The Sun. — London, England, 1824-03-15 00:00:00

N D. 1 A. ON TfIE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FREE PRESS IN IL\ DEAR hope the following, obser- vations, on a question interesting to. rte all, may not be alto. gether unworthy - of your attention. It is not without its diffi culties ; an additional reason to the many I have for addressing them to one who, in successfully analyzing the principles elan ,ibetruse science, has shewn more acumen than is necessary to the solution of diem. • If, indeed, politics, considered as a practical, and not as an abstract science, considered in its practical results, and not in its theories of speculative perfection, be founded on combina tions, formed on a great variety of applications and exceptions,, according to time, place. and circumstance, the question of the Liberty of the'Press in India, may certainly be viewed in very different lights, by men whose opinions on subjects of a similar coniplexion, have nearly coincided. Having recently seen a" Statement of Facts relative t o th e Removal of Mr. Buckingham," containing the arguments of those who deprecate its introduction, I shall state, as briefly as the occasion will admit, the reasons which do not permit me to consider them conclusive. It may have been amusing to those who saw not the object for which such discussion% were encouraged, to ascertain whe ther a third visit was or was not paid to .lerash, by the Author of the Travels in Palestine, whether Messrs. Briggs and Co. had, or had not, reason to be satisfied with the exertions wide by Mr. Buckingham to fulfil the terms of his agreement with there, and whether the latter had in his poesession one, two, or three compasses. Of far different importance is it to me; and to every Englishe man, whether the object aimed at shall be finally attained; and whether freedom of discusMori publicly., and emphatically, de clared by the enlightened Nobleman who has recently left us, to be the firmest security of good government, shall be checked by any restraint b u t those ofthe law. This is a question-in which all have an interest, more or less immediate. As Englishmen, who hope to revisit the land where it ha- long ceased to be a question, it interests us deeply ; as the instruments of a wise and beneficent Government, exulting in what has been already effected, but impressed with the importance of what yet remains to be done, it comes home to our feelings, to our thoughts, anti to our daily avocations. In every community, not entirely destitute of the seeds of improvement, it will be found, that while some of its members prematurely accelerate, others unnecessarily retard the progress of its social institutions. Ours is not the community in which an exception wax to be expected to this observation. Among the enlightened servants of the Company, there are many who are indebted for the important situations they fill to the. sedulous discharge of the arduous duties of inferior sta tions. In the honourable pursuit of these distinctions, they have witnessed the gradual improvement effected under the influence of mild but uncontrouled authority. ' Accustomed to the slow and silent procedure of official investigations, often originating with themselves, conducted and finally decided by them, from having been so long the efficient instruments of power, they have, in imagination, associated themselves-with the source of it. Objections to the measures of the Government, they feel as an attack on themselves; suspicion of their motives, they denoun ce as an a tt ac k on the Govern ment. In both instances, from feeling and from policy, identifying themselves with that, from which it is the very spirit of British rule, to consider them essentially distinct. Have they forgotten that among the objections to the selection of a Governor-General from the Servants of the Company, the one which has been most strongly and effectually dwelt on, is, that a Governor thus selected, could not easily divest himself of the partialities and friendships of an Indian life; anti though it may be contended, and I think be proved, that the objection is outweighed by the advantages which would often attend such a selection, yet, admitting the objection, it cannot be unrea sonable to ascribe such partialities to public functionaries of every description ; to consider it probable that they will often be actuated by them, and to caution their superiors against the effects which may possibly result from them. Where is the man, in public or in private life, who, when advice is offered to him, does not weigh the feelings and partialities of ale adviser? And, if a body of enlightened Englishmen scrutinise the mo tives by which the advisers of this great and powerful Govern ment may be actuated, if they point out the abuses, which by , want of attention or activity may have crept into our Commer cial Regulations, the collection of our revenues, or the nth:lints tratien of justice ; if motives be sometimes suspected, and con duct often canvassed, what evil can arise, but that men, basking in Fortune's sunshine, will'pay the tax, which a jealous public always imposes on conspicuous stations? More readily, per -I,aPa, they will allow ' what pre-supposes some alleviation of" the evil, that t h e s h a d ow does not follow the substance with more certainty than envy and detraction attend on successful merit. Let us now examine, somewhat in the order in which they have been recently brought forward, the objections urged to the expression of public opinion. To you, who know my habits of ready obedience to autho rity, and my deference for its dictates, I need not disclaim any intention of disrespect towards it, in the'view I take of this in teresting subject ; and havin g , as you know, the good fortune to be united, by the ties of friendship to two of the