The Sun. — London, England, 1846-02-13 00:00:00

IdeGREEXE gave notice that he would move an order to the effect that no petition for a private Bill sT:culd be received by the House, uulcss it Wes reeu'.arly slgn.fd by all the pestles, Mr. FeinteND gave notice that on Monday he should ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he should then be in office, Whether he proposed to fill up the two offices now vacant in c onsequence of the resignation of two of the Lords of the Treasury: and if he were afraid to appeal to the country by nominating to the vacant offices, he should move that the officers be abolished as useless. Mr.SD:O6'AX CILAWFoRD gave notice that he should ask the Government on a future dsv if they intended to bring in NY measure during the present session to amend the law of landlord and tenant in Ireland. On the motion of Mr. LIDDELL, that the petition of the Shipowners' Society be printed, fits ' Hume asked if it was intended to introduce any men- Z,,iaeactYiag out th e recommen d at i ons o f th e C omm ittee regard to regulating the merchant seamen's service ? Sic G• Cnenic said that Government were in communica tion with the Shipowners' Society on the subject. FORSTER denied that the petition expressed the senti alsnta of the great b ody of shipowners of Great Britain. 2.r. LID DELL replied, and the motion for printing the pe nitent was agreed to. - Mr • j Am s l asked if th e G overnmen t h a d rece i ve d any ac ti"trts of th e dreadful affray winch had taken place at Pen caraalong the l a b ourers employed on the L ancas t er an d h ,. Pre s ; le R4ilw al . , and what measures had been adopted to tve the publi c p eace. froaf Gneneat had received no official account whatever to the Magistrates of the existence of any such (Vis ite E, whethes era. asked if the Government had ever considered ei se so r it was nceessary to make railway companies exer sir G in e superintend over the labourers? Were heed said that the promoters of railway Bills hies to%ed to Provide a certain number of special consta lua superietend the works. tion 113:iver to a question from Sir P. Noels, as to the inten- W of 1° Gover nment, with regard to the rebuilding of estrninster-e Ce th e Gee an wEla. said the subject had been considered. by cc lunent - I._ mad , and that they' had directed weekly reports W og e as to the state of the bridge, and that when any direettael'e t°elal o ccurred the attention of the 'GoVernment was Natty. so that ample care was taken of the public Sir R . h begged GLI s considered that answer uneatisfactory. He Pila t o, a sk when the Government considered the new tip f irestinineter would be ready for the accommoda - Thereo Parli alnent, and if it were not ready by 1847, whether m w ould be any objection to the appointment of a Com i inquiry ? e Of H o 4at 'wete thought it possible that the expectation h o on ' Geetle men th a t P ar liament would sit in the new use 0 th 84 7 o er s would not be realised.—(A laugh.) He , how ae.,',N . lit it w ou ld b e ne ither necessary nor discreet to •nt a Committe e . In The to a question from Mr. Core,Err, of Athlone, be on:. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated, conse etuth„"f a decision of the Judges in the Exchequer eed-dult overruling a decision of the Court of Queen's Bench, flee ree etidi ag that certain parties were entitled, in conse- N of th e enactments of the corn -l aw o f 1842, th e re c o n : W ould stiffer a certain loss, but it was still under the not b e made of th e G overnm ent whether au appeal should 04 5 Made to a higher tribunal. em ere t he Motion of Sir W. CODRINGTON, a new writ was Air, (1; for the election of a Member for East Gloucester eep 44 the room of the lion. F. CIIARTEEIs, who had ac cepted the Chiltern Hundreds. bst ik ih e order of the day for resuming the adjourned debate th e s p r ead, an immense number of petitions er the subject of tn „ • l aws were p resen ted: . e e b At "10WAnD DOEGLAs then rose to resume the adjourned tke - , announced . his intention to vote against te ar position of .. thee Government of removing pro toter fr oin British agriculture. He had always (lee n a gainst a repeal of ~tho coin-laws ,he had fre les ht ly 1, 0 ken against the measure,- and in reviewing Past career on that subject, be found that he had nothing eeZp la in and nothing to regret, excep the insufficient of "ner in which he had advocated the cause so Protection. Hi s o pinions were unchanged, and in e e e°l 4anee me t h th ese opinions he ' should vote ; for t rit C o neider e d that protection was not only necessary for Whil.ah interests, but also for the interests of our colonies, ' We re unrepresented in that House, and which were not t ' l le rje ee r 3' u nderstood. He considered that the experience of an 'est three rears furnished no correct data on which to form and, therefore, he considered that the Right Hon. /e s -n et had f a il e d to g i ve any j us t reasoirfor hi s c h an ge o f opi aeeti. .40 . corn-laws had not caused the distress of 1840, 1841, 14, 1842, neither had the partial adoption of free - trade prinei weec,',°ecasioned the preeperity..of , the subsequent years - *l t ii; iwtseperity, it should be recollected , had occurred h s h - toe country was subject to a corn-law. Protection, he was not for. the benefit of one class, but for that of t ee • 1141 lie would not expose the British artisan unpro -4.'1 to competition with the protected labour of the fo eolPitit et. He denied that the importation of grain produced a ,c`el)oraneous export.. of manufactures; and a aparison of the exports and imports of 1 . 83 . 6, .• . 41 and 1842, would prove the truth of his position. s e e :, asidered it would be good policy to open the home cel o t and the West India market to our corn-producing of C e s• lie load supported the measure for the introduction 15f h :Wien corn, but he felt bound to oppose the opening • s ' e e• . kettle market to the foreign corn producer ' at Lla CUrn . nill was a solemn compact, entered into I,l l : ', ' e en the legislative bodies of Canada and this country, and e la measure. not only violated that compact, but extin rehea the whole colonial system, and made all the colonies t e r t f il lUnercial purposes free and independent states, leaving I t : t in the e n ti re regu l a ti on o f th e ir own commercial affairs " 444 a most incorrect, assumption to declare that Mr. Hos reee —lc was a free. t r ader. He was a Protectionist, and his colonial trhsle Acts protected British commodities in the cote- Markets- by differential sluties ranging from 10 to 70 e o er " li t. All the colonies now imposed ditties on the im h:r,,_"atiOn of th e products of other colonies. It could only .°)' the formation of Clem all into a league to establish ` 7 4‘....k rr eet free trade. The United States and the Zolverein found 4,. union of sovereign.. states,. with perfect free trade jiang themselves with stringent protection against all others v qll3 iight form si clr a league with our colonies and our East to'da dependencies, and such a league as that would conducebah the Power any}the prosperity of the empire; but the esta ZPlant of the proposed system of free.trade would der the formation of meth a league impossible. By 1 -44 „, machinery they had destroyed the manufactures of la ~a end had forced the Indian manufacturers to become -agar cultivators, and now by the introduelion of free-trade I tr Were a b out to ru i n t h ese I n di an agr i cu lturist. The a ' and Gallant Officer then ,read several extracts from e works of Mr. Huskieson to prove that it was mostim Z htlitic to depend upon foreigners fora supply of corn. We for having trespassed so long enthe Houfe, e li an. and Gallant Officer 'concluded by stating that, Bh ' i ng the Prime Minister all credit for honesty of purpose, eo str ong were hie convictions as to the mischievous nature of the It Ile propos e d measure t h at it was hi s d u ty t o v ote against an expedient perilous and unnecessary. Vrelawits gave his support to the measures proposed the Government, because he hoped it would prove to be a `'` -at anent settlement of this much agitated questien. s Soo had looped that he should have been enabled to r ir d the Right Hon. Baronet that support_ to which he ad lw a y s hitherto afforded to him; but it was with pain 3 41 Z regret, that, after a careful examination of the sub he felt now bound to vote against the Government. - et had, always looked up to the Right Hon. Baronet with 4 :P e et, but lie must say that this sudden change of opinion i t i le Part of the Right Hon. Baronet had come upon him m 1 .41 most stunning effect. But acting upon his T con scientious convictions, he felt bound to declare at he felt it his duty to oppose the Government measure be e Right Hon. Baronet was in the position of a counse to, haying received a brief and a fee on ones ide, went into t e r l ' t and ag ree d on t h e o th er , recomme nding his original le nts to a b andon their cause altoget h er, an d w h o was fol . Ll ° " ee ti „ l , 3 , 3 ' his jniors, while the only reason they woud con to giv u e was, that they la 1 changed their l minds• (LEFT SPEAKING.) •••••••••••• G REAT WESTERN RAILWAY MEETlNG.tiolrhtis Company held their usual half-yearly meeting at the att e ' r ° o lll, Paddington, yestaday, at which there was a large Nanc e o f sl areholders. ._,Chrle s R - 'Lei/esti Russell, Ls+, M.P.,. having taken the chair, the to , sernent calline the meeting was read, andtheseal affixed I ~,tne deeds of regiZter. latie.atalh;teloCfllAlEllAN proceeded to address the meeting, which mid at great length. Having congratulated the meeting ?V II the statements contained in the report relative to the reducing the fares and increasing the accanamoda- Cl', l ;'e went an to observe upon the projects the Company th e '" t 't.'• in ° progres• and the position of hostility in which ‘A ere obliged to ' stand in regard to the Birmingham and Lector4`b Western Companies. With regard to the former, the di el-Inens!liurated not thinkthat the terms offered them were at all with what the Great Western had a right to ; t ; and, th erefore, all negoeiations between them and the notT t . ,"gbam had ceased; and, as regards the latter, he would th. "'en ente r i nto a ' series of charges of bad faith against them, as p a l.wneld be brought forward at the proper time before the Ct.mmittees. With respect to the Bristol and Company rejecting the terms of amalgamation,. he sh7; e ged they had done FO • but when their lease expired, oZ'''' r nl'amy would be gd ' meet them again. In reply to ggestien from the Rev. Mr. Nicholson, that lists of the tie s " ! t h eld by the Great Western Company in other Compa tiles 'ntil be laid upon the table, he would beg to say that not there ready ; b ut h e wou ld a l so sa y that it would li st , e very judicious, for many reasons to read those i n .,; but he hoped the shareholders had sufficient confidence e e nl not to believe them capab'e of acting as stags and stock at , o r '• Th e Hon. Member continued to address the meeting ''oat length length upon the nature of the projects they had in 'e w n 'l'lation, and the general state of the Company's affairs, and eht4l he had concluded, F.CRETARY read the report, which was one of con- wit',f,,t)l length, but the substance of which was, that not aritting that they hid reduced their fares, and pi:teed an cre ased " !nal numb er c.f carriages on the line, their traffic had in ino_ beyond their anticipation. The former had increased fin7J'ear, front 060,(1( 0 to over 14100,000, and the latter and uu,ooo tons to 150 . 000 tons ; and the account of receipts ri i%eotia n diture sho ws a balance to December, 1845, of over to " that after pa)ing certain rents, tolls, &c., a dividend o the.,.i.efPrtee-r:veteafinfite; btne i e g u h r t re h n t; dheariflayteeadr, of f n o d v e s r ti 6 ll ,s l o e, o lv t e a balance to th e c olt _ vi words from Lord Reddesdale suggesting that mtNioq 1 1: 1 : 4 y should take no steps until tile Gauge Com . ' 4 "li t IA their report, the meeting agreed to adopt .. ---_.