The Express.
London, England, 1851-02-14 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 14, 1851.

notice of the house the condition of his (Sir J. Graham's)
neighbours in Cumberland, and more particularly the hand-
loom weavers of Carlisle—that the hon. gentleman on that
occasion omitted to inform the house of what was the peen-
' liar character of the cotton trade in Carlisle and its vicinity
-that peculiar character 1,33. in the hopeless competition
Being-bn between hand loom mid machine weaving. (Hear,
ear') Unfortunately, the hand-loom weaver, struggling—
and stiaggling almost in vain—against machine weaving,
was embarrassed at this moment by this peculiar difficulty,
in addition to those naturally consequent upon the equ'al
1 eompetitioft. The lighter articles—those which required
the smaller amount of raw material—were manufactured
principally by the machines, while the hand loom weaving
was confined to the heavier gods, which contained a very
large amount of cotton. And tha recent increase in the
price of cotton wool had induced the manufac-
turers to inerea.e the power of their machines in order
to meet the difficulty consequent on such increase. The
consequence was, that the manufacture of the heavier de-
scription of goods was gradually passing from the hand
loom to the pow,,r loom. This was a peculiar circumstance
I which weighed upon the class alluded to, and which must
. ' be taken into account in judging of the cause of their pre-
, ! sent depressed condition. (Hear.) Ho (Sir J. Graham),
: however, had long thought that the days of hand-loom
i weaving were numbered, and that the struggle in which it
, was engaged with the power loom must end in defeat,
apart altogether of the prier of cottla, and he knew he was
r I not singular in that opinion. But this question of the price
r ! of cotton did, hr thought, one, n up some hope for the landed
p- I interest. And froia whence did it cum.!?

on smuggling. The same objection applied to sugar. If it
were grewn hero under the existing diity, there was pro-
tection. (Hear, hear.) if the duty were remitted, they
would incur a lose to- the revenue on the two articles,
while the country gen-
tlemen
t beat all henefitA, and the
sildueeßargenv.ienannanedidew°foblairilmee°l havei4 would
l°
o
to be made good by some more ob-
jectionable tax. (hear, bear.) Then with regard to the
Emit tax he knew not what was the feeling of the agri-
cultural party generally on that subject, but he knew that
the noble lord the leader of that party in the other house
(Lord Stanley), both in and out of office, had expressed his
opinion that it would be inexpedient ti repeal the malt
duty. That noble lord was of opinion, awl many shared in
it, that the malt tax was a tax paid by the consumer, and
that no benefit welds' result to the land from ita repeal equal
to the loss which would fall on the revenue. (Hear, hear.)
So much for the first class of objection. Then with regard to
the second—those of a remedial character, but which were
not pressed : the first was the cultivation of the land by a
partnership en comnsandite. Now, so far as they had had
any experience of that system in this country, it bad proved
beneficial only to the gentlemen of the long robe in West-
minater Hall. (" Hear," and a laugh.) And it was not
likely the example would be generally followed. (Laugh-
ter.) The next of them• subject; was the law of settlement.
He believed it was the intention of the right hon. gentle-
man, the head of the poor law board, to deal with that ques-
tion in the present session, and he was glad to hear it.
(hear.) He was of opinion that the landed interest would
gain much by a revision of the law of settlement, and that
too in a legitimate manner. (Cheers.) But the labourer
would be the principal gaiaer, for the labourer, whose only
capital was his labour, would, instead of being confined to
one of 15,000 circles as the market for his labeur, which was
the consequence of the parish system of settlement, would
have that market extended, if the union settlement were
adopted, to one circle of 600. (Hear, hear.) Ile rejoiced
therefore, for the sake of the labourer more than for that of
the landowner, that the area of settlement Was to be ex-
tended. But he warned his right Min. friend that there
wore lions in his path. He ought expect to enCouuter the
Opposition of some distinguished representatives of the
landed interest, as the hon. member for Dorset, the hon.
member for Oxford, and others, and he would find that the
landed interest was much divided in ito views of what ars
rangement was most desirable in the introduction of a union
settlement and a union rate. (Hear.) That was not, how-
ever, exactly the view, as he understood, of the hon. gentle-
man, the member for Bucks (Mr. Disraeli). That hon.
gentleman went much further. and opened up the
touch larger question of a national rate. (Hear, hear.)
Now, the bon. gentleman had not pledged himself to
support this view, but he (Sir J. Graham) nevertheless felt
it has duty to comment upon that portion of the speech
in question, because no course would be more fraught with
danger in every respect, as it appeared to him, than the in-
stitution of a national rate to supply the funds for the relief
of the poor. It would be to make industry pay for the sup-
port of idleness, and it would moreover be socialism in its
worst features. (hear, hear.) Then, the hon. gentleman
referred to the question of the commutation of tithe. Now
he (Sir J. Graham) contended that the less the landed in-
terest said upon that subject the better. (Hear, hear.)
The hon. gentleman, in submitting his motion of bet
scar, hall used these expressions:
Upon this 4i,te of the house we believe that deprouton has been
cerawoned by recent 'eglslative nactreenis, by the recent alteration
n the law, by the recent repeal of the law which regulated the JOU
portation of tertian pro !use. We bell-ve on thia side of the house
that the sunst, the most sate, the most 'Meacham 'a ale, and the
mode whi la in the lung run will be the most ade.ntairessis to the
community, and the most popular in the country, would be the re-
cetaliashment of thew awe which, until rce, rely, regul mud the un-
portution of tl at foreign produce. That, sir, being our cor.vie
we may be taunted, os we have been bet .re, that entertaining that
conviction Sc shrink twin asserting it and supportisa It by argument
in thus house. That taunt is vary to make, snit it to not ore very
dims alt to beer. Speaking for myselt mot those gentlemen with
whom I have the bot.our to act, I may ,aywe do not in any way
shrink from argument on the subject. We have seen nothing in our
apinmet to °entitle tle conclusions whaeti though good report and
¢r--ugh evil rep-rt we have title 'Teed to advocate in the' home in
weird to the great subject. We still bell ve the prireiples on which
you base vonsuucted lour commercial code are fallacies.
These words were strong— (hear, hear)—but they were not
so strong as other words which the loin. gentleman had
used in the course of the same delude. These were the
worsts lie used:—" I do not bate one jot of what I have
declared. I adhere to every argument I used and opinion I
entertained on this subject, and think it would be wiser and
more politic to return to protection, and no longer to im-
pose restrictions on native industry." Words more clear
and explicit could not be used. (Hear, hear.) They indi-
catesl distinctly the policy of the hon. gentleman, and the
policy which, as he (Sir J. Graham) understood, the great
Wily of the party, of which the hon. gentleman win. the
bead, also entertained. Now, what were the word', of the
hon. gentleman in introducing the present motion? lie
(Sir J. Graham) could find nothing at all in the speech of
the hon. gentleman on Tuesday night, in the slight-
est degree at variance with his words of last year.
On the contrary, the hon. gentleman had now made the
following remark:—" I last year said—what I now adhere
to severely, strictly, and religiously—l said then that I
would not in this parliament snake any attempt to bring
hack the abrogated system of protection." Let the house
observe the words, " not in this parliament." (Hear,
hear.) Further on the hon. gentlemen said, It would be
most diaustrous for the community that the house should
accord thole claims which, he believed, in the spirit of
severe justice, the agricultural interest had a right to pre-
fer." Now, these won!, evidently pointed at some com-
promise. (hear.) He believed that the design was
not to induce the present parliament to impose a
fixed duty ; and he came to the conclusion that
the real object of the motion was to turn out the present
adminiatration, to dissolve parliament, to return to protec-
tion, and to re-imposse a duty on corn. (" Hear" and
cheers.) This was the interpretation he had put upon the
words of the hon. gentleman last year, and this was the
interpretation to which he now adhered. He knew not
what might be the Tenth of an attempt to carry out that
policy. Ile was afraid it would be a dangerous attempt,
inconsistent with the peace of the country and with the
safety of property ; but, at all events, it was an attempt in
which he could not concur. (Cheers.) Ou the other hand,
he saw very plainly that we were on the eve of a great and
' serious struggle. He held it a sacred duty and trust to de-
fend the existing policy to the best of his ability, and, asl
• proof of his siucerity, and Us an earnest of his fixed deter-
mination, he would give an unhesitating vote in opposition
to the present motion. (The right hon. baronet resumed
his seat maid loud and continued applause.)
