The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-22 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1847.

if the local agents did not shrink from their duty, he hoped
to carry the body of the people through the seise. Re feared
that too many victims must fall in remote districts, but it
was only by portions on the spot [het they could be preserved,
and for this purpoce, where the governmeut assistance was
required it would be stiren. (Hear.)
Mr. HUME aid that if the right boo. gentlemen had put
the papers contaicing the statements which be made to-
night in the heeds of members it would kave prevented a
great deal of what had been said. They would not then
have heard charge+ repeated arming the government, to
which it seemed the re was a complete answer. (" No, no ")
Well, it would have prevented the impression going abroad
that government slid nothing when it seemed they had been
active, lie was seldom so much disappointed as he was
that night at th e men sum propounded,for he t hough t that they
were at once to have trade thrown open, and that they would
not retain any of the dregs cf an olioua system. What use
was there in throwing open the ports, thon, when the ports of
Europe were closed against them? If they were to be
opened he thought they ought to continue open. With
regard to the navigation laws, he expected they would have
been done away with. Looking to the proceedings in Mon-
treal, the noble lord must know that he could not maintain
the colonies if he deprived them of en easy transit for their
produce. In consequence of them an American bad an ad-
vantage over the Canadian of one dollar per bushel. Three
dollies is. New York were equal to four dollars in Montreal,
in conocquesce of the additional freight in English ships.
the col•mies were deprived of protection, though he (Mr.
Hume) slid not consider it protection, they ought to have the
benefit of cheap ships. Elegised manufactured for a great
portion of the world, and she would also build ships for it if
placed in a sithation to enable her to do so. He thought
that for this purpose the timber duties ought to be removed.
Thu evidence of Mr. J. Young and Mr. Mitchell, before the
Import Committee, in 1810, showed the injury done to com-
merce by those laws. At Rio Janeiro, out of 110 ships, more
than one-half were E iglish, the ki.d's of which met 50 per
cent. more than foreign vessels. If the noble lord bad brought
on his measure five months ago, they would have been if far
more benefit. What theydid was to direct prayers to bet:leered
up to avert the famine, while, at the same time, there was a
tax to prevent fool from coming in. (Hear, hear.) lie
urged the nob:e lord to take a comprehensive view of the
subject.
Lord J. RUSSELL said he did not wish, at any time, to
dis,ppoint his hon. friend, but he thought he had nut spoken
with his usual good sense on this occasion. lie (Lord J.
'Wesel)) stated that it was his desire in the present dearth
of the country, to take immediate =were* by which the
evil might be relieved; his hon. friend had told hies he
should not take that course, but should undertake three
separate questions—first, a total aad immediate repeal of the
corn laws, a measure which he was in favour of, and which he
supported last sea., but to curry which he would have to
struggle through the wine difficulties that were experienced
last year, when there was the very best chance of success.
Then, with regard t, the navigation laws, notwithstanding
what was suggested by the opposition of the right hon. gen-
tleman the member for the University of Cambridge, his
hoe. friend told them that they would lie of no use wiles. the
timber duties were removed, because in Rio Janeiro there
was a difference of 50 per cent. iu British, as compared with
foreign vessels- That might be the right course of policy,
but it would
.be nec.ssary to propose a considerable tax to
replace the revenue derived from tire •er. (Hear, hear).
Therefore, when his hon. friend proposed, as immediate re-
lief, three great measures, every one of which would excite
violent opposition, he was afraid—though glad of his advice
—that he could not adopt it. (Laughter.)
Col. CONOLLY said he did not mean to dispute the
statement of the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor
of the Exchequer, but with regard to the county of
Donegal, which he represented, he ft It bound to
state to the house that there was a wont of pro-
visions for the people. The people along the coast
were in an awful st•te of destitution. They bad to go to
Sligo to buy provisions ; they had sent 3,0:101. to Liverpool
for food, and in the face of these facts it could not be said
Use the people of Donegal had provisions. The commissary
general aril the government offi-er might say what they
pleased about mills and factories and traders, but he would
a-k hon. gentlemen to read the statement of Mr. Foster, a
Quaker from Norwich, who travelled through Donegal, in
mower to these statements. (Hear.) He bore TA-admen,' to
the humane efforts of the Quakers in relief of the destitute
in Ireland.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
in no part of his statement did he say that there was not
destitution in Ireland. On the contrary, he admitted the
destitution ; but he said, and he now repeated, that the go-
yernment, according to their pledges, had. established depots
—some in the autumn, and others, for the distribution of
food to the infirm, in December.
Col. CONOLLY said that depots had been established, but
food was not distributed. That was the di-tinction.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
the depot in S'igo had been open throughout the autumn.
Col. CONOLLY denied that, up to Thursday last, a single
• pound of government grain had coma from that depot.
Mr. IL GRATTAN said that he, as a member of the
raid' committee in Dublin, had been a party to a grant of
money to Donegal on the representation that the people
were without food. He was of opinion that the Chancellor