--_ -4, T E the director's report, and resolutions founded thereon. The usual vote of thanks was passed, and the meeting se parated. COU RT C tRC U LAR. The Queen and Prince Albert took their accustomed early walk yesterday in the royal gardens of Buckingham Palace. His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Colone Wylde and Dr. Prcetorius, honoured the College of Chemistry in Hanover-square, yesterday, with a visit. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Majesty yesterday. The 'Prince of Wales, Prince Alfred, the Princess Royal, and the Princess Alice were taken airings yesterday in the pleasure grounds. The ri.yal dinner party at Buckingham Palace on Wednes day included her Royal Highness the l)jtchess of Kent, the Earl of Liverpool, the Earl of Jersey, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Speth, Mr. George Edward and the lion. Mrs. Anson, Sir George Anson, and the Hon. and Rev. C. Leslie Courtenay. The band of the First Life Guar& was in attendance during dinner, and rerformed the following pieces : Grand March of the Ist Life Guards—bier Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent. Overture, Oberon—Weber. Walzer, Themis Fest. Klanze—Labitzky. Medley, Scotch-,Waddell. Medley, Cori—Rossini. Cavatina—Verdi. The royal dinner party yesterday included her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and DUchess of Cambridge, his Excellency the Duke de Sotornayor, Earl Talbot, Viscount Canning, Lord and Lady Ernest Bruce, Lady Fanny Howard, Baroness de Sped), Lady Augusta Cadegan, Lord George Lennox, Honourable Francis and Lady Anne Charterisi . Sir George Coupar, Bart., and Mr. Edmond Mildmay. The band of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards attended at the Palace during dinner, and performed the following pieces : • Overture, " Egmont"--Beethoven. • Waltzes, " Astrea"—Straus 9 . Duet e Finale, " Marie de Rohan"—Donizetti. /Disperse in Silence, Chorus, Come with Torches, Mendelshon. Prayer Finale, Baron de Moncorvo; Portuguese Minister, was prevented by a family bereavement from attending her Majesty's Levee, on Wednesday. The Lord Advocate was present at the Levee, and Cornet Soame Gambier Jenyns was presented to the Queen, on appointment to the 13th Light Dragoons, by the Earl of Hardwicke. A deputation of the Aborigines Protection Society, con sistins of Joseph T. Price, Joseph John Gurney, Sir E. Bux ton, S. F. Woolmer, V. Leslie Foster, Samuel - Gurney, jun., Henry Christy, J. Bevan Braithwaite, G. L. Neighbour, James Bell, William Grimshaw, A. B. Wright, E. Martin, and G. L. Neighbour, attended at the Colonial-office on Wednesday, to present an address to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the occasion of his taking office, and to make an appeal on behalf of the Indians of British North America and the Aborigines of Southern Africa. The French Ambassador transacted business yesterday at the Foreign-office. Mr. Dean, Chairman of the Customs. had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Wednesday. The Cabinet Ministers dined with Sir Robert Peel on Wednesday, at his residence in Whitehall-gardens. LATEST PRICES OF SHARES. N BANKS, ASSURANCE. AND OTHER COM NA.NIES' STOCK. From tie Official List, JBLISHED EVERY TUEADAY AND FRIDAY EVENING LONDON! FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13. 31:PINT-STOCK B.ANXS. Dividend Amount I Name cf Company. per of Paid. Price E Annum. Share. ' --- --- -- £ s. d. X a. d. Australasia ••.• • • .... 61. per cent. 40 0 0 40 0 0 27 t liritsnlN orth .Aitterican 51. per cent. 50 0 0 50 0 0 45 1 Commercial of London 5/. per cent. 100 .0 0 20 0 0 23 1 colonial .. .• • Loinin and Westminstr 61. per cent. 100 0 0 20 0 0 26% J London Joint-Stock ... 61. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 14 1 Metropolitan ••.•• • • • • - 25 0 0 710 0 Provincial of Ireland.. Si. per cent. 100 0 0 25 0 0 4714 (, Ditto, New. •• • • .... 8L per cent. 10 0 0 10 0 0 17% 1 National of Ireland • • Si. per cent. 50 0 0 20 0 0 18 Nat. Provncial of ling. Si. per cent. 100 0 0 35 0 0 35 1 Ditto, New. •••• • • - 51. per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 0 Union of Australia •• -6/. per cent. 25 0 0 25 0 0 26 ' Union et' L0nd0n..... , 5/. per cent. 50 0 0 10 0 0 12 INSURANCE COMPANIES. Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price Annum. Share. X s. d. £ s d. Albion ••••••• • • • • • • • 3/. 105 500 0 0 50 0 74 Alliance Wit. and For. 6 per cent. 100 0 0 11 0 19% Ditto Marine.• ••• .. 61. per cent, 100 0 0 5 0 6% Atlas . • ~- ••• • • ...•. .. 13s. 6d. pr sh. 50 0 0 5 0 161 British Commercial • • 7s. per share 50 0 0 5 0 7% Clericl,Med.BsGen.Life Si. per cent. 100 0 0 2 1 0 6% County ••••••• • • • • • • . - 31. 100 0 0 10 0 Crown ••••••• • • • • • • • 10 s. 50 0 0 5 0 - Eagle • 6s. 50 0 0 5 0 5% Economic Life. • ••• •. • • illr o r s l t ;} 1000 0 0 250 0 0 Eng.B4 Scot. Law ••• • • • 51. per cent. 50 0 0 20 0 2% European Life Freeinasens' .. •••. • • • . 51. per cent. 20 0 0 3 0 0 Globe - 138 Guardian •••••• • • • • • • 5/.l)er cent. 100 0 0 36 10 0 48 Imperial Fire •••• - • . 6/. and bonus 500 0 0 50 0 0 240 Imperial Life •••• • • • • 12s. 100 0 0 10 0 0 16% Indemnity Marine •• • • 11. sh.& bs. 100 0 0 513 1 29 Law Life.• ••••• • • . . . 11. ss. 100 0 0 10 0 0 51 Legal and General Life - 50 0 0 20 0 6% London Fire •.•• • • • • 10S. 25 0 0 12 10 0 15% London Ship •.•. • • • • 10s. 25 0 0 12 10 0 15% Niarine •• • .... ••• • . 51. per cent. 100 0 0 15 0 0 10% Med. Invlid&Gen. Life 411. per ct . 50 0 0 20 0 3 National Loan Fund • • 51. per cent. 20 0 0 210 0 2 1 A National Life ••••• • . • • 8/. per cent. 100 0 0 50 0 9% Palladium Life 5l. per cent. 50 0 0 2 0 0 2 / 2 . 05 5. Phoenix - - Protector Life •••• • • • 5/. per cent. 20 0 0 1 0 0 11. 3s. Provident Life •••• • • -1/. ss. 100 0 0 10 0 0 23 Rock Life • . 4a. 50 0 '0 10 0 •1,4 Royal Exchange .•• . • • 51. per cent. Stock. - 180 Sun Fire • • • • . • • • • ••. 6/. 10s. - - 210 Ditto Life . • • • • • • ... 1/. 6s. - - 49 Universal Life ..... .. 10%1. pr cut 100 0 615 ' 0 18 1 LIST OP SCOTTISH COMPANIES' PRICES Dividend Amount Name of Company. per of Paid. Price. Annum. Share. -- - --- --- A ii. d. X s. d Bank of Scotland ••. • • 61. per cent. 100 0 0 166 Royal Bank of Scotland 61. per cent. - 100 0 0 160 British Linen Company sl. per cent. - 100 0 0 225 Commercial Bank •• • • 6/. per cent. - . 100 0 0 162 National Bank ...... .. 61. per cent. - 10 0 0 14% Union Bank of Scotland 7141. pr cent. - 50 0 0 94 1 Western Bank - 50 0 0 82 North of Scotland Bank 61. per cent. - 50 0 716 Clydesdale Bank ••• • -• 61. per cent. - 10 0 0 14% ' Eastern Batik - 10 0 0 1 1 1 e 1 Caledonian Bank - 210 0 4% i Edlnb.&Glasgsw Bank 61. per cent. - 50 0 7% ILlity of Glasgow Bank . 'M. per cent. - 10 0 0 14% D Scottish Union Ins. Co. 51. per cent. 20 0 0 10 0 1 14 Hercules Insurance Co. 71. per cent. 1100 0 0 10 0 0 1414 Inane. Co. of Scatlnd. • 51. per cent. 10 0 0 All paid. 9% t North British Insur.- 5141. pr cent. 200 0 0 10 0 0 27% Caledonian Fire Inane. 101. per cent. 100 0 0 10 0 0 23% Edinburgh Life Insur. 61. per cent. 100 0 0 12;10 0 18% Edin. 84 Glas,,-. Beltway I /.10s. pore. 50 0 0 50 0 0 76% I Ditto, to Shares •• • . 7s. 6d. p. s. 12 10 0 All paid. 19 &lin., Leith, & Grantn - 20, 0 0 20 0 0 21% I G I ftsgw & Ayrshir Rail. 5/. per cent. 50 0 0 All paid. 70 rf Giaspv &Green& Rail. 2/. per cent. 25 0 0 .2.11 paid. 21 e illsgw &Garnkirk Rail. 51. per cent. i 25 0 0 All paid. 45 Dundee& Arbrothßail. 61. percent. 125 . 0 0 All paid. 35% le .Standard Lite Assmrnce.lsl per cent. 150 0 0 210 0 8 lsgw & Garnicht Rail. Dundee& Arbroth Standard Lite Asssrnce. nocns. Same of Compaay. X s. d. Commercial •..... 31. per cent. ' Stock. East and West India... 6!. pr cent. Stock. East Country • • ' It. per sh. 100 0 0 L Won •• • • St Katharine •••• • • • 5 per cent. Stock. Southampton •••• • • • • 41. per cent. 50 0 0 Dividend Amount per , of Paid. Annum. Share. X R. d. Price, 50 0 of 30 CANALS. • Names of El Dividend Names of Dividend Price. per Price. Ctanpam , es. • per Companies. , Annum. 2 Annum. -- .£ Ashtn& Oldhl 97 51.55. p c 70 Monmouthsh 100 8/. 160 Ashby-d-la.Zlll 3 4/. 72 Mntgomrysh 100• 51. 98 Barnsley. • ..1160, 12/. 180 Macclesfield . 100 - 95 Basingstoke-,looi - - Neath ••• • • • 100 171. 340 lirknk&Abrg l ls o ; 5/. 85 Nottingham . 150 12/. - Cromford • . 1001 141. 150 Peak Forest. 78 31. 40 Dudley .••.•• 100; 4/. - Regent's ••• . 33 1/. 511. 26% Derby ••• • • • IEOI 6!. 73 Rochdale •• 85 41. 54 Ellsmre&Chs•l33l 41. 65 Shropshire . • 125 8!. - Erewash • • .11001 321. 300 Somrset Coal 150 71. 10s. 130 Forth & Clydllool 41. - Do•Lkid St 12 6/. p. c. 11 Grand.Junctn l loo' 71. 94% Stffrd &Wore 140 281. 300 Grand Union'loo, H. 10s. - Shrewsbury.. 125 151. 230 Glamorgnsh .11721 13%1. 210 Stourbrldge.. 145 201. 270 Gistr &Brkly• 00; - - Strtfrd on Ac 79 U. 10s. - f5O Grantham •• .1 ', 12/. 100 Severn and/ 26 11.88. 32 ' H u ddersfield. 571 - Wye Bail. Kennt & AVII 39' 7s. 6d. 22 Trnt & Mr-1 50 301. - Lancaster .• • 47 i 1!. 10s. - sty, 1 ,4 sh. Leeds& Livrp l 1001 3 41 . 520 Timms &Med 19 - - Leicester 140 10/. 105 Worestr &1 78 21. 44 Leicstr &Nth 83 4/. 60 Birming. Leughborogh t l42 70/. 850 Wilts & Biks 67 H. 11 WATER.-VJVItItS Name of Company. Dividend Amount per cf Paid. Annum. , Share. I .£ s, (I. East London .• • .... 1 81. 100 0 0 Grand Junction .• •• .. I 31. 100. 41 13 4 Kent.. ••• • • • ........ i 2/. 10s. 100 0 0 Vauxhall •• ••• • • ....• 51. per cent. 100 0 0 West Middlesex .• ...• 151. ss. pr cnt. 63 12. 9 ; THE CALEDONIAN BALL.—This annual bill, which took place last night at Willis's Rooms, appears to have lost none of its attractiveness and popularity. With so many gay costumes of Greeks, cavaliers, mandarins, huntsmen, and Ilighlandfts, it would iudeeA be curious if the attendance was net numerous. Dancing commenced at 9 o'clock, and was protracted to a late hour in the morning, the dancers resuming their performances at intervals as if fatigue was an impossibility. The arrangements were excellent in every respect, and reflected great credit en the' committee of ma nagement. The only thing we regretted was that so-comparatively small a munber of those present were dressed in the. Celtic gas)), at ; apart from its picturesque effect, the costume certainly the one most suited for such a celebration. On the 11th inst., It. Taylor, Esq., of ConstitutiOn=row, Lm-road. THE POTATO ROT IN IRELA It appears from aletter rdaressed by Lord Cloncurry to the Dellis Evening Post, that there is unequivocal evidence of decay in the new crop of potatoes, sown in November, and upon the early gathering of which so much reliance has ,been placed as, food for the people in the beginniug•of the summer. FLANDERS MAIL. IlnussEt.P. FEB. 10.—The average prce of wheat in the week ending on Saturday the 7th of February, was 19f. 74c. per hectolitre. Compared with the price of the preceding week, wheat has fallen 7c., and Rye near 31c. per hecolitre. The Chamber continued to-day the debate on the project of law for a vote of credit of 453,000 francs to the war de partinsnt, for the ex.ecution of some military works. Seve • ral members spoke against and fer'that part of the proposed vote of.credit which is intended for the fortifications of Aerschot. The debate was adjourned. At the commence ment of the sitting the Minister fir Foreign Affairs commu nicated to the Chamber a project of law ratifying the com mercial convention concluded with France on. the 13th of December last. The Minister of Finance brought in a project of law which contains an important modification of the law on sugars rated in April - 1843. The liiniater of Final:toe calculates that 'Ow 11 . 014 147 r SUN, LON DON, FRI DAY . EVEN LNG., FEERUAR\ 13. 