The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — London, England, 1826-05-02 00:00:00

k • :as PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. HOUSE OF LORDS, 111oxtuT, MAT 1. CURRENCY OF SCOTLAND. The Duke of ATHOL pvesented a petition from a pariah in ' Perthshire, spinal any alteration in the present system of banking In Scotland. The Marquis of HUNTLY presented 'limiter petitions from several parishes in Aberdeenshire, and elm petitions to the urns offset from parishes in the counties of Ross and RIME The Earl of LAUDERDALE presented a similar petition from Inverness. The Earl of ROSSLYN presented a elicitor petition from a pariah in Perthshire. SLAVERY. , The Marquis of HUNTIN presented a petition from Stratford tspon.Avoo, waving for the abolition of slavery. The Duke of !WIRT HU 11 BE RLA ND presented a similar pe tition from Trig nmouth and North Shields. The Bishop of FERNS presented a similar petition from a parish in Ireland. RESTORATION OF HONCICRS BILLS. The Earl of LIVERPOOL moved the third reading of the Bine to restore the titles of Duffus, Ogilvie, Csrnwath, Webs, and Fingask. BRITISH SHIPPING, The Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND presented • petition from the inhabitants of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, praying for the in. terferenee of their Lordships against the competition of foreign shipping. CORPORATION OF DUBLIN. lord KING presented a petition from IVllliam Kirkland, com plaining of being refused his right of admission into the oorpoeation of Dublin. Ills Lordship stated, that the petitioner was not • Catholic, but a liberal Protestant, and for that liberality he was re fused by the Corporation to be admitted into their body. CORN LAWS. • Lord KING presented a petition from the weavers and other in. habitants of Manchester, praying for an alteration in the Corn Laws. His Lordship observed, that, under the peculiar thrum stances of the time, the petition was entitled to the best considers. tion of their Lordships, particularly as it was marked with good sense and moderation. The petitioner stated, that they en tirely disapproved of the outrages which were committed in the manufacturing districts, and that they considered the burning of machinery as most impolitic as well as mischievous. It was not to ' the Improvement in machinery that the present suffering of the country was owing. The petitioners stated, and his Lordship agreed with them, that the present distress of the manufacturers was to be traced to the Corn Laws, and to the consequent high price -of food. The tendency of the Corn 1414414411 twofold. In the first place. in directly preventing the importation of foreign corn, and consequently the supply of food • and in the next place, the Corn lows prevented the exportation of our manufactures, as foreigners could not purchase them unless corn was received in return. His Lordship gave tenth to the Noble Earl at the head of the Treasury for his declaration of last year, when he said chat a revision of those laws was necessary, in which opinion he was sure the Noble Earl • was quite sincere. The Marquis of LANSDOWN did not wish to make any ob. nervation that would lead to any difference of opinion, nor would lie touch upon controversial ground; but he wished to advert to circumstances which were known to their Lordships • he meant the ' , resent distress and disturbances which prevailed in the country. It was generally understood that a dissolution of Parliament would shortly take place, and he hoped they would not separate without taking some step to relieve the distress which existed in the manu facturing districts. He was anxious not to let that opportunity pass without urging upon their Lordships the neceoity of adopt. big some measure, not only to relieve the distress, but to allay the alarm which prevailed. His lordship would acknowledge that the subject was one of considerable diglewief ; but he also thought that the circumstances of the present case took it out of the range of common accidents; it was iropoisible for Parliament to elle. elate all the difficulties that occur in a commercial community, or to control the vicissitudes of supply, and demand to which this country must be always subject. During the last year an artificial stimulus was given to trade, which led to speculations beyond the knowledge as well as the control of the unfortunate individuals .who were now suffering from a stagnation of that trade, and elthough much had been done to restrain those irregularities., and his Lordship had approved of those measures, stilt he trust say. that by them a temporary check was given to corn. melee, which tended to impose an additional check upon colo n erce. llnder all the circumstances of the case. he thought sease ' was made out to call for the etiectual interference of the Govern- toent ; but he also thought there was a necessity for vigorous and I 'vigilant, if not severe, measures, for the protection of property, as will for the sake of the unfortunate individuals who were commit. tang the outrages as on account of the persons whose property was exposed to danger. At the same time he could not forget a send- flint of alr.Buekes, that when • man was starving, he eas taken oat of the ordinary rules of commerce as well as of justice, but be then came within the jurisdiction of mercy. His Lordship was of expellers that Parliament must have recourse to • temporary remedy to n eat the present distress;. this might be done, either by placing fund, at the disposal of the Government, or by an eddies* to the Crown, pledging Parliament to make good any advances which it might be thought necessary to make, for the purpose of relieving the wants of the sufferers. Although a public subscription might lie sufficient to alleviate ordinary distress, anti although it was in moat iestanees an adequate as well as the safest mode of adminis tering relief, yet he thought that in the present instance it would be insufficient. His Lordship did not forget that when distress pre vailed in Spitalfields, It was alleviated by a public subscription, and 'by the benevolence of individuals ; but when he reed the various •occounts, and heard the reports front different parts of the country, the was anxious to avoid the great expense which must be incurred by any mode of quelling the disturbances in any other way than by relieving the sufferers. It had been said that relief might be de rived frbm a reduction of taxation. He had often urged a diminu. Lion of taxation ; he must acknowledge that much good had been done in that way, and he hoped that much more would he done; but that species of relief was slow in its operation. It was from those orniderations that he thought sonic temporary expedient most be assorted to, such as appropriating • fund, to be placed at the dis petal of the Government, to be applied as they thought necessary ; pc by an address, assuring . the Crown that Parliament would supply any funds which it would be thought necessary to advance for the relief of the distressed. Such a course was not withoet precedent. The present was a state of things that did not arise from want of food, but from want of employment ; anti he lisped such relief would be afforded the people as would enable them to weather a storm such as never was experienced in this country. Whatever difference of opinion might exist amongst their Lordships as to the extent of the distress, or the nature of the Jiainthies with which the subject was surrounded, he was sure Ott such difference