The Sun. — London, England, 1846-01-22 00:00:00

TOtrII 91Zittion ~- SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock. THE FUNDS.-(CLOSING PRICES.) ONE CLOSING PRICES OF BRITISH FUNDS. O'CLOCK. PRICES. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Arms...— 95% 95 95% 95% 3yer Cent. Consols Annuities 94%36 94% New 3% per Cent. Annuities 96% 97% 97 Long Annuities to expire Jan.lB6o 10% Ditto 30 years, Jan. 5, 1860.... 10% 10% India Stock 9 53 253 South Sea Stock Ditto New Annuities ... 94% Consols for Account... 95 95% 95 Exchequer Bills, 1,0004 I%d 22 20 22 Ditto 5001. Ditto Small 94% 95 pm. 22 pm. 22 pm. 22 GNR CLOSING O'CLOCK PRICES PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS. Brazilian Bonds Ditto, New, 1829 and 1639 8 1 1,4 Chilian Bonds 6 per Cent — Ditto Deferred Danish Bonds, 1825, 3 per Cent B9 Portuguese Bands, 4 per Cent .. Ditto, Account 6 0 14 60 Russian Bonds 81% Spanish 5 per Cent. 1840. Ditto, Deferred l7 Ditto. 3 per Cent — Ditto, Account Dividends on the above payable in London. Dutch, 2% per Cent . Ditto. 4 par Cent. Certificates 59% 113 95 t 4 PRICES OF PAI D . ELIS/NESS DONE CLOSING RAILWAY SHARES D ' AT ONE O'CLOCK. PRICES. Aberdeen Aberdeen,Banff, & Elgin 2%...... . Armagh, Coleraine, and Portrush l% Aylesbury and Theme.. 1% Belfast & County Down 2% Bideford andTavistock... 1% Birmin. and Gloucester. 100 Ditto New • 17% Birmingham and Ox ford Junction Birmingham & Leicester Direct 42s. Boston, Stamfd, &*. Birm. 225. Bridgewater & Minehead 425. ... .. % dis Bristol and Exeter Ditto, New Bristol and Gloucester... 30 ....„ Bristol and Liver. Junc . 2%,.,... Buckinghamshire % die Caledonian Ditto New 21,4 4 .. ..... „.... 4 Ditto Extension ..... 2 1 % 3 IA 31,4 Cambrian & Grand Junc 42s ...... Cam'cridge and Lincoln 1% Do. New Cambridge and Oxford l% Canterbury and DOver.. 1% — ••••- ..... •• Central K ent 2 1,4 Chelmsford and Bury... 1% Chester and Holyhead... 15 Chester and Manchester 425. — Chelteuham and Oxford 2 — Clydesdale Junction ..... 5 Cork Blackrock, and Passages Cork and Killarney Cork and Waterford ... 1% — Cornwall Cornwall & Cent'lDevon 2% Coventry, Nuneaton, Bir. and Leicester I 4 ...... Dartmouth, Torbay, and Exeter I . erby and Crewe ... Derby, Gainsbro', and Great Grimsby ...... ... 1% — . ... Derby, Uttoxeter, and 164 Stkord 2 %...... Direct Manchester ( Remington'e) Ditto (Rastrick's)...... 5 {4 ...... .. ... Di rec t. Northern 24 Direct Norwich Dublin and Armagh 1%..... Dublin and Belfast June 5 Dublin, Belfast, and "Coleraine Dublin and Galway..... 4 Dudley, Madely, and Broseley Dundalk & Enniskillen 2% Eastern Counties 141. 16s 22% % 22% Ditto New 61. 16s. 7% % p 7% p Ditto Perpetual, 5 par Cent, No. 1.......61. 13s. 4d.... 1 ,4 p Ditto ditto. No. 2... 4/. 135.44... A p EastDereh'ln andNor'ch 1 Eastern Union 25 .. ... Ditto, Quarter Shares 3 Ditto Extension Do. Ipswich and Bary 4 Norw'h 2' De. 1;x ten% to 2% Do., Camb. and Ely.. 2% East Lincolnshire East Sr West of England IN—... Edinburgh and Glasgow 50 ...... 2% Ditto Half Shares " ... 5 Ditto, Quarter Shares 1 7 2iP ...... — 13% .Ditto, New Edinburgh & Northern.. 1 Edinburgh and Perth... 3 Fly and Huntingdon ... 5 ....„. E nn iskillen and Sligo ... 2% — Essex and Suffolk .. ... I,‘ — Exeter, Dorchester, and Weymouth Exeter, Yeovil, & Dorset 2 13% 43/4 Glouc.,Aberystwith, and Central of Wales 1%...... 0% O% Goole and Doncaster .. 425. 2%% p 2l/s p Grand) Faction ...100 Ditto Half Shares 5O Ditto Quarters 25 Grand Union 1%.•.... Great Eastern &Western 2 1 ,4...... 114 ........ .... GreatGrims.,Lth.,Horn., Lin., and Md. June.— 42r....... GreatGrimsby and She lield Great South. and West. (Ireland) Ditto Extension Great Munster Great North of Scotland 2 ...... ereat Northof England..loo Ditto New 5 ie Do. New ... ........ 5 ...... 83 Great Western B5 l6lth Ditte IA Shares 5O — Ditto .4 Shares 5 Ditto Fifths Guildford, Fare'm, Ports. 5 ..... Harwich - dull and Selby SO Ditto ',4 Shares Po. Half Shares Inve,'ness and Elgin Ipswich, Norwich, and Yarmov.th Irish North Midland...... 1% Isle ofAxholme 2 Killarney:Junctions l4 --....... ..... .. ..... Kendal and Windermere 1 Lancaster and Carlisle... 30 Larne, Belfast, and Bal lymena Leeds and Carlisle Leeds and West Riding ;unction __ 1 1 ,4 33 161% 20 37 5% 2 IA 3 4 P Le,•, , ,,,:ter & Birmingham 223: - 00000 •••••••• L 3 /zi P eicester and Bedford... 22a. Lei , :eater and Tamworth 425. Livarp. and Itlanchester.loo _. Do. 1 ,4 Shares Pe. Qierters 25 Liverpool& Leeds Direct 2% .. ._ —.. . • Lpool., Mnchstr, & New castle Junction London and Birtaingholoo -22 S 223 Do. Thirds Do. 14 Sh ares 26% Ditto Fifths Ditto Extension ...... 144 - • • Lon,len and Blackwall. 16/.138.4d. 9 1 4 .. Do. New Ditto Extension London anti Brighton Do. consolidated Bths... 40 ....„ - Ditto, Fifths London and Croydon, 13/. 15s. 9d. 22% 22% Do. Guaranteed 5 per Cent. 10 ••• •• •• .. ••• 9 3 /4 Lap., Chel., 0x.,G10., and Her 'ford ............... 1% __ London ..:,udGreenwich 12/ 15a4d... Do. Prarzireuce ...18/175 2d — , .•• Loudon Hounslow , and Nesters .... ........ ... 2 ...... 11 /8 - ..... . . ... 1% Lond. & S.Western 411 6s 10d 7B 77 Do. New Consol. Sths 28 Do. New 6 Do. New .London& &nth Essex 2 3 4 ..-.. • London and York 2h 4% 9 1 4 3% 3 1 4 68:3/4 4% 1' ••• •• •.'.. • London and Windsor . London, Warwick, and Kidderminster ..... 214 - •••••• London, Salisbury, and Yeovil . . Londonderry&C,Oleraine 5 Londonderry and Ennis killen .....„ .. ....... .... 5 _ . Lyan and Ely Lynn and Dereharn .... 5 Manchester and Leeds.... 82 Ditto I / 4 Share s is 123 Do. Quarters 2 _ _ , Do. Fifths 1 Do. Sixteenths .„ 5 1 4 **** 12 1 ,i M a nchester and Birmi A 7 n. 40 Do. Quarters 4 "«.... .. 8 Do. New Quarters 9 %% Do. Continuation and Walsh Junction M an ,•biester , Bu xion t and Mei Nit ................. 42a...... 2%14, p 2 1,4 p mithebegtei, _Bina., and Mould Junctio n ..... - Manchester and Rugby Direct ................... 42a. - ••• • If tti , chest. &Southampt. 2 ..... 3 1 4 15 351 Z,,, miduod.... ........ .... ..... 100 ... —155 Do. ..fifths ............... 2 ...... .-- o. No\ " MidDland,Bhin,Derby...loo ......122 123... ...... Ilidld. & Easi• Counties 2%...... Midland Great Western (Irish) . . lh , 2 ...... ......... .... _. De. Exte a s. to E;ligo..• 2 3 A ..• .• IZoweastls and Darling t.„..„l. Junction2s ...... 60 59 ............ 59 A-IR. New Brandling.., 20 N - Irtsioitle *ad Berwick 10 Net. reastles.ndearlisle...loo Nov, "port& 4..ber wore ,,, 2 ,, z 7 .' gi Te „ItieSshatl Carlow." . .. 22 1 T 11lowr ; INinainaiskillen 21,4 — .... ...• ..... Newit ic,l3baifleld, and ..... Bost, WI . .. k . 2% 2' 3 N or gik; ,rixteptioa 2 4 li Orth .1110.411- I ‘p • • ..... •• • 17%...... 25 1 1 ''' . 9% 25% TEE SUN, LON'DON, THUKSDA7Y EVEN) "L, JANUAAVY OP, INC Do. Half Shares - -- - 3 . - 7 , 1 A IA 0 __ 74 Do. Exten. to Carlisle 14 34 3% Do. Ext. to Dalkeith 25 Ditto ditto North Devon North of Norfolk .. Northern and Eastern... 50 Do. Scrip Do. Quarter Shares... 12% Do. New - ... ...... . 18 N. Kent & Direct Dover 234 — ...... North Staffordshire 42s. ...... 4 p 4 p North Wales .. 3% — . 3% North and South Wales and Worcester . — Northern and Southern Connecting Norwich and Brandon... 18 Ditto New Northampton, Banbury, and Cheltenham Nottingham and Boston 2% — •• • • ......•••• Nottingm., Erewsh.Val ley, and Manchester... 2% Nottingham and Mans- field Oxford, Gosport, Ports mouth, & Southamptn 42 5. Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Oxford, Witney, and Cheltenham.... Perth and Inverness ... 2% ..... _ Pilbrow Atmospheric ... 1 ~ — Portsmouth Direct 3% 5 14 4 3/ Preston and Wyre Do. % Shares Reading, Guildford, and Reigate Richmond lO Rugby, Derby, and Man chester .. Rugby and Huntingdon 2 Rugby, Leamington,and Warwick Rugby, Warwick. and Worcester... h.. . ... ...... 8. - - Scottish Central Scottish Midland 5 Do. Extension N..— ...... .... ... Sheffield & Manchester 100 Do. Quarter Shares... 8 , Shrewsbury and Birm... 2 1 ,4.... .4% •••• •• • - Ail " Shropshire Mineral 425....... Shropshire Union Shrewsbury & Hereford 2%...... .. • ....... -••— Shrews., Wolverhamp., &S. Staffordah. June,. 2 1 Sligo and Shannon 1 Somersetshire Midland 25 South Devon South Midland 42s. - 3 p South & Midlands Juno. 425. - „ South StaffordshireJunc. 2 1 ,E South Eastern & Dover 3312 s 4d... Do., No. 1 Do., No. 2. Do~ No. 3 Do., Ne. 4 Soutampton, Manches ter. & Oxford Junction 425. .... • St. Alban's, Hatfield, and Hertford Junction ... 425. Staines and Richmond... 1 Staffordsh. & Shropshire 2 3 A South Wales ..... -•... ... 2% 3% 3 3 /4 Taw Vale Extension ... Tea.n and Dove Valley 1% Trent Valley Trent. Valley and Holy head Junction Tring, Reading, and Basingstoke Ulverstone and Furness 2 1 / 2 ..».. .... _ Vale of Neath Warwick & Cheltenham 1% Warwick and Worcester 425. Waterford and Kilkenny 4 Waterford and Limerick 754 Waterfd,Wxfrd,Wicklw, and Dublin 11 , aterford, Wexford, and Valentia Waveney Valley 2 Welch Midland - West Cornwall 2 ... West Yorkshire WestLondon,Old Shares 20 West End and Southern Counties Wexford and Carlow ... 