The Express.
London, England, 1850-02-04 00:00:00

PARLUMENTARY DIVISION.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT,

BUSINESS OFTHON E WEEK TN THE COMMONS.
hIDAT Feb. 4.
NOTICES OF fedllßß rioNs.
DOILEIO—MALTA--CEPEAROVIA.—Mr. FITIME6e4i ask
the First Lord of the Treasury whether the noble will
lay upon the table of the tame the reports furnished by the
emmandingoSeers, whether of her -Majesty% or the But
India Compaay's navy, er gaeed in operations for the alleged
suppreeloo of piracy against the natives of Borneo, on
the rivers Moratatiss, S irebes, Bakens and other plates,
daring 1849 ; together with the oorrespoidesee between Sir
J. Brooke maker Majesty's government oa the IMO subject.
Also, whether there will be any objection to the production
ef
copies of the et= enee between Mr. More r-
be• the governor „rot sad her Majesty's government
is Engler.d, respecting the refusal of the governor to grant
.17. asylum in that island to the Italian refugees in the year
1819. Also, if there be any objectioa to the produstiort of
the correspondence beteen the Lord High Commissioner
of the lonian Islands aid her Majesty's government respect-
ing the state of Cephalonia, the proclamation of martial law,
and the punishments inflicted under that law.
Now Horst or Commons.—Mr. EW ART, to inquire of
the hon. member foe Lancaster (Mr. Oreen) how moan it is
likely that the new House of Commons will he ready for the
reception of members.
INDEPENDENT NOTICES OF MOTION.
DRAWBACKS Or DETT ON Tuscan.—Mr. WYLD, to
move for a Mara of the drawbacks of duty granted upon
timber need in copper, tin, lead, and other mines in Eng-
land, Scotland, and Ireland, re-pectively, in each year from
the period of their first allowance to that at which they wer.-
finally discontinued ;npecfying, in sick
cam, the full rate
of duty payable upo such timber; the proportion or per
(entire of such duty granted in the nature of drawback,
sad the mount of such drawback in each year ; deo, stating
the dates and titles of the
first allowed,
parliament under which
the said drawbeeks were first allowed, and finally discoo.
tinned ; and of any other acts of intermediate dates sped.
!ally applicable thereto. Also similar return of the draw-
backs of duty granted upon timber used in cooking cache, or
otherwise in any way connected with the fisheries in Eng-
land, Scotland, and Ireland for same period.
DUTY ON IMFORTS.—Mr. HUME, to MOTO for a return
or list of all manufactured articles imported into this
country on which a duty of customs is =nosed, stating
the name and quantity of **eh article imp-rted in the years
ending the s:h day of January 1850 ; also, the rate of duty
charged, and the amount of duty paid on each article, and
the segregate of dutp collected is the year. And, return of
all articles of agricultural produce imported into this country
en which any duty of customs is imposed ; stating the rats of
duty, and the amount Mel on soon article, and the aggre-
gate in the year ending the 6th day of January 1850.
PIRACT.—Hasa MOISZT.—Mr. DU6IE, to move for re-
turns of the money paid as head money in each year sine.,
the passing of the Act of 8 Oeo. 4, c. 49, mewled, ' An Act
for encouraging the capture or destruction of Piratical Ship.,
and Vessels;" stating in what court the claim wee adjudi-
cated, and distinguishing the numbers for which 201. per
head was paid, end those for which 51. per head
was paid ; also, eating forth the description of persons
so treated as pirates, the places where the several captures
were made, the persons by whom made, and the date of
each several capture. And, of the amount of bills drawn on
the Commissioners of her Ilajesty's Navy, since the let day
of January, 1849, for the payment of head money for the
capture or destruction of pirates, as provided for in the act
of 6 Geo. IV., c. 49; stating the court in which each china
was adjudicated, the cumber of pirates for whose capture,
dose:actin, or defeat such bills were drawn, end the num-
bers for which 201. per head and 5/. per bead were respec-
tively paid ; together with the plsees where the captures,
&c., took place, and the country to which such pirates be
bare
DATINOS DANICS.—MT. HUME, to move fur numerous
returns on the subject of savings busks' depositors, whether
iadivid oda, charitable inedtut one, or friendly s -.defies, for the
year ending the 20th of N orembee, 1847,1848,1849 ; and other
returns in connexion with the same subject, in oentinuati.n
of Parliamentary Papers of maim 1844.