1646. secure to the treasury a revenue of more than three millions of francs. The report on' the Budget of the DeTaltntent .of Justice, - was distributed , •rroo3 the Members yesterday, and is placed on the order of the day 4 2, r Thursday. The Prreurs:ur of Antwerp sal - 5 :—" The Belp,ian steamer Princess Victoria arrived yesterday afternoon from• London, with a full cargo. of various goods, and twelve passengers, among whom was the Earl of Aberdeen. The captain of the Soho steamer brings word that the iron steamer, built on account of the Belgian Govern ment, has made a trial of its • speed on the Thames. The Captain of the 'Seto adds, that it excels in speed all other known steamers. - It seems that Government attaches much importance to this service. In crder to avoid the exa mination at the Custom-house, it has appointed M. Dubois examiner ef our port, to . be stationed on board this vessel, and pet form the voyages, thus the examination of the effects - will be made during the voyage. It is even said that this officer will be authorised to &diver transit papers (acquits de transit), so that passengers may be able to land immediately on their arrival, and set out- by the railroad. Though the Government is not interested in the steamers from Antwerp to London, it is to be hoped that it will extend this favour to them." difficulties or distress existed, local remeeies should be applied, but do not, because local distress exists, disturb the great laws which regulate a mighty empire ; with respect to the question of famine pervading the whole" country; he thought it was contradicted at once, by the prices that were obtained at present. There may be fa mine in the newspapers, and among her Maje:ty's Ministers, but there was no real famine while the present prices of corn were maintained. He would now address himself to the ques tion which was immediately before the House, as to the aboli tion of the corn-laws. The corn laws prevented low prices, to which there was a tendency. If all regulations with regard to price were taken away, there would always be either too' much corn or too little. When there was a good harvest, fo= reign nations would keep their suri•lus produce for themselves, and this nation would go without, and be exposed to all the disastrous consequences. In good years, on the contrary, there would be an enormous influx of foreign corn.—(Hear.) The serplas -which is likely to come under free trade, is ex tremely different from what it is under existing circumstances. Foreign natLtis at present have a dread at the extreme uncer tainty of the sliding-scale, which prevents them from growing more corn than they can dis;iose of with a profit, but when there was no duty at all to frigh. en therm there would be a great superfluity. An Hon. MEMBER—Say plenty. - • Mr. HEAT•HCOTE continued —Yes, be was for plenty, but not for a wasteful superfluity. He had had the honour, some time since, to represent the town of Boston in Parlia ment, and he found that it was much cheaper to export wheat from Hamburg to London than it was to bring it from Boston to London. It was cheaper, because the wheat was-conveyed in foreign ships. He believed that the countries in the north of Europe would undersell the United States in corn. The consequence• would be that corn wauld be purchased from countries who will take nothing but specie in exchange, and ystur manufactures will be sent to a country who will not re ceive them because you will not take their corn. He did think that when a great experiment Lke the present was about to be tried, the farmers and agriculturists ought to know what they had to expect. He would now read to the House some extracts from tables of the prices of foreign corn which he had prepared about four years ago. From the years 1815 to 1846, in Dant zic corn, during twenty-five years, the average appears to be 28s. per quarter, and during the last seven years of tnat eriod it was 25s per quarter. During a period of seven con secutive years in Denmark, the price of corn averaged only 183. per quarter. Now, it might be said that this was because Denmark was a s rail country, and that low prices would be ob tained when there wasan abundance. To this he would reply that the price of Denmark was the price of all the North. Ile would read the prices for the same average of years in different parts. In Prussia, it was 165.; in Cologne, 165.; in Brandenburg, 175.; in Siberia and Pomerania, 175.; in Dantzic, 225.; at St. Petersburgh, 225.; and at Riga, 20s. per quarter. He would ask what would be the effect of the introduction of foreign corn at these prices ? It had been said that the corn-laws of this country were no protection to prices, but he found that while the price of corn at Dantzio rose only Bs., the price during the same year in England was 575. per quarter. They had been told, over and over again, that the corn-laws were of no use. He would refer to the year 1822, during which period great distress existed in the country. The price of wheat then was 445. ; in Denmark at the same time, it was only 18s. In 1835, when great distress was also prevalent, the price in England was 395. ; in Den mark at 19s. ; so that if the corn-laws had not then beer: in existence, the country would have been entirely overrun. He would, in conclusion, beg of those who took upon themselves the responsibility of the present measure, also to take upon themselves the responsibility of its consequences. If he should succeed in throwing out this Bill, he should think he had achieved something to be proud of. If, on the other hand, he should fail, he should feel satisfied that he had done all that laid in his power in opposing the meaure, to accord with the wi,hes of his constituents and the best interests of the country. Mr. W. MARTIN was of opinion that the time had now arrived when the interests of the country required that a change should be made in the corn-laws, and that was the only justification he could give for• abandoning protection. What regulated the price of corn was the price of the last bushel which they were compelled to import from abroad. He believed the free trade would not materially reduce the price of corn. lie did not believe that they would see, on an ave rage of ten years, the price of wheat imported from abroad at less than 50s. per quarter. It might be said that improve ments would come by degrees, but he would remind the House how slowly improvements came upon agriculture. It was not so with manufactures, as improvements were continually taking place in them. But in agriculture, if an experiment were tried, it required a great length of time to test its efficacy. This was an additional argument in favour of the Government proposition. Many persons, however, expected that we should be inundated with grain from the United States. Why, the price of wheat in New York, for some years together, was higher than it was in London. The lowest price he had ever heard of in the United States was in Michigan, where he understood that it had been grown as low as 255. a quarter, and yet it was a notorious fact, that at the time that was the price of corn in Michigan the price in New York was as high as in London. On these grounds, he felt little alarm as to the probable influx of corn to this country from the United States. He thought it was to our interest to place our trade and com merce on a healthy footing, whether the United States were disposed to follow our example or not. He believed, however, that other rations would be quite ready to follow in our foot steps. He believed that, in the step they were taking, they were laying the foundation of 'lasting prosperity for their children. Several Hon. Members rose, but there were loud calls for Mr. J. BARING, who said he much regretted that he was compelled to act in opposition to those whom he had hitherto followed, and whose patriotism and stern sense of duty he had always admired. He believed that the present measure was unwise and inconsistent. The arguments upon which the Right Hon. Gentleman rested his change of opinion was to him (Mr. Baring) quite inconclusive.—(Cheers.) Such a measure as the present required time for full and extensive con sideration. If some measure, some temporary measure, were required for the alleviation of distress, that was no reason for the introduction of such a measure as that which was before the House. If the last change in the tariff had been successful, that was an argument in favour of a gradual change, and against such a sweeping measure as the present. He did not believe that the prosperity of the last three years had depended solely on the changes in the tariff. It appeared to him that the prosperity of the country had arisen from the activity of trade, and from the advantageous employment of labour, It was important for him to state the relative connexion between the price of food and the rate of wages. He believed that wages might be high and the price of food law, or that the price of food might be high, and the rate of wages low. There was a large remuneration given for labour in America, and yet fund was cheap there.—( Hear, hear.) They had a very low rate of remuneration for labour in Poland, and provisions were not cheap there. That fact proved to him that there was no connexion between the price of food and the price of labour.—(Hear, hear.) If the demand for labour decreased with an increasing population, the result would be that the wages must be regulated accord ing to the price of food, and the wages would therefore be reduced to that sum of money on which a man could exist. He could not, therefore, see anything in these three years of prosperity, gratifying as they might be—anything to justify a very grand experiment, which would shake the resources of the whole agricultural country ; it would open a future of which none could see the result. No one viewed the calamities that might happen to Ireland with more regret than he did, and he knew that the reports of famine and disease in that country had given great diesatisfaction. If that report was founded on troth, it would cause an influx of provisions there, and there fore they need not fear for Ireland. A special case requires a special remedy.—( Hear, hear.) He had undoubtedly heard that the poor Irishman lived solely on his crop of potatoss, and if that failed, he had no means of existence. In a case like that he would look to the land cultivators around him for relief ; and by this measure the prosperity of those persons who could afford him relief would be reduced. He regretted to hear the statement of the Secretary for the Home Department—it struck him both with surprise and sorrow.—( Hear.) If ever there was a truly patriotic Minister, he believed that no man was more so than the Right Hon. Baronet, and he would feel it his duty to do all in his power for Ireland. With regard to the scarcity in England, it did not seem to call for a great change in the corn-laws. When the Hon. Member for the City of London moved for a return of all the corn in the ports of this nation, there appeared to have been about 430,003 quarters. It struck him (the Hon. Member for London) that this was a very imperfect supply for- this country, but there was at that time in the country, a sufficient stock to last it for two or three months. That fact proved to him (Mr. Baring) that, although the stock of bonded corn might be small, yet the real supply rested on the stacks and granaries that were in the country. The 430,000 quarters that were then in the ports were now increased to a million quarters, and that showed that the first cry of alarm drew ample supplies to this country. It had been proved to him that the potato crop had failed, hut he found that the supply of barley and oats had been sufficiently plentiful. They knew that the sliding-scale had failed, because sufficient food could not be introduced. Speculators saw that no advantage could be taken of the sliding-scale, and therefore they had to rake ad vantage of the sliding-scale of Ministerial nerves.