Mr. BOOKER laid that as he had been recently elected
a member of that house by a large agricultural county, he
felt that he should ill-discharge his duty if he did not take
some part in the present discussion. Ile denied
that the state of commerce and manufactures had
been such as to afford a productive employment of capital
and a reference to the shipping interest and the home trade
would prove the truth of this denial. The hon. gentleman
here quoted a variety of statistics relative to the shipping
nterest, the tendency of which was to show that while
British shipping was declining in amount and tonnage,
foreign shipping was increasing in both respects. With
reference to the home trade, he took the three staple trades
of the country—cotton, woollen, and iron. The diminished
production of cotton was 75,90( bales. By exporting the
raw material of wool, wo were affording an opportunity to
other countries to carry on a trade which would come into
competition with our own, Besides this, the quantity con-
sumed at home had sensibly decreased. Then, with regard
to iron, the quantity exported in 1849 was 727,000 tons; in
1850 the quantity exported was 809,000 tons. The increase in
the export had been pretty nearly 8 per cent., but the
diminished value of the article at home amounted
to about 2,000,0001. The diminution, since the first year of
free trade, had been 45 per cent., whileh the diminution of
wages in the same period had been 571 per cent. (Hear.)
He believed that other commercial and manufacturing
pursuits bad suffered to a similar extent. There were, for
instance, most disastrous rumours in the City that day from
Scotland. (Hear.) He believed that the commercial men
of Manchester would admit that their business was not in
quite so satisfactory a state as they could desire. The fact
was, that in letting go the substance of our home trade, we
had spent too much time in looking after the shadow of a
foreign trade. Ile begged it to be understood that he
was not for putting artificial impediments in the way of
the foreigner ; but he did ask that if the foreigner was per-
mitted to deal in our markets he should be compelled to
pay hie fair share and quota towards English burthens. He
entreated of the house not to go on temporising with and
reasoning against disasters which could not be gainsaid.
Finally, he called upon the minister to assure himself, and
to aaaure his sovereign, in the words of one whose authority
would be respected, in the words of the great Lord Erskine,
that " Vain arc all your hopes for your suffering. country ;
for you might as well expect a tree to be flourishing in full
vigour when its roots have perished and decayed, or the
human body to be in active motion when palsy has reached
the heart, as to see trade or commerce or manufactures of
any kind or description flourish when agriculture has de-
clined." (Cheers.
Mr. LABOCC ERE thought that the arguments
and statements urged by his right honourable friend,
the member for Ripon (Sir James Graham) and by
his right honourable friend, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, were so conclusive oast so complete that it was
altogether unnecessary for him to attempt any addition in
reply to the hon. gentleman the member for Bucks. The
defence of the present commercial policy must naturally
depend upon the exact results produced upon the
industry of the country and the prosperity of the
people. Those results were ascertainable; and whether
they took revenue, consumption, pauperism, exports, or Sea-
ports, these and every other test which could be applied
would give the one answer, that there never was a period,
notwithstanding the distresses of the owners and occupiers
of land, which they all deplored, when the great branches
of the industry of the country, when the great body of the
population of the country were equally so flourishing, well
off, contented, and employed. (Cheers.) About most of
the fact upon which this statement was made it was im-
possible that there could be any dispute whatever. There
were nevertheless exceptions ; and he was ready to admit
that there did exist very serious depression in the
iron trade. Now it was necessary that attention
should be called to the circumstances in which that
trade stood, and to the reasons, which lay on the sur-
face, why that particular branch of industry was excluded
from the admitted general prosperity. He thought on ex-
amination it would be found that thus exceptional condition
of the iron trade could not in any way be attributed to the
commercial legislation of late years. It was a fact
that no branch of industry had been developed of
late years with such extraordinary rapidity as the
iron trade. The development of that trade had
been indeed unprecedented in its must:now; rapidity.
In 1830 we made only 678,000 tons of iron. In 1843, we
had so far advanced, that we made 1,248,000 tons. Since
the latter year, however, a great collapse had taken place.
The extension of the railway system had caused a great
extension of the iron trade, and when the stimulus derived
from the railway system ceased, there war a natural de-

Pia prima adutls
Qaed mtrint verb, Omit roadster ab tuba.
(Cheers) As he had said from whence they could least
expect it—from Rochdale. (Hear, bear.) From the brow
of Bright, brothers. (Loud cheers.) It had been dis-
covered through their means that by an invention in
science the flax stalk might be used to great advan-
tage, and fa diminution of the cost in mixture with cotton
wool, sheep.' wool, and even, as he had been informed,
with silk wool. (Cheers.) The loss of the potato crop
ve-:.s doubtless a severe infliction, but he could con-
sider no cis sensation of Pros idence More remarkable than
that it should have become the means, by the aid of science
and skill, of overcoming the difficulty consequent upon the
diminution of the supply and the increase in pries of the
raw material of our principal manufacture. By this dis-
covery we should be in a great degree made independent of '
the foreign supply of the great staple of our manufacture;
and if the cultivators of flax met with due encouragement,
they would hear but little more, he was confident, of the
distresses of the weavers of Carlisle. But there was another
important result which might be expected from it, viz.,
that it would lead to the introduction of new capital in the
cultivation of the land, land in increasing the fertility
of the soil. (Cheers.) Ile would pass from the condi-
tion of the hand-loom weaver, of Carlisle to the state
of the landlord and the farmer. He had not for
the last five years ch limed two tenants paying him a
rent of more than 1001. a year—(hear, hear) —and he had
not at this moment an arrear of 3001, em the whole of his
property. (Hear, hear.) Then with regard to his own
neighbour, and, as he was proud to call him, his esteemed
friend, the Duke of Buccleuch, one of the largest landed
proprietors in the south of Seotland, with whom, it might
be remembered, that he had differed as to the policy of the
change in the corn-laws. Had he any farm unlet at this
moment which he desired to let ? lied he not, un the con-
trary, at this moment both in Roxburgthire and Dumfries
let land on the f tiling in ofleases recently ire every case with-
out any diminution of rent at all ? And, if he were not very
much misinformed, the fee-simple value of land in Scotland
generally, so far from falling off, had positively increased
since the repeal of the corn laws. (Cheers from the ministerial
benches.) Ho had said that he had no farms to let, but
he could conceive that since the repeal of the corn laws
much competition for land had arisen from quarten.itpart
from the farmers; such as shopkeepers r.tiring from business,
small merchants in country towns, attracted Ily the pleasures
of acountry life, and of the occupation of agriculture, per-
wins distinct from those who embarked in that pursuit as
their means of living. (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) He
should have thought that the country gentlemen would have
been the last to raise a laugh at that assumption. (Hear,
hear.) What he meant was, that many persons of small
capital in the eount7 towns were now ready, the moment
being favourable, to invest their gains in farming, and that
in consequence the competition for farms 119 they fell out of
lease was unusually great ; and he knew that he might have
men of good capital of that description to take his farms at
a higher rent as the leases fell in, if he desired to change
his tenants. (Hear, hear.) But he could take another test,
the operation under the Enclosure Act and the reclaiming
waste lands. (Hear.) Were the attempts to bring waste lands
under cultivation in various parts of the country falling off?
(Hear.) Ile was reminded by one ease that occurred
to his memory, of a melancholy event—for it was connected
with the name of a noble lord now no more, with whom he
had once lived on terms of great intimacy, but betweeu him
and whom various circumstances had unfortunately led to
a difference, a man of great talent, great strength of
mind, and great perseverance in pursuing objects, in the
selection of which no man had ever shown greater sagacity
—he alluded to the late Lord G. Ilentinek. (Hear, hear.)
That noble lord, he recollected, was mainly instrumental
in promoting and carrying forward the scheme fur winning
from the sea what was now culled another English county.
