The Sun. — London, England, 1820-01-20 00:00:00

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. TO johr,V BULL, ESQ. LETTER IV. ITlortzsT Join —Before I rake a final leave of that period of our History during which only could any thing like mere national right have ex ibted, I cannot help noticing the loud complaints, of would-be sentimental moralists, and of self called Economists, that the wealth of Britain is unequally and unjustly diuided, by which means the rich hare robbed the poor. Nov, JOHNNY, I need not tell you, that there are only two ways in which a man can be rohbrd —that is either by taking from him that which be already possesses lawfully, or of which he would have had legal and exelosive possession, had ni;t the robber prevented him by a previous So much for the :node of robbini; let and you must also have a set of surveyors in con slant employ to ascertain the exact value of every acre, as it would be nojust to give one atm) a small slice tiff Dart tnoor Forest, whilst to another . you gave an equal quantity of cabbage•garden at Battersea. Add to this, that you must diminish every body's share in equal proportions, in order to supply every surplus new coiner ; and who will pay for the improvements, or who will improve t h e out,kirts of his four acres if he is to lose a slice of them once a year, or ofiener as justice may re quire Why, JOHNNY, you and your little ones would no more con4ent to this, than you would let 'every lazy fellow di ink out of your mug, or they WOidd lei him bite the corners off their bread and 13,it ter. But thAt is just whit the indicals ask ; nay, they ask more, for they demand as a natural right Hn cd+►,l share of land improved tenfold in value by the I shout and wealth of social order ! 11, then, there exists no robbery of the land which the Poor never did and never could pos. : sess upon any justifiable plan, bow can they be robbed of any share in tha► chattel properly which individuals possess in consequence of their own industry and economy, or in consequence of the industry and economy of their ancestors and relatives ? has the rich man who subscribes to the London Wall Charity taken his wealth out of the pocke:s of the objects of that Charity ? Let us suppose a journeyman hatter to be there, Who may have formerly:worked for, and thus been sup ported by that benevolent and most praiseworthy individual who first instituted the plan, will it be said that any portion of Mr. HICK'S honourably acquired competence is a robbery of the unfortu nate journeyman ? Or, suppose any of Mr. OtVIIN'S work-people at Lanark were to fall into disttess and poverty, Can it be maintained for a moment that Mr. OweN's wealth is a robbery of the Poor whom be has nurtured into industry and good morals ? Really, JOHNNY, I almost think that even COBBETT . himself would hardly dare to offer such an insult to your common sense; t least, if he did, you would spurn him from you as lie deserves. But Modern Reformers will, perhaps, tell you that if A. had not realized 10,0001. then B. C. 1). E., &c. would have possessed 10001. each ! Don't believe them JOHNNY ; you know that Taney makes money, and that whilst one man is making a fortune, he is giving emp!oymcnt, food, and raiment to hundreds who, without him, might have starved in idleness ; nay, might never have had existence. But I have over-stepped my li mits, and the Chapter of Romans shall speedily be opened to you by IGNOTUS. hI'IZ!JtF, Its !pay look aftcr the stolen property. Uhe WEALTH OF BhITAIN then, the objEct nt researLh, (leaving oo ot the question .11 points of n.ition,ti (did), character, and crvtlit, as matter ot tytal distribution and enjoyment), consists in Burls aud in clialtds. Now, my good F 1 lend, w e have sccn that in a slate of Nature, nobody makes any claim of ulna: division, whilst the claim of the in eetit day is in a stale of Society— two modes of human lite essentially different in thems e lv e ‘, and in their various relations. Upon an immense Continent, like North or South Ame rica, where the scale of population is infinitely . below the scale of possible cultivation, and must eve., tor ages, continue so, equal division is un called f' r; yet the social Governments, from the very nature of man, find it necessary to assume the nominal proprietorship of the 'lands, just as in Blit Ain, all lands are considered to he held from the Crown. But in an Island like Great Biitain, if such a chin) had ever been acted upon, it must either have been allow• ed to remain open to future division as population increased ; or else, that which at one time might have been an equal dirisioi must, in process of time have become unequal, nay unjust, atreeable to modern theory. To keep dear of specific difficulties in predicat ing of Britain herself with her contending claims, let us suppose, JOHNNY, an Island just large ellutigh to give sufficient agriculzural employment I. of inhabitants; and population 41nd labour to be equal; yet it is difficult even in theory to suppose such a state of hind and labour, when we t4ke into the account women and infants, the aged and the indolent, the cripple and the im becile. But, coming as near to possibility as we can, it is clear that produce will he surplus, pro vided every acre of land is cultivated to its full capabiliry. But who %%ill raise a surplus unless he can find a maiket for it, either in some foreign country, or in an increase of population at home But as population increases would you go on to divide the laud, or will you say to the surplus population, " you want my surplus produce, but you must give me something for it ; there- fore, whilst I am busy tilling the ground to sup p'y you With food, you must make my coats and shoes, and mend my carts, and then w•e shall be (pit of all obligations i" I presume, JOHNNY, as you are a fellow of sound sen3e, that you would adopt the latter mot!e of proceeding, and then your agricultural Island would also become manufacturing. But population, under such circumstances must stil increase, until at fait your farming produce wouk b,.! unequal to the demand, whilst your manufac tures would produce more than you wanted. Thin svhat would you do ? why, send somewhere else to buy corn and pay for it with your sur plus tnanutuetures ; and then your agricultural and maufacturing Island would become commercinl also; awl a Deer race of merchants would start up, and some would be wealthy, whilst others would remain just as they were before, and would be comparatively poor ; whilst the progressive increase of population would naturally produce an additional nntnber of individuals, who, pos sessing no land, must depend upon their hands, and upon their feet, and upon their heads, for obtaining a sufficient share of the Corn raised and imparted ; of the clothing manufactured, and of the luxuries which commerce would naturally in troduce. But of these latter some would be in dolent, some would remain ignorant, and some would be unfortunate, or incapable of work, or the demand for their labour might at times di- minis!►, and then the other part of the population must support them or they must perish ; and then you would have Poor Laws ! LOOK AT HOME, JOHNNY, IS NOT THIS BRITAIN ? Now, my honest fello►v can it be maintained that the Poor of Britain are robbed of their share of the land ? If it can, then you must be pie pared (or a new and equal division every time that the births arc found to er,ceed the burials THEATRICAL REGISTER. Performed Lard Night. THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY- LANE.--ii New Way to Pay Old Debts : Sir Giles OVerreach, Mr. Kean ; Lady Allworth, Mrs. Glover. After which, Jack and the Bean Stalk.. THEATRE ROYAL, COVENT-GA KHEN.--.Rob Roy Macgregor: Rob Roy Macgregor Campbell, Mr. Macready; Diana Ver non, Miss Stephens. After which, Harlequin and Don Quixote. PRICE 0 Tim nal AT T Bank Stock - 920- 22t 3 p e r Cent. Red . "ili 3 per Cent. Cons...—. ti7li tiH 31 per Ccot. 4 per ...... per Ct. Nary Ann. .. 102 it STOCKS IVELVe a% I.OOC. 133nkl,ongAtin. 17 15-16tlis 18 India Stock ..... • 206 207 India Bonds I Os. I Is. pr. New Annuities .... 671 Exch. Bills. 2d. Is. dis. Is. pr. Cons. for Account ..67it 681 MAILS. Aitßivw,--1 Dublin, I Waterford, 1 Holland, IGottenburgb, I Lisbon, 1 Jamaica. DUE-1 Lisbon, I France, 4 Hamburgb. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE TOMORROW. Morning, It) minutes after 6. Evening, 34 minutes after 6. THE SUN. SOLEM Qttls DICEItE FALSUM AUDEAT ? LONDON, THURSDAY, LIAUARY 20, 1820. The PRorktu.roß of this Paper finding that it is currently re ported that he has disposed of it, deems it necessary to in form the Public that it is still his SOLE PannarrY, and that whenever new arrangements may take place, he will gire due notice to his Readers. IVe have again to announce the non-arrival of Paris Papers, two days' Journals are due. IVe received this morni►►g Jamaica Papers to he 7th of November. The following are ex- racts : " KINGSTON (JAMAICA), Nov. 6. " HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, TUESDAY, Nov. 2. 'g Mr. SPEAKER reported that the House had At tended his Grace the Governor in the Council- Chamber, when his Grace was pleased to make a Speech, of which. Mr, Speaker said he had, to prevent mistakes, obtained a copy ; and the same, being read, was ordered to be entered, and is as follows : " Gentlemen of the Council, " Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly, " It is with tile deepest regret I hare to announce to yon id death of her Majesty. The d utiful attachment which this amiable Princess ever manifested towards our beloved Sovereign, and the many virtues which /ch ime d ber charac ter, must endear her memory to all those who can appre : elate the influence which an example of so much excellence must ever have on the morals add happiness of a nation.. `' Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Ascend/IY. ," I am well assured of your disposition to grant such sup- plies as the public exigencies may appear to require. - " The Chief Magistrate of St. Catherine having represepted to me that a considerable number of run-away slaves had established themselves on Healthshire-Hills, and had com mitted several daring outrages, I thought it expedient to em ploy parties of the Maroons, for the purpose of apprehending them, and of destroying any settlements they might have formed. To the zeal and judicious arrangements of.the Otli ecr to whom this service was entrusted, the complete success which attended this measure, must he greatly attributed. " Some unavoidable expence has been incurred in accom plishing this object, fur the payment of which I must like wise resort to your liberality. " Gentlemen of the Council, " Slr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the Assembly, " I Lave nothing whatever to submit to your consideration, and I ani perfectly certain that you will proceed to dispose of the ordinary business with your accustomed assiduity." " WEDNESDAY, NoV. 3. " Address to his Grace the Governor, in an swer to his Speech at the opening of the Ses sion, presented, read, and ordered to be en- g 1 ossed. " Address of Condolence to his Royal High ness the l'rince Re gen t on t h e d eat h o f her Most Gracioos Majesty, presented, read, and ordered to l►e el)gtoised. ‘.‘ On motion, Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill to revise and nmend the Mili tia Laws, and the Laws for the Prestrvation of Arms and Accoutrements, issued out of the Pub lic Arsenal, and for other purposes, Ir ! TIIURSDAY, NOV. 4. " Two Messages ordered to be sent to his Grace; the first requesting that he would be pleased to transmit and present to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent tl►e humble Address of Condolence of the Assembly, on the death of her late Ma. jest y, in the most acceptable Manner ; and the second, to cause to be laid before +he house a re turn of the several Barracks belonging to the Island, their present state and condition, and the number of me❑ they are severally capable of con taining. " Committee appointed to carry the above Mes sages to his Grace, who returning, reported that his Grace was pleased to say Certainly.' " House in Committee on his Grace's Speech ; and being resumed, six Resolutions were reported and agreed to, recommending the following Bills to be brought in, Tax, Land Duty, Tea Duty, Amtrican Goods Duty, Cattle Duty.—Adjourned till Tuesday next." The Bermuda Prpers of the 16th contain some intelligence from the ludependents at An gostura. A fever had prevailed at that Mice, by which the Engiisli troops have suffered very severely. Alan) , of the Officers have fallen •victims. The country adjacent 1181 been so overflowed by the Orinoco as to obstruct all communication with ilia forces on the Carribcat frontiers, which had put a stop to military opera tions.--A cutter from England has been stranded lately on the Grand Bar at the mouth of the Ori noco, laden with military stores. Letters from a respectable source, state that LA TORRB, the Royalist General, had been rein forced by 2000 troops, when he defeated BoLivArt in three successive engagements, driving him to wards Santa FtS, and La Tottac was proceeding by forced marches with a' large body of troops to that capital. CALZADA had also occupied a strong position in the rear of the Independents ; and with his troops would add greatly to the success of the Royalists, and the ultimate destruction of BOLIVAR. The information of LA TORRE'S suc cess arrived at Carthagena by au extraordinary dispatch, received from him, not long before the Swift sailed. The oral information is directly contrary to the It says that the light troops of BOLIYAR were within ten leagues of Carthagena, and that several gun-boats, with Royal troops, went up the - Magdalena to oppose Bottvart, had joined his cause, and deserted the Royalist Standard. The troops in Carthagena, SOO strong, bad manifested discontent, in consequence of the small pay and scanty supply of provisions. An engagement had taken place between the Royalists and independ ents, when about 50 of the former, after their de feat, had escaped to Carthagena. Bouvaa lett 4000 troops in garrison at Santa F. Colonel ENGLISH is stated to be killed at the capture of Santa F 6. above. We have seen a'Prmclamation of the Vice• Roy of Santa F 6, dated at Cartbage-na, the 20. h ult. stating they were surrounded by enemies, an►l calling upon the loyal inhabitants of the country to take up arms in defence of their property and Accounts have reached here from the Island of St. Domingo, stating that M`GEIRGOR, with five of his Office's, arrived at that Island on the 21st 13 [ 11110, The Government brig Ci►chucto arrived at St. fol,n's I-Ith instant, from Halif.o: (N. S.) with 100.000 francs for the use of Government. We understand the Swift brings an account of Checo having been captured by the force node/ HoLIVA R. THE FUNDS.-It appears that about four fifth/ of the whole Funded Property of England is ia trust or joint accounts, or belonging either to public bodies or - to piitoite families, who keep it as fixed incomes.—When we consider that all the Property in the Kingdom is its security, and that, from the regularity of paying the Dividends, eve! Y • person knows to a day when his income will be paid, and to a penny what he will receive, vs° need not be surprised at the preference given to this Property over any other, as 3 provision for Families. But a part of the fluctuating Stock being in the hands of Speculators, they can, anti often do, not only sell their own Stock, but also sell largely, for a distant time, what they d o n ut possess,—circulating gloomy news in aid of their speculations to depress the Funds, and in 1,00 of frightening other Stock-holders OUT of their property at low prices, which the Speculators' Agents ate always ready to purchase. TLey then change their ground by buying more than they ate able to paylor, and with a little coined news.of $ different nature, the Funds are run up, perhaps unnaturally high, and the real Stock-holders frightened IN at a heavy loss. From the increasing investments of Saving Banks, and from other sources, both of a Public and Private nature, for the purposes of fixed incomes, and knowing there. are now immense sums unemployed. in the City, ►ve sho:ild not be surprized to see the Speculators themselves frightened IN, and the same game for a rise played over again by them that took place in 1817, when the Stocks rose front 67 to 84 is about three months. We beg leave to suggest to the Benevolent mittee, who are so ineritotiously exerting them° -selves to afford . shelter nod nutriment to the House' less and Destitute Poor—the propriety of having Placards posted throughout the Metropolis,in order fully to announce the interesting and important object in view, There are doubtless many poor wretches wandering through the streets who cannot possibly know what the Public Journals' may contain, and who may be wholly unconnected with those who could give them information' of the comforts which they themselves hate derived. Such Placards would spread the gratify' ing information to every fugitive who otherwise might remain in tura' ignorance that the libe' rality of their superiors had provided such a Te' source kir them. Still a sound discretion migl 4 .. be exercised in the selection of proper object9l and in the proportion of the assistance imparted. We consider this exertion of the several Cora' tuittees as not only ben: finial on the score of hunyinity, bitt as calculated to diffuse moral advantages over the Country. We are tor' willing to mingle any thing of politics with Ibis truly noble subject, but considering the at• tempts which the Radical Reformers have made', to destroy all reverence for the higher otders of Society, to represent them as insensible to the wants of their fellow-creatures, and,only influenced by vanity, pride, ambition, and venality, this ge" nerous zeal -tmong the superior ranks to exten d t he blessings of Charity to all whose situation tuaY demand it, must remove that discontent, envy and hatred of the Affluent, which Sedi- - tious Miscreants have been so iudustriuusl) • endeavouring to excite, and which tended to the total ruin of the Cou'ntry. The poor Objects' who have thus been relieved by their Superiors . may, while they contemplate the misery ft., which they have been rescued and the comfors which they enjoy, reflect upon what they migl► 6 have suffered if the wicked Radicals, who have, we trust, now been effectually subdued by Law, had overthrown the Governmeut, and divided the property of the Kingdom. Can the poor victims who have thus been relieved, and brought to reflection, suppose, that, if the infamous Radicals had obtained their ends they 00 1 would have set on foot such benevolent ln" Stitt:llolls as that at the QUEEN'S HEAD TAVEEtt and other meritorious Sleieties of the same do" scription ? No, if the Objects relieved are - capable of the least reflection, they must rejoice that the Government has triumphed over its enemies, and , they will look with gratitude towards thoso nt superiors' who have devoted their time, their labour, and their wealth, to idle' rime the sufferings and promote the corn' fort of their fellow-beings, deeming those who are lowest and the most distressed as the most entitled to assistance and protection, %V are sorry to :t.arn, that an imprudent paiagrapli in a Morning Paper had perhaps checked the current of charity, by intimating, that the fund already provided was more than suilicitoc (or the caUs upon it, um! tilt the surplus wgiii3