The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-20 00:00:00

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE AND HIS
TENANTRY.

Daring the poet fortnight his Grace the I/uko of
/telecastle has been meeting the numerous tenantry of the
Cumber estates, Nottinghamshire.
upon one of these occasions, dinner being over, after the
usual loyal and national toasts had been duly given and
',moored by the company, the duke, in proposing the toast
prosperity to agriculture,' said—" We arc agreed, I
think, entirely, with respect to the end at which we aim.
You desire agricultural prosperity—in my conscience, I be-
lieve that other cloves in this country also desire it ; and .
most undoubtedly the individual who Is now addressing you
most, upon all accounts private as well as public, also de-
sire it. (Cheers.) But I am afraid that we may differ with
respect to the means of attaining this prosperity. I think
0,,e great point to be borne in mind by all is, that to secure
this cleared prosperity, to whatever other quarter some may
look for help, we most all look:mainly to ourselves. (Loud
abscise) These are days of progress, and rely upon it that
he who lags behind will not only fail in attaining the
desired prize, but will estail upon himself a heavy loss."
(Applause.) After going over many particulars in which he
saw slovenly farming upon his estate, his lordship said—
will you forgive me if 1 pause for a moment to inquire
what we have lost by protection ? Were se in such uni-
versal, conetant, undeviating prosperity under protection,
that we have a right to say that all the misfortunes which
have fallen upon us of late years are entirely attributable to
the loss it this great bulwark to our happiness ? Let us
look back fee a short time—forgive me if I make any
gosinful personal allusions—but tell me if there are not men
upon this estate, and it is most grievous to reflect upon it,
who for the last 24 years and snore have been in a state
Of constant depression, except, perhaps, in one or two
occptianal years—men to whom prutection brought no
rezity, and who, either from habit, cons itutional list-
er some other dam, perhaps want of capital, have
been going from bad to ROM, through a succession of
years, when they had all the benefit of protection _and who
are now upon the very verge of pauperism. But
au thine in a higher position, those of greater
Intelligence and capital, fare so much better ? Have we
never before heard cries of distress similar to those we have
listened to during the last two years ? What was the state
of things in 1022 ? Perhaps a few among you may remem-
ber the misfortunes of that year. It is useful to look back
to the page of history in these matters. We are wont to
dwell so entirely upon the present, without either referring
to the part, or looking forward to the future, that we often
fail to regard these matters as we ought, in a more philoso-
phical point of view. (Cheers.) In its 22, however, there
was as great distress ow in any year slue. the repeal of the
eon tans. In 183,1—and that Is a period within my own
political recollections, for I had then been three years in
parliament —there were cries of distress greater than any
we have heard more recently. There are farmers without
umber who described themselves, before a committee,
whose words still exist, as on the very verge of bankruptcy
and rein. I was a member of that committee; and the
statements made before it by credible men were really
appating. lacy prophesied that unless the legislature in-
teetered, it would be impossible for agriculture to be any
tonal cirri. I on, the whule land would he thrown out of
Cultivation, and those dependent upon it become burdens
to the poor-rates. The legislature, however, did not inter-
fere is 12141, because there existed already such an amount
of proteetioo as absolutely to prohibit the introduction of
Loosen curio at the prier." then existing; and they hail no-
twee to do but to fold their arms and look on. The mis-
fortunes however, passed away, and prosperity returned.
Thew are not solitary instances. It has been, as you easy
suppose, nay duty of late to look oser a considerable number
of papers coonueeted with the estate, and l have found
amour them letters, year after year, from some of the best
farmer, written in the most desponding strain, and pro-
phelong ruin in a way which 1 rejoice that, disheartened
as toe tanners have been within the last few months,
ere hay, not lately heard equalled. In ISIS, 124.29, and
the burden of pauperism threatened to base eaten
you up. The strenuous exertions, however, of the Poor-
Law Conituo-sinners had the effect of arresting the hi-
en se awl lowering the burden of the poor-rates. A few
year, however, alter the passing of the bill, the poor-rates
,Sam increased ; and it is truly within the last hew years,
sad since tins repeal of the corn laws, and the increased em-
pleyment of all classes, that a considerable decrease has
taken place in the amount of poor rate, instead of, as be-
fore, a gradually increasing and accumulatin; burden of
pauperism. According to the poor-law returns at the end
of has: year there was a reduction of 10 per cent. upon all
ea: a s.r, and 11 pet cent. upon all in-door, relief ; and that
tele, tem Ivo, I believe, been gradually proceeding up to
tl:e pro ent time. (Cheers.) But have we no other in.
stars,, s of the depnosseel state of things under the out re-
strictive systeni ? Were there no Swing riots in 10.30 ? Were
wat the threshing machines of the farmers broken to pieces,
and Cunt remiss burned down ? I do not attribute these
thing* to the corn laws ; but 1 say they existed contempo-
rantinoly with them, and the corn laws were, consequently,
DO security against adversity and pecuniary embarrassment.
(Cheers.) I am anxious from these events to deduce the
fact of bow little you have lost from the abrogation it these
laws. (Cheers.) Well, but now is there not some in-
ju_stice in maintaining the protective system ? I know this
is with some is moot point, and I am cootident that every
one present w. add agree that, if convinced that those laws
were unjust, the whole question would be at an end.
The injustice of these laws is, 1 think, now easily tested.
Bor instate's., when you see every other interest in the
country thriving—when you see the enormous increase
which has taken place in the consumption of all articles of
food—you will be ready to admit that there must be some
cease for that increase and that prosperity—fur a state of
things which has continued riot merely one or two years,
but which has gone on increasing from the first commence-
ment of the free trade system, commencing from 1012 and
gradually increasing to the present year, giviug good ground
for thinking that torso circumstances 1/.111: some connexion
with each other. By imposing additional taxation you did not
increase the revenue, while by taking uhf tuxes you in-
creased it to the extraordinary amount which had taken
place. I canuut but think, from the experience before us,
that those who advocate a re-imposition of protective duties
on the ground of revenue would, by currying out their
plan, has inflicting an injustice upon our fellow-countrymen,
by again reducing to its former point that power uf con-
sumption which has conferred such comfort and blessings
upon the great mass of the community. (Cheers.)
But you are often told that you seek only to obtain from
parliament remunerative prices." I believe, gentlemen,
that no legislature will ever be able to give " remunerative
prices." After what I have said of the state of matters in
t ranee, and I might add other places, I think it is impos-
sible to secure by legislative enactment any such thing. I
recollect well the occasion, when I was as staunch a sup-
porter of the corn laws as any in this MOM, upon which I
tint faltered in my opinion on the subject. It was when I
first heard a right hon. gentlemen rise in his place in the
Dense of Commons, and say that it was the duty of that
hone: to continue increased prices to tho agricultural
interest; because if this haw, which gave them, were
taken away, what security would they have for the
comfort and affluence in life of those individuals whose
estates were overwhelmed either with family made-
meat or heavy mortgages? (Laughter.) I put that ques-
tion to en),elt. (Rear. 1 felt it was so untenable an ar-
gument, one of so selfish a character, that from that mo-
ment I resolved again to look into the question, and con-
sider whether the other arguments which supporlted such a
system were nut as bad as that to which I had listened. I
need nut say that I wish you all " remunerative prices "
foe every article of your produce. It would be far more
pleasant to me to congratulate you than condole with you
upon your position. (Cheers.) But have you, or rather
let me ' we," any right to ask from parliament " re-
:emanative prices ?" Has no other interest beside the
fanning interest suffered upon past occasions ? Certainly
they have. What means were taken to secure good prices
to the coachowners—a most numerous and influential clams,
though, of course not to be compared with the farming in-
terest, oil the inns:Auction of the railway system? Parliament
did not and could nut interfere. Did the legislature Mtn,
fete to protect the unfortunate shareholders iu rail-
ways who have recently suffered such enormous and
frightful losses? It certainly did ,not, although moat un-
doubtedly it was to a great extent the guilty cause of it
(Cheer..; Dues the legislature step in to protect the la-
bourer? •Although, happily, it is not the case in this part
of the country, still is it not true that in many parts of
England the labourers do not receive " remunerative
prices.' for their labour? But does parliament interfere
to protect the labourers of Dorsetshire, and to force the
formers of that county to give them remunerative prices?
Certainly nut. The doctrines of supply and demand are
left there to regulate prices. There are other instances.