—(lm men- e cheering.) With regard to the alleged statement of the exportation of foreign corn into other countries. What was the case with regard to Holland and Belgium ? About 100,000 quarters were sent there, and an ample supply was still at the disposal of the country. They had been told last year that there would not be a sound potato by Christmas. A snsal quantity had been sent to Holland and Belgium, and an ample supply could be commanded. The Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government had told them that in Liverpool and other places the price of rice had risen, but a reaction had now taken place, and the price of rice had fallen 25 and even 30 per cent. Tho public press, or at least that portion of it that opposed the corn-laws, spoke of the starva tion and distress that existed, as connected with them, as it was their wish to cause a feeling against them—( Hear, hear) —and even the Noble Lord who represented the City of Lon don had adopted that principle for a short time. From the public press, down to a private letter, they were met with the cries of want and distress, but he believed that the greatest want which existed in the country, and which threatemed the thost danger, was the want of a Ministry—(Loud cheers from the Treasury side of the House)---and the greatest scarcity was the scarcity of statesmen who could properly govern the affairs of the c ountry—(Continued cheering)—and he was not alone in that opinion. The Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government stated, when he introduced the measure, that the state of the manufacturing districts required these great changes in the landed interest. He said, in answer to a ques tion which had been put to him, that serious apprehensions were entertained as to the sad results which would follow in those districts in consequence of the deficient harvest, and it was therefore most advisable to bring in the present measure. The Right Hon. Baronet also referred to a document which made a great impression upon his mind, and he (Mr. Baring) must confess that it had a similar effect upon his own mind. That document stated that it was probable that we should be visited by the same calamities as this country laboured under i n 1839. The Right Hon. Baronet read one extract from that document, which supported hls present views, but he declined liberty of )by that portion to w hich he (Mr. Barin g) w ould now take the of calling the attention of the House. — (Hear , hear , an d The document to which he referred was a circular Messrs. Gibson, Ord and Co., eminent merchants of Manchester, on the 22d of January last. They stated, in one of the earagraphs of that document, that although great anxiety and alarm very justly existed in the country with re gard to the failure of the potato crop, yet there were not grounds for the present very serious excitement. They also stated it to be their candid opinion that it would be a most injudicious plan to open the ports to alleviate apprehended famine—(Mithe material cheers)—becarise such a step would produce greatest disarrangement in the home and foreign markets. — Such a step, they stated, would be so e x travagant and so wild, that they would cer ta in l y protest against it.—(llear, hear. Their goods, they said, would lie rendered unsaleable, and the trade of the country would, for a time, be rendered com pletely stagnan t. The ca use of alarm, they believed, had been most grossly exaggerated, and it was impossible that the de ficiency could be so great as anticipated. The surplus corn that had lain over for the previous years would, in their opi-.. near ly make op for th e defi c i enc y. —(hear, hear.) 'rhe A ' til°inni'ster had several courses, they said, open to him to alle viate the impending distress ; but in their solemn opinion they -believed that the opening of the ports would unquestionably be so sudden and unexpected a transition, as to some extent to embarrass the Government of the country.—(Ministerial cheers.) Those Gentlemen were not in favour of the cern • laws, but they said that it was their belief that the time had arrived when a change shculd be made in the laws affecting the importation of foreign corn.--(Loud Opposition chears, an d 1111 laghter. OY said that the apprehension of the FUNDS.,-Bausms, FED. 11. Actual Debt, 234 per Cent •••• • • • ••• • • • nothschthrs Loan, Five per Cent •.•• • • • • Loan of Thirty Millions, Four par Cent-. • • Ditto Three per Cent • Ditto Thirty-seven Millions, ditto • . Ditto,dltto,lB4 , l.. • • • • • • • ........ Ditto, ditto,lB42 .• . • 102% Ditto, 1844. ... • • •• Ditto, 1836.. . .. • • • • • Ditto, 1838 .. •.•.• • • •• . Ditto of the City, 1832 .. • • . • • • Ditto, 1843 .• 10130 Bank oll3elgitun— • • . •• • 805 . -Brussels Papers, Feb. 12. IMPERIAL PARLIAM NT. HOUSE OF COMMONS; Thursday, Feb. 12. THE CORN-LAW S.—ADJOURN ED • DEBATE. , Mr. W YNN said, that many of those who had ad dressed the House had lamented that the, nature of this question was such as to cause very considerable differ ence of opinion amongst the political leaders of this country. Although he might difFer from some of them in his vote, and should vote for those who held his own opinion, yet he felt himself divided on this question, which so very much divided the opinions of men in general. lie differed in opinion from a most respectable meeting of his own consti tuents, but that was a circumstance to whic h man y Members of that House must necessarily be exposed. He had bad the good fortune to enjoy for fifLy years the confidence of his constituency, and if he had ever departed from their opinion on any paticular question, they had acknowledged that it might be a conscientious matter. He was satisfied that he had performed his duty to the country by consulting what he considered to be its interests rather than the feelings of any parti cular party of the persons whom he represented. He felt that this question put the well-being of the agriculturist and the manufacturer in the balance, and their interests were so much alike that they could not look at one without considering the other. He had heard speak of the benefit of leaving a question of this kind to the individuals themselves rather than to the Government. He was aware that it had been the policy of the Govern ment to promote laws for the protection of the agricul turists and the manufacturers. Much as he respected the institutions and legislation of our forefathers, there was no point on which he differed from them so much as their practice of meddling with what might be easily managed by the individuals c ncerned. When he looked at the regulation:, relative to agriculture—the limit that was set to the quantity of land to be devoted to pasture or tillage, he was surprised ; and when he looked at the fact, that the price of wheat was to be regulated by the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Chancellor, or the Lord Chief Justice, he entirely disapproved of it. It was said that every vessel which brought over wine to this country would also bring over bowed staves. — (Laughter.) It was said that for every butt of wine brought over, ten bowed staves would accompany it. Let them remember that it was not till the close of the reign of James. I. that a permanent change in our commercial policy took place, but it was not till the Administration of Mr. Pitt, that a more generous change took place. About the perind,of the Union, he first pro pounded his commercial policy. Acting upon his usual policy, he threw aside the prejudices of his pre decessors, and brought those principles into law. The best answer he could give to those who questioned the necessity of altering the present state of things was that which the French merchant gave at one time to Colby, when he inquired, "What can I do for the encouragement of your trade and prosperity ?" the answer was, ". to let them alone."—(Hear, and laughter.) He hoped that the Government would carry their mea sures out to a still greater extent. He confessed he should have been better pleased if they had done so. He believed, however, that it could not be done at present, and that so far as it could have been with safety to the country it bad been done. The experience, the enterprise, and the capital of this country would, he believed, obviate the great evils of which the Hon. Member who last addressed the House had spoken. It had been said that the agriculturists could not assist their husbandman as the manufacturer did his work men, by improved machinery. He could say that so far as his experience and observation went, he differed from that opinion. He thought he saw daily the beneficial effects of the application of machinery to agriculture.—(Hear, hear.) He saw large proprietors erecting upon their estates machinery for the manu facture of drain tiles. These tiles were sold to the tenant at prime cost. He hoped that this system would be developed to a greater extent. It had also been said that it was not to the interest of this country to depend upon foreign countries for the supply of corn. He was of opinion that was a fallacy. He considered that the Americans would be as anxious to encourage our buy ing their corn as they were anxious to sell it. He thought they would act as the old Duch merchant, who, in the time of a war between that country and France, was asked why he exported his merchandise there, replied, that if he were told they were in want of sulphur in the lower regions he would send a ship-load of that com modity to the mouth of Acheron, provided he could obtain a sufficient insurance to cover the damage that might be done by the singeing of the sails. He had also known many members of the Anti-Jacobin Clubs who would never refuse to take a glass or a bottle of claret, upon the ground that it would give assistance to the French merchant ; and such, he conceived, would be the state of things even if this country should be dependent for its supply of corn upon foreign countries. He hoped to see the policy which directed those mea sures carried to a greater extent, and with that view he would give the Government every support. Mr. G. lIEATHCOTE said, in addressing himself to the present question, ho weuld endeavour to be as brief as possible, He did think that an appearance of consistency was due from public men. When his Hon. Friend on this (the Oppo sition) side of the House brought forward measures which he thought injurious to the agricultural interests he opposed them ; and now, when the Government brought forward measures which he considered infinitely more injurious, more extensive in the injuries which they wou:d inflict, he would give them every opposition.—(Ministerial cheers.) He begged their ettention to the state of things which existed during the last year. Their manufactories were prosperous, trade was extending itself, and agriculture was beginning to recover itself from the deep and deadly wounds inttcted by the Right Hon. Gentleman. Well, the Governmerit,in this state of things, pro pose a series of measures, accompanied by a change of opinion unparalleled in the record of political tergsrvisation. The Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the Government had turned out his Noble Friend, because he brought forward a proposition for a fixed duty of Bs. But now he came for ward and proposed a fixed duty of 45., and at the end of three years he intends to remove all protection from agriculture. He had called this a dangerous experiment. He was justified in so calling it, for it was an experiment that was contrary to the experience of all countries and all time. The' Right Hon. Baronet had told us that all history and records of events should be expunged from the annals of England previous to the period of his own Administration. He (Mr. Fleethcote) would ask whether the three years' experience of the Right Hon. Baronet would bear him out in proposing to the House the present measure ? He (Mr. Heatheote) was quite ready to admit that there was great prosperity, a diminution of crime and improved condition of morals at present in the country; 22 but he thought those advantages were entirely owing to the in ctwor t a ehr s e e e d nl az e bt m oi ou p n l r o hw y a m ays e i nn n g t e c o ee f xs is, t ae a rn b } e u da r n . d its ecfsahpleeticause iao ii the t ah t r h ei e i yowas sourceruo v c t i i n o g ns of railroads in various parts of the country, and thus improv ing the modes and facilities of conveyance. He would main tain that the country was more indebted to the Hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Hudson) for his activity and energy in promoting the construction of railroads, than to any free-trade measures of the. Right Hon. Baronet.