► inasmuch as it will be seen that those reports repeat the p:evioue rumours of the Mellish being on her way to Enclind, with the oflieial news of pence having been concluded with the Butmete. This had consequently an effect on Rut India Stock, which tees to 231, the previous price being 228. In other English securities, such as Exchequer Bills, &c, there was no change worthy of notice. The Foreign Marten was steady, but with little business doing; and in Shares there were few and trilling purchases made, with little variation in prices. The folowing statement was reported in the City to have been officially communicated to the different Members of Iris 3lajestyll Government:— ..... " Mr. RANTS, the Purser of the Vansittarr.srrived at the India House this ramvOng. He reports that, on the morning of the day on which the Vansittatt left St. Helena—Nt . t. the 15th M arch— the ship Mellish, Captain Cole, arrived a St Helena from Madras, with Gen. BOWSER on board, with despatches for the Company ; that he heard Captain COLE state that peace had been con cluded with the Burmese, and that the conditions of thg peace were, the cession of three provinces and the payment of one crore of rupees to the Company. He further re ported that General Bowser did not land, and that the Mellish was to sail for England in the evening of the day on which she reached St. Helena." Notwithstanding the decision last evening in the House of Lords. :here was little effect produced in the Corn Market this day, the .scalers having anticipated the result. There appeared great fitm nes% in the market, a gradual of improvement from the late ins activity. IVhcat was sold on rather better terms, and Oats were Is. per quarter dearer. PARTIES. The Marchioness of Lansdown gave a most splendid rout on Thursday evening, at Latt.down House, Berkeley-square. The drawing-rooms, grand statue gallery, and library, were most brilliantly illuminated. The company began to arrive about JO o'clock, and continued till one. There were present nearly 1,000 persons of the pant ton ; among whom were— kit: Royal Highness Prince Leopold, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duchess of Somerset, the Duke of Grafton and the Ladies Fitzroy, the Prussian Minister, the Marquis and Mar. chioness of Iluntly, the Marquis and Marchioness Cornwallis, Emliy Marchioness of Londonderry, the Countess of Clare, the Countess of Derby and Miss Stanley, the Countess of Albemarle, Countess Lieven, the Ladies Montague, the Ladies Fitzpatrick, Lord F. G. Osborne, Lady G. Keppel, the Countess of Cork and the Ladles Boyle, Lady Davy, Lord Harvey, Lady Elizabeth and Miss Baker, the Earl a nd Countess CassLis and Lady M. Kennedy, Lord J. Thymic., Lady Sheffield, the Countess Vs rulam, Sir Alexander, Lady, and Miss Johnston, Lady and Miss King. Lady Ann Coke, Sir George Beaumont, Sir J., Lady, and Miss Wrottesley, Sir Stamford and Lady Raffles, Colonel and Miss Doyle, Colonel, Mrs., and Miss Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Vanzittart, Mrs. and Miss Beaumont, Major Moberly, Mr., Mrs., and Bliss Childers, NIA Vernon, 1411 gs FOS, Mrs. Walter Jones, Mr. and Mn,. Vernon Smith, Mr. Talbot. Etc. hr. , - - The Dowager Marchioness of Exeter entertained a large party at dinner yesterday, at her house in Privy-gardens. Countess Grosvenor entertained a large party of the hunt ton yesterday evening, at her !untie In Grosvenor-street. The Earl of Sefton entertained a distinguished party et dinner on Thursday, at his house in Arlington-sweet, among whom were—The Mar quis and Marchioness of Worcester, the Earl of Glengall, Lord Alvanlei. Count de Lavengtigon, Mr. George Anson, Mr. De RU" Ac. Sir Charles Long, Bart. entertained another distinguished party at din ner on Thursday, at his house in Privy-gardens. The Hon. Mrs. Pelham has Gsued cards of Invitation for a grand con cert on the lath or June, at her hou c In Connannht place. The following distinguished personages had dinner parties yesterday -.- Sir Robert Preston, Cert. Downing street; Hun. Keith Douglas, Admi ralty 1 Henry Peters, Esq. Park-lane. MOVEMENTB. The Duke of Leeds left twit yesterday, for Yorkshire. The Duke of Richmond arrived yesterday, at his house In Upper Brook street, from his seat, Goodwood, Sussex. The Earl and Counters cf Sefton ami the Ladles Molyneus, left town yesterday, for their seat, Stoke Earin, Berks. Lord Yarborough left town yesterday, for the isle of Wight. Arrivals at Fenton's New Hotel, ht. Jome,'s.strect :—S. Janet, Esq. from Oxford; the Rev. Mr. Austin, from his seat In Kent. Departures —Lord De la Zouche, for his seat In Sussex ; Lane, Esq. for his meat in Herts ; and Mr. and Ides. Welch, for their seat In Worcestershire. Arrivals at Batt's family hctel, Dover. , treet :—The Marquis and Mar. dilemma of Blandfurd and family, from Norfolk ; Mrs. Jernlntrham and family. Departures :—Colonel and Mrs. Henderson, for Blackheath ; Sir Charles Brooke Vere, Dart. iMr. and Mrs. Heywood, fur Warwick. Arrivals at the Bath Hotel. Arlington-street:—Mr. and Mrs. Yarning, from Bath ; Mr., Mrs., and Miss Warodun. from Pails; Mrs. sad Mi.s Tarletun, from Herts. Departures :—Mr. and aim Fyache Harrison, for their seat, Copford Hall, Colchester. Arrivals at Berner' . Hotel, Derners-street t—Mrs. Porehin and Mita Norman, from Leicester ; Buchanan, Esq. Departures :—William Karrstorne. Esq. for Green Bank, Preston ; Dr, Chichester, for Cheitto. barn ; Colonel Edward and Mee. Fitzgerald and family, fur Reading ; Mr. and Mrs. Berney, for Norfolk. Arrivals at the Burlington Hotel, Old Burlington and Cork-streets The Rev. William Sergison, from Cocktield Park, Sussex ; Willlem Set'. gluon; Esq. from ditto ; Lientenant Oakes, R.N. from Suffolk ; Coe.- velt, Esti. from a tour. Departures :—Sir Edward Kynaston and the Misses Isynaston, for Hardwick Hall, Shropshire ; Mr. anti Mrs. Davis* and Mrs. Crummer, for Herefordshire, Arrivals at Fl to Hotel, Oxford-street:—Admiral Markham. M.P. and family, from so..ex ; James N. P. Cosserat, F.str. and Mrs. Cosseraf. from Devon ; Richard Eaton. Esq., Mn . Eaton, anti Miss Lane, from a tour; Benjamin Way, Esq. and Ilisa Way, from Uxbridge ; the Rev. T.; Mn. and Miss KWh*, from Hastings ; Hawkins. Eq. from a tour A. 11. Bradshaw. E-q. from Kent; —Cramer, Krq. from Kasen: 6. Wilmot, E-q. from a tour. Departures:—P. T. Gardner, Esq. and Mt*. Oardner, for Hants; H. W. Wilson, Esq. and Mrs. Wilson, for Lila ham ; Mrs. Shep Lard, for ditto; tier . Mr. and Mm. J inks, for Herr - shire ; Lovell, Esq. and Alr.. Lovell, for Susses; Mrs. marson, Yorkshire: the Rey. F. Lewis, for Chepstow; Colonel Dannistiv. ea * tour; Major Brice, ditto. The Dul , ^ and Duchess of Clarence and the two Nieves Fitzelarenee anti &trite arrived yesterday at the Burliagron Hotel, frotty finally Park, preparatory w t , ai 'r departure , for the Continent. Ars NeT , . - F ATBLS • - i. I 4 I