The Sun. — London, England, 1827-03-27 00:00:00

• Con Put/ at1446 :4 Upon tbe lite British Act of Parlia ra.enti opening tie trade and int er c ourse b e t ween t h e Bri tash Aaler l ;atic colonies and foreign countries. And I have also exr ..nined the Acts of Parliament of the 4th and sth of Geor ge reitrred to in the sth section of the above w.entioned Act. The result is a belief, that the Halifax construction is not that which was intended by the British Government, or, if it be, that it was designed by an order in council to except the trade and intercourse with the United States from the operation of the act, when so interpreted. I should strongly incline to think, but for the opposite view entertained at Italia', that the act to regulate the trade of the British possessions abroad, pttsseu in July last, did not intend to disturb or affect the trade betiveen the British American colonies and the United States, but meant to leave that trade on the footing which it was put by the afore is act of the 4th of George IV., and the subsequent act of idernnity of the sth George IV. That the British 'Government did not look forward to such, an operation the act of Parliament as is about to be enforced at Hr.:ales, I think clear from the following con- siderations : First- ft would be inconsistent with professions made by that Government to this, and with negotiations between tkge two Governments, contemplated, if not yet resumed. Second. No notification has been given at Washington or at London of such a purpose as that which, for the first time, is indicated at Halifax. Third. The British Minister here is unadvised by his Government of any intention to close the colonial ports against our vessels : and Fourth. No information has been received here from any British colonial port, except Halifax, of such intention. If the Halifax construction be correct, I am persuaded that the British Government must have intended to have created an exception to our trade, by an Order in Council, which had not arrived at the date of the last advice* from Halifax. If I am right in that conjecture, the order may yet reach that place before, or a few days after, the day Exec' (the sth of January next) for the commencement of the act. I am, &c. (Signed) H. CLAY. The Hon. C. C. Cambreleng, &c. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, MARCH 27. The Duke cf BUCKINGHAM presented a Peti tion from Brasenose College, Oxford, against the Bill now before the House, respecting property devised to the college by the late Wm. Hull, Esq. The Duke of ATHOL presented a petition from the Agriculturists of the Carse of Gowrie, against any alteration in the Corn Laws. Several public accounts were presented at their Lord ships' bar. Sir H. lirvrAx and others, from the House of Commons, brought up some . Private Bills, which were read a first time. Lord KENT ON gave notice, that he would to-morrow present a petiron from a Gentleman named Parker, re lative to certain transactions that had taken place at the Cape of Good Hope. He had consulted the Secretary of State far the Colonies on the subject, and understood that that Noble Earl would be in his place to-morrow. The Bishop of EXETER presented petitions from the inhabitants of Ashburton, in the coun:v of Devon, and from a parish in Cornwall, against anv further concessions to the Roman Catholics. —Laid on the table. Lord TEYNHAM, in presenting a petition from the Millers of Dartford, in Kent, against the proposed altera tion in the Corn Laws, said it was his intention to submit to their Lordships certain resolutions on the subject. He fit it his duty to do this, although a Noble and Learned Lord (Lord Redesdale) had on a former night given notice that he meant to bring forward 'genie specific resolutions on the same subject. The Earl of LAUDERDALE could not concur in the course t - hich the Noble Lord winced to adopt. In hie opinion it was an innovation on the proceedings of Par liament to auticipate by resolutions any measure that was to cone from the other Housc. He would ask their Lord ships -how th , !! .. shosild like for the oth er H ouse t o f o ll ow the example o f the Noble Lord, in reference to any measure which should originate in this ? The better mode was to follow the old practice, and wait till the Dill from the other House came up in the regular way. Lord TEYNHAM would not move his resolutions till the Bill came up from the other House. BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. The LORD CHANCELLOR had to call their Lord ships' attention to a circumstance which he considered a breach of the privileges of the House. According to one of the standing orders of the House, which, however, was not enforced, strangers were not admitted below the bar during their proceedings, and by one of the regulations of the House, no person was allowed to enter with a stick or umbrella. It appeared that on a recent occasion a person who had come in as a spectator lost an umbrella, and he brought an action in the Court of Requests against the officer of the House, to recover the value of it, and after wards sex ved him with process in the House.—Now thei r Lords would perceive, that this was obviously a breach of privilege, and he thought the proper mode, in the first instance, was to call the officer to the bar, and hear his statement. The Earl of RO&SLYN eaid that the circumstance of bringing the action alone, even independently of the service of process, was a breach of privilege. Strangers wen! then ordered to withdraw, and we un derstood that the individual whose conduct was complained of was ordered to attend to-morrow. On being re-admitted below the bar, we found Earl BATHURST presenting returns on the subject of the lave Trade. Among them was a copy of the Convention on the subject between Great Britain and the Brazils. His Lordship, at the same time, presented accounts relative to the exports and imports ofgrain. Lord HOLLAND wished that those accounts should be printed. Earl BATHURST said they were printed by command. The Noble Earl then presented a petition from the Cor poration of Perth, complaining that the proposed altera tion in the Corn Laws, tended to enhance tL•e price of food, and gave the landed interest a still greater advantage than they had already. He felt it his duty to present this pe tition ; but, at the same time, he did not concur in the sen timents it contained.—Laid on the table. The Earl of CARNARVON presented a petition from certain persons lately arrested at Vauxhall, praying for an alteration in the Law against Coining. The petitioners 114, ed that they were not conscious of acting criminally in what they IsatLtione, as they thought that under Mr. Peel's Act, there was no restriction with regard to bullion. They therefore, prayed, that they might not be punished, but that it might be made a penal offence for persons to follow their ~xample.—The petition was ordered to lie on the table.— Adjourned at Half-past Five o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS—MoKDAY. General DUFF presented a petition from the Corpora tion of Rakers of the town of Leith, in favour of the Leith Police Rill, now pending in that House, and praying that the same may be pasacd into a Law.