2 h Wisbeach and St. Ives... 2 Wilts, Somerset, and Southampton Wilts, Somerset,& Wey mouth .. ... ..... 2 54 3 3 /4 3 3 /4 Worcester,Hereford,Ross, __ . . .. , and Gloucester 42s. ~. Worcester, Tinbury, and Ludlow 2 3 /4 __ Worcester and S. Wales 425. Worcester, Warwick, and Rugby Yarmouth and Norwich. 20 Ditto, New 2O York and Carlisle York and Lancaster 2 4 - York and North Midland 50 Ditto 1 / 2 Shares 25 Ditto Scarboro' Branch. 25 Do. Selby 3O Do. Extension FOREIGN RAILWAYS. Anglo-Belgian 4 Barbadoes 1 Boulogne and Amiens... 10 ...... 12 1 / 06.. ... Bordeaux & Mediterran. 2 Bordeaux,Toulouse, and Cette (Mackenzie's)... 2 .. ... 2 Do. (Espelete's) Calais, Dunkrk, and West Flanders Calcutta and Diamond Harbour .... 7s. Callao, Lima, and Pacific Coast — Central of Spain ... Ceylon Demerara 2% ...... .... — Dendre Valley ....... .. Dijon and Mulhouse ... 2 ... .. Dutch Rhenish .. 5 East Indian ... ..... .... ss. Eastern Belgian Junctn. 2% — — Fampoux & Hazebroak 4 Great North. of France Constituted • Great Indian Peninsular ss. Great Paris and Lyons 2 Great Western Bengal... ss. % 1% 1 Great Western Canada... 3 ...... Italian and Austrian 3 Jamaica S.Mid.Junction 1 Jamaica North Midland 1 Do. Extension 1 Jersey Louvain and Jemeppe... 4 ... . Lyons and Avignon Luxembourg. Madrid and Valentin.... 2 ... Mauritius Namur and Liege North Jamaica... ..... .... 1 - •• •II• .0 ...... .... Orleans and Vierzon ... 10 Orleans and Bordeaux... 6 ...... 11% . ll% Over Yssel Paris teLyons(Laffitte's) 1 Paris and Lyons (Gan neron's) Paris & Lyons, (Calon's) 2 ...... Paris & Lyons (Sud Est) 2 Paris and Orleans 2O Paris and Rouen Paris and . Strasbourg _ (Ganneron's) - 2 Do. (Compe de L'Est) 2 Do (Avmard ' s) - ••• ••• • • • •••••• - Paris andSt.Quentin Rotten and Havre ...... 16 ltoyalNortb. of Spam ... 2 - ... . , Sambre and Meuse ...... 6 .... 6 67i 5% Strasbourg and Bale ... 14 St. Laurence & Atlantic Tournay, Jurbise, Lan den, and Hasselt....... 4 Tours and Nantes (Mac kenzie's) ..• Do. do. (Lefebvre's' 2 Ditto (O'Neill's) 2 ...... • ••• Trinidad Verona and Ancona... 2 West Flanders .. 4 that an answer had been . received, which he would I read. [This merely stated that he (Mr. Parker) could not attend the meeting.] He went to the office of the Company, and he then found two other gentlemen who were ready to enter on their duties. But neither Mr. Parker or any other member of the Committee was present. He then wrote to Mr. Parker, stating that he had attended, and would require to see all the accounts. [The Learned Chairman continued to read several letters between him and Mr. Parker, the substance of which was, that Mr. Parker would not - accede to his wishes in affording him an opportunity of investigating the accounts. He now had placed befori them all that passed, and he thought they must all agree with him that more unworthy attempts to evade the object of that Committee were never made, and could scarcely be conceived.]—(Hear, hear.); To come to the conclusion that, because one member of the Committee had been called to the office that therefore the matter was settled, was indeed an appeal to their in firmity, and was perfectly in unison with the conviction he had entertained that the affairs of the Company had been mismanaged. The law on railways was now clearly elucidated, and that was, that a committee were answerable to the shareholders. —(Hear.) The opinion had been also taken of some of the must eminent law and equity barristers, and that opinion was not less unequivocal than the opinion of the judge, delivered recently on a case that involved the question. They had also given their opinion as regarded allottees of shares. They said, that persons who applied for shares, and had agreed to pay their deposits, were liable, provided that the scheme was a bond fide one. Moreover, that the provisional committee could not demand more from the allottees who had paid their deposits thaw 10 per cent. for expenses. It was also clearly laid down that when a company had failed, and that when a great number of the committee had not paid their money, being more anxious for obtaining premiums for their shares than for the success of the undertaking, that they would be liable for the whole amount. That Company had asked them for 17s. 6d. per share, which was more than, under the circumstances, they had a right to demand. He would propose that they . should give their deposits into the hands of the Protectionist Society, which, for five shillings a share, would try the matter with the provisional committee. He would conclude by proposing a series of resolutions. (These were deprecating the conduct of the provisional committee, and embodying the views of the chairman.) The resolutions were proposed and seconded, and an amendment also proposed and seconded, which gave rise to an angry and desultory discussion, - Which terminated in the Chairman vacating the chair. The meeting then separated, without either amendment or resolution being submitted. sanguinary nature, and one which has r been characterised by great barbarities on both sides. The result has been a great interruption to commerce and trade, and considerable inconvenience not only to her Ma jesty's subjects in this country, but also to merchants of all the world. It ought, therefore, to become, for every reason, desirable to terminate it. France, in con junction with this country. has determined, and we have every reason to hope, as the Gosernments of both coun tries are perfectly disinterested, and have no ob ject of their own, or any desire to interfere with their internal relations, that their desire to establish independence clay be successful. I also hope, my Lords, the freedom of commerce may be restored, and that there may be no obstacles in establishing it on a firmer basis. Your Lordships are aware that, in the course of the last year, a convention was agreed upon between this country and France to restrain the slave trade, and your Lordships will be glad to learn that it has been brought into immediate execution by the active co-operation of both parties. Feeling it as I do upon the sub ject of the slave trade, may be comparatively easy for me to dilate upon the horrors attending it ; but, as I know your Lordships do not require to be roused, and as I keow every information has been afforded on that subject, I shall refrain from doing it. Neither do I feel it necessary to enter into any historical account of the efforts that have been made by this country to abolish the slave trade. It was at one time considered that this country could not devote so much attention to the subject, and that we ought to assert our own mari time rights, but I am glad to hear that so ardent a desire now prevails to abolish this obnoxious traffic. But, my Lords, notwithstanding this, the feeling still exists, and, .therefore, it must be satisfactory to know that France is now, for the first time. actively co operating wi hus for the suppression of this trade. My Lords, we must all join in that wish which has been ex pressed by her Majesty, that the cor dial understanding which subsists between her Majesty and her powerful allies may continue and we may also hope that the statesmen of both nations will seek not to rival one another, but be actuated by no other motive than that of benefiting mankind. It may be said that we have purchased this co operation rather dearly by the sacrifice of the right of search, which has hitherto been held as essential to the real carrying out any treaty for the suppression of the slave trade. But when I know that the French Govern ment are assailed upon this point for having given way, and that they are accused of having established a new right of search, as prejudicial as the former one, the conclusion I have announced is the only one to which I could come. For myself, I believe that a practical method has been discovered for putting an end to the traffic in slaves. It must be a subject of congratulation to your Lordships that the negotiations have been entrusted to the hands of two men—the Duke de Broglie and Dr. Lushington— so ably calculated for the purpose. We cannot ,hope for an immediate suppression of the slave trade, but we may expect that, by the vigilance of the united cruisers of France and Great Britain, an effectual check may be put to this dreadful traffic. My Lords, I now proceed to that part of her Majesty's speech re specting our relations with the United States of America. Yeur Lordships will, I am sure, cordially join in the regret expressed by her Majesty that the conflicting claims which exist remain unsettled, and I am sure you will cordially approve of the steps which her Majesty may take to bring to an amicable conclusion the differences which exist. Speaking a common language, and of a common origin, I hope the negotiations will be attended with complete success. The progress of the negotiations may be at tended with disadvantages, but they will be, I have no doubt, ultimately overcome. My Lords, a Noble Lord has