(Cheers.) At that noble lord's death that enterprise re-
mained incomplete, but had it since been abandoned ? By
no means. '1 he attempt to recover from the sea Victoria
County was proceeding with uudiminished energy, and
60,000 acres were about to be added to the territory of
this isband by the exertions of a body of energetic men cm-
barkeduaretherin acompanyto reclaim at least half a county.
Were we correct in our estimate as to the real cost of pro-
duction in this country ? lie remembered the discussion
that took place in 1815, when Iffis. was stated as the mini-
mum of the remunerative price; but it might be said that
was under a depreciated currency. Well, then came the
discussion in 1827, when the currency had been placed on a
sound basin; and the price then filed as the minimum was
' not 80s., but 60s. In 1812 the 60s. price was abandoned, and
I Ms. was fixed as the minimum remunerative price ; and now
he believed the landed interest—he used the term in the
*ewe in which it hailbeen used in that debate, meaning by the
landed interest the landlord and the farmer —he believed now
they would be quite content to abandon 36a, and be thank-
ful and satisfied with 48s. or 465. as a remunerative price.
(Hear.) What he wished, then, to observe was, that this
matter of remunerative price was more dependent upon the
skill and industry of the grower, than upon any fixed or
I certain sum that might be taken. (Hear.) Then to talk of
disturbing causes. Were there not under the old corn law
disturbing causes, more operative and more extensive in
their results than any that existed now ? The noble mar-
quis, accustomed to the old rule of reasoning on this sub-
jeet, had spoken of the natural produce of this country at
24,000,000 quarters of wheat. Grant that estimate to be
correct. If in any ono year that amount was exceeded by
a million quarter*, the effect on the market was more in-
ternee and more powerful than any that now occurred
ander the system of more extended markets. (Cries
of " hear, hear.") He remembered th" year 1822, when
Mr. Weston moved for his committee. At that time prices
Ltd risen inordinately in consequence of two or three bad
harvests. The result was that a large amount of capital
MIS thrown into the cultivation of the land, a greater
breadth of wheat was sown, the supply became greater than
the average, and down went the price to 445., as the average
of the entire year, and for about six weeks he believed it
was as low as 40s. But even that was not equal to the fall in
price that occurred in 183.5, the average for which year was
but 395. 2d. and when for six weeks the price stood below
anything it had reached under the largest importations we
had bad under free trade. (Hear, bear.) But in consider-
* this part of the question he could not lose sight of the
Chet that in the Channel Islands, within sight of
Ragland, during all the time of our restrictive system
free trade exists , and from their vicinity to us there was
tbevertutirreatowtenmpctilstion top retaintMn. Basut much
lt
wcoasmtre price possible
f
wheat in the Channel Islands at that time ? For a long
series of years it was just 40s. a qr. lie would not venture
to make any prediction as to the future price of corn in this
country. (Hear, hear.) But this I say (continued the right
hon. baronet?), the time has arrived when it must be left
to find its =tend level. (Cheers.) For any legislative in-
terference to enhance it, and to create en artificial price, I
say those days are put. (Cheering.) I say there is
no ploughboy that treads the soil of this coun-
try who does not feel practically his ' condition
improved within the last three years, and he knows
the reason why. (Loud cheers from the ministerial aide of
the house.) I tell you there is not a shepherd on the moist
distant and barren hills of Scotland who does not now have
daily a cheaper and a larger mess of porridge than be ever
had before ; and he also knows the reason why. (More
cheering.) I tell you there is not a weaver in the humblest
Lancashire who has not a fuller and a better meal
C°th2.34rC in
ever had before, and that without any fall in wages,
and he also knows the reason why. (Renewed and reite-
rated cheers) We must tell truth now. (Hear, hoar.) The
time has arrived when the truth must be fully spokes.
(Cheers.) I will mention one other clam: there is not a
soldier who returns to England from abroad who does not
practically feel that his pay is augmented, and that he
has daily a cheaper, larger, and a better mess,
and enjoys greater comfort) than he ever did
before—and he also knows the reason why. (Cheers.)
The objection he entertained to the present motion was
that it implied, though it did not state, an approxima-
tiou to the reversal of the present policy. (Hear, bear.)
Be objected to it on that ground; but he objected to it also
that it was vague, illusory, and presented nothing tangible.
(Cheers.) It had been said by the mover of it, " rdo lot mak
your vote in favour of any specific proposal—that is not my
objet ; but it is right to ask you to COON to a specific con-
clusion. I ask you by your vote to exprrea • strong opinion
that it is the duty of the government to consider fully throe
measures and methods of relieving agricultural distress at
which I have glanced." He (Sir J. Graham)
thought
It
lie duty to vote against a proposal the certain extent
and tendency of which he could not understand. (Cheers.)
Not only was the motion vague, but the speech bywh
it
was preememi tens ogpally so. It presented to the tonal-
_ of dm brow a great many things which were de-
siSred bat which the mover did not seek to
eimmen; liphigray things which he thought desirable, and
Irma be yawed as remedies, but which he refused to
=Tgthetrs.) Now, he would deal with the first
wasert which was the prohibition to grow totem*.
New, it meet be apparent that the existing duty on tobaceo,
either continued or remitted, must produce one of two son-
sequences. If remitted, tobacco would be of impala:de
j=sin this country, and tobacco from all quarters, from
sad from many parts of "Europe, would come in at
mutat& lower price, and the revenue would be sacrificed
without any advantage to the landed:interest. (Hear.) If,
en the other hand, we were to propose to grow tobacco,
matinuing the present duty, we should have protection in
its most absurd and objectionable form. They would, in
bet, be offering a premium to the full amount of the duty

pression in the iron teethe The hoa. gentleman (Mr. i Under these circumstances he could not deity that
Booker) was aware that some two or three years ago the it had become necessary for any one who wished to do
iron tweeters had erected new furnaces, and that, though ' justice to vote with the hon. member for Buckinghamshire
these furneces
were no longer required, they could not be . —nay, if they meant to do common justice—if they= in fact,
stopped without a very considerable loss. As it was, how- meant anything hut barefaced and malignant injustice—
ever, the iron furnaces now established in this count 7 they must take that course. (Cheers.) He had sty rag be-
were capable of producing 2,000,000 cwt. of iron at this lief in the energies of his countrymen ; they could bear
moment. But the hon. gentleman' omitting all consideration great burdens when they believed they were imposed
as to the aitered position of the railway system, seemed to equally on all shoulders. (Hear, hear.) But nothing
suppose that the distresses of the iron trade had their createdsuch a feeling of dissatisfaction and discontent as
engin in diminished imports and exports. Now this was the oonsciowness on the part of any elms of the community
contrary to the feet. He (Mr. Lahouchere) nnind that the that they were singled out to bear the heaviest load.
exports of iron in 1845 were 352,000 tons; that in ISI9 they (Hear, hear.) He should support the motion, for every
were 70,000 tons; and that, in 1810, when we exported a man who would act upon the sunset of doing unto others
larger quantity than in any other year, they were 772,000 as he would they should do unto hint had no alternative
tons. This rendered it quite clear that the difficulties of the hut to vote for the motion.
irou trade could not be attributed to any falling off in the Mr. CARDWELL said that his hon. friend the member
foreign demand fur English iron. There was no doubt that I for Yorkshire (Mr. Cayley) had begun his address by saying
if foreign countries liberalised their tariff in this respect i that he asked for justice and not for protection, and had
they would contribute to our advantage, and doubtless, l passed on to a speech of continual impeachment of those
also, secure same great advantages for themselves. And if great measures by which he (Mr. Cardwell) contended that
it were for the interest of this country to cripple and confine the pressure of a crisis unparalleled had been greatly miti-
the manufacturing energies of other countries, of France gated, and the peace, the loyalty, and the safety of this
and eiermany especially, then, as an Englishman, there country had been insured in times of more than ordinary
was nothing which he would so much desire as to see difficulty. (Hear, hear.) The honourable gentleman
our cuntiueutal rivals taking iron ut double the natural (Mr. Cayley) must have been in some Arcadian place
price, and so placing on themaelves a burthen and restric- of retirement if, after the repeal of the duty on bricks and
tion which would effectually prevent them properlydevelop- the alteration of the stamp and sugar duties, he expected
ing their resources. That restriction he would 'Loire to see the revenue of the country to be larger than it hid been
in rival commercial and agricultural nations, but he would before thole alteratiens hail taken place. (Hear, heir.) It
more especially desire to sec it operating in ship-building was a circumstance most encouraging and confirming to the
and ship-ovrinug countries. But, as it was not the interest political philosopher to find that the value of the exports of
of Englund to dieable her neighbours, so he did not rejoice this year have reached the extent which they have done.
at vieoing the restrictions which were maintained : for it The hon. gentleman (Mr. Cevley) had raid that in the days
was now being every day more and more admitted that the of protection he hail recollectid of an increaeo of 11 millions.
prosperity of Emitted depended upon the concurrent pros- He (Mr. Cardwell) had before him a table of the exports,
perity:of her neighbours. 'f leers was a considerable increase and he could find no such case on record. Beene these free
both of foreign and English shim, during the last year trade measures had begun the highest amount of exports
He found that the total tonnage of vessels entering inward, on record was 53 millions per quarter, while in the year
and clearing outwards with cargoes, during the three last juat expired, the exports had exceeded 70 million.. (Hear,
year* was as follows : In 1848, it was lueelo,ooe tons (in hear.) In 1841 the exports had been 53 million., and in
round eueileoe) •In 1849, it was 11,501,000 tons ; in 18es0, 1810 they had risen to 70 millions. He (Mr. Cayley) had
it was 12,001,000 tuna. Now this showed a considerable gone into an argument to show that the profits had gone
increase, and on which the country had reason to congratu- into the pockets of the foreign: r. If they had miumfac-
tete itself. It was true that the increase was greatest in hired 70 millions where they hid before only manufectured
foreign ships; and that was naturally to have been expected, 53 millions—if they had made such au increase in nianufac-
seeing that we had just, for the tint time, opened our trade twee, he (Mr. Cardwell)) would ask where hail the profit
to foreigners. But there had been no diminution whatever gone? (Hear, hear.) How many homes hail liven tied-
on the whole in the employment of British ships over the &nest by the additional wage's tines circulated ? (Rear,
world. On the contrary, he believed the effect of the repeal hear.) The honourable gentleman (Mr. Cayley) hail told
of the navigation laws had been to tend largely to an in- them that the increase in the value of their exports was
crease in the employment of British ships. lie would eon- owing to the increase in the price of raw material. Ile (Mr.
firm what had been remarked by the right hen. gentleman Cardwell) would ask- what had become of the large crop of
the member for Ripon, as regarded those who had been cotton grown in America in 1849 ? It had all bee*
spoken of as our most formidable rivals—the Americans—. manufactured, and the people of this country had derived
that the increase of their tonnage trailing with this country the lion's share of the profits. (Hear, hear.) But was
had been most inconsiderable ; and that whatever increase there no distinct evidence WI to where the advanteg,o had
there had been, had taken place in vessels of come to ? Was there ne evidence that the coinforte of the
European nations. The number and the tonnage of working classes had been increased? In 1811 the con-
United States vessels in trade with the United Kingdom sumptiun of sugar had been four million cwt. ; in Isitt it
during three years, exclusive of vessels in ballast, was as had been six million cots. In 1841 the oineumptiou of
follows:—In 1818, 598,000 tonsentered inwards and cleared coffee had been 1,940,0001h5.; in le ill it hail risen to
outwards, 551,000 tone • in 1849, 587,000 tons inwards, and 3,215,000110. (Hear, hone) In the former year the con-
-608,000 outwards; in lisO, 595,000 tons inward., and 776,000 suiuption of brandy had been 1,165,030 el! lons ; lag
outwards. This made it apparent that such iwrease as year it had been 2,187,000 gallons. The amount
there had been in American shipping was most ineunsider- of tea consumed in 1811. had been 36,0:81,0001es.;
able. But he would ask, bad there been no compensation last year it had risen to 50,000,000 its. (Hear, hear.)
to the English shipowner from the opening up of new ehan- These were mostly articles on which a remeedim of duty had
nets of trade? (Hear.) Ile was prepared to say that the taken place, and had the profits of our inereueed export
results to British shipping in this respect were commeneurete trade gone into the pockets of the foreigner it was not at
with the must sanguine expectations. Having quoted eta- all likely—nay, it was not poesible—that owls an increase
fishes to prove his position, he took upon himself to say, of consumption would have taken place. The increase of
without the smallest tear of contradiction from any one consumption was to be attributed to the larger amount of
acquainted with the facts, that there never was a period in wages paid, and Haglund and not the foreigner hod clearly
our higory when our building-yarde weremore fully occupied, secured the profit; of the increased exports. If they ex-
when so many ships were being built, but, above all, when ported 70 nation, of manufactures to foreign markets they
such good ships were being built. (Hear, hear.) The must sea them at foreign prices. The weight of 70 millions
effect of the ant-Mien in the navigation laws hail most un- of manufactured goods was a compulsory power to make
questionably been to stimulate and to eucourage the inter- them evil them at the prices which prevailed in foreign
glee of the English ship-builders ; and he was satisfied that markets •, and if nature compelled them to sell cheap ho
the ships which now left the dockyanls of England, both a. (Mr. Cardwell) asked if the greatest entliusiaet amongst
regarded sailing qualities and strength and capacity—as the protectionists would resist it. lie (Mr. Cayley) lied
regarded, in fact, all those qualities in which the merchant said that in future they could not depend on the home
navy should excel—were such as would successfully cone- market in slays of revolutions. lie (Mr. Cardwell) would
pete with the vessels of any country in the world. (Hear.) suggest to the house that the pressure of the crisis on trade,
And the house would see that this activity in our building- the crisis of railneeil expenditure, and continental revul-
yards was, after all, the best powilile proof of the general kens, never could have been got well over, had they not,
geed effects of our recent commercial policy, since it was in 1812, relaxed those cramping restrictions on the trade
very obvious that gentlemen would not go nit building ships end industry of the country, which bud tended im much to
if they did not see a very good prospect of getting full em- produce an artificial and a dangerow state of matters.
ployment fur them. He would acknowledge that there was If on the 10th April, 1848,the corn laws hail been in existence
one class of British ships which at this moment were not would they not have felt that they were sitting over a vol-
well employed. The small and the inferior ships were cane, fearful of its explosion ; and under such circumstances
lying idle; but the simple reason was that the great excl.- would they have inveged such large sums in the improve-
ton now being made in the improvement of our marine mcnt of agriculture? The lion. gentletnan the member for
threw such ships out of the market. lie now held in his Yorkshire (Mr. Cayley) had told them that protection was
hand a retum of the number of chips built and registered the remedy.
during the last year as compared with former years. He Mr. CAYLEY denied that he had said eo. (Laughter.)
found that in 1847 there were 9'22 ships with an aggregate Mr. CARDWELL said that if he were to understand
tonnage of 145,000 tons; that in 1848 there were the hon. gentleman had abandoned protection, then ho
877 shim with a tonnage of 112,000 tons • that in 1849 must indeed say that the prospect of its being motored was
there were 730 ships with a tonnage of 117,000 tons; and eneediugly small. (Laughter and" Hear, hear.") There
that in 1630 there were 639 ship. with a tonnage of 133,000 were, however, gentICIIICII who were more sanguine than
tons. It was remarkable in these returns that the number the hun. member. The bon. gentleman who had introdued
of ships launched from our yards was decreasing, but that the present motion (Mr. Disraeli) intended to du away with
the amount of tonnage launched was yearly increasing. the duty on tobacco, to repeal the malt tax, to weimilate
(Hear, hear.) The explanation was that the average sire local burthens, to amend the Bank Charter Art, and then
of thine ships was increasing, and the eystein now pursued iu the next session of parliament he would propose a pra-
wns certainly the most economical, for while a vessel of 600 tection duty of 10e. per quarter as some moderate compen-
tons would carry more than two vessels of 300 tons each, within for agricultural losses.
she would only need one captain and one crew. lie was Mr. DISRAELI was understood to deny that lie had
teething constant information on these points from the promulgated such views.
