The Express.
London, England, 1852-02-28 00:00:00

five times that quality grown in this country will alto rise
in'inninky *same amount as that of the duty so imposed.
The Mired from corn will amount to 1,000,0001.;
but itsihini 6,000,0001. will be paid by the consumers.
an
This lei
Op
of the principle of • protective dues,.
(absera) Op acting on the other principle, hiyeepeaVadi
those 'duties which he always argued were • fftlitful tax
uponossa
the
munity, without bringing any mosey into the
hehegisereethe elan has been, as I had the plea-
sure of stating es the very first night of the ses-
sion, that within the last few yeti,' duties. have
been repealed to the amount of twelve or thirteen millions,
'and that instead of the customs revenues having digs-•
Dished, they have reached a higher amount. (Hear, hear.) '
lily lords. I beard with great regret, with a masteruation
which I am altogether at • low to describe, that the noble
earl intends to arikity this, es I think most lassoes& prin-
ciple of commercial and finance to the food of the people.
(Cheep from the opposition, .. No, no," from the ministe-
rial benches.) 1 have beard with minsternation that
the authority of the government is to be used fur the pur-
pose of imposing a tax upon the food of the country.
The Earl of DERBY explained. What I did say was,
that I saw no reason, in my opinion, why corn should form
an exception from the customs duties, but that that was a
question which ought to be settled, and which could only
be settled by the deliberate judgment of the intelligent
portion of the community. (Hear, hear.) And I decidedly
' stated that in reference to the great and important question
of finanse that I did not intend to make any proposition on
the part of her Majesty's government until the feeling of
the country shall have been expressed. (Hear, hear.)
Earl GREY continued—l am greatly relieved by the ex-
planation of the noble earl. 1 certainly had understood
the noble earl to say that he utterly disagreed with what I
'cashiered the sound end proper principle of commercial
legislation, but that any proposition on the subject re-
quired great care and preparation, and could not be pro-
duced in • hurry. 1 anderetood the noble earl to allude to
a revision of the tomnierehd policy of the country upon the
principle of protection, and that the article of corn was not
to be excepted. If 1 misunderstood the noble earl 1 beg
his pardon, but I still think that this part of the noble
lord's speech could not be otherwise understood. (No, no.)
The Earl of DERBY—I have already stated that there
is a great misapprehension on the part of the noble Earl '
of what I did say, and the noble earl, therefore, proceeded
to say that he felt greatly relieved by my explanation,
nevertheless proceeding to argue upon that misunderstand-
ing, as if 1 had not already corrected it. (A laugh.)
Earl GititY—l must appeal to your lordships whether
this interruption is strictly regular. I certainly did under-
stead the sense of the noble earl's words as 1 have stated.
Even now I am not quite clear that the noble earl's e'en.
nation will bear any ether meaning than that which I have
put upon it. 1 think the house ought to know whetherany
revision of the commercial principles of legislation is
contemplated by her Majesty's government or not. (Hear,
hear.) That is • question on which I do not press for an
immediate answer, but as one deeply interested in land, and
as a member of the community at large, whose interests are
so largely concerned, I do implore the noble earl to let no
long time pass by before he explains distinctly and clearly the
views of her Majesty's government upon this most exciting
and agitating question. (Hear, hear.) Let him remember
the experience of the last 10 years. The question of a
tax upon the food of the people is not one to by kept long
in suspense or lightly dealt with. (Hear, hear.) We
are entitled to know, not to night, but within a
fortnight, or on as early • day as possible, the views and
decided intentions of her Majesty's government. I implore
the noble earl, in justice to tho gnat interests connected
with this question, which will be injured by any doubt, not
to leave that doubt in existence any longer than was Aliso•
lutely necessary. (Hear, hear.) Tho whole trade of the
country will be influenced by that doubt, every trauxictiou
between landlord and tenant—(hear, hear)—every transac
ties in trade and manufactures will be greatly injured by
any delay which can throw • doubt on the foundation of
the commercial policy of this country. (Cheers.) I hope,
therefore, injustice to these interests, we shall have, at the
earliest possible moment, a clear and dial act explanation of the
views of her Majesty's government. The public is justified
in demanding that • government taking office should possess
a policy, and distinctly avowing it should be prepared to
take the responsibility of submitting it to parliament
(Cheers.)