did not arise from any want of feeling. The Earl of LIVERPOOL tent himself called upon, not only by the speech of the Noble Marquis, but by the nature of the im. portant subject which called it forth, to address a few words to their 'lordships. He was sure the House would give him credit for feeling. In common with their Lordships, the greatest anxiety to relieve the Offerings of the distressed portion of the people. No matt could heat or read the accounts which were received from aon.e 04 4/14 manufacturing districts without feeling the deepest regret at the miseries of the rinfottunatesufferent. At the same time, in in. tp..,itirg into those miseries, it would be necessary to examine the soarer from whence throe distresses arose. In attempting to legis lets for those uniortunate sufferers, various consideratiout must obtrude themselves before Parliament could conic to a decision. If Pazhament were to interfere with any pecuniary assistance, it would be the dart instance, except in the case of Ireland, that any ',reit relief was afforded by a vote of public money. It OM the -great merit of the poor laws that they established a system by w hi c h public distress ass relined without having recourse to the public purse. If assistance were affordeal from the public fund in one in stance. how could it be refused in another ? He would conjure ' their Lnedships to rearm before they established n precedent which would lead to the moss serious consequences. On a former occa. stun, when distress prevailed amongst the agriculturists, an attempt oad been ms,de to relieve it by Parliamentary aid ; but the idea was abandimed from the difficulties which presented themselves. 1 • was true that an exception was made in favour of Ireland, but tee circumstances of that. country were entirely (14 rent from those Or England. In that country there was no system of poor laws, and there was also an opportunity there of employing the money advanced in constructing roads or other public works. Before Par. lianient had recourse to the public purse, every other expedient 'Mould be tried. His Lordship said that he had great confidence if the extent of voluntary subscription. When he recollected the period of distress in Ireland. and that a aunt considerably exceed mg eflo,oool. had been ranted by subscription on that occasion, he could not but indulge a hope that the sante source, which was - far more desirable in principle and easier in execution than any public grant, would alleviate the distress of the present sufferers. His Lordship knew of no body in which the power of administering to the wants of the people could be pieced, without considerable M- C:ally and objection. When he objected to Parliamentary inter. Terence in the Otiose of pecuniary advances, he wished at the same time to say, that late events rendered it necessary that there should be some revision of the Corn Laws. He had stated the same opt nl3ll last year, and also in the early part of the present session of Parliament. Hie Lordship was then of opinion that it was not the peeper time; and he would now add, that. independently of the objections which then existed to tie discussion of that important stoooct, the very circumstances of the present times prevented Parliament from entering into an examinatio- of so important a 'object. But he must also say, that, in his opinion, Parliament oval,' not to separate without releasing the bonded corn which was DOW in the country, and without investing in the Crown a power to 'airy foreign corn into the country, if it should be thought necea. to do so during the recess. Such corn might be admitted at a certain duty, supposing ten shillings the quarter, or at whatever duty would be thought advisable. If it should be thought neees. any, • notice of six weeks or some such period, might be given whenever such admission might be determined upon. His Lordship did not thick it doily able that the power should be treated in the execu tive, because he thought that all measures concerning trade, more especially those relating to public food, should be placed upon • fitted basis. But he thought the present case of diorese an excre tion, and it 1444 on that account that he thought it the duty of Go •ernment to call upon Parliament, and that it was the duty of Par liament to grant such powers. The Earl of MA LM ESBO R Y said that having nn more occasions than one addressed their Lordships upon the subj-ct of the Corn Laws, he frlt himself called upon to make a few observations upon Vint had f lien from the Noble Earl. Upon • former occasion he had - suioseribtxt to the admission of foreign corn under certain rep looms, but he telt it necessary to say that he had not had sufficient • $6 $ time given him to consider the policy of the provision which had been suggested by the Noble Earl. No person could feel more acutely than he did for the distress which existed in the country. but whilst he admitted the distress, and lamented that It should_ prevail, he could not admit that It arose from the Corn Laws.— Much strew had been laid upon the Report which Mr. Jacob had made of the supply of grain which might be received from fo reigners; but his Lordship thought that the Report was in itself a reason why soy alteration in the Corn Laws should be postponed. It was ehewn in that Report that the foreign merchant could not ins port foreign awn into this country under sixty shillings the (planer. allowing a duty of only ten shillings. It so hap , pened that for the last three years the average price In this country was considerably under that amount, and his Lordship was anxious to be corrected if he was wron in the statement which he advanced. The next point to which wished to advert was the cause of the present distress; he belie it was owing to a want of foreign demand for our manufacture'. The people laboured 1 under a great delusion on this point as well as respecting ma chinery. In the one case the workmen were endeavouring to injure their best customers, and in the other, to destroy the property of their employers. If the landholders were reduced In their means, they must cease to purchase front the manufacturers, and comma quently increase the distress. it was, therefore, his opinion that a decline in prices would be an injury to the manufacturers; by encouraging the landed interest, the country would always insure • steady and safe supply of provisions, and he thought the last four or five years a strong illustration of his argument ; he was quite certain that without some system of corn laws, the country could never have a steady and certain supply of food. Ills Lordship was not prepared to enter upon the full discussion of the suggestions of the Noble Earl, nor would he then se/ whether the present state of the country might not be an forepart to the rectal principles Which he had always supported ; but he was then willing to admit foreign grain. as he stated at an early period'of the Session. Earl GROSVENOR thought the report of Mt. Jacob well de. serving the serious perusal of their Lordships. The present state of the country was sush, that he would willingly adopt any plan to relieve the distresses which prevailed throughout the country. In his opinion the present stste of the country formed an exception to any general rule which might he laid down for the regulation of the trade or commerce of the country. He did not understand whether foreign torn was to be admitted in bond, or imported sub ject to a duty on its arrival. The Earl of LAUDERDALE felt as much as any man for the