Members of the Government, if I honour th eir talents, respect their vir tues, and appreciate their exertions, as most assuredly 1 do, may I not claim from you, from others, from themselves, the f e ll• benefit, in the discussion of such a question, which the in. thnate friendship of such men, is calculated to confer. It is admitted that the great body of our countrymen are the ultimate judges of the conduct of every public functionary in India; and to this constitutional controul of public opinion, it is stated, there is no objection. Indeed, I should not think there could be much. The late Marquess of Londonderry, hiartelf, who on these points was considered a little fastidious, would not have objected to the community of India exercising a salutary contrail over the public mind in England. Thus might the, community of England express its opinion on the affairs of India, and the Community of India pronounce at leisure on the affairs of England, and as both parties would necessarily have ample time to form their judgreents,they would, no doubt, avoid the errors, to which they are at present so liable. The uti lity of this species of controul is readily acknowledged ; but not " the exercise of it, by a community constituted as the European society of India is. It may facilitate the discussion of the question, to endeavour to state in a few words what the strength of the Government is, and what are the ingredients of the society over which it presides. It will not be denied that the powers entrusted to the Government, though not arbitrary, are ample. In the administration of public affairs, in all questions of domestic or foreign policy, it is unshackled in its delibera tion ; in the event of war, it fears no check in the prosecution of hostilities from the intervention of a popular assembly; no subsidies can be withholden, the public revenue is at its dis posal. It has at its command a well-disciplined army devoted to its officers, and whose officers, if better and more sacred ties were weakened, would still be devoted to the Government, from motives of the most powerful self-interest, by all the hopes of an early and successful terwination to an anxious and ar duous service. On the other hand, the European community in India is composed—tirst, of officers, civil and military, of his Majesty and the Honourable Company ; secondly, of per sone engaged in mercantile pursuits, seldom wholly indepen dent of the Government, and in general men of liberal educa tion ; thirdly, of a lower but very small class of men of &Isl. nem, traders and handicraftsmen. Is it from the public expression of die opinion of such a society, that such a Govern ment can entertain reasonable grounds for apprehension ? Is it from such elements that opposition can arise, or resistance be offered to its authority ? It is precisely , because the Govern ment necessarily controuis the fortunes and prospects of so large a portion of our Indian society, that its influence can never cease to be paramount. Thus it appears, that the reasons for which this freedom of discussion is called a mere mockery, are among those fe: which the exercise of it may be considered safe as well as salutary. If the Government were less strong ; were any popular forms intermixed with its texture, then indeed there might be dan ger, lest freedom of discussion, by " exciting our hearts anti thoughts to the search and expectation of greatest and ex actest things," might lead to the preponderance of those forms, and as a necessary consequence, cripple the exercise of sa lutary authority. The error lies in supposing that public opinion 'cannot exer cise an efficient cont rou l, becauseit cannot legally manifest it self in systematic opposition, under constitutional forms. Car. Englishmen require to be reminded of the certain, though gra dual effect produced by the mere' expression of public senti ments, by means of the Press. How often has a Minister been deterred from proposing an insidious mea sure , b y th e certa i nty that it would be exposed, the moment his intentions were sus pected ? How often have such measures been defeated by the spirit of the nation being roused, and its talents arrayed against them, not in popular meetings, and tumultuary assemblages, but by the bold expression of its opinion, in open and free dis cussion. If, then, we have reason to believe that the Government is s t rong , both from the nature of its constitution, and in the de votion of its supporters, that the public, with reference to the posiihility of resistance to authority, i s wea k , from the nature of its elements, and the influenc e w hi c h t h e Government ne cessarily exercises over it, in additi on to the influence that the expression of its opinion cannot be attended with dancer, may we not presume that it would be salutary ? The greater the 'extent - of delegatetfipower, the more obvious the expediency, that the exercise of it be not wholly unchecked. At the dis tance at which this Government is placed from the controuling authorities, unsubjected to• the interference of any popular assembly, or of any collective body whatever, what check can be devised, but that individuals be allowed, freely mexpress their sentiments, through the medium of the public press. ' Let it be remembered, that these sentiments would not be the .sen timents of a body of civil servants, of a body of military, or of mercantile men, but of individuals who have not ceased to be British subjects, because they are become servants of the company. . . " It cannot excite , surprize," we are told, " that doctrines " so speciously presented to the young and inconsiderate, " should make a powerful impression, and weaken, if not de " stroy the habits of subordination and respect for their su " periors, so essential to the discipline and efficiency of a mili " nary