Earl 0 ITZWILLIAM regretted that Lord Grey, instead
of taking • comprehensive new of Lord Derby's speech, had
selected one particular topic, and that the most exciting,
for discussion and comment. He (Earl Fiteseilliam) had
himself been one of the first parents of the agitation against
the medieval system of commercial legislation : that, he
thought, entitled him to say • word. The speech of the
noble earl intimated that the subject of the customs laws
ought to be submitted to the public for its opinion, but the
advisability of revising that law was a different subject.
There were many wise laws which wise men could nut un-
dertake to propose at all times. The corn laws had been
repealed, and the public had for some years bad the advises.
tags, had tasted the sweets of cheap bread, and he did not
Bunk they would be inclined to submit to the manta ad-
ditional tax even for the purpose of revenue. (Haar, hear.)
But he differed altogether from Lord Grey in the view he
had taken respecting the effect of a moderate duty in raising
the price of corn in general, and declared that he heard
almost the whole of Lord Derby's speech with considerable
satisfaction. lie was especially glad to find that the noble
earl was prepared to resist the invasion of constitutional
rights. for if such rights were continually attacked he be-
lieved a large portion of the community would come to the
opinion that it wound be better to live under a mild and
tranquil despotism.
The Marquis of CLANRICARDE defended Lord Grey,
and pressed Lord Derby for an early statement as to his
preteetionist measures.
The Earl of ABERDEEN was anxious to take ti e very
first opportunity which presented itself to declare, as the in-
timate colleague of Sir It. Peel, his determination to adhere
the free-trade policy of that lamented statesman. Ile
thought the distinctions drawn by Lord Derby on this sub-
ject were shadowy and unreal, and for his part ht should
oppose a duty on corn. whether for revenue or protection.
The foreign policy laid down by the noble lord met with his
unqualified approbation, and he might rely on his cordial
"Mt:BROUGHAM, after referring to the inconvenience,
in a judicial point of view, of a prolonged adjournment of
the House, said, as to the convention which had arisen
with regard to the duty on corn, he would not enter as the
subject for an instant, although he entirely concurred in
the opinion expressed by his aoble friend (Ear: Grey), and
in Whom alum he he fur a moment participated; but
what he had since heard from his noble friend opposite had
tended to quiet his apprehension.
The Earl of DERBY said be wee about to propose
that the house should adjourn re Monday next, and
tben ascertain whether it would be possible to pre-
ssed with the judicial busier hire It ; but that
adjournment same take pleas en the understanding that
if the house she "bey *Wit pressed only with judicial
laminas or whole Nib daring the peeled that was neces-
sary he the rnakedes se the inentbsre of the government
in the Houle of Ossmson

Lead BROUGHAM—Of eserse, there is the understand-
that only judicial bas assn will be proceeded with.
lordehips then adjourned shortly before seven
o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY, FEB. 27.
The house met again yesterday after the brief recent al-
lowed for the new Premier to form his ministry. The at•
tendance was exceedingly numerous, and more than usually
early, there being between 100 and 160 members present
when the house went to prayers at 4 o'clock. In accord-
ance with the ordinary practice on the occasion of a change
ia the ministry, the supporters of the late and the present
=at ebinged places in the house—the late opposi-
pying
rithe benches to the right of the Speaker's
chair, the ministeal side of the house; and the late
mini:ten and their supporters taking their places on
the left or the opposition side. Mr. H. Drummond
and Sir IL Inglis, however, did not conform
to this rule but retained their old places ow the lower op-
position benches. Of the monition of the late government
only Sir G. Orey, Mr. Cornewall Lewis, and Mr. Hayter
were observed ; and the new government were represented
by Mr. P. Mackenzie, Mr. 0. A. Hamilton, and Sir
W. Jolliffe. Lord Palmerston took his seat on the
emo.sitiion side,
nstances, hnoezt.toemb!nir twino
the
or
forms of parliament on such occasion', took their old
seats, and on discovering their error, which they did by
finding themselves sitting side by side with political oppo-
nents, occasioned much amusement by the rapidity with
which they sought more congenial neighbours.