suffering of the manufacturing classes ; but the more that was said upon the subject, the more likely was it that those sufferings would be aggravated. The course which common sense dictated was that there should be inquiry. It would be necessary to inquire whether the distress was owing to the high price of corn. If their Lord ships would inquire what was the price of corn for some time past, they would find that it was not so much to the price of corn as to the want of foreign demand for our manufactures that the distress was to be attributed. A want of means to carry on the trade of the country was another source of the distresses, and that want of means was greatly increased by the measures which had been adopted respecting the currency. The No'le Earl opposite might not agree in that opinion; but he (Lord Lauderdale)was prepared to prove it. Ile (Lord Lauderdale) could produce evidence to show that manu facturers had declared that they could employ their men, but that they objected to dos') until some measure of relief was afforded. It was his Majesty's Ministers who had excited alarm, and occasioned the discontinuing of employment to the manufacturing labourer, and the present measure was calculated to excite alarm amongst the agricultural labourers as well. lie had never known a more rash proceeding than, at the end of a session, fora Minister, within a fortnight of its termination, to threaten the agricultural interest with a measure which must excite the highest state of feeling in the country. What he (Lord Lauderdale) would propose was, that the two Houses of Parliament should inquire into the cause of the calamity ; for it was his firm belief that, if the inquiry did not now take place, they would be forced to call Parliament together to consider the state of the country. If alarm was excited among the agriculturists by his Majesty's Ministers. it was dangerous to give them the power asked for by the Noble Earl (Liverpool) without the control of Parliament. But as to the measure of ad mitting bonded corn, it was a question which, at the present period of the session, he, for one, could not consent to. _ . . The Earl of LIVERPOOL wished to say a few words in an swer to what had fallen from the Noble Earl (Lauderdale). Ile (Lord Liverpool) entirely agreed with the Noble Lord that to at tribute the present state of distress to the Corn Laws, was to blind themselves to the whole state of the country, and to the proceed. ings of the last ten years. 11'hether the Corn Laws were right or wrong was not now the question ; but he would say, It was a ques tion which he had never wished to avoid discussing. His wish was. that an alteration should be made; but how and when that alteration was to be made was the subject to be considered. He would repeat what he had stated before, that, if there existed no other reason, the very state of distress at that moment, and the special circumstances attending it, ought to prevent the general consideration of the question of the torn Laws. The Noble Lord had salt: that the cause of the evil, for which a temporary remedy was to be afforded, did not arise from s want of demand fur manufactures; if it did not, from what other cause did it proceed ? The distress, no doubt, was very afflicting, but it could not continue. Alen must have coats and shoes, and though they might put off the purchase of them from Monday to Friday,still they would artier them 1100110 r or later. The evil arose from over trading, and could not be from anything else. If there was a glut under the special circumstances which, he had stated, then it followed that the manufacturers had overdone the market, and the consequence was that they were now at a stand. Such was the cause of the evil, though it might be aggravated by other circumstances, but which he (Lord Liverpool) doubted. The Noble Lord might sound an alarm if he pleased, but he (Lord Liverpool) did not see that Parliament were to allow a :amine; and therefore it was that, by the importation of foreign corn, the evil would be provided against. He would revert to the circumstances of' the country in the year 1815, without, of course, discussing the principle of that Bill ; but if the state of the taxes which existed at that time, particularly the Property Tax, was taken into consideration, the price was nlt better than at present ; and if the question was to be looked at, it must be in reference to general principles. The first question was, that Parliament aheuld not separate without affording relief, by opening the warehouses and bringing the corn into the market at a duty ; and the second, the giving the King and Council the power, during the recess, to admit further importation it necessary. The Earl of 51A1.31ESBURV said, lie could not conceive a proposition legit likely to create alarm in any quarter, and he was assured that it would give confidence in many. In reference to what had fallen from the Noble Lord (Lauderdale), he must ob serve that the Noble Lord himself had been desirous, when the Corn question was before the (louse, that a clause should be in. serted for the admission of foreign corn. He did not ask for ge neral principles, but was fully prepared to admit the inconvenience of temporary measures. Ile was not prepared to sax what should be the protecting duty, but he thought ten shillings would be in sufficient. • The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, it might be taken at twelve shillings. The Earl of MALMESRDRY, In continuation, said that a scarcity price could not take place under the present law. lie saw no objection to the bonded corn being brought into the market, of which he believed there were shout 4101,000 quarters, at a duty of 12a., though he did not see the necessity of it. With respect to the second remote, he must beg leave to take time to deliberate. itd DACRE said that the question was as to the best mode of alleviating the lamentable state of distress in which the country was placed. The present distress arose from the price of provisions, and the remedy proposed was that of bringing the bonded corn Into the market, and to admit more when his Majesty's Ministers should think meet to do so. So that the conclusion come to was, that the relief to the manufacturers was to be derived from the landed interest ; but he must say that the Noble Lord (Liverpool) had said nothing to chew that that was the proper mode of giving relief. He had heard nothing that convinced him that the want of demand was the cause of the present distress. His Lordship con cluded by expressing his opinion that it was improper to throw the whole burden of relief upon the agriculture of the country. Lord C4I.THORPts spoke in favour of the proposition of the Noble Marquis (Lanadown). Earl HUEY said that he was particularly desirous to offer a few observations, indite •Tionetred Asa attention of the !louse. He would not arrogate to himself any feeling, with respect to the dis tress of the country, di ff erent or separate from that of oth e rs. Every maw must feel that such distress, under such aggravated circumstances, made the heart sick. It certainly was a paramount duty to take every prompt and intoner measure to repress lawless outrage, but the first duty was tn apply succour to the distressed. They had been called a deluded population ; it was too true ; they were so when induced in destroy that property which must conduce to a greater degree of suffering on their part. Such acts of aggression must be restrained by the authority and power of the law ; but when