The Sun. — London, England, 1824-05-19 00:00:00

either was it to be retained with a view to its increase in shoe of war. The tax was three halfpence per pound, and ivhen it was doubled, the produce decreased so that the Go v ernment were obliged to reduce the additional duty again.— Be was at a loss to conceive upon what 'ground the Right Honourable Chancellor of the Exchequer, with the liberal view which he took of financial questions, could defend the tax. Its effect was to prevent the same person from carrying on the two trades of tanner and currier, which ought to be con ducted together. The method of taking the Excise Duties necessarily spoiled a large quantity of the article, by taking the skins out of the vat at an improper stage. Was the tanner expected to suffer this loss ? Would the currier consent to bear it ? No ; it fell upon the consumer, and the public was obliged to pay for it. These restrictions originated in the enlightened ages of Richard the Second and James thnFirst—periods in which there was the least intelligence as to commercial affairs and matters of this nature. The tax was not imposed until the time of Anne ; but the restrictions originated at the times he had inentioned. He understood that the Excise Duties were pro posed to be extended to Ireland, but he implored the House not to do such an injury to that country for the sake of the small sum which it would produce. He knew he should not, upon the present occasion, obtain that support which the principle deserved. He was asked by his Hon. Friends, " Why, what are you going to do with the Leather Tax ?—You'll do no good; prices were not reduced when it was lowered before." The reason of that was, that the duty was taken away, but the restrictions remained, and they were far more costly than the tax. If they would reduce the whole of the tax, and remove the restrictions, he would wedge himself that Gentleman would hind their shoes, saddles, harness, and every thing else cheaper than they were now. The Hon. Member then read the Cvi dance of a Gentleman who was examined by a Committee of the House, chewing the injury arising from the disunion of the trades. It was singular that he should not have the Tanners and Currier; with him upon this question. But upon reason and principle he would rather be without them than with them. The fact - was, that they were satisfied to have no further reduc tion, because they found it give rise to competition. Smaller capitalists were able to get into the trade, and they began to tremble for their monopoly if the whole of the duties should , be repealed. He thought he need not detain the House fur ther at present ; he bed shewn how little the tax produced in comparison to its pressure upon the public ; he had shewn why }ricer were not lowered by' the former repeal, and he had eitiewn why the• tanners and carriers did not support him. If it should be necessary, the House would no doubt indulge him in making a few observations in reply. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the duty on Leather, from and after the 25th July, 1825. Mr. CURTEIS seconded the motion.. The benefit which the public would derive from this repeal would overbalance the loss which the Exchequer would sustain in consequence of it. Mr. LESTER supported the motion. One principal objec tion to this tax was, that it took more from the pockets of the people than it carried into the Exchequer. Nothing could be more vicious in taxation than this: - Anotherobjection was, that it fell upon the poorest classes with greater weight than upon the other part o f the community. But it would be said, that much money would by such a course be taken out of the Ex chequer. He would tell them how this was to be supplied.— Let them conciliate Ireland, reduce the number of her bayonets, which were sharp as well as shining, and govern her in all .respects upon more economical and cheap principles. The results of such a course would soon restore to the Exchequer any deficiency it might suffer from the loss of this tax. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER observed that the Hon. Gentleman who introduced this motion had held out a bait at him at •which it was probably supposed he would snap. Ile was sorry to say that he must disappoint this expectation, for he thought the substitutes proposed by the Hon. Member would do as much prejudice in one direction, as the Hon. Mem ber conceived already proceeded from that which he wished to remove. The Hon. Member proposed that-he should raise the duty on tallow licenses to 501. This would only produce 175,000/. which being but one half the loss of the tax, the duty ought to be raised -to 1001. if at all. He could as little agree with the Hon. Gentleman in his proposal to raise the duty on i - foreign bark, or on other foreign articles -used in tanning,. Such a course would be contrary to all the principles upon which he had professed to act. He could not, therefore, be tempted by any of -the acquisitions held out to him by. the Hon. Member. His reasons generally against the motion, he could state briefly. It had been his lot since he had been in office to propose the reduction of taxes to the amount of four millions and a half sterling, and it was natural to suppose that among the various objects that had presented themselves to his mind for the operation of this re-auction, leather had been one, If he should be able to go on in repealing taxes, either direct upon consumption, or affecting trade to die ex tent that it was desirable they should go, he had no hesitation in saying that this was not the first which he should pro pose to the House to deal with. He did not mean to defend it neon principle. He was aware that the objection to it was not .to the amount, but the restrictions upon trade which it imposed. It could not, however, be levied without those restrictions. But there were a great many articles open to the same objec tion which ought to receive the attention of Parliament, when - the means of