The Sun. — London, England, 1824-02-13 00:00:00

VAR IS PAP EUS. 'From the Etoik of Feb. 11.1 MA DM n, FEB. 2.—it is affirmed that the De cree of Amnesty will suoti be published, with the modification§ proposed by the Council of State, and the Council of Castile, whom his Majesty consulted on the subject. We doubt not but the wisdom of those respectable bodies will 'homy how to class the individuals concerned with j.sstice 'and firmness. We have always said that it was 'ttecet,ary to distinguish the Revolu tenl,ts sho elitiPti the Revolution from those who were Mild*. by the Revolution. There is also a distinction to be made in this last class. We know some of those men do ho in the provinces loudly declared against the insurrection in the isle of Leon, who in the Municipalities opposed certain individuals who favoured the revolt (some of these have since slide(' into the ranks of the Royalists), and who did not yield till the Revo lutionary Government was established, after the extorted oath of the King. It is affirmed, that by his Majesty's order the proceedings commenced against persons confined for political misdemeanours will be discontinued in a fortnight. Letters from Lisbon, of the 26th of January, say, that the Constitutional party continues - to intrigue against the heroic Charlotte of Bourbon, whom this party abhors, because that courageous Queen was the chief cause of the destrurtion of that infamous faction in Portugal. They have gouc so far as to pretend that she covered with her credit and protection projects too odious to be even expressed. The Marquess de Talaru will set out in a few days to return to France. (From the Journal des D42t8.) The Spanish Government has it fact just re cognised a debt of 34 millions to France ; but it - is not true that it has appropriated to the pry- ' nest of this debt any public products or revenues of Spain. It is a simple recognition without secu rity, and even without any indication of future means of payment. When all the details of our interference in the affairs of Spain shall be known, and the convention for the stay of the French troops in Spain shall have been signed and brought under public notice, it will be seen on what a generous principle France has acted in this memorable enterprise. ZAN T Jay. B.—( Private correspondence.)—The Philhel lenists of England and Germany, the venerable Clergy of both countries, as well as a multitude of persons of distinction in both countries, have just sent such succours to the Greeks as they, never before received since they combated for their inde pendence with so much glory. Besides considerable sums of money and ammunition, clothing, &c. we have seen here people both wise and enlightened who were going to offer their assistance to establish a proper administration, and a system of economy in puhlic affairs, so as to regulate them in all their branches. Two printing-presses have been established at Missolongo to print the Acts of the Government ; and on the let of January (old style) a Journal will be commenced, to be called the Hellenic Chronicle. Thus Europe will no longer be supplied with news only by the. Spectateur Oriental, and the Austrian (Thscrver, which have hitherto obscured the affairs of henceforward, every one may know what passes in these countries, now and for ever rescued from the domination of the Sultan. Odysseus has► made himself master of Carystos, in the Island of Enka, and he is now besieging Erythrea. The &ratarclues, Diainantis and Gouras, after having taken pos- session of the fortresa of Cara Baba, which forms a tete-du-pont, by which persons reach the island of Eubea from the Conti nent, have established a close blockade of Negropont. The castle of Patras is so closely pressed that several Turkish fa milies hare obtained leave to retreat to Gastouni, and the Greeks, prisoners, who were there, have been released-by the besieged. Maurocordato has begun the siege of Lepanto and the Castle of Cape Autirrhion, so that the whole of that part of Western Greece will be subjected to the Cross before the opening of the next campaign. Afterwards, if it is found con venient, the Greeks may act against Epirus, for the plague which desolates Arta and Janina is so terrible, that our light troops, who now cover the banks of the Ambracian Gulf, do not dare to venture bepond the Mactinoros. (From the Constitutionnet) liAnis, FEB. lo.—The world has now before it two great lessons in what is passing in Spain and Turkey, and the con formity between these two political ruins is quite exact. Turkey is as powerless against Greece as Spain is against America, and Spain hag no more money nor credit than Turkey. The Imans of . Constantinople resemble the Monks of Spain, and the world may learn something by seeing both countries equally destitute of power, credit and money. These two examples are more conclusive against absolute power than a hundred volumes. While this is the state of Spain and Turkey, England, with her liberty and civilization, sees her Three per Cents. up to 22, and France, with a less perfect liberty, sees her Five per Cents. up to IN. Who, then, can cry out against liberty and admire absolute power ? Here we see it in its native purity, with all its elf acts. (From the Conritr Francais.) URUSSELS, FEB. 6.