of the Exchequer should have made the statement he made
that night at the opening of the session, because it would
have prevented erroneous opinions and stets meets being
eirculatel through the country. He thought he ought to
have given notice to members that he intended making
such a statement. But in what he had read he had not
heard a word denying the truth of the statements which
were contained in a letter addressed by • magistrate of Skib-
bereen to the Duke of Wellington. He did not think there
was much wisdom in the statement that no less teen
3,700,000 quarters of grain had been exported to England
from Ireland in the seven months up to the 31st of Decem-
ber. How many lives had been lost in eonseeuence of the
non-distribution of that ? The government did not act with
promptitude. They should have recollected that qui cilia
dal, his dbl. They did not complain that the government
did not do what they wish-d, but they corned lined that they
did not do what they ought. How differently they acted in
France. There the King of the French bought corn and
sent it into the country; here they bought corn, but they
did not give it to the people. He denied that the gentry of
Ireland were remise, or neglected their duty. They were
actively engaged before any commissary-general came
amongst them. Same government officers who came amongst
them displayed such thorough ignorance of the country, such
incapacity of action, and such superciliousness of manner,
that they were not likely to do much good. The right hon.
gentleman spoke of soup kitchen being established by the
government, but the relief committees had fitted them up in
many place.. He receive I a letter a few hours ago signed
by some ladies, stating that they had formed themselves into
a relief committee for the distribution of soup. ;Hear, hear.)
Surely when they knew how contagious typhus fever was,
and found persons thus exerting themselves on behalf of the
sufferers, they could not accuse the gentry of Ireland of
neglecting their duty.
Mr. P. SCROPE said if precautionary measure, had
been so extensively and generally adopted through-
out Ireland, as was stated by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, it was strange that so many deaths had occurred.
(Hear, hear.) He still thought that the government bad
been too sparing in providing depute and in distributing'
amongst the poorer inhabitants of the country funds with
which they might obtain food. The orgaaisation provided
by the 130 poor-law unions had not been sufficiently ap-
plied, and the government had manifested an unfortunate
prepossession against out-door relief. On the whole, he
thought the conduct of the government contrasted unfavoux
ably with that of the more absolute governments of Europe.
Dar. H. GRA'TTAN said he wished to ask the First Lord
of the Treasury if he would send 100,0001. worth of corn to
the western coast of Ireland ? (A laugh.)
No sneerer was given to the hon. member's question.
Mr. BRIGHT asked if it were intended that the sus-
pension of the navigation laws should have force with respect
to vessels which brought cargoes consisting partly of corn
and partly of cotton, or other articles than grain ? The
reason why he asked the question was, that, so far as the
United States was concerned, the insurance offices frequently
refused to insure ships 'kith entirely with grain. It was
notorious that vessels often came into Liverpool laden
with four or five hundred bales of cotton and with
a large quantity of corn ; and it appeared to him
that if it were necessary that the ships to which the suspicion
was applied should be laden only with grain, • great portion
of the expected benefit would fail to be realised.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
the simple proposal was that grain may be imported
in vessels of any country, coming from any country,
for home consumption. (Hear, hear.) It was per-
fectly immaterial what also the ship contained; all corn,
wherever it came from, or in whatever vessel, would be
admitted free of duty. If the vessel contained other articles,
those articles would certainly not be admitted free of duty.
Mr. BRIGHT wished to know whether a vessel coring
from the United States into the Mersey laden partly with
corn and partly with cotton, would be allowed to discharge
a cargo consisting of other articles than corn ? (Hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
whole of the cargo which did not consist of corn would be
subjected to the ordinary duty. (Hear.)
Mr. ROEBUCK said the question was whether a Dutch
ship going to the United States, and returning laden partly
with cotton and partly with corn would be allowed to enter
the Mersey without coming uader the operation of the old
navigation laws
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
such a vessel would be allowed to discharge her corn, bat
not her cotton, (Hear.)
Mr. BRIGHT said it was the opinion of parties well ac-
quainted with the subject, that such a suspension an that pro-
posed would be of very little use. The suspension should be
complete ; and no person connected with the shipping trade
need fear the change, at any rate daring the present yea:.
The government would not be justified in the sight of the
country if they slid not afford the freest possible opening for
the admission of corn from foreign countries.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
government had followed the precedent established by the
act of 1817, which was passed under a similar pressure
Mr. M. PHILLIPS thought that the be
' defeated, if the suspension were limited in the manner ex-
plained by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He was not
disposed to cavil at the conduct of the government, but he
thought the mutter uuder discussion deserved their serious
eonisideration. He also impressed upon the government the
necessity of taking care that a sufficient quantity of seed
was saved to meet the wants of Ireland. . .