Do you not recollect the state of the manufecturieg
districts a few years ago, when the state of things wee
each that we now look upon it with astonishment--
vb. n grass was growing in the streets of Stockport,
soh, o the majority of the houses were deserted ? Do
you 12.. t recollect the thousands in Paisley, in a state of
toe onoie.st wretchedness ? Parliament did not inter-
., to *III,. state of thitir, however, has passed away I
Male has revived, and with it not merely a return of pro-
sp rty, but you will find thereramilly accumulating wealth
and empluy meat for the whole of the people. (Cheers.)
thiatit w. , then, to despond ? I say you arc not one-half so
badly 1,11 they were, and I AM conbdent that, if you bring
the •alue amount of energy, self-reliance, vigorous exertioo,
?dicer, and perseverance, Hod in His mercy will protect
your interest as He did theirs—(cheers)—and without any
"acne, ieterference of the parliament, but through the in-
tervention of natural causes, will return to you that which
you have lint. (Cheers.) You would have no cause of alarm
u you Lek calmly and reasonably upon the subject, undies
wow these misfortunes have dealt with other interests. I re-
lasulgr when the government took off the import duty:upos
!shit and sheep. We were told then that cattle would never
k tired in this country ; that the whole would come from the
tetnr pastures of holstein, and the breeding of cattle is
IS (watery would be at an end. We were toll by mess
✓ial whose wisdom the farmers relied, that they would
keel see the price of meat above 3d. per pound. I refer
you to the present moment as a contradiction of such ore
Mes. (Cheers.) I remember receiving a letter, is
IMOI a fanner holding 2,000 acres, who stated at
..„„_—"",44 that, greatly as ho deprecated the repeal of the
he was still more angry at the repeal of the duty
• shev.P. (Laughter.) He gave me frets and figures
Mt. that nu sheep could ever after be produced in this
till_trro 60 low suit be their value in every respect. The
Li..eee would be weeds showing new, for the purpose of
',',7_"`_l6if their 'urea fallacy. (Cheers.) The priors of
741 sail of wool have, sines the repeal of the duty, been
..u..1"t"14. if not at a very high price, at any rate decid-
-o: ',numerative. We had the same prophecies about
"44a R.• Wc were told by the Duke of Richmond, that
lowne.„;,, '-whZt.i:hla:rmeercralwloouldwed tonotbe introduced into this count:Yr
grow wool. The duty yean
s taken tiff, sad the moment it was taken off she

prices began to improve. The cases of the Nottingham
stocking-makers and the Coveatry ribbon-weavers were also
similar. They complained of the removal of protective
duties, and probably there never was a period when both
of those branches of industry were so little distressed as
the present. (Cheers.) I do not wish to say one harsh
word against my brother landlords ; but I believe they do
express to you at some of their meetings, with a view of ob-
taining those cheers which I cannot anticipate from you, ap-
prehensions which they do not themselves feel very strongly,
and they tell you that the poor land must go out of cultiva-
tion. Why, since the repeal of the corn law the quantity
of poor land which has been inclosed and brought into cul-
tivation, year by year, has been five times greater than in
the years preceding the repeal of the corn laws. What, for
instance, is going on in Mansfield Forest ? Is not that being
inclosed ? and yet that is poor land. I earnestly hope, and I
believe, that the inclasure will amply repay the judicious ex-
penditure of capital. The whole system of farming has changed
and the whole country is in the course of a rapid change for
the better. Great reductions have also taken place in other
things. The cost of the productions is lessened, the cost of
wearing apparel, and indeed every.other article. It cannot
cerainly compensate yeti fao yOut class in ten 'patent year,
but it does render you able to produce at reduced prices
those articles which before cost you fees. or 80s. (Cheers.)
I entertain no doubt but that prices are now gradually
finding their level. I de not mean to say that prices
may not range in future years lower than in past years ; '
but I feel convinced that in finding their level they will
attain toe higher point than that at which they have
ranged for the last two years. (Cheers.) I believe that
by increased consumption going en, that consumption
having overtaken the supplies which have overwhelmed
you, you will not in future find yourselves in the position in
which you have been placed during the lea two years
of transition. You not unfrequently beat down your
own markets, and thus inflict considerable injury upon
yourselves. (Cheers.) Geutlemen, while I have hopes
for better times, let me tell you, in all frankness and sin-
cerity that, as regards my own part in these matters, I
have not forgotten that there is a great contest before me.