—The official translation has just been published of the Report which the Mini:iter of Public Instruc tion annually makes, according to law, to the two Chambers of the. States General. The most interesting part of this Report is that relative to the flourishing state of the Universities. The following is what is said:--`t At Louvainc the most laudable efforts are made to form good philologists, who may one day be the ornament of the At fences and Colleges in which they may be placed. The clinical department of midwifery has received a very useful extension. At Liege they apply themselves par ticularly modern history under a political point of view. The study of the law also, as well as other branches of science, Ate very flourishing. The legal part of medical education is attended to with great care. At Ghent nothing is neglected, which can tend to unite the cultivation of the fine arts and the sciences. Mathematical instruction is excellent; several excellent scholars have already left the schools. At Leyden, the instruction preserves its ancient reputation, and Oriental literature is there making great progress. At Utrecht the study of Greek and Latin is the favourite pursuit ; and at Gronin gen, no expence is;, - pared to improve the . Clinical Hospital, and to form a brilliant Academy.' At the end of the Report, the number of Students in the 6 Universities of the Kingdom is given, and in November they amounted to 2,127; 1;058 be longing to the Southern Provinces, and 1 4 069 to the Northern. From the developement which all sorts of instruction receives here, it may be perceived, happily for us, that there is neither an Beclesiastic, nor any person connected with the Jesuits, to . preside over public instruction. fnExcit FUNDS,'Varis, Feb. 10.—Fire per Cents opened st !7. 40. closed at - 97.20. ; Loan of 1123,0*; Bank Stock" 171,5 ; Neapolitan Rentes, V* • Spanish Rentes, 24. Ex change on Load. a, 1 month, 25:45. ; 1 ditto, 25. 35.—( Cure PARLIAMENT, HOUSE OF COMMONS, FED. 12. Mr. GOSSETT presented .. a Petition from Truro, against , the Coasting Coal Du ties., Mr. Alderman C. SMITH presented a similar Petition from the Cordwainers' Ward, and Mr. WODEHOUSE from Norfolk. Admiral SOTHERON presented a Petition from certain victuallers in Newark, against the Licensing Duty Act. Mr. JONES gave notice of a Motion fir 'Wednesday next, on the subject of the appointment of Welsh Judges. JURIES. On the motion of Sir EDWARD KNATC/IBULL, an Address to the King was agreed to, for a return of the number of persons liable to serve on juries upon the home circuit, as far as the same could be made out from the Sheriffs' books. ESTIMATES. - - The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER presented the extraordinary Army an„t Miscellaneous Estimates, which were ordered to be printed. Sir H. HARDINGE presented the ordnance estimates. Mr. IIERRIES postponed until Wednesday next, the Com mittee on the rates of postage; and also presented accounts of the public expenditure of Great Britain, up to the sth January 1824, comprising the details of the debt and expenditure of the funded and unfunded debt. IMPRESSMENT OF SEAMEN. Mr. HUME postponed his notice respecting the impress ment of seamen, from the 19th of February, until Tuesday the 2d of March, when he intended to move for the appoint ment of a Committee to take the whole subject into their con sideration. _ _ _ Sir. JOHN NEWPORT gave notice, that on the 19th of February he should submit a motion respecting the Irish burial Act. 111 r. HUSKISSON presented copies of papers relating to certain countervailing duties on vessels trading between Ame rica and the West Indies. TREAD-;II Sir F. BURDETT rose to present a Petition from Mr. Martin Stapylton, one of the Justices of the Peace for North allerton, in Yorkshire, on the subject of the tread-mill. The petitioner complained that he had, in his official capacity, in vain remonstrated against the practice of sending prisoners, before trial, to the degrading and laborious punishment of the tread-mill. After the general explanation of last Session, that such was not intended, it was astonishing that any set of Ma gistrates should persevere, before trial, in so oppressive and illegal a punishment. He hoped that some effective measures would be adopted, either to amend the law, if a mistake pre vailed upon the subject, or to correct the practice if it were illegally persevered in. It ought not for a moment to be suf fered to exit after this exposure of ite oppieseion and injustice. Mr. PEEL said, that the subject had been recently before the Court of King's Bench, and it would be premature to dis cuss it at present, more particularly, as the Hon. Member for .Shrewsbury had, three nights --ago, given notice of a specific motion upon the subject. He readily agreed, that if the appli cation of the tread-mill before trial were not illegal, it was at all events decidedly impolitic.—(Hear, hear!)—The chief benefit of its discipline was, that it inflicted a stigma, and a disgrace, a moral punishment, which would be lost if it were used before trial.—(Hear, hear !)—Upon a principle of justice as well as expediency, he thought the punishment of the tread mill ought not to be inflicted before trial.—(Hear, hear!) Sir FRANCIS BURDETT could not conceive the slightest doubt upon the illegality of the punishment before trial. It was a compulsory punishment upon men not proved guilty of any offence. The Judges of the Court of King's Bench had evaded the real question, and not determined upon the main point at all ; they had merely said that a prisoner was only en titled to the county allowance if he refused to 'work. But suppose the case of a person so - refusing' to work ; the mis chief of this sort of punishment was worse in its principle-to, society than the injury sustained by the example of the ina- . bility and obstinacy of any prisoner. He would repeat, that the practice was highly illegal, because the prisoner was in ge neral entitled to bail before trial, if he could obtain it. If it were his misfortune to be unable to obtain the necessary -, bail, was it not quite enough that his lot must be imprison-' ment, without painful labour being coercively superadded ? (H ear !)—lf it were the lot of a prisoner to be long committed before trial, his confinement and this tread-mill might amount to a far greater punishment titan could be inflicted upon him, even if guilt were legally established against him. Besides, they should bear in mind, that the new system of prison dis cipline precluded the prisoner from receiving whatever susten ance his friends could afford him ; and was he before trial to he so placed, as to have to encounter the privation of a gaol al lowance, inadequate to fair human sustenance, or to be expos ed to a severe personal punishment ? After this, h e h o p e d that common sense and decent feeling would prevent a repetition of such injustice. Mr. PEEL begged in explanation to say, that in his opinion the Prison Act of last year did not authorize the sending to the tread-mill, without their own consent, prisoners committed be fore trial. Perhaps if a doubt prevailed upon such a point, it would he well to have it settled by l aw . Mr. STUART WORTLEY said, that the Magistrates al luded to in the petition conceived they were acting legally, and were to a certain extent fortified by the opinion of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench.—(Cries of " No.") —At all events, he was glad to hear that therewas a speedy prospect of having the law clearly settled upon that matter. Mr. JAMES said, that if the Magistrates had the power of starving a prisoner who refused to work, it was pretty much the same as giving them an absolute right to his labour. The petition was laid on the table. On the motion of Mr. .ThEarA Y NE, accounts were ordered of the exports and imports of corn during the last year. On the motion of Colonel DAVIES, the excise accounts of last year, distinguishing those from Ireland, were ordered to be produced. THE REVENUE. On Ote motion of Mr..SIABEILLY, certain returns ware order ed, shewing the net and gross revenue of this country from the sth January, 1791, to the sth January, 1824, the charges for collection, &c.; and similar accounts from Ireland, from sth Jan. 1816, to sth Jan. 1824. EMIGRATION OF ARTISANS, Mr. HUME rose to bring forward his motion for a Corn mittee'on the law restraining the exportation of machinery, and the emigration of artisans. He telt that he was calling the attention of the House to one of the most important questions which could be brought under their consideration ; for im portant indeed it must be, to promote the appointment of a Committee to consider so complicated a subject as the various laws which affected the artisan population of this empire.— When, two years ago, he presented a petition signed by fifteen thousand artisans of the Metropolis, 'he gave notice that in the ensuing Session he would submit a motion on the subject. But when the time of his notice arrived, he found one part of the subject already in the hands of one Honourable Member, and the whole so diversified and com plicated, that was induced to postpone it from the last Ses sion to the present, and he did so with the promise of assistance from his late distinguished friend the Member for Portarlington, Mr. David Ricardo—a man whose peculiar knowledge in the difficult science of political economy, so little understood and yet so important, was universally admitted.— ( Loud cries of hear !)—The loss of such a man to him was upon such an occasion as this, indeed severe--the more so, when they recollected the manner in which his late lion. Friend commu nicated the extensive sources of information which he possessed —the candour, the suavity, the persuasive, unaffected mildness, the unobtrusive way in which he uniformly addressed the House upon those subjects which he was so peculiarly calculated to expound—when that fund of information and those qualities were estimated, as they must be even by the gentlemen who were politically opposed to the late M r. Ricardo —( Loud cries of " hear !" from both sides of die ouse,) —then his r. Hume's) peculiar loss could be appreciated en this occasion. Through good report and bad report, Mr. Ricardo pursued his scientific track, and no man was more capable of expounding the great principles which were interwoven with the present subject._ (H ear, hear!)—He thought that there werenow many, who at first thought Mr. Ricardo's views theoretic, who were, now satisfied of their practical utility. Entertaining these opinions, he deep ly felt on the present occasion the loss of so inestimable a guide and assistant, who had promised him his support—an aid of which he was now, as well as the country, for ever deprived.— (hear, hear !)—When he approached this great subject, he felt he was touching laws rendered venerable by their usage and antiquity, but also not suited for the new state of things which had grown up in the country . .--(Hear, hear !)—lt was time to simplify these laws ; but it could only be done by entering seriously into the consideration of the complicated and in tricate subject itself, and at once probing it to the bottom.