TA74 J. RUSSELL thought it verb natural for the hon.
member for Durham to raise the point that he had done;
but he should consider the difficulty in which the govern-
ment was placed. They had t prevent an evasion of the
navigation laws. No one would think it desirable, that if a
vessel came to this country with a single quarter of grain,
and with a large quantity of other kinds of produce, the
navigation laws should be suspended in favour of the owner.
Or suppose they declared that a certain portion of the cargo—
say, for instance, • third, half, or two- • A. .onsist of

corn; how difficult would it be to say whether the provision
had been fulfilled. He owned that these 'difficulties had
struck bim very much, and he had thought it better to follow
the precedent of 1817.
Mr. ROEBUCK said the great object in view was to
lower the freight, and it did nut matter how this were done
lithe result were the admission of a sufficient quantity of
Corti.
Mr. T. BARING said, that if the suggestion of the hon.
member fur Durham were adopted, the result might be that
Anserle.in tea cargoes would come int a English ports, and the
regular course of trade would be gifted', interfered with.
(Hear, hear.) France had suspended her navigation laws
with regard to corn, and it was sufficient for this country to
do the tame thing. The noble lord had shown in a manner
which was quite satisfactory to his (Mr. T. Baring's) mind
the difficulty of allowing cargoes which consisted of other
articles besides corn to be landed. His own impression
was, that except as evincing sympathy with the
Irish nation, the proposed changes would practically
produce no beneficial effect. Was there any gentlemen w ho
did not know that the great carriers of the world were the
commercial marine of this country and the United States,
and that under the existing commercial laws the commo-
dities of the United State. could be admitted into this
country ? (Hear, hoar.) If the noble lord's measure ex-
tended to the repealing of the navigation laws, he must ex-
pect to receive a very strong remonstrance. ((tear, hear.)
Mr. BRIGHT said he never felt so rejoiced that the hun.
member for Huntingdon was not a member for the
City of London as when he heard hint make such
speeches as that which he had just delivered. (Laughter.)
Although that hon. member represented one of the
largest commercial houses in the world, yet it did not follow
that he knew a great deal more than other persons as to
what cargoes were brought from America. His predictions
of last session had not yet been fulfilled. (Hear, hear.) He
(Mr. Bright) knew that vessels having both cotton and flour
on board were at that moment discharging their cargoes in
Liverpool ; and, under the regulations now proposed, foreign
ships must take their cotton, rice, and other articles, to
foreign countries. As regarded the question of insurances,
he had the authority of the honourable member for
South Lancashire (Mr. Brown), one of the largest merchants
in Liverpool, for stating that it was quite common to charge
an extra insurance for vessels laden entirely with grain.
Lord G. BENTINCK said he thought it required some
asanrance for the hon. gentleman who had just sat down to
charge his hon. friend who had preceded him with ignorance
of the subject upon which he had been speaking. (Cheers.)
The hon. member for Durham might have recollected that,
over and over again, at every meeting of the
Anti - Corn . law L^ague which he had attended,
he had assured the people of this country that
the effect of repealing the corn laws would be to give a
large loaf and cheap bread to the Introple—(hear, hear, and
laughter)—and not only so, but also to increase the exports
of the country. (Hear, hear.) After they heel lately heard
that in the county of Lancaster alone 500 mills were working
short time, and that the exports of the country had fallen off
about 6,000,0001. sterling in the face of a free trade iu
corn, he repeated that it required some little assur-
ance for the honourable member to charge his (Lord
G. Bentinek's) honourable friend, who was by all persons
acknowledged to know more of the mercantile affairs of the
country than any other gentleman in that house, with igno-
rance in any of the predictions that ho had made. (Hear,
hear.) With regard to the navigation laws, he was pre-
mier! to support his noble friend's measure, if it were re-
stricted to the importation of grain; but if it were
attempted, under the pretence of importing grain, to get in
the sharp edge of the wedge and to abolish the navigation
laws altogether, he could not give his noble friend his sup-
' port. (Hear, hear.) That was a great political and na-
tional question; arid though he had always predicted
that the effect of having free trade in one thing
would be that it would be followed up by a demand for free
trade in everything else—(" hear, hear," tram Mr. Home)—
and though he had told the shipping interest, when they
joined her Majesty's government and the Anti Corn-law
League, in forcing free trade in corn, that their turn would
come next; yet I.e for one, wold not avenge the cause of
the agricultural interest by lending a hand in the repeal of
the navigation laws. They (the protectionist members),
had not forgotten that there was a time when the Dutch had
the carrying trade of the world, and when they were
enabled to send their Admiral Van Tromp, with a broom at
the mart-head, to sweep the Thames of British commerce.
(Ilea:, hear.) He would r.sist to the utmost any attempt
to repeal the navigation 1.1116. He agreed with those who
argued that if the navigation laws were to be sus.
peuded, it would have been better had the suspen-
sion taken place some months ago, but as such a
' calamity as had happened could not be foreseen., he
acquitted the government of all blame in the matter.
With regard to the other question, the suspension of the
corn duties, though he was prepared to withhold any oppo-
. sition from her Majesty's government, he must say that he
must not be understood as predicting, or assenting to the
prediction, th it the consumer would get bread one farthing
cheaper ou account of the suspension. (Hear, hear.) lie did
not, with some hon. members, censure the government for
' having so long delayed the suspension of those duties; on the
contrary-, his regret was that they had been led by clamour,
and forced by a pressure from without to change their origi-
nal intention of letting them remain intact. He was not
looking at this question solely as an agriculturist. Look-