carried on a successful negotiation on a former occa sion, and I have no doubt but a, similar successful termination will be come to on the subject which at present threatens the peace of this country. My Lords, permit me to express my confidence that in his hands it will be brought to an amicable conclusion. I now come to that part of her Majesty's Speech which an nounces that some increase in the estimates of the army and navy are necessary ; and in doing so, permit me to say that it is necessary that such should take place to protect the increasing and widely extended commerce of this great country. Such will be necessary for the protection of our commerce, and will be required to guard also the interests of the national honour wherever it may be endangered. I now come to the next part of her Majesty's Speech, in which her Majesty calls upon Parliament to take such measures, in the present state of many districts in Ire land, as may be efficient to meet the exigencies of the case. Her Majesty regrets that she should be compelled to allude to such a painful subject, but the state of matters are such as to ask your assistance for securing a measure to meet the evil complained of. Your Lordships will have observed in the public journals, as well as we have learned from other sources of information, the necessary reports in reference to this matter, to which it will not be necessary for me to do more than allude to ; and from those, I am sure, and feel confident, that you will sympathise with her Majesty in reference to this state of things ; and I also feel certain that you will take her Majesty's recom mendation into your most serious consideration, with the object of deciding upon such measure as will effect a settlement of this state of things, and bring about the happiness and security of this country, giving our fellow subjects there an efficient remedy. Her Ma jesty has also brought under your notice the disease that has affected the potato crop ; and on that subject I am sure your Lordships will share with her in the anxiety on account of the great failure that has taken place in that, which has become an important nece-sary in life. Failures in the potato crops have been known before, but never one so fatal nor so exten sive in its operations. It not only visited this country, but also other countries; and is not only more destruc tive than any former visitation of the kind, but also dif ferent in its nature. No part of the country has been excepted, but England and Scotland are not so far affected as some other countries of Europe. I must say, however, that had England and Scotland alone been visited, perhaps we could have proceeded, trusting to the known industry and character of the people—to have met it by ordinary means, but the state of Ireland was such—the ravages of the disease in that country had been so great, as shown by the ac counts received from there, as to show that some extra ordinary remedy was necessary to meet the evil. Your Lordships knowing these disastrous state of things, will lam sure feel deeply gratified that her Majesty, with her usual care for the welfare of her people, has suggested measures to mitigate the evil, which her Majesty, in the emergency has gone to the full extent of the powers of the Crown us order to do so. I feel confident that you will cheerfully co-operate in carrying forward the good work, so as to provide a remedy not only to avert the present evil, but also to provide f ur an y f u t ure seas on s o f scarcity that may arise. , . move tbit the oatirof suprAnaey—tliat absurd oath--L -should he abolished, so far as it affected her Majesty, her heirs and successors, as well as her subjects. The SPEAKER said that the Hon. Gentleman should be aware that no notice of motion could be given for a later day than the sth of April.— (Laughter.) Sir VALENTINE BLAKE—Then I will give notice for the sth of February.—(More laughter.) The SPEAKER—That is anoCier motion, and it is impossible to give two motions on the same subject. DISTRICT LUNATIC ASYLUMS. Sir C.ICAIIEft gave notice that he should on Thurs day, the 19th, move for a Committee to inquire into the subject of district lunatic asylums. ORT TIME BILL. ..„ . _ Lord ASHLEY gave notice that he should upon some future day, bring i❑ a Bill to reduce the time of labour in factories ; also, that upon some future day he should bring under the consideration of the House the state of the juvenile population of some parts of London and Southwark. THE SIIIP ECLAIR. 'Dr. BOWRING gave notice that to-morrow lie should move for copies of the correspondence upon the subject of the epidemic in the .hip Eclair; also for copies of the cor respondence relative to the house of Keys, in the Isle of Man ; also to confirm the resolutions of tl.e Committee upon colonial matters. ail ftccident with which merit bad nothing to do, that I was made the minister for the dispensation of consider able wealth among the population of that district. There was ; consequently, a great opportunity afforded me of largely directing the energies of those around me, and as the dispenser of the wealth which had been confided to me, and without any merit of mine, I became intimately acquainted with their state and condition, and I observed that when the rumours of a difference with the United States was spread, and the commercial relations of the country were likely to be disturbed, and the employment of the people grew defi cient, that the provisions always became dearer, and the people were more than proportionately distressed. When trade again revived in the follow ing year the people were relieved, the price of provisions dec-hused, and when the reaction had fully taken place it terminated invariably in an increase of the enjoyment and the happiness of all the inhabitants of the district, and in what might be called their per- Manent relief. W'hrn changes again occurred, I found that the difficulty was renewed, and the people again in distress. After that there were labourers enough to be had, but the difficulty thee was to find labourers fit to do the work. I see, then, that this evil can only be recti fied by Parliament; and if I were to describe the matter in the words and on the authority of one far more competent to form an opinion than I am, and who, from his residence in Manchester and its neighbourhood, is far more competent to give and opinion than I am—and I find from his report that at the end of 1841, when trade was beginning to revive, the business, as it in creased, also produced a beneficial effect cn the state of the people, and that as it progressed both the labourers and the manufacturers, and especially the spinners, all im proved in their position, and a general plenty prevailei. But the main cause of this distress, whatever opinions other people may form upon the subject, has had its origin in a deficient harvest and the fiti'ure of the potato crop, and taken in connexion with the circua.- stance that this catastrophe has been generally felt abroad, so that it has been almost an impossibility to obtain any supplies from thence. I ask any person who is connected with the manufacturing districts, if their thoughts did not involuntarily recur to those seasons of high price and distress which, I hope, will not again return in this country ? It men's hearts did not fail them for fear of the prospect of anything like high prices recurring again. But, I may be told, and fairly told, that the abundance of which I speak, and which has, in some mea sure, contended against the evil of that time— that these restrictive laws which I propose to con sider had no effect in continuing these high prices. Others again will contend that abundance has been the consequence of these laws. Now, whatever change of opinion I may have undergone, I have no right to ques tion the sagacity, or still less the sincerity of those who continue to entertain this supposition. But my observation is, that if you, as a Government, undertake to control the supply of subsistence for the people— (Hear, hear)—if you attempt to spread the people's table with whatever profusion you will, still you will find it impossible to satisfy the masses of the people, but rather you will send them away with appetites unsatisfied. The present abundance; you may call sufficient, but no man can pronounce it to be excessive, as, after all, it is only a matter of comparison, and it is an assumption equally dangerous and hazardous to the landed proprietors and to the protectionists.—(" Hear," from the Opposition.) I am not of opinion that we should be so dependent upon foreign countries, as some Hon. Gentlemen would imagine. I have no fear that we shall be at the mercy of foreign states. I am not afraid of any such danger, nor indeed can I see any grounds for such a fear. History tells me that no such danger will follow. History tells me that when Napoleon was in the plenitude of his power no such danger threatened, though at that period there was much more grounds for such a result. —(hear, hear.) In the year 1810 there was a scarcity of corn, and the quantity imported into this country was 1,600,000 quarters, and of this amount there came from France 500,000 quarters. I well know that a certain Marshal, who was raised to that dignity by Napoleon, and he was one who benefited largely by the smuggling of that commodity; and this would be found to be the case again if anything like a war should arise. I wish I could rely on you that you would without com plaint pay some penalty - for haVing maintained a system has been so repugnant to public opinion ; but I am consoled by feeling that there has beet) a period in this country in which temporary causes would create so many opportunities and so large means to absorb the temporary and local superfluity of labour, as the great public works in progress in this country represent.—(Hear, hear.) If I look again to extensions of our foreign relations, there has seldom been a period which presented a greater prospect of more extended intercourse between this and foreign countries. Never was it more necessary to preserve peaca and good-will, and prevent the effects of mutual animosities between this and other countries.—(Hear, hear.) In considera tion of these questions, the labouring classes should be foremost in the minds of the Members of the Legislature, but if I look higher, I believe there is no class in this country who will leap greater advantage froui a just settlement of this much-agitated question than the ma nufactures of food.—(Cheers.) Whatever may be the opinions of Hon. Members, I believe that their remunera tion would be ample in removal of the dissension which at present agitate our country.—(Cheers.) I cannot con template this subject without the greatest solemnity of feeling. This brings me to a part of the subject which it is difficult for me to enter upon without perhaps, in peculiar circumstances, incurring the suspicion of many Honourable Members ; and tha; reason alone would be sufficient to me to induce me to refrain from originating any difference of opinion in the House on this occasion, for I hope that the House will be, at least, unanimous in replying to the Speech from -the Throne. I hope, I say, that I shall not introduce any topic which shall degenerate into an angry discussion. And, fortunately, it is not' ne cessary for me to do so on this occasion ; and I ask, what have you to expect from such proceed. ings? Think you that they will improve the condition of the country ?—or do you suppose that bribery and chicanery will do more for us than imgenuity and expe rience? It was a warfare most unwise, from which nothing but a disastrous result can come, and which, should it come, as come it will, if this warfare is con tinued, will only rend and convulse the country from one end to the other, and give our common enemies an opportunity of stepping in and invading the land. —(heer, hear, and cheers.) These, in my opinion, are well worthy of the attention of Parliament and this House, and I trust they will receive that full, deliberate, and dispassionate investigation which their importance deserve. Such a step as this would put an end to the dangerous and useless dis cussions which are taking place out of doors— which, if continued, I must be allowed to say, without evincing any unbecoming or disrespectful feeling for the manufacturing body, whose good opinion I am always desirous of maintaining, will cover the face of the nation with waters that will ultimately flow back, and leave our great national landmarks uninjured and untouched. I doubt whether this would be the case with your abodes of peaceful industry. There is this difference between your machinery and that which comes fresh from its great Creator.—(Cheers.) The trade of agita tion is not a very mysterious one—it is not of difficult acquirement, and unfortunately it re ' commends itself to the popular taste.—(Cheers.) I can imagine no' better tutor in that school ' than a man of liberal education, of ruined means, of no principle, whose senses of real or imaginary wrongs; whose sense of fallen fortunes makes him a fitting leader for this agitation in the manufacturing districts. Such a man choosing his time is certain to become popular. Such a man choosing his time must create the greatest confusion throughout the country ; and I with others dread this system of agitation It is directly opposed to our whole social system, and if we look to the views which they inculcate, if we lcok to the purpose which they are intended to promote, if we look to the individuals who give their leisure to such agitation, who move air, earth, and water to compass their ends, surely we would be performing our duty by ridding the country of a law which leads to so much contention.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, it is with these views that I have endeavoured to express my concurrence in the propositions contained in her Majesty's Speech, and thus it is that I have undertaken the office which 1 have so inadequately performed. I will not further trench on the patience of the House by referring to the other topics contained in the Speech ; I believe that they involve nothing which can lead to any serious discussion in this House, and I believe I will best discharge my duty by at once moving the Address. The Noble Lord concluded by moving the Address, which was, as usual, an echo to the Speech. Mr. B. DENISON then rose and said—Sir, I hope the House will not think me guilty of great presumption in rising to second the Address which has been moved by the Noble Lord the Member for South Lancashire. The only apology I can offer for presuming to occupy the attention of the House on the present occasion is that, in consequence of the lamented de cease of a ' Noble Lord who recently filled the office of President of the Council, I am th e s i ng m c iul kingdom,lni o t y n r a e n p d r t e iai s e e h n ap t le a fp. t — i n v e (a Otoi population np t o h es e ift l wo a nb r ce e hb s e t eiconstituency o y n f r n e othe e l industrious population, and their industry is occu pied in agricultural, in com merc i al, and in manufactur iitngi s pursuits d of ll almost deubt everytba that description.—Cheers.) population atinnhas been Now looking Speech from the Withmorethanordinary anxiety to her throneMapptoitin o so her che Perhaps I m ay b e j ustified in stating that the coni:rasstri)-- Par liament on thi s occas i on. —(Loud d o tuency have evinced the greatest anxiety to have the nature of the measures which her Majesty's Ministers intend to propose fur the prosperity of this kingdom, and that they await with great interest the develope ment of those measures.—(Hear, hear.) In her Majesty's Speech from the throne, she states that she continues to receive assurances from all Foreign Powers, of the continuance of friendly and cordial feelings. With regard to the conduct of the Emperor of Russia, and the King of the French, I must say, that this kingdom is under great obligations to those monarchs for the part they have taken in preserving the peace of the world; for I would take the liberty of asking what could more effeetually arrest the prosperity of this great nation than a bloody and expensive war ? —(Hear, hear.) The King of the French has entered into an alliance with our gracious Sovereign for the suppression of the horrid slave trade. But not withstanding their friendly assurances we cannot have failed to observe that some danger threatens us from the western hemisphere. I trust that nothing will be left undone by this country, to prevent a breach of the present friendly feeling with America, for no doubt the whole would suffer by such a breach ; and it is my opinion, and I trust the opinion of this House, thet we are bound to use every effort to prevent a bre°-' with our Western relations.—(Hear, hear.) taining those views. I think her I+ l - • , enter ( ...A.ajesty'a Ministers MINES. Real del Monte Unregd. JOINT STOCK BANKS. Australasia DIRECT SHEFFIELD AND MACCLESFIELD RAILWAY. —lt appears that from some inadvertence a repetition of the mistake made originally in the Times, and: copied by us, was inserted in our Afternoon Edition. We have reason to feel convinced that the standing orders have been hitherto strictly complied with, and that this is one of the bond fide schemes which will go to Parliament. GREAT WELSH CENTRAL RAIL WAY COMPANY.—:THIS DAY.) The adjourned meeting of the scripholders of this Com pany was held t o -d a y, a t th e Ki ng ' s H e ad Tavern, Poultry, for the purpose o f h ear i ng the report of the committee ap pointed at the last meeting to report on the proceedings of the provisional committee. The CHAIRMAN (D. W. llarvey, Esq.), having read a letter from Mr. Parker, of Aldborough, stating his inability to attend, but expressing his concurrence in the views ex pressed by the Chairman at a former meeting, said it would be in the recollection of the meeting that on the Bth instant a committee of , five shareholders was appointed to examine into the financial circumstances of the Company. As Chairman of that Committee, it devolved on him to re port to them what had passed between them and those gen tlemen on the Provisional Committee of the Company. He regretted to say that what had occurred prompted him to retract the favourable opinion which he had ex pressed on the question. They should bear in mind the dates of the occurrences he was about to state. On the 10th it was arranged between him and Mr. Parker that they should meet at the office of the Company in Clement's-lane, •at three o'clock that day. He met there Mr. W, Ellis, Mr. Parker, and Mr. Doorman, the secretary of the Company, who concurred in his expres sion of regret th a t they kad beau so prompt in dealing with the g 0 w hdeposits,ers t o dividehic h ththey; money.attribute H d e t r o eg th ue e s d te e d si t r o e b o e f ftehrenGisiaiesd ipeeiitdh was as eAtp p y rw ol u t c h w e ....4 acco me im n t g s, sti and an account of various bills the rest, one item of 17,0001., inalang altogether something less than 40,0001. He requested to be furnished with a copy of the other accounts, but this Nvas refused by Mr. Parker, who said that be could not do so until the consent of the Committee should have been obtained, but promising, /it the same time, to forward him the same. That copy be had ueyer received. On the Monday after he saw Mr. Stafford, and. it was agreed that the Co ll owitlg Thursday should be appointed for of their Committee. He had, d a letter from Mr. Parker. in the meantime, ree4iVe _ the first meeting I Stafford, stating that be bed examined (The Chairman here read the letter, which inclose d a copy of Et letter from r. prove W the accoun ts, was riven to t rust s etter to the e ff ect that f ac tory.) A replya A l ai in detail, and that the wl4ch the writer would the accounts bad not been d at the former meeting to rere meeting of those sppolate _ prejiminary r ro sent the remakiing shareholders was merc OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. In consequence of the above event the long walk lead ing from the Palace to the Horse Guards was crowded at an early hour in the day by people who seemed inclined to submit to all the inclemencies of the morning in order to catch a glam,e of the Queen and her consort, Prince Albert. By one o'clock in the afternoon the crowd had very much increased, so much so as hardly to leave any passage down the walk, and, in fact, every place that seemed to offer any opportunity for a good view was eagerly occupied and retained. Strong bodies of the F division of the police were posted at intervals in the crowd in order to prevent any disturbance, and the ground for the passage of the royal carriages was kept clear by a detachment of the Life Guards. Precisely at 25 minutes to two o'clock, the band of the Royal Horse Guards commenced playing the National Anthem, and in about five minutes after the procession made its appearance from the gates of Buckingham Palace. The weather, which during the whole morning had been boisterous and lowering, happened then to clear up, and the brilliant cortege, escorted by a detachment of the Horse Guards, presented a very grand appearance. The procession moved very slowly—in fact it was impossible to do otherwise, as the carriage which contained her Ma jesty was literally besieged by persons anxious to see their Sovereign. The cheering was not very general or loud ; but that may be attributed to the extreme difficulty of any vocal demonstration, while every one was struggling to obtain the best possible view, and moving in a very dense crowd. The gallery of the Duke of York's Column was quite filled with spectators, and the steps leading to it presented the ap pearance of the pit of a theatre on boxing-night. The large square behind the Horse Guards was filled, as the crowd had followed the royal carriage from the Palace, and all further motion was there prevented by the shutting of the gates leatiing to Parliament-street. The band stationed there struck up the national anthem and the infantry presented arras. Parliament-street and Bridge-street were also thickly crowded, and very great eagerness to follow the royal carriage was also manifested there, but such a proceeding was checked by the constables stationed to prevent any disorder. On the arrival of her Majesty at the Houses of Parliament a royal salute was fired from some guns stationed by the side of the river, and after the entrance of her Majesty the crowd remained as thick before, anxiously awaiting' her re appearance. The ut most order and regularity was maintained by the police, who were admirably stationed, so as to be able to act immediately in case of any untoward circumstance re quiring their aid. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. (THIS DAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The gallery of the House of Lords was opened at twelve o'clock, for the admission of strangers, as was also the body of the House, and long before one o'clock every place devoted to that purpose was filled with ele gantly-dressed ladies. The number of Peers was far greater than we re member for many years past. Among the great number present we noticed Lord Monteagle, Lord Lang dale, the Earl of Sheffield, Lord Beaumont, the Earl of Charlemont, the Earl of Bandon, the Duke of Beaufort, the Earl of Zetland, Lord Mid dleton, Lord Campbell, the Earl of Devon, the Duke a Norfolk, Lord Hawarden, the Marquis of Clanricarde, Lord Camoys, Lord Stanley, the Marquis ofily lesbury, the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Earl of Stradbroke, the Earl of Cardigan, Lord Redesdale, the Earl of Eldon, and the Earl of Selkirk. Among the Ministry we noticed the Earl of Aberdeen, the Duke of Buccleuch, and the Earl of Haddington. The Duke of Wellington arrived shortly before one o'clock. His Grace appeared in excellent health and spirits. The Duke of Cambridge arrived about half-past one, and was followed shortly afterwards by Prince George of Cambridge. Among the judges we observed Lord Chief Justice Tyndal, the Lord Chief Baron Pollock, Mr. Justice Erle, Mr. Justice Cresswell, Mr. Justice Maule, Mr. Baron Parke, Mr. Baron Platt, Mr. Justice Patteson, and Mr. Justice Coleridge. Among the Bishops present were the Bishop of Win chester, Prelate of the Order of the Garter ; and the Bishop of Oxford, Chancellor of the Order of the Gar ter ; the Bishop of Worcester, and the Bishop of Ely. There was a most numerous attendance of the corps diplomatique. At ten minutes past two o'clock the report of cannon announced her Majesty's arrival at the House of Lords, and in about five minut( s afterwards her Majesty, at tended by his Royal Highness Prince Albert and the great Officers of State, entered the House, and took her seat on thejThrone. The Duke of Wellington bore the sword of state, the Earl of Zetland the cap of main• tenance, and the Duke of Argyll the crown. Her Majesty being seated on the Throne, Sir Augus tus Clifford, the Usher of the Black Rod, by herNlajesty's command then summoned the Members of the House of Commons to the House of Lords. Shortly afterwards the iSpeaker, attended by a great number of Members appeared at the bar, when her Majesty in a clear and distinct voice, read the Speech (for which see another column.) The House then adjourned till five o'clock. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack shortly after Five o'clock. Earl Grey, Earl Pomfret, the Bishop of Oxford, the Earl of Verulam, and Earl Spencer, took the oaths and their seats. VESTRIES ACT. The Duke of WELLINGTON introduced the Select Vestries Bill, which was read a first, and order ed to be read a second, time. HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH—THE ADDRESS. The LORD CHANCELLOR then read her Majesty's most gracious Speech from the Woolsack, which being re-read by the Clerk at the table, The Earl of HOME then rose to propose the Address. He said My Lords, in rising to propose an humble and dutiful Address to her Majesty, in answer to her Majesty's gracious Speech, which your Lordships have just heard read, I am gratified in being able to think that in what I shall have to prop , se to 3 on, there will be no difference of opinion or any division of sentiment. It is satisfactory to think that the subjects treated of in the Speech are not surrounded by such difficulties as call for any particul r comment or power of explanation ; if they did so, I am totally sensible of my own deficiency to grapple with them. I will not occupy more of your Lordships time by adverting to anything personal to myself, but will at once proceed to the few remarks I shall coesider it my duty to make in proposing the motion with which I shall conclude. I feel bound to congratulate your Lordships upon the continued assur ances which Her Majesty has informed us she has re ceived from all foreign Powers of their desire to cultivate the most friendly relations with this country. I am aware, my Lords, that for a se ries of years it has constantly been the habit in the Speech from the Throne to state that the Sove reign continued to receive assurances from foreign rowers of their desire to cultivate the most friendly relations with this country, and therefore it might be considered as a matter of course to congratulate the Sovereign on this, and that it was merely re peating what has been said before. Now, in truth, the very fact of that repetition is most gratify ing, and every year's prolongation of peace ought Yo make us sensible of the advantages and blessings of peace, and more highly to prize the skill and judgment of those by whom it has been maintained. Her Majesty informs us that she rejoices that, in concert with the Em peror of Russia, and through the success of their joint mediation, she has been enabled to adjust the difficulties which bad long prevailed between the Ottoman Porte and the King of Persia.