Commis:Minot of Customs, and he did not hesitate to cx- Mr. CARDWELL said he was very unfortunate in re-
press an anticipation that next year would show a large in- gaol to his understanding of the hon. gentleman, sad tho
crease in the number, the tonnage, and ale', in the quality motion he had made. (Laughter.) Ile (Mr. Cardwell) did
and character, of the ships launched from building- not feel disposed to follow objections which he did not
yards in Ore at Britain. (Hear, hear.) comprehend, but he did comprehend what would be the
Mr. CAYLEY considered that though the statistics which effect of a Ios. duty on wheat. Mr. Cardwell con-
they had just heard might deceive the house, they would eluded by saying that he had a sincere, honest, surd unalte-
fail of deluding the country. (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) ruble eolleieLloll On his mind of the propriety and the
The question was not an to the navigation laws, but as to roundness of the foe trade principle, the adoption of which
the burthen on land : and it was that question to which had, he believed, enabled this country to pass—not, cer-
the right hon. gentleman who had last 'Token, as well as tinily, without sultioing, but with mitigated sutiOring—
the right hon. gentleman the member for Ripon, seemed through the greatest crisis in its history, and had enhanced
strongly inclined to give the go-bye. (Hear) The latter the stability of the foundations of the crown and goveru-
right hon. gentleman had favoured them with his infer- ment.
emcee andwith his warnings. They (the protectionists) would Colonel DUNNE supported the motion by various state-
much rather have had his vote. (laughter.) The first in- mints regarding the condition of Ireland. Pauperion, he
&melee which the right hon. baronet had drawn from this admitted, had decreased in that country, but the reason
motion was, that protection was the demand which they had was, that emigration or death had removed the paupers.
made. Now, what the hon. gentlemen the member for Viscount JOCELYN collected, from all the !statements of
Bucks had demanded, and what he (Mr. Cityle)•) seconded general prosperity with which they had been indundited,
hint in demanding was .' justice." (Cheers.) Was it their only a stronger proof that justice was due to the class now
fault if justice and protection were convertible terms ? suffering under exceptional distress. He saw in the motion
(Hear, hear.) Did free-trade exi& ire the United States no insidious attempt to foster special interests, but only a
or France? And, did England progress more rapidly than the proposition affirming the propriety of discussing measures
United States or France? And whentheytalkedof the amount ofjuet and necessary relief.
of our bullion, and of foreign investments here, what good Mr. B. COCHRANE briefly supported the motion.
had they done ? We were toeing our bullion, and our ex- Mr. COBDEN.—There have been a great many attempts
changes were gradually declining. lie suspected that the to explain what is the nature of the motion before the
right hon. baronet expected more from California than he house. Sonic gentlemen say that it is favourable to proWc-
had avowed. The bullion of France, he said, had increased tion; others, on the contrary, say that it is not; but if we
in spite of her difficulties, while in the last three years our look at it with the eye of common sense we shall see that it
revenue had upon an average declined, and the hon. mem- involves one of two things. What is really the object of it t
her read items from the returns te show a falling off during it is either a motion to return to a duty on corn, or it is a
that period in the ordinary sources of internal revenue of motion for compensation for the lows of that law. (Hear,
244,0001. The right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer hear.) I apprehend that the object in either ewe will ho
had taken the last ten years, and said that on the balance protection. (Cheers.) Now, Ido not know that I should
we were 5,000,0001. better. But the same symptoms always have troubled the house after the able, comprehensive, and
appeared at every period of revival after a momentary lapse, exhaustive speech of the right hon. baronet the member for
and he denied that we had risen more quickly or so quickly Ripon, if it had not been that the hon. gentleman the
as we had risen on every other occasion. (Hear.) Such lapses member for Bucks, in introducing his pmposition, seemed
had occurred in 1822 and 1824 ; in 1636 and 18.37, from the to ground his claims on the assumption that in passing the
distress in 1834 and in 1846 from the distress of 1845. act of repeal we had agreed that certain prices should
Twee were repealed in 1822 amounting to two million, odd, thereafter be obtained for corn. Ile then quoted the'
and in 1823 to four millions odd, making in round numbers speeches of right honourable gentlemen on the Treasury
upwards of six millions of taxation remitted fn those two bench, and of other hon. gentlemen who had expressed
years. The hon. member here recapitulated the varying their opinion that prices would range at a certain level.
amounts of the revenue from the year 1831 to 1846, showing Having shown that those prices could not be realised, the
that it had risen even iu those years when considerable re- hon. gentleman then comes before the house, and before the
ductions ware made in taxation, WI in 1836 when 985,0001. country, and thinks that he has got a fair claim for cora-
of taxes were remitted; and in years when the expenditure pensaton. Now, as I had Rome share in the long and
of the country was increasing and the price of corn also ; wearisome discussion previous to the pawing of the mea-
and he argued that the figures showed a tenfold rise in the sure, and subsequent to it, I must be allowed to state my
revenue during those days of protection than they had en- own principles and my own views upon the matter. I have
joyed under the present system since the inMosluction of never, then, given the slightest encouragement to such a
free trade. He took a similar line of argument with respect doctrine; and I cannot proceed to grant compensation on
Ito the alleged decrease in the poor rates. A comparison any such assumption, because lam prepared to show that
of amounts between different districts had been made, in the whole course of my arguments upon this question, I
and the reductions shown were saluted with a flourish of never so much as offered an opinion what the price of corn
trumpets in honour of free trade as having been the cause of would be. (Cries of " Oh, oh!") Let hon. gentlemen
them; he argued that the facts showed the reverie, and who cry " Oh, oh!" only have the industry to look
quoted the figures to show that the average of the poor rates through the records of my opinions in " Hansard," and
for the three years prior to the introduction of the new coin- then I challenge them to bring a single instance where I
martial system was less than during the three lag years of said any thing about price. (Cheers.) I always argued the
het trade. The average of the year' 1844, 1645, and 1846 question on totally different principles. I said again and
was 4,969,0001., while the average of 1848, 1849, and 1850 again, I don't care what the price of corn may be so that we
wee 6,738,0001., showing an increase of nearly a million. have corn at the price of the world's market. That was the
This result surprised him, for no man knew the country argument I always took. (Cheers.) Will the hon. gentle-
better than the right hon. gentlemen, and if a minister were man tell me that the landed proprietors have, one with
wanted for this country whose qualifications should be another, made a reduction of 10 per cent. on their rents?
pounded on a thorough knowledge of the whole country and (Load cheers.) Well, but I have information which 1 will
Lb affair's, he should say that the right hon. baronet was the not make use of at present, of many distinguished per-
m= ; and, knowing the extraordinary extent and accuracy swages who have made no reduction of rent ut all.
'of the right hen gentleman's information on such subjects, (Cheers) But let me ask you farther, if you have suffered
he was the more surprised at some of the statements he a reduction of 10 per cent., do you think that you are the
had made. The hon. member then went into the cotes- only class in the community, during the last four or five
tion of exports, denying, what had been alleged, that this years, that have had leases? (Cheers.) Take those, for in-
n was the highest year ; that was, if they reckoned in the stance, who have capital in mines. Don't you think thateoal
'calculation the advance which had taken place in the raw mining has not been subject to these losses during the lad
material—and he supposed that the right hon. gentleman four years ? (Cheers.) Take again those who have invested
would admit that the price of the raw material had some- their property in railways during the last three or four
, thing to do with the ultimate value ; and then the question years. Have they suffered no losses ? (Cheers) With
arose, how much of the raw material remained to be con- respect to the iron trade also, there are hon. gentlemen who
sumed in the country : and if three-fourths of the gross will tell you that it has not been all profit during the last
amount of cotton imported here went abroad, there would three or four years ; and even some branches of the cotton
be some eight or mne millions to be deducted from the trade have not been so very prosperous. (Cheers.) If that
exports. He had already told them that in respect of the be so, will any hon. gentleman come to this house and pre-
poor rates also they had suffered by comparison with sumo to say that the owners of land end farms alone have
former years, and all these turns and collapses were in any right to be compensated for their losses ? (Cheers.)