ing at it in a financial paint of view he considered it unwise.
From the silence of ministers on fiscal questions he
augured that the pockets of the Chancellor of the
Exchequer were not no overflowing an to permit
of a present sacrifice of revenue; and yet this would
be the sole result of the proposition of govern-
ment. Let them look at what posed in the City yesterday,
on the announcement of the intention of ministers to suspend
the corn duties, He held in his hand the circular of very
eminent brokers, Messrs. Usborne and Sons, of New London-
, street, which spoke volumes upon this subject. " The effect
, on this day's market," they said, " was to depress barley
and malt, in which scarcely any transactions took place; but
bonded corn advanced in value to the extent of the reduction
of duty, with a fair consumption, and buyers of loaded
cargoes of wheat, ready at hand, rose their price from 2s. to
3s. a quarter." Here was clear evidence that the reduction
of the duty would go into the paakets of the corn merchants—
' the regraters and foreetallers of whom they had so much rea-
son to complain—instead of into the pickets of the con-
sumers. What, therefore, he did complain of was, that
ministers showed to, gre it a .egard fir the in'erelits of these
, corn merchant. at a time when they could ill spare the rove-
, nue the Chancellor of the Exchequer wan now about to put into
their pockets. Why, what did they suppose wnuld be the
extent of the loss? Assuming four million quarters of
grain likely to be imported during the next 12 months, the
effect of the remisaion of duty would be a least* the revenue
of 800,030/. This was no trifle, especially as no benefit to
the consumer was to arise from it. For his own part he
believed that if the old corn law had been retained on the
statute book, government would now, in every way, have
' been in a better position. They would have had more
revenue in the first place; but the goat good effect would
have been, in their having three millions of quarters of
grain in bond, on which they might have laid their hands to
feed the people of Ireland. Under that law, the duty upon
grain at the present time would nat have fieen more than
10s.; the government, instead of suffering a dead loss, might
have paid that 10s. per quarter out of one pocket, whilst
they put it into the other ; and the country would have had
the immense advantage of a store of corn, lathe face of which
the dealers mould never bare attempted to keep up their prices.
For the change in the law, however, which he so much de-
hlored, the present government was not responsible. Where
e did blame them was for not having, at an early period,
laid a prohibition upon Irish exports. It was a fart, which I
appeared by an official paper, which he held in his hand.
that whilst there had been imported into Ireland only
400,000 or 500,000 quarters of grain during the last eleven
months, the quantity exported from that country exceeded
1,700.000.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—The im-
ports are only imports of foreign grain ; there is no account
of imports of English grain.
Lord G. BENTINCK believed that the right hon.
gentleman would find on inquiry, that the statement
he had just made, was substantially correct, and that,
taking it in any way they pleased, there had been
nearly 15,000,000 quarters of grain exported above the
quantity imported into Ireland. Why, if they had prohibited
exportation, they would have now had on hand enough corn to
maintain two millions and a half of people till after
the ensuing harvest. (" Hear, hear," from the protee-
tonista.) But it had been said that all the countries of the
world had been ransacked for corn. Now, in the face of
that statement, he could not forget what had been asserted
by the President of the United States in his address to
Congress oa the Bth of December, when he declared that
"the home market of the United States was quite incapable
of consuming the surplus food produced in that country
even if it was sold at the most reduced prices, and that from
the immense surface of their territory there could be
little doubt but that they could supply the deficiencies of the
whole world." The official statements of the United States
also showed that in 1845 no less than 776,600,00 D bushels of
cern had been grown in that country, being tens of millions
of bush, Is more than could be required for her consumption.
The growth of 1846 had been in advance of that of 1845, so
that it did seem to him that there was really no necessity
for prices here advancing higher than they now were,
and that it was only necessary for the government
to furnish Ireland with sufficiently large depots
of food in order to keep down prices in that country. A
friend of his, now travelling in Ireland, assured him that
the stacks of grain on many of the farms were larger at the
present time than was usual at corresponding periods of
former years, and that farmers and corn dealers were only
awaiting higher prices to offer considerable quantities for
sale. He was assured, also, that merchants, in some of the
ports, had made ten and twenty thousand nounds a piece by
holding back their grain. In the face of these statements
he did consider it unwise on the part of the government
to listen to the doctrines of political economists, and
keep back that supply of corn which would at once tend
to reduce the prices. They might take a useful lesson
from the conduct of an Eastern potentate;—Nadir Shah,
when there was ones a great famine, in Persia, was told
that the merchants refused to sell their corn. " These men
have done well," said he ; " make proclamation of a reward
of ten thousand tomauns to the man who shall produce
the largest stock. There was great competition, but an
Armenian gained the prise. "Sit down, friend," said the
, Shah, " and count your gold." The Armenian obeyed, and
reported the payment to be correct But, it was told, that
thereupon Nadir Shah frowned severely, and turning to his
chief executioner (en ironical "bear, hear" from the minis-
terial benches)—yes, turning to his chief executioner, he
said, " Lay hands on him ; take him forth ; tie the tea
thousand tomauns to his feet, and hang him on the highest
gate of the city of Teheran, as a judgment of the Shah on
one who has dared to make profit upon the judgment of his
God !" And this was the mode in which, in • milder and •
mitigated form, he (Lord G. Bentinek) would have dealt
with those forestallers and regraters who had starved the
people of Ireland, had be been prime minister of England.

