The Express.
London, England, 1850-02-01 00:00:00

THE ADDRESS.

Mr. C. VILLIERS, on rising to address the house, was
received with general cheering. lie said, I am bound to say
that I entirely concur in the views which her Majesty's govern-
ment take of the condition of the people of this country ; end
having the most implicit confidence that my noble friend at
the head of the government will not compromise, will not in
any way surrender, but will maintain entire, those measures
which he conceives to be essential to the happiness end well-
being of the Ipeople,—(cheep)-1 have no hesitation in
making the house to respond to the speech which has just
been read. Bir, I will advert at once to those topics in her
Majesty's speech which will, I presume, elicit the united
Winos of this house. The speech communicates the deep
affliction which her Majesty has experienced on account of the
cis•ath of her illustrious relative, the late Queen Dowager. I
think I should but correctly represent the feelings
of the country, were I to say with regard to
her late Majesty, that her blameless life, her un-
ostentatioue counter, and her numerous acts of
charity, as well as the exemplary meaner in which she ful-
filled the duties of her exalted station, have deserved for her

memory a deep feeling of respect in the minds of the people
at larg•—(cheere)—and the house will not hesitate, I am
sure, to concur in • cordial expression of condolence and
sympathy for the bereavement which her Majesty has
sustained. (Cheers.) It is stated in her Majesty s speech,
and the statement is one which this house always receives
with the greatest satisfaction, that " Her Majesty happily
continues in peace and amity with foreign powers." It is
lurther announced that her Majesty has, in conjunction with
' France, and by means of a friendly mediation, prevented
hostilities from "occurring between the governments of
Austria and Russia on the one band and the Sublime Porte
on the other." The apprehension of a rupture is stated to
have arisen from the fact of certain persons, subjects of
Russia and of Austria, luring sought refuge and protection
in the territories of the Sultan. A demand was made by
the Emperor of Russia and the Emperor of Austria, seve-
rally, that these parties should be surrendered, in order
that they might be punished for the offences with which
they were charged. A doubt having arisen, however, in
the mind of the Sultan as to the correctness of the construc-
tion iat upon those treaties on which the demand was
founded, he applied to the governments of England and
France to aid him in the solution; and I believe it is now mat-
ter of notoriety that those governments adopted the construe-
tion which was put by the Sultan noon those treaties, that con-
struction being unfavourable to the surrender of these per-
sons, while its correctness was admitted by the final arrange-
ment with respect to those who had sought refuge in his
dominions. Sir, 1 am aware that there never was a time when
the interference of this country in the affairs of foreign
countries with which it is not directly concerned has
been met with stronger objection than it would excite at
present. But, sir, I think there is a great distinction be-
tween an intervention which has for its object to dictate to a
people the form of government under which they shall live,
or to contribute a force with which the existing government
may suppress that peeple when it would otherwise be unable
to do so, and that kind of intervention which assumes the
form of a friendly arbitration, and which has in view the
cause of humanity and the prevention of hostilities the issue
of which might be dangerous to ourselves I conceive that
in the latter cue intervention is not only justifiable but most
politic, and I think it is one of the most fortunate conse-
quences of the position which we now hold in the
opinion of the world, that when we do intervene
for the rake of peace and of humanity we are able to
do so with effect. (Cheers.) I refer to the
position which we hold in the opinion of the world with a
feeling of pride. I believe there never was a time when this
country was regarded with more trust and with more respect
than it is at present. I attribute this opinion to the better
understanding of the character of the people of this country
in general. (Hear, hear.) Sir, her Majesty „has an-
nounced that she has been in communication with different
powers, for the purpose of making arrangements con-
sequent upon the changes which were effected last year
in the laws for the regulation of our navigation; and it
is added that her Majesty is negotiating at this
moment with states which have intimated their rea-
diner to reciprocate the advantages which have
been extended to them. The United States and
Sweden having already reciprocated every advantage which
his been offered to them by the recent abolition of
our navigation laws. Sir, it is gratifying to observe
that all thaw apprehensions which were expressed by
them who resisted the change, appear to have been wholly
unfounded. Seldom has so much excitement sod

feeling united with pecuniary interest as in the resistance to
the repeal of the aavigation laws; and rarely have the mis-
chiefs and evils of an old system and the advantages of its
abolition been so quickly and clearly brought into view.
I may also mention that some of the persons who were most
remittent in predicting evil consequences from this change
hays been alike forward in showing either that they did nut
etredit the statements they had made themselves or that there
was a justification for the discredit which had been cast upon
them. It has further been discovered what was perhaps not
known before this change, that we have an advantage in build-
ing ships beyond that of any other country, and so tar from
lany interest being likely to suffer from that alteration, we
Iflnd that we can not only build ships cheaper in our own
yards than we could buy them in other countries, but also
that theme countries can build ships cheaper here than in
their own yards. (Hear, hear.) And it das appear that
whatever advantage may possibly have been obtained by
other countries over us was the result of the system that pre-
viously existed in this country. The consequence of the
change we have adopted, together with the mode of build-
ing our vessels, and in the examinations to which the any.
tees and mates are subject, will very speedily place the
vessels of this country on an equality with the vessels
of any other nation in the world. I have here the monthly cir-
cular of Meson. Currie and Co., a passage in which is of such
great importance, that I think it is worthy the attention of
the house. (The hon. member read ihe passage in question,
which stated that so soon aa all uncertainty was removed
on tha subject of the repeal of the Navigation Laws,
the shipbuilders of Liverpool, had evinced increased
activity. The native hue of resolution which had been
sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought.—(Loud Laughter,
which completely drowned the rest of the passage.) Th.: re!
=tinder ot the extract quoted, stated that the shipbuilders of
Liverpool then determined to be up and doing) In conse-
quence of the doubt being removed with respect to the repeal
the shipownen determined to be up and doing. Now with
respect to this being up and doing, I have • return from the
port of Sunderland, and I End that the amount of tonnage
of vessels built in that port during the year ending December,
1847 was 22,140, and on the 31st December, 1849, ehe nsvi-
gation laws having been repealed, the total amount of ton-
nage was 29,210. The number of chips built in 1847 wee 16,
and in 1849, 24. (Hear, hear.) Thaw were the number of
ships and their tonnage built in 1847 and 1849 ; now
the number of vessels built in Sunderland in 1844,
while there was still some doubt respecting the re-
peal of the navigation laws, was 142 of 37,878 tons while
the number of ships built in 1849 was 155 of 44,333 tone.
Her Majesty's speech has communicated to the
house the satisfaction which she has derived from
her recent visit te Ireland. Tnat her Majesty's recep-
tion in that country should have been marked by every
indication of devotion and loyalty, I believe occasioned nu
surprise to those who were best acquainted with the feejego
of that people. (Hear.) The people of Ireland oiten com-
plain, and venetian, with reason, ot this country, but hey
have seldom been wanting in respect to the crown. (Hear,
hear.) They have always cheerfully &deco*" dyed the an-
cient right of r Majesty's dominion over their country, and
of her Majesty pen enally they only know that from the time
of her accession she has always been anxious for their welfare,
desirous that every reasonable ground of complaint should
be removed, and &axioms that equal justice and favour
should be dispensed in each portion of her kingdom. Enter-
taining respect and affection for her Disj.aty, it w., not
wonderful that the people of that generous nation shi,uld
have welcomed her yeah enthusiasm. Sir, from iolorma-
tion which I have received, 1 do not belv.ve that anything
has occurred among the people of Ireland since her Ma-
jesty's departure, at all likely to shake the ft...liege of
attachment and loyalty evinced on that occasion. (Mese,
hear.) And Ido believe that her Majesty well receive the
same reception, and meet with equal aatistaction, should she
determine again to visit Ireland Her Majesty's speech
hes referred to the great distress of Ireland, and to the
lamentable ravages Co which it has been subjected by the pre-
sence of that disease, which has equally affeeed this country,
and al.o to the mitigation of the sufferings of the parer
chews, by the present abundaace,of food and the tranquilli y
which prevails. I b-lieve that that is the ease, and ate
gratifying to know that in many respects the people of that
country, the poor of Ireland, are improving in their c.a.:s-
cion, owing to the abundance and cheapness of the ue ces-
@Aries of life and the greater demand fur labour There is
every intimation of a less resort to public relief, and it is
a satisfactory feature, with respect to the syseem of public
relief introduced into that country, tnat it has ectirely re-
moved all the lean of those who were opposed to it. It was
argued that if you once admitted the system of relict out of the
workhouse, the Irish poor and people generally Inuit/ become
demoralised, and that there would be a dependence ore pudic
charity which nothing c ,uld resist. It is satisactory to ob •
*free that, to the extent that the necessaries of life arc more
abundant to the people, they show no disposvion to rely ex-
clusively upon public charity. The amount of outdoor re-
lief administered has diminished iu proportion to the abun-
dance and cheapness of the necessaries at li:e and she demand
for labour. In 1819 the number of persons reeeising ode cr
relief amounted to 206,2.34, and in IS6d to 204,467 ; the
number receiving outdoor relief on the fat of Januery, 1•19,
amounted to 479,67. i, and in 18.50 only 104,0.50, showing a
decrease in the number receiving indoor re :iet
of 1,760, and in outdoor relief of 375,626. Rear,
hear.) I thick it right to state that, so far as we
can ascertain at present, with respect to the
prospects of the operati en of the poor law that from year
to year, I might say tram month to month, its administra-
tion becomes more easy, more tracqual, and more beneficial
to the count!), at large. I stated that there was a dimi-
nution consequent upon the improved condition of the
people. I have a return from the constabulary department
of the number of outrages committed is the van 1847 and
1849. The number of outrages committed by stealing cattle
and sheep in 1847 was 10,044, and in 1849, 8,157; the
number of ether outrages was in 1847, 10,942 ; and in 1849,
6,749. The total in 1817 was 20,986, mein 1849 14,906. Tee
total number of animals stolen was in 1847, 15,41, and in
1449, 13,631. (Hear, bear) Sir, I shall now advert to
another announcement in her Majesty's speech, and I am
sure that it will be most gratifying to the house, and will be
received with perfect satisfaction. Reference is made in
that announcement with respect to the manufactures and
commerce of the country, as well as v.., general condition of
the people. It rests upon that high authority that the ma-
nufactures and commerce of the country are improving, and
that the condition of the people is very much better than it
his been in consequence of greater access to the necessaries and
comforts of life. (Hear, hear.) Tnat 13 • most important an-
nouncement. (Hear, hear) Important at any time. We are
aware of the vast consequences that are involved at all times in
any disturbance of that state of things. There are such vast
interests connected with the condition of our mahutactures—
I may say the general prosperity of the country is so in tact
—that at any other time such an announcement woult not
be unusual or particular. But, sir, that announcement has
been waited for and watched for with great anxiety by the
whole country. 1 believe there never was a time when at-
tention and interest were more directed to that circumstance
out of the country than at the present moment, when all are
waiting to see what is the state of England. All the conti-
nental world seem to think that we have lately tried a vast
experiment, and they are waiting for the result.
This announcement, therefore, is most important. The
fact is rho nations of the earth are turning their
attention to the doctrues of political economy. 'There never
was a time when nations were more desirous of becoming
wealthy, and of becoming acquainted with the proper dirrt.
button of wealth, and the problem now undergoing a solution
is in what way can nations accumulate the greatest possible
amount of wealth consi-tent with for distribution. 1 do
not deny that there are two systems by which it is sought
to obtain this object. The one is by regulating and restrict-
ing the trade of the country, irrespective of the wants and
requirements of the people—that is the protecive system.
The other is to leave to the unfettered energy and intelli-
gence and understanding of a tree and civilised people the
discovery of the means by which they tin otitait.
the greatest returns for their capital and labour—
that is the system of free trade. (Cheers ) By all the com-
mercial nations of the earth we have been seen pursuiag for
many years the protective system; that system has just cm
abolished in favour of free trade. And perhaps the tn. t
in the result of this change of system has beau considerably
heightened by the confidence with which the prophecies of
its effects were enunciated by both parties. l have no doubt
that many persona have been shaken in their faith to •
sound principle from the confidence with which many per
sons have predicted unfavourable results from the change
But we now have the authority of an announcement con-
tained in her Majesty's speech, that tete results at
least during the first year have realised ens
more than was expected from the change. It may be said,
that the time is rather short to judge of the results. blot
there has been suck a variety of un:avourable predicti.ms.
which if they were justified, I think the times has arrived
when we should at least have some indication of their value
and truth. From the best source we are now told on this
the very first occasion that the manufactures see thriving,
and that the condition of the people has improved
. owing to
thee.
hear,"
greater.o d access
ch the
r,.) i
during that time we hare arrived at results much m ire fa-
vourable to the advocates of tree trade than even the must
i s wants
true inthdatemmitheintrmoet iiisrealt(o.; Hear,
sanguine of its friends could have anticipated. I am ain •
position now to state that within the last It, mouths
we have imported mote food than during sixteen years In.
fore. (Hear, hear.) And the results of this importation
fully prove in an unexpectedly short time, the ad-
vantages of free trade, said I think I am ea-
titled to say, that every one of the statements
put forth b the opponents of free trade has been. entirely
falsified, while not one single statement made by its adv.,
tutu, has tailed to prove true. (Great cheering and
laughter from the protectionists. ) It will be to
the advantage of all parties, that the predictions
ot both should be tested during this discussion.
The condition of the working classes has not only not dete-
riorated, hut has very much improved ; and the Chancellor
of the Exchequer will inform me whether I am right in
saying that the revenue has increased. lam in possesaion
of letters and documents from every part of the country. in
which they admit that they were well off, but ascribe it
naturally to the cheapness and abundance of the ore..wanes
of life. As to the home trade I had had some little doubts
se the' subject bull this very day have received letter
from the north ot England, where they an chiefly concerned
in the supply of the country, describing what the state of
the manufacturing interest is. The letter is from Bradford.
The hon. member then proceeded to read a letter from
Bradford, which stated that the writer had taken considera-
ble interest in the state of the working clog. P, and that in
all respects a constant, steady, and great improvement bad
taken place during the last twelve months. The export@
from the United States had increased, the demand trout the
continent had revived, and in the home trade a large in-
crease had taken plum. He had also received a letter treat
Leicester, a district in which there had b-en • great deal e
agitation, with regard to the proposed measure of five
trade. The groat staple trade of Leicester was the stocked*
trade, and this was one of the bast indexes of the rondo:eon
of the working Chime Three-802s of the population wero

• an, d (ruse-fifths of the product of
his tad on the home :market. (Hear.)
'" the Ci aneellor of the Lich,-
Chief C as'on
We Serra theom. ter
0011011.*
- • 111 lose ab • winform the house vintner
•""' • • a ; whether there are fewer or
" t has rice go pence relief. My On opinion is,
• pthertl
tliet.etioary diminution of persons re-
ths last year se compared with the
that there is a great gallicaen ia the
..p.0..e of suppirtine them
4;:e ..- Cla pereine.
di: ••1 inforatsuon, I do not with to
thousand
- lines ; ha: I believe that sixty
' cruet in the begioning of this year
'fit ague• • • is net only a pecnithry saving;
1?
luiThat these peep). are nog shy
-71
'ie"eat Mae is which the scab. rs of a ehinnia•
• 1, ma _cid tt.. in/Ported Ulric 444riri•
world cote ke our maitufactune, used
t r• thus
out of the country. Now I have
in the history in the Bask of
Asag-
" -
~;„ had so large an mount of buu ion. to
feTet.ue. so far from declining, accuiding
there IS welly an illezelee of two mil.
• frets the Cluncelier of the Eichrquerk--
e ehdature. I do not think
"'l ,'as ""
tossed to. Bat
WO UV •••116 not
ate well off, is there lees pub.'s relief
Irlieeeof lb,- conotri decreases. I have here
• :": Alma ta 1948 and 1849. Then
••
• 2 is Pits. 11362; in 1849, 9,812. As to
• ...gusittea were 3.61.5; la 1849, 2,401.
;trails, bet 1 am constreined to do so, when
ail creme have not decreased. I em
C t'it,
that t • Weissad
• bras it. roe state .good,
meat ..t de people, but that it Tenth
• • 4.•••..ic•♦ 1 hen a *skated hare of what the
• '"• •
al ways whoa toad k dear mid wars bed is
sire.i as led. There is expeadlture
c sad I want ts direct the elks-
etosia• I
• • ohm Is tie normotts mouse tequired
. Age pia of wheat is Deeembee,
inv4l).-celatarr. 1849, It was 395. 41.
• Ton Free et bailey was 43s , and in 1949 it
:LI
e Me eery lowest emanate of the sonsunip.
a use p•ople of this coustry. The difference
be•arsea If 47 and 1849 81,0001. ; sad
• e PAO
mune
I networ k tad batter, thee se. ate.,
rearis pew ea *Me two am wee 30,000,0001. c
•'t t. thst !Owns 1847 sad 1849 the difference
• ••••••:run of the people is Mod is 91,000,00111.
'sue of the sonseaptios of tie
. ,
they cent use saauallymeerly 20 of
• etcredactivaii pries 101. per %UM,
se in; ea article@ et cossiarrproa ie 91
'•- ••••• • made up. nue un of*. Meson-
:,..,„"tr b.s been this. that • ter oar sea* of
,re ro beat:. ii te ache, the people what they
I Arnie he glad it hoe. gentlemen will
• orne. Tar tins year of free trade shows this
err o compered with former years. I pa, to
vvieta has been referred so is her
.• vu., that is which her Majesty
,rt are certain emplanes in certain pans of
itinsins of the country. "It ie with regret
eas oh-erred the complaints which in man)
atom hive proceeded nom the *linen and
lisr Majesty greatly laments that any
•: r • ..• ;ens Andel be sudertag distress. But it
.I:erre pacification to her Majesty to wiles.*
• 1 et) iyment of the necesearies and comforts of
✓ -.• and Taney have bestowed upon the
• her am safe this will receive a
ei he. tie boor( hear, bear)—lad I be-
w...he r Spnlaeet to Out of the hatlee. I
•-, eie se of the aericaltara etterest ;
•—• it stay e.s.• the occupiers of land ace suffer-
, - arts it was po•sible to bold out any hopes of
et i..te .t. He belief is that to hold out the
r : Scitiatni inn:tiniest* to that interest would
ini•irerican.e est deladve. (liear.)There isgrag
I,..iten•ith relief to the agricultural interest in
occupiers ' of land or owners. Ti.•
.tertg have bad great power is this country, and
ollevtuot• tee of eoredenag the subject
cr..l what relief eciu4 be afforded to
this hiitwe, and 1 am not aware
~ 'sir thrown away Ouse opportunities
....a is then, whether admitting that distress
tc the •ivr• en and occupiers of land, it is
.tai aim real to seek anything in the shape
remedy. Lo•kine to what is every.
....aid re tat owaets and eccupien of lend,
ae that aides; has thatributed more to cause
• . as this ecui•tasit hail; at looking to the
• ?c.a. A.. user arapl.int., all their Sign-
wt via at any of their meetings, all teed to
that parliament should guarantee to
...a prig 'or their produce. (Hear, hear.) sow,
,It that ot, the precast delusions Hat ever entered
s• t sty body or men. It is now just ten yeah sine,
• ti this house for the repeal it the cora-
. !'t• -exited of reading extracts Erre the'
the committees of '2-4 and '36
:v.-e -r. a what had maned the di-nees of the
tics after nether of these predates 'hewed
it'r run. and distress woe the isioned by their trust-
:t• if parliament for tn., prices, aed never finning
.cteirts realised. tßer, tea.) la '22 they MIN
are complathing that they had beenprosised 80e.
..r, while they could only eat 49a. They said that
had been calculated at a.. and that taint..
✓ arced to pay it out of capital. Is '36 they mid
hul teen promised 64.., and that they were lthding
oe with core aid melting because it would cot
Le market acre than 3•31. That wes li:entity
of the farmers sudsy prooectios. and what
ten.fasbie they sever heel !signer pommies than chi
4i Periods. lo 1820 their protection amounted to
,a rt.,. sad, in 136 to 70.. (Hear, her) The
.• whether wheat could In cultivated at be, the
i• such agitated than as new; and It seemed
. • • ..era was completely soloed Wax.. every the
. cot. It au also been said that io former days
•-.. tamer had still hope bemuse he had privet- now Le dispel:" because protection has bees
•.j. Le. those Imo ay so tare to the 'oldest:oast
eat the farmers than said of the profits, and he
.. Lair., but .s,rassious of despair sad amnions
had hen deceived and ruined by the deheive
•• protection. (Hess, bier.) A question was pat
•—cep tamer. in 1835, as to the price he eapeetal
• Ile sod. " I novo, expect more than be. or
..his.- The hoe. member For Ripon Naked, "De
roe ca. live at ? " He anawand, " I think
• at all events, ws Rua The prices of every-
proparios, and we cannot expect any
▪ 11... r, hem.) How fortunate would it have
• het (amen had then rime to the resoluta.
re rid of their proceeded. I believe that U
would have been much happier
;roe •
e.,nte,ted this they are at present. (Hear,
1,: I ..sit bark to my text, that so legislative re
gig would do them any good, because
• chic: that this question of comps-
- ea be entertained by this house.
t me that, if we come to the conclusion
. art be produced at 40i •it would be of no
ris tethered to act. Suppose yen find that it
.4 .r• rot prepared to raise the price of the find
• ,eresuse that, I believe, would be impraeth
• • • ere. of " Her, lieu.") Then, if on the
e ...old that it could be produced at that pries,
• a, pr -Jot the fact, and yea could not guarantee
•, ice! .listresa, became land is held under Guth
r inea.nen that really you can never calculate
is I aniline molt. You might undertake
•e! t. prove that wheat could be produced
• glee but titans the owners and occupiers
•.r• to put themselves under the n comll-
- asthma. 63 to cultivation, you would hen ao
u.e reisu'a would be obtained. Poo* do not
.. they el. • • -hop oar • mill. Has mat is • sports-
-r a politician, and another a noel , sad all
• !wets Lt. unfavourable to tare. You
•-.. be upon any uniform and general result an.
'hail regulate the way ia which the land Is to
Therefore, 1 soy that it is weakling a dale-
to my that you can gnaraatee him against
aggnst the want of that energy sad
obit.), is nessmary r swam in ever,.
lieu, hear.) To justify what I my ru
-it a ides in which laid ia oecapi and creased
,rt, I shall tell the Mese seit is taking Owe
•at in a district from which many complalate of
distress have proceeded. I speak of • thew la
hire, of Val acres, which was lately let at 119 s. an
as ta, en drained, and sa ey has boom othaewbe
:e manila iesprovements Btantly it has hew
lase for 18 years by an amaerfasced flanaer,
•it an adequate capital, at a rent of 40a, m Wet
rtes are 'given a mans found within a man M 1
s, gm, be had which, under proteetite, had
• :Ms. (Her, hear.); But them are the
o • .ms is to be destroyed—Omagh.. from the
—hedge. or. to be levelled and trees cat down
e oath* hi a deal with the lend in everethieg
Ls owe.
_C' Meat, hear," and derisive cheer,
Well, when we hear of land going
:lock it right to 'hew that, if the worst COON to
rat Lrmers may be found to take it on proper
tear.) limy doubt should arise oa the mods
anti mitten between landlord and taunt, it is
'.tv apeman to which I allude, that it shall be
•• ••••.to-a. There are no other antithesis,
''••-• term, a gond tenant is Willie; to
an acre her the farm. (Cries
if say one 9oesti,olll the oriel:these of ay
eat pennivion of my informant, and no
•c• aria to givelthe farm. the Parish, lad Is fat
thane: led with the transaction. I moms
is digress amongst the owners sod
• "04. had I deeply regret it; but at the same
..r,re is some coosulation even for the landed
yi they observe everywhere around them. I
•ide that even they are not in that extremity
Ithntld induce them utterly to despead, or
- thins to retire from their oseepation from
,•• the flieninishing a mount of their profits; for
nroWtot load fotcLos Ws high Clarice u ever
...t'or of this country. (Henri hear,) Every
'l4' • vacant finds nuntero:u caadidatee, and the
“..rere are not worse, hut bettor of than
n I L. 7 that there is sone 001MialatiOa eves
••• .Ltere.t, and I as very haft, that it is so.
cansAlatiou for the swain asc't occupies of
the there is hardly a single advantage
'..,
Gantry pommies over them is the Prods..
a. Etat one single thins that diatinionabao
England from that anther mantra., .mad
of land. (Hsu, bear.) It is eertainil
ovi, but that is a matter within the fariner's
',her mitten, climate, soil, markets, I I

z -C Mt:

sad amen, Ike adnatag_es of this country I'4o holier",
superior to any other. (Hear, hear.; And my deliberate
implealoa is, that if ilia lead were properly managed in tin
imetttry, sad Is Initiai we should not need to Impart a
eagle gran of con. (Hear, hear.) I do believe that If
the lead was treated as it is ia some places them two
Wands would rapport not only the present bat a much
larger population. (Hear, heir., I say that that there is
yet hope, and I do consider it rather a reproach v, the lead-
owners of Ragland and Ireland that we are o)l,tged to end
4,000 miles anon the ocean for food. I thk.k that that re.
preach applies especially to Ireland, tot if an Gauger
were to look at Ireland be wadi say Am she had ben laid
alongside England foe the papa of feeding her. Bat
what is the fact, the landowners st Ireland are ruined,
and the people are may better off because they
have a fres trade in feed. (ilea, hear.) Bat if I were to say
what I relied on priasipally far the reiteserathe et Ireland,
I should aims the preapenty et the manufacturing riets
ere..ted by the resent free trade measure.. (Hear, near) I
believe that that prosperity will endure, and that nothing
could be more advaatagnes to Irelaadfee the iateresta of
the two imastries are ishatical, and Nie prosperity of me
moat certainly °ratite spelt the other. (Heir, hear.) I
believe that we acted wig ly in passtag these measures,
and I sever lo:ked at the prospects of the United Kingdom
with mire 'engage hope of its prosperity than I do
at this moinent. I b.lieve, moreover, that wa had
better guarantees for the stability of our institutions. I
' believe that these aria from the incraltintelligence
she people, bet, above all, from the wise I lain na ects-
ekes of the last 20 years. (Hear, hear.) hose oessarsions
have resulted in a greater amount of religious, political, and
comaitnedal freedom than were, I believe, ever nj,yed
before by any people on the thee of the earth (L ad cheers.)
and 'rheum freedom we had lag emoyed, but not
until lately that cosasainial freedom width gives the mast
inducement to pre* rye peas amongst all states and parka.
I cannot help Impair, ham the lest unman in her
lilejestes speech, that those who are entreated with the
affairs et this neatly **Wive to the truth that Uwe is so
way et sassing the offescions atlas people but by premiea •
animal auras et religions, tim4 Sad eidemiliewameli )"
teas., reloriidag Inters decayed,: extemitieg ethers inade-
quate, and showing that confideriee In tie people which the
antigun of wiry CialiCession op to this eisseeme justified.
(Load cheers.) fflie has. asseher eimeladed en moving the
address, which, a meal, wee en- echo of thew's' se.ech.
_ _

Bit JeLMES DUKE, fa Ada( to ethos" the adages,
sald--Aftee die very this, lull, and emeressfal speech ot
lay boa. friend, I am ears that this house will feel
that I two under Ea ordinary di/lenity to .end
the datum which hr has moved to her gracious
Majesty. 'Sir, al:bought have had the honour of • seat in
this hewn now tor seven year., this is the first occasion spun
which' kayo verrstrei to offer myself to the notion of the
Moth mad lam sue, wider these circumstances, they will
be Mad sough to effesrd me that indulgence which 1 se
=seed. Meer, hear.) I require that indulgence, fla
that it is with great reluctance I have undertaken
the difficult task of seconding the add,. as. But lam reins-
matiroto consommes" of my ow. inability, and not from
asst objection r ono of the repreetheatives of the City of
L melon to Imperatore, sad love my cordial support and sese.
*donee to her Mojesty's minivan, being under the firm
impression that they will do as they have hitherto
dose, inductile the high character and peaceful influence of
this country abroad, and the matentment and prosperity of
the people at home. (Hear, hear.) I also hope from the
facliciagoos fa the royalerech that government will feel the
necessity of applying the most rigid economy to every de
pertinent of toe state consistent with the safety and honour
of this country. Toe tint meeting of this present parliament
wee little more than two years ago, and I weil remember,
that indeed of the mover of the address of that day
being able to congratulate the house on the prosperous state
of the °convey, fee was under the ditagrusable necessity of
beginning hi. speech by lsmenting the great distress which
peeved, ad classes in the towns and manufacturing dis-
tricts of the kingdom, that many of the mills in that part
et
the country he r presented were out of work, and the
operatives and workmen generally were out of employ meld
(Hear, hear.) But theta Ood so far from that being the
ease now he believed he was fully justified in saying that at
no period en the history of the country had the H nue est
Common met under more gratifying circumstances.
(Cheers.) When we refl ct that within the short space of
two yeah toe grew. commercial interests of the country
hays pined through an ordeal which shook some of
the meet potent commercial houses ia the world, and
threatened many more, I think we may well con-
gratulate ourselves that prosperity has en so short
• period been so firmly established. (Hear, beer.) As one
e 1 the representatives of the City of Lindon I am especially
gratified to have it in my power to say that at no previous
time was the trade sad commerce of that great city in •
better eoeditits. (Hear, hear.) And not only was this the
ease ia Loud. n and the other great enthoitheas of commerce,
but also is the most remote towns and districts edam
country there was unmistakeable evidence et it reased dads
and commercial prosperity, as proved by the fact of em-
ployment being afforded to every operative and workman, as
we:l as in the growing state of the revenue. (Hear.) At
the same time I deeply lament with her Majesty the con.
plaints of distress woech exist in the agricultural districts.
(Hear, hear.) I had the honour of representing a borough
which is connected with an important ag rieultural county, and
fr on my own knowledge, not only of the landed proprietors,
but of the farmers of that district also, I must confess
test I am one of the last persona in this country who could
me anything like tris existence of distress in that body
with indifference. (Hear, hear . ) I believe the farmers, and
those engaged in agriculture generally, an • peaceful,
and most industrious class, and as such are well deserving to
be regarded with favour by this house. (Cheers.) But, sir,
while fully admitting this, I fear I cannot go so far as to
agree in that means which have been suggested for mar
dying that dime's which prevails amongst them. (Cheers
from the free trade beaches.) I fear, air, if they are led to
believe that tai home, by any legislative measure can
ever reimpose those daties which have bete abolished
on utiles of food, they will find themselves deceived—
(cheers I—for I believe the people of this country would
again be iaduced, by soy cowl ',rations, to submit to
have their food taxed. (Loud cheers from the ministerial
tide of the house generally.) Neither do I believe that you
would get any government to propose sack • aware or say
parliament to 'minim it. (Hear.) I confess that, in speak-
ing of free trade, I am ralocthat to say much on the efifi,jset,
for I have observed with great pain that it Is maimed by
some who complain of agricultural distress, that those who
are willing to believe that free trade is beneficial to
the country, are inimical to the agricultural inte-
rest, and that the object of the repeal of the corn laws was
to lower and depress the landowner and the farmer,
and to benefit the mantsfastursr. I may be allowed to

quote from • onus wad= I have Womb' down in my
pocket, and which has come iato my hands in my capacity
of a magistrate ol the City of L .ndoe in order to show the
house that not only has free trade ban the means of afford-
ing employment and cheapening food, bat has materially
dindointed pauperism, and lessened crime. I hold in my
hand the official retorts which I received yesterday from the
Governor or Newgate, of the number ofeommitmentaduriog
the past year, and the great decrease It evinces in
the number, as compared with the previous year.