reducing taxation were in their hands, before this. The English distillery question ought to come before it. The same might be said of tobacco, upon which a duty of 1800 per cent. was levied, and which led to a great deal of smuggling. In short, if lie could now say, that the 350,0001. .could be reduced next year, the HoUse would act most impro vidently in agreeing to the repeal of the leather tax. The coal tax was also one upon which there was a general feeling in favour of a repeal. To agree to the 'notion, therefore, would he tying % up their hands most inconveniently, and prevent their looking at many questions which they,might be most anxious to do next year. The Hon. Gentleman was dis pleased at the restrictions applied to England being extended to Ireland. But there was au absolute necessity for this, if they weuld not have the tax entirely evaded. The character and credit of Irish leather required that they should be placed un der the 'same restrictions as prevailed in England. He had always told the curriers that the only way to protect the trade was to retain the tax. As he would not, therefore, pledge himself to the repeal of this tax, he must oppose the motion. Lord ALTHORP thought that the arguments used by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with respect to the Silk Tax,. applied to the tax upon leather. He disapproved of all restric tions on trade; and as it always happened that when a restric tion was placed upon one part of a trade it caused many others to follow, so it was the more necessary in the leather trade to -.remove the tax altogether. Nothing could be more absurd than taxing a man to make him take care of his own property ; •yet .this was the case with reference to skins. He could not agree with the Right Hon. Gentleman, that it was not wise to give notice one Session of what it was intended to do with respect to -taxation the next. Ssch a course was the surest way to avoid the many evils attendant upon a sudden change in the system ot' taxes. Sir J. NEWPORT thought the Leather Tax highly detri mental to the people at large. As a proof of the grievous ope ration of this l'ax it was a fact, that there was less duty paid by Ireland now than at the time of the Union. It certainly was completely established that this tax was besides one which took more from the pockets of the people than went into the Treasury. 'Mr. NABERLY, Jun. supported the motion. He felt him self at Monty to vote for the repeal of taxes, because he was of opinion, and always had been, that a Sinking Fund was pro ductive of much evil to a country. But there was another way of making up the deficiency. This was by taking the whole Tax upon Malt, instead of levying it upon malt and beer too. - It was besides of that class of taxes which pressed upon the springs of trade, and which therefore ought to be got yid of as soon as possible. It was said that the tanners were making l a rge profits, but he knew this was not the case, from the num ber of tan-yards which were inoperative throUghout the king dom. In London there were four in which no work was doing; ,t Bristol, six ; Manchester, three ' - and Warwick, twenty three. These were so many p roo f s of the decline of the trade. Mr. COLTHURST supported the motion. Mr. MABERLY, sen. co,.tended that the arguments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer were contradictory from those advanced by his Right Hon. Colleagues upon the prin ciples of trade. The evils of this tax were among the many resulting from the maintenance of an expens i ve an d use l ess :Sinking Fund. Mr. J. MARTIN considered that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had gone a s far as he c ou ld i n the reduction of p the Sinki totes, without he were to. give u Sinking Fund. This he hoped he never 'would do. k h e t at oppertunit t by which 3' to ex press his admiration of the principles'eh the Right Hon. Gentleman! had been guided, in taking off the taxes al ready repealed. • 'nal intenti on to Sir J. YORKE said it hdd been his original sup port the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but the argu ments of the Hon. Mover had turned the scale in his favour. When heExche heard that this tax brought 350,0001. into the took 900,0001. out of the pockets of the people, he made,_. express nisP his sur - mind against it: But he principally rose to Friend be prise at the comparison drawn by his Right Hon. twettn tobacco andleather, in favour of the former _ a poisonous weed, th a t attac k e d the stomach, lug and nasal organs.d been was surprised, that amidst "all the , reductions that za made, the talc of schoolmasters had not b een reduced. The bills of the schoolmasters of Eton and Westminster were just as high as ever. They had done nothing towards keeping the valuable young British Statesmen in the country from the semi n%ries of France and foreign parts. Sir G. ROBINSON spoke in support of the motion. Mr. Secretary CANNING said, that after the disposition gliewn by his Right Hon. Friend (the Chancellor of the Excht• +ic y) and in a great degree carried into effect, of lessening the ,'?vrderis of the people, it was a little unfair to say that he should. retain no tax which he could not shew not only not to be op pressive, but in which there was not something eminently ami able.--(A laugh.)