(Loud laughter, and ironical cheering from the Radical
makingpay . ) lie p
fio
tu 1 d
nuth a voef dealt
theirtrh,
nmge n.wuhnot
re) :ea th,
buys
sending cargoes of grain into their ports, and thereby
obliging them to sell all the corn that they held. Confident
slid he feel, that if ministers had adepti,d that course, they
would not now have hail to lament the occurrence of deaths
from starvation in Ireland. He concluded by protesting
against being held remonsihle for the consequences of the
policy to which he pave his support.
Mr. W. BROWN (South Lancashire) observed that, as
the noble lord had been pleased to tell them an Eastern tale,
he would venture to rail his recollection to an historical fact.
In the time of the Emperor Julian, Antioch was visited with
a famine. Julian undertook to feed the people. lie fixed
a price at which food should he sold. As memhanta were
compelled to sell at that prize, it followed that none of them
would send their ships to that port, and consequently the
people of Antioch were nearly starved. (Loud cheer. from
the miciiiiterialida). Let him contrast with this historical
incident, another of a later date. At Bombay, some few years
since. there was a great Wore of rice and other food, at a time
when there was a famine in the northern province!, of India.
It was suggested to hoard this store, but the government,
with great wisdom, permitted it to go out, feeling pretty
sure that, situated as they were on the high reed to India,
they should not fail to have ships calling in to see if they
could get a market for their cargoes. When it was known
to neighb wring eosin:ries that ships might freely enter that
port in search of a market, there was no lack of a sufficient
supply; indeed, scarcely a day passed without some vessel
dropping her anchor at Bombay, and offering for sale the
cargo with which she had been freighted. (Hear.) These
were facts which illustrated the reverse of the position taken
up by the noble lord. An hon. member who sat nesr him
had, in the c curse of the evening, remarked on the difficulty
of shipping cargoes of grain in America inconsequence of the
small depth of water in many of the ports. This was a
difficulty felt only in some of the smaller southern ports,
and it our navigstion laws were properly relaxed there would
be no lack of a supply of ships adapted to those harbours.
Some censures had been passed upon the dealers in grain.
For his own part he regarded corn merchant: as a very useful
etas.: of society; and he had been in hopes that the time had
gone by when they were called regraters and extortioners.
Corn merchants in the present day applied their capital to
buy up the surplus corn in times of plenty in order to afford
a supply of it in times of scarcity. At the present time he
begged to ask what should we do without the supplies they
afforded us? (Hear, hear.) And as for any extra charge
which they imposed, he begged it to be remembered that
every extra shilling we paid at the present time fir grain
enabled the corn merchant to go further and further into
the interior of Rule is and America to obtain a supply, and
consequently to extend our market and afford us a security
for more equal supplies hereafter. He begged to thank the
house, in conclusion, for the attention with which they had
listened to the few observations he had for the find time
addressed to them. (Marked cheerir.g.)
Sir C. NAI'IER remarked, in reply to Lord Geo. Ben-
tinck, that AO far fro n believing the navigation laws to be
useful to our shipping interest, he regarded them as their
greatest bane. There would be much more coterie ise and
exertion without them. Seamen would get greater protee-
tiun ; there would be a mom extended trade, and England
would have better ships. He believed if these laws were
entirely rcpt sled, that the en 'ray and intelligence of Briti-h
merchants an 1 seamen would rise with the occasion, and
that no nation, except, perhapa, America, would be able to
compete with us on the seas. With regard to the suspension
of those laws, he was only astonished that they had not been
suspended three or four months ago, and now that they
were once to be taken off, he Vested they would never
agsin be pat in operation.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that if he had previously had any
doubts about the capacity of the noble lord opposite (0.
Bentinek) his speech of that evening would have entirely
settled thrMi. He first of all said he belie, ed that measures
world he mischievous, and then he Witt that he intended to
support them. Afterwares he had told them an Eastern
fable. hinting that if he were Prime Minister he should, in
a milder and a mitigated form, follow Nadir Shah's humane
example: the mildness consisting probably in banging upon
a lower gibbet, and the mitigation in putting the ten thou-
and tomaur.s somewhere else than on the culprit's feet. (A
laugh.) Th. noble member for Hug said that the new law
raised the price of corn. Now,what said the returns from June
to December last. In June the averaae duty under the new
law waste ; under the old law it would have been ISs. In
July the duties were 55.. Gs., 71: . Ss. ; under the old law
they would have been 10e. and 18s. In Au _wit the duties
were 75., SW, 95., 10e. ; ui.der the old law they would have
been 204. In September the duties were 10,, 10e., 10e.,
95.; under the oln duties they would have been 205., 205.,
20a , 20s. In October they were Be., 74., Gs., 4s. ; under the
old law they would have been 205., 205., Ifts., 164. In No-
yember th-y were 45., 45., 45., b, ; under the old law they
would have been 155., 135., 125., 12s. In December they
were 45., 45., 4s. 45.; under the old law they would have
been 12a., 125., 125., 12s. (Hear, hear.) It was really sur-
prising that the noble lord who pre,umeil to the office of
Chancellor of the Exchequer sbould'come down to the house,
and,with vio'ent gesticulations andeitssordinary modulations
of voice, put forward statements which could at once be
refuted by on very plain and clear a tale. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. D'ISRAELI said that when the house con-
sidered under what circumstances of difficulty the pre-
s_