—Read and ordered to lie on the table, A MEMBER brought up a Report from the county of Dublin Election Centruittee, stating that Mr. A. J. O'Neil, one of the Committee, had been absent on Saturday last, that absence being occasioned from illness. Dr. Wakefield, a medical man, was then called to the bar. He stated that Mr. O'Neil could not have attended the Committee on Saturday, without hazarding his hell., which kept him confined to his house on that day. The Report Was then received. Lord LEVESON GOWER was instructed to move, on the part of the petitioners against the county of Galway Election, that the Committee should be adjourned until the 2d of April, in consequence of the absence of material wit nesses in Ireland, and who it was highly necessary should be brought forthwith to this country.—The motion was then granted. Sir W. W. WYNN brought up the Report of the Reading Election Committee, which stated that the Com mittee found that Mr. George Spence, who was returned, ought not to have been returned, and that Mr. Fysche Palmer, who was not returned, the Committee declared to be the person duly elected to sit as Member for Reading._ The Report was then received, and the Deputy Clerk of the Crown was ordered to attend to-morrow (this day), to amend the return. Mr. BURRELL presented a petition from certain Land holders in the county of Sussex, praying that the landed interest might be protected.—Ordered to lie on the table. Sir J. SEBRIGHT presented a petition from George Fordham, a mem b er of a Dissenting Convregation, praying that all the rights and privileges enjoyed by the members of the Church of England, should be extended to all classes of Dissenters.—Ordered to lie on the table. A MEMBER, presented a petition from the Corn healers and Millers of Skibbereen, against the importation of Foreign Flour, and a similar petition from the Corn Dealers of Bandon Bridge. Sir C. COLE presented a petition from the Merckants, Ship-owners, and ship-hunders of the town of Swansea, sga rn et the employment of steam vessel. coastvra Sir J• voiticr: supported petiti on , and th nsidered at tlie coasti ng trade ought to be protected. Th e petition WWI Teed and laid on the table of Ilitvertord West, against the removal of the Packet Establishment from that place.—Laid on the table. Mr. KENNEDY presented a petition from the Royal Burgh of Perth, praying the House not to pass the Laws respecting the Corn Trade, now pending in that House, as they considered these laws would have the effect of en hancing the price of provisions.—Ordered to lie ou the Table. Sir THOMAS GOOCH presented a petition from the Magistracy and Inhabitants of the Liberty of Bury St. Edmund's, praying an alteration in the Game Laws.—Laid on the table. General GASCOYNE moved for a return of all the Ships, British and Foreign, with their respective names and tonnage, which had entered and cleared out of the ports of London, Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow, Hull, and North and South Shields, from the sth January last, up to the latest period.—Agreed to. , Mr. HUME had to present a petition from a numerous class of persons—the Manufacturers of Bolton-le-Moors— who stated that they had experienced great distress, in consequence of the unprecedented low wages ; they there fore prayed the House to have a minimum of wages fixed. Mr. Hume thought as the great landowners were to be protected by the laws then passing through the House, the principle of those laws being to fix a steady remunerating price for their produce, the petitioners, who were the pro prietors of labour, ought to be protected by the justice of the House equally as well as the landowners. The peti tioners claimed to be heard in Committee, as to Cie merits of the prayer of their petition. Mr. MABERLY supported the petition. He consi dered that the persons now petitioning had just as good a right to have a remunerating price fixed for their labour, as the great landholders had for their capital. Ile thought that this case ought to show the danger of such a principle as that of attempting to fix remunerating prices ; for if one class of society wars protected on such a principle—as in the case of the great landholders---every other trading class in society ought to claim the same protection. Lord ALTHORP and Mr. CURTEIS defended the landed interest. Mr. HUME, in moving that the petition be printed, said if the wages of the people were in proportion, there would not be so much injustice in the protection which was af forded to the landed proprietors. If high returns were had from all manufacturers for their manufactured articles, then there would not be so great an objection in endea- vouring to keep up the price of corn. But it was nut so ; and the consequence of the measure which was now in progress in respect of corn would be, that the interests of one part of the community would be seriously injured at the expence of another. Mr. CALCRAFT wished that every man engaged in labour should receive a fair remuneration for his exertions. The Hon. Member for Aberdeen seemed desirous of. it believed that the landed interest wished to protect them selves at the expense of the rest of the community. This was not the fact. Neither was it correct to state that the propositions which were submitted to the House would have the effect of securing to the agriculturist a high remunerat ing price for corn.—(Hear.) —The law, as proposed by the Bill, would not keep up the price of wheat to 60s. a quarter. The country would be supplied at a less price than that. Where was the ground, then, for condemning the agriculturist? He denied that the proposed Bill would have the effect of keeping corn at a high rate. Was there any Hon. Member in that House who could show, by argument, that such would ba the result of the measure? He believed that those who represented that such would be the case were under a delusion. He would again repeat that the resolu tions contained in the Bill had not such an object as that ascribed to them by the Hon. Member for Aberdeen, and that no such result would flow from them as that Hon. Gentleman apprehended. There was not a man in that House who did not wish that every individual, no matter what his trade might be—whether engaged in cotton spinning or agricultural pursuits—should have a fair and full remuneration for his exertions..—(Hear.) After a few words from Mr. MABERLY and Lord STANLEY the petition was ordered to be printed. Mr. HUME gave notice, that, on Tuesday, the 15th of May, he should submit a motion to the House, on the pre sent state of the Protestant Church in Ireland. GALWAY ELECTION. Lord LEVESON GOWER brought up the resolutions on the report of the Galway Election Committee, and moved that the Committee might adjourn to "Monday, the 2d of April, on account of the absence of some material witnesses.—Agreed to. TOBACCO DUTIES. Mr. CALCRAFT. rose for the purpose of presenting a petition of considerable importance, in his opinion, and worthy the attention of the Right Hon. Gentleman oppo site (the Chancellor of the Exchequer.) It was the petition of Mr. Robert Morgan Price, a gentleman residing in Vauxhall Road. From the communisations which he (Mr. Calcraft) had had with him, respecting some plans which had been submitted to the Treasury as to an alteration of the law respecting Tobacco Duties, he should pronounce him a very intelligent gentleman. The Treasury had re ceived his plans, but nothing had yet been done towards carrying them into execution. The 1-lon. Member then read long extracts from the petition, frem which it would seem that the petitioner had had some interviews with Mr. Carr, the Solicitor to the Excise, with regard to the adoption of the plans which he had submitted ; that Mr. Carr at first listened to him favourably; but when it was found that the plans which were proposed, would alter the law as it um stood, Mr. Carr did not give him that encouragement. From Mr. Carr's character, he (Mr. Calcraft) was inclined to think that there mutt he some mistake in the petitioner's statement.