, fact the result of our own mal-legislation. (Hear, hear.) The effects of free trade on farmers have been very various.
' There was much distress in 1821; but in 1824 there was In some very heavy dry lands the farmer will have
prosperity. The increase between those two years in the great difficulties to encounter—(hear, hear)—but near large
lexports was 1,777,0001. In 1831 there was distress, in 1836 towns which they have to supply with potatoes and other
prosperity, and between those two years much depression produce the farmers have not been doing a bad or unprofif-
prevailed. The total increase of exports' in years of proles. able business. (Cheers.) But you come to the house and
ties he estimated at 12,760,0001. If that were so, what ask to give a general compensation to all landowners and
beam of all the boasting when he showed that the poor farmers. (Hear, hear.) What you ask us to do is, that wo
rates had not in fart decreased, and that the revenue had not who represent shopkeepers, merchants, manufacturers, and
1 inwowed ? Did not the facts show that under the protec- others, should come here and legislate for the interests onl
elm system the revenue had increased more rapidly than of the owners and occupiers of farms. (Cheers.) Now, I
,ewxpohertn ittrzse,saitdhetrehatwtha:
' under the system of free trade? The right hon. the Press- object to this attempt of the hon. gentleman, and to the
wtoeldninsus
dent of the Board of Trade, had remarked that in 1847 and proposition of a right hon. lord, who, in another place, has
that :hat weitmfusromtmthakcnntioenr., andw .ththe.t
ourlB4B rent wreasta puliar"Teceattiosffahrtninryg make a
oftheta taxation,
reflection, that the home trade remained healthy of other classes. (Cheers.) But the other classes won't
in consequence of high or at least remunerating prices. endure it. (Cheers.) Betides the hon. -gentlemen does
But could it be expected in the present day that home trade not tell us exactly what he wishes to do. He says he does
profits would keep us up unless California came to our aid? not intend to increase the property tax, and he does
He foresaw there would be a monetary pressure e it was not intend to increase the taxes on articles of con-
already looming over in the distance, and if it should come nunption. Then what is he going to do ? You
there would be more reason to complain of the want than are all mute. I ask you, do you propose to
there had been of the presence of protection. (Hear, hear.) increase the income tax, or tho duties on the custom' ? You

are allmute—you don t venture to say. (Cheers.) But j
bow are you going to take off fire or six tons from the
agriculturists if you are not prepared to point out a substi-
ate ? (Cheers.) There is uolexly that wants to pay more
than he does. and nobody that will bear increased taxation.
(Cheers.) When the Chancellor of the Exchequer pro.
peal to modify the stamp acts, by proposing a fair
a valorem duty, the rich and the hieher sort of the
middle claims resisted the increme. They said that if we
are to have a modification you must begin very low, so that
we may not have any addition il berdens. (Cheers.) You
cannot shift the burden of taxation; for those on whom
you lay a Heather's weight additional taxation will resist
more than those from whom you remove a hundred weight
will help you. (Cheers.) Therefore, if you pass the mo-
tion. it will be only a chimera. (Cheers.) The only way
in which you can mitigate the taxation of the farmer is
reducing the whole amount of your expenditure. (Cheers 3
The honourable member fur Hcre.fordshire said justice
was protection. I say it is free trade. (Hear, hear.) Imy
free trade is justice; you say protection ie. But do you
think to win your cause by talking ouch childish non ease
as that ? Everybody has justice in view. Do you suppose
that oityfaely would advocate on injustice? (Hear, hear.)
But 713 M you propose, after three years' mystification of the
farmer 130 the subject of protection, to lead him through other
three years. or till the dissolution of the present parliament,
by the cry id an adjustment of taxation. (Hear.) I cora-
plain of that t because you thereby prevent the farmer
entering
own
into other arrangements with his landlord
which re iny would be for his benefit. (Hear.) There am
.us thine. which the farmer. and landlords can do for them-
far more than we can do in this house to help them.
In tact, nin. deaths of their difficulties might he got over by
the land". nen and tenant.' themselves ; there is not more
then on. .tintii in which this house Can at all assist
in the removal. (Hear, hear.) Let us leave the
1.210.mm:a and farmers, in the first place, to ad-
just their ditheultiess amongst themselves. I will
pot out something that will help them. (Hear, hear.)
lama you think, if you were to alter your tenure,
that it mieitt do good i Don't you think leases might be
sal.yted w ath advantage ? (Cheering, and laughter from
the prides tionirte.) New, what will eleotchmm nay to this?
1 no titian bass its one of the neceseary crneliliens of good
!aniline, and there is a roar of laughter Iron the protec-
tioni•t fi.h• of the house. (Cheers, and counteraiheem.)
plow. could anything MUM completely justify what I hare
less a saying—that you hare not looked at the real means of
pnadaiug)our slitheulties ? Don't you think there are
emilitione of Nadine, by an alteration in whit::: yea might
improve the chaise sof your tenants ? Don't you think you
might didn't:al the game a little ? (Cheers, and laughter.)
I don't think you andentand much of the farmers' mind
ate r all ; b cause fernier. never laugh wh m you talk of
game. (Meer.) It was stated and proved iu evidence, be-
tae the maritime olduine4 by any hon. friend the m. miser
fer Mantle sti r Mr. Bright), that the gam • on a farm
where it aas preserved in the ordinary way—not in an ex.
transeant war—east the tenants as much as all the local
• and eomera! retie. (Hear, hear.) There is anther
tor *hie,' I think very injurious to the farm-•r; and that
is tie, law of distraint. I think they are very much o
pa,' to that an, which gives a preferable claim to land-
bids suer the evils of their tenants for rent ; and, I he-
twee, If you a'ts red that law, you would very much in-
fo
ar the amount of capital which tenants ore disposal to
Ilsy out ikaen tit, land. (Hear, hear.) Are there tart things
that might he dune by the landowners them Ave. to Mi-
ro.. the srlue of the land? Don't you think that a change
us the wool of trauefer of land would he beneficial to the
Weaned, Den% you think that anything which Ikeilitatad
Ile trend. r of Lisa would nut only hare the effeet of raising
it. value, Mit would a 1.., increase the number
of tend-owners and thereby tall into requisition a
gr. a. r rmeunt of labour and diminish the amount
of peso (Hear, hear.) These are all things neeea-
lay to is 'hew, and which can only be done by yourselves.
I ...aid ode G. you not to say one word about eonipensation,
eiel notm any wry to stir this location again. I hear com-
p-...its tat Let importations of corn and grrin. As the
• hen. zent.oia in (Sir James Graham) has well mid,
that i.e .s tie advantage of repealing the corn law; and
no et le r argument need be used, because that 'thews that
the tuisours has brought comfort, plenty, and happinsas to
the hones oil the unlit mais of the people. (Cheers.)
II me yea ever carried it a little further, and asked what
would has been the condition of the people if them, la ma-
le.. of own and dour that canoe last year into the country
had ro-ver Is--u brought here ; and if I nosy judge ha what
I a.- now, with your good will you would hese kept it out ?
(11. er, hear.) II warn you against entering into anutlser
tar er sof elle...nitro to the interest of the great
me« of the people. I hope that the honourable gen-
Ilene u on this side the house who represent Ireland
•ill not hollow the rsample of the gallant colonel (Colonel
Deem), who talked of the sufferings of Ireland, and would
an- apt to Meet them by the exclusion of for. hen coin.