—He really was expected to shew that a tax was something in itself which supported the State, but that it was eminently delightful as one of the Institutions of the Country. The House would recollect that it was the duty of his Right Hon. Friend to take a view of the resources of the country, and give relief to the burdens of the people as far as he could. The House were to exercise their discretion in the selection ; but it was hardly fair after the plans of the year had been agreed upon to propose changes in that plan, unless they were to rescind some of their last Acts ; or to come to some new resolution with respect to the Sinking Fund. This was not the first moths of a similar nature. The window tax, the house tax, all the assessed taxes, and the coal tax had been recommended for repeal after the scheme of the year had been broached. His Right Hon. Friend was not responsible for the laying on of these taxes ; although for the taking off he would be very glad to be responsible when' the proper time should arrive. His Hon. Friend (Sir J. Yorke), partly . from a hatred of tobacco, and partly from a love of cheap learning, had joined in the motion before the House. His Hon. Friend had not censured the tax on tobacco from any partiality to the herb, for he believed no part of him was polluted by it, but because of its enormous disproportion to the value of the article. As to his Hon. Friend's complaint as to the charges for education at Eton and Westminster, he could not at first connect it with the question. Hon. Gentlemen were all agreed upon the pro priety of diffusing learning, and many motions in that House had been made cowards its promotion. These motions, how ever, had hitherto been directed to the contents of learned books, whereas the present one referred to the binding. —(A laugh.)—Probably his Honourable Friend conceived, that if the binding were reduced in price, the book of learning would . become so much cheaper. So long as they retained the Sink ing Fund, which at least was binding upon them for the pre sent year, the House would see that it would be premature to decide upon the repeal of any tax, and above all upon the Leather Tax. He trusted the time was not far distant when they would be able to take off many taxes, but it did not fol. low that this should be the first. Mr. CALCRAFT replied, and the House divided_ For the Motion - 55 Against it - - - 71 Majority against the Motion - —l6 PRIVATE BANKS - (IRELAND.) • On our return to the gallery we found Mr. DAWSON speaking on the subject of a motion of which he had given notice, for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal certain clauses in several Acts of Parliament which prohibited the issuing of promissory notes payable on demand, or bills of exchange, by any bank or firm,consisting of more than six partners, anti re quired that the names of all the partners should be mentioned on the face of such promissory -notes and on the indorsement of such bills of exchange, exception being made in favour of the Bank of Ireland. His object was to facilitate the formation of Joint Stock Banking Companies on the plan of those in Scot land ; and he was convinced that if he succeeded in obtaining leave to bring in his Bill, much good would result to Ireland, from the drawing of hundreds of.thousands of pounds into that country, which would be applied in the employment of the poor. —For he knew there was capital to a large amount existing in the hands of numbers of individuals, who would readily come forward and employ it it in forming Joint Stock Companies of the description which he had mentioned, if the restrictions on private banking were removed. In the whole kingdom of Ireland, the-city of Dublin excepted, there were only ten banking esta blishments. In the provinces of Leinster there was only one, in Ulster there were tour, in Munster live, and in Connaught there were none at all. Much of the immediate depression of trade and agriculture in Ireland lie considered as owing to the inadequacy of the number of banking establishments to the wants of the country; and in support of that opinion he referred to the greaterprosperity of the country during tile war, and the period immediately following its close, when they were more numerous than at present, and to the number of similar esta blishments in England, where there were 587 provincial banks, and in Scotland, where there w ere 128 establishments of that description. The Hon. Member then proceeded to take a re view of the several restrictive clauses in the Acts of Parliament which he proposed to repeal. He was anxious that the measure which he proposed should be fairly discussed; and he should be glad of the assistance of his Right Hon. Friend the Attor- • ney-General for Ireland in drawing up a Bill, so that every thing might be granted which was consistent with the interests of the Bank of Ireland and of the true interests of the country. He trusted that the House would perceive an absolute necessity of repealing those obsolete Acts of Parliament to which he had referred. He then concluded by moving " for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Laws relating to the Banking Establish. menti in Ireland." On the motion being put by the SPEAKER, Tice CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER rose and said, lie could assure his Hon. Friend who had proposed the motion that he did not feel disposed to underate the topics which he had introduced in the course of his speech. The subject was one of considerable importance, and had engaged the attention of Government. lie (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had in point of fact taken the same viaw of the question as his lion. riend had recommended. When he had received the propo sitions from Belfast respecting the establishment of Country Banks, he thought it right to submit them to the Law Officers of the Crown, in order that their judgment might be had as to the rights of the Bank of Ireland. It would be in the recollection of the House that the Bank of Ireland was in the possession of cer tain rights granted in 1821, when the Charter was renewed, and it would be exceedingly unjust to deprive it of the benefits thus derived. He would only give a limited consent to the motion of his lion. Friend; for if it should be hereafter dis covered that it was likely to break the good faith established by the renewal of the Charter, he should not sancion the measure. He begged the House to understand that the subject had not escaped the attention of Government—(Hear !)