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) In the year 1839, the Hon. Member for Kendal came down and told the House that the manufacturing interests were in a preposterous condition, and yet wheat had fallen Bs. a quarter.'there was an attempt to annihilate the interest of protection, and the followers of the Right Hon.. Baronet would find it out when they presented themselves on the hustings at the next election. The Hon. Member for Wiltshire had alluded to what had taken place in the year 1815, as if that had been the first time when the corn-laws were to be heard of. Why, the corn-laws and protection to agriculture had been in exist ence for the last two hundred yeafs, and he considered, further, that if an error had been committed in 1815, by forcing up the price of wheat, a still greater error would be committed in 1846 by attempting to abolish them altogether.—(Hear, hear.) He would ask whether there was any strong cause of public necessity to justify the present measure?—( Hear, hear.) He meant, a strong feeling of the pubic with reference to this sub ject, similar to that which overrun England, previous to the Reform Bill. As far as he knew, all was tolerably peaceable and quiet. 'I he warfare carried on was exclusively a defen sive warfare. When the manufacturers put on the armour of free trade, the agriculturists assumed the whole panoply of protection. The history of the last five or six years, with re spect to elections, was a complete record of defiance of protec tion, and of the strongest failure of the gentlemen who support free trade. Mr. BRIGHT—The West Riding of Yorkshire for instance? Mr. G. HEATH COTE resumed, that was an exception; but, besides that, the free trade gentlemen had nothing to boast of at the elections. Why, they had failed in the very heart of free trade. They had failed at Birmingham, at Sunderland, and lastly, they had failed at Wigan.—(Cheers.) His Noble Friend, the Member for London, had admitted it, and con firmed it. There was no doubt whatever that a large propor tion of the people of this country were opposed to the priuciples of free trade. In the year 1641, whole consti tuencies, at the time of the elections, passed resolutions in favour of protection, and tow the Parliament elected under the banner of protection, was about to decide in favour of free trade. Looking at he whole state of the case, whether at home or abroad, he felt satisfied that the principles of free trade could not be adopted either with safety or with honour. —( Hear.) Neither could foreign nations be made to alter their tariffs until three-fifths of the people of England had been induced to change their opinions. He would now speak a few words with respect to the famine that was said to threatim the country. As regarded Ireland, he should be happy to render that unhappy country every means of rescuing itself from the portending distress. At a meeting of his own constituent*, which had recently been held, he had told them at once that if any measure for the relief of the people of Ireland should be brought forward, he hoped they would allow him to give it his support.—(The pro• position was received with simultaneous cheers of assent.) If, however, a measure were to be adopted for the relief of Ire land* why was it not carried into effect at once ? When peo ple were starving, delays wet, cruel and dangerous. If local present scarcity had prepared the minds of all men for it.— (Cheers and laughter.) They believed that provision should be made to the utmost possible extent for the apprehended Calainify.—( Continued Opposition cheers and laughter.) They said, however, that they did not advocate a total and ineme.; diate repeal of the corn-laws, hut they were afraid that the existing alarm in the minds of men might make the present a proper time for a great reform in those laws. —(Cheers.) They stated, however, that it would be unjust to the landed interest to create such a revolution in the agricultural policy of the Government as might paralyse the energies and in dustry of the country. They recommended that a I moderate fixed duty should be imposed in the first instance, with a progression to an enitre abolition of all. duties.—( Loud laughter and cheers from the Opposition side of the House.) Those parties, therefore. who, be it remem bered, were enemies to the present corn-laws, recommended not immediate repeal, but a fixed duty. They also stated that the present alarm about the failure of the late harvests had been much exaggerated, and further, they did not believe that the present circumstances of the country called for 'such a step R 3 the opening of the ports by her Majesty's Government. He (Mr. Baring) referred to the document from which he had read these extracts, because the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government had given the stamp of his approbation to it by reading extracts from it when. he introduced the present measure. That document showed that the Right Horn Baronet would not have been justified in opening the ports, a course which he had proposed to his col leagues in the Cabinet, but which step they, of course, deprecated. (Hear, hear.) For his (Mr. Baring's) own part, he would ray, that in his humble opinion it would have been most isjudicious to have opened the ports at that period. This country would, in such an event, have exposed itself to the mercies of foreign powers ; it would have increased the prosperity -Of other countries by putting an end to its own.--(Heare' hear.) Considering the recent relaxation in the tariff, he confessed that he did not see how the Right Honourable 'Brinoect was justified in bringing forward the preen:re - proposal ; which was nothing less than a most suctelen nand sweeping mea sure.—(Hear, hear.) Perhaps he might 'be all Owed to say a word or two upon the general measure; tifiticularly in reference to the stmtsg opinion which had been formerly expressed by the Right Honfßaronet, as to the importance of a great reserve in the revenue and expenditure. It seemed to him (Mr. Baring), although .she... Aid ;- not pretend to any accuracy with respect to the finances of the country, that when the Right Hon. Baronet proposed an augmentation in the expenditure on the charges of the Con solidated Fund—being more than half a million—he should re collect that a great loss would arise to the revenue by tie abo lition of the duties on the importation of foreign corn,which most necessarily be made up by the imposition of new taxes, for he could not expect that the loss would be made up by the duties to be received on the anticipated inerewe of foreign goods hereafter to be imported into this country in consequence of the repeal ot the corn-laws. He was afraid he had trespassed too long upon the attention of the House— ( Cheers) —but he was anxious to say that he was not one of those who thought that protection ought to be indiscriminately applied to all articles; he conceived that if protection was claimed for any article of industry, a case should be made out to justify its protection. Each interest in his opinion should be treated according to its peculiar circumstances. He believed that in every step the Legislature. in dealing with subjects of this sort, should adopt the principle which had been long ago laid down by Dr. Adam Smith, and which doctrine had ben quoted by the Noble Lord the Member for the City of London at some length. The doctrine to which he (Mr. Baring) alluded, was that Government, in legislating in matters of trade, should take care that the abolition of protective duties be made slowly and by gradations. As regarded the corn-law of 1815, he (Mr. Baring) was not one who looked to the present as a final measure—he could not believe in finality in any matters of legislation.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) But still he thought that there was an understanding that that law had worked well, and that it would not be changed by its own authors.—(llear, hear.) He would not go into the workings of that law, but he would only say that the Government, in questions of this sort, should, in the words used by the Right Honourable Baronet at the head of the llevernment the other night, " act most cautiously and delibe rately." lie hoped, too, that the present measure of the Government would ultimately prove beneficial to this country, but he really could not . see why Government should put a check to the confidence of those concerned in the culti vation of the land. It was impossible to say what would be the result of the present measure. There was nobody to in form the House what would be the amount of foreign corn that would be imported into this country under the proposed measure, and it was also impossible for anybody to protect the price of corn.—( Hear, hear.) In his humble opinion great injury would arise from the sudden change; it would affect a ' great interest.--(Flear, hear.) It would shock the confidence of the agriculturists, and destroy stability , in every thing connected with the land.-,( Hear, hear.) Now, what were the advantages proposed by this measure ? Some said that it Would uheapen thennice:of bread ; and if it would not, why bring. , it leeward ?•—( Hear, hear.) He believed that every article of consumption was by increase of consumption made cheaper. This bad been the case with respect to the articles of cotton; coffee, tea, and. tobacco. - The Hon. Baronet had shown himself that the price of wheat tad cheapened pro portionably with the increase of consumption and population. Such, be could show by a document which he then held in his hand, had been the effect in the Western States' of Ame rica, and the Right Hon. Gentleman the Secretary for War also showed that a similar result had followed in Ohio. But statements on this head were always very uncertain. He, however, held a document in his hind which was generally believed to be correct, although, for his own part, he did not attach much importance to it fhat document stated that .vhile the population of that country was 600,000 in 1844, the amount of cern consumed was 3,280,000 quarters; and the amount consumed in 1845 was 6,000,001) quarters, whilst the population was 7,000,000. So that the tendency in those countries of an increase in the population was to prodnee an increased eonsumption of corn. The forma tion of railroads, however, would almost answer the purpose of the present measure, because those means of transit would con siderably decrease the price of corn. If we depended on foreign supplies of corn, it seemed to him that we should be liable to a great rise in the price. They would find that cotton was subject to great fluctuation in price without the opera tion of free trade. In 1836 the price of cotton at Liverpool was 9nel., and at the end of March it had risen to 111 d., and in the December of that year it was mid. In the commence ment of 1834 it was 100., and at the close of that year it was Bd. The whole of those fluctuations showed that the varia tions were equivalent to 70 per cent. It was sometimes said that the rate of freight .was quite sufficient to serve as a guarantee for the protection of corn. Now, what was the case with regard to freight? Freight might be taken at 9'. from Odessa, 2s. from Hamburgh, 4s. from the Baltic, and 6s. from New York to Liverpool, with the addition of two or three shillings to London. It was Bs. from New Orleans. and a further charge of 2s. upon the home producer. From Norfolk the freight was Is. 6d., and Boston 95., and the effect was that corn shipped at Boston would have to pay the same freight as that shipped from Hamburgh. He had to apologise to the House for occupying their attention so long—(Cheers) —but he would solicit the indulgence of the House whilst he stated, that in his opinion there was a strong feeling on the part of many connected with trade that a moderate duty was far preferable to a total abolition of the corn-laws.---(Cheers.) It was not, however, for him to enter into the truth of such a position, but he must say that their opinions were deserving of attention at the present moment.—(Hear, hear.) If the Government ever intended making a satisfactory settlement of this matter, now was the time for doing so. He should certainly see to tranquillity in the country, but he hod no deslre to see the tranquillity of content.—( Hear, hear, and laughter. ) This measure would produce a great shock in the country, and the people could have no confidence in those who took part in public affairs. Na tional blessings were dearly bought at such a lamentable cost as that offered by the Right Hon. Baronet.—(Hear, bear.) Had it been a satisfactory measure he wo uld have had much pleasure in tendering to the Government his cordial support. It was not a measure calculated to give that satisfaction to the country which ought to be looked'tor in a measure proposed by the Prime Minister of the Crown. Was it a wise, a politic, or a statesmanlike thing to semi a:great interest, like the landed interest, from that House without any confidence in any Go vernment ?—( Hear, hear.) Who could doubt that their interest would, by the proposed measure, be seriously injured and their very existence joopardised.—(Hear hear.) Humble as he was, he would venture to say, that while he was in favour of all fair concessions for the freedom of trade, he still thought it both necessary and politic to maintain a moderate protection to agri culture. ( Cheers.) Lord MORPETH said, if the question had been a less im portant onelienvould have hesitated, at so short a period after having resumed his seat in that House, from presenting him self again' to their notice, especially when he rose to take that view cf the question which, in his judgment, had received nearly all the illustration of which it is capable—everything which the most consummate ability, tie most industrious re search, the greatest amount of official authority, and a pro tracted discussion could possibly bring to elucidate the subject. The question had also received many very illustrious additions. The Hon. Member who had just sat down he knew before to be a friend to free trade in the abstract.— (Cries of "Hear, hear.") But he thought, after his speech of to-night, it would be difficult to discover if, either its abstract, or in detail, he was favouraby disposed to a general relaxation of restrictive duties. He has not told us how far he would go, or where he would stop. He (Lord Morpeth) thought that a great interest which had been brought forward in the debate, like the annicultural interest of the country, if there was one course more than another which he deprecated, it was that of being subjected to this constant changing, gradual system of experiments.—(Hear, he-r.) The Hon. Member has told us- that the great want in the preceding autumn was the want of a Minister. Now I think, said the Noble Lord, that Rant is most sensibly felt by that great and important party of which the lion. Member is so distinguished an ornament. They have contested every vacant seat in the country, but even still they seemed to be lament ably deficient of a leader and a head.—(No, no, and hear, hear.) If such is not the case, we shall shortly see, when they have displayed their full force and numbers, and made the echo of their own opinions responded to in the country, we shall then see a successful, stable Government formed—( Hear) — upon the principles of undiminished protection to agriculture. The Hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Baring) had stated, that the present would be a favourable time to effect a com promise on this subject. I do not know whether he comes down here as the bearer of any overtures upon the principles of compromise. I can tell the Hon. Member that the opinion, both in the country and in this House is, that the time for a compromise is gone by.—( Hear, hear.) A compromise was once offered—( Hear, hear) —by the party with whose leader I have the proud satisfaction of acting. The Hon. Member must not forget, that at that period the party who now hail him as their honourable ally, rejected all notion of compromise. I. feel that the best excuse I can have for offering myself to the attention of the House upon this long discussed and wide stretching question, which has, as I have already stated, re ceived nearly all the illustration it is capable of, would be to confine my observations to what is special and peculiar in my ewn opportunities that I have had, and the position which I heed with respect to it. Since I last had the honour of ad dressing this House I have been a traveller on the North American Continent. I have for two yews lived in agricul tural districts in that country, and I have lost and re gained the representation of the West Riding of Yorkshire. And I consider that the effect of my return as a member for this House, from so large and populous a district as the \Vest. Riding of Yorkshire—as one of the most significant and signal verdicts which could be given—which has been submitted to the country in the sessions of 1846. But there is only one cir cumstance which seems to use to require remark with reference to the opinion of the large body of constituents whom I have the honour to represent.. The question which has been brought before them—the projects ot the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of her Majesty's Government—concerns, as we all know, an infinite variety of articles, besides corn and other provisions. —( Hear, hear.) It meddles almost as much with manufactures as with agriculture.—(No, no, and hear.) Hon. Members say " No, no ;" I maintain that it meddles as touch with many leading branches of manufactures as it does with agriculture. —(No, no.) Well, it meddles as much as it possibly could.—( Hear, hear.) The abolition of protection in one instance is the same, but in another unlike. The repeal of the duties on manufacture is immediate, and upon corn is gra duel. —(lean hear.) 1 was proceeding to say that the con stituents, by whose choice, I have the honour to represtnt, cote peise amongst them the largest woollen, worsted, and steel ma nufacturers in the country. It comprises, also, the largest linen manufacturers in the kingdain. h has • also laign 40 and considerable cotton Alanufacturen. Now, as I " Tibi mittat ab antrts /Ecilus iratas hyemes tibi militat ether Et congregati veniant in prmlia venti." Yes, Sir, 1 think it rather a confirmation of the truth of that principle that the stars do not fight against it, but that their combinations would seem to be in its favour. But with respect to this argument, I believe it is established by those who give their special attention to the variations of the weather that the same circumstances of cold or hot, wet or dry,' weather arc not found generally to prevail over or to affect the produce of a large surface, so that bread in season, when prices are high in London, may be cheaper in Paris or Vienna ; but, on the con trary, 1 believe it will be found that a wet or dry season in this country, is compensated for by a season of an opposite cha racter in other parts of the world, for instance, upon the con tinent of North America. Every one will recollect, for ex ample, that the season of 1842 was remarkable in England for a warm and even temperature. Now, during that year, I hap pened to travel on the continent of North America; and we hid weather of the most variable character. Much as I had heard of the extreme heat of an American summer, I scarcely experienced "a hot day ;" and every one told me that it was the coldest season almost ever experienced in the United States ; the very reverse of this occurred last year. Last summer, it will be remembered was peculiarly wet and unseasonable in England, whilst on the continent of Ame rica it was, I understand, peculiarly hot —to much so, that I remember reading, in one paper, of a man who died in t oue of the large cities, from the effects of the excessive heat. Now what is the inference to be derived from this?. That not merely.the periods of sunset and of sunrise are .. d e iffe s re_n_t in different parts of our globe, but that tbe h re ere t . t s n on a . Te e system end coMpensation as to the season, as s, _tun our i ,art return of darkness and of light; so th: i t n, h the world is affilcted with c in old t , he an r d , ti l e ? . attendant bad harvests, vice ma lnd open our ports to foreign fon, if we repeal the c ora w - h la c ws i h have been denied to us have 'produce, that the Y uutimtealyke rot= comfort ._.„,_.,,L a . - t s ,, a nd that just at the moment of nted, ripened distanr .-:- '' _— t s. will be wafted over the ocean the superfluity of thou. grvr u have just said, the withdrawal of protection to most of these to gate for our deficiency.—(Cheers.) With reference articles is total and immediate, and, with reference to some the continent of America, on whieh I just now found my other of them, the protection is merely nominal. I might men- self, n do not wish to allude so much to any statistical deduc tion that in the'case of the cutlery of Sheffield, knives, scissors, tions which my residence there may have induced and razors, and other articles, for which it has acquired such cele- enabled me to make, because these have been subjects of brity, that these articles have been imitated on the continent of frequent discussion, and can be calculated as closely and Europe—the Sheffield mark has been forged, and they have appreciated as clearly at a distance as on the actual spot; then been introduced andlsoldin this country as genuine Sheffield though I have felt sometimes that the real site, the actual - reanefacture. However this may be, certain it is that ' presence of our own faithful eyes, bring the truth better home not one of these interests—all of 'them directly affected— to one, than the most laborious collection of documents.— yet . not one of them, in the whole interval of the ( Hear, hear.) I have felt this most emphatically when fortnight which was allowed for the consideration of placed in full view of those mighty prairies of the this measure—not.. even in the excitement of some vehement west, which, almost totally without an inhabitant, served appeals w hich have been made in the principal cities and mann- in their luxuriant fertility, imploringly to invite the agricul factoring towns— ( Hear, hear)—not when all the represen- culturist, when, in view of those vast forests above the prairies, tatives of these manufactures were assembled in large numbers which promised (and all experience had verified the promise) before the hustings at Wakefield—not a murmur, not a whisper, that as soon as the axe of the woodman had once rung among or adt mum or a siugle feeling .of disapprobaticn at this re- them, as soon as the log-cutter had put up his cabin, and the moval of protection was heard to proceed.—(hear, hear.) smoke from its chimney curled up into the air, fertile crops The general feeling and the expression was, competition may would take the place of tall trees.—( Hear, hear.) I have felt • come, we are prepared to meet it ; all we ask is, a fair field and this in sight of the immense and wonderful valley of the Mil no favour. Awl why, let me ask, why may not sissippi—that valley which the accomplished De Begueville has that interest which so often plumes itself as being the described as the most magnificent abode ever formed by nature most important, the noblest, and the most English-like occu • ' for man; I have felt this, on the St. Laerence, that mightier Winn in the country—why should no that interest take a leaf volume of fertilising waters than the whole world else pre out..of fire bo;nlt . cf these manufacturers, and consent to be - no sents. In all these grand scenes, I have felt that while the longerehenuly interest dependent upon a nation's industry? distance between them and us roust necessarily prevent those 'ow, Sir, with reference to my agricultural residence, and the extraordinary imports which' the panic in the breasts of our irnpressiocs I have derived from it. We have now to learn for protectionists anticipates, yet that still, as a very long time the first time during the course of this debate, that the land ; must elapse before that s a me valle y of the Mississi pp i can owner, pretends to himself, or rather endedvours to persuade number the 200,000,0(0 of inhabitants, of which it said to be himself, that he has not, been induced to take the', side he has capable, as a. very long time must elapse ere those woods can done for any reason connected with his ownlinterest—he consi- be cleared for the cultivation of what they are susceptible. ders himself only, on.a par with the manufacturer. He endea- I wish for a moment to mention to the House, before I cease to yours to persuade himself that he is not induced to take his . part trespass on its attention, that notwithstanding much that I against the corn-laws by any consideration of his own interest, have heard, and much that 1 have seen, I have not returned but it is the interest of his tenants and the agricultural la- from that country with any favourable impressioon - of their bourers which he has at heart. It is through 'the labourer's moderate tendencies, or their scrupulous attention to good breast, and by the wound that is inflicted itizon him, that he faith.—( Hear, hear.) Nor do I return to my home with th inks he s h a ll bl ee d. N ow , va l ua bl e as I a dmit the services any increased repugnance.—(Loud Ministerial cheers.) * By of thegricultural labourer to be, and immense as' IS consider which I mean to say any diminished attachment to t he the obl i gation on th e part o f t h ese individuals to assert and to aristocratic, or mixed monarchial principles, which were the cherish them, I think it, however, neither more nor less elements of our own Constitution.--(Loud cheers.) But I than an act of po s iti ve i n j ust i ce to t h e commun i ty at l arge t o f e el that we cannot confront the example of general ease and any interest as a special ebject 'of favour— comfort which prevails among the American people.—( Hear, or, as they are not ashamed to term it, protec- hear.) We all know the story of the Irish labourer , who re tion.—( Hear, hear.) In th e next place, I ques- fused to write home that he had meat three times a day , be tion if the protection you wi s h t o preserve is not miscalled cause nobody would believe him. We cannot confront the and misplaced. The Hon. Membe r f nr Northamptonshire growing aspirations of our own people—we cannot confront the (Mr. Stafford O'Brien) presented, in his own picturesque onward tendencies of the age in which we live, if we do not and pathetic style, an interview between a landlord and a consent to administer and to work out our aristocratic notions farmer, %shorn he represents as being turned off his land and in a more democratic spirit.—(Cheers.) Notwithstanding that compelled to leave his farm and home, endeared to him by so implied dissent, I contend that no aristocratic institutions mane pleasing recollections, because he could not give the same which rest on exclusive privileges will be able to stem the rent as some enterprising member of the Anti-corn-law League. current of the age. —(Cheers. ) I contend that there is no —( Hear, hear.) aristocratical body which rests on especial interests will escape 111 r. STAFFORD O'BRIEN.—No, no. their certain downfal—(Cheers)—and that no aristocracy, no Lord MORPETH —I thought i u nderstood the Hon. m a t ter how long descended, can exist with the corn-law Member to represent the case of a person with more capital, when the pressure will come, and that corn-law will be pro energy, and ability. hibitory. I think that that will be too hard a strain for any Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN.—I did say so; but he would title deed, re, matter how ancient to resist. lam not imputing not necessarily be a Leaguer.—( Her, bear.) to the great bulk of the aristocratic party, that any of their Lord MORPETH.— This argument would no\ apply, members should have a disposition to come out to promote any for where they could hitherto buy six quarters of wheat personal interest that may affect them individually, or to sup they could now only buy three quarters. The peo- port measures for their.exclu,ive benefit. Still they are the plc—the commercial people of this country and the aericul- interests not of individuals, but of a class which they have tural labourer, I consider have identical interests, and 'I say, been in the habit of keeping prominent in their view. therefore, that this measure will be a bvneflt to both. It will There is a concealed esprit de corps amongst them, and a re hardly be disputed that the real interests and well-being of the fined degree of selfishness which merges itself into generosity, agriculturist must depot d on the general prosperity of the arid is easily mistaken for it. When we think that a party country, which has such, an effect on the working classes, that with whom we have long acted is likely to be outnumbered in with the advance of commercial prosperity, their condition in a these circumstances, monopoly itself, when it has neared its like ratio became improved.—(Cheers.) Vow, had not the downfal, will be invested in a kind of se mpathy, such as that demand for labour always existed in a greater degree in years we feel for the culprit when he stands at bay. But we cannot when corn was cheap than in years when corn was dear ? be permitted, when the general interests of the country are at Had it not always been found, that with cheapness of bread, stake, to indulge in any such misplaced and morbid sympathy. there was an instant demand for labour.— (Cheers.) An lion. It is part of true patrioti-m, as well as philosophy, to put the Gent. on the opposite side of the house, said, in talking of the universal, in preference, over the particular. I would, there three years experience which they have had, that the prospe- fore, conjure those who belong to the aristocracy of the rity of that time did not arise from the working of the tariff, country, whether connected by hereditary right or but that it arose from the activity in railway speculation. landed property, to rise auove any of the especial interests. Why, the Hen. Member for Rutlandshire, said, that in the and to bear their part in the progressive spirit of the age. I year 1839, great prosperity existed (he alluded to the late grudge to the other side the adhesion of the names of the lamented Member for Kendal); but it must be remembered Marquis of Granby and Lord Clive, for I feel that our axis that 1639 was only the beginning of that activity. What tocracy has ever marched with that progress, and identified do we find in that very year which we are told was to itself with every glorious period recorded in our history. Let remarkable for the prosperity of their manufacturers ?—why, them not refuse to bear their part in a settlement which, if that part of 33 to 35, and .?.9 to 41, the amount of employment not adjusted with them , mu st be ad j usted in s p ite of them.— proves a decrease of 33 per cent., while the price of meat rose ( clear, hear.) 1 believe they continue to make it an esteemed to an enormous extent. Why it is so plain a principle that no and honoured party—let them make it as much their pride, one now will deny it, that when corn is dear the food of the as it is their duty, as well as their safety, to be the leaders working class must be proportionally entrenched upon.—( Hear, and not the laggers in the onward march of the British hear.) I want you to take the most excessive view of this people.—(Loud cheers. ) matter—let them bring fewer bags of cotton, and even fewer Mr. G A SKELL said that he considered that it was the dutgof skins from the farmer, but still they i the protectionists) must a public man to maintain a character for consistency.—(Hear.) bring "grist to their mill." The demands. of tLe working Perhaps, without presumption, he might call him his Right classes are, that they be enabled to buy in the cheapest lion. Friend.—( Hear, hear.) During the last fourteen years market , the food which is necessary for their support. he had supported him, and he would be glad to support him on But I have no hesitation in saying, that these laws are no pro- the present occasion. if he could reconcile it to his idea of duty, tection to the agricultural farmer or the agricultural labourer. but he felt it to be impossible for him to run counter to his --(Cheers.) I deny that they are protected by those legislative own implied engagements, and to his recorded votes.—( Loud enactments. The Noble Lord the Member for Liverpool cheers.) Notwithstanding the eloquent speeches of the Right (Lent Sandon) said, that wages varied with the price of bread, lion. Gentlemen the Secretary of State and the Secretary at whilst the Right Hon. Baronet, the Secretary of State for the War, he had yet to learn that this Parliament was elected for Home Department, said that they never varied in anything the purpose of demolishing all protection to agriculture. In his like the same proportion—that the rate of wages never rose opinion they had been elected, not only to entertain a or fell in the same proportion as the price of provisions. But total departure from those principles, but even the smallest in my own neighbourhood and district, in the memory of the suspension of that protection which the corn-laws conferred. living race, wages have never varied at all—they have al- —(Loud cheers.) He would not enter into the general ques ways been as high as 12s. a week there, as in Nerthampton- tion. The state of indisposition under which he laboured pre shire, and more in harvest.—(Hear, hear.) Well, then, if the vented him from doing so, and he would not detain the House agricultural labourer receives fixed wages of 12s. a week, with- much longer. He would, however, briefly explain the grounds out its varying according to the price of corn , does it not of the p rinciples which he intended to influence his conduct with follew that if, instead of paying Is. Bd. for a stone of flour, he regard to this great question. During the last four years, in has to pay, as he does now, 2s. 6d. for it—does it not follow, which he had occupied a seat in that House he had invariably I say, that his weekly earnings must command less of the opposed all measures of a similar nature which had been necessaries and comforts of life—that they must be materially brought forward by the Noble Lord the Member for London, abridged ?—(HealOhear.) Now a difference of 10d. a stone and the Hots. Member for Wolverhampton; and he did so in the price of flour makes a difference to the working mass, under the guidance of those Members who were now bringing taking his family at an average of six persons, of 2s. 6d. a week, forward measures precisely similar in their tendency. He was or 61. 10s. a year—a whole fifth of his income. Now I put it always of opinion that Parliament was bound to give a mode to the House whether we the rich men—we the gentlemen of rate protection to agriculture, and he was supporting it in that two meals a day, as the Hon. Member for Northamptonshire opinion, with some of the greatest men of the present and past puts it—( Hear and a laugh)—should not think a whole fifth of generation.—(Loud cheers.) He was supported by Canning, our income a grievous addition to the income-tax.—(Hear, by Huskisson, by Earl Grey, by the Right Hon. Baronet — hear.) I feel that the time is come in reference to this question ( tisar, hear)—by the Noble Lord opposite (Russell), by Lord when we have done with papers and figures, and I will not Ashburton, and others.—(Loud cheers.) He must be for trouble the House but with one more. I have had access to a given, therefore, if he said that the impressions paper, not drawn up for the purpose of the corn-law, or any ques- made upon it by the Right Honourable Gentleman himself tion connected with it, but for the purpose of a statistical inquiry and others were too strong to be outweighed by the arguments in reference to the small agricultural town near which I reside which were now advanced in support of a policy directly the This table shows the proportionate expenditure in the articles reverse. —(Cheers.) There where other objections which he of food in three families—the family of the tradesman, the considered were equally weighty against this measure. He family of the professional man, and the family of the working could not help thinking that the Right Hon. Baronet was not man. I will not trouble the House with the items for butcher's the individual to prepose, nor the present House of Commons meat, milk, nr butter. I will confine myself to flour alone, and the body to sanction, such an alteration.—( Cheer.) He was I find that this computation was made when flour was 2s. 6d. the ready, however, to artnnt that the Right Hon. Baronet was store. I find that the Bill of the tradesman's family was 121. 13s. actuated by a sense of public interest in the proposition which being 15 per cent. of the whole expenditure in theycar for food. he had made, and that he had made sacrifices in bringing it The annual charge of the professional man's family for flour forward ; but he had made sacrifices on a former occasion, and was 8. 18s., being 10 per cent. of his expenditure for food, the greatest was that in 1829. The present one was the next while the charge of the working man's family, kept with the in importance. With regard to the first, he lost the represen greatest economy, is 131.45., being a per tentage, not of 15 per tation t f the college of Oxford—(Cheers) —and the confidence cent. as in the case of the tradesman's family, nor of 10 per cent., of his party. This confidence,however, was afterwards bestowed as in the case of the professional man'sfamily, but at 48 per cent.-- upon him, hut now he has sacrificed that party which he had ( Hear, hear, and cheers.) Now, how much more heavy to ever declared to be his own pride.—( Loud cheers.) Nobody bins is such a deduction from the amount which be can lay out could doubt but the great majority of the present Parliament on food, than to the class immediately above him, andllf to the had been elected for the purpose of maintaining the principle of class immediately above him, in an infinitely greater degree protection to agriculture. He would say, notwithstanding more heavy than to the more easy circumstanced member of the speech of the Hon. Member for Wakefield, that it appeared society.—( Hear, hear.) But again, I find that the professional to him impossible for a Parliament so constituted, unless com mit, 'living in an economical manner, spends upon every ar- pelted by the strongest, the most cogent, and the most conclu tide of food consumed by his family but one-third of his total sive reasoning, to concur in the proposal of her Majesty's Go income. The food of the tradesman is about one-half of his vernment.—(Loud cheers.) It was not the change of the income. The food of the working labourer is about three. Right Hon. Baronet that filled his mind with apprehension, fourths of his total income.—( Hear, hear.) What he actually but it was the change of so large a body in that House spends on food is 73 per cent., and only 27 per cent. remains as would follow in the wake of the Right Hon. Gentle for rent, schooling, clubs, and shoes. Therefore, I put it to man. And he confessed that such a change was calculated the House, whether this increase of 2s. 6d. in his weekly bill to lead the public to a complete distrust in public men.—( Loud for flour does not tend to deprive him, in an inordinate degree, cheers.) It might be asked, why were they not tied down by of all the luxuries of life, and of a nreater command of mears pledges? Why did they net g ive p led g es ? The reason why for the education of his hildren.—( Hear, and cheers.) These they were not delegates was because they were trusted. — is not more than a sufficient quantity of food grown in this (Loud cheers.) For himself, he could say with truth, highly country for our present supply—(l think he would be a hardy as he valued the dignity of a Parliamentary representative, man who denied that) —it has been computed that there much as he prized the sphere of usefulness which that position is an addition of 1,660 a day, or 365,000 a year, to our conferred upon them, he would rather forfeit his seat to-mor present population ; and I also make bold to assert that row than be obliged to give pledges as to the course which on there is not, year by year,. an addition of 365,000 guar- ordinar y occasions he should pursue on public questions. But ters of wheat of our native growth. Does it not, then follow there were implied engagements from which any that it is most important to procure an additional supply from representative could not deviate without total abandon abroad ; and, considering the condition of the poor, ought not meat of eentidence and a complete forfeiture :of all claims this to be done at the cheapest possible ra t e? —(Hear, hear.) tolneconsidered as the representative of his constituency.— Ido not agree with those who impute it as blame to her Ma- (Cheers.) His Right Hon. Friend the Member for Wiltshire, jesty's Government, that there has been the exercise of sliding- said that they were not to be considered as mere ambassadors scale on the Ministerial nerves—that they were appalled by and delegates of local bodies.—(Cheers.) Let that lion. the events of last autumn.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Alem- Gentlernan take care that the course which he pursued was a ber for Huntingdon (Mr. T. Baring) said, the proposal of the course which must inevitably lead to that local delegation , total abolition of the corn-laws had been founded on the neces- which he repudiated—(Load cheers)—and to_ e rh greater b had been of giving an additional supply of food to Ireland, and he tension of that principle. Another doctrine hi asked—" Has the House ever shown a reluctance togrant relief broached was one calculated to fill h e to that country ? 4 Whatever its Saxon feelings may be, astonishment and alarm—a docdterr is w nhreehdw' with b rtohaec sea li d t n e s a t has it ever manifested an indisposition to afford assistance ?" quarter which was usually reegz., d l n h w a i t th at th th e e g h re e a a t d es e t f de th fe e re a nee e- No, it has not ; but I ask, is it fair to tax the generosity of and respect. That . d t o r c o t n rin y. g I advocated a measure from England because it shows a readiness, and is in fact ready, to vernment n d e is s se e n a t m ed e dissented ; that t o t that opinion, must, unless fly to the relief of Ireland ?—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) This which a porti w on a of Govern is in contravention of that maxim which I hold to be sound in gent Ibroken u )._ 1 (Cheers.) In the speech of the Hon. Member political as well as in daily life, "Be just before you are gene- be foi. Liverpool, and in that of the lion. Member for Inverness, h t i li s o c s ° e li c e o li fl u ea es g tous."—( Hear, hear.) Be just to the people ot Ireland,_ o but this doctrine appeared to be sanctioned, but if it were generally be just also to the collective community of the people o f L og- this he considered that it was a doctrine which would be giteswwouhlideit havethe Parliament eff h t ave alwas utterly fatal to the independence of Parliamentary men—utterly land.—(Cheers.) The Honourable Member for Itu t n e ti a ng e cl m o g ni says —" You ought not to apply a permanent remedy e , t may them mere agents and local deleg ates , and be totally at rani ec of maki n g remedy be temporary and local.: —(H a porary evil. When the evil is ,temporaryhasnard culutlelt say v e b in e c e o n n i lis o t e e e n n t e vi e d ith by t — he tha u t sa d that it has arisen repeatedy • and arc th tl •• f h ance wile spirit o t e onstitut(Loud cheers.) arise in any year, an , a that the peculiarity of the evil in question . er' is ' this, that it we always to be mocked with these delusions of slidineescales There was one other point to which he would call the attention which do not slide, and restrictive laws which, according to the of the Ilouse. If those gentlemen who were returned to vote varying course of the seasons , must be constantly modified or against Use principles of the Right Ilms. Baronet should again repealed ?—( Loud cheers.) I think it is no reproach to the present themselves to their constituencies, afterbaving voted Right Honourable Gentleman that he has been influenced, in contrary to their promises, what shall they have to offer for the course which he has adopted, by the state of the seasons.— their breach of trust ?- e ( Hear, hear. ) When the agricultural (Hear, hear.) Finding that Isis anticipations had been dis,ap portion of the country shall be called upon to teaser their pointed, and his calculations baffled, Ito was led by the result votes at the hustings, how would they respond to that call?— to change his mind; but can any one justly be reproached (near, hear.) Would they not reply to that call with feelings for being disappointed and baffled by that which he can of indifference? would they not say that they neither counteract nor control?—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) had no cause to represent —no interest to I think it no disparagement to free trade, 1 think it the strong- protect?—(Hear, hear.) It was no light thing to show the est confirmation of the truth of the principle on which it rests, constituency—it was no light thing to show to the people—that that it follows the law of nature, and bends to the rules which their representatives advocated one set of principles at the regulate the courses of the seasons. I may not i m p ro p er l y hustings, and voted otherwise in the Legislature.—( Cheers.) say of such operation as the poet said of the' Roman Emperor, He had given this subject his most serious consideration—he —( I shall endeavour, Sir, to quote my Latin somewhat more had given it his most serious consideration independent. of party correctly than the Hon. Member for Newcastle quoted his)— feelings, and lie bad come to the conclusion that this was a 'Loud laughter)— measure fraught rich the utmost danger to the agricultural in terests of the country.—(hear, hear.) He regretted that he was compelled to differ in the most important measure of mo dern times with the Right lion. Baronet, but it was with a clear conscience he should vote against the measure. —( Cheers. ) Mr. ROEBUCK—The Honourable Member, who was for sonic time most inaudible to the gallery, was understood to say, that considering the various and conflicting opinions expressed by many Honourable Members en the question before the House, he naturally approached it with great difficulty. Theta was a remark made by the Honourable Gentleman who had just sat down which called for some answer. It might be very proper for those elm had made pledges to their constituents (I be recommend the giving up of those scats. It h w ieh they well for those lion. Members to give up the seats, 'hvo„ever, a had retained on such promises. Ithoww"that the people matter of consideration for Parliament to f s er of the measures were properly represented by the characo. oat question in the which were brought forward. it at on 'lle wished to know debate as to the character of . della iat he vrisbed to- know was if the delegation was nothing t i ng W as be did a large constituency the representative. Repreren ht )-he may have represented (Ceat lang er in his own PerS°n— - sin g ular mariner, so as to excite the laegliter himself in a very but he was the representative of a large of Hon. alembersife, but if he were to have thrown up his seat portion of the peop en,c:ent owly compelled to differ from his in that House, when c , , • i constuen .ri he would have had to do so long since, for t. , it W OUid be remembered, that he had many biases voted con trary to their wishes. It was not the country that called upon Hon. Members to resign their seats, it was the clue bon ughs. ._-(Loud cries of " No, no," " Name, name.") He hoped that lion. Members would not cry out " Name," for it so hap pened that lie could yut his fingers on the names of those. places. Ile would say that those who should hereafter read the discussion of this measure, would be surprised at the senti ments exprewed by mane • e The practical statesman who shall came hereafter, will take the . practical philosophy of legislation and would not be prejudiced by party views. It was a remarkable thing that the Hon. Baronet who bad brought forward the principles embraced in the EIN c itl I rail. r ed, 1165" D , r;il._