—(Hear.)--- The petitioner went on to assert, that he had never been allowed to explain to the Treasury the papers which he hail submitted to develope his views. The petitioner then rent on to state that snurzgling had been carried on in the article of segars to a vast extent ; that he had suggested a mode by which that article was brought through the Cus tom-house, from SIM. to 60,0001b5. in the short space of four months. The smuggler in that article obtained 1200 per cent., which was a great inducement. The petition stated that tobacco in America, where it was grown, was one penny a lb. ; in Holland it was 2d. ; in England, 2Ad. ; but the duty in England was three shillings a pound. 'The Hon. Member said that he conceived the facts stated by the petitioner to be well worthy the consideration of Govern ment. The field for smuggling. was large by the present laws; and he (Mr. Calcraft) would most cheerfully give up his time to an investigation, with a view of carrying into effect any plan by which the inducement to smuggling might be lessened. On the motion that the petition be brought up, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not pretend to say what answer the Hon. Gentleman ex pected from hiri upon the subject of the petition ; but be really thought that more importance had been attached to 1 it than the petition deserved. He did not vestion any 1 part of the petition ; nevertheless, he was inclined to be lieve that the petitioner had net stated the facts very fairly with regard to his plane, as far as could be collected from the extracts which the Hon. Member had read to the House. The petitioner wished to impress upon the House that no attention had been paid to his plans. This was not by any means the fact.—(Hear.) The plans had been laid before the Treasury, and before the Board of Excise. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) conceived it his duty, on looking at the plans proposed, to see Mr. Price on the subject. But whether it was owing to any apprehension on his (the Chancellor of the Exchequer's') part, or what he could not say, hut be really did not com prehend the propositions submitted. The main principle, as he collected from the plans was, imposing restrictions '..a those engaged in the tobacco trade. He felt it to be his duty to oppose any new restrictions, conceiving that al roady that trade was too liable to restrictions. Onthis ground Me. Price's plans were doubted to produce that benefit which he seemed to think they were calculated to that produce. Mr. Carr seemed to be an object of the pe titioner's dislike, who insinuated, that because Mr. Carr's Act was likely to be altered if the new plans were adopted that therefore they were objected to. Mr. Carr had him self proposed over and over again modes of collecting ' duties, which, if they had been adopted, would have much diminished his emoluments as Solicitor to the Excise.— (Hear.)—H e (the Right Hon. Gentleman), believed that imposing restriction upon restriction was not an advanta geous mode to be adopted. With respect to Mr. Price's complaint that his plan had not received that attention which it deserved, no just ground for such complaint exist ed, for it had been repeatedly under consideration. — He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had at all times re probated, and would ever set his face against the imposing of such restrictions, as would by the partiality of their ope ration, have the effect of driving the smaller capitalists out of the trade. He would assure the Hon. Gentleman, that if it were his (Mr. Calcraft'a) lot to have occasion in the discharge of such functions as his (the Chancellor of the Exchequer's) to examine all the details of every new code of customs, and every new scheme for the collection of the revenue, which could be suggested by ingenious, and some times as he might say, fanciful men—he would have little time to attend to the other duties which appertained to his office. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) did not on the whole consider Mr. Price's plan calculated to produce advantages equal to the inLJnveniences which it would create to the trade. Sir JOHN NEWPORT insisted upon the necessity of economy in the collection of the revenue. In Ireland, the r.-ao. 1 ,, r, 11 , r,n, ~, ,,-,-.A. r ,, ,, of i nn nnni. rnis.,l fur the re venge, 200,0001. was paid back to the preventive service. He was satisfied, that if the duty were reduced to one shilling and sixpence, the consequence would be not only an improvement of the revenue, but what was still an object of higher interest than any consideration connected with the revenue—he meant the prevention of that demora lization of society, which arose from the prevalence of smuggling, and which neither the duty nor preventive ser vice, nor any other remedy, save the removal of the in ducement, would correct. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied in a few words, vindicating the conduct of Mr. Carr, who, he stated, so far from being influenced by personal motives, .a the recommendations which he had given to him (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had suggeo - cd measures which militated materially against his own interests. After a few words from Mr. MAPERLY and Mr. Wil. LIA M SMITH, the petition was read, and ordered to lie on the table and to be printed. STATE PAPERS. Mr. Secretary CANNING appeared with certain papers in his hand. The Right,Hon. Gentleman looked delicate, and the few observations which he made in laying the do cuments on the table, were delivered in a low tone of voice. The first of the papers which he held was, he said, a Treaty concluded between his Majesty and the Emperor of Brazil, whereby the final Abolition of the Brazilian Slave Trade was stipulated for, and was to take effect in three years from the interchange of the Art-idea ; and in the interim the traffic was to be subject to all the imposi tions and restrictions which affected the Portuguese Slave Trade. The second paper was a Convention between this country and the United States of America, settling a point which had long been a matter of controversy—indeed, ever since the termination of the war—with respect to the slaves taken from their owners and proprietors in the course of the war. The House would recollect that this matter had been made the subject of an arbitration—it had been referred to the Emperor of Russia, and the award of his Imperial Majesty was unfavourable to our Government. There had since been a discussion as to the amount of compensation to he paid to the United States, who had demanded two millions of dollars, and it would be in the recollection of the House, that he (Mr. Canning) had about three years back obtained 200,000/. from the House on account. A sort of compromise had been effect ed, and the claim of the United States had been bated down to 1,200,000 dollars. He would accordngly be under the necessity of calling upon the House for the small fund which would be requisite to pay off the balance of that sum. The remaining paper which he held was the completion of a Correspondence which had been carried on with the American Legislature, on the subject of the United States and the British West India Colonies. Three letters, forming part of this Correspondence had been al ready published, and as the world was thus in possession of a portion of the Correspondence, there was no occasion for snaking any secret of the remainder. These various papers were printed according to the usage. The papers were ordered to lie on the table. Mr. HIJME begged leave to ask the Right Hon. Gen tleman whether the Correspondence which he had pro duced was final and conclusive on the subject to which it had reference. Mr. CANNING.