(Hear, hear.) My bon. friend quoted the total
=own of decrees for the whole of England ; but I con-
ceive that this return shows still more striking results, when
yen =Hider that the idle, the diesolaw, and the linen-
ploy= from all parts of the country, crowd to the metro-
polls. (Hear, hear.) It appears from this paper that the
total number of commitments from the let of January to the
31st of December, 1849, were 2,464, the decrease, as coin
pared with the 'nuncios year,being no lees than 693,0 r almost
one-fourth. (Load eriae of "Hear, bear.") Now, air, 1
sounder this to be a very important return in connexion
1 with crime in this metropolis, and embracing, as it does, the
whole district of the Central Criminal Court. (Hear, hear.)
1 will also read • letter, not sent to me ss prefatory to lay
op soh I might have intended to make in this hewn
or elsewhere, for I have been especially desirous in anythiog
• I might my to confine myself to what I knew =pelf, es
what I derived from official authority—eschewing altogether
iaternatioa received from others. (Hear) But this letter
lem new about to read is from en official source. (Hear.)
The letter says " I have a strong impression that the
• operatives of this district were never at any fusser period
more hilly employed." (Hear, Hue, =Qs demand ' Whet
is the letter from I') The letter is from a most respectable
friend of mine, the Mayor of Manchester, and it proceeds :
" they were never more fully employed, more comfortable in
a renal point of view' or better disposed than they are
now—(sheen)—thee rat, of wages, I believe, Is satistactory,
and the cheapness of the necessaries of liie—sef hod and'
clothing—has am= Unproved their condition generally.
hear.) The hat trans ay be rather an ezespelon to
this ; bat there are bat comparatively few pane= employed
in it, and the depression in that trade may be wily seenneell
, tor; and dozing tie whole fourteen 'seethe of my anyway
I have never had any fears for the pease of this dotrist.l
I wall remember whoa the Tree trade sausares were pusiag
through this house, that crest. wrehennoes were expressed
of the =teat of the supplies wcA we might expect to come
is from Americo ; bat it happened that I was at Liverpool
an the day when Mr. Bancroft, the late American minister,
is this country. I had some convened= with that gen-
Haas before he =barked, and is the course of it he gave
it se his °oddest opinion that it would be impossible for
Amnia to send any seasidsrable quantity of torn to this
estatry at a print less than sae mem be 40e. sad
60e. a quarter. (Cheers.) I think, therefore, that there is
ao reason for the alarm which the agriculturists of Wig coun-
try entertain of the malts of foreign competition, but that
ea the astray there is every ground for suppoeinp that their
own prods.' will seen be more profitable to them. (Hear.)
At the same time I must he showed to congratulate my hon.
friend as to the result of free trade as regards the mode in
which the large imports of torn which have taken place have
been paid foe. (Heat, beer.) Because I well remember it
was prophesied by those who were the opponents of that
policy that not a angle extra bele of goods would be =pert=
Is ezehang• for the corn whisk might be broaebt into this
=wry, and that nothing bat bullion would be taken. But
what has been the remelt? (Hear.) We lad that at no
previous pt riod has We conatry made sash rapid progress in
her commerce and rawly lectures es shoe the peeling of that
aasesurs, nor at any previous period has there been se large
ea amount of geld in the aoaatry, whisk amount is con-
inwessing. (Cheers.) My honourable friend
onlerod so last* at length ia rearm* to the affairs
of Wand, that I win rely say that I am gratified that her
Minty Hatunpistes or lawn= in the number of the
elegem of that part of the United Kingdom, but I confess I
should have been better pleand had we had sea intima-
tion mho in the royal epee= that that would be likely to H
extended to this country. (Loud cheers.) I hops her
Majesty's ministers will yet consider whether there are not
nosy towns in this annoy whose inhabitants possum ne
vote either for a borough or a ninety, and whether it is not
just that the elective treading should be extended to them.
(Renewed thews.) I carnet sit down without referring to
the subject of the navigatieo laws, the More especially as I ,