Horse OF COMMONS PRINTINO.—Mr. COIiNE WALL
LEWIS, to move toraseleet committee to assist Mr. Speaker
in all matters which relate to the printing executed by order
of the house, and for the purpose of 'electing and arranging
for printing Morns and papers presented its pursuance of
motions made by members of the how., Mr.o Lewin, Sri
ID 11. lnglis, Mr. Piney, Mr. Vernon Smith, Sir J. Young,
Viscount Mahon, Mr. Hume, Mr. Cardwell, and Mr. Loch.
PuSTAOE, COENWAI.L.—Mf. POLE CAREW, to move
for returns relative to the postal arrangements of the county
11 of Cornwell.
Cars or Goon Hope.—Mr. ADDERLEY, to move that
the petitions of the inhabitants, &c., of Caps Town and its
vicinity, awl the inhabitants of Port Elizabeth, Cope of Good
Hope, be printed with the votes.
liastersene IN PLVEALITT.—Mr. FREWEN, to move
for leave to bring in a bill to amend the law relatiee to.
ARTERIAL DRAINAGE, lIIILLAND.—Mr. I-RENCH to
more for returns of amuses in cookexion with this subject,
under the act 12 Vie. e. 23.

HOUSE OP COMMONS.
Ihrtsrms es question d adding the heaving words le a pews* I
In the eddies in snider to her Idelears speech .• alter the wade
controrree and manuLetures" toiStert the word, "Whim*
to
an totter Ms}eety, Nat is saw ported the Culled king-
dom, and especially in IrArd, the swim Ames et her Majesty's
sunsets waseetad with the calthrades et the we we labouring
loan revere distress. mainly artrikstellls boar eighlies, to reedit
henslaure enatessate, the operatics of whisk le asgrnested by the
booty mews, ot Ida taaation.“—AyesNoes 311.
ATEA
Artrierler, C. B. Detneet=. 0. Masse% T. P.
Capt. H. Dwane, Maiw
Arebsta4cll, lint. J. I'.
Arkw t, U. Du Pre, C.O. Mews, Sir 11.
Ikelles Pm, Mr J. B. Mika, Philip W. 8.
=
Be..
6. W.
l entos, 91r Ps
ri:t:r.. J. Wks. Witham
Moody, C. A.
: Paw Nome O.
3
Susie M. J. Tame, J. 11.
IL
Multlap, J.B.
2elarels. I. IL Vellowee, B. liwkdb W.
Ildisdo. C. Z. Pilaw. Sir E. Noes, Und
Wol ti. =Jobn BOW:, J.
'barbs...T. William Neild. JAI
Baring, Ma V. Twewn,liaa.G.C.W. Hicsd, j...pb
Barr:nit" Tiersant Fos, S. W...,,,ne Newport viscount
Barron, Sir H. W. Peewee, &tortes H. Nor:, lion. H. J.
Belden, 7, Fultsr, AlalUtill L. P•Cile, C. W.
Bell. M. Oalway, TirtOttin Palmer, B.
Bennet, Garkell, Jame* M. Plurnytre,J. P.
&Minleyns Lord FL Goddard. A. 1.. nest, M.
Berke Has G. P. Gooeh, 14w. S. Powell, Bekaa
literria , Timm' Gore, W. Overby Powiett, Lod W.
Berl, J. Granby, blames of Prime, It.
111.1lemete, B. Grattan, Henry Pam*, P.
Blandionl. Marg. of Grogan. Edward Rend:skarn. lord
Boldso, 111.0. Guernsey, Lord Renton, U. W . J.
801016100. T. W. 0 lryll. Hosed Rrchards It.
Bremnste, R. Hale, Robert Bleades IturLrd, F.
Helloed, Sir bleary Rushout, CapleiS
11Breoios %ley, H. lisbey, meow P. radleir. J.
Brodwook H. Maims Hedge A. Scott, Ilan. V.
lingsky,
_li. Hamiltos, J. Hans Seders IL is
Brooke, Lem HOOLiltoll, LORI Chad Itilithoep, CllOOll
Brace, C. 1.. C. Ilasoure, Hedge 0. goWth. J. G.
Bruen, (Wood Harr* llon.Capt. Posereet, Cripleis
Burk. L. W. Hestucente,Hilb. J. Sosiww., VamewsW
Ruder. Sir J. T. Healey. Joseph W. adheres, T. H. I.