called upon to punish those excesses, there was one other Omit im portant duty to perform, which was to afford relief to that distress, and after that was dime, to inquire into the cause of it. Ile (Lord Grey) would not attempt to direct the relief to be afforded in the present state of distress.which could not be done upon any common rules, but must be taken out of all ordinary principles; and the only question to be considered was that of immediate relief. He had to thank his Noble Friend near him (the Marquis of Lans down) for his luminous statement, butt more particularly for his proposition as to the address to the Throne, that it should come forward to afford by contributions that relief which was so urgently required ; hut having stated that it became riccesanry to advert to what had fallen from the Noble Earl (Liverpool), and in respect to the measure proposed by him, he must say that it could only be justified by necessity, which was said to know no law. Another duty was to inquire into the cause of the distress, and it was said, give temporary relief now, and permanent hereafter. It would be • dereliction of the duty of his Majesty'a Ministers, and of that and the other House of Parliament, if they did not bring under the. notice of the Crown the absolute necessity of continuing the Session until inquiry had taken place and relief bees provided. He could not talk of Parliament bring about to be dissolved, a hen the state of the country required that it should be made !permanent. What was the situation of the country? Why, that • large portion of its population was driven by muttering to acts of violence—not by the act of any set of persona working upon their feelings, hut by *biro lute famine--to attack persons and property, the source of their sup port. It was that cause which afforded to the King tile authority to assemble Parliament. %Vete there Lordships, then, to be told under such circumstances, that it was to be prorogued, and perhaps dissolved, leaving the King without any persona to assist him in a time of such a state of Buffering and distress P It was the Important duty of his Majesty's Ministers, and It was the important duty of that Howie, that the should not separate with out having first afforded immediate relief, and then placed the affairs of the State upon a permanent system of security. And if he was of that opinion generally, be confessed that it had been con hrmcd by the Noble Lurd opposite (Lord Liverpool); and here he THE BRITISH PRESS. must say, that e• far from expressing any satisfaction, on the eon. trary . he felt the greatest alarm, which had been increased by the opinion given by the Noble Lord, that the operation of the Corn haws was the cause of the present state of distress of the greatest part of the population. His Noble Friend must excuse him if he said" that he was desirous that the subject should be gone into with out exciting the passions and feelings of the country. It aught to be approached wash great delicacy, and any attempt at outrageous opposition by Inflammation and clamour ought to be deprecated. He would say, that looking to the average price of corn for the last three years, hs could not bring himself to think that the price of corn had any thing to do with the ealsmitous state of the country. By expressing that opinion, however, he did not mead to say that the Corn Lowe did not requite some revision. He must repeat that the subject must be approached with the greatest caution, for the greatest evil would be tir put it in • state of fluctuation. But as to the clamour which bad arisen on the subject of the Corn Laws, be must say they had been excited by the Noble Lord opposite, for there never was • more improper or ill-advised opinion than that expressed by him last Session, that they should be taken into consideration in the present. All the excitement arose from the Noble Lord having made that statement. He (Lord Grey) thought there was a strong reason for not discussing them now. (Hear.) Ile thought the present state of the country was a sufficient objec tion, but there was another which arose out of the question of the currency, for if • protecting duty was necessary, they ought to know what was the value of the currency in which that duty was to be paid. The evil had been aggravated by the Noble Lord not having done what he had promised ; he had aggravated all that had taken place, anti occasioned the clamour that had arisen, without knowing what would have been *lnconsequence, of the state of the country by that alteration. He agreed with his Noble Friend on the Woolsack, and his Noble Friend near him, that the mea sure would have no other effect than to occasion alarm. What was the Noble Lord's proposition? He said that the present distress has nothing to do with the Corn Laws, and yet he proposes, virtu ally, their alteration as 'his measure of relief. How was It a mea sure of relief ? Why, by fi rst introducing bonded corn, and then fo reign corn at a certain du. IVhst was this, then, but proposing that relief should be affit rded by reducing the price of corn, and that his Majeaty's Ministers consider that the principal cause of distress ? Why was it necessary to reduce the price of corn, but that they suffered front high prime ? W'hat would be the state of the agriculturists ? would they not see that the Government were immediately reducing the price of corn, not only in that part of the country which laboured under distress, but generally? What effect, therefore, could that have but to , aggravate the alarm among that bodr? With respect to the second meseure, that of enabling the King in Council to admit foreign corn under certain cirenni stances, he considered that it could not be introduced without inquiry. It was necessary to inquire what was the nature of the measure. He (Lord (irey) supposed it was a measure of imme. diate relief, but the Noble Lord (Liverpool) said no, it was • measure intended to prevent corn (from reaching a famine price. Ile would ask what reason there was to apprehend such to be the case—why there was a prospect of a famine price this year more than last ? The relief ought to be general, and not of a temporary nature; and that only could essentially benefit the country. With respect to the measure, he could nut approve of it ; it was calculated to create alarm among the only sound state of the population, and to limit, and indeed destroy, the only market at present open. Is conclusion he must observe, that the state of the country was such that Parliament must probe It to the very foundation, and settle it in such a way as should place the country in a state of security ; anti he must say, to dissolve Parliament until that was done, would be a high dereliction of duty. He must say, that he was a friend to a metallic currency; but seeing what he had seen, though Parliament had been led to approve that desirable measure, still he must express his doubts as to the possibility tifdoing it. The public creditor must be protected, however great the sacrifice might be. The more be (Lord Grey) saw of the state of the country, the more he was persuaded, that, unless the question was most fully gone into—unless an inquiry into all the evils took place, and unless a remedy was applied proportionate to the magnitude of it, distress would from time to time come on, ag gravated by each successive disaster, from which he hoped they might recover hereafter, but which the present generation could not get through without a great degree of suffering and sor row. It was