—(Hear.) The settle ment of that question may not at first sight appear'of great importance to this country, or to have any direct bearing on the peace of Europe or the world, but when we take into consideration the vast in terests we have in the East, the importance of such a consummation cannot be overlooked. I t w h h e lv i which co-operation now d raw M d r aj a we sot a yf ttention to a subject, respecting a pow e rful o h w a had the ful the ally happiness in t o obtain pacification. I allude to the war which has long existed in the states of Rio de la Plate. These states were ori ginally de?endent, as your Lordships are aware, and In achieving their independence differences have arisen to make a war, whigh lips been one o' a most SUMMARY. He saw no difference between the Government and the Anti Corn-law League, or why Mr. Cobden should not be created a Peer.—(Cheers.) The Anti Corn-law League had done all the mischief, but he trusted the House would never succumb to that body or its money. —(lf they got rid of protection at all, they must get rid of it altogether. He would not move any amendment, but he entered his protest against that clause in the Speech which related to the relaxation of protective (lades. Confidence in Sir R. Poel might exist in some quarters, but not among the generality of the middle classes. Why did not Sir Robert Peel in the present question appeal to the country that 'a as, all the agricultural body, (LEFT SPEAKING.) HOUSE OF COMMONS. The SPEARED. took the Chair at twenty minutes to two o'clock. Exactly at a quarter past two, at which time there were about 150 Members present, the Usher of the Black Rod, Sir Augustus Clifford, appeared at the bar of the House, and summoned the Commons to attend the House of Lords, in order to hear her Majesty's Speech read. The Speaker, preceded by the Mace -bearer, and fol lowed by a considerable portion of the Members, imme diately left the House, in obedience to her Majesty's command. In about ten minutes the Speaker returned, and hay icg, read the Speech, the House adjourned till a quarter to four o'clock. The House re-assembled at four o'clock, and the SPEAKER having taken the chair, the new Members for Wigan, Windsor, Walsal, Southwark, Warwickshire, Antrim County (Ireland), Woodstock, Hereford, and Hertford shire, took the oaths and their seals. Upon the motion of Mr. YOUNG, a new writ was moved for for the boroughs of Selkirk and Newark, and also for the shire of Bute, in the room of the Hon. James Stuart Wortley, who had accepted the office of her Ma jesty's Judge-Advocate-General. Mr. TUFNELL moved for the issue of a new writ for the West Riding of Yorkshire, in the room of the Hon. Mr. Wortley, now Lord Wharneliffe. The same Hon, Member moved for the issue of a new writ for the city of Cork, in the room of Mr. Sergeant Murphy, who had accepted the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds; The same Hon. Member moved for the issue of a new writ for the borough of Cashel, in the room of Dr. Stock, who had accepted the office of the Chiltern Hundreds.: Writs were also moved for the division of East Sussex, in the place of Mr. Darby, who has accepted the Corn missionership in the service of her Majesty , an d for Midhurst, i n the place of Sir Horace Seymour, who has accepted the stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds Lord J. RUSSELL gave a notice which was inaudible in the gallery. RAILWAY BILLS. Sir R. PEEL---I wish to give notice, Sir, that I shall, on Monday next, move for the appointment of a Com. mitten of the whole House, with a view to ascertain the course which the House shall pursue, with respect to the Bills which will be submitted during this session for the making of railways. COMMERCIAL I OLICY OF THE COUNTRY. Sir R. PEEL—I also, Sir, beg to give notice that, on Tuesday next, I shall move for the appointment of a Committee t o cons id er w h at s h o uld be the future com mercial policy o f th e coun try. LEGACY DUTY. Mr. HUME gave notice of a m otion for a return, on an early day, of the amount of legacy duty which has been paid on personal property during the laut year. INTERMENT IN CITIES. Mr. COLQUHOUN gave notice that he should shortly move for a Committee of Inquiry,. similar to that which he had endeavoured to obtain during the last session, for showing the impolicy of making interments within the precincts of certain towns and cities.—(Laughter, and " Order, order.") OATH OF SUPREMACY. Sir VALENTINE BLAKE, who spoke from the gallery, gave notice that on the sth of May he should ABSENTEEISM. Sir VALENTINE BLAKE gave notice that he would bring in a Bill on the subject of Irish drainage by ab sentee landlords; also to appropriate the revenues of the Protestant Church to increasing the pay of curates and small incumbents ; also for a Bill to enlarge the elective franchise of Ireland, and also to make the legislative union of Ireland something more than a mere parchment union, but a legal and proper one. THE ADDRESS, The SPEAKER then read her Majesty's Speech (for which see another column). Lord FRANCIS EGERTON rose and said—l rise, Sir, upon this occasion, for the purpose of pro posing an Address to her Majesty in return to the Speech we have just heard. It ie my misfortune that I cannot offer the ground for your indulgence which Hon. Members that filled a similar situation have fre quently had it in their power to give. Precisely twenty years have elapsed since under the auspices of Mr. Canning, I acted in a similar situation to that which I now occupy, in the House; but I can truly say that since the lapse of those twenty years I never rose to address an assembly with less confidence in my own discretion, or reliance on any power of mine, to deserve the indulgence or com mand the sympathies of this House. I hope, therefore, that on other grounds—on the grounds of the import ance of the juncture which calls us together, and the difficulty which even the most experienced in this House feel in rising to address it under such circumstances — I hope that the House will extend to me that consideration and indulgence which, in 1826, per haps, I had the better claim to ask for.—(Applause.) I think it will be most for the convenience of the House that a brief review be made of the topics mentioned in her Majesty's Speech, topics which I hope will meet with the unanimous concurrence of the House.—(Hear.) The observations of her Majesty respecting our re lations with France are matter of congratulation to my self, and must be equally so to 'gentlemen on either side of the House, believing, as I do, that the peace and happiness of Europe—and more than the peace and happiness of Europe namely, the progress of civilisation, and generally of good government in all parts of the world, depends more upon the continuance of amicable relations between the two countries than any other measure which human sagacity could suggest. Rejoicing, as I do, at this guarantee for the general peace and happiness of the world, 7 cannot help looking with proportionate distress and anxiety to another part of her Majesty's address, which relates to our connexion with another part of the world. I cannot but look with the deepest regret to that part of the Speech which refers to the probability of England being called [upon to maintain her honour and her rights, as well as to afford that protection which she owes to some of her loyal subjects in one part of the world, by a resort to other than friendly measures. I most especially should regret it' any differences or diffi culties should render it necessary for us to termi nate our friendly relations with a community which speaks the same language as ourselves, and who have so many institutions in common with our own. But I am sure that neither the present, nor any other Govern ment, will be justified in looking to our relations in that part of the world to which I refer with any other feel ing than that of a cordial desire to maintain, by every means consistent with honour and justice, the rights of both nations, but, nevertheless, we shall still be able to continue, upon cordial terms of friendship, our inter course and amity with that great and im portant confederacy, the