—and that he most likely should have brought in a Bill to repeal the laws alluded to by his Hon. Friend, had not the present motion been brought forward. Mr. VESEY FITZGERALD said_ he did not believe Ire land was unanimous in the establishment of private banks; on the contrary, the objections to the establishments now proposed were very numerous. Every Gentleman connected with the western provinces of Ireland would know that, so far from being desirous to contribute to establishments of this nature, they were involved in general ruin and distress from the fai lures of banks of a similar kind. The question was not, who were most competent to conduct banking establishments, but who afforded the greatest security. Persons engaged in great speculations were not those who afforded the greatest security in banking transactions. Colonel TRENCH took this opportunity of correcting a mis statement which had gone forth, of what he had stated on a former evening, respecting the absence of a Nobleman from Ireland. The estates of that Nobleman had been placed under the management of a Gentleman whose administration was most beneficial to the country. After a few words from Mr. H. Grin.NEY, Sir G. HILL, and Mr.. FITZGERA LI), in explanation, Mr. DAWSON consented to withdraw his motion, for the purpose of leaving the subject in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who, he doubted not, would give it the benefit of his immediate and undivided attention. Mr. V. FITZGERALD further explained. The motion was then withdrawn. CHURCH OF IRELAND. • Mr. HUME stated the inquiries which he had made since his late motion respecting the number of resident and non-resi dent incumbents in Ireland, led him to believe that what he had then advanced was s4stantially correct. That it might be known whether or not he was right,- he now moved, " That there should be laid before the House an Abstract of the num ber of the resident and non-resident incumbents in each county in Ireland, according to the diocesan returns in the years 1822 and 1823." Mr. GOULBURN confidently expected the statement of his Right Hon. Friend would be found correct. The motion was agreed to. Mr. HUME moved foi a Return of the number of Parishes and Benefices in the gift of the Bishops of the several dioceses of the Crown—of the Universities—of the Lay Proprietors, witq the number of Churches and Endowments. Mr. GOULBURN said the number of benefices could easily be known. In the diocese of Dublin there were 95, but the Archbishop, by a new species of arithmetic, was made to have the patronage of 144. The motion was-then agreed to. COURT OF EXCHEQUER. Mr. LEIGH obtained leave to bring in a Bill to secure the better examination of witnesses hi the Court of Exchequer, and to enable the Court to receive affidavits sworn in any part of Scotland or Ireland. GOULBURN brought up a return of the resident and non-resident Incumbents in Waterford and Lismore.—Ordered to lie on the table. SAVINGS BANKS BILL. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER going into a C ommittee to fill up the blanks in this Bill, and tale the discussion on a futur y into a e da. proposed The Hous e rexolved itself Committee on the Bill, in which some conversatio n took place on the propriety of pre venting wealthy i ndividuals and public bodies from placing their money in Savings Banks. Th e Ch ance llor of the Ex chequer wished a atop put to the practice, but objected to giv ing the measure a retropective operation. Vile blanks were then tilled up, and the several clauses agreed to. The House resumed, the report was received, and ordered to be taken into further consideration on Monday. The bill, as amended, to be printed. SCOTCH PAROCHIAL STIPENDS. The House went into a Committee on 'the Acts relating to Scotch Parochial Stipends, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated the are rangement formerly made to raise the law stipends of the Clergy in Scotland to have proved insufficient. He proposed that, instead of adhering to the valuatiOn made in 1810, that a new valuation should take place once in every seven ycars.— The sum formerly granted by Parliament to increase the sti pends of the Clergy, was 10,0001. He meant to propose an additonal vote of 2,0001. This, however, would not be wholly an additional ex.pence to the public, as three sums of 10,0001. each had been granted in different years for a purpose to which it had not been practicable to apply them, and these he pro posed to take towards covering - the new grant. The Right Hon. Gentleman moved several resolutions to this effect, which were agreed to. The House resumed, and the Report of the Committee was ordered to be received to-morrow, PARISH APPRENTICES BILL. Mr. CURTEIS moved the second reading of the Parish Apprentices Bill. Mr. MONCK moved, as an Amendment, that the Bill should be read a second time that day six months. After a few words frbm Mr. C. WILSON, Mr. HURST, the SOLICITOR-GENEEAL, Sir E. XNATCII BULL, and Mr. PELHAM, supported the Bill ; and Mr. BRIGHT, Sir M. W. RIDLEY, Mr. STURGES BOURNE, Mr. D. GILBERT, and Mr. F. PALMER, opposed it : but the question was not pressed to a division, and Mr. CURTEIS gave up the Bill for the present Session. The Coniolidated Fund Bill was read a third time and passed. ASSESSED TAXES. The Assessed Taxes Bill went through a committee.—ln the Committve, Mr. HUME complained of the permitting large balances to be left in the hands of the Collectors. In the Kensington dis trict alone there was a perpetual balance of 95,0001. Air. HE R RIES admitted that the subject called for consi deration. It was not, however, under the controul of the Trea sury, and must form a distinct measure upon which Parliament would act, and could scarcely be attended to with effect this Session. Mr. HUME did not think the Session should be allowed to pass without the evil being remedied. After a few words froniMr. T. Wilson, Mr. C. Pelhain, Mr. Alderman Wood, Mr. Herries, Mr. 3forvai, and Mr. Bright, relative to the Duty on Shop Windows, Mr. HUME said that the annual publication of the assess ments would be of considerable service, as it would afford the means of detecting unfair assessments. • • . The House then resumed, and tne Report was ordered to be considered on Friday. Tire Report on the Law of 3fechants Bill was brought up' and agreed to, and the Bill ordered to be read a third time on Thursday. The Report on the Welsh Judges Bill was brought up, read, and agreed to, and the Bill ordered for a third reading on Monday. The Irish Hides and Skins Bill was read a second time, and committed for Friday. The Chancery Transfer of Stock Bill was read a second time, and committed for to-morrow. • The Irish Warehousing Bill went through a Committee.