body." These, indeed, would be baneful effects,and in a community, so large a portion of which is composed of military men, would more than counterbalance any advantages we could anticipate from the cause producing them ; but I deny that they have been produced, nor can I admit the probability of their being so. At no period, during a service of six and twenty years, do I recollect that the principles of subordination were better understood, or more invariably acted on, than at the present moment. At no period have I observed in the junior part of the army, with strict notions of honour and manliness, snore ready and chearful - obedience to the orders of their superiors._ Their minds, I acknowedge, are not in a state of torpor. Is this an evil ? Is it an evil to keep alive those feelings by which a British soldier, at whateverdistance from his native land, ought to be animated,—reverence for her institutions, and a lively hope of partaking of the happiness which those institutions are calculated to secure. if this be an evil, I certainly know not any means more likely to produce it ; none more likely to keep alive such feelings, and to cherish such hones, than that fr ee an d lib era l spirit of discussion whi c h t e ll s rim he has not ceased to be an lingliOunan• Nor need we dread, that a spirit of inqui r y, an d o f ea g er cu . riosity will often lead him to transgress the limits of military subordination; or thatl in the instances in which it may occa sioally do so, there will be any difficulty in recalling him.— Every soldier, if endowed with an ordinary share of observe tion, knows that in the political w a lk , h e cannot ta k e a step without feeling that he moves in shackles. When he forgets this wholesome lesson, which the experience of others, if not his own, must have taught him, it is easy to remind him ofit. . _ .. if be unavoidable sometimes to refer to a period, which all must wish buried in oblivion, instead of " figuring to ourselves " the consequences of an unrestrained Press systematically in "flaming the discontents which prevailed on the coast in 1809," may we not picture to ourselves an enlightened Press., assisting the Government in following the progress of this spirit of dis-, content, in many instances enabling it to check the evil in its origin, or at least to trace it to its source, and to apply an early, perhaps an effectual remedy. In the event of the well disposed part of the public not succeeding in correcting the evil, and in the approach to a crisis, in which men with ar m s i n th e i r h an d s, intrusted to them f or the defence of the State, should demand a redress of their own grievances, measures which,in ordinary times, might be questionable, are justified by the necessity which creates them. What the means are of extensive combination, which the press would have afforded, I am, I confess, at a loss to apprehend. Secrecy is the foundation of successful combination, and I should not hare supposed that communications, through the medium of the press, would facilitate the means of conceal ment. A greater difficulty remain■ to be considered—the effects of a Free Press on the native population.—How to enlighten them without exciting their curiosity ? How to excite their curiosity without rousing their passions ? To direct their attention to our literature, and not teach them how intimately it is blended with our politics ; to enable them to appreciate the value of our in stitutions, without proving to them, that " the end of all Go- vernment, is the benefit of the governed," are problems diffi cult to be solved; but not more so, than how to sap the foun dations of an old and venerated superstition, by the gradual in troduction of the mysteries of our faith ; and kow to substitute the Bible and the Gospel, for the Shasters and the Koran, with out alarming the fears, and disregarding the habits and preju dices of the millions subject to our rule.—As the intelligent and respectable members of our community, who in their different stations, and according to their different faculties, have fear lessly engaged in this laudable undertaking, do not lay claim to the gift of tongues,_ or that of miracles, I know not by w h a t insane they hope to efteet their purpose, if not by those of a Press, which must necessarily be pregnant with whatever dan gers they ascribe to that, which the advocates of Freedom of discussion are anxious to introduce. I am, my dear L. Your affectionate Friend, May 14th, 1823. C. F. - cannot attach much weight to the probability of a spirit of discontent, arising from our military system holding out no higher rank than that of subadar, being produced among our Native troops, by this dreaded Liberty of the Press ; where is the spot on earth on which the being who is made up of wishes and of fears, is not occasionally somewhat restless and dissatis fied, and why should not the causes which preserve subordina tion of ranks in Europe, be equally efficacious in India ? Has the Hindoo a more aspiring mind than the European, or have his habits interwoven, as they are with his Religious Creed, rendered him more likely to overstep the boundary marked out to him by usage and authority. C. F. THE SILK TRADE. A General Meeting of persons interested in this trade took place at the Old London Tavern, Bishopsgate street, on Saturday, at twelve o'clock, for the purpose of laying before the Manufacturers and others connected with this trade, certain facts and remarks submitted to the consideration of his Majesty's Government, the Members of both Houses of Par liament, and all persons who may be interested in the welfare of this manufacture.—Wait. HALE, Esq. was unanimously called to the Chair. The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the Meeting, stated, that it bad often before been his lot to meet those he then saw before him, to congratulate them on the flourishing state or the trade; but now, unfortunately, he was called upon to per form a different duty, namely, to inform the Meeting that they were called upon to consider the best means of impeding an object that his Majesty's Ministers had in view, and which, if carried into effect, must depri ve t h ousan d s of their indus trious countrymen of bread. The Chairman then read the facts and remarks, which gave a history of the Silk Trade in Europe and Asia. It stated also that the public revenue of this country had received 800,0001. annually from duties imposed upon the raw material, and the labour upon it has been pro fitably employed by an annual consumption of not less than 9,000,0001. A capital of no less than 12,000,000/. has been, and still is, invested in this manufacture. After detailing the pro ceedings which had been adopted by the Committee of the Silk Trade, and of the Deputations that waited on the Chancellor of the Exchequer on Friday last, he then read the following Report :—" That they bad an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer for one hour and an half, and used every argu ment in their power to induce him to extend the period for the repeal of the prohibitory laws on the importation of foreign wrought silks, beyond that now fixed, viz. —the sth of July, 1896; and stated that no less than rive years, instead of the dine proposed, could, in the opinion of the deputation, afford the trade any opportunity to try how far they might be able to compete with the introduction of Fre nc h wrought silks ; hut the deputation failed to make any impression on the Chancellor of the Exchequer." The first Resolution was moved by HUNTLEY BACON, Esq.—" That the course pu rsue d b y t h e C ommittee of the General Association of the Silk Trade is entitled to the cordial approbation of this Meeting." The second Resolution was moved by J. PATTISON, Esq., Director of the East India Company:— "That it is the opinion of this Meeting, That the security from Foreign competition, which has been granted by the Le gislature, in the Silk Trade, and subsequently continued by repeated enactments, and at length made perpetual in the year 1803, has essentially contributed to that state of prosperity at which it has now arrived, and has led to investment of large capitals upon the faith of Parliament. The third Resolution was moved by Mr. JoRNBALLASEIL: " That the proposed repeal of the Prohibition Laws, in re gard to the introduction of Foreign wrought Silks at the fixed period of two years, from the sth of July next, although com bined with an immediate reduction of duty, and a liberal com pensation on existing stock, is viewed by this Meeting as threatening the eventual destruction of the Silk Trade of this country." The fourth Resolution was proposed by T. GinsoN, Esq.:— "That with all due deference to the sentiments of his Ms jesty's Government upon the question of Free Trade, this Meeting cannot but lament the introduction of the proposed measures into Parliament, and is of opinion that it would re quire a period of not less than five years to afford the Silk 31a nufacturer the means of ascertaining how far he may hope, with any degree of success, to compete with the introduction of foreign-wrought Silks." The fifth Resolution was moved by J. Gnoxr, Esq.:—. " That it be referred back to the Committee of the General Association of the Silk Trade, to watch over the progress of the proposed measures and to endeavour, by all pr act i ca bl e means, to further the objects of this Meeting." It was stated at the Meeting that 80,000 persons at least were engaged, either immediately or collaterally, in London and its vicinity, in the silk manufacture, CbitIBINATION. IMPORTANT PUBLIC MEETING. DUBLIN, MARCH 11 .—Yesterday, at 1 o'clock, a meeting took place in the Old Stock Exchange, Commercial Buildings, convened by a great number of persons of respecta bility,—the Right Hon the Loan MAYOR, in the Chair. His Loansx so caused the requisition to be read, which ex. pressed a belief, " That a system of Combination now existed among the tradesmen and working-classes of this city to a de gree hitherto unknown, not only highly injurious to the manu facturing and commercial interests of the country at large, but destructive of that morality, industry, and good order, so de sirable among s t t h e wor ki ng-c l asses of this city ; and an evil which has occasioned'the loss of life to many persons—destroyed all confidence and good-will between the employer and the workman—rendered the sober and industrious subject to the idle and dissipated—caused an almost insuperable obstacle to improvement in many branches of our manufactures—and pre vented in a great degree the further employment of our own and British capital therein ; whilst at the same time it has brought misery and ruin upon the families of many of the working-classes themselves." After some preliminary remarks, it was asked by Mr. W. HALL, of St. Andrew-street, if the journeymen would be allowed to attend ? One or two Gentlemen urged adherence to the original in teotion of confiding the Meeting to the bankers, merchants, manufacturers, &c. Mr. LAToucuE, as one of those who had signed the requi sition, disclaimed having intended to enter into any dispute with the working classes. All compulsory combinations end ing in bloodshed and death, were inexpedient and highly inju rious to society, and the working people themselves. His ob ject was, to unite employers and workmen in mutual interest and good will. It occurred to him that a declaration of the evils of combination should be made. Mr. Humes/is here offered himself to the Meeting, and asked to be heard on the part of the journeymen ; he attended as the Counsel of the working men of Dublin. If the Meeting would not consent to hear him on a declaration to that effect, he would retire. The LORD MAYOR called on the Meeting to hear Mr. La touche, who was in possession. That Gentleman then pro ceeded—he said combinations were injurious to the workmen, and deterred English and Scottish capitalists from embarking their properties in Ireland. He recommended the formation of an Association, composed of the Bankers, Merchants, and Ma nufacturers, to seek into the causes that have led to combina tion, by taking into consideration the state of the working classes, endeavouring to ameliorate their condition, and lastly to afford protection to those who would resist, or repel the in fluence of combinators ; the Association to inquire into the conduct of Manufacturers towards persons in their employ ment, and protect the humbler from any oppressive mea sure: taken by the wealther persons in trade. He did not wish to prevent the arguments of the Counsel for the journeymen. They had net the people's interest half so much at heart as he had when he signed the Requisition. The Association he proposed to be called " The Friends of the Working Classes." There was an injurious combination in Dublin, the evils of which were seen in the condition of the wires and families of the working classes. Kindness an d good nature would dictate the proceedings of the intended Associa tion-L-the object being, the improvement of the condition of the working classes. It was then moved by P. D. LaroucuE, Esq. and passed, that Counsel should be heard, when Mr. II WI AND addressed the Chair on behalf of the working classes. Some of the proposed Resolutions he objected to. The journeymen had grievances peculiar - to themselves, which could not ho remedied by ex-parte proceedings. He admitted the existence of combination, but urged that the general wel fare would be best promoted by the masters andth w e a m s lennepcaormed ing together to an understandin g . s ome i ntelligent men from the journeymen should state their grievances; lie to state some of them ; a fortnight would not be sufficient for a - detail of all the grievances. It was expedient that no ex-parte proceeding (where the journeymen were not present) should be resolved on. If his instructions were true, serious causes of complaint could be proved. The Resolutions, excellent as se- veral of them were, would materially affect his clients. He urged an adjournment to a future day. Mr. LAT oucuE, in explanation, said, the object of the proposed Association was exactly that which the Counsel for mtahscezjitlua ascertaining i e nt y h r e etvhnee;,;:i,viter.......--Inccoen:sl:7ll,euifogufr.rnit journeymen, c n he a n d 7 lnienaAda Association, h aa t e ino r nn e d: friendly manner towards those oppressed, would restore confi dence, and ultimately lead to the welfare of trade and the coun try. !fearing evidence at such a Meeting as that, would occupy time fruitlessly_while, bypas s i ng the Resolutions he proposed, the happiest effect would be A , 4 t 1t t C i o prouuccu on tne employ ers an d t h e employed. The LORD MAYOR order e d a R eso l u ti on p ro p ose d b y M r. witnessesßoylan t be on o at read h,;. ' 0' a pt,. a ghat o n mi ri Parliamentit ee b e appointedfor a new tt o code n hear t laws, on the various subjects connected with trade. Mr. LATOuCTIE PVPfted an amendment, declaratory of the existence of combination, ace. Mr. FINLAY thought that an agreement might be entered into to satisfy all pers on s concerned. Ti le ques ti on w a s between masters and employers' Ile th oug h t t h e masters , manufac turers, &c., should be excluded. As long as human nature was what it was, men Pitted against each other would be urged too much by personal Interests; while one party was exclud e d altogether. If the masters alone formed part of the Association, how would t yeg fre! of the charge of b e i ng th emse l ves i n combination by fixing t nc price of labour.—(He ar !)—All con flicts arising between w nlttnen and employers, must b e set tled either by blows, 1 - , 1 Unmirage, or by non-intercourse-- to the last the Irish li a ,7,recourse ; in England, by the En g li s h law, the poorest sly", n? lifr. Whitbre a d's brewery co u ld, i n case of dispute, compel hint to come to arbitration, and abide by the award. The secret of th e w h o l e was i n t h at , an d was disclosed in the 38th ands th Geo. 111. cap. 700, which pro vided that, in case 0 I m isunderstanding arising from causes possible to demand an arbitration, each ap menausmteerraatnedd the a occur, it should be lawful for the ap pointing an arbitrator — Oiat Act passed in the year of the Union. In the 43d of the King, the great Combine tiontiAlectileiansgsedirx pa excluding the clause of the 39th and 40th of tion in Ireland. Ile put it to bleglninds of the Lord M a yo r , M r . that if w h a t h e was t h en suggest i ng would not meet the intention an nounce d , i t was from the want Lt the to u fairch e , and and thhen honourable of a just law, creating a disparity between the working classes, that combination followed. In America there were no com bination laws, and it wet; beat the world in manufacture and in comme rce._(fleer, hear!)g All factious Acts of Legis s lation were bad—the code of combination, he doubted not, would be ameliorated or abolished in England before three years. Mr. Er.e.rs, M.P., said, he attended there to ascertain the wishes, and obey the commands of so respectable a portion of his fellow-citizens; any thing which could enchain the freedom of trade, (he agreed with Mr. Finlay,) was extremely detrimen tal. He had no interests but those of trade; the interests of the masters and the journeymen were conjoined, and it was im possible that one should be injured without prejudice to the other. The humblest mechanic would be heard ; hut it was necessary to state an important fact—a Committee of the House of Commons was sitting at that moment—sitting at that very moment. He (Hr. Ellis) waited on the Cham ber of Commerce, and" took their instructions ; he then wrote to the Chairman of that Committee, prayiag that Ireland should be looked toesand her interest', ok/suited`, by including her in the inquiry of the Committee. He had therefore to announce, that the Committee consented ; and he called on all concerned to furnish him with information on this import ant subject, which lie would faithfully transmit to England, and submit to the Committee.—(Hear, hear, hear ! and cries of " We will, we will.")—He would submit his information ; coming from high or low, it should ascend to the sanctuary of justice. There were faults at both sides—both have been in an error in supposing that workman or employer had separate interests. While that feeling existed, no peace or prosperity could be expected. He concluded by saying, he would attend the Committee of the House of Commons on Monday next, and would submit whatever information he might be favoured with upon a point of such vital importance to Ireland, and fellow-citizens. He hail remained for several, days in Dublin, with a view of attending that Meeting. Mr. Alderman ARCHER agreed with Master Ellis. He re commended an adjournment, until the Report of the House of Commons could be made. The journeymen should be repre sented.—He himself had successfully practised umpirage for sixteen years, and, by advocating mutual appeals, succeeded in reconciling many differences between employers and their men. As long as the Committee was composed of masters only, disturbances must continue, and the city be disgraced as it has been. He wished to bury in oblivion every thing past, anti advocated the policy of exciting mutual good feelings be tween the masters and the men. He hoped the amendment would be withdrawn, and that the Meeting would adjourn for a fortnight. eri.; two letters were read by direction of the Chairman.— One of those, dated Chamber of Commerce, and signed " Ro bert Roe," stated the fact of the Committee of the House of Commons being appointed. The other was from Mr. Joseph Hume, enclosing the following Resolution of the House of Commons, and stating that the Committee had commenced the ' examination of witnesses :—] " ORDERED—That a Select Committee be appointed to in quire into the state of the law in the United Kingdom and its consequences, respecting artisans leaving the kingdom, and ie.. siding abroad ; also into the state of the law and its conse quences, respecting the exportation of tools and machinery ; and into the state of the law and its effects, so far as relates to the combination of workmen to raise wages, or to regulate thtir wages and hours of working, and to report th e i r o pi n i on an d observations thereupon to the House." Mr. BoYrtx seeing Mr. Kirwan . ascend the table for the purpose of speaking, asked that. Gentleman if he was a mer chant oe manufacturer ? He stnswered in the negative.—Some confusion ensued. The LORD MAYOR thought Mr. Kirwan should be heard, and took the sense of the Meeting upon it. It decided on hearing him. He then immediately re-ascended the table. Mr. KIRWAN disapproved of the present proceedings. Ire took a review of the statutes passed on the subject which was under discussion. Combination existed not- alone among the working classes, but he insisted existed to a much greater ex tent among masters.—(Hear !)—He alluded to the original type founders and other trades. By coining there, the Meeting added new fuel to combination. Lawyers had been fed— (some uproar and hissing.)—Advertin g to the paper manufac turers of Scotland, he said they had combined against their own artizans, and English artizans were introduced, leading . to many ill consequences. He was averse to any interference with trade. He appealed to Master Elli s , if t h e ta ki ng off the late protecting duties had not served trade, and deprecated any inter ference between " the labourer and his hire," who had a right to demand a remuneration for his labour—the poor man's wealth. He called on the Meeting to adjourn, and not to interfere with the purposes of trade.—(Some hisses and cheers.) Mr. BOYLAN pressed his Resolution. He felt as much inte rest in the welfare of the journeymen as any man in that Meet. ing. lie had paid one hundred thousand pounds for labour in twenty years. A stranger from England, an Irishman, had laid the foundation of a vile and mischievous combination in the establishment he then controlled, and to support which he came from England ; but for the last six years no symptom of combination had shewn itself in his most ex tensive establishment, because he treated his men as they were treated in England. On a recent occasion it was proposed to reduce the price of wages 6d. per diem, and hii men had met him half way in the new arrangement, as muter and friend. Mr. COMERFORD said, there was no question in political economy more difficult for discussion than the present. It was urged by an able writer, that combination, or re-action, was re quisite to correct the conduct of the masters. He alluded to the practice of introducing what are termed colts, and the effect of such a system. There was, lie added, a tendency in all trades too fast, and the tradesmen's object at all times was to prevent that increase. The LORD MAYOR interrupted him, and requested he would confine himself to the subject matter which had brought the Meeting together ; he would reeal the gene ra l attent i on to the proposed amendment; that was not the moment to go into so general a field of argument as that taken by Mr. Com er f or d. Sir A. B, KIN G recalled the attention of the Meeting to the question before them—that of adjournment, would take for of all others.