Sunbury, W. N. Herbert, bleary A. Spooner, R.
Berries, Ilt. lin. J. C. Stafford, A
rturn'tregtee, It. N. HildniriL Robert C. Stanford, J. P.
Cshbell, B. E. Hildyard, Thos. B. T. Stanley, S.
Cars, W. H. P. Hill, Lord Main, &sat, J.
Carter, Z. S. lloslcson, William N. Suitt, IL O.
eh...intl.6, Marquis of 11001, Sir Alexander Taylor, T. E.
Cluttertott. Colonel Hoehn'', Join Manners, Alderman
Cbolrneley, Sir M. Hotkou lied Thonthill, O.
Christopher, IL A. Ruct...,,, Grow Tollemache, J.
Oise. IL B. InstiNitir IL Harry Trevor, Haft. O. B.
Cobboid, J. C. Jahn", Sit W. G. Li. Vonore, Sr J.
Coonnaton. Sir W. JCWW. Ctetnin Verner, Sir W.
Cole, Hoe. ILA. 2111011 F. W. Viliic e, Ilom.F. W.
Coles, H. It. Kawbuy, Sir C. V. se, R. H. R.
Cul. il.. C. It. Ewa, Oolong Saddirgtos David
(Saunter, H. C. Lwerties, llos. E. Wedding at, R&M
Conolle. T. law, His. C. M. Walpole, S. H.
Cotton, lion. W. H. Lecon, Lord 11.0. Walsh, sir J. B.
Dar es, D. A. S. Leslie, C. r. wrlty, C. E.
Denies W. Lis*, W. West, F. R.
Their, Q. lopes Sir B. Williams. T. P.
Dickass, S. Lowther, lion. Cot. Willoughby, Sir H.
Disused, It. Lowther. Henry Wens..ter, Mars of
Lod. J. W. Lytton, Ws Gen. Wyon, Sir W. W.
Dodd, C. Mskinzie, W. P. Yorke, His. E. T.
Drummont, 11. Manners, Lord C. S. TEI.L.W.
Duckworth, an J. T. Hawser% Lord aeo. Perdlord. Mr.
Dunc9mb:, Ham. A. March, Earl of New-trysts, Mr.

•
FORT.
BBIY, Thomas N. Fos, Richard IL Oswald, A.
Arland, Sir T. Dykc Yes, Wm. Johnson Owen, Mr J.
Adur. Hugh lalw. Freeman, Colonel Pipet, Lord Alfred
Adsir, Re. Aka. S. Gibson, ILL Ho. T. IL Paget. Lad MEMO.
Agi.ntry, limy*. Gladstooe, W. E. li'dittoes:d George
Alone, llamas Glyn. G. C. Ste J.
*WOO, Ike. Cobol Osudburn, Rt. Um IL Palmer. It.
Armstrong, Sir A. Graham, Sir J. Palmerston, Viseoont
Arno.tronet, Robert& Granter, T. C. Parker, J.
Arindr: and dungy, Oreenall, G. Pearson, C.
Esr.id Greene, J. Peehell. sir G. E.
Barshaw, John Greeted, C. P. PeeL Right Iln.Slr B.
Bauer, Rt. Ha. IL T. Grey, El. Hum Sir 0. Peel, CoLmd
baring, Sir F.T. Grey, Ralph walla= Peel. Frederic*
lisraard, Edw. Gee. Gromenor, Lad R. Pelham, Una. D. A.
lass, Michael Thos. Ortert, Mr J. Petted IL.
Ikekett, Sallies Hallybartan, Lead J. Peto, S. M.
&law, R. Wan. Basset, SO J.
Berkeley, Hon. Cegt. thrdecale, J. A. Ant.ji J.
lierkaley. Hem H. F. Herrn, R.
lierteleg, C. L. O. Meta, A. =7l.s6rW. H. C.
Bernal. It. Hawes, IL Tam.
Birch, Mr T.& Bayer, Sir E. Tower, Ridable
&scan, S. W. Ibrter, Rt. Hs,W.O. Pane, rer R.
Mt, IL J. Had Liza, I.E.
Bound. lima. 1.. P. Heald, J. Rl4ZoaCwolonel
Boyle. Ilia. OM Heatