The Sun. — London, England, 1849-03-10 00:00:00

THE SITN, hjection to do se: On investigation several minor inac- The United States would not answer us.—(Hear, hear.) euracies, aikie alarge amount, had been detected, which They were a nation most careful in all their proceed would be corrected in the subsequent returns he should would they had no answer tot give us. The House all remember the etter of Mr. Ban - be prepared to lay before the Hous2. THE NAVIGATION-LAWS. croft. Austria was vastly surprised that we In reply to Mr. GOULBURN, could not understand whet the merits of the case were. Lord J. RUSSELt intimated that he proposed to Could they wonder at that? When she was willing fe - :e the debate on tao navigation-laws to-night, and if to , concede much to this country, we turned t he ,ncluded, he proposed to take the Committee o f Su pp l y coed shoulder to her, and said, she must give up on Monday. If not, he should propose that the debate all her protection. We had got a eery positive answer from Belgium, but Belgium would not assist us ; be proceeded with on Monday. she had been just to herself, and said No, I will continue ECCLES I A STICAL COMMISSION. Mr. HORSMAN gave notice that on a future day he to protect my own commerce.--(Hear, bear.) Belgium intended to ask the Noble Lor d what measures he in- would not conform to our system; and was this tended to introduce on this subject. country prepared to put the screw upon that RATE IN AID BILL. country ? Belgium had done that which every An Hoer. MEMBER inquired on what day the Noble enlightened country ought to do, and that was to pro- Lord proposed to take the second reading of the Rate tect the subjects under her rule.—ries Belgium(o "Hear, in Aid Bill. hear.") The Prince who ruled over had car- Lord J. RUSSELL replieci on Monday week. If he tied from this country the wise principles of commercial could not bring it on on that day, he would name when policy which prevailed here whilst he resided amongst us. Ministers addressed themselves also to France. he would do so. NAVIGATION LAWS. Nothing could be more civil than the terms in which Mr. HERRIES presented a petition from Liverpool, France replied; nothing more positive than her rejection signed by 24,700 persons, entreating the House not to of the proposition submitted to her. It was evident that, vote for the repeal of the navigation-laws,—(Protec- notwithstanding the missions which had been dispatched tionist cheers.) to enlighten foreign nations on the subject of free trade The LORD MAYOR said he esteemed it a high —France, Belgium, Germany, and America still conti honour to attend in that House to present a petition from nued in a state of darkness. In spito of the orations the merchants, manufacturers, bankers, artizans, seamen, which the Hon. Member for the West Riding had made and others, of the city of London, against the repeal of at banquets — which certainl y did not appear to have the navigation-laws. The signatures to that petition been gut up on the ch e ap mar k et p rinciple—France, amounted to 20,757. —(Cries of " Hear, hear.") Belgium, Germany, and America continued Protec- He had carefully looked at the petition, and from tionists in their policy.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble his own knowledge he could state that many of the Lord at the bead of the Government said that he signatures to that petition were composed of the most was opposed t o p rotection because it always influential and respectable firms in the city of London ; injured the party protected. That decla:ation was and he would venture to say there was no petition more so contrary to all experience that it was vnand, erful entitled to the respectful consideration of the House. the Noble Lord should have hazarded it. It was Mr. A. HASTIE presented a petition signed by 2,890 hardly possible to point to any great manufacturing 2 . ° - shipowners, artizans, merchants, manufacturers, and terest which had not at the outset received protection.—' seamen of Glasgow against the repeal of the navigation (Hear, hear.) When we commenced the cotton menu laws. facture in rivalry with a distant country, we excluded Mr. F. O'CONNOR rose to ask whether the Right its productions, and fostered our home manufacture by Hon. Member (Mr. Herries) who had presented the the imposition of a heavy duty.—([fear, hear.) Could petition from Liverpool, on the subject of the naviga- any one suppose that France and Prussia, which were tion-laws, had taken the trouble to count the signatures making great progress in the cotton manufacture, and to that petition.—(" Oh, oh," and laughter.) America which consumed five times as much raw cotton , Mr. COBDEN presented a petition from the inha- as she did a few years back, could have withstood our bitants of Dunstable, in Kent, in favour of the repeal of competition without protecting duties? Not a loom the navigation-laws. would now be at work in any of those countries had it On the motion being read that the Bill for the repeal not been for the protective system which they adopted. of the navigation-laws be read a second time, —(Hear, hear.) . Their cotton manufactures had grown Mr. UERRIES said he rose to oppose the further up under protection, and were now flourishing. In vain progress of this Bill.—(Hear, bear.) He rose to we told them to leave manufacturing to us, and that we propose, as an amendment to the motion, that the Bill would give them goods in exchange for theirs. • They be read a second time this day six months. He under- were resolved to take a leaf out of our book and took to oppose the motion because of the principle of the to protect their own manufactures; and they were right. Bill, which they were now invited to read a second time. —(Hear, hear.) Having now disposed of the evidence If it were not conceived in the spirit in which it was on which the Government relied for the support of their conceived, he should not have opposed it at that stage in case, he would proceed to consider what was really the its progress; but he was not content, so far as his voice question at issue. On the one hand it was contended would,prevent it, to allow this Bill, framed on such a set of that the navigation-laws secured to this country a large principles, to pass this stage in its progress. It was a commercial marine, that such a marine was auxiliary sweeping abrogation of the navigation- laws, with some and necessa r y to a g reat naval power, and that, there such trifling, some such insignificant reservations— fore, it was desirable to maintain the navigation-laws. (Ilear, hear)—as tended not to amend or remove the On the other hand it was contended that the navigation objections to the abrogation, but to render them laws inflicted injury on consumers by enhancing the in some respects absurd, and in others onerous, price of commodities, that a great commercial marine without any compensation • to the body of the was not essential to a naval power, and that, therefore, shipowners.—(Hear.) These reservations consisted in the navigation-laws ought to be repealed. It resulted punishing other nations who did notconform to our policy. from that state of the question, that the continuance or He hoped also to show that what had taken place in the abrogation of the naval laws ought to be depend upon the meantime between the last discussion on this subject and balance of advantages or inconvenience resulting from the present, exhibited in a remarkable degree the absur- them. The proposition advanced by the opponents of day of those reservations. The second of those reser- the navigation laws, that a great commercial marine was vations had reference to the coasting trade, and not necessary to a great naval power, might be disposed went to impose on the shipowner, after exposing of very briefly. The navigation-laws were imposed him to a perfect freedom of competition with the solely for the object of creating a great commercial ma foreigner in every branch of our commerce, obligations to rine upon its admitted requirement by a great naval which his rivals were not subje ct.—(Hear.) To a Bill power. That had been avowed by all persons who had so framed it was impossible, with the opinions he enter- been concerned in imposing or maintaining those laws. tained upon tbat subject, that he could allow it to pass The only persons who maintained an opposite opinion into another stage, and it was his intention to were the Hon. Member for Stoke, and his ally, Sir J. offer in this stage of its progress, if the Stirling. The evidence opposed to that of Sir J. Stir- House would bear with him while he did so, all those ling by Sir T. Cochrane, Sir B. Martin, Admiral objections which *he believed to be applicable to this Dundas, and Admiral Parker, was of such a nature ill-judged measure—(Hear, hear)—and so to state them as, without disrespect to Sir J. Claridge, left as to enable the House, as far as he could throw any that gentleman without a leg to stand upon. There light on the subject, to come to a decision, and as was another witness to the importance of a great early a decision as might be, on the merits of the commercial marine, whom it would hardly be fair to Bill. The present discussion was ver ymuch in pass over on the present occasion—the Hon. Member for the nature of a resumed debate. In the last the West Riding. Addressing a meeting at Manches session of Parliament the subject was very ter, the Hon. Gentleman referred to a passage in history fully entered into and very ably discussed, between France and America, and said—" At that time with great ability on the part of some he saw around —I have it from the Americana themselves—the French him, and with conspicuous ability indeed on the part of had three times the force of ships of war that America one whom he saw no longer in that House.—(Hear.) had. Admiral Mackau was in the Gulf of Florida, with In that interval documents had been produced, and an a fleet large enough to ravage the whole coast of Ame expressien of opinion evinced on the part of the public, rice and bombard her towns; but did France rush into which were highly advantageous to forming a correct war with America? She paid the money. Why? Because judgment and to coming to a true decision upon this she knew well, if she provoked an unjust war with the great question. They had also on the table of the United States, her men-of-war were nothing compared House the correspondence which had taken place with with the force that would swarm out of every American foreign powers. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. La- port when brought into collision with another country. buuchere) seemed perfectly satisfied with that correspon- France knew that America had the largest mercantile dence, and he hoped he would be so when the contents marine, and though at first the battle might be to the had been fully discussed. They had also petitions from stronger in an armed fleet, in the end it would be to all parts of the country, which were of vast importance that country which had the greatest amount of public by reason of the great number by whom the opinions spirit and the greatest• amount of mercantile ships and contained in them were expressed, by reason of the sailors." The navigation-laws gave us the exclusive en places from which the petitions came, and b 3 joyment of a vast international maritime commerce. Our reason of the classes whose interests were commercial policy had been relaxed to some extent by represented by those parties who so expressed these Mr. Huskisson, but that Minister did not give way on -opinions. If the House would attend to the num- the pretence that he was conferring an advantage on this ber and character of the petitions presented in opposi- cotintry, but because he could hold out no longer. With tion to the measure, it would agree with him that it reference to the change proposed, no one asserted that would have he en unfortunate indeed if the measure had we were compelled to make it, and his (Mr. Herries's) been passed which was introduced last session. From a maxim was, " Hold what you can—concede what you list of towns which he held in his hand, it appeared must."—(Hear, bear.) He admitted that the navigation that petitions had been presented from Edinburg"), Bel- laws did impose a restraint, and, inasmuch as they did fast, Dartmouth, Sunderland, Montrose, Portsmouth, so, tended to enhance the price of provisions. —(Hear, Purtsea, Weymouth, Sunderland, and Glasgow. There hear.) Hon. Gentlemen cheered that as a concession; was also one from the metropolis of the great commer- but it was part of the principle always maintained on teal world, London, which was represented by the First that (the Opposition) side of the House; but he could Minister of the Crown, signed by 27,000 people. Then show, on the accumulated testimony of the first mer came a petition from Liverpool, the second great commer- chants of London, that the addition was inconsiderable cial city of the empire, signed by 24,700, the prayer compared with the importance of keeping up a great of which was, the petitioners viewed with the ,greatest rnereaatile marine. But what advantage would be gained alarm the progress of a measure which proposed to do by the ahrogatidn of those laws in regard to the dimi away with these laws, which had been so long and so nution of price, ,and , who would gain it ? In itself it - aeccessfutly in operation, and the repeal of which would would be• incensiderable, and would be frittered away hava the effect of allowing foreigners to share in those before'the consumer-could feel it. And what said the Advantages which ought exclusively to belong to this merchants, who ought to be the most sensible of the di nation. Since last session a correspondendence had been mihution or enhancement of freight? Mr.Horsley Palmer, - produced, eelating partly to Canada and partly to fo- one of the first merchants of London, was asked whether reign states, to which he thought it right to draw the at- he had_ experienced any injury or inconvenience from the' tention of the House before he proceeded further to des navigation-laws Us answer was that he was not aware cant upon the principle of the measure. He (lid not intend of any. Mr. Robertson, a great China and East Indian to trouble the House with any statistics, so much detail merchant, said they never interfered with him. Mr. Bo having been entered into last session, but would endeavour sanquat, a W•ge Westlndia and East India merchant, said. to rest his views and arguments upon the principle of this •he did not see that he suffered at all from them.—(dear.) . ,question itself. The Right Hon. Gentleman who intro- •fle was asked whettier lie could suggest any alteration or duced the measure rested his arguments mainly upon those laws by which the general trade of the country would three points, or put them forward at least as the be benefited? His answer was that he was not at all principal inducement for the House to take this subject read in them ;he h ad looked over Mr. Ricardo's book, into its consideration, and to accede to his proposition. and the answer to it, but still what he knew amounted His great foundation was the case of Canada, and the to so little that he could not safely answer the question. state of the West Indies. There were other topics Mr. Russell Elliot suid he had suffered no inconvenience _into which he was desirous of entering, but he from them in his own transactions, and other eminent . would for the present abstain, and simply before merchants in London, Liverpool, and Glasgow, gave taking up what after all was the matter mainl y similar testimon y . Their saying that they did not knot for consideration, namely the principle of the measure— the navigation-laws was the best testimony that those (Hear, bear)—he would take up those three points laws did not press heavily upon the merchants.—(Hear; to which he had previously referred. The first cf these hear.) But the Government had undertaken—most _ was Canada, and had reference to the state of public rashly, most unwisely—to unsettle those laws, upon opinion on the subject of the navigation-laws in our which the foundation of our naval p ower depended.— North American colonies.—(Hear, hear.) They had (Hear.) Without su fficient reason, they had entered an impression-hist a session that all Canada was in favour upon a course which had about it this fatality, that uns of the repeal of these laws, and it would seem from the fortunately if the result did not answer their expectat representation that had been placed before the House lions they could not retrace their steps. Let thew once by the Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the abandon those laws, as cumbrous and useless, and never Board of Trade, that the opinion there was such again could they clothe themselves in the armour they as to justify the course which ho had taken.—(Hear, had hitherto afforded them, however much they might P hear.) But he believed that the Right Honourable Gen- desire it. The shi ownine interest, paying no less m tlean was not in possession of all the papers which than 5,000,000/. a year wages, and employing an lie required for a fair exposition of the matter. nually 30,000 artificers, were thundering at the door Yet, with all these advantages, there never was of the house, imploring them to stay their hand in this a more slender case made out than that of Canada. In rash experiment. They were about to do with the sea fact, the . papers were presented evidently with a view to what they had done with the land — to try a g reat make 'an impression to serve certain purposes.— political experiment. Did the aspect of affairs justify (Hear, hear.) Ile was sorry to say that the plan had the risk? Was there any provocation for it from within, the countenance of - Members of the Government in high or any demand for it from without? Re could hardly places. There was a practice of presenting documents, conceive anything so nearly approaching dementation on but instead of documents only por- the part of the Government. It did not follow as a ne tions of documents. Such the parts were laid be- cessity of their former proceedings. If their theory was fore them as suited others the right that there should be no protection whatever, still Government had to serve, position they might justify themselves in staying their hand, and omitted. He would be one of the last to believ e e rs tha w t t e h re e not trying this great experiment. Had the Noble Lord Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the Board of presented any petition from the city he represented? All Trade would willingly or knowingly follow such a prudence, all sound judgment, was against this plan. It custom.—(Hear, an d loud cheers.) A document was was wild, uncalled for, and deplorable. Public opinion . presented to the House, respecting the Members of was aga i nst i t; an d if i t were poss ibl e that the Govern the Legislative Chamber of Canada West Now, it meat could learn from anything the voice now rising in appeared that this Counci l consisted of 89 Members, every corner o f th e coun t r y wou ld teach them that the Members, et whom 17 were absent from the country at the time that first duty of a B r iti s h statesman an d o f a British Li gis documeat was concocted, and of those seventy-two Mem- lature was to maintain British interests, to uphold Bri .bers fifty-three had absolutely signed a declaration that tish industr y , t o stimulate British enterprise—(Hear, , such w as not the feeling in Canada. Such was the case hear)---and so to promote the glory and honour of this also with regard to the Legislativerouncil of Mon- great country. She had been an useful arbiter in the treat, A no th er d ocu ment was presented from community of the nations of the earth, and long might the • Chamber of Commerce of that country. she continue so to be if they stayed their hand and did This board con s i s t e d of 103 members, of whom thirteen not destroy those laws which had made her the were absent from the colony. The members who refused mightiest empire in the world. The Right Hon. to sign amounted to eight, while twelve protested and Gentleman then moved that the Bill be read a second fifty-seven signed the letter, declaring that they were in tine that day six months. favour of protection,—([fear.) But there had been a Mr. WILSON, after complimenting the Right Hon. document presented to-day which showed more Gentleman on the tone of his address, said he did not strongly than anything else') the feeling of the Ca - wish to undervalue the opinion of so large and influential nadas upon this question. It was the report of a a body as the merchants of London, as expressed in the meeting held in the colony , at which there was a petition which had been presented.to the House that . larger . number of persons present than had been evening, and especially w hen it was backed u p by those known at any previous assembly of the sort. The of the merchants of Glasgow and Liverpool. He re -.,; meeting was convened by parties favourable to the re- membered that Sir R. W a lpole, on coming down to the . peal, of th ese l aws , b u t upon a resolution being proposed House to propose one of his greatest reforms in the adopting a petition to Parliament in favour of their re e peal an amendment was moved and carried by a large commercial stayed --riioelty, to the effect that a repeal of the ntiviea• chants of London; but he must say he did not think:that '°a - lawse so far as Canada was concerned, would prove most disastrous fy its being , - The Earl of to its prosperity.—(Cheers.) a population as that of London would j use petitions signed by 20,000 or 27,000 persons . in . so laage Elgin had ;conveyed tion to the e an intitna- taken as a conclusive voice on the measure now under tion Montrealm' Government that the erec- discussion. The Right Hon. Gentleman had referred to d a free port would re- the reasons which his Right Hon. Friend the President move 'the difficulties under which the inhabitants of the Board of Trade had given for this measure on a were laboUring-ea pro which was seconded several memorials. It was se n n by former occasion, and had spoken of the pressure which in fairn t in th e s p r i ng of 1547, the Government felt from Canada. He (Mr. Was and he asked, of • spoke loudly the grieva.nees es ' , why/ when they son) wished to make no invidious observations, but in respect of the navigation-law the people, he was very much surprised at the somewhat unfair re s, they did no t t h t e ak N e o t r h th e presentation which the Right Hon. Gentleman had made step suggested by the Governor-General of those sentiments. The Right Honourable Gen- American provinces, and give them that relief the e why they y d r id - tleman contended that the petitions pres ented quired.—(Hear.) He p ut it to them to the House last year were in a great degree not act as he had p ointed out. The e© was negatived by those of the present year, and that those nothing to prevent the Government from i ssuing o f last year were presented on a misunderstanding as to an order in council d eclarin g Montreal a free p or t. the true interests of Canada. With respect to the nevi • Then with respect to the West Indies —where gation laws,.. he would call the attention of the House to Was the dispatch from the Governor-General, ao Right H to which their particular • attention was called ‘,, : i !t i e l ti t t i t i o n n ß frm the Board of Trade at Montreal, to ght Hon. Gentleman had referred. The sometime ago? What had they dune? They had nn. Gentleman told the House that that petition introduced • competition with' -respect to slavery prayed for protection It was true, as the Right Hon. by introducing slave grown sugar to the Gentleman - said,' that the navigation laws were alluded great injury of that part of our dominions, to in it, but that was a secundary and consequential part IA6II/4TD014; SATITIVDAY EVENING, MARCH 10, 1849, into u,,hsitsovoyang. eHGeetitirnrat.alehemelaaa from 1821 to 1847, but rather than trouble th e Hsus e ,if e v e r resorted to, would be the rare, he' hotted the very . preached the question. he could not reconcile it to his W, stbury (Mr. Wilson) r o rejectcar .ffitinmel argument. t. themselves was Il i t r o s conviction of a hat was due to the g, - eat mercantile interest wiser, in that peel tnirr-s - v stage, with detailed statistics, he should cont. nt himself wEth rare, except urn. (Hear, hear.) stat i ng th e aver ages of six periods. The three years The Marquis r f GRANBY trusted that the House, in of thi s country, and et what a sens;. 0' justice to our. the silo'', goes;ion . . s'i;; . 131;1 the en di ng 1823 g ave an average of 76.000, the two years coming to a decision, would not ho influenced by tne colonie s unperntively der-omitted, to tvveid ad ere-siee .h.- tatter or nut ? ior that jas ia c pio , P e r l Pe o e ; s h's i ending 1826 gave 205,282, the three . years ending 1831 argument used by the introducer of the present measure a f.nr. , words to the House ; and he did not tho,;i. it Right Hot- Friend—a proposal to which proposal Card gave 115,666, the three years ending 1837 gave 182,806, —that whatever inconvenience or mischief might result, would be diff ic ult to s how in some impert int restiects well) ventured to oppose himself In C ' o ( * . t e he t h e th ree y ears en ding 1841 cave 319,110, and the two fl.= course which the Legislature had punned for the what a due r e g ,aiel t o the r, ,Il eel. ore of this grest hoped the's' nauld hear eve/ reasonable preposition mn'le for years en di ng 1844 were 154,005. In 1846 the quantity last four years was to be persevered in. He hoped interests required of the Parliament 4 this ‘..inpire It itnerevena tit which either 3' ,iih. sh ro o l u e ld at suggest, arri.ve,w a it n h d was 213,000, and in 1847 it was 266,000. The various rasher that the question would be decided on its Own was difficult to understand, either from the speete es neat, d that eseetually they ^ depressions and elevations in freights which took place merits, and that question w aa wh e th er t h e B r iti s h ship- of those who wished to reject this Bill, er from the general concurrence, at a final, c•nciuQive and at the t h h e e d ur i ng t h ese p er iods must be fresh in the recollection of owner could compete with the foreigner. That the Bri- evidence tak e n befo re th e Committee of the Hee.° of rue time suf• and satisfactory settlement ' 'if t hi s most H on . Members, and he would ask, was it fining that cash shipowner could not compete with the foreigner Lords, ex a ctly th e position in which this question stood. difficult and most important laws should be permitted to remain on our statute-book might be very easily shown by the evidence given be- He would ask Hon. Gentlemen on his (the Opposition) Mr. HENLEY coneidert d q t hat th n e7a ( rgument of the hear.) . d ) had t o side of the House what was the opinion they entertained Hon. Gentleman who had •us r t h s a at H d o own n. abounded inyou in which exposed commercial interests to such fluctuations? fore the Lords' Committee on the navigation. laws. He That system must be regarded as the best which pro- believed it was almost universally admitted that ships with respect to the clause which secured to Eneland inconsistencies aid tallacies. j ' duced a steady uniformity, rather than that which ap- b u ilt i n E ng l an d were d earer th an s h i p s b u ilt abroad. what was called the long voyage. If he looked to the warned them to look to the long. plied sudden stimulants and checks as su dd en . Th e Ei ght A ccor di ng tc , M r , mint e r' s evidence, the price of Ame- evidence before the Committee ef the H.ms.. of Lords he their seen heusieg system. What did the Ho found witnesses of the first cewideration staring thet man sat ? ." It you don't make some relaxation Gentle- Hon. Member for Stamford had enlarged on the impor- rican ships was 141. a ton; the price, however, of English they thought it an essenti a l eleineut in, and one of the nark...lnert-laws, the Am: ships will carry co tt on lance of the navigation-laws with regard to their poll • ships, class Al, averaged from 24/. to 261. a ton. The of of thethe Ho nett' influence upon the defences of this country. He N o ble L or d, a ft er not i c i ng th e incre as e which had fundamental principles of the law; while, on the other into Russia." Was itneto as p cin e i% n n.ee n ri e ti t ii w n;n , gg ht t . io ( a M tth r b . : H t e w . w n .a l ,r, e 3e y h? ) o w u o sTi u nb l g d n n p o r a o g c e eed w e h d ie t h o say that a h s an t d h , at he cla fo u u se nd sto m ,d a . ny th i e n i t a e w llig c c o l u tt ld w z i l t o r t ie- b s y es po s s ta si t b in il g ity tha b t e , pasiltn,Lto Member, ekinecf t a o fte d r o tonnage, proceeded (Mr. Wilson) would not now enter into the question i t t a i k l e B n 4 p 6 l t a b c e e a in ni A ou m n e t r o ic f an ß t r u i whether a commercial navy was needful for the support Now he would warn his friends of the system in this country, and to the o b b r seev h ations of the of the royal navy or not ; but, admitting that the Right inwards from the United States was only 205,123, maintained. Hon. Gentleman was perfectly ri g ht i n hi s conc l us io n w hil e th e amoun t o f A m e r i can tonnage which shipping interest to take timely caution as to the import Hon. IM-tu te b d er h f i ( s m a L tt i e v n e t r i p o o n ol to on th t e ha a t rzum an e c nt ques that a commercial navy was n ece ssary f or th e mainte- entered inwards from the same conntry was and effect of that clause. The purport of it was to pro- tien, three tenance of t h e ro y a l navy, he (Mr. Wilson) would ask 435,399; and the American tonnage employed between hibit the importation of the produce of Asia, Africa, and Member for Westbury (Mr. Wil son ), which also w h et h er th a t ro y a l navy would be best supported by a America and our colonies, more particularly our America into this country, except in ships belonging to abounded, he said, in fallacies, and i n w hi c h he (Mr. to t g h e e th er system of laws which increased the commercial navy , or western colonies, in cr e ased in the period from 1821 to the country where the articles imported were produced, Wil son ) cut hi s own th roa t, f or his argument cut both by a system which depressed it. — (Hear , hear.) He 1846 to no less an amount than 1,635,828 tons. Did or i n B r iti s h s hip s . Th e y were to ld t h at rec i proc i ty was ways . (H ear .) Th e Honourable Gentleman the would ask the House to observe what had be en the effect that p rove that the British shi p owner could com pet e with to be the order tel over f the day. Let him, then, ask what Member for Westbury h a d thrown al of the commercial measures lately adopted b y the Le g is- the American? To show the great r e s ources p ossesse d was t h e i r pos i t i on i n regar d to one o f t h e t h e quest i on o f rec i proc i ty. He said that fo lature upon the number of men employed in the com- by America, he quoted an ex.ract f rom Mr. Mackay'. most important interests of this country? He reien countries referred to had given us all they could mercial marine of this country. In 1842 the number of Western Worhl, and observed, that while he admitted knew of none more important than that which was give us. Well if this were so, why did they resist h men so employed was 181,000 ;in 1847 it was 232,000. the extensive resources of America, he did not agree in known by the name of the " warehouse system"—a sys- clause in the Bill in reference to reciprocity?Wreth t ee e - He contended, then, that a free trade system, which had the conclusion at which the a uth or state d th at h e ar- tens w hi c h was th e growth of recent years, and resulted going to legislate a lie? The Hon. Gen t t f le . man then thus increased the number of men, was the best adapted rived irresistibly, however reluctantly, that the power from a judicious relaxation in the navigation laws, by contended that the commercial marin of th c e ou e n o t m ry . to carry out the views of the Right Hon. Gentleman. of England must yet s u ccumb t o th e p ower o f h er o ff_ wh i ch th i s country was ma d e the great entrepot, not had, under the navigation-laws, kept pace with the The G overnmen t being of opi n i o n that the time had spring. If native industry were protected and the nevi- only of Europe but of the whole civilized world. Eng- mercial wants of the country. If thi s grea t exper i ment come when the restrictions upon shipping should be gation laws maintained in their present integrity, this land imported cotton from America, sugar from the did not succeed, in what situation would this country abandoned, and when shipping — like all other bra nches countr y needed not, to succumb to America, or to an y tro p ics, and all kinds of produce fr o m the differ ent por - he placed? Unless it did succeed, and unless the e of industry—should be exposed to a healthful comp e,i- other nation on the face of the earth. It was contended tions of the globe. These she sent largely to the ports mercial marine of the country could be upheld, the tion, the only question was how this object was to be that thou g h the British shi p might be dearer than the in th e Baltic Sea. Last year she sent 200,000 bags of country would be placed in a uP most perilouspositton, in accomplished. He believed the Government had taken forei g n, y et that, owing .to its durability, the d ear cotton to the northern ports. Wh at was t h e share the event of an unexpected rupture taking place between not only the wisest course i n th e propos i t i on t h ey ha d s hi p was t h e c h ea p es t in the end ; but that he which the British merchants enjoyed in bringing that this country and foreign countries. He wished hereto made, but the only course practicable in order to be of thou g ht yto , a m i s t a k en notion, and r e f erre d t o M r . cotton from America to Liverpool and then carrying it to ask the Government what the intended do with benefit to this country with regard to navigation and Youngs v id ence b e fore the L o rd' s committee R uss i a f rom t h e ot h er ports o f E urope ? Th ey h a d, i n respect to impressment? There was also another quese shipping. He regretted that the Right Hon. Member for t he p ur p ose of showing that Baltic shi p s lasted fact, th e whole carrying trade of Russia and the Baltic. lion which he wished to put to the Government. They for Oxford University (Mr. Gladstone) was not in his longer. The House should take the opinion of British But now they were told that reprocity was the order of did not propose to put the shipowner on the same didfar as not the do apprentice so w as re d g id ar a d s ed the place ; for that Right H o n. G en tleman, in the course of shipowners—the men to whom . it was . proposed to give the day. But when the treaty with Russia expired, as footing as the foreign shipowner. How did h one of the most able speeches delivered on this question the opportunity of using foreign ships. What class of it would do in a few years, and when Prussia should show this ? They relieved the British . shipowner,it was ° dids ish a n t d h e c y ol p o r n e i f u e l r ships? ‘Vhy, built, i n oflB4o which there l )73r0e81w,0e5r9e out,heve whatput in would execution then e become in threats of your which c r r s y h i e n had a d trade, held buttrue, during the last session, had spokes in favour of proceed - s a b r i i p t ing by treaties upon the principles of reciprocity.they asconcerned, man- Mr. CA RD WELL—Not by treaties. above ten years upon Lloyd's register, and 751 were un- and of those warehouses which made this country the ning of the ship, therefore th Mr. WILSON.—Upon the principles of reciprocity der ten years; and in 1846 there were 643 British and entrepot of the world? England would not allow the British shipowner on the same leveleywithnot place the then. He (Mr. Wilson) would endeavour to show the colonial ships built, of which only 180 were above ten products of Asia, Africa, and America to be shipowner, and the consequence was that the foreign great inconvenience, if not the practical impossibility of years, and 463 under t e n y e ars. H e hi mse lf h a d seen import e d into this country except her own ships 'or would be placed in a false position. If the the f t ormer f proceeding upon such principles. He objected to reci- (hat day a gentleman who had intended to charter two in ;the ships of those respective countries where the this Bill meant it to benefit the public and su t P h p e or ß er i s is o h procity. because it was a bad principle; because he con- British ships to send to Jamaica, but in consequence of articles were produced; Russia would, therefore, say she shipowners, as they said they did, why was it that rt they sidered it against a wise policy, and because he thought the expectation of the repeal of the navigation-laws he would not allow the importation of the products of Asia, did not throw open the coasting trade? If that trade it was very inconvenient if not impossible, in practice. had chartered two Danish ships at a reduced rate of Africa, or America into Russian ports unless in ships were thrown open, there could be little doubt but the He believed one of the greatest errors the Legislature 7s. 6d. a ton; that gentleman anticipated that by the of the country where the goods were could now commit would be to do anything that might time the ships returned from Jamaica the navigation- Russian ships. At least, she would take care that if were honest in their statement, that by allowing the sanction the opinion which had gain ed g round too laws w oul d b e r ep e a le d. — (H e ar , hear.) With regard to England would not relax her law those productions shipping of foreign countries to come int o competition extensively on the continent, with regard to the views the reciprocity treaties, it must be remembered that the should not come in British ships. Thus Great Britain with ours as regarded our foreign trade, we would by which this country had hitherto been influenced in present measure was founded . could upon a totally different would lose the carrying trade to Russia. With regard thereby increase our shipping, then the same . principle its commercial policy. He thought nothing b e system; we were now go i ng to a d m i t f ore i gn vessels into to the United States of America, there was at this mo- must apply with equal force to the shipping more prejudicial to the extension of free-trade Ptah- our whole trade, and the the Baltic and American ships ment reciprocity existing between England and that the coasting trade. Why, then, did they not throw that t ciples than that we should sanction a notion , on .wou ld an d mu s t supplant ours. Even under country in many important respects—reciprocity, but not trade open? The truth was, that they were making an we made concessionspresent • area of foreign Governments, that _ Circumstances our shipping had not a friendly intercourse—because it was an intercourse experiment in which they had no confidence, theyd k eat for the benefit to be derived from those conces- increase d i n th e same propo r ti on a s foreign; where jealously guarded by restrictions. A great trade was were therefore afraid to carry it out to the full an --,,_ hut for the purpose of obtaining corresponding. the British shipping entered inwards in 1847 measured springing u p i n th e wor ld. H e wou ld no t en t er i n t o any lest it should break down altogether. Was • sinus, tns from other countries. He had found the it therefore 2,564,865 tons, or, deducting twenty. five per disquisition as to the speculations that were at present wise, when there was no immediate necessity concessiefor this 'sus and erroneous opinions held by foreign cent. for the difference between the new and old measure- afloat, but it could not be denied that a new trade was measure. to which their largest most lathier'.Ministers, as to the motives meat, and for the repeated voyages of English • ' commercial towns were ed by foreign _in its . , . ship. Governments ae , ey w as prompted by which this coun.. • ttild feel great regret if, by am year ), 1,900 . 505, the foreign shipping that was employed and palpable fact that a large trade was taking Mr. GLADSTONE movedthe • adjournment of the legislation; and he she. ~e uld appear to shrink from was 2,253.939 tons. But the proportion of our ships that its rise in that portion of the world. That could debate until Monday next. Act of that House, they se. °Ltd!put forward d• v during went out in ballast must also be remembered; the average not be gainsaid. lie knew a gentleman who Lord J. RUSSELL had no objection to the mo tion n the principle they had so br of a egislatine for the in- of Briti 1 shi hat in o _ that o , e e ortngn trade, without cargoes, was reaping a large reward in having :sent out the understanding that no further the last five or six years. adjournment should „H ess w h a t other nations was 22 per cent, in 1820, and 51 per cent. in 1847. In tea from China and sugar from the Philippine Islands to take place. terests of this country, rep. .1 they convinced 1814 the averaee foreign tonnage in our fore' n trade California. as it not might do. He believed it was not anti _ . - Mr. BIER made some remarks amid much noise and foreign Governim nts that they legislated upon this prin. was 241 per cent. less than the British but in 1847 it was Can Government would have an establishment th, m• laugh!, r, to the effect that he looked at the • question as a .. Government ' - would begin to perceive 21 per cent. more than the British. The average in- selves in California ? and then would come into opera. very doubtful o n e , an d h e could not • elide that those worth having in tree trade. crease of British tonnage from 1814 to 1847 was 134 don that clause of their navigation-laws which had went much credit for ha • give the Govern that there was somethinghaving used any very great cone At present those Governments said, " " You offer us reci- cent., b u t, o f f ore i gn , 259 per cent. Th e H ouse must b een m a de on the model of the English long-voyage sideration about it. . fair reciprocit. You are an old not forget the number of artisans whom the repeal of clause, and so made because there was such a clause in Mr. DISRAELI in • ' procity, but it is not a and vast colonial os• the navigation - saws would throw inquired if the Noble Lord could not have large capital p,main o ut o f em pl o y, f or t h e E ng li s h navigation - law, and th en n o m ore t ea , n o make an arrangement more convenient to Hon. Members country; you is very we ll f o r you to offer us these one of the objects was to destroy the monopole more produce of the Philippine Islands, could be ear- than the one pr o p ose d by the Right Hon. * sessions, and it when you know that we are not of the British shipbuilders; and some years hence the tied to the western coast of America by British . corn. Chancellor of th e Exchequer,- reciprocal advantages, . f them " He had Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) • h with respect to the ref position to ava il o urselves - 0 • • mts, t mine down to merce. It was important, therefore, for the sake of the sumption of the deb a t e on hi s reso l ut i ons ihneaardoreign Ministers say, oD o not send run- the House, when about to ruin some other class, and commercial interests of this ceuntry, that they should Lord J. RUSSELL would see before. Wednesday if f ree trade upon us; it will only say , as he did th e ot h er night of the inhabitants of the come to a right understanding with regard to the long - it were not possible to fix an earlier day than Thu rs day excite suspic bas sadorsion rg o e a the part of the people- that we are Western Islands of Scotland, that these artisans had voyage clause. Mr. Huskisson warned them to be care- next, teeing sacrifice them to your greatness, an d to your b een crus h e d b y f ore i gn compet i t i on, an d h a d to b eta k e ful not so to arrange the i r nav i gat i on laws as to call up Mr. DISRAELI replied that Thursday i t? , He believed, ther efore, that any attempt to themselves to other pursuits, or to emigrate to a country a great maritime power in opposition to them. vi re ' convenient day. would be . a ta c o a ff p e i rterma of reciprocity to other countries would no t b e t h at k new h ow to protect i ts work men . —(H ea r.) What What country would carry cotton to Russia arid Lord J. RUSSELL could not say positively that attended with benefit , bu t would throw difficulties i n th e was expecte d to b e ga i ned by this measure ? The case Prussia , an d tea an d sugar to California, if our j ea l ous T hurs d ay wou l d b e named, as there were other wayof foreign Governmen ts which might be disposed to of Canada was the first put forward; and the Hon. Gan. restrictions were maintained ? That one country which would hav e p rece d ence. meet them. But, if they went upon the principle of re- tleman (Mr. Wilson) asked what answer he was to give of which you were afraid, and with which eon had made Mr. DISRAELI said, as the subjectgreat ciprocity as it was described by Mr. Bancroft,—. To to the petitions from Can a d a an d th e West I n di es ? B ut i t your particular consideration not c o nc l us ively to importance, he hoped, under the circumstanceswas one of te those who give little, I would give little; to those w h o w hy were th e p e titi ons o f 20,000 p ersons i n London, arid decide—America. He had never listened with greater case, that Hon. Members who had of the motions would not give much I would give much; to those who give all I of the shipowners of Liverpool, to be disregarded, and astonishment to any statement than he had done to object to postpone them in his f avour would give all; ,, where was the country which could give the petition of 12 men in Canada brought forward? Then, the grave. deliberate, and measured statement of the The Summary Conviction Bill a was rea d a secon them anything corresponding to what they gave? If as rega rd e d the West Indies, the question had been en. Right Hon. Member for Stamford (Mr. Herries), that time. they did proceed upon the system of reciprocity, it must tirely overlooked on the other side till the Hon. Gentle- he thought the case of Canada good for nothing. A be upon a well-defined principle of equivalents; but there man opposite (Mr. Wilson) attempted to take it up. Now gentleman wrote to him the other day stating that be was no such thing existence. in It England threw open on this part of the subject he found the Chamber of had received by an American vessel from New York a ' her colonial trade to utility foreign countries, those Commerce of Jamaica stating, that though the repeal quantity of flour; by the bran he perceived that the countries bad no colonies which would enable th em o f t h e nav i gat i on la w s was offered as one branch of corn was grown in Canada, and being an honest man, he to give reciprocal advantages. He objected to proceed the scheme of relief which the West Indies was to re- stated the truth to the Custom- house, when he was told ing upon this principle, because there was no other ceive, yet it would serve them less than their slave. that it could not be admitted, and he prayed him (Mr. ' country in the world, except the United States of trading neighbours, inasmuch as it was impossible for Cardwell) to go to the Treasury.—(Laughter.) Would America, from which they could have anything re. them to dispatch their cargoes with the same facility as the Hon. Gentleman who sneered tell him why they sembling equivalents. The Honourable Gentleman their Cuban neighbours, and they urged that the only should protect corn grown in the United States and (Mr. Disraeli) who addressed the House last night en- means of rendering the measure valuable was to give not protect corn grown by her Majesty's subjects in larged at great length upon the principle of reciprocity, them immediate protection to their produce in the home Canada ? But it was said that a plan had been devised hut his remarks referred to reciprocity in general, with market.—(Hear, hear.) He begged also to call the at- to meet this difficulty. They were to nationalize Cana rard to produce as well as shipping. He ( Mr. Wilson) tention of the House to a paragraph in the address of dian corn by causing it to pass through the United e t admitted that there was a great distinction between re- the Canadian Assembly, from which it plainly appeared States. But corn could be conveyed from the interior ciprocity in articles of produce and recip r o cit y in nevi- that the object of those gentlemen of Montreal who were of Canada by the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence gation. It was clear that, if they placed retaliatory in favour of the repeal of the navigation-laws was that as cheaply as it could be conveyed by the duties upon the produce of another country to meet they might be enabled b y means of forei g n vessels to Erie Canal and b y wa y of New York. The duties imposed by that country on their goods, they did get slave-grown labour imported at a cheaper rate than Right Honourable Gentleman greatly lauded not visit the same interests. If Prussia imposed high at present.—(Hear, hear.) It had been shown that as the Americans for giving a drawback for the transit of duties upon their cottons and woollens, they could only the rate of freight fell the selling price rose, and Canadian corn through their provinces. But, if it were retaliate by putting high d u ties upon the timber, or corn, as the rate of freight rose the selling price fell, sagacity on the part of the American Government to or other produce of Prussia. What was the conse- so that the almost imperceptible amount gained in give a bounty on the transit of grain from Canada to quence? The Prussian Gov e r n ment first punished the the way of reduction would be divided between the New York, what was the virtue of that policy which woollen and cotton manufact ure r o f England by imposing seller and consumer. Then as to the long voyage, not- gave a positive discouragement to the conveyance of high duties upon his manufactured goods, and he wa s withstandin g what fell from the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. grain by means of the canals in Canada? Calm ea sought again punished by his own Government, who imposed Wilson), he was still convinced that it was beneficial only to be put in a position to compete on equal terms high duties upon the raw material from which he menu- to the shipowner, and a real advantage to the manutac- with the United States; and was the British Legisla factured those goods , or upon the food which he c on- turer and the consumer. By the operation of the pre- ture to refuse that reasonable demand? lie could not med.—(Hear.) If they acted upon a . system of recipro- sent law the foreig n manufacturer was obli g ed to come come to an y such conclusion. He asked the attention of city sn with regard to produce, they must give perfect free- to the British market to buy the raw materials of India, the House to a remonstrance which was made by a go clom of trade to those nations which gave them the same and he paid 21. a ton freight between this country an d vernor o f a British colony in 1671. Sir W. Berkeley, Go• advantage ; they must impose, in other cases, duties the forei g n p orts to which be carried the goods ; so that vernor of Virginia, writing soon atter the passin g of the es n p ding in amount with the duties foreign coun - British im p orters p aid 2/. a ton less for every ton of such Navigation Bill of Charles 11., said, " Mighty and tie tries imposed upon their goods, The result would be, goods they carried to foreign countries. Repeal these structive have been the obstructions to our trade and navi- that for every country in the world they must have dis- laws, however, and the foreigner would import his own gation by that severe Act of Parliament. If it were for his tinct and different tariffs.—(Hear.) If, however, they goods in his own ships, and the shipowners of this coun- Majesty'sservice,or the good of the subject, we should not imposed restrictions upon foreign shipping corresp ond- tr y would lose the carrying trade. They had been told repine, whatever were our sufferings ; but on nay soul it 1n • g with the restrictions imposed by other countries on of some cotton lying at Havre which could not, on ec. is the contrary for but h."—(Hear, hear.) He (Mr, British shipping, they had, at all events, the advantage count of the navigation-laws, reach this country ; but Cardwell) held that the same rem ark was applicable still, of meeting directly the same interest, and the restriction were they to repeal those laws on account of some v a . f or w hat would the British shipowner gain if, by the would he more likely to be felt by the country against grant bale of cotton, or lost cargo, that had not found its s agacity of the Americans, and the want of sagacity on which it was directed. What, then, were the objects of way to Liverpool ?—(Hear.) The Hon. Gentleman our part, all the produce of Canada went to New York, repealing the navigation laws ? The great objects they (Mr. Wilson) , speaki n g of reci p rocit y , said we had al- and was carried to this country b y them in cornpetiti in had in view were, to do justice to our colonies ; to ready all the reciprocity with foreign nations that we ever with American shipping ?—(Hear, hear.) There were answer in a becoming mann er th e a ddresses to the throne could have, for they could give us n o thi n g i n re t urn . It anoma li es in th e n a vigati on I iws w hi c h i t was qu i te tin from Canada, and the numerous petitions presented this was so, then wh y did he allow the Government to p os sibl e to allow to remain as they at present stood. He to that House from lar ge commercial bodies in write all those letters to foreign countries of which so did not mean to occupy the House at any length, and Canada, Australia, and the West Indies, who much had been heard ?—(Hear, bear.) Why a sk for would not therefore go into many of them ; but he complained that, but for those laws, they rec i p rocit y from them if it was all a delusion, and if they would ask the House how they would deal sith this psr could send their produce to this country by had nothing to give us ?—(Hear, hear.) He regarded the ticular case ? They had made from some motive of foreign ships at a cheaper rate than by English repeal of these laws as fraught with injustice to the Bri• good policy, some port in the Danube, which was not ships. It was no answer to those parties to say tish shipowner and to the British artesan, but the ques- locally situated in Austria, a port of Austria. They that we could not enable them to employ Dutch or tion as!affecting them sunk into insignificance comparedt had also made the port of Memel a port of Olden- Spanish ships becaus e the Governments of Spain o r of with its bearing on our naval superiority. In his esti- burgh, it not being locally situated in that country. Hand would not enter into the views of reciprocity mation it would be in the highest degree dangerous to Holland, under the most favoured nation clause, might entertained by the British Government; but when ex- our naval supremacy, and 'therefore he was opposed to claim a similar convenience, and the United States might isting, palpable, well - defined evils were to be remedied , the measure of the Government. On the subject of the presently ask a similar favour for a port in Mexico. he could ' not understand why we should make our policy apprenticeship he found the evidence of naval men strong Was it fit they should leave anomalies like that without dependent on the caprice or ignorance of foreign Go- in support of the present system as one exceedingly a remedy? The Noble Lord who had just sat down had He also objected to the principles of .reci- valuable to the navy, and deprecatory of any diminution quoted the evidence in the Lords' report to show that vernments.wages higher , ' and the account of the great practical inconvenience of the present proportion of apprentices as detrimental ships were more dearly built, procity on which they led. He had referred to the great variety to its interests. The merchants of London had at all expense . of . Now, he k d too f ffs which would be necessary in carrying out a times evinced the greatest readiness to support the navy than in America. a taken great trouble to tar of reciprocity with regard to produce; and an of this count r y , and to allow sailors to be taken from make himself acquainted with the contents of that report s a ym nsatleagous difficulty would arise with respect to th e nav i- their ships in case of war, in order to man t he nav y . and he found in it ver y o pp osite statements. H e found D • the late war they even offered a bounty of that Mr. Dunbar, the chairman of the London Ship ofgation laws if they were carried out on the same principle During owners' Association, had stated, in reply to ' : • They must have various kinds of navi- 40s. to able seamen and of 20s. to ordinary seamen who questions reciprocity. . . have would enter for the navy. He hoped, therefore, he that it was their interest to build ships dear , ' gation-laws, differing in degree ; they . must because of complicated and difficult regu- should hear no more reflections on British merchants they lasted longer and were cheaper in the end; while a l g reat vtoarie correspond with the restrictions int- being unwilling to contribute towards the mainte- opinions of a different kind were given by others; but posed on British shipping by different foreign coun - mince of the glory of their country. He entreated the whatever the coat of ships in the first instance, it might tries. se If we found one country that was di s posed to House that, come to whatever conclusion they might, be taken as certain that the country where there was give all, and to which we were obliged to give all in re- t he y would found that conclusion upon the evidence of the most energy and enter p rise, and which had turn,it must be recollect ed that t h er e were 20 countries p ractical men, and u p on the evidence of naval officers of the command of the ma r k e t s o f th e wor ld, was t h e whia h h a d trea ti es w ith us, enabling them to claim being this country, whose patriotism could not be doubted; country which on equal terms was the mos t a bl e t o cons . placed on the terms of the most favoured nation ; and and :not upon the evidence of men who, shut i n their pete with every other country in the world; and they whatever privileges extended to those countries, whether th e y gave us any- figures to suit their own par ti cu l a r purposes—men, one likely, in fair competition, to be defeated. But the thing or nothing.—(Hear, hear.) He objected t o reel- of whom had the audacity to state before the Committee Noble-Lord had said it was impossible we could CoM procity, because he believed it would lead to gr ea t eye. of the House of Lords, that for his part he did not care pete with America. Yet what was the case? From the sinus of t h e l aw , Suppose a treaty of reciprocity in na- it' the whole trade of the country were carried on in year 1821 to 1844 the tonnage of British s hip s w hi c h vigation existed b etwee n this country and Hamburgh , foreign ships. He owned that he dreaded this introduc- had entered American ports had increased from 52,000 what guarantee had they h that the ships of a third Lion of foreign shipping into the colonies, harbours, and to 776,000 tons. If we could not compete with the with which him too much in • England had no such t rea ty, ports of Great Britain. It pat mind United States, how were they to account for that in might not hecome t h e carriers of foreign produce to of the introduction of the wooden horse of old —and he crease? He found also that Liverpool, where ships were Hamburgh, which might be brought to this country would not wish to see his countrymen built dear, could compete with New Brunswick, where in Hamburgh ships? He might observe that he u,__ l --.-- captique delis the cost of building was cheap, and that New York, thought the Right Honourable Member for Stamford Quos neque Tydides, nee Larissteus Achilles, where the cost was dear, could compete with the state of (Mr. Herries) had thrown some very unworthy im- Non anni domuere decent, non mine cerium." Maine, where the cost was much less. How was that? putations upon the United States in doubting the sin- Oh! said the Noble Lord, in conclusion, that I had the It was because experience showed that to build the • they had put forward as to latter vessel at a greater first cost was cheaper in the eerily of the professions d• lhdl • •hlch power to ispe t e e ustons wit w lc we are now their conduct in case the English navigation-laws were assailed! Oh that I had the power to stir up that pa- end. But the Noble Lord had laid stress upon the c ould only say that the in- question of our maritime supremacy. He certainly repealed. He (Mr. Wilson)had triotism and that love of country which should animate timation the United States' Government given was standing policy their nev every breast! for if I had such power, I should have no concurred with Mr. Huskisson, that if the su p remac y in conformity with the of i a-of their maritime power came in contact with their g fear as to the result; for, despite of the confidence now tion-laws, which had been for years past to give to entertained by her Majesty's Government, and despite commercial interest the latter must give way. But the foreign countries whatever those . countries were re p those inconsiderate communications, and, I may say, the legislation of Queen Elizabeth's reign was of a most But for this country to proceed liberal character with regard to navigation; and yet pared to give to them. . only unconstitutional communications made by them to on the principle of reciprocity would . not ma- foreign Governments—(Cheers)—despite all those ail- the glory of our maritime supremacy was not tarnished terially embarrass foreign Governments_ in putting into vantages, still I think I should see the gallant vessel that in her reign. The patent of our precedence dated from execution any desire to adopt our policy, ut would be is now struggling with the storm sail triumphantly above a day anterior to the ordinances of Cromwell. If it setting a bad example, and giving a sanction to very the waves that threatened to overwhelm her.—(Cheers.) rested upon the foundation of the Act of Charles 11., his erroneous and mistaken notions of the real views of this If Englishmen be true to themselves and their country— anticipations would be of a still gloomier character than country in respect to its commercial policy. The great if wo be so, and I think we shall be—then we shall keep those of the Noble Lord. Those were arguments which object which the commercial legislation of this country the vessel's head straight to the sea, and not follow the did not bear on any particular Bill that might come be ought to have in view was to insure as much as pets- advice of those in command, who would run her upon fore the House, but bore exclusively upon the necessity sible to the merchant the greatest degree of certainty shore; then we shall weather the storm with which we of a settlement of those questions. He went further, and simplicity ,in his transactions ; but if by acting on are now assailed, and then we shall be able to retain the and said it was not only desirable for the mercantile in the principle of reciprocity there was produced command over that glorious element which is our na- terest, but just towards our own colonies and the ship not only more uncertainty but also much more corn- tural protector, and that is the connecting link between ping interest generally, that there should be a speedy plication, the two great and paramount principles of this country and its dependencies abroad; and for years settlement of the question. If for even a short time they entirely abandoned. It delayed the settlement of the question, they would hold commercial legislation were yet to come, notwithstanding the prophecy of Mr. might be said that the power proposed by the present Maekay, the flag of England shall float triumphantly over suspended over those whose property was embarked in Bill to be reserved to the Queen in Council did in some the most distant quarters of the globe.—(Cheers.) this pursuit the threat of impending change; they would measure tend to create the very object ions a g ainst which Mr. CARDWELL observed that the Noble Lord who P revent the a p plication of British capital an the employ he was arguing—but on that subject, at present, he was had just sat down, and the Right Hon. Gentleman who meat of 13ritish industry, and thus give an impetus to the disposed to say very little.—(A laugh.) lie would, had moved the rejection of this Bill, anticipated with employment of foreign capital and labour, and on that however, say this—that, according to the course pro- deep dismay the decay of our mercantile marine, and the ground, it on no other, they ought to come to a speedy posed by the Government, free-trade unrestricted would declension of our maritime power. Though he could not settlement of the question. There were anomalies be the rule, and restriction, if they . so pleased to call it, share in their gloomy apprehensions, yet the same natu. in the present law which it was impossible to defeeti, and the exception; whereas, by pursuing the other course ral • - anxiety weighed upon him in approaching a question which those even who objected to the proposed teea.u.'e restriction would be the rule and free-trade the excep• of this great importance. He also desired that they did not defend, but, on the contrary, freely expressed titan. With respect to the reservation, however much it . . . should avoid every rash or precipitate measure,take their mind as to the necessity of their removal ; and lie might be worth, be trusted at all events that freedom o fsaid, then, it was the paramount duty of Parliament to every preceution, and be guided by prudence in the commerce would be the great rule according to which course on which they were about to enter. But sharing deal with the question, and to come speeetly, effectively, this law would be carried out in reference to our transac- to tha t extent with them in the sp irit in which they ap- rationally, and not precipitately, to a settlement of it, tiollB with foreign countries, and that hostile retaliation, --- - TITHES. Mr. HUME, in the absence of Mr. Aglionbio moved for returns "of all agreements for the coat mutations of tithes, which have not been con", firmed by the Tith e C omm i ss i oners, in the sev ers,. counties of England and Wales, specifying in each case the legal or other cause of hindrance or Prevention to the confirmation th ereo f; an d h ow long suc h ca use of hindrance or prev e nti on h as ex i sted and cont i nue d, since the year 1836; like return of all awards for the com mutation of tithes not confirmed, with alike return of the cause of hindrance or prevention to the confirmation thereof, and how long it has existed since 1836; like return of all apportionments of rent charges which have not been confirmed, with the legal or other cause hindrance to the confirmation thereof, and how long it has existed; and return of all parishes or townships,.or separate districts, for the commutation of tithes, in whic h the tithes have not b een commute d , and the cause 0f hindrance to the commutation;in each such parish, town' ship, or district since 1836." The other orders of the day were disposed of, and tb . House adjourned at Twelve o'clock. RAIL W A Y MARKETS. BRISTOL, MACH 9. STOCK Excite/inn —The sales a re —C a l e d on i an, 23% — rifest Western, Quarters, 2% di s. —Ditto, New, 2 tbs.—Manchester Stock. • — LIVERPOOL, MARCH 9. STocx EXCHANGE. —The sales are—East Lancashire, l9—ke; caster and Yorkshire (lat e M. an d B.), Fifths, 2% dis.—London A."- North-Western, 136 ex div.—Ditto, Quarters, New, Si. Bs. 9d. ex in ' —Midland Stock, 80 ex div.--Ditto, New Halves, 7% dis.—ff e ; castle and Carlisle, 103 South-Eastern, 24!4 —Ditto (No. 4), Thirds, 71. Bs. 9,l.—Ditto (No, 4), Registerei, 71. 3s. 9d.—York, Newcast le, and Berwick (Extension N os . 1 an d 2) , 1% c. dis. ex div.-1)1." (O. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. guaranteed, din. MANCHESTER, MANCH 9. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The 13-16 sales are—W es t Ridi ng U n i on, 3 - Sheffield, Old, 42—Sheffield and Lincoln, 14 dis.—North Wester' 7% dis.—North Staffordshire, 2 15-16 dis.—Boston, Stamford , 0 , ale' Birmingham, dis.—Dover (No. 4), 7 9-I6—W est Riding Union'o 1346 Grimsby, Quarters, 7 di s .—L ee d s, Fi fths, 2% dis.— Sh Preference, 10%. BIRMINGHAM, MAncu 9. STOCK EXCIIANGX.—The sales are—Caledonian, Preference, 1 5, 1 ,, P, —Midland, 81% ex liv.—Ditto (Bi rm i ng h am and Derby), 45 es " "„ minghani, Wolverhampton, and Stour Vallley, 11th—ybre bury an :t Birmingham (A), 4% di s . ex i n. —Ditto, Preference, Serms. 41s. ad. p.—Shropshire Union,2 dis.—a , outh Staffordshire, 3% GLASGOW, MARCH 8. STOCK EXCIIANGIC The following are to-day'stransactilc. Caledonian, Preference, 111. is. (id.—Edinbiurgh and Glasgo,r, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr H a l ves (No. 1), 6/. two. 2), 7—Great !North ef Scotl an d, 4 s. 6d.—North British, I" York, York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N . E . Purchase or Prefe" ce Hitt° , ' THE N 'Mal/ENDERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION." . ' Yesterday evening a meeting of the general committee and subscribers of the above institution, founded in 1839' for the purpose of granting temporary relief and per manent assistance to masters and servants engaged 0 venders of newspapers, who, from age, infirmity, an d dill' tress. may require the aid of the benevolent, was held S C the Newsvenders' Hall, Black Horse -court, Flet:t-strse t, for the transaction of general business. The annual re' port congratulated the members on the satisfactory Plf, gress the society was making, whereby the cornrnill. had been en a bl e d to make their present funded stockr7a amount to 9501. Three per Cents. The receipts, eluding the previ ous y ear ' s b a l ance, subscriptions, $ll. donations, amounte d to 1401. 17s. 2d. Th e e x pendittil, l was 1181. Bs . 9d., l eav i ng a b a l ance i n the treasurers hands of 221. Bs. sd. Th e report concluded w i t h °0 urgent appeal to the m em b ers o f t h e trade to he l p t he inaigent, worn out, and helpless newsvenders. firit COST OF W AR IN T IME OF PEACE.—In the 0 forty-five years of th e p resent century, we had fourtee years of war a n d thi rty - one of peace. We have a deb of 800,000,000/. accumulated by war, and yet we ht ',.d expended 500,000,000/. i n further war expenses, iaste% of paying off our unhappy o bli gat i ons, An d our pr esee o war expenditure in time o f p eace i s suc h , that i t WO O pay off the national debt i n f or t y years, interest ea; eluded. If to the direct war expenditure we add the to i ; direct--the int eres t u p on our de b t—we f i n d t h at th would pay off th e d e b t b y i nstalments in leas Oso twenty years.—Stamford Mercury. rADVERTISEMENT:j—THE EARL OF ALDEORO S , ° OO I AND llOLLow&y's i'mts.—An astounding cure by thi s miracill medicine, alter every other means had failed. See extract fronl, Lordship's letter, dated " Vill a Messina, Leghorn, Feb. 2 1, _ 1 8 ef. Professor Holloway—Sir : I beg to ac qua i n t you t h at your pills hi' , ' o st fected a cure of a disorder in my liver and stomach which all thei - 0$ eminent of the facnlty, at home and all ever the continent, !not. been able to effect; nay, not even th e wa t ers o f C arls b a d or 001 rienbad. (Signed) " ALDBOILOUGII." These wenderthl pW e ov cure any disease of the liv e r o r st om a c h.—S o ld (also I l e lloWo Ointment) at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Straac l i Irr ell medicine vendors throughout the civilised world. BIRTHS. of On the Ist inst., at Park-villas, Holloway, the vii`" John Steavenson, Esq., of a daughter. On the 3d inst., at Clifton, Bristol, the wife of C. Faber, Esq., of a daughter. MARRIED. , t On the 6th inst., at Wi ven h oe, E ssex, W. V. Wrigs,",f-'lO2l London, to Elizabeth, on l y daughter of the late k,"'"" Foster Mustard, Esq., of Tendering. rr On the 7th inst., a t t h e British Embassy, Brussels, Kato Pearson, Esq., of th e Mi ddle Temple, barrister-at -18' 01 Lucy, eldest d aug h ter of Horatio Vachell, Esq., lsto Cotfold-hall, Essex. DIED. i l l On the ;2th January', at Moultan, Captai n George g it o+ Erskine, Ist Regiment Bombay Light Cavalry, fourth °- the late David Erskine, Es., of Cardross. dare , On the sth inst., at So q uthampton-row, Russell -0- od , Mr. William Dixon, for many years in the Bank of Eng— aged 63. 0 ' On the 7th inst., M rs . Willi am Millid ge , St ran d, a g ed j ibe On the 7th inst., at Linchmere, near Liphook, Han ts, Rev. Richard Elenry Baker, aged A 4. ed On the 7th inst., at St. Andrew's-terrace, Plvmouth,Aaftist 61, Elizab e th, w if e o f R ear -Admi ra l J. C oo d e, rlel survi ing dau g ht e r of the late Vi ce -Ad m i ra l Sir O n Vinicombe Penrose, &c. On the 7th inst., at ( Cockspur-st ree t, Sarah, relic t of the late Abra,:am Phillips, Esq., for mer ly o f Aberga le "" Monmouthshire, aged 6. Homer( On the :lEith ult., Selina, wif e o f J o h n W arr en, of Hou le nod 88. f TTNG ° Loudon Printed and P u bli s h e d b y MURDO YOz," 10, No. 112, Strand, P r i nter, at Th e S un Office, l'' .. n ' t y of Strand, in the P rec i nct of t h e S avo y, in the c°"— (11 ". 1 1§itthrtiaY. much 11, no. ---_—_--, of the petition. The fact was the petition proceeded from the Protectionist section of the Montreal Board of Trade, and a counter-petition against protec tion had been signed by the free-trade members of the board. But the petition from the Protectionist section of the hoard allude I to by the Right . Hon. gentleman prayed, firstly, for a repeal of the navigation laws, and the throwing open the navigation of the river St. Lawrence; and secondly, for a ss. duty. Two other petitions had prcceeded from Canada, one from the Board of Trade of the city of Hamilton, in favour of the repeal of the navigation laws, and a second from the citizens of Montreal in public meeting assembled, also praying for the repeal of the navigation laws. An address to the Crown had also been received from the Legislative Council and Commons of Canada, praying her Majesty to use her influence with the _House of Commons to re peal the navigation laws. There was indeed every reason why the population of Canada ,should be favourable to the repeal of the navigation laws. It was well known that the navigation of the St. Lawrence between Montreal and Quebec was very difficult, and that the inland navi gation of the country was, generally, expensive and diffi cult. There was, therefore, the more reason why the Imperial Parliament should not superadd artificial impediments to the natural restrictions which already existed in the way of the Canadian trade. The Canadians had opened up ship canals in the interior and bad borrowed 2,000,0001. from this country to enable them to open a communication with the Western lakes of America; but of what use was this outlay, or what prospect was there that these 2,000,0001. would ever be repaid, if the House imposed restrictions at the mouth of the river St. Lawrence which prevented the Canadians from entering upon a fair competition with the Ameri can shipowners? He would now follow the Right Hon. Gentleman to the West Indies, and he regretted that some very recent correspondence, which would be laid before the House on Monday, was not already in the hands of Honourable Members, because it would be seen from the testimony of the highest autho ; ta ties upon West Indian matter s, that the ques ties' of the navigation-laws was increasing in i mportu suce the more it was considered. In Jamaica numerous public meetings had been he ld durin g the laht six mca. sths ' and the language held was that there could be no ret:Wn' except for the navigation laws, why Jamaica and Trin.qad should not become what they bad been before, the cent.-1l emporia of trade for the Spanish Main. Coming to the continent of Europe, the Right Hon. Gentleman seemed be unaware that the greatest portion of the continental po wars had a perfect freedom of trade with regard to shippii:ge and all that the Go vernment had to fear was lest they sho uld be reminded t that such or such a treaty was abou to expire, and that a more liberal course was expected Com this country. Austria had given us all she could, aut: had a right to feel disappointed that we hail not given her similar and reciprocal advantages by the rselastetion of our ec nuaviglay tion-laws.—(Hear, hear.) The pr esen: p a time suitable to the introductio n of aui: b. because a su ffi cient period had witnesselapses h ' to a measure, was liar the Effect of the great free.trade measur es upo xa n tions e shipping interest. Since 1842 , when t hese reit.: in our commercial code might be sai d to ha:ie cum" menced, there bad been a great increase in the in. Darts of the more bulky articles of shipping. A few figtevel l Would show how much advantage the shipowner had de rived from the recent changes in our legislation. Look ing first at the continental trade previous to 1842, they found that live stock were excluded, and that the ship ment' of grain was so seldom and so accidental in its oc currence as not materially to benefit the British ship owner. Flax, hemp, and timber were subject to duties more or less high. In 1841 no live animals were im ported into this country ; in 1848 the number was 195,000. In 1841. 1,738,000 cwts. of flax and hemp were imported ; in 1848, 2,300,000 cwts., an increase of 30 per cent. The average import of grain had been 2,000,000 quarters ; during the two last years it had amounted to 12,030,000 and 7,000,000 quarters re spectively. The importation of currants in 1841 was 173,000 cwts.; in 1848 it was 400,000 cwts., an increase of more than double. In 1841, 4,7 00 tuns of olive oil were imported from the Levant; in 1848 10,000 tuns. In 1841 the imports of provisions of various kinds were 91,629 cwts.; in 1848 they were 600,000 cwts. The im ports of cotton wool in 1841 were 4,357,000 cwts:; in 1848, 6,362,000 cwts., an increase of 2,000,000 cwts. in six years.—(Hear.) The imports of sugar had increased 'from 4,905,000 cwts. to 8,209,000 cwts. in 1847. Our imports of coffee in 1841 were 43,317,7621 b.; in 1848, 57.000,0001 b. Of sheep's wool 56.170,0001 b. were im ported in 1841, in 1848, 70,521,0001 b. But the most important change had taken place in the shipping of timber. In 1841 there were imported 700,000 loads of timber from British possessions; in 1848, 1,500,000 loads. In 1841 the total quantity of timber imported from the whole world was 950,000 loads; is 1848 it amounted to, 1,850,000 loads, or nearly double. Why should the shipping interest not be called upon to enter into competition with other countries when all other inte rests and classes had to sustain a competition with foreign rivals?—(Hear.) The sugar refiners of this country very naturally complained of being excluded from the privilege of taking for consumption cargoes of foreign sugar when they were exposed by the act of last session to the com petition of the continental refiners. A great number of other trades were complaining in the same way. Two great authorities among the shipping interest, Messrs. Young and Richmond, stated before the Lords' com mittee, that they thought that all the mischief • had been done already that could be done by the repeal of the navigation-laws. He quite agreed c with them, that the navigation-laws as they at present t stood were of very little importance to the British ship owners. They had to compete with their American rival in his own market, and where he had every advantage, and they had none. They had to compete with Prussian shipowners in like manner in the Prusian market, and with the Spanish shipowner at Cuba ; and this resulted purely from the policy of the navigation-laws, and not in consequence of any measures of free trade. Why should they be afraid of the British shipowners en tering into competition with the foreign shipowner in neutral markets, when they were already compelled to enter into competition with him in his own market? If there were a country in the world where ships were built cheaply it was here, if quality and every other circum stance were taken into the account. Since the discus sion on this subject last year, the Select Committee had received most important testimony upon this point from Mr. Minter, an American gentleman, a passage from whose evidence the Hon. Member proceeded to read in corroboration of his assertion. But, had they no other evidence that British shipping fully possessed the power of competing with the marine of other countries? that evidence he contended might be derived from many quarters, amongst others, from the state of the shipping interest in the United States of America, and such evi dence was likewise to be found in the history of our own shipping from 1827 to 1844. Of the American and Bri tish shipping entering American ports, as well as of other tonnage entering the same ports, the account stood thus— In 1827 the American tonnage was 918,000, the British 101,000, the other tonnage 36,000. In the year 1844 the American tonnage was 1,977,438, the British 766.747, the other tonnage 150,245; which showed an increase in American tonnage of 100 per cent., and in British tonnage of 650 per cent. He held in his hand another statement which would show the increase that had taken place in British tonnage between the years 1824 and 1846. There cleared inwards and outwards of British shipping in 1824, 3,454,853 tons, and of foreign tonnage 1,506,148, while, in 1846, the British tonnage inwards and outwards was 8,688,148, and the foreign tonnage only 3.727,438; showing an increase on British tonnage of 5,233,295. and on foreign of 2,221,290. If any country could be considered more formidable than another as a rival of England, that country was the United States of America; and most assuredly the best possible test of our ability to compete with all foreign countries was to be found in the fact that American had not surpassed British shipping—not only had not sur passed the shipping of this country, but still re mained far short of the point which the ship owners of the United Kingdom had gained; and, although our commercial marine had long been subjected to that test, the progress of our shipping interest still went on rapidly. For the purpose of sus taining this position he should beg the attention of the House to a statement which he held in his hand, and which contrasted American tonnage and British tonnage from 1827 to 1844, showing the progress made by each of those countries respectively. In 1827 the American tonnage was 747,170 ; in 1844 it was 1,068,764, being an increase of 43 per cent. In the United Kingdom the tonnage in 1827 was 2,460,500; in 1844, 3,637,231, showing an increase of 48 per cent. ; the whole increase in the American shipping being 321,594 and that in British shipping 1,176,731. He should now come to the question of the long voyage trade. In that trade we found ourselves under the necessity of competing with the shipowners of all nations, and of engaging with them in that rivalry under circumstances most favourable to their interests and most disadvantageous to ours. The vessels of the world at large in competing with British ships had, of course, the obvious advantage of trading to the particular ports of the countries to which they be longed, whereas British ships were obliged to take the outward voyage either in ballast or only partially laden, while their foreign competitors came to this country al ways fully laden—full cargoes of timber, cotton, coffee, and other bulky commodities. If we could stand such competition as that, what could we have to fear ? The House would of course recollect that, apparently for the purpose of securing to this country the benefit of the long-voyage trade, we had laid restrictions upon our commercial intercourse with the Continent ; the effect of this had been to protect foreign shipping to the mani fest injury of British interests. He would state a case illustrative of this. A British ship not long since con veyed a cargo of cotton from America to Havre; at that time the French revolution was in progress. The owners of the cargo in Liverpool wished not to have it left in Havre, but conveyed without delay to Liverpool; that how ever they could not accomplish:without transferring the cargo to a Continental vessel. Surely that state of the law operated as a protection to foreign shipping. In addition to this case of a cargo of cotton, he might mention that hides were subject to similar regulations. Now, those were inconsistencies to which the trade of a great coun try ought not to be subjected. He was aware that Mr. Grey had recommended a plan according to which all goods brought into this country should be accompanied by a certificate stating whether or not they were in tended for the British market. He apprehended that that would be a mere clumsy evasion, and would never work well in practice. The next subject to which he thought it desirable to direct the attention of the House was the cost of freight. Without hesitation he might assert that freights were not raised by the navigation laws. Bad harvests sometimes occurred, a deficiency in the sugar crops occasionally took place, hence sudden demands for shipping, which of course caused British freight for the moment to rise, but it was only on those accidental occasions that such advances took place, .and they were occurrences too rare an d uncertain to p roduce any substantial benefit to the ship-owner. It might assist the view to be taken of this part of the subject if he were for a moment new to call the attention of Hon. Members to the tonnage built and registered