—Giving Mr. Latouche every cedit for his intentions, he differed with him as to the mode of putting an end to combination, nor would it be calculated to carry into effect his most benevolent intentions. He moved that the Meeting do adjourn. Mr. LATOUCHE seconded the motion for adjournment. After some words from Mr. LEAR recommending that the information sought to be obtained for Master Ellis should be encouraged. The Loup MAYOR put the question of adjournment to the Ist of May, which was carried unanimously, and the company separated.— ( Dublin Correspondent. ) PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. NOTICES of MOTIONS, and ORDEgS of the DAY, which now stand in the ORDER-BOOK for the Present Week. .Monday, March 15. ORDERS OF THE DAT, 1. Weights and Measures Bill—Third Reading. 2. Judges in %Vales Bill—Committee. 3. Mutiny Bill—Third Reading. 4. Qualification of Jurors Bill—Second Reading. b. Annual Duties Bill—Report. 6 . Supply—Reports. 7. Supply —Committee. 8 . Clergy Residence (Ireland) Bill—Further consideration of Report. L. Gaol Act Amendment Bill—Further consideration of Re port. 10. Ways and Means--Committee. 1. Exchequer Court (Ireland) Bill—Report. 3. County Gaols Bill—Further consideration of Report. 13. Silk Trade Bill—Second Reading. NOTICES Or MOTIONS. 1. Mr. Maberly—Alotion on the Laws relating to Bees and Malt. 2. Mr. Grey Bennet—Clause in Wel c h J u di cature Bill, to pre- Tent Welch Judges sitting in Parliament. 3. Mr. Hume—Number of Men of the Guards that hay. been confined since 1816; amount of stoppages therefrom ; In come and Expenditure of Stock Purse. 4. Mr. Bankes—Annual Museum Estimates. (In Committee of Supply.) A. Mr. Lushington—Army Extraordinaries ; Commissariat. (In Committee of Supply). 6. Mr. Goulburn—lrish Miscellaneous Estimates. (In Coin. mittee of Supply.) 7. Lord Viscount Palmerston—Select Committee on Militia Estimates. Tuesday, March 16. NOTICES OF MOTIONS. 1. Dr. Lushington—Consideration of the Criminal Laws, with a view of amending certain parts thereof. 2. Mr. Secretary Canning—Papers and Statement relating to the West Indies: and Bill to declare Slave Trading to be Piracy. 3. Mr. Plunkett—Bill respecting Burials in Ireland. 4. Mr. Attorney-General—Compensation to Officers of Courts of Justice, for their losses in consequence of the County Courts Bill. ORDERS OF THE DAT. . Recovery of Penalties Bill—Further consideration of Report. . Game Laws Amendment Bill—Committee. . Insolvent Debtors Bill—Committee. . County Courts Bill—Further consideration of Report Wednesday, March 17. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. Maberley—Land Tax Redemption Acts. ORDER OF THE DAY. Postage Rates Bill—Report. Thursday, March 18. NOTICE OF MOTION. Lord John Russell—Motion on Papers containing assur ances of the evacuation of Spain by the French Troops. ORDER OF THE DAY. Bankrupt Laws Amendment Bill—Further consideration of Report. Friday, March 19. 1. Juries (Scotland) Bill—Committee. 2. Usury Laws Repeal Bill—Committee. PRICE THIS DAY AT Bank Stock shut 3 per Cent. Red. shut 3 per Cent. Cons 93ii 3i per Cent F STOCKS TWO o'cLoca. India Stock . India Bonds 703. South Sea Stock Old Annuities Ex. Bills 48 50 Ditto Small Bank for Act. India for Con. Acct 4 per Cent. Old shut New ...1061- 107 per Cents. 1797 . !tank Long Ann shut Imp. 3 per Cents. Cons. for4ct. 931# PRICE or FOREIGN STOCKS IN LONDON, MAnctt 13, AT ONE O'CLOCK. JFive per Cents. 1004. Scrip, 13 pm. ( Six per Cents. 00. -: Five per Cents. (Metallic) 00. (Ditto New 934. Five per Cent. Bonds, 894. Scrip, lli prem. Fire per Cent. Bonds, 1820, 00. Ditto 1821, 184. Ditto Five per Cent. Bonds, 1 97 82 1 3 . , 16. f 1 Ditto New, 951. ' Bonds, 914. Scrip, 4. Scrip, 00. 811. S erip, ixper tli Ce p n re t. m. 'Bo ads, 66. Scrip, 1 00. New, 24. Mexican (' H ' ullett's 1 prem. 1 Anglo, 51 prem. Go 21 prem. rek Mines Bank Shares £24 Os. Od. Seven per Cent. 95. Six per C:nt. 94-I®. Five per Cent. 100-102. Three per Cent. 77. Pren ch Russian Neapolitan A ustrian Spanish Prumian Portuguese Peruvian Chili Colombian Mexican Poyais A merican HIGH WATERAT LONDON BRIDGE TO-MORROW. Morning, 0 minutes after 3. 1 gvening, 19 minutes after 3. CHILT; LOAN.—The FOURTH HALF — YEARLY DIVIDEND on the above Loan, which be comes due on the 31st Inst., will be PAID by Messrs. Bullett, Brothers, and Co. at their Counting-house, No. 102, Leaden-- hall -street, on that and every succeeding Day (Sundays excepted) , between the hours of Ten an d T wo o'clock. The Dividend Warrants, with a List thereof, in numerical order, must b e ' left for examination one day previous to the application for payment—London, March 10, 1824. THE SUN. SOLEM QUIS DICERE LIESUJI JUDE,IT? LONDON, MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1824. • Paris Papers of Thursday and Friday arrived last night. In those of Thursday we find the announcement of the death of Louise .ADELAIL" , Princess of CONDE, daughter of the late Prince of CONDE, and, with the exception of her broth° . the Duke of BOURBON, the last branch of that illustrious family. She was born in 1757, en' t early dedicated herself to a life of religious s"' elusion. In 1786 she was created by Loots XVI. Abbess of Remirernont. At the beginning of the Fr enc h R evo l ut i on she left France ; 0 0 ' A after traversing the Netherlands and Switzerland? entered a convent at Turin. On the restoration, she returned to Paris, and established herself 10 a convent in the Temple, where she died. The following is an extract from the Moniteur relating to the death of the Princess 4 , PARIS, MARCH 11.