I know the difficulties of the position in which I am placed,
nod I hope, by God's blessing, to be able to over-
come them. (Loud cheers.) I will continue to struggle
against all difficulties for the sake of my family,
and, furtive me fur saying it, for the sake of you
all, awl I should be exceedingly distressed to hand over
any portion of you to the care of some other land-
lord ; hut, if you were to obtain the restoration
of protection, I confess I should look with a sorry
heart, and with some discouragement upon the course before
me. I believe you have gone through the more fiery part
of the trial ; and I should look to a certain revulsion as in-
evitable if the corn laws were restored by any accident. 1
say by accident, because I am certain that, in the present
temper of the public mind, with such facts before us as have
been developed, and the experience of the last five years,
those laws never could be maintained in force. You are
now preparing yourselves for this new state of things, gra-
dually making up your minds and Incoming habituated. If
these laws were to be restored, you would certainly revert
to your former views and your former reliance upon the
legislature, and the time would come again, as in 1846, and
you would have again to go through all the Loses which
you have already suffered, and everything which is passed
would be lost upon you—we should have to begin again, to
go through the same difficulties, and at the end of six,
seven, or eight years, find ourselves only at the point at
which we arc now arrived. (Cheers.) Free trade has, in
fact, become uow one of the mainstays of the constitutional
liberties of England. (Cheers.)
In the course of his reply to the toast of his own health,
his Grace observe:—Reference has been made to the mere
which I took upon coming to the property. lam anxious
to explain my motives for taking such steps. I did, upon
the representation of my agent, at once extend the time for
the payment of the half year's rents to a later pence'. I
have always felt that it was desirable that the tenants
should not be called upon—especially upon this estate,
while there are so many small holders—to pay their rents
until a later period. To call upon them to do so immedi-
ately after harvest must always be prejudicial to them.
The next thing which I had to consider was the state of the
rental of the property. I felt some hesitation as to the
course which I should pursue. A short time before his
death, my father, looking to the circumstances of the
times, and to what he knew of the distress of many of
his tenants, desired that there should be returned
an amount of 10 per cent. That return was
made at the rent aught this time last year. When I
succeeded I resolved that, as u matter of course, the same
return should be made at the following audit. But looking
attic question in the abstract light of a general principle,
I could tot but feel that the measure was a false one, and
Ns which to a certain extent was mischievous, for upon an
estate like this, varying in its character, and of which no
valuation had been made for the last twenty-eight years,
where the value of the farms had greatly altered, I felt that
• return of this kind would be at best but • most uneven
Wad of justice. In some cases the tenants receiving the ten
per cent. did not require it, while to others It was not equi.
valent to that sum to which a new valuation would pro-
bably reduce the rent. (Cheers.) I felt, therefore, that a
revaluation was the course best adapted to suit the circum-
stances of the case. Having determined upon the course to
be taken, the next thing was to consider how to carry it
into execution. I was placed in some difficulty with
respect to the parties to be employed in making the value-
tiou. After a little consideration, 1 resolved nut to place it
in the hands of the agent of any landlord, not because I A It
may distrust as to their impartiality, but bemuse I thought
another course to be more satisfactory to you and the public
around; for I cannot but feel that in the management of a great
estate like this we must look
.to the effect upon the mind of
those around us, believing that we ought not to be so
modest as to suppose that all our acts are shrouded in the
obscurity of our own neighbourhouds. I selected accord.
ingly Mr. Higgins. a gentleman from the county of Lin-
coln, who is in every sense of the word a tenant farmer,
and identified with the class. (Cheers.) The other gentle-
man was Mr. Denman, well known to you all as a tenant-
farmer upon this estate, said therefore one of yourselves.