(II ir. hear.) Let him read the last annual circular of
• on. Stun., and Brothers, of Birmingham, and notice
the amount of leach Odeon wheat carried into Ireland fur
reesoinipt,on there. (Ilein.. hear.) Does he look upon
mod n. a cal unity, that the grain brought by our mer-
e'. mt. from Odessa shoula be allowed to go mid feed his
s. ,wing suuntryinea ? (Hear, hear.) Oh, shame upon
aeh au argument ! (Cheers.) Here are poor creatures
his. been fed open lumper potatoes ; they have
cow n chance of getting a loaf of wheaten bread; and
e lion. and gallant gentleman raises a loud cry of de-
oeia nod falls lilt" u 113Mty4T11 of anger because these
see polite are allowed r
ho have as nice bread as hinmelf.
t. tern and laughter.) I pe that my hon. friends who
id beside bins will not follow the example of
tee gallant colonel. Ile is following the course
high he has always pursued ; and had it depended
upon his good plea.ure not one grain of this
cant WOlllll hare gone into Ireland at all. I hope the hen.
g. minuets who sit beside him will not take a roma, ad-
sere, to their own convictions. I hope that no temporary ,
en itenient against the government will induce Diem to
vete against the intenote of their own country and the
goat maim of their countrymen. We know that the
emit bulk of the taxation of this country is raised from
the naisumers, the unrepresented manes of this country.
(11. Al, hear.) And if there were no other reason for want-
ina you to pause in the course it is now proposed to take, it
is hot you should br charged with great injustice to those
iron lune on repreeentation in this house. (Cheers.)
Mr. MODItH supported the motion upon strictly Irish
grunds. That country did not share in the general prods-
platy, but pre-vaned a •• dismal antithesis of misery."
which demanded instant inquiry. Ile was encouraged in
rt., ~ 'll. sow by the idea that it Might embalms a govern-
in of wee had forfeited their character as supporters of
o lasertv, for the sake of which alone had they
le ntained 'in power. The hon. member then &-
NIKO, into the subject of the papal aggression, declar-
ing that their conduct with regard to that affair would
.1. erne the ministry of all credit among his fellow.
omoiteesnen.

Lard J. RUSSELL—Sir,—I can assure the house if 1
were sot pennoded that much more than the enttiarreses
mint or fate of a ministry is involved in the discussion Of
this night I should hardly think it necessary to trouble tie
bowie at any length on this occasion. Indeed, had the home
ben I, full as at present when the right hon. gentkingan
the member for Ripon (Sir J. Graham) addremed Y.
I .houhl have been ready to declare that I could add
to the arguments which he laid down, and that I
So. alai ready to abide the issue on the caw which he then
Lid before the house. (near, hear.) But, sir, it becomes
my duty wring the present stab, of the house—to enter
hits the cousideration of this important motion—* motion '
•hi, b I must say, introduced as it was by a speech of great
ahlrty and gnat moderation, is in itself, I conceive, as fraught
with injurious and dangerous consequences, if approved by
tla, houw, as any motion which within my public lite I alla
trolled. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman laid down •
an at many propositions with respect to the state of We
lauded interest--propositions which seemed to man saares
b. nof the Wore to be serious propositions fed tole sled"
d•-ration, but which I conceive were inteelini W tiko
gum. the real objects of the motion. Weentk)
friir the hue. gentleman told us. iu the first place, it was •
very great hardship to the landed interest that they wens
act allowed to grow tobacco. Now the simple answer to
that is, that if you took a joint course, and removed the
whole of the duty, or if you kept up the duty and enforced
an came duty to an equal amount on the growers of to-
bacco, toil go, payment ; and that is the only way equality Can
b. established—to adopt either of these courses would be to
ewes. no tobacco to be grown in the United Kingdom what-
e„-r. (Mar, hear.) Well, the hon. gentleman neat entered
ow a like grievance with reward to beet-root sugar : but the
Low, r to that must be similar to that which applies in the
ewe of tobacco. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman next
toes ale the tag on malt. But without entering into argu-
ment on the subject, I may say it is well-known that the
eminent leader of the party to which the hon. member
b. longs has declared that so large • portion of the revenue
the country should nut he removed; and that if he were
• member of this house he would give kis vote against
such • proposition. ("Hear, hear," and cheers.)
Sr, the other question brought before us war
Wat of tithes, and upon that subject I must say
that, following the right hon. baronet the member for
Ripon, if there he a disadvantage in that bargain it 41 to
the tills:owner, not to the landlord. (Hear, hear.) Sir, it
is of coo importance at the present moment to consider what
Ina the original tithe ; but the Present state of the case is
that there is • rentscharge which is payable to the tithe-
owner, and. according to his own showing, if the present
prui s we:. to continue the titlicowner would receive in a
▪ s years :U. for the 100!. at the time of the commutation.
hen.) I must confess, if any such plan as the hoc.
atemher for Buskinghanishire has laid down here were
adopted, and • resettlement of the question effect. d by •
diminution of the sum paid to the titheowncr, is more
!Ominous act of robbery could not be perpetrated. (" Hear,
am. and cheers.) But I cannot think the hon.
gratlemos contemplated any such thing. Well, sic, sm-
other matter which the hon. member threw out was a
'Amu of the present local poor-rate into a national rate.
(llier, hear.) That matter has been under iliscussion fee-
slwatlY, and most men who eonsidered it have come to the
sorichuion that • scheme more destructive to enterprise, to
'tunny, and to the industry of the poorer chimer could
aet hy possibility be adopted. (Loud cries of Hear,
awe ) Sir, I consider the real subject of the Motion
"file hon. gentleman is that protection which was eon-
• during the greater part of the speech. (" Hear," and
tounsterial cheers.) It seemed to be the only thing on
which a practical unman could ii formed; and it is worth
th, while of the house to consider what was the course
which th: lieu. gentleman proposed for adoption- (Hear,
low). The hon. gentleman says that, "males Oita
country, unequivocally, shall be in favour of protection, it
shookt not be introduced." That might be very well, rem-
SeWatt the government was a thing independent of pepsine
"I'reseatat.n and popular election. Bat wpm,. • Flew
basest miniemp, to whom the hon. gateman of come

refers, were to go down to the constituencies to be elected,
why the fint question their constituents' would ask them
would be, whether or not they individually were in favour '
of free trade or protection? and they would be any- ;
thing but satisfied with the intricate answer which the ,
hon. gentleman has supplied—namely, that " unless the ;
c.suntry was unequivocal) in favour of protection, they ;
would not introduce it." (Hear, hear.) (Jr they might
say " protection is • very good thing were the country in
favour of it, and with a large majority in the House of tom-
mons to vote fur and uphold it." (Hear, hear.) But, Sir, I
no constituency would be satisfied with such an answer. •
It has been truly said that the great man of the working '
claws of this country, whether employed in manufactures
or commerce, or agriculture, now feel themselves interested ;
in this question. (War.) When the question was under i
debate, some ten years ago, it was commonly said by those ,
who were strongly in favour of protectiou, that "the working '
classes would obtain no benelftby the relaxation of the corn I
laws, because, whatever the theaprices of food, the wages I
would be reduced is proportion." (Hear, hear.) I believe
that argument was successful with the working classes, and ;
that for a considerable time, whatever the opinion amongst
the middle class, it was said the working claws would not
'be gainers. (Hear, hear.) But what is the case now 1
(Hear, hear.) Do they not know that the reduction in
I priers of food articles, and particularly in the article of
bread, is greatly more than commensurate with
the reduction in their wages ? (" Hear, hear," and cheer...)
I The great maw of the people feel an interest in the question
which they never felt before, and you will find that the
maintenance and continuance of the u!) protection to he a s
totally different question from the imposition of a new tax
on corn, which the people, notwithstanding what has been
said by the hon. member fur Stamford, believe will increase
' the pnee of the bread they consume. (Hear, hear.) Take
the man requiring 12 Luanne for his family. If he now pays
3d. the loaf, and expecte to pay 6d., that makes a difference
of Is. a week, which he has now to lay out on tea, coffee,
sugar, or schooling for his children, and which he would
have to pay if protection was re-established as an additional
price of bread. And would he be indifferent in the matter
it you should attempt again to mini the question and to
propose • corn law? ((•heers.) Those gentlemen who
would make such a proposition deceive thennelve. if they
li imagine that there would be any quiet iu the country, or
any chant° of tranquillity during the discussion of this
question anew. (Hear, heat.) They might propose to
stand by the issue of protection—that would be an intelli-
gible course—hut that is not the proposition of the hon.
Kentlenuut. (blear, hear.) Hui proposition was to have a
euntinuel discussion and agitation el the question—to have
nothing settled, and to have everything in abeyance.