—Conformably to the ordinance of the Bing, of March 23, 1316, the certificate of the death of Madame the Princess Louise de Condd, aneient Abbess 01. Remiremont, Prioress of the Ladies Benedictines of the perPr tual adoration of the H o ly S acrament, residing in the Temp l e at Paris, who died yesterday at three-quarters past two o'cloo" in the convent of the Temple, was drawn up to-day at three o'clock, by the Chancellor of France, President of the Ch a mber, of Peers, accomp an i e d b y t h e M arquis de Simonville, Peer 01 France, Grand Referendary, and by the Chevalier Candef f • Keeper of the Ar c hi ves o f t h e sa id Chamber, and Secretary 0' the Civil List of th e R oya l H ousehold, in the presence-Ist, 6 , the Marquis de Villele, President of the Council of Ministers , acting instead of the Minister Secretary of State of the King'o Household, who was prevented by indisposition ; 2d, of the Marquis de Brize, Peer of France, Grand Master of the Cere monies. " Messrs. de Courson, maitre de requetes, invested with the full powers of the deceased Princess, and Lamoine de GatignY: Secretary of his serene Highness the Duke of Bourbon, signed as witnesses the certificate of decease. The body was shewa by the Count de Rully, Peer of France, First Gentleman of the Chamber to the Duke of Bourbon." [From the Eioileof Satrday.l PARIS, MARCH 13.—Letters frOm Italy state that the House of Bourbon has just suffiared another loss in the death of the Duchess of Lucca (formerly Queen of Etruria), Marie Louie° Josephine.—The Co u rt of F rance w ill a l so go into mourning 01 1 occasion of the death of the Princess Cunegonde, the Aunt Or Louis XVIII. BADAJOZ, FEB. 18.—By the King's orders, Don Gregoril, Laguna, Captain-G enera l o f t hi s prov i nce, has just arrested Lieutenant-General the Marquis de Casteldosrios, a Grandee of Spain of the first class, and Chamberlain to his MajestP Ho has been confined under a strong guard in one of the large .rooms in the arsenal, the same in which General Laguna him self was a prisoner during the Constitutional Government. Tire Marquis de Casteldosrios is treated with all the attention due to his birth and high dignities. The cause of his disgrace is reported to be, that he was one of the first to appear at Court in the national uniform—tha t the King, extremely:offended, told him it was contrary to on' torn, and desired hi m to resume his Chamberlain's habit ;_,;tl him more honour th an any other, and that he then which he is said to h ave replied, that the one he had on b e gan to hum the air T raga l c i P erros—Dog swallow it ! However this be, it seems certain, that in consequence of the representation o f th e F rench Commander of the artillery in the place, wishing the arsenal to be solely applied to its proper use, the prisoner will be removed to another place, quite se suitable to his convenience, in his present situation. The Count de Montijo, another Grandee of Spain, who was banished to Badajoz is dangerously ill, in consequence of a Pe raly_tic stroke. YORT.AU-PRINCE, JAN. 11.—When on th e I s t o f this month, the 21st year of th e i n d epen d ence of this island lerre celebrated, gener a l su r p r i se was exc i ted by the hostile tone adopted by the President in his speech on the occasion : " If our emancipation, acquired by so many sacrifices and ea much blood shed by the heroes of our holy revolution, should be again disputed ; and if it should be necessary to give in the field of glory a new proof to the whole world of the energf which characterises us, and of the firm resolution which we all cherish, never to depart from our institutions—we have been long prepared. The worthy Chief of our Government will lead us to victory, and the nation, at his powerful call. will rise spontan eous l y, to gather fresh' laurels on the field of honour." On the 6th of this month the following proclamation was published : " Under these circumstances it is ordered as follows " 1. All the National Guards of the towns and the couotrl shall be completely organised without delay. For this end theY shall be reviewed by the Commanders of the Districts, who, with respect to their engagement, shall follow the special °idea which they have already received. " 2. All the regiments of the line s h a ll b e k ept up to t h e ir full complement, according to the regulation of the 18th of Sept. 1820. A 3. All the arms, ammunition, and military stores in the arsenals, forts, and other depots, shall he particularly and often inspected, and kept in the best order, by the Commanders of districts, who shall deliver an exact report of the result of their inspections. " 4. The said Commanders of districts shall be responsible to the nation and the Government, as well for the execution of these present injunctions, as for that of the orders which have been directed to them for the general safety. " Given at Port-au-Prince, the 6th of January, 1824, the 21st year of independence. (By the President) " BOYER. (The Secretary-General) " B. INGINAC" EXCHANGE OF PARIS, MARCH 12.—The Rena: opened, au comptant, at 99f. The end of the month, 99f. 50c. CITY, Twelve o'Clock.—Consols opened this morning at 931 to 4- for the Account, and soon after went up to with a good deal of twiner* doing, and for Money 92-I F --3. It is reported that an Express has arrived from Paris with. Saturday's prices, which are stated to bo 99f. 40c. and Spanish 21f.; but the above is only a report. A great number of letters have been received this morning from Antwerp and Holland, bringing a. considerable number of orders for shares in Mr. ROTHSCHILD'S new Insurance Company. Beta have been laid at Lloyd's that the shares in this new concern, which are now at a premium of 101. will reach 1001. FOREIGN MARKET.—This being Settling Day in all Foreign Securities, the chief business doing is in settling the Account. We have received several files of American Papers this morning from different parts of United States to the 17th February. [Front the New York Ez;iiing Post, Feb. 11.] BttAziLs• - -Intelligence has been received here by the brig licsolution l from St. Salvador, that ", 41c ( ~'