—I hare reason to consider it final, as I have had the last word.—(A laugh.) Mr. J. GRATTAN presented a petition from the Ro man Catholic freeholders of the county of Westmeath in Ireland, praying for Catholic Emancipation. The Hon. Gentleman observed, that unless the Right Hon. the Se cretary for Foreign Affairs would turn his attention to the settlement of this question, it would be impossible for any gentleman to remain in Ireland, and to do his duty to the country. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. On the motion that the House do resolve itself into a Committee of Supply, Mr. MABERLY urged the necessity of the House coming to some determination at the beginning of the Ses sion, as to the incidental amount of supply for the year, and having the ways and means laid upon the table, so as not to be called upon to vote large sums of money, without knowing where the funds wet e to come from. Th e Ri g ht Hon. Gntleman had stated last year the necessity of di minishing the unfunded debt of the country ; and he had proposed raising a loan of eight millions for that purpose. Now it would be right for the House to see bow that fund had been disposed of, before it suffered another large sum of the public money to be voted away. The Right Hon. Gentleman Lad, as he (Mr. Moberly) believed, received Mrs.. million. Ave 'hundred thousand pounds of the eight millions in Exchequer Bills, and the remaining four mil lions five hundred thousand pounds in cash. The loan was raised for the purpose of paying off six millions out of the eleven millions dae to the Bank, three millions ware to be paid by the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund. The Right Hon. Gentleman, however, had taken four millions five hundred thousand pounds of the money obtained by a vote of the House fur a distinct and specific purpose, and he had converted it to the Ways and Means for the year, and the Sinking Fund. The House then ought to look narrowly to the appropriation of former grants. Notwithstanding the distribution of large sums, scarcely any reduction of the debt had taken place. He would ask whether it was expedient for the House to persevere in such a course, and suffer so large a sum as 4,500,0001., voted for a specific purpose, to be diverted to another object. The Right Hon. Gentleman was now, as appeared by the papers laid on the table of the House, appropriating 1,200,000/. to the reduc tion of the Sinking Fund for this quarter. He (Mr. Ma berly) was desirous to know from what source this sum was to be derived. The Right Hon. Gentleman must borrow from the Bank, or he must have some mode of rais ing money of which that House had no idea. Where could he get such a sum to buy up the unfunded debt ; for it ap peared that this 1,200,0001. was to be issued between the sth of January and the sth of April. It was high time for the House to look into these matters. In 1525, when the finances were comparatively prosperous, the Hon. Gentle man had thought it expedient to set the Budget before the House, in April ; and in 1826, from the same cause, ee brought it forward in March ; but now, when the revenue was depressed and deranged, he thought proper to post pone the exposition. He repeated that it was the duty of the Right Hon. Gentleman to bring forward the Ways and Means before he called upon the House to vote twenty mil lions. The country had a large army abroad, and he was sorry to observe, from the papers recently laid on the table by the Right Hon. the Secretary for the Home Depart went, that although Portugal was eventually to defray the expences of that army, yet we were, in the first instance, to advance the means. He did not mean to affirm that we should not hereafter be reimbursed. Indeed, in the case of the Austrian Loan, we had had what might be called a God-genii ; but we were seldom so fortunate e - eto be in demnified for our advances. He must again preset the ex pediency of the estimates for the Supplies of the Ways and Means being brought forward at the same time. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER must protest against being drawn into premature and partial expositions which could tend to no good purpose. He would now beg to make one or two observations with reference to himself, as implicated by the animadversions of the Hon. Gentleman. The Hon. Gentleman complained, that because the revenue of the past year had unfortunately been somewhat defective, and because the Hon. Gentleman anticipated a similar catastrophe in the present year, he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) kept back the statement of the finances, seeing that he had not a flourishing account to give of them. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) did no such thing. He had stated at the . begi nn i ng of the Session, the reasons which would render it imp oss ibl e th a t the House should he put in possession of the early informa tion which the Hon. Gentleman considered ought to be communicated. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had found, that in the course of last year, events had oc curred affecting our foreign relations in such a manner as to render it necessary for this country to fit out an arma ment for the support of our ancient ally. This armament could not, of course, be sent out to the place of its destina tion without an expense, the amount of which it was utterly impossible to foresee. Until a judgment could be formed as to what effect the transmission of the troops might produce—what length of time it might be necessary for them to remain, and what might be the course of operations in which they would be engaged—it would have been fruitless to attempt to inform the House to what extent the finances would be influenced in consequence of that act. It would be recollected that when his Majesty sent down his message communicating to the House wh a t h a d occurre d —t h e H ou se did— a l t h oug h not unanimously, y et , b y a very large majority—declar e its determination to support his Ilajesty in the line of policy which was considered necessary for the honour and the interest of the country, and the House having thus pledged itself for the advancement of an object, the propriety and wisdom of which the Hon. Member had himself avowed, by voting in its favour—would it not be the highest pos sible degree of inconsistency not to have given to the Crown the means of carryin g so important an object into effect 2 It had been impossible, then, owing to these cir cumstances, and without reference to himself, or to con siderations personal to him (the Chancellor of th e Ex chequer), and which he had no right to obtrude upon the House, to bring forward the general statement of the finances as desired by the Hon. Gentleman. B u t what was the course which he (the Chancellor of the Exche quer) had hitherto pursued, and which he was confident --0 , 1 , 1 teed tlie Hem, normit him of imy deairo CO arm prom, or unneceigarily to postpone tile financial statement In 1823, sometime in the month of January, ho was ap pointed to the office which he had now the honour to bold. The department was-then quite new to him, of course he hail his lesson to learn. Yet in that year, he brought forward the general statement of the finances of the country so early as the 21st of February. On the following year he brought it forward on the 13th February. It was his principle, and on that principle he would always endeavour to act, to submit the financial statement as early as possible to Par liament. The next year he brought it forward on the 28th February. Last year he introduced the financial statement on the 14th of March. The time had been earlier fixed, but was postponed from day to day, in consequence of the earlier part of the Session being occupied on the subject of currency. lie assured the House he' had 110 desire to pass off the consideration of this annual statement ; but at the same time he would remind the House that he bad not pledged himself, under all circumstances, whatever might arise in every year, to bring forward that statement at any particular time, or on any particular day. He would de clare candidly to the House, that if the statement was now brought under a partial discussion, it would not be either satisfactory or intelligible to the House. It was necessary indeed to call upon the House to vote the Army and Navy Estimates, in order to keep up the operations of the country. Whatever the Hon. Gentleman may think, it would be impossible for him to answer the question of the Hon. Gentleman without fully entering into the discussion. Mr. MABERLY said that all he wanted was to have laid on the table the Estimates of the Ways and Means. Sir J. WROTTESLEY said there was a considerable diminution in the revenue. It was not of much consequence whether it was 16 or 20,000,000/. ; but if be (the Chan= cellor of the Exchequer) would come forward to ask the country for more taxes, he (Sir J. W.) would meet that demand with some proposition for reforming some part of the expenditure. The Right Hon. Gentleman should tak e into consideration the number of Exchequer bills now out, to the amount of 25,000,000/. The Bank of England had 21,000,0001. in circulation. .The country at this time cer tainly was not called on to pay these bills ; but if any cir cumstance should arise unfavourable in our foreign policy, in which the Right Hon. Gentleman would be called on to pay this 25,000,000/. without 6d. in the Treasury, he would ask the House what state would the finances of the country be placed in? What was the situation of the country a year ago, when an attempt was made to rid the market of Exchequer bills, when the Si- per Cents were purchased out of the Sinking Fund at 95 and 96 ? If any thing adverse should happen, these Exchequer bills would not be at a premium, het would be at a considerable dis count. He cautioned the Right Hon. Gentleman to pause before he increased the number of Exchequer bills, for it was the opinion of many that circumstances might arise, out of the operations in which we were now engaged, to depress the country. He would recommend the House to get rid of the Sinking Fund, and take the Exchequer bills out of the market altogether, and in case any unfavour able circumstances should arise, the market would be free. jThe Government would then be enabled to defend either the rights of the country, or assist the merchants in distress. Mr. C. PELHAM said a few words, the purport of which did not reach us in the gallery. Mr. HUME said that the Hon. Member for Abingdon merely wished to know the state of the affairs of the country from the responsible persons, inasmuch as the appearances from abroad were not very favourable. He regretted there was not laid before the House, a statement of the unap propriated balances from year to year, which he understood might have been furnished in forty-eight hours. The House then went into a Committee. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER here ob served that the statement of the unappropriated balances was laid upon the table of the House, and might have been seen by the Hon. Member. Mr. HUME continued—The Right Hon. Gentleman had not assigned one satisfactory reason for not giving a statement of the finaaces of the country, save thie extra ordinary one—that he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) could not calculate what the expences of the armament to Portugal would amount to. He cautioned the House not to vote away the public money, unless they should see the means of obtaining it. The Right Hon. Gentleman said the House had granted him certain *urns for the sup port of the military establishment. He (Mr. Hume) would wish to know, when in Committee, the means by which these sums can he obtained. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER hoped he Aid not excite in the House any great diatrutst--(hear,) as he was not called upon to redeem any positive pledge. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved that the sum not exceeding 200,0001. be granted to his Majesty for Civil Contingencies. Mr. HUME would object to this vote as a great abuse of the public money. He would call the attention of the Right Hon. the Secretary for Foreign Affairs to one or two items. There were many Members in this new Parliament not aware of the enormous expences to which diplomacy subjected this country. A sum of 226,000/. was voted yearly for the Civil List ; and under the head of Civil Con tingencies and other things, there was an addition of 100,0001. to that sum, besides a no less sum than 58,000/. for Extraurdinarice. The Minister at the Court of France had a most splendid establishment as the representative of Majesty. Last year a cum of 11,0001. was added in ad dition, for a suitable palace for the Ambassador, making in all between 17,000/. and 18,000/.—This year there is no less a sum than 12,586/.. making together twenty three or 24,0001. for the individual representing this country at the Court of France. There was also a sam of 3,6431. for plate, 100,000/. paid fur missions to the States of South America. Upwards of half a million the diplo matic service cost the country—the whole expense amount ing in nine years to 3,000,0001. for diplomatic service. He put it to the Right lion. Gentleman and his Col leagues, in defiance of every statement of distress, whether they could give a satisfactory reason to the House for main taming a few individuals in such splendour in foreign cowl tries. The people of this country are in rags, and were not able to bear such burdens. It was a fact that any one employed in the Government of the United States was only allowed 2,0001. a year ; and it was well known that 20,0001. a year did not with us command more efficiency. Any amount, therefore, over 2,0007. was a great wa.te of the public money. He would now point out a few of the items as they are disposed of. The Right Hon. Gentleman mentioned a sum of 150,000/., which is twice as much as it was in 1795. There are one or two items which re quired attention of the House. There was, he understood, an addition to the expenses by the tnission of the Marquis of Hertford to the Court of Russia, to pay the compli ments of this country to the Emperor. This monarch may be a very powerful one, and by such proceedings this c oun t r y gave him (the Emperor of Russia) reason to be lieve that he was all.powerful ; but at the same time, b y sending these missions, regardless of the expense, we humbled ourselves. To defray the expences of the Duke of Wellington, on the occasion of the Coronation of the Emperor Nicholas, 6,5301. This might have been useful in Order to prevent other greater expences, as we seem anxious to meddle in affairs on the Continent which do not concern us. There were 10,000/. to the Duke of Devon shire, to defray the expellees of attending the Imperial Co ronation, while the country was made to believe that this Nobleman was to defray all the expences attending the mission. He could not conceive how all these expences could be Incurred, since Nicholas wash particular friend of the Duke of Devonshire. These ceremonies cost the country 16,000/., in addition to the allowances of the Am bassadors at those Courts. Such were the expences Con nected) with Royalty. It would he more to the honour of the country to apportion the expenditure according to the distresses of the country, and not plunge the country deeper into difficulties. There will be at least an expence of 10,000/. for this latter mission. The Old World era/1 not the only theatre of these mis s i ons , f or th e New World was also the object of this extravagance. I here was 12,000/. to Sir Charles Stuart to defray the ex pences of the Mission to the Brazils, in order to support the same pageantries. They were r unning the same course with respect to the Republics of South America. A sum of 13,000/. was give n t o L or d M. Hill, acting Seers_ t ar y to Sir C. Stuart. In all a sum of 28,932/. for Mis sions to South America, exclusive of other expenses.— There was no less a sum than 2 5,0001. for snuff-boxes, as presents. The servants of the India Company carry on these presents on the system of reciprocity, and are obliged to give a strict account of them. He would read a few of the items :—His Majesty gate to the Chancellor of Franco 1,000/. on the ratificatio n of the Treaty. To the Chevalier de log Rios, on the termination of his mission, 4001. Thus it appears that when Ministers come to this Court, and when they depart from it, presents are made to them. He understood that Rundell and Rridge received 23,000/, one item of which was a sum of 10,000/. for a sword to the Duke of Northumberland. A sum of 788/. to Count Oza roosky. To the Swedish Minister, on the ratification of a treaty s igned at St oc kh olm, 3,333/. To the Colombian Nlinister, on the ratification of the treaty signed at Bogota. 1,9631. This was sufficient to corrupt the honour of the Republic , were not cut short ther e wou ld b e th e s ame account nest year. o for nth a ese t every cr touch gold flows. If these expenses ()uncle he thought the grant ought not to stand. --- Mr. CANNING observed, that the Hon. Member had talked of an assurance being given by Ministers, that the emhae.ien of the Doke. of Northumberland and Devonshire Wert , not to be remunerated. No such agsuranea had ever been given; so far from it, he had stated, in respect to the Duke of Northumberland, that he did not think remunera tion could be made in any other shape:than it bad. Where the Hon. Member heard of the assurance be (Mr. C.) did not know. He gave his word of honour be never heard of it. The Hon. Member had mentioned the name of another Noble Lord. Though it was entirely against his wish, he would gratify the Hon. Gent. by assuring him that in the case of Lord Hertford, he (Mr. C.) had been obliged to givo way, and to allow that Noble Lord to undertake the mission without any remuneration whatever. Mr. HU - 31E asked whether the same sum was to be charged every year for the repairs of the Ambassador's Pa lace at Paris. Mr. CANNING said the Palace had been purchased in 1816. Surveyors had been sent over from London, and after a most accurate survey, it was thought better, as a matter of economy, to repair the Palace. He was as guilt less of the expense as the Hon. Gent. The Hon. Gent. also charged the expense of this Palace to Lord Granville. Surely if a man built a house which cost 30,0001., it was not fair to say that that 30,000/. added to 10,0001., which he received as a salary, made his income 40,0001. Lord Granville had no decision on thin subject; it was decided by the surveyors. He (Mr. C.) had found the bargain ten years old, and the only question he had to decide was, whe ther it was proper to continue it. In answer to a question from Mr. 11. Martin. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that as to the expense of the repairs of the Custom-House, he certainly consid red that that department was to pay, out of its own receipts, a charge of that kind. He could have no objection to furnish the House with the fullest informa tion as to the amount of the expense. Mr. HUME adverted to two other items of 9,7901., and 2,660/. for plate, pictures, &c., for embassies; after which the vote passed. Mr. BANKES moved that a sum of 3,0001. be granted to his Majesty on account of the estimates of expenditure for the British Museum, and that that sum be paid without any fee or reduction whatever. Mr. WARBURTON observed that there were divisions among the Trustees of the Museum, as to how much should be appropriated to one department, and how much to ano ther. It was extremely difficult to confine their attention to any one department. Many gentlemen who took an interest in matters of science were desirous that this over grown establishment should be divided into separate de partments ; that there should be the library department, the department of science, and the department of art; and that each department should be put under different Trus tees. At some future period, he would call the attention of the House more particularly to this subject. Mr. BANKES said, that if the Hon. Member would look at the estimates, he would find that they applied as much to one department as another. It was a little extraordinary the Hon. Member should make these observations. Mr. WARBURTON said, the differences he alluded to took place before the application to Parliament. In former times, among the Elective Trustees, men were selected for their science, not their rank ; at present, be understood, there was a disposition shown to elect persons high in rank, rather than those well versed in science and art. He did not wish to specify names. He thought a mixture of the two would be most advantageous. Mr. BANKES said there had been no departure from the usual mode of election. _ Mr. HUME observed that he had understood that it was not intended to finish the building of the Museum at once, whereby great ex2ence might be saved, but that it was to be completed by dribblets. He wished some contradiction to be given to the rumour. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in order to be economical, had felt it right to propose to Parliament a less sum this year than the last. He had thought of " cutting his coat according to his cloth ;" and that it would have been a matter of admiration rather than animadver sion, that he had proposed 12,000/. instead of 45,000/. Mr. HUME—The Right Hon. Gentleman throws away much more money than he need; and this is his mode of " cutting his coat according to his cloth." I protest against it. We are worse off for public buildings and mo numents than any country in the world. We throw away large sums of money to keep up appearances abroad, like some persona' who go about with good coats on their backs, while all is starvation at home. Let the Right Hon. Gen tleman recollect his speech about three years ago, when he said he regretted our want of public buildings. For the last twenty years the expence of this establishment has gone on increasing, when it might have been put en eud to at once. The Resolution was agreed to. Mr. 111/ME begged to know whether his Majesty's Mi nisters did receive any presents in return fur those they presented? Mr. CANNING answered, that it was customary for those who signed treaties to give and receive snuff-boxes in return. 'I he House then resumed—the Report to be received to morrow. CORN TRADE. On the motion of Mr. C. GRANT, the House resolved itself into a Committee on the Corn Trade Acts. Mr. C. GRANT stated, that in compliance with the desire of several Gentlemen, a change bad been made to the Imperial, instead of the Winchester measure ; and he had now to submit the Resolutions as altered according to the Imperial scale. Without entering into minute calcu lations which had produced the result he was about to state, it would be sufficient to say what had been the re sult. The result was, within a fraction of hi., much the same 'as that before the House, and the House would not be scrupulous on those minute points. If the price of wheat, according to the Winchester measure, was taken at 605., the corresponding price, according to the imperial measure, ought to be 61e. lOid. He had taken the price at 625. ; the corresponding duty would be 203. lid. He had taken that at 20s. Sd. The scale would then pro ceed by 2e. as before, When barley was at 3:35. the duty would be 12s. 4d. With respect to oats, the duty would be Os. 3d. on the 255. price. Mr. WHITMORE asked what duty would be payable at 7 2k—whether Bd. or le. Sd. ? inserted Mr. C. GRANT sa id t h e d uty wou ld b e Sd. As to wheat, mea l, and flour, in the place of five bushels he had 88 gallons of wheat, and it would stand , " fur every barrel, b e i ng 19 6 lb s. a d uty eqied in amount to the duty payable on 38 gallons of wheat." As to o atmeal, it was one of th e most difficult things to apportion the pro_ i- i . duce of oatmeal t o th e oa t s . At first• a great e rror had been committed by in ser ti ng 252 lbs. He ha d then re curred to the Act of 1791 as the standard. The Resolu tion would then stand, according to the Imperial measure, " Oatmeal—For every quantity of 181 f lbs. a duty equal in amount to the ditty payable on a quarter of oats." Mr. C. PELHAM made some observations, w hi c h did not reach us in the gallery - - Lord ALTHORP suggested the propriety of extending the time for taking the averages from one to six weeks. Mr. IRVING concurred in the resolutions as arranged by his Majesty's Alinisters. , 4' fi therefore, 'urt Mr. C. SMITH thought it safer to extend the period for taking the averages to six weeks. Col. WOOD said that if the average was to be taken by the single week, it would give a great opportunity for the of combination, p e fer six ..t .r h e e ekii price instead ofco corn practice of fictitious sales. He remembered an occasion, had been raised, in the coo-se of a very short tinae, to one. when loB. by ir a e sudden shoul t The CHANCELLOR o f th e EXCHEQUER should certainly persevere in pressing the resolution as it stood. Mr- BARING should therefore suggest four weeks, as answering the object of security better. Mr. LITTLETON concurred in this opinion. Mr. W. WHITMORE came to the conclusion that a weekly average was the moat convenient and safe course. Sir J. NEWPORT should support the suggestion for taking the averages every four weeks. Mr. C. GRANT said, that there was suffieiuntreason in the div e r s ity of opinicn which seemed to exist in the Committee to justify the House in not hastily adopting any of the proposed alterations. Hs thought, however, for his own part, that were he a capitalist, and disposed to com bine for a fraudulentgeirleevahtiinoln ofo f r th la e y p in ri g ceo d l, ol I v ie n w h o ig ul p d la p n re a fe n i a ., f w ou it r h , t t h e a el t cs ob l j ir e o c u t l i d n view, the time and opportunity whi c h taking his measures. But he did not know but that a mode of still further security might be introduced into the Bill. He did not know that the receiver might not be properly armed w ith a power to reject any thin g th at m i g h t be presented to him of unusual magnit u d e . H e did not know, also, that someimprovement might not take place in the mode of combining the country with the London aver age; at present the London average waited upon that of the country ; but he doubted if it would not be more de sirable that both averages should be united. Mr. BARING cont en d e d aga i n , t h at t o t a ke the average by the period of every f our wee k s wou ld be the mo st de sirable mode. Mr. CURIE'S was f avoura bl e to the s uggestion for extending the period to three or four Sir J. WROTTESLEY supported the opinion in favour of the smaller. period. Mr. IRVING said that the assertions so often repeated respecting the practicability of fictitious sales were alto gether exaggerated. However, lest there might be any fnlindation fur sneh apprehension., he begged to soma thiat it was in the power of the Committee to make pens' the practices to which their attention had been so much directed. Mr. WARBURTON was not sure that the dispositions to commit fraud was altogether on the side of the dealers» , and that the allegation might not fairly extend to the fanner.. It should be remembered that in the country the sales toad place by samples, and bargains in that way were not bind- . ing; whereas in London the sale by ticket was binding in. case the purchaser chose to enforce the sale. The former mode was undoubtedly open to many fraudulent practices. Sir E. KNATCIIBUIL warmly defended the farmers from the imputation cast on them by the Hoe. Member who had just sat down. Mr. N. CALVERT said that if the farmer were die , - posed to cheat (which he certainly was not), it was totally out of his power to do so. Mr. C. BAR.CLAY said that the best security against the commission of fraud in the market, after all, was the fact that there existed no inducement to lead to it. After a few words from Lord Althorp, Mr. Curteis, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the House resumed, the. Report was brought up, and ordered to be taken into con sideration to-morrow. The House then, upon the motion of the CHANCEL LOR of the EXCHEQUER, resolved itself into a Ciunr rnittee of Ways and Means. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER brought up an Account of the Debt due from the East India Com pany to the country, which lie moved should be referred to the Committee. The Right Hon. Gent also moved That the sum of 60,0001. paid by the East India Com pany for expences incurred in the support of troops, ships, &c. in India, pursuant to the 4 Geo. IV., be paid into the Exchequer. That a sum of 1,155,0001. paid over by the Trustees of Naval and Military Pensions, and of Civil Superannua tions, be also paid into the Exchequer.—Ordered. ' This sum, the Right Hon. Gentleman explained, ayeied to the last year, and a quarter over. The House resumed.—Report to-morrow. Sir ALEXANDER GRANT brought up the Report ots the Annual Duties Bill.—Laid on the table.—Bill to be read a third time to-morrow. On the question of postponing the Committee on the Postage Duties Bill, Mr. HUME complained of the undtr• preference show' , by the letter-carriers in deliiering letters to those who were able to pay the grist money (a guinea a-year), so early as to) or half-past ten in the morning, whilst those who were not able or disposed to give in to that arrangement, did not re eeive their letters till 12 or half-past 12 o'clock. This woo an abuse of the office, which ought to be remedied. Mr. HERRIES was unwilling now to enter into aol explanations, but in the Committee would answer all quee tic:am—Postponed to Monday nest. EMIGRATION. The House having resolved itself into a Committee upoe the Emigration Acts, and particularly the 6 Geo. 111. o. 163. Mr. WILMOT HORTON in the Committee, moves that it be a direction to the Chairman to obtain leave of the House to bring in a Bill to alter and amend the 6t}' Geo. 111. cap. 16S. By that Act certain regulations were made, torich:lg the conveyance of steerage passengers be' tween Ireland and America, which were found to be er ceedingly inconvenient in practice. The Act required that greater room and greater accommodation for stowage shoulti be given than was required by the class of persons wll O were passengers by these vessels, and the consequence wear that the passage was made unnecessarily expensive. The object of the present resolution was either to repeal the existing regulations altogether, or to modify them as the Committee should decide. The measure had been recouv mended by the Emigration Committee as a means of fsei' litating emigration. As, however, that Committee visa still sitting and receiving evidence, the question would still be left open as to whether there should be a total repd of the existing regulations, or a substitution of some otbzio for them. Sir JOHN NEWPORT was glad that an alteration WO about to be introduced into these obnoxious regulationh which greatly obstructed emigration.—(Hear.) Mr. BARING was understood to support the Bugged' tion. Mr. Secretary PEEL thought it two the wisest coure to let passengers take care of thernselyes.—(Hear.) Mr. JAMES GRATTAN wished to know what tb 6 Emigration Committee had done, or what they were about to recommend ? Great anxiety prevailed on the subject ja Ireland. Mr. W. HORTON thought tho question premature.-° (Hear.) Mr. lILTME was surprised that there could be any doubt as to the course proper to be pursued upon this occasioo• Why not repeal these mischievous regulations altogetherr and leave the carrying trade open. It was the surest wol to encourage emigration. Mr. W. HORTON conceded the general proposition o f the propriety of non-interference with this trade. BO whilst the Committee was sitting, he thought it would 1 0 premature to come to any definitive conclusion. The resolution was then agreed to, the Chairman re' ported, and obtained leave to bring in a Bill founded epos the Resolution. The Salmon Fisheries Bill was read a second time. 0 0 the question of its being committed, Mr. Secretary I'EEL doubted the practicability of frartv ing any Bill which would apply to all the rivers in England• Mr. KENNEDY assured the Right Hon. Gentlemao that it was the opinion of two Committees that such et Bill was practicable.--Committed for to-morrow. SPRING GUNS. Upon the Order of the Day for taking into further con' sideration the Report of the Spring Guns Committee, Sir JOHN SHELLEY said, ,that spring guns being allowed by this Bill to be placed in gardens and orchards, all be asked was, that the same permission might be e.%.- tended to enclosed woods in the night time. This was all be asked, and he hoped the Hon. Member who brought the Bill forward (Mr. Tennyson) would himself bring forward a clanse to that eff ect.—(Laughing.)—He did not mew 10 move it himself. Mr. TENNYSON gave no answer. Mr. DL ZUMMOND now proposed to add these wards to one of the clauses :—" Or if in Scotland, a party convicted under this A ct b e punished by pecun i ary fi ne or imprison ment, or by fi ne only, and that if such fins he not imme diately paid, in every such case the offender shall he committed forthwith till such fine be paid; provided always that it .hall he lawful for the Magistrate by whom such fins 'was imposed to admeasure the period of such im prisonment. The ATTORNUY-GENERAL objected to this clause. 111 r. DRUMMOND said it Was intended o aid the com mon lave of Scotland. After some further conversation, the amendment we agreed to. The House then resolved into a Conitnittft on the Bill. • Air. nOME DRUMMOND proposed a new clause, the object of which was " to extend the provisions of this Bill to Scotland, to he in addition to the common law of that c „„„ tr y, such common law, however, to remain, and be in all respects as if this Bill were not passed." Mr: SANDERSON dill not understand this clause ; if the " M addition " meant that this Bill should enact punish ment, in addition to those already inflicted by the Scottish common law, he should object to it. —Clause agreed to. Mr. TENN YSON moved that the Report be now received. Sir J. SHELLEY did not see that there was occasion they w ill for such haste ; b es id es an Hon. Friend of his w i s h ed to propose a cla use on t h e subject of Ireland. I Zvu let assure m e them a l' H on. a Mr. Secr e t ary P EEL said there was no immediate n e 4, cessity for p ress i ng the motion. so Mr. HOBHO USE, as they ware a ,l agree d upon the i‘atignniueoxesntsihliotrbiueoers J. SHELLEY to ol,ntstiigridhuiE,ntro.gio:,ettLpsoo(EenAneye t a th n iasiea y imekßhdili.li vi):They might be ea strong occasion lion. Members w ere B for postponing the Bill. be as st rong t o - morrow mg ht —( A lau gh. Report eventually ordered to b.: postponed The remaining Orders h avi ng ,i d been spos e d o f, th e House adjourned at Half-past Ten o Clock. postponedl till to-morrow. Wilson,d v week, ert M i s oe r rf . y K o e r t k t wel I butcher,, Al a m . r h p el , 0 . t Ex MORSE DEALING TRAORDINARY. e s opt ol t d i n r e i a. n_g h otchsveeaptrorwe iseciknr.t LADVERTISEMENTA :gyvisisAionssTlOlFETANTEoxo,iiAN,and WILSON'S: TONCKEDWALRY3 U B L UD G a re the Publications whi c h are now in every one's mouth VOLUME, c o and hands. The latter exposes abuses, most unsparingly, whether public or private, and cut severely, but not unde servedly, in all directions. The secrets which it has dis closed, especially in regard to Forgeries on the Bank al _England, are enough to make one's hair stand on end, and the facts connected with Agricultural Distress must ems' ?nand attention. Harriette Wilson seems neatly desperate; so we Are likely to have all ont."—London Paper.—.ooX bookseller. in Glasgow have managed to hays all Stoc dale's publications o n sa l e w i t hi n a few hours of their is pearance Loudon. The Budget," publish e d i ree kir l'he only 3d., and " Harriette" 2s. 6d., as before. the Confessions," which contain 36 coloured Plates, fro oo life, are 30s.— Glasgow Gazette.