necessary to satisfy the people that Parliament were willing to relieve them from all their burdens, and to carry the measure of relief into full effect. If such was not the case, the consequence would be such an overwhelming ruin as he (Earl Grey) did not wish to contemplate. Ile hoped that if his Majesty's Ministers should be willing to desert their duty, their Lord. ships would not forget theirs, but that they would cause an inquiry to be instituted, anti that they would not separate until they had ahewn that there were no means they were not ready to adopt for obtaining the happiness of the people and the security of the empire. Lord CA LTHORPE explsined. Earl BATIIURST said, that in his view the question was being argued prematurely. There could be but one common feeling as to the existence of the distress, and the necessity there was for giv ing relief. He considered that public relief would open the door from time to time to • great national evil. With respect to the question of the currency, which had been alluded to by the Noble Lord (Grey), who expressed his doubts on the subject, he very much wondered that the Noble Lord had not expressed them ennl_the present period, other opportunities having occurred when that question would have been better introduced. With respect to the proposition that his Noble Friend (Lord Liverpool) bad stated that the high ;vice of corn was the cause of the distiess, he had never done so, but had stated the ground to be that of over trading, and front the markets having become overstocked. With respect to the measure of precaution s it was Intended to prevent corn reach. ing a famine price. The question was, what might be considered a famine price ? H. (Lord Bathurst) would say that 110.. would be a famine price; hut in less it did rise above that, not a quarter of bonded corn could come out. The manufacturing classes labour. ing under distress would know there was an immense quantity of bonded corn in the country,and yet it must remain there and perish. Last year it was found that there was some corn in bond previous to the last Act, which must come out at 70, but that none of the remainder could be released under 80, and therefore it was that the measure was proposed. With respect to theother precautionary measure, that the King in Council should be allowed to open the ports, it was what he conceived every body would wish. Lord ROSSLYN supported the proposition of the Noble Mar quill, and said that it mattered little what was the price of corn if the manufacturing labourer had no wages to receive. The Earl of LIVERPOOL begged to say a few words, and as sured the House he had no wish to re-argue the question. He wished to state, that from the beginning he had held that the pre sent distress had nothing to do with the Corn Laws. He corgi dried that the proposition of the Noble Marquis was one that no. thing could juistify ' and that a voluntary subscription wou ld b e f ar more favourable. He would ahortly revert to the Corn Laws ; and he would say, that they had seen the price of corn gradually rising for some weeks past, anti if it continued it would operate as a great aggravation of the present dimes'. It was true that there were those who had no work, but there were also those who had work at small prices, and to them low prices were of the greatest conse quence. The measure of enabling the King in Council to open the ports was proposed as a precautionary measure; which was par. ticularly necessary at a moment like the present, when it was the duty of the Government to propose, and Parliament to adopt, mea sum to prevent corn from rising to that price which would aggra vate the difficulties of the reople in a tenfold degree. Lord LIM ERICK observed that in Ireland corn was at 451., while in England it wee at Gls. Lord ELLENBOROUGH said, that he should not detain their Lordships, but lie was anxious to express his opinion of the measuroi proposed by Government. It appeared, front the account of the Noble E irl (Liverpool) on a hornier occasion, that the pre sent Session was not the proper time to consider the question, and that the present moment was worse. But he would ask, what had he done ? Ile had asked their Lon:ships at that moment to pees • Bill making the alteration, and that without inquiry. His Majes ty's Ministers were endeavouring to obtain surreptitiously that which they could not ask for openly, and in which, if' it was so asked for, :he House would not concur. It vegan alteration which, if it once lineal the House, would become the law, and therefore it was shut tee wished Noble lairds to be upon their guard, not to agree to a temporising measure which would become permanent, and dust under the cover of alleviating the Mattes's of the moment. Earl DARNLEY said he was of opinion she the best means of relieving the present distress would be by • grant of public money. The petition was then laid on the table. PROMISSORY NOTES BILL. Lord LIVERPOOL deferred tilt consideration of the amend ments on the Promissory Notes Bill until Friday next. Adjourned at Eight o'Clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, kIoxDAY, 11Lty 1. Mr. SYKES prertenjed a petition in favour of the County Dis trict Election Bill, fiord certain freeholders in the city of York. Mr. FRENCH presented a petition from the Raman Catholics of the county of Itoncummort, praying for Catholic Emancipation. Mr. S. %WORTLEY presented a petition Irons llarrowgate, in Yorkshire, .point slavery in the Colonies. Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from the inhabitants of Cog. glet.hall, in favour of the Debtor and Creditor Arrangement Bill, and a similar one from the traders and merchants of the city of hondon. The lion. Member then postponed the second reading of the Debtor and Credits, Arrangement Hill until te.itiorrow. Alr. IIUME presented a petition from James Hull, of Taber. nacle.square, praying that th e House might order an inquiry to be Instituted into the present system of granting licenses. COHN LAWS. Air. Secretary CANNING ruse, for the purpose of giving notice of a motion far to-morrow with respect to bonded corn, but from the noise in the body of the House, it was for some time impossible to catch more than an occasional word. When the noise had in some measure subsided, he said that in the immediate neighbour hood where the greater portion of the foreign corn was bonded, the greatest distress existed (hear, hear): but according to the present lawa, that corn could not be brought in. lie was of opinion that the present was not a convenient time to agitate the question of the Corn Laws, but if ever t h ere could arise a strong exception to a general rule, he thought it had arisen in the present instance. (Hear, hear.) lie was O opinion that a measure might be resort ed to, withinit at all prejudicing any future discussion that might have the effect of remedying the deplorable evils prevalent in the matiufacturirg districts, resulting in some measure from the high price of corn. The quantity of foreign corn in bond in the king. door was about, including Hour. 315.000 quarters. lie was aware that throwing this quantity spun the market would be productive of very trifling effect, but still it would do sway with that strange anomaly, that such dreadful sufferings should be permitted to exist in the serf uevghbourhood ot'such s quantity of corn. (Hear, hear.) The very co.exudence of such a state of things was most desirable to be abolished. (Hear, hear.) Under these circumstances, his Majesty's Government