sent government accepted office, it was the duty of
every member to meet any measure they might prop., r,
in reference to the fearful exigencies of the country, in
a spirit not simply devoid of party feeling, hut full of an
earnest desire to aid them to the utmost possible extent in
mitigating and abridging the evil. He only regretted that
the noble lord's proposition bad not been at ouee aaoptad,
and that any discueeien should have occurred wh'eh might
give the public the idea, the totally erroneous idea, that
there wee any difference of opinion in the house on this par-
ticular subject.
Mr. ESCOTT cordially supported the government pro-
position. As to the reproach tut upon government by
various members, for not having opened the ports long ato,
the fault was quite as much in the house itself. The ap-
proach ,of the famine in Ireland had been proclaimeel last
session, and there was then a prope-rition made for doing that
which government was now reproached for not having done
before. Where then woe the hon. member for Line-
rick, who thus now so severely put this reproach
upon government. Why was lie not in his place
to make or support • motion for throwing open the
ports in time. Again, there was the right hon. member for
Cambridge. who concurred in the reproach; why, the right
hon. member himself was one of the chief obstacles who had
prevented the right hon. member for Tomworth from m eking
the reproah he now cast forth. (Hear, hear.) As to dis-
tress, let it be borne in mind that the distress was not limited
to Irelanl or Scotland; there was fearful distress here in
England, too, which must le looked to. In all the Wen of
England parishes with which he was acquainted, the
potatoes, which formed three-fourths of the food of the
people, were consumed, and subscriptions were going on in
every directinn for the miserably distressed populntioa.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL acquitted his noble friend (Lord
George Bentinek) of the charge of vituperation. Ile he-
lieved th.rt his noble friend's opinion, were erronesus, but
certainly he had not expressed them in words at which
offence could be taken. With respect to forestallers and
repeaters he had been surprised to hear his noble friend's
denunciation of such men, seeing that so many persons open
to the title were numbered amongst his noble friend's sup-
porters. When his noble friend proposed the example of
Nadir Shah, he (Lord John Russell) felt some surprise, and
be feare I that when on the following morning such a decla-
ration appeared in the public prints, it would have the
effect of frightening from his noble friend's ranks
hundreds of rr spectebte men. (Laughter.) He had not
thought it neeesaar~ to notice the speech of the hon.
member for Huntingdon, although he entirely dif-
fered from its conclusions, because it had found a complete
reply in the speech of his hon. friend, the member for Lan-
e obire, for whose valuable information the house had every
reason to feel grateful. (Hear, hear.) AU he should do,
seeing that the proposition of the government had been so
well received, would be to propose that the chairman
report forthwith ; that the bill be brought in and printed,
and that to-morrow (this day) it be allowed to more through
all its subsequent stages. (Loud and general cries of " Hear,
hear.")
Mr. FINCH regretted that the government in this masers
had not introduced the mane limitation of term, es in
the case of the navigation laws. He feared that in its
present form it would disturb the unanimous fe ding ill &your
of remedial measures, and give rise to agitation en the
subject of the malt tax and other similar topics.
The resolution was agreed to, and reported. Lean was
then given to bring in the bill, the standing orders being
es ded for the purpose.
ESPENSION OF THE NAVIGATION LAWS.—
The house resolved itself into committee on the navigation
burs ; and the formal resolution for suspending the operation
sttitese laws was agreed to.
On the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL that a bill be founded
on the same,
Mr. HUME withdrew all blame from the noble lord for
fie limited mope of the bill. The noble lord knew better
then him r Mr. Hume) what was likely to be acceded to by
res absurd opposition. (A langh.)
Kr. B. OSBORNE complained of the harsh terms in
.which the Chaneell, of the Exchequer had spoken of the
Irish landlords. The right lion. gentleman should know
that at that moment the landlords of Ireland were reducing
their establishments, and parting with every luxury, in order
that they might be enabled to support the poor of their
reepective districts. He blamed the government for not
ceiling parliament together earlier for the introduetien of
dam muures, the consequence of their delay being an
eggravation of all the horrors of famine. At diet moment
Man were going on in Tipperary v high rivalled the wont
alb of the Jacquerie in France. But six days since two
INIGIen had been actually revved fir the rake of 2..,
which their murderers took to buy food. (Hear, hear )
Final els had been drawn between this country and
Ireland, while there was in fact no similitude in
their condition. Ireland had no merchant* ; as a proof
of which he could state that in its greatest crammer.
cial town (Clonmel) there was only one merchant who re-
tailed Indian meal. (Hear.) He (Mr. Osborne) was now
paying 191. par ton for that article, when he could have laid
it in in autumn for 81., but he had been deceived by the
statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the prier
would not go beyond a penny • pound.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied bas-
ing ever promised so absurd • thing se • fixed price for an
article of commerce. He had merely said that the pries sf
Indian meal was then a penny a pound, and that it was as
cheap as potatoes.
The motion was agreed to, and the house resumed. Lone
was given, as in the previous case, for the immediate pro-
gress of the bill.
FAMINE IN IRELAND.—Mr. B. OSBORNE moved
ibr copies of correspondence between Col. Knox Gore sad
her Majeety's minister; relative to the famine in Ireland.
Lord J. RUSSELL objected to its production oa the
ground of its being private.