— Report to-morrow. The House went into a Committee on the Land Revenue Acts.---Report to-morrow. The Welch Coal and Culm Duty Bill was read a first time, And ordered for a second reading to-morrow. The Australian Company Bill was read a first time, and or dered for a second reading on Monday. The Scotch Distillery Bill was read a first time, and ordered for a second reading to-morrow. The ether Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and at a QUARTER TO ELEVEN the House adjourned. LIST OF THE MINORITY Who' voted for the Repeal .of the Leather Tax.—May 10. AlthOrp, Visct. Fergusson, SirR.C. Palmer, C. Anson, Sir Geo. Griffith, J. W. Palmer, C. F. Barnard, Visct. - Guise, Sir W. Pares, T. Barrett, S. M. Gurney, R. 11. Pelham, J. C. Becher, W. W. Iloneywood, W. P. Proby, Hon. G. L. Benyon, B. liornby, E. POyntt, W. S. Bernal, Ralph Ilume, J. Pryse, P. Browne, Dominic . Hutchinson, Hon. Robinson, Sir Geo. Bright, H. C. 11. Russell, Ld J. Boughton, Sir W. Johnstone, W. A. Rickford, W. Caulfield, Hon. H. L ennar d, T. B. Taylor, M. A. Chaloner, R. Leycester, R. Whitbread, S. C. Cradock, S. Lloyd, J. M. Wood, M. Curteis, E. J. . Langston, J. IL Wyvill, M. Colthurst, Sir N. Lethbridge, Sir T. Wells, J. Cartwright, W. R. Moberly, . Yorke, Sir J. Davies, T. 11. M ilton, Viscount Denison, W.. 7. Monck, J. B. TELLERS. . Davenport, I). INl,oore, Peter Cal craft, J. Ellice, Ed. Newport, Sir J. Moberly, W. L. PARIS PAPERS. ( From the Moniteur of Sunday, May 16.) The official part only-announces that the Spa nish AmbasF;ador, the Duke of San Carlos, has had an audience of his Majesty to present his let ters of recal. The remainder of the Moniteur and Supplement is filled with the debates of the Chamber. ( From L'Etoile, dated. Monday, May 17• PARIS, MAY 15—The military movements causod by the intended formation of the camp of Luneville have commenced. All the-regiments that are to form part of it will be there by the end of this month ; workmen are busily em ployed on the barracks and the Chateau. Preparations are likewise making at the resi dence of Prince Hohenlohe to receive the illus trious visitors expected at the end of June, among whom are the Duke and Duchess of An gouleme ; there will be brilliant fetes on this occasion, and grand reviews of cavalry. A letter from Barcelona of the 4th says," The Marquess of Campo Sagrado has restored tran quillity to the Provinces by his prudent conduct ; he is esteemed by the Royalists and respected by the Constitutionalists. lie is perfectly seconded by Abbe Avella. All the inhabitants of the mountains of Catalonia are Royalists, and it was among them that Baron Eroles formed the 30,000 Catalonians who took up arms against the Cortes. The assassins of the. Bishop of Vich are arrested, but not yet tried." The Etoile copies from the Journal des Debate the article from Lisbon without addition or com ment. VIENNA, MAY s.—The Emperor and Empress set out this morning for Lintz, after Mass, and will proceed to Prague. They will be at Lintz to-morrow, when they will recive a visit from the Princess Royal of Bavaria. CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES. —SITTING Or MAY 15. The Committee appointed to examine the documents of M. Benjamin Constant, and report on his eligibility, made their report, and have decided for his admission to the Chamber. AIR IN WATER.-it is stated by Aristotle in that the fishermen on th e P on - , eLak Meteorology e , carri e , d in close vessels, boiling water, for the purpose of s p r i n kling on the r oa d s , t o freeze them quickly together, and prevent their melting from disturbing the fish. The expulsion of air from wate r d ur i ng the progress o f conge lation, wa s subs equen tly proved by M ar i otte, i n France. If two wine glasses filled, the one with water from a well, the other with water recently boiled, b e ex p ose d to f ro st, the ice o f t h e l atter will seem al m ost un if or mly pellucid, w hil e th a t of the former will be charged with small air bubbles, c row di ng towar ds the cent re o f t h e mass to which they are d raw n by the ad vance o f t h e congelation. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. MOUSE OF COMMON. Martis, 18 0 die Maii, 1824. COAL TRADE BlLL—Sunderland—Two Petitions of Ship owners, &c. against, referred to the Committee on the Bill. 'DOCKS—South Lontion—Petitions of Commissioners, &c.- of Bermondsey, &c., and of the London Dock Company, against, referred to the Committee on the Bill. FIRE INsurtaNuE—Kent . LIGHTING—CIifton Bills • read a third time, and CONSOLIDATED FUND passed. HULL DOCK LANDS CoefraNlEs—Phmnix Gas Light—Bill read a third time, and passed. London and ‘Vcstminster Oi! Gas—One Petition from Tavistock, and 31 from London and Westminster, in favour, to lie on the table. British Gas—Petitions from Li verpool and Cheltenham, against, referred to the Committee on the Bill. R o ADS—Commercial—Petition of 'Commissioners of Sewers T, ower Hamlets, against, referred Pi the Committee on the Bill. Finehley—Petition of the llighgate Archway Corn.. pany, against, referred to the Committee on the Bill. Hali fax and Huddersfield—Bill read a 3d time, and passed. BOGS DRAINAGE (Ireland)—Bill read a second time, and com mitted. EQUITABLE LOAN SOClETY—Petition of Pawnbrokers of London, &c., against, referred to the Committee on the Biti. HIDES AND SKIN'S BlLL—Petitions from Tanners, &c. of Whiteliaven and Holy well, against, to li e on th e table. Bill reported, to be read a third time on Thursdayweek. NOTARIES PUBLlC—Petition for repeal of the Duties on Li cences to act as Notaries Public, from Penrith, to lie on the table. SAYING BANKS BlLL—Petition of George Glenny, agpinst, to lie on the table. DISTILLERY Laws—Petitions from 'Stirlingshire and Lin lithgow, for a free intercourse in home-made Spirits through out the United Kingdom, to lie on the table. ORPHANS' FUND—Calculation ordered, " of the savings to be effected to the Public by the proposed payment of the Bonds charged on the Orphans' Fund, the Thames Naviga tion Tol;', and Coal Market dues ; and also, an Account of the expellees incurred in preparing and issuing the several Bonds or Securities, under the Acts authorizing such loans, now proposed to be paid off; and also the expellees to be in curred in obtaining the necessary Acts for the payment of such Bonds, and of the expenses of preparing and re-issuing the new Bonds." PnlzE MONE Y—Petition of Persons actually engaged, and others, the representatives of those engaged, in the capture of PALEMBANG, for a speedy distribution thereof; to lie on' the Table. BEER DUTIES BlLL—Three Petitions from Brewers, &c., to lie on the table. COUNTY COURTS BlLL—Petition of Attornies of Courts of Common Law, against, to lie on the table. Coal. DuTiEs—Petition against the Duties on Coals, from Inhabitants of Dim, to lie on the table. WAREHOUSED WHEAT BlLL—Petition from Fareham, Hants, against, to lie on the table. CORN INSPECTORS, &c.—Returns ordered—Of any Letter that may have been written by the Order of the Board of Trade to any Corn Inspector, relative to fraudulent Returns, and the answers thereto, from London, Liverpool, and Bos, ton, subsequent to the 25th March ; and of the persons who have made Returns in those places during the six weeks pre vious to the 15th May. WurefassEa—Bill for the better examination of witnesses in Courts of Law and Equity, ordered to be brought i n . HosprraLs--Chelsea and reenWich • Bills reported, to be LAW MERCHANT A3IENDMENT read a third time. JUDGES IN WALES ASSESSED TAXES—BiII considered in Committee, and report.. ed ; further consideration of Report o ß n il F l r s i:l e a a y a ;a 2 B d il t l i , m a e s , amended, to be printed. LEATHER AND PAPER DUTIES (Ire land) TRANSFER OF STOCK and committ e d. WELSH COALS 13111 s read a first time. EXCHEQUER BILLS (X 15,000,000) to be read a second DISTILLERIES (Scotland) time this day. NEW SOUTH WeLas—Bill for granting certain powers to the Australian Company, for the cultivation of waste lands, &c. read a first time, to be read a second time on Monday, and to be printed. NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR THIS DAY. 1. Mr. Dickinson—Select Committee to inquire into the expen diture of the County Rates. 2. Mr. Synge Cooper—To amend Act 10 Charles 1, for im pounding of distrresses in Ireland. 3. Mr. Synge Cooper—Bill for the relief of tenants of small parcels of land in Ireland in certain cases. 4. Mr. Secretary Peel—Bill to consolidate and simplify the Laws for the Transportation of Offenders. 5. Mr. Secretary Peel—To continue Act for appointing Com missioners to inquire concerning Charities (in England) for the Education of the Poor. 6. Sir John Newport—Copies of Inquisitions and Documents relating to Economy Funds for repairing Derry Cathedral. 7. Mr. Croker—Return of the number of Freeholds registered in the several Counties of Ireland. ORDERS OF THE DAY FOR THIS DAY. I. County Courts Bill—Third Reading. 2. Land Revenue Sale of Stock Bill—Committee. 3. New-street (Mary-le-bone) Bill—Committee. 4. Pauper Lunatics Bill—Third Reading. 5. Plymouth Victualling Office Bill—Third Reading. 6. Parochial Stipends (Scotland) Act—Report thereupon. 7. Chelsea and Greenwich Hospitals Bill—Third Reading. 8. Juries (Scotland) Bill—Further consideration of Report. O. Transfer of Stock Bill—Committee. 10. Warehousing Charges (Ireland , —Report thereupon. 11. Land Revenue Acts—Report thereupon. 12. NVelsh Coals Bill—Second Reading. 13. Echequer Bills (£15,000,000) Bill—Second Reading. 14. Distilleries (Scotland)—Second Reading. NOTICES GIVEN YESTERDAY. Thursday, May 20. 1. Mr. Ilume—To move Standing Order, That no Member, • having an interest in a Private Bill, shall be allowed to vote in the Committee on such Bill. 2. Mr. Hume--Return of Commitments by Magistrates. Tuesday, May 25. Mr. Peter Moore---Bill to repeal Combination Laws. - - - - ---- .7 - ='==- 11AVANNIA11.—We have been favoured by a commercial house in town, with the perusal of letters 'from Ilavannah, to the 2d of April. Their contents, as to politi cal news, are uninteresting ; b u t th e y b r i ng us some intelli gence of considerable importance to the commercial world in terested in colonial produce. Owing to an unfavourable season, the crop of sugar for the present year, it was correctly ascer tained, would f a ll s h ort i n t h e shipment from the two ports of Havannah and Matanzas, full eighty thousand boxes (seventeen thousand tons), about one-fourth of the usual crop. Besides this, the shipments of Spain were considera bly on the increase, now exceeding eighty thousand boxes or chests ; and from these two circumstances, the supply of sugar from Cuba to the continental markets in the north of Europe must this year be very much reduced. This will no doubt be felt in an increased demand upon this country for sugar, the growth of our West India Colonies and East India possessions, in order to supply the great deficiency of Cuba sugar in the Earopean market.—( Glasgow Courier,) THE LAST DAY OF THE LOTTERY.—The small Number of Tickets remaining to Draw have the unprecedented Number of Twelve Capital Prizes, including Two of TWENTY THQUSAND POUNDS, which, as well as every other Prize, Must all be Drawn on SATURDAY NEXT, the 22d inst., when ALL FINALLY CLOSES. A few Undrawn Tickets and Shares are on Sale at the CONTRACTORS, who hope to distribute the above at their Old Offices, No. 37, Coruhill, No. 11, Holborn, and No. 88, Haymarket.