(Hear, hear.) The hon. gentleman should do either
the one thing or the other—he should either say,
that however excellent the system of protection.
the time for it was past, or we will stand by the system of
protection, and if it can be enforced, we are the per-
sans to govern the country ; but if protection cenaut be ob-
tained, ie mint be for other persons to do so who profess
other doctrines and other views. It was dangerous and
oateir not to start the subject—to throw it louse, as it were,
an the coun.ry, and not to take one side or the other, and
ask the house and the country to decide upon it. (Hear,
hear.) During the time that the question would be under
die:union, there would be great uncertainty in all
commercial transuctiene, and doubts would come
over the minds of every one respecting the na-
ture of the proposition that would Isi made. A (en-
emy ago the land-tax amounted to tn., 3.., and 4e. in the
pound, and that was at a time when the rent of land was
not one-fourth of what it is at present—(hear, hear) ; and
when the hon. gentleman the member for Burk-
inghantshire says that 2,000,0001. is now payable,
I say that is payable out of more than 40,000,0001.,
which is now the income fonn land whilst the former was
paid out 8,0u0,0001. or 10,000,0011/. (Hear, hear.) That is
of itself a great diminution M the burden. But with re-
gard to local burdens, hawses, mines, canals, and railways,
all these classes of property come in and hear a large por-
tion either* burdens. (Hear, hear.) My right hon. friend
showed that only • few years ago the land paid 64 per cent.
of the whole burden, whereas now it did not pay more titan
44 per cent. (Hear, hear.) Why that of itself is a great
change, and a charm in favour of the landed interest.
If you allow these tiling, to go na—if you allow men to
vest their money in industrial enterprises—l believe you
will do much more to favour the landed interest than if you
attempt to interfere with the present state of the finance*
of the country. (Hear.) It is an easy thing fur a person
in opposition to say, with regard to a particular burden of
which he is the advocate, " Let it be transferred
to the consolidated fund." That is an easy thing
to ans. It may be no difficult thing to do ;
but it is a difficult thing to bear—(cheers)—because the
consolidated fund is compiled of the taxes on tea, coffee,
and sugar, and various other taxes affecting the working
claws of this country. (Hear, hear.) Now what has been
the policy pursued since 1842 ? It has been to apply the
means which were derived from a surplus revenue to
the diminution of those burthene which pressed on the
labour and industry of the country. Such was the
policy which Sir Robert Peel introduced into the
legislation of the country, and we have proceeded on
the same principle and adopted measures of the same kind.
After redwing nearly 10,000,0001. of taxes, and imposing
little More than 0,000,0001., we find that the balance.
of 6,000,000/. is restored to the exchequer by the
increased mean, and energy of the people. Hear, hear.)
I ask the how*, then, what there is to induce them to
change this system. With regard to the revenue there is no
reason to change it, because the revenue is found to be suf-
ficient, and you have a surplus in the exchequer: with
regard to the employment of the people, there is no reason
to do we for even in the agricultural counties the employ-
ment of the poor has increased, and there has heen • dimi-
nution of ten per cent. in the number relieved in four
yearn. On looking to crime, I find that in 1848 the number
of permits committed was 30,319; in 1849 the number was
27,816, in 18.10 it was 26,793, showing a diminution between
1848 and 1850 of 3,556. (Ilene, hem.) Now, if what re-
gard to the employment of the people ; if with regard to
the finances, if with regard to the state of crime, you have
• great advantage in the-A: respects, are you losers by the
present system i Do you find any reason to change in the
general state's!' the people and the political tranquillity that
prevails ? (Hear, hear.) By those who considered
the events of the last few years, it cannot
be denied that the abrogation of the corn laws
tended to the tranquillity of the couutry—(hear, hear)—
and that those who might have been induced, by the example
of revolutions in Mewed every countryof the continent,
have been restrained by seeing that the legislature of the
country was not indifferent to the condition of the great
mesa of the people. (Hear, hear.) I beg of you not to
severe that lesson. These great queetions of government
—these questions of absolute government on the one hand,
end of liberty on the other, are not yet settled.
(Hear, hear.) They may he settled in favour
of as party or the other, we may see absolute govern-
ment restored, and we may see democratic revolutions
sweeeed ; but whatever may be the case 1 should be grieved
if I thought the great mass of the people of this country
should be induced by your restoration of a law which would
enhance the price of food to consider that by imitating the
democracies of the continent they could obtain one
advantage over that liberty and prosperity which they now
derived under the ancient institutions of this country. (Cheers.)
I hope, therefore, that this house will countenance no
restoratiou of protection. (Hear, hear.) My uneasiness,
sir, on this occasion my solicitude that parliament
should not adopt the motion of the hon. member—
seism, nut from any anticipations connected with the
porible discomfiture of the present administration, or •
temporary defeat that it might sustain upon the result of a
division, but it is founded on my solemn conviction that
such an adoption of his proposal would tend to results
rote contrary to those which he appears to anticipate.
tad cheers.) My belief is, further, that it would tend te
ble Injury to the very 'interests which he more espe-
y advocates. I think that the country at large would
keg have to deplore the day on which parliament was per-
vaded to change • course of policy on the part of her Ma-
jesty's ministers, the beneficial consequences of which, I ap-
prehend, I have succeeded in demonstrating, furanothcr the
ultimate disastrous issue of which I think we may foresee,
I am of opinion that the people of England would be finally
rained by our adoption of such a course as the hon. gentle-
man has called upon us to pursue ; and that we should, by
listening to his proposition, jeopardise that general condi-
tion of tranquillity and content, the possession of which we
have such just reason and cause to boast of, and the exist-
ence of which not even the hon. member who has brought
forward the motion now before the house has ventured to
deny. In the name, therefore, of the great leaded interest
of this country, of the farmers themselves, of the whole
English people at large, I call upon this house not to affirm
the proposition of the hon. member fur Bucks. (The noble
lard sat down amidst continued cheering.)
Mr. DISRAELI, at the cloth of • protracted debate, hoped
that the house would not think hum unreasonable if, as
this occasion he availed himself of the customary, the
arbitrary privilege of a reply, awarded by the usage of pars
Bement to any hon. member who had brought forward •
proposition of • nature like that which had led to so Is..
Intt and remarkable a debate. (Cheers.) And he would,
ai
first instance, avail himself of this opportunity to
rendl, in a few words, the attention of the house to what
was really the subject of the proposition which had been se I
brought before it. (Hear, hear.) The house would re-
collect that, on the opening of the present session, both
houses--the Lords and the Commons—had been congest*.
hied by her Majesty, in a most gracious speech from the
*rite, on the general prosperity which was enjoyed by
dash all interests of this country ; but, and at the seas
di* her Majesty deplored, still, the continued depression of
em.-and that one a most important class of her sulgetee—
mamely, the agricultural interest. (Hear.) The house, them-
hee. would agree with him, he thought, that after Ma •
=lit had not been unreasonable in him to propoee to then
ey should enter into the consideration of such • ease;
if the interest thus peculiarly affected and depressed ; thth
they shusW endeavour to enquire into the causes whisk had
produced that depression, and should, if possible, indigene
the remedies that it might 1* practicable to apply to web
, evils. (('heers.) It was in this view—believing thst this
' suffering, and the " only" suffering clads of the cosathethip
(according to the declaration in the silted' from the Wens,
and the admission of members of her Midway's cabinet),
was declining under an excessive and undue pressure of
taxation, that ho (Mr. Disraeli) had taken the liberty of
bringing this subject before the boccie ; and, accordingly, the
question before them really was, whether this distress of the
agricultural eoranunity was or was not occasioned by such
undue pressure of unequal taxation on that particular elan.
(Hear.) The fact of the degree' bees fo
. mouthed in the speech from the throne. The =Me et
this (Mr. Disraeli's) question he had now rimenteill j
and this he must he permitted to say, was not the imam
which the noble lord and some of his friends had been die.
cussing. (Loud and continued cheering from the conserve.
ties beaches.) lii had endeavoured to secure a fair cond•
aeration of this— the teal question—by stating at the fret