had resolved to do that which was to them most inconvenient and most u ndesirable, but which, notwithatand ing,they felt to be a bounden duty upon them. They had determined to apply to Parliament to place with them a discretional power to admit generally or partially, during the recess, the corn which was in bond. In submitting this measure to the House, they believed that it would be free from all the theoretical objections which might be involved in the general question. It might be advisable that its admission should be accompanied by the imposition of a duty, and the duty he would propose would be 12s. per quarter. That corn which was In bond had a claim to be admitted into consumption in the first Instance, but after that was consumed, they wished that power should be given them to admit foreign corn if it was found to be necessary. The Right ilon. Gentleman, after some further observations, which were quite inaudible, concluded by giving notice, that to-morrow he should move for an alteration in the Act of the 31 George IV., cap 113; premising, hoisever, that he had no Intention of meddling with that Act further than he had already Intimated. Mr. TIERNEY said a few words, which, from the noise in the gallery, we could not collect. Mr. PHILLIPS said, that he thought that much of the distress arose from over-speculation. Cotton had got to an unnatural price in consequence. He had formed that opinion from the reasonable. netts of the thing. rather than from any positive information he had acquired on the subject. In a conversation which he had subse quently with a very eminent manufacturer, he ascertained that his opinion was precisely the same as that which he (Mr, Phillips) entertained on the subject. The operative manufacturers were out of employ, though the manufacturers were very willing to enter into specAtions with foreign powers, but they could get no return. The exchanges were against them, and they could not have any remittances trout those places to which they were accustomed to export their goods, except at a great loss. He thought the Corn Laws ought to be discussed, and he felt convinced that nothing could tend more effectually to remove the alarming distress which pervaded the manufacturing districts, than to settle and dispose of that important question. Mr. Secretary CANNING said, he wished to say a few words, lest the Honourable Member should have mistaken what he bad said on the *abject of the Corn Laws. The measure which he had given notice of bringing under the consideration of the House was not intended by any means to renew die subject of the Corn Lam ; In fact, the lamentable circumstances which called for that measure rendered the country unfit for a cool and dispassionate discussion of that question. He proposed it merely as a measure of temporary relief. Mr. PHILLIPS said, that any reduction in the price of corn would rat be so efficient to remove the distress as any measure which could procure employment for the manufacturers. Hs thought the importation of foreign corn would be a very great means of alleviating the distress which so unfortunately prevailed to such an alarming extent. Mr. ELLICE said that he felt so strongly the calamity which had come on the working classes, that he thought the present state of things should not be allowed to exist a single hour. Ile had himself come to the House with a determination to ask Government if they had any intention to propose any measure of relief for those dis tresses; and if he ascertained that Government had no such in tention, he was himself determined to make a motion to inquire into the state of the country. As Ministers had, however, taken up the question, he would inquire if it was their Intention to propose any other measure besides that which the Right lion. Gentleman had suggested to remove the distress which prevailed in Lance shire? He applied to the Government, because, from their superior means of information, they must be convinced of the necessity of adopting some measure to remedy the evils which existed. He trusted that no time would be lost in affording some relief for those evils. Mr. Secretary CANNING said It was not his intention to provoke discussion on the subject at that time. What he had to propose would come under the view of the House to-morrow. In the pre sent instance lie merely intimated to the House his intention of proposing such a measure to their consideration. Mr. ELLICE said, that under those circumstances he would re serve any further observations until the subject came before the House to-morrow. _ . _ Mr. WODEIIOUSE deprecated the situation of the country, and thought, that u no question was before the House, it was premature to enter into any discussion. Mr. See. CANNING said he should regret that any thing should transpire within the walls of that House which. should convey an impression, that In so critical a state of things theyhad set nut with any appearance of disunion. It would be very prejudicial to the interests of those whom they all wished to relieve, that such en idea should get sliost. Mr. WODEIIOI.7SE said that he fully appreciated those inten tions on the pert of Government ; they had his most cordial sup. port. But when they were told that Members of that House were deficient in feelings of honour (Cries of Order), and when the Noble Lord, the slember for Yorkshire--(Renewed cries of Order.) Mr. TIERNEY rose to order. The Honourable Member, he said, was adverting to subjects which were not before the House; and he conceived, by the line of observation in which he was in. dulging, was out of order. Mr. WODEHOGSE did not persevere in any further observa tions. _ _ Mr. JAMES said, It was disgraceful that the free labourers of England should be reduced to the state of misery lb which they then were. That distress arose from want of employment, and not from want of corn. It was no use to give them corn when they had not the means of purchasing bread. Ministers should give up their salaries to mitigate the miseries of the people. (Hear, hear.) In such a state of distress, ft would have been more considerate to ap. ply the ptiblic money to the relief of those distressed manufacturers than to expend nine thousand pounds in the purchase of three pic tures for the National Gallery. (Hear, hear.) He had heard of an unfortunate woman who had stolen a leg of mutton from a but. cher'e shop, who had been followed to her house, and was found distributing the meat without being dressed among her children. Another case as lamentable was related of a poor woman in a state of pregnancy ; and the state of distress was so great, that the people lay down in some instances to be trampled under the horses feet, preferring to be ilestroiied in that manner rather than to die of star. vation. Ile bad no knowledge of those facts himself, but from the statements which anpeaied in the newspapers. (Hear, hear.) He did not rise for the 'merriment of Honourable Members In that House. They might hear the few observations he had to make with patience. Ile could assure them it was the last time he would trouble them. Ile would not sit again in that /loose while affairs were conducted In the manner they were. He would not retain a seat in that House if he was to receive a thousand a-year fur that compliance. Mr. H. SUMNER here rose, 'Ste believe, to request a hearing for the Hondurable Member. Mr. JAMES continued.