—J. and J. SIVEWRIQHT, Contractors. The young man who yesterday made the rash attempt on his life with a razor at the Drury Coffee House, is, notwithstanding the extent and depth of the wound, considered by his medical attendant, Mr. STANTON, in a fair way of reco very. He is a young man of respectable connec tions, and has for some years held a confidential situation in a mercantile house, but having been recently enticed into a Gaming-house with some money of his employers about him, he unfor tunately lost it ; and this circumstance prey ing on his mind, urged him to the attempt he made against his own life. The event has led to the discovery of its cause, and the affair through, the intervention of his friends, has been amicably arranged with his employers. We abstain from giving his name. LLOYD'S COFFEE-HOUSE. Yesterday a raeeting of the Subscribers was convened, pursuant to notice duly given, to deliberate upori what steps were to be taken in consequence of the introduction of a Bill into Parliament for the incorporation of a Coinpan? to effect Marine Insurances, to be called the " Mutual Mariaj Insurance Company." B. SHAW, Esq., Chairman of the Committee, opened the , business. He would first proceed to take the opinion of 0 10 proprietors upnn those matters which were not likely to awaken discussion. He would ask the Meeting to confirm the resolu tions of the last General Meeting; the first for subscribing a grant of 2001. to the loyal National Institution for preserving lire from the dangers of shipwreck"; 'the second was a vote of 1051. to another society. The resolutions were severally adopted. The CHAIRMAN then proceeded to the business of the day' i The committee had notice from time to time, during some con siderable time past, of various attempts which were making to - brinfs about a very material alteration in the marine insurance laws of the country. They did not think it advisable to talc° any active steps together, or to convene the general body in consequence, unless some substantial proposition of the kind . should publicly call for it. So soon, however, as notice was given to the committee by Mr. Buxton, that it was his inters- Lion to to obtain leave to brine. in a Bill for the alteration of so much of the 6 Gco 1. as related' to the two Marine Insuranee Companies—(hy that Act there were restrictions put upon all persons from effecting marine insurances, except the u nder-. writers and the other Company— the Bill of which notice was given was to take away the exclusive benefit secured by the charters to those Companies)-- e the Committee then called the general body to consider what ought to be done. The come mitte had deputed two Members to wait upon Mr. Huskisson , who explained to that Gentleman the fallacy of the object of the bill. It would be vain, however, for him to digitise front the house that those Gentlemen were assured by Mr. Husain- son that Government had a strong feeling of consent towards the bill, because' the restrictions in the old act militated strong ly against that free trade which was the grand object of the Administration at the preSent time. It was observed that the' happiest consequences had resulted from the opening of the East India trade, and that a vast accession had tak en plac_ in consequence to the trade or the whole kingdom ' by open ing a new path of industry to private individ ua l s . The = mittee represented to 111 r. Huskisson, that however plausible in theory, this was a case directly contrary in practice. The . transactions of this house were the eff ec t of in di v id ua l en' ergy : those of a joint stock company, on the contrary, we were effected ty a few individuals. 'Mr. Huskisson remarked that Government had resolved not to allow one of the many joint' stock companies now collecting together to be incorporated.--- The Lord Chancellor, ever watchful for the public interests , had declared, that in every Bill brought in for enabling these associations to sue or be sued in the name of. their Secretary or Treasurer, if there was not a clause inserted for giving the • power to creditors, after judgment against the Treasurer. to proceed against the body or property of every individual. proprietor, he would take care that no such Bill should pa the House of Lords. Another remark which he would make was this—it was supposed by some who subscribed their names. to these joint stock companies, that they were only respon sible to the extent of their profits and the capital embarked. He had taken legal opinions from two eminent Counsel, from whom he learnt, that if a party once gave his name to the list of a joint stock company, it was next to impossible' for him to draw it again—that a dormant partner was only li able up to the conclusion of the partnership transactions ; but in the case of a joint-stock company, the names were published' and those parties were no longer in the condition of dormant partners, nor could they ever be released from their joint respon sibility until the publication in the Gazette of their dissolution , accompanied with the signature of every one of the partners, au thorising the receding party to withdraw.' He paid a tribute of gratitude and respect to the memory of their late chairman, and complained of the misrepresentations which had been made through ignorance of the mode of doing business at that house- One Gent. had said, that if an individual living in the country, wished to effect an insurance, he must remit it to an agent or at torney in town, who then handed it to a broker, who charged for. his service '25 per cent. That Gent. said that he could not see why there should be restrictions on insurances, and no where else--- that he could insure his life, his house, and even his ship while in port, whenever he might choose ; but while she was out $t sea, he was compelled to insure her at Lloyd's, or at one of the two companies. He would answer by another proposition to' be