Both these gentlemen arc strong protectionists. 1 felt no
doubt whatever of their integrity, and the utmost confi-
dence in their ability. These gentlemen have proceeded to
their task upon a principle which 1 think must meet the
approbation of you all. They have bawd their valuation
upon the average of the low-priced years, and into which
high prices do not enter at all. They have, moreover,
mule their valuation not upon supposed or estimated
prices, but upon an investigation of the actual prices
which you have obtained in the course of those years, in
the very markets in which you have sold your corn. I
think you will all say that this is fair and equitable, to-
wards the tenant at least. (Cheers.) There was another
point, and upon which alone I expressed any opinion to the
valuers ; it was as to whether the valuation should be
made for a fixed rent, or a rent fluctuating from year to
year, or from time to time, according to the price of the
produce of the farm. I am aware that this latter system
works well in different parts of ficotlaud, and also in Eng-
land, but that is in cases where the estates are divided into
very large firms, and let to a class of mesa who can sit
down and calculate always with an much readiness as any
clerk the result of the year's produce. But upon an estate
comprising a number of tenants of so small holdings,
and where there are many who hold cottage farms, I have
no hesitation in expressing my opinion that it should
be a fixed rather than a fluctuating rent. Again, I say,
looking to the circumstances of the times this was a deci-1
sion favourable to the tenants. (Cheers.) But you an
now, perhaps, impatient to know the results of the valua-
tion. The draft of the valuation is all that I have yet
seen, and it is not, of course, correctly made out, and can-
not be for two or three months. At the same time the
general results are of course made known to me by the
draft, and upon that I feel quite competent to state what
the results are, as they affect the whole body of the tenantry.
I did not announce to you, for obvious reasons, how I in-
tended to set upon it at the time when the valuation
was commenced. The result, then, of the valuation is •
reduction of the rent of a large proportion of the farms,
and there are some which are raised. The proportion of
those which are raised to those which are lowered is small
in number, and small in amount also. To me, upon the
whole of the valuation, it will be undoubtedly a very
considerable loss. My proposal, then, is, as regards all
those whose rents have been lowered by the new valuation,
to place them immediately upon the lower amount—
(cheers)—and having given directions for the valuation at
Lady-day last, although your rents have to-day been paid
upon the old rent roll, yet at the end of the next half-year,
before which time the valuation will be completed, the
amount of the reduction made in each case will be made
known and settled, and next Lady-day a return will be
made to you for the past year, and a diminution for the
coming lialf-year—(loud sheen) ; so that, in fact, the new
valuation, so far as those farms which are reduced by it
ese concerned, will come into operation from Lady-day
last. (laud cheers.) Now comes the important point, as
to what I should do with respect to those farms the rents of
which have been raised by the new valuation. I had, so
keg ago us Lady-day last, resolved in my own mind, with-
Out communicating it to anybody except to Mr. Hemming,
that with respect to any which should be raised, speaking se-
awall'', I should not take the increased rental. (Cheers.)
I vrelmid wiah it to be perfectly understood that there may
be wave very rare and trifling exceptions to this resolve,
but I wish to guard myself especially against any suppo-
sition that this resolution has not been literally fulfilled.
I decided on this course upon these grounds: had seen
quite enough of the estate to be aware that those farms
likely to be raised, speaking generally, were those upon
which there were the beet farmers ; that the principal in-
crease in their value had been caused by an outlay of their
own skill and industry, and, above alle by their own capital ;
and although there would certainly be no violation of ordi-
nary practice, nothing contrary to law or to custom in so
doing, yet I felt that, looking to all the circumstances of this
county—looking to the fact that the whole system, as
carried on between landlord and tenant in this district,
is based upon confidence, that the whole of the tenants
upon the estate are without leases, and are tenants from
year to year—l felt that it would be but bad encourage-
ment, and practically unjust to those who bad thus ex-
pended their capital upon their farms, to make them pay
interest upon such capital in the shape of increased rental.
(Loud cheers.) Now, let me state that I seek for no consi-
deration in this matter. I have acted upon my own feelings
of what I consider right and just, and I take no merit to
myself beyond that which is due to the principle upon
which I have endeavoured to act. Now, let me add a hew
words as regards the duties which devolve upon you. I
hope that those from whom I do not mean to take increased
rent will be kind enough to look upon this as an encou-
ragement to proceed in the investment of further capital
upon their farms, and to improve still further their
agriculture • and I trust that, before long, they may
stand considerably higher than they now do, and that these
who stand lower will step into the places which they may
vacate. (Cheers.) Upon the other hand, I hope that those
whose rents have been lowered by the valuation, and whose