United States of America. Apart from all those considerations, and utterly inde pendent of them, I will say that there is t.o portion of her Majesty's Speech which I consider of more impor tance than that part which refers to our national de fences. On this subject I will say no more than that if it were left out it. would reflect little cr. dit on those who had advised her Majesty. This question had deeply en • gaged the public attention, and I trust that this subject will be received by the House with the attention which it deserves. I cannot dissemble from myself that I am addressing the House on a topic of more than ordinary interest—a topic which, as it may be productive of more than ordinary advantages, is, in coesequence, of more than ordinary interest—(Cheers)—a topic, I will add, that is worthy of further consideration. This , indication I cannot conceal from myself ; the interest and bearing of that indication coming in the train of political events, fresh in the minds of all parties in this country--coming, as I say, in the rear of these events, that indication to re consider the whole of those laws, laws which regulated the whole importation of commodities into this country, I am sure that this subject will meet with the attention which it deserves. I concur in the propriety of this in dication, and I could not indeed otherwise consistently un dertake the office which I have attempted to fill.—(Great cheers.) That concurrence I willingly give; but I would have been unable to stand in my present situation if my opinions had been otherwise, and if my opinions had been such that I could not undertake this task. Still, I would hesitate before incurring the increased responsibility by pronouncing my opinion, and saying that the subject was unfit for the serious deliberation which the House is called upon to give them.—(Cheers) I have heard many speeches in this House, but have never heard one which was more applicable to all that this House had to consider. I hold this principle also with respect to my own course of conduct, and consider that, as the mover of this Address, I am not at all restricted or fettered with regard to the future course which I may pursue in relation to these subjects. Upon that principle lam not called upon to go into details as to my own par ticular opinions, but I may take this opportunity of stating that, with regard to those subjects which so particularly engaged the attention of the country, and have been so particnlarly brought under the notice of the House, my opinions have undergone a eonsiderable:change.—(op position cheers.) lam aware that my opinions have net that influence and authority which the opinions of others, who justly enjoy a high reputation in this House, possess, and that, therefore, it might be considered improper in me to inflict on the House a leng explanation of the reasons of that change ; still I feel that nothing but my own insignificance could shelter me from the necessity of answering that inquiry, which public opinion has a right to institute into the causes of the alteration of opinions of public men ; I say that, on this occasion, I shallnot shrink from that investigation. This I will say, no defence of mine shall rest on the example of others, cr be founded on the changes or modifications of opinion of those who may be looked up to as authorities. My changes of opinion have been owing entirely to myself, and with regard to any modification which my opinions may have under gone, I rest the defence of them solely on my observa tion of the course of events, and on my own considerations of what was required, and the state and prospects of the country.—(" Hear ' hear," from the Opposi tion.) I have feared and hesitated hitherto to interfere with that system of restriction on importa tion which I have found interwoven with the whole of the relations of the country. I have hesitated for a long time before I could consent to i n t er f ere w i th what might be almost considered as one o f t h e i nstitutions of tne country; but I have now arrived at the opinion that the time has at l engt h arr i ved when we shall take the opportunity to seriously and deli berately reconsider the whale course of the law regulating that importation, with a view ultimately of departing from that principle which has hitherto been observed, the principle of endeavouring by protection or prohibition to continue the restriction of the importa tion of articles from foreign countries with a view of increasing our home manufactures.—(Loud cheers.) When I use the term " home manufacture," let me not be misunderstood. I consider the products of the earth as intended for the food of man, and I think they should be considered as much a manufacture as any other. (Hear, hear.) I consider the earth as a machine, and I look upon the largest landowners in the country as nothing else than manufacturers.—(Hear, hear.) Holding these views, and considering their application to the Government, and to all the public departments of the country, I trust, and hope, and believe, that without knowing what may be the nature of the measures about to be proposed by the Government, I say I entertain a hope that when those measures shall come before the House I shall be able to support the position I have taken, and to show that they are com patible with the broad principles I have laid down. (Hear, hear.) I have no doubt that these measures will be embraced and comprehended in a statesmanlike manner, and, be grasped vigorously, the various sub jects that have come within the terms of my proposition. —(Hear, hear.) A fixed duty on corn was a proposition which came from the Noble Lord opposite. I have arrived at the conclusion that restrictions on foreign commodities shall no longer be upheld by the Legislature of this country.—(Loud Opposition cheers.) When the Noble Lord opposite brought forward his proposition for a fixed duty, and then gave expression to the opinions which I then maintained, namely, that if restric tions were imposed on foreign commodities, in order to secure a certain standard of remuneration to the cultivator of the soil, that would be the result of such a measure. I entertained those opinions then, and I sup ported them ; but I have since seen reason to change those opinions.—(Hear, hear.) lam not now about to detain the House with any details. It is not to intention to enter upon a statement of statistioal facts. I shall not shrink from such an investigati e d al would . show the numerical relations of this subject, but it is not at present a part of my plan, or within the scope t of the particular argument which I i n t ( n d to use. it has been my lot to reside in the neighbourhood of a dense population, whose position and circumstances I could not do otherwise than observe ; and in the course of that obser va ti on I invariably found, that the dearness or the cheapness of provisions had an intimate connexion with the employment and the happiness of the people.---(Loud cheers from the Oppo sition.) It was through no merit of my own, but through !Yr are justified in asking for additional resources ito which to place the army and navy pot be effective state.—(Hear.) God grant that he may o d. called upon to use those forces to preserve the incleeroto once of this kingdom.—(Hear, hear.) I have /0 . to allude to Ireland,—l may say unhappy have land; for within the last two month s we io seen that country under apprehensions of facl o and murder. With regard to the famine , I trust has been overrated—(hear) ; but, in regard to the n) : ders, we have seen by the official returns from thatlto happy country, that the murders have been such s o i s oe , warrant the Government in seeking for In" as will prevent such shameful and unhea rd of the vies and misfortunes.—(Hear.) With regard teeecb, allusion conntaincd in the latter part of the B ,f f o ie 'I believe I am correct in stating that in the 10 ' o d years there has been a reduction of the Custom oil . Excise duties to the extent of between four and dye_ lo t lions sterling. I believe that by this reduction thetvoto been an immense increase of the trade of the °lee generally, and a large import of foreign comps.) 1 into this kin dom.--Hear hear, and loud ehe b , to have often heard of great facts—l believe tOO% be one of the greatest and most 0° 11 , 1. ) that ever came to my knowledge.—(Loud chceiboio must repeat that it is to me an astounding fac t ' . t ioes the face of so immense reduction of fiscal icaPot o ed, the amount of the revenue should have been sus7lo and the foreign imports increased. I merely tt us e eel her Majesty's Ministers will persevere in ° enure -sil s. has already been productive o f such benefit to thet:tbe try, and in saying th us muc h, I feel boiled their same time to assert that the results °. 0 0 1 1 proceedings entitle them to what I e° r a blit hope they will o bt a i n , f u ll me asure of K r litt confidence.