—He did not know that he had muck more in say on the question. Ile would be glad to know why the saints did not come forward to ameliorate the condition of those wretched people. If they were black people, they would soon have come forward. If such was the case, the table of the liouse would have been covered with petitions. If those people had sent down to the distressed districts the money which they had so uselessly and fruitlessly (he was satisfied it would turn out to be) expended in ge:ting up those numerous petitions, it would have contributed to remove those scene.' of distress which were to be seen at Black. burn. The Ministry, too, would have acted well to have given up part of the extravagant estimates of the present session for that purpose ; but it was a very strange mode of relief, that when the people asked for bread they gave thetas bayonets. Such relief as that he mad not understand. Ile, however, hoped that even at that period of the session those extravagant estimates might be reduced. Ale. T. WILSON said he thought the measure which was pro- posed would fall short of the object which it was intended to effect ; and he felt assurer!, if no other measures were devised for the relief of those poor people, they would find the present inefficient for the purpose designed. A meeting of the citizens sof .bondon would take place to-morrow, for the purpose of raising funds to meet the dis tresses of the people. They had been beforehand with Govern ment in their efforts to remove those evils which pressed upon the !Abend/1g classes. He hoped that the Government would come forward effectually, and make up whatever might remain deficient to relieve thpse people, after the subscription of the citizens should be carried into effect. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he hoped the citizens of London would conic forward with that spirit and alacrity which they had at all time. evinced, to mitigate the miseries of their fellow-creatures. Ile hoped their ardour in the cause of humanity . pould not be damned by anything wnich had fallen from the llongurable Member for London (Mr. T. Wilson). It was,a question beset by great difficulties (hear, hear), and should therefore be looked at with coultu.ss ; but what he should most deprecate would beordiat anything altould occur within the walk of Parliament to damp the exertieemof those who were possessed of the means to alleviate the distresses which unhappilpoOffird. He, would regret that anything in that H ous e m i g ht mph% those" feclinge of commiseration, or check the exercise of that humanity. which It was the duty and inclination of every Englishman to perform. Secretary PEEL said, no one more sincerely deprecated the distresses in Lancashire than he did, yet the duties of the situation be held imposed a necessity of repressinz insubordination. He would deprecate the interference of Parliament. He would state one reason why he would regret that interference: it wits because it was calculated to loosen the bonds which bound the lower to the higher classes ; those who possessed a superfluity of wealth would come forward to lessen the distress of the poor. lie hoped the meeting which was to take place to-morrow would effect much to wards removing the distress : a great deal had been done by indi viduals, and donations had been bestowed ; it was a subject which went to the feelings of every man, and he felt assured every effort would be made to remove those distresses. Sir JOHN WhOTTESLEY said he was anxious to express his satisfaction at the efforts which were being made to remove the distresses which prevailed. lie was sure the wealthy would come forward to remove the distress which prevailed. On a former oeca. sion, when great distress pervaded the county which he had the honour to represent (Staffordshire), the gentlemen of that county came forward to alleviate that distress; they entered into subscrip tions, and collected money for the relied the people: a committee was, at the same time, formed in London, to assist the g e ntl emen of Staffordshire, which was con d ucte d by a gentleman, to whose disposition to benefit his species it watt unnecessary for him to advert, and which was well known to the House end to the country—he meant Mr. Wilberforce. The funds which were ratted in the county would, however, h ave b een Insufficient to effect the object, had it not been for the co-operation of the coin mittee in London. The distress produced Insubordination, and he was himself called out to repress the tumults which took place. The commiseration which was evinced by the gentry to remove the miseries of the people, however, produced a degree of sympathy which had the most salutary effects. The people were grateful foe what had been done Mr them, and the good effects of the f te li e which had been than brought into soden veers kid observable in the conduct of the poorer classes of that county, than whom there were not a more correct and better-conducted elassof persons in England, If a similar plan was now adopted, and the citizens of London to operated, there could sot be a doubt but that effects simil ar to those which had been produced In Stafforisitire would no w b e effected in Lancashire. Mr. JOHN SMITH hoped the meeting to-morrow would be well attended, and that the gentry and nobility would not neglect to give their support to the laudable efforts which were being m at t e to remove the distress rat the manufacturer,. Mr. CURTEIS said, the distress in the agricultural counties of the South wee equally great with that which prevailed in the ma,, nufacturing districts. lie felt grateful to Alinisters for the courteous manner In which his applications relative to those die. tresses had been received; the Gentlemen opposite knew to what he alluded. Mr. Secretary CANNING begged to disclaim any intention of insidiously proposing the present partial measure of relief to prej tb , dice the greater question ; he would not, under cover of that measure, interfere with the other. with which it had, to a certain degree, at. finity ; and he expected from the Hon. Member who had joined. dressed the House, that he would not bring forward any other sub. jest which was not connected with the present measure. Mr. CURTEIS replied in the negative ; And after • few words from 3 1r. - ROBERTSON, the import of which we could not collect. 51r. Secretary CANNING gave notice, that he would move to. morrow for a Committee of the whole House, to consolidate the Act of 3 Geo, IV.. cap. 60. YORKSHIRE ELECTION BILL. On the modem of Mr. HUME, the Yorkshire Election Bill was readi second time. EAST INDIA IVRI7'ERS' BILL. Mr. HERRIES brought up the Report of the East India Writers' Bi.l ; the amendments were agreed to, anti it was then ordered to be read a third time • to-morrow. CONSOLIDATED FUND BILL The Consolidated Fund Hill wise read a third time, and passed. EAST INDIA NAVAL FORCE 811.1.. The Report of the East India Naval Force Bill was brought up, and ordered to be read a third time on Frick, next. ALIEN REGISTRATION BILL. The Registration of Aliens Bill was read a second time, and or. dual to be committed to.retormw. _ _ CHURCH RATES (IRELAND) BILL. The Churchj Rates (Ireland) Bill was read a titled time, and passed. WESTMINSTER IMPROVEMENT BILL. On the Report of the Westminster Improvement Transfer all being brought up, Mr. TIERNEY said he would propose to introduce a clans: into the Bill, to which he hoped no objection would be taken That in all cases, where two-thirds of the inhabitants ot a street were agreed to have it Macadamised, the remaining part should be compelled to assent to that proposition, after application in writing