Mr. 'RIME enquired when the returns as to the amount
of money expended in the various establisheil by the
Government in Ireland for distributing corn would be pro.
&wed.
Thu CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not
exactly say when, the government lacing 1111.1a0411 that they
should be made up to the latest moment.
AMERICAN CORN.—Mr. D. ESCOTT wished to know
whether he had rightly understood the Chance Meg of the
Exchrquer, when he supposed him to say that all the Indian
corn which had been up to this time hr aught into our ports
was of the crap of 1845, and that we had not ye commenced
to import from the crop of 1846 ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—Yes; I
did say that I believed that we had not yet received from the
United Stales any of the crop of the year 191 G. Generally
the crop of the dear does not come in until the month of
December, and up to the present time I believe we have im-
ported no portion of that of lost year. (Hear.)
POLICE AND PAVING CONSOLIDATION BILLS.
—Mr. AGLIONDY inquired whether the bills for consoli-
dating the various local acts for regulating the police, paving,
and hghting of towns had bees prepared during the recess,
an promised by the government ?
Sir G. GREY announced that discretion had been given
to prepare them, they were inn very f•'roard state, and he
hoped in the course of ten days to be able to lay them on the
table.
The boon adjourned at a quarter past ten o'clock.

DIVISION ON MR. RIVARTS MOTION.
Queseon—" flat Committees on slilento Bithy u sett to on 24.
way Bills, coadit or Fire 31,mliers, neither irmionnily 110, indirectly
interested in the question submitted to their considenition :“
Ayen, 36 ; Noes, 103.

AYES.

AisHanby, 11. A. Crawford, W. ti: bill, T. Sibtborn, Col.
Allis, J. P. Di nnisinun, J. Greens, T. Stant., W. 11.
Arksrright, G. Divett, E. II aim., J. Trelassiy, J. S.
Pernal, R. DuipLui, Vi4c. James, Sir W. C.Wilhains, W.
Ilnirring, Dr. Dunenn,G. Napier, Far C. Woisl, C.l. T.
Bright, J. Dui:numbs., T. Osbame, IL 'Earle, 11. R.
Dram, W. lieett, B. Pawl, Cnt.
Christie, W. D. Etwall, It.
!la7sniciss,heCol'Pe.. Mr. Eseart.
Tr Utiles
Clar, sir W. Fielden, J.
Colic; J. Ferranti, W. 11. Scrape, G. P. Mr. Thornrly.

. .
NOE°.
Bailey, J., Jun. Fergusn, R. A. Lamella% W. S. Planiridr, Capt.
Haim, W. Vinch, IL Layard, Capt. Reid, CM.,
Bankes, G. Forbes, W. I.efroy, A. Rim, E. It.
Murky, D. French, E Le Marthant, D. Ras% D. It. •
liking, Rt. Hon. Gardner, J. D. Lincoln, Earl of Ittasell, Lard J.
Barnard, E.G. Gibson, T. M. Lock J. Rutherford, .A.
Berkekr, Capt. Goring. C. lorkbart. A. F.. , ey-mour, Sir li.
Boman!, vt-et. Walborn, H. Lygon, Na. Gemtimith, J. A.
'Whin, W. H. Orry, Sir G. Maitland, T. Smith. IL limit
Borthsiek, P. Grimoditch, T. Manners, Unlit. Somerset, Id. O.
Bonk% Adinirol I !LAMM'. Mr J. Maule, Rt. lin. Esanerrille.thr W.
Brandon, J. Ilasbe, A. Plurpedi, Vim. Spooner, R.
(Indwell, E. IlillyarrlJT. B. T.Mon. a, Iln. E. staristkld, W. IL
Christopher, R.A.Hill, Lord M. 011 i len, A. H. Skutt, E.
Clifton, J. T. Himlley, C. O'Brien, W. S. Sotton,lln.H.lC
C ire, Viscount llobnome, Sir J. trinnor Don Traitor*, Mr./.
Colebrooke, T. Ellothaom It. Ord, Wm. Talbell,. IL
Compton. H. C. Hope, sir J. Parke, C. W. .one, Lord H.
Cowper, W. F. Hope, G. W. Pakington, Sir J. Wall, CIL
Craig, W. G. Howard, C.W.G. Palmerston, Vi.. Ward, it. G.
Dickinson, Y. H. llowmd, P. li. ParLer, J. N Vann, J. T.
Douglas, Sir IL Hutt, W. Pr el, J. Workhouse, it.
Douglas, Sir C.E.lngl la, Sir R. 11.M.8p% G. R. Wo Id, lin. sir C.
I J. Ti. 8. James, W. Phillpotb, I, Wortley,llB.J.S.
L=th, J. TJaillik, MrW.G.Pluinptre, J, P. Wrightson, W.B.
Modes, Adm. Laboaeliese, H.
Tram far the Naas, Mr. Wilma P.dges and Mr. Neirdette.

SACRED lIARMONIC SOCIETY, EXETER.
HALL—On TUESDAY EVENING, January 2G., will be re.
prated HAYDN'S ORATORIO, THE CREATION.
Principal Vann Performers—Mies Birr4 Alr. Lackey. and Mr. H.
Phillips. The Rand end (boron will eweed of Aviv Rid Perbrinera.
Teketa, 3e. each; Itewrved Wain, So., mar be obtained of the
eipal Muefe-aellens: of Mr. bosky, (.luring-crow; Mr. Rail.
Int, gerund; or of Mr. Mitchell, Mk (flaring-crow,
THOMAs BREWER, Ilea. See.

rrHE GRAVE YARDS or LONDON.—Mr. G.
A. WALKER will deliver THIS EVENING, Jan. 12 at half-
tr.t.4 ElshaiNtite MECHANICS' INSTITUTION, Southampton
Buildings. -Lute, the SECOND of a Sr:RIES of LECTURES
on the actual that of the METROPOLITAN OMAR TARIM.
their injneitras Peels on Public, Health and Public Morality.

lESTITUTE HIGHLANDERS.-Mr. IVII

II will prise an ENTERTAINIIEVI on the PONGS al tea
IItIiIILANDs, in the Prinores's Concert Room Costleetnet, Word.
street, on TCESDAY Err:SING nest, the 2.ith Janth7, at Eight
o'clock, the procenb of which will be given to the FUND for the
RE.I.IEP of the IW4TITUTY. 1110111.%NDERS, when it is limped
there will be a great gathering of the eons of the mountain and the
glen •ifil9 hoer an ear for their ostler etrains, and • heart that MU
feel for the &Mem of their per countiymen.- -rickets and pro.
gramme. may he bad at the principal mode-Maps.

ADR ILLE PA It T 1 ES.—The OItGUE
kIELODIUM LENT for qandrille and other musical portals
for trbkh it Pi remarkably adapted, ors performer upon it lx`ing elluM
to a smell bond. Terms to bo had at th, rooms of the agent, J. P.
Myers, &I, Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-square, where a spacial perfor-
mance by a talented mivictan takes plaoe daily, commencing of 1 and
ending at a. This performance irwisih overtures, fantaakiii,
quadrilles, wait," polkas, &EWA, and choruses. Admission ;midis.

SOIItEES NIUSICALES.--Madame DULCKEN
beg. to inform the Nobility and Gentry, and the Amateurs of
Hulk generally, that she intend. giving THREE SOIREEet MUM
CALKS at her Itavidenee, SO, Ilarky-.tree!, on the WEDNESDAY
EVENINGS, January 2: and Fehruury 10 and 20, for the perfor-
mance of the moat ceielicated quartet and pianoforte compoteticor.
executed by Madame IndeLen, )Iran. Willy, Goffrie, Hill. Lwow,
How ell, and sa.nton. The matrumental perfornvoom will be inter.
veined with vocal morocans, by 11111,•en 'Warmth. Birch, Dolby,
William% Meadmiw F. Lahloche an.l Web., Mewm. narrwia, Locke'',
Weiss, and F. Lablache. Oonductors—Mr.o, Erne:lkt, C.
an; V. Wallace. Each performance to eminence at half-past Eight
lareeim/Y.—Frognunme. and Ticket', may be !yenned at the
mieqe-warehounes of Aleaca. Cramer and Co. cb.ppen. (rai•ler.
Leader, .teldhon ; and of Madame Dulcken, 80;11arlepatteet, Caren.
th<b-aquue.

•
EGYPTEGYPTIAN-HALL, PICCADILLY.—LAICTUA
lAN-HALL, ETHIOPIA:4 SERENADERS, TO-NIGHT, J. it and every
Evening during the week. The Grand Rome has been fined up vitt
everr attention to the minion of s nat tr., in order to rive hill effect
to their highly poplar Entertainment, and that oringuLarly beautiful
iirtrummit the lANTUM. The programme will ie varied every
evening, forint.m an ever-cheering Tenor of Alone and Song.—
Dawned meant 2*. ; Bork PrAtA, I...—Ltaa4 open ur half-paot Seem.
soinneenee at Eight—Morning performance Tu. day and Thursday.
semeneerins at Three o'clock.
ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS.—NOTICE.—AII
the tickets pmehened far the entertainment given by the
Ethiopian Sereroders Pell, Haringten. White, Stanwood. and Her*
man !from the St. Jennie Theatre', at the Harm, graillectos, hid
er•ping. that were unable to on adenimion, will be nbedleel ei
WEDNE,IhtY EVENING, FeF. ant, or the money memo& Wow
plying at the Homo- The yrogrnnune 'or Wednesday. M. got.
ember* revere! Porcine*, including The It-whim Lement..4llol6
was he Ole Vhwinny," and 411 y Stip I. au the Shore. (es pw- hem(
*bre bee Iluteety at Arundel Ceatte. Ticket/. may be ebb., • at the
Rome, amt et the dohs as the Matt of performance. •

ETHIOPIAN SERENAI)ERS.-
ALBION HALL, 111. —The orlelgated
PLAN SEILANADERn ,from the .4. Jornes's Theatre' will give their
lonallAble entert.inintmt at the above Doll on FRIDAY EVENING,
Jan. 29, and MONDAY, Feb. I, cornmencinn mei el era/4gal N o'clock.
—Tirltets may to had of Mr. Brown, at 1.1. 1141, and at the doors on
the nights of pgrformsnee.
I---- - -

riIE.I,THR ROYAL, AIIELPHL. Olorious
Chris nnen Anesement—Decided hit of the new Dram of
" Wombs, the Conde= Sister." The wonder of theme. the celebrated
"EntortiLitioniets," and the magnificent Kure Spectacle, founded as
Giselle."—THlS EVENING, the Romantic Gra-ria of " COLOM
the Curitienn Sister." M-cars. Howe, lambert, Selby, Wright.
P. Redrew!, 0. Smith, Med. Celeste, Mrs. Yates, and Mks Wooliar.
—With the celebrate! " Irancirtilationcts," Mr. John Lees and his
Three Pupile.—And " TIIY. EGAN MN DANCERS, at the Wilia
Bride." °belle, Made. CeLeete.

THE PARLIAMENTARY TONGUE, and /lOW
IT WALK—Can we bare Cheaper Mehom? by Church-Moose
—The Dentin of Pall M 11—Downfll of the Golden Calf, by Aladdin
—The Barber's Chair, mid Mr. Netts on the Owens. Speech-Smith.
field Bombes—Venni Interests of Beasts—C.ng and Mason's Gowup"
Nothrars and Bullion—lron and Gold—All the News of the W
The DA:ohs in P.ohament—erirms—Casualties—Law—PaUee—Litor
rature —Mama—Music -Fine Arts. rte., ie INIU6LAS JERROLD'S
WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ot TO.MOIIKOW. ENLAKGED ONR
THIRD, to On columns. Prior (as heretofore) Gd. Order of all
Newsmen.