— When he recollected the fate of the Spittalfields Act of last Ses sion, which Mr. Ricardo had so ably supported, but which had been defeated elsewhere, and chiefly on the ground that while the laws relating to artizara remained on the antiquated plan, that measure ought not to pass, he saw an additional rea son for their going into the present consideration. It was with that view that he was prepared, in the first place, to sub:nit a motion for a revision of the law which prohibited artisans from leaving the country; and secondly, to consider how far it was expedient to maintain the laws for prohibiting the exportation of machinery, or to admit their modification or repeal. With these two questions, it would also become right to combine the general consideration of all those laws between master and work man, which were often the source of such conflicting dis cussion, and which ramified themselves into the whole sys tem of manufacturing track. This was not the proper time far him to enter into the details of his measure—it was enough fir him to sketch the outline; but he was ready to demon strate the necessity of some general legislative measure upon ttis important subject. On principle, he thought every law bad which shackled the employment of any man's labour, pro vided the employment of it did not interfere with the vital inte rests and public policy of the country. He thought on principle that all men ought to be left free agents to make their own contracts. Adam Smith laid down that principle to be a sacred and inviolable right. ' Now, as the law stood at present, a man of fortune might go to France and carry his property with him, or he might draw the whole of his income from England or Scotland, and spend it in France without any body being able to make any legal coMplaint against him. Now, laws, to be just, ought to be general. The reverse, however, was the case in this instance. ',Ole property of the poor man consisted in his skill and industry, and in his means of applying them to any particular trade. This property he was not at present allowed to carry abroad; if he made the attempt, he could he stopped; nay, he could even be imprisoned until he gave security that he would not leave the country, if any body had the hardihood to make oath that he was intending to quit it. What was still more hard, if any person recommended an artisan, who was perhaps starving at home; to remove with his skill adindustry into ano ther country, in order to obtain better remuneration, that person was liable to a fine of 6001. for enticing artisans to leave the kingdom. He did not at this time of day, expect to hear the principle of these regulations defended. It was impossible for the house, a fter it had repeatedly recognized the principle of emigratiol by granting large sums of money to convey whole families of artisans to the Cape of Good Hope, and other parts ofthe southern hemisphere, to refuse to the artisans ofthe country the right of carrying abroad their skill and industry, especially as that right was likely to be limited in practice by the uncer tainty of success, and by the reluctance which every man felt to leave, for any length of time, his native land. He now came to the second branch of the subject, which related to the pro priety of allowing our machinery to be exported to foreign coun tries free from all restraint. He admitted that this was a ques tion of a doubtful nature ; but he hoped that the prejudices which prevailed regarding it would soon give way before sounder and better principles. He was quite satisfied that much examination would be necessary upon it ; and he trusted tha; a full opportunity would be given in the course of it to all per sons in the manufacturing districts to state full their opinions regarding it. As they knew that their machinery was at pre sent exported, that their manufacturers were in the habit of going abroad to work it, and that large manufacturing establishments were in consequence in full employment in various parts of the Continent, he thought that it would open a vast field, and afford a great profit, to the industry of the country, if they took such legal measures as would enable the country to become openly and avowedly the manufacturer of machinery for all the world : for there was no other branch of commerce in which the rude materials were so cheap, or in which they produced so much profit after they had been submitted to the skill and industry of the ma chinist. If, therefore, it could be shown, and he had no doubt it would be shown, that the policy of our laws had compelled foreign states to erect manufacturers of machinery st a very high rate, and that they would willingly purchase machinery from us if they could do it free from danger, the valuable addition which would be so made to our commerce would be a sufficient reason for making some alteration in the present system. He could not help mentioning another 'inducement to taking some such measure. There was scarcely a single mechanical improve -.ment made, that was not immediately . protected by a pa tent. To obtain that patent a specification of the improve ment discovered must be made out in such clear terms, as to enable any other machinist to understand it. Our own ma nufacturers could not, it was true, infringe the patent ; but the patent-office was open to the world, and any foreigner that. chose might obtain -a copy of the specification ; and on re turning to his own country, might take advantage of the skill of English workmen,to carry into .effect the directions it contained. He hoped that lie had made his intentions on this head sufficiently.clear. On the next branch of the subject, which related to what were usually seemed the combination-laws, he intended to be very brief. For many years past the country , had been burdened by a system of laws preventing the labour ing classes of the community from combining together against their employers. Their employers, who, though few in num ber, were powerful in wealth, might combine against them, and might determine not to give them more than a certain sum for their labour. The workmen could not, however, consult together about the rate they ought to fix on that labour, without rendering themselves liable to fine and imprisonment, and a thousand other inconveniences which the law had reserved for them. This system had produced great dissatisfaction among the l a bouring classes ; for the men felt that they were not pro tected against their masters, though their masters we re p ro t ec t e d against them. It was said, that if .these laws were repealed,• there would be nothing but rioting and quarrelling between the masters and the men e but this he denied on the authority of persons conversant in trade, who informed him that a strike for wages never took place, except in cases where the men found their wages insufficient for their support, or under other circumstances of severe extremity. He might also mention that the Hon. and Learned Member for -Peterborough (Mr. Scarlet* whom he was sorry that he did not now see in his place, had informed him that if all the laws relative to masters and workmen were struck off the statute book, the common law of the land would be sufficient of itself to meet all mischievous combinations for improper pur poses. If that were so, was it not worth their while to reflect, whether it was fitting that these laws, which appeared partial in their operation to those whom they most immedias4Y affected, should be allowed to remain any longer in existence ? , He was fully aware of the difficulty of the subject, and of the prejudices which they would have to encounter in examining it ' • but he trusted that th e y s h ou ld b e a bl e t o overcome them all, if they me t, w ith the assistance of his Majesty's Ministers, and especially of that Right Honourable Gentleman who had taken such an effective part in removing the restrictions by which the commerce of the country had been long fettered.— (Hear, h ear !)—Without that assistance he was aware that they eould do nothing ; but with it, he was sure that they could et ,feet a gre a t a nd lasting benefit to the community.—(Hear !) He concluded by moving that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the state of the Laws in the United Kingdom, and their consequences , respecting Artisans leaving the country and carrying their skill and industry abroad; into the state of the Laws respecting the Exportation of Tools and Machiaery ; and also into the state of the Laws and their consequences re specting the Combination of Workmen to raise their Wages, and to regulate their hours of work. After the motion bad been seconded, and put from the chair, Mr. HUSKISSON rose, not for the purpose of opposing but of concurring in the present motion. He wished, however, to have it distinctly understood, that he held himself at liberty on every part of this subject to - forin his opinion upon the evidence which might hereafter be submitted to the Committee. He acknowledged that in much of the general reasoning of thelion. Member for Aberdeen be fully concurred. On the first head to artisans atiriteispazirospotosegdo inqujrY which r e l ate d to t h e grant i ng perm i ss i on. abroad, he must confess that he entertained but little doubt. It appeared to him that from the moment that the policy of our laws (no matter how numerous or how long enacted) was called intnquestion, the onus of proving their necessity rested with those who undertook to maintain them ; and when he spoke of necessity, lie used the terms in reference to the great and paramount interest of the community and not to that of any body of individuals, who either had, or fancied that they had, an interest in the employment of our artisans. He said that every man was entitled to carry that talent which nature had given him, and those acquirements which his diligence had attained, to any market in which he was likely to obtain the highest remuneration, unless it could be shown that there was some paramount and overwhelming necessity against it. With respect, therefore, to the law on'this subject, the question was, first, whether it was necessary, and then whether it was just and. practicable. With regard to its necessity, he did not feel him self called upon to say a single word more than this—namely, that it had led to nothing else but perjury, as any man might now go abroad, who chose to swallow the Custom-house oath. It was not just, b ecause the severe penalties it contained prevented those artisans, who .had failed in turning their acquirements to advantage abroad, from returning back with them to their native country. He knew that at this very moment there were many manufactories in France, in which not merely the work men, but also the masters who employed them, were British born subjects ; and he also knew that many of the individuals so engaged abroad, would, in the fluctuations to which their trade had been exposed, have willingly-returned to England, hed they not considered themselves proscribed by this very law. He therefore again repeated, that upon this branch of the sub ject he himself entertained but little doubt; he thought, how ever, that it ought to undergo investigation, if for no other rea son, at least for this—that it would tend to remove many idle prejudices which at present prevailed regarding it. With re gard to the free exportation of machinery, he agreed with the Hon. Member for Aberdeen, in thinking that public opinion sees more divided. . For his own part, he had no hesitation in stating, that in general he concurred in the opinions which the Hon. Member had expressed upon it ; and he would further observe, that if it were determined to permit the emigration of artisans, it would be more difficult than even to prevent the exportation of machinery, as the machinery was in general of their invention.—(Hear, hear !)—He could wish the attention of the Committee to be directed to this point—can this part of law be made effectual ? He knew that at this very moment, machinery of the most cumbrous nature was exported from the country ; and he agreed with the Honourable Member for Aberdeen in saying, that with the superiority which -our artisans possessed over those of other countries in the ma nufacture and erection of machinery, we ought to take into consideration the demand for it which would be immediately created by allowing it to be freely exported. On that part of the subject, however, he wished to reserve himself until he i had heard all that could be stated by those who were most in terested in it ; at present he had a strong opinion that the country would be much benefitted by such a measure as the Honourable Member for Aberdeen. appeared to contem plate. With regard to the combination laws, he must ob serve, that it was a question of great extent, and of great dif ficulty, and one which would require great industry, on ac count of the complicated system of law which it would be necessary to unravel. From the best Attention which he had been able to bestow upon it, he was convinced that the laws against combinations had tendgcl to multiply combinations, —(Hear, hear !),—and that they had greialy aggravated the evil they were intended to remove. From the moment those laws were made, the workmen saw the injury which they in flicted on them, and immediately began to consider by what means they could be best evaded.—( Hear !)—lt was no slight objection to those laws that they created between the employed and the employer, relations diametrically opposite to those which ought to exist—for they created j ealousy, and discontent, instead of that feeling of good will that was calculated to make each party stand by the other in any period of mutual distress. To relieve itself from the numerous applications which the IlotrSe re ceived in periods of distress from the manufacturine-interest, call ing upon it to inprfere between the masters and the men—to re move from the statute-book some laws which were too oppres sive to be executed, and others which it wits impossible to execute—he thought that this inquiry ought to be instituted. —He had , not studied the question sufficiently to be able to say that if all the combination laws were removed from the statute-book, the common law would be able to meet all com binations ; but he should suppose that if a workman engaged to finish a given quantity of work in a given time, and did not finish it, there must be some law to punish him or his breach of engagement. So, too, in case of a conspiracy to deter indi viduals from working at a given rate of wages. It would be incumbent on the House to look narrowly into the sub ject ; strong prejudices existed regarding it in the manu- • facturing districts, many of which had been endangered by the law itself, and ought therefore to be carefully and tenderly removed. He could not conclude without thanking the Hon. Member for Aberdeen, whose industry and deligence could be exceeded by no man's—( Hear ! )—for having under taken this arduous task. He was not at all surprised that the Hon. Member for Aberdeen, in proposing this inquiry, should have regretted the leas which the House had sustained by the death of his Valued Friend the Member for Portarlington (the late Mr. Ricardo)—a gentleman whom he •(M r. H.) had also had the pleasure of reckoning among his friends. There was no man who esteemed more highly the acuteness and ability of, Mr. Ricardo than he did, and no man who more sincerely la mented their loss.—(Hear 1)—In all his public conduct there ! was an evident anxiety to do what lie thought right, to seek the good of the country, and to pursue no other object—(Hear) ; and his speeches were always distinguished by a spirit of firm ness and conciliation that did equal honour to himself and to his country.—(Hear ! )—ln conclusion, he remarked, that he was convinced that the diligent inquiry of the Committee would produce a report which would enable the House to retain what was useful in the laws to which the motion referred, to clear from the statute book such of them as were useless, unneces sary, and impracticable, and to substitute in their stead such amendments as would best promote the commercial interest and glory of the country.—(llear, hear !) Mr. BIRCH said a few words, which were quite inaudible iathe gallery. The motion was then put, and carried. Mr. HIM then proposed that the Committee should con sist of the following 21 Gentlemen, whose names were read from the chair :—Mr. Hume, Mr. Huskisson, Mr. C. Grant, Mr. Sturges Bourne, the Attorney-General, Mr. G. Bennet, Mr. Dawson, Mr. Bernal, Mr. F. Lewis, Mr. D. Gilbert, Mr. Phillips, Mr. P. Moore, Mr. Littleton, Mr. S. Wortley, Mr. Pares, Mr. T. Wilson, Mr. Egerton, Sir H. Parnell, Sir I'. D. Ackland, Mr. Hobhouse, and Mr. Birch. These Gentle men were then appointed to form the Committee, Mr. Hume observing, that the Committee would be happy to receive the assistance of any other Members who would attend it. Lord ALTHORP gave notice, that he should to-morrow g st a a ' ted, that oti Wednesday gave power to distrain move for leave to bring iiia Bill to rep ea l an d a l ter so muc h o f growingthe Act o c f ro t p h s e next he should mov e for leave to brin g in a Bill for the better recovery of small de bts. it 6 l th r el o a f n a t h . e l i a j t e e al K s o i n The report of the Committee of Supply was received, and the resolutions agreed to. On the motion of Lord PALMERSTON, a return was laid upon the table of the number of Special Vestries which had been called under the new Tithe Commutation Bill, distinguish ing those in which commissions had been appointed, and, also those which had been adjourned sine die. The House then adjourned at Six o'CLock. RUSSIAN COMMERCE. P E TEVISBURGII, J AN. 16.—Account of the Du ties of Customs and other Imports paid on Goods exported and imported at St. Petersburgh in 1823 : Roubles. Ctnitom on Exports - - 3,370,835 Ditto on Imports - 18,028,021 21,398,856 Other Duties, such as Transits, raise the sum to 22,386,580 Value of Goods imported and exported at St. Petershurgh in the year 1823 : Exported Imported. By Russian Merchants - _ 37,586,651 61,283,191 By Foreigners - - -65,911,14 G 43,156,841 By Passengers - - - 2,024 258,893 Captains - _ _ 570,625 693,789 Transit Goods - - - - 562,000 104,070,324 105,968,719 Total Imports and Exports - - 210,040,043 Excess of Importation - - - 1,899,395. T. SPRING RICE AND W. O'GRADY, ESQRS.— Every exertion is used by the police to arrest these gentlemen, but, to a late hour last night, without success. We regret exceedingly that the principals in this affair had not been arrested with the seconds, to prevent further consequences : there is no Irish Member whose life is more valuable than that of Mr. SPRING RICE. No Member, since the short period of his being re turned to Parliament, has rendered more essential services. We understand , that this affair was caused by some offensive expressions applied to' the Earl of LIMERICK by Mr. O'GRADY, in the hearing of Mr. RICE.—The following is the only account of the altercation that has yet been given :—" On Saturday Mr. Rice attended the Court of King's Bench, and remained there during the hearing of the case of Lynch v. Lord Farnham. At about three o'clock, on passing through the hall, it is said, he was accosted by Mr. O'Grady, that gentleman inquiring for a cer tain Noble Earl, at present in London. Mi. Rice said he was we!l ; Mr. O'Grady then expressed himself respecting that Noble Lord in a manner disagreeable to Mr. Rice, who, politely bowing, said, he understood him, and if the remark con veying a harsh opinion of his Noble Relative was intended as an insult to him, he knew the course to take." The seconds, on the appearance of the Police, were immediately apprehended—the principals effected their escape. The seconds were bound over to keep the peace. Col. Cuffe, M.P., was afterwards requested by Mr. Rice to act for him ; by some means the Magistrates heard of this, and caused that Gentleman to be bound over in no less a penalty than 5,0001. Up to a late hour on Monday night no intelligence of Mr. Rice or Mr. O'Grady had been received in any quarter accessible to us; tt is supposed that they have gone to the country. Officers have been stationed at Howth, and Kingstown, with warrants id apprehend them, in case they may feel inclined to decide this matter in another kingdom.—( Dublin Morning Post of Tuesday.) - RIGHT HON. THOMAS WALLACE. RE-ELECTION of the RIGHT HON. THOS. WA LLACg as REPRESENTATIVE for WEYMOUTH. W Eymo writ, FEB. 12-- On Monday last a very numerous and respectable meeting cf the friends of the Right Finn. THOMAS WALLACE took place at the Guildhall, in this Borough, when it was unanimously resolved, 'that the Right Hon. Gentleman should be re-elected as one of their Represeti' tatives in Parliament, free of expence, and; by a full attendance on the day of election, to testify their regard and esteem for his many invaluable services, as well for the benefit of the public as for his great attention to the interest and welfare of his con stituents. Yesterday being the day appointed for the election, soon after ten o'clock the Guildhall was crowded to excess wit': a most respectable assemblage of freeholders. At eleven o'clock the worshipful the Mayor, JOSEPH HORSFORD, Esq., in hi* Magisterial robes, decorated with his gold collar and medal, and attended by the Sergeants at - Mace, proceeded from his house to the Guildhall. After the usual forms had been gone through, EDMUND HENNING, Esq. rose and shortly addressed the meeting by observing, that after the many proofs which the freeholders had received of Mr. Wallace's steady and sincere attachment to our excellent Constitution,_ and the v er y g reat ability and zeal which h e h a d s h own for the interest of the trade and general welfare of this country, it would be the height of presumption in him to add a single word more on the subject, as he was thoroughly convinced that any thing he could say would fall infinitely short of the Right Hon. Gentleman'{ merits. He should therefore propose the Right Hon. Thomas Wallace as a fit and proper person again t o represent t he ro Bough of W eymouth in Parliament. The motion was seconded by John Martin, Esq., an d car ried with bursts of applause. The MAY on then demanded if any other candidate would offer himself; when - - The Rev. Mr. URQUHART rose, and in expressing his gra tification at the harmony which prevailed on the present occa.- sion, observed, " HOw good and joyful a thing it was for brethren to dwell together in unity;" which was not only most correct in a religious but political point of view, and which when contrasted :with the scenes of tumult, and riot which had existed at former elections for this borough, but which had nor happily subsided into so pleasing a calm, was particUlarly gratifying to his feelings. Th e R ev . 'Gentleman then stated the qualifications which, in his opinion, a Member of the Com mons House of Parliament ought to possess : he should have a clear understanding of the great interests of the country, an independence of spirit and manliness of character, with most inflexible integrity. These qualifications lie considered were possessed in the highest degree by the Right Hon. Gen tleman who solicited the honour of being again returned as the Representative of this borough ; which was the greatest trust that an Englishman could receive or that Englishmen could bestow; and he congratulated the Right Hon. Gentleman on the honour which awaited him in again receiving the unani mous suffrages of so large and respectable a body of free holders.—(Cheers.) The Mairoit then declared the Right Hon. Tho Mai Wal lace duly elected, which was received with loud and reiterated cheers. The Right Hon. THOMAS WALLACE rose. Gentlemen, often as I have had the honour of addressing you as freeholdas of this boroughsometimes as a candidate in soliciting your suffrages, sometimes in the heat of contest, and at other tint° in returning you thanks for the honour you had conferred on me—yet never did I rise to address you under circumstances of greater difficulty than I feel at this moment; a difficult/ arising from recollections of the strongest and most affecting nature. No language lam capable of using can express 11 1 feelings for the kindness you have shewn me. In return f° r . this kindness I can only promise you that my humble abilities shall be exerted to the utmost of my power to your servic e and to the service of the public, though I fear they w ill fall short, ve r y s h ort o f w h at a Representative in Parlianiert ought to e gg . — eyn ( o g e u a. h g e e e Td r I laeuasseu cannot oref on b rl i y it a e b x s i e tr n e c s possess, and even below what I myself consider to Is p necessary in one who . undertakes so great a responsibilitq All however that is in my power to promise I pledge myse i re gre t a t not having of late been enabled to appear more Ire.. you fciue inn s ti h ny a ; y l a l bm h e a oi s nn . discharge of my Parliamentary duty, and in the execution the high trust of reform which the Legislature has imposed °II ,. me and my colleagues.—(Applause.) —The expression of Y °v " approbation of my exertions in Parliament absence amusement, htoa sy but t t ariseniny /lrds me pectilier gratification—exertions which have been directed t o ero o .: cipate the trade of thi s country from the restrictions *ti which it was subject, and to place it on a more enlarge and liberal system with respect to other nations and to Wall kind in general, so as to open away for the commercial inte rests of Great Britain to partake of the benefits resulting from an i n t ercourse w i t h the whole world.— (Cheers.) -to such a mom en t as t h e present I deem it hig h ly necessary t refer to the gene ra l s it uat i on o f t h e country. Wh en I lest addressed you in this place the country exhibited many sr*: toms of despondency, arising from the transitions from a 101 l protracted war to a state of peace :— our t ra d e languishing, c3u agriculture in a state of unparalleled depression, and, as a I?;- tural consequence, our revenue dimini s hi ng . B u t w h at is t 1 Present condition of the count r y? A gr i cu l ture rap idl y rev s., tag; commerce extending it se lf b eyon d any former period' _ the revenue.not only such as to enable us to diminish taxatio n but also to afford relief to many important branches of 111 , 1 _ y . tional industry ; our manuf ac t ures so flo ur i s hi ng, as not t o c: able with the utmost powers of machinery to answer the de, mand both at home and a broad ; an d I am i n d uced to b e lie!: that the measure which I had the good fortune to introduce to Parliament has in some degree contributed towards so f a vour' able a result.—(Cheers.)—After so long a war, we are now CP' joying the full benefit of peace, and I hope we sh a ll no t be to„ ducal to endan ger it s con ti nuance by interfering with foreig n powers, or by beingied away by any romantic love of libel to force it upon a people so totally unworthy a it as the SpenLk s nation. The Right lion. Gentlernan then congratu l a t e d " 1 „. constituents upon the cordial union whi c h prevailed a rool4 them, and c onc l u d e d by returning his most sincere thanks t u , their unanimous support, assuring them, t h at next to t h e g ent a ral interests of his country, the promotion of their welfare and prosperity should be the principal objects of his attention aro regard. The Right Hon. Gentleman sat down amid 1 0 plaudits. The Right Hon. Gentleman was afterwards chaired rot' . the borough, accompanied by th e M ayor an d B o d y Corporeit preceded by a band of music and co l ours fl y i ng , am id st a vo e ; concourse of gentlemen and inhabita n t s of the town. The del being remarkably fine rendered the -whole a most imposl" scene.—( Dorset County Chrouicle.)- UNIVERSITY INTELLIGENCE. CAMnnIDGE, FEB. 12.--Mr. Benjamin H a ll Kennedy/. ° f St. John's College, was on Monday last elected Univer°' Scholar on the Pitt foundation. William Brett, Esq. B.A. and James Bowstead, Esq. 10.; of Corpus Christi College, were on Friday last elected Felloo of that Society. The Rev. Samuel Smith, D.D. rector of Dry Drayton , this country, and c a non o f Ch r i s t Ch urc h, O x f or d, h a s I).c e „ appointed, to the deanery of that society, vacant by the pre° - Lion of the Rev. Dr. Hall to the deanery of Durham. We understand. that the Rev. Mr. Childers has Bern P A r i; Rented to the prebend stall in Ely Cathedral, vacant by death of the Rev. Sir H. B. Dudley. The Archbishop of Canterbury has 'app o inted the •tz - jil Richard Lockwood, Vicar of Lowstoft, to the prebendal stalio Peterborough Cathedral, vacant by th e d ea th o f th e Rever e Francis Tutte. The Rev. John Mitford, B.A. has been instituted to Rectory of Stratford St. Andrew, Suffolk, on the presentatl' of the King. The Rev. A. P. Kelly, M.A. of Caius College h a s been 1 7 ,5 , sen ted, by the Bishop of Chichester, to the living of, Lit' hampton, Sussex. Now that the Lottery system is drawing to conclusion, it must be a subject of proud exkult; tint) for Mr. SIVEWHIGHT that he took the la th Contract, and by ga - rnishing - his Scheme 'oh, SEVEN R 20,000 Prizes, has succeeded in rivett ill :i the attention of the Public, in a most utius ti h ' e degree. NEXT THURSDAY, Feb. 19th, will m y the First Day of Drawing, and a memorable ° , O it will probably prove to many, for tbej s ' e First Prizes are each to have x'2o 00'0 Ster l ' ,t extra ; and all that are drawn Blanks will be in the w heel and drawn again, so that if tbe 'e m iss the,Twp first, they will still have a Chan t for FIVE other Prizes of £20,000.