—(Loud cheers). Now, her Ntsi e tits t '' advised they should continue to pursue the san', or ieto t and I feel comp e lled to ac k now l e dge that e 2ll- „,, drives me--(Laughter). Hon. Gentlereen;;34o, other side of the House seem amused at mY al lu r e S ol such an impulse; but I should be ashamed if inessc ° , Cu) say that experience teaches me to value te'icter which I learned from this great fact; and I sine ere e 4 011/ ,, that her Majesty's Government will, in the °P", - t a ter they have hitherto regulated their conduct, O li o ' peer make such reductions on the import of foreign, to tilt dities as w,ll be just to all i arties and conduelte I VO general welfare of the people. Sir, entertainictogoi opinions, I know nothing, and want to know n° h t tee)., 4 the intentions of the Ministers.—(Great lallg" et say, Sir, that I want to know nothing of ther eo n of the Ministers, for from what has i e, curred I have full confidence in their prou'lties. triotism, and integrity—(Cheers - from the OPP e ,, e- pstfl e .4 and I trust they will persevere liberally to 01 ', without injustice to any, to reduce those datle",pelL press upon the comforts and the energies of the Ai' At the same time, Sir, I reserve to ti n e se t _ g o"' most entire liberty to vote for or at; su') measures which they may propose to t".a o ase t But, Sir, while stating thus much, I ,ask the the name of that neat community which - 1 ;t 1 o f honour to represent, to meet theta in a sP ir- loins ciliation and iairness whenever they bringeoevi those measures which her Mesty te ell- 1 1 t A 1 11° Trade will revive, prosperity will again retarl i ;d o r, of no limit which can be placed upon the de l tr - 00_ 4 " of the industry of the United Kingdom. I f ss i , e 'bone . half of the great community which I have y fo e to represent, that they may have every ' increased employment, and a consequent '",.., - ble t e f it e l their comforts ; for they are, in my h il- „ a d le ,) nion, the most hard-working, patient, ) 1 •4 people upon the face of the earth.-0 3 , e „lelir i e if properly instructed when young, by trm.Y.4 . :4 persons, and they also entertain for her S e m ) erw" greatest respect and affection. I beg leave - the Address.—(Hear, hear.) The SPEAKER then read the Address. 0/11 j Sir R. PEEL then rose and said—Sir , n 0 0 5 fain hope that althou g h th e course I t a ke i 5 ..ger d s one, yet that I am acting in accordance with te-ijoA,ll wish of the House i n now r i s i ng t o g ive all ell ibe•ri d of that course Is hic i I shall take tiP i eli geo el l rie sent great question before the country.--k bep, The House will consider it but n a tural that 6- 1 sire that not a moment should elapse before „e V,/ explain to the House the motives on which I h e a r t y and the principles which ha v e g ove rned EnY e- beet t il (Hear, hear,) I may feel hurt at having _., - (nr object of much accusation up on this subjec!' I have been unjustly cond e mn e d without a I tg eol l o t r say nothing upon th a t h ea d ; an d if any fi e ilet feeling of indignation should possess me, the re 0 0 1 d t of the great events which have taken place ;or, sufficient to remove any such temporary 11 , 11 ,.e." thereso.- 'Ol ness.—(Hear, hear.) I enter, any particular discussion, or articular ,4 but this I do ask—while I contend P for the r e e- OP? sentence, I ask for an opportunity, after the loOld tion, of explaining the motives of 11 1,,, —(Hear, hear.) I ask y ou t o li s ten and indulgence to those facts and thc, se t . re,' which I shall this night bring u h e ' t ° l 3 olo and which will afford the materials on whi e , e% will ultimately pronounce its opinion. I wis" - • i th°,lo what were the grounds which led me, and those w o " jei s l I acted, humbly to tender to our gracious Ste le ° 1;el resignation of trust which was committed to ci lt°,,f l also to explain what were the circumstances tn i ; bey that trust was re assumed, and why I UM 13° ' the Prime Minister of this country. SUMMARY. Sir R. PEEL rose to expl a i n the motives c „ " t ee he had acted, and which had governed I °l l duct. He felt it unjust to be condemned if a hearing. He said nothing' on that hea ci :4 l feeling of momentary i n di gna ti on h a d been r , th► of% felt that he had been trusted with c on fidence J ei oc e,; but if he did not ask far a reversal of the senielsof wished to be heard after condemnation, in of the grounds whi c h h a d i n d uce d him to tep t e e - I d a signation, and also the ground s on which th a „ t o of . ,A r been reassumed. The cause of the breaking 'eV i Government was that great mysterious ealef l i‘ s oO r m o had destroyed th e art i c l e o f f oo d i n whin' . 'so of the poor i n thi s an d th e sister - 60 ! depended for their subsistence. It was ie reqniring immediate decision as to the laws the the importation of f oo d, b u t th ou gh the ' - t be cause, he would not deny that his opinions 4311 . p i e f o J ject of protection had undergon e a change. - 11 8 it assert his right to act on enlarged experien ce 'ilist r not consider there was any r ea s o n to feel htt le- o vi r l o abashed in avowing this change, but he 011 : go et humiliated if those opinions, having tide al of change, he had shrunk from the ave ll eli) by the fear of the charge of in con sistene9F -i Ai Those who contended for the removal of i° ll in the import of corn had im me nse adven ts ', presumption was in th e ir f avour . It might be g r ci tot f f i to combat them by sh ow i ng argumen t in f°ll- hibition, but the presumption could only be „es co° . 1 1 by showing that th e p rotect i on d ut ies or t the benefit of a community, and not o f t y fi It might be contended that it was necessary tc e4 mestic industry should be protected from cc fr- eit o" 1 11 / 1 It might be contended that high prices 0 wages and low prices low wages. It might be t) b - 0 4 that the land was subject to peculiar burden°, „ t oy pensation might be made for them. He at ini ii . . o o his opinions on these subjects of prote cts 'O r ) been modified by the experience of the last tlit'-fer:zt and had no wish to deprive those who had b e t e; mere reasoning men to a conclusion against 1 "110:1 of protection of any of the credit due to then . t he .d r watched the effect of the measures taken dtiriabol three years in favour of free trade, and the result t e etle that the doctrine which he had hitherto sliPP ° . r i no longer tenable. He did not believe that v ' 4ur , affected by prices, or that protection to dander dustry was tenable. It was impossible for : iss .4 ot el had made the changes in the tariff, w h i,, cl : to r " had made that the doctrine ' of Y r ile domestic industry was tenable.—(Cheers.) t r o tic b t perience of the last three years proved that te mt ly and cheapness of provisions would rather ag e :: increase the burdens of taxation. During " b e t a)" years preceding October there was comparativ e t , e ,,;ei r d with high wages, and during the preceding w i .,1( 1 ,0 there were high prices and low wages, and be e ltli_ dr i. resist the conclusion that wages do not la i l,lerf ht price of provisions, but with the demand f e u ' ic bl' i g In the last three years the principle u pon " - oily' had acted had been the removal of protectic t4 4 . o o . 4' result had been that there had been an increase r, A hr year 42 to the year 44, of our forei g n 04- ritil o ev , 42,000,0001. to 56,000,0001., so:that exc l u sive of t- et° trode, there had been an increase in the e% 0 10,000,000/. fit° fr4r' He had estimated the loss from the re the Customs' duties at four millions, the loss had been one million. He bad %S e d the loss from the removal of the Excise dutie s - belie ./ and other articles at one million, but h e t eild that the loss to the Excise thi s y ear w ould be 11° 7 0 that the void would be absolutely filled Ipso 141- h, he stand up for hi g h p ro t ec ti ve d u ti es a fter t he saw that all his own estimates had be en ; b yi Then with regard t o mora lity, hi s Ri g ht 00.: e r i at the head of th e Home Department bad stated 'OlO7 j decrease in com m itt a l s i n '43 an d'44—th a t had :fr ' in 1845 ; this w as 2,237 l ess t h an i n t h e prece u i t el ls # l The decrease of crime had been in all the gr ef : l ;e to facturing distri c t s , an d, w ith t h ese exce ptions , 7 t ss".„ been a decr ease i n a ll th e agr i cu l tur al dis tl :7o o %. With regard to sedition, th e o ffi ce of . he ctil! . .. General had been almost a sinecure, n et , beo° 11 ; the Government had b een more l en ient, 131.1 : t WI / the people had b een more con t en ted a n y , (LEFT SPEAKING.) ,.... BIRTHS. T - Re ' On the 15th inst., in Doughty-street, Mrs. J. e of a son. o+ On the 17th inst., in Albemarle-street the 111di. Hennessy, Esq., of a son. London : Printed sr' DO 141 _ a o N o . 112. _.. ' u Published by MUR .0 str-- - -.rani, Printer, at The Sun "T h e COU P in the Precinct of the SILTOiv is Middlesex, Thursday, January 22, 1846. 4 114 04, 4,444151 'alp( %Ade Th e tit D a,, \ 14 %re t the k V , ta 23 4 Ifi th htt ofece, 1 R (40 mt 4,; °tte ti t T 4 t s ' t k '2 1 4 .: 44; 4 A~