had been made to that effect to the Committee of Carriage-ways. Mr. ARBUTH NOT expressed his thanks to the Honourable Member for the clause he had proposed. Lord LOWTHER said that a person had offered to contract for Westminster Bridge for less than it cost to keep it at present in repair—he understood for 2001. per year. Mr. H. SUMNER said he believed the Noble Lord was mtg. taken in the amount ; the salary tor Mr. .31*Adam wan 3001., and not 2001. per year. Mr. CHOKER disapproved entirely of the plan of Macadamizing on the Kensington-road. Ile had observed that in three week, after the road was formed on that plan it was broken up in several parts. He thought the plan could not answer, it was so liable to get out of repair, from the nature of its construction ; a smooth light surface being formed without any substratum, as if it was intended for a garden or pleasure-grounds. He had taken a Member of the House with him, to whom he had pointed out the defect. He thought no road could be good which would re. quire such constant repair, and which would consequently be at. tended with great expense. Mr. J. MARTIN wished, as we understood, that Exeter 'Change should he taken down. Mr. ARBUTHNOT said that a clause to that effect had been introduced into the Charing. cross Improvement Bill. The plan for widening the Strand had given general and great satisfastion. Sir T. WILSON complained of the inconvenience whirl pas. sengers experienced, in consequence of the rapid rate at which gentlemen's equipages were driven through the streets, which often endangered their lives. He would suggest that broad crossings should be constructed to remedy that inconvenience. The Bill *as then ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. Mr. lIROUDEN brought up the Report of the Pris,m Laws (Ireland) Bill. The Bill was then read a second time, with the amendments, and ordered to be read a third time on Friday next. The Report of the Shire Halls Bill was brought up. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be read a third time to-mor. row, and then engrossed. The Middlesex Turnpike Trust Bill wss read a third time. The Destruction of Houses (Inland) Bill was read a third time and passed. IRISH REVENUE. Mr. M. FITZGERALD postponed his motion for papers re. feting to the Revenue of Ireland to to-morrow. Mr. T. COVRTENAY brought up the Report of the Select Committee on the pools rates returns. The Ow Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at half-past sic o'clock. DUTCH PA PE RS. BATAVIA, DEC. 7. A letter from Colonel Shiers. Resident and Military Command. ant of Padang, dated Nov. 15, and addressed to his Excellency the Govemor.(leileral, says—" The Capta'n of the Romlis being on the point of setting sill, I take the liberty to give tutu this letter to your Excellency, to give you the good news that to-day, at 0000 r I have formally concluded peace with Linto Palower, 50 kottas, and Agam, four districts of the Padries, which in a manner str. round our inland provinces, and have made war against us for so many yezrs. " By the first opportunity, which will not be long delayed, I shall have the honour of sending to you the particulars of the peace which I have concluded, and which I hope will be attended with advantageous consequences." MIDDLEBURG, APITL A letter from a surgeon on board his Majesty's ship Diana, dated Port Mahon, say.--4. We are all in good hea'tht; the ship must put to sea by the end of March, to join at S nynut w mt more vessels, and to cruise in the vicinity, one of our merchant!, en baying b.en plunderer; ih the Archipelago by a Greek ship, no that it it tines. stay to be vigilant. I shall now be able to obtain some news of the war between the Greeks and the Turks." HAGUE, APRIL n. fly a resolution of his Excellency the Minister of the Interior, it is ord:red that no pupils shall be admitted into the Philos°. phical College at Louvain, during the re,nsinder of the pr.'eat Academical year, and that in future pupils shall be admitted in the month of October only, when the lectures commence. The rea sons of this regulation are that new pupils continue to arrive whose admission, tionthat the curses of lectures have proceeded so fur, ChUgell difficulties in giving them Instructions, and the pupils themselves derive little advantage if they do not attend the lectures from the beginning. AMSTERDAM, APRIL `2l. The great building which served as a magazine for the Old East India Company. at Amsterdam, was sold by auction on the 17th, for the sum of 34.000 florins. Bzchange on London-40, 4. Two months-10, 1. The following letter was yesterday received at Lloyd's, from their Agent at Carthagena : British Consulate, Carthagena, April 18, ISM Sin—l have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of the ship-owners in general, that all merchant vessels touching at this port. either casually or otherwise, if u» provided with a bill of health, incur the penalty of one hundred ducats, and are subject to such quarantine as the Board of Health may think expedient. I have further to remark, that no meet hant. vessels are permitted to enter or sail trom this port between sun-set and sun-rise, tied In both cases are exposed to be tired at from the batteries. As ihe water has been gradually retiring from this port for some years, and the harbour has not been cleared for halls century, masters Of vessels should be instructed not to enter wi,hout a pilot, with which, on making the proper signal, they are immed.ately provided at trifling expense. John Bent:ett, Esq. I am, &e. &e. See. so-Lloyd's. CHAS. CHAMSER LAIN, 001311111. JEDBUitilail, Ar tt. 17.—This being a maiden Arise, the Town acrk, fwMtassre of the pmvinee of Jethurgh, word' ing to ancient usage s , presented tbis Ju and the functionaries of the Conti with white glove.. I said lad very great pleasure in accepting thi s ancient testiramill. he rc vetted he had occasion to receive niudi sehlomer than lie could de- sire. He was not fund of adding to the burdens of the country, but, although he could not venture to hope. yet he moat sincerely wished, that the town of Jcdburgh were put to the same charge every six months. _ . Friday the prisoners in the gaol of Ayr made 'heir escape, with the exception of one man, under sentence of mina• portstion for life. The twat number who left was 12, of whoa eight Iwtve been re-captured. Those alto still remain at large see Francis Donechie, James Strom°, George Carmichael, and ('serge 3l•Fitrlane. They are all under sentence of banishment, the first for life, and the others for 11 years. - - • - The three poor children who lost their lives at the late fire in Vere.street, were gestetday buried in one grave, in the burial ground,l Portugal-ittseet. Mr. Hawkins, who also lost his life at the same time, was buried in a grave near to them. beautiful article, invented and monn fi c iured by \'yse, We arc not at all sur p r i se d to see t h a t t he novel and street, in Ladies' Hata and Bonnets, last Spring. is again the pre vailing fashion for thi n • for it is, without doubt, the moat elegant and durable ever produ ced. of Ludgate- Doti aLE DissoLuvtosto—The dissolution of Parliament wl/1 be accompanied b the death of another old and valued Mei' lotion of the State, which bin exist e d u p war ds of 150 years. The State Lottery in at dm point of death ! The drawing to take place to-morrow, 3d May. is the last opportunity but one which the public will have otgaluilig a fonune by an insignificant risk-- Six Prizes of Twenty T Guineas—ao blanks. ' ~.