put to the very same person. The baker bought his flour. where he liked, and the butcher his meat : what reason for hin dering the publican from doing the same with his beer ? This might be called personal allusion ; but those who had glass wily (lows should never be eager to throw stones. As to the imroese diate subject, he scarcely knew' where to begin, or how to pro;. teed. Had it not been for the spirit, talents, application, an . - merits of the individ ua l s u b scr ib ers o f Ll oy d' s , th e sc i en ce 0 - underwriting could never have bee)i known—it would never have been so highly perfected as it was in this country, nor would the system h a v e b een so fi n i s h e d i n all. its parts.ln surance by underwriting was of considerable ant i qu it y. The. earliest mention of such a body -in England which ho could find was of the date of Queen Elizabeth's reign, about the year 1600 ; and they were spoken of as transacting their haziness isle a little court in Lombard-street. In the year 1720, when into ranee companies were springing up in all kinds of mushrocars' forms, and every street and alley had insurance companies' the Government found it expedient to put some restraint upon them. Charters were granted to two companies, the rights of individuals were restricted, and an exclusive right to effects marine insurances secured to the companies. The talent aril power of the company at Lloyd's had been able hitherto to defeat all competition : but what would be the consequence if they were now called to contend with joint stock companies , established by the most wealthy individuals ? He complained that these companies, being only called on to deposit one-tenth, gave out the amount of their capital to the world, and caused it to be believed by persons at a distance, that insurances would be secured on the proportion of the whole. How far all this might affect the individual subscribers of Lloyd's was a minor question. The same talents and pow er exerte d in another chart-. net might be as profitable to them : but what was to become of that system of enlightened and active agency which they had . fixed in every quarter of the globe, in every naval port, -in evert considerable harbour throughout the world, if the resources of this house should be withdrawn by the competition of joint stock companies ? There was a fact of importance which ought to be known. In the course of last year, there were three insurance companies in Paris, which'were obliged to give up the business, and they remitted several policies to this house to be ransomed. —lt was with this as .with other things —money got money* trade got trade, and insurances increased insurances: The indi-, vidual exertion and emulation here was far more active than the agency of one or two men out of a company of 500 could be lle communication of particular and tropical knowledge be tween man and man was of great advantage to their transactions. He thought the invasion of their charter was a particular hard ship ; for to what could they trust, if not to rights secured to them, first by sign manual of the Ki ng , an d secon dl y, b y the solemn ratification of an Act of Parliament ? There were the highest legal authorities, including Mr. Spencer Perceval and Lord Ellenborough, against that violation. After some fur ther observations upon the justice and expediency of the inten tions of Government with respect to the• Company, he return ed to the proceedings of the Committee. Mr. Huskisson': opinion seemed to be so far shaken by the Gentlemen of the Deputation, that he advised them to present a memorial ; which had been accordingly prepared; but as it could not be read without the danger of making it public, and as it was open to the perusal of 111 embers, it had better not be read. Mr. DEWAR a pp r o ve d of the wisdom of Administration in seeking to enfranchise the trade of the country; but the reso lution of allowing the Bill for the mutual Marine Insuranee to pass was in hostility to that determination, because it went to establish moreof monopoly. He expatiated upon the inconvenien ces in effecting marine insurances by large joint stock companiee, and the advantage of competition among the members in the room to the mercantile world. He argued against the futile pretences of those who said that it was difficult, expensive, and uncertain to effect insurances at Lloyd's. They talked of meet• ing on fairterms; but on the fairest terms upon whits; they could meet, the subscribers, 1,600 in number, would i: to raise 1,5001. each, to form a sufficient capital. He observed upon the great number of persons,4,ooo in all,whoedepencled upon the bu siness of the room for the means of support for themselves and fa milies. He also pointed out the lose which must accrue, first iii the way of business, and then as to the comforts enjoyed by the families of the subscriber's themselves, by the division of that business among insurance-offices, which would be spread all over the kingdom.. He concluded by moving a series of reso lutions, pursuant to the ten our o f hi s speec h , which may b e seen in the advertisement. Mr. CARRUT hEll s and Mr. BROWN severally seconded two of the resolutions 'with appropriate remarks. The latter Gentle man observed, that these Joint stock companies were any thing but eiamples of free and open competition ; for they all began by requiring their subscribers to insure in their own offices. The Resoluti ons were t h en put, and carr i e d , as were others of acknowledgment for the zealous and able services of the Com mittee, and the eZcellent'conduct of the Chairman on this oc casion. The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and adjourned the meet mg. Mr. MURRAY has received from the Admiralty the first pre mium price of 3001. for a Chronometer, which i n one y ear gamed only 1 min. 18 sec. from its rate, and which is destined for special service. P oani !Pei 'Pei ! 1 4n1 tadi t en , I' 4 hp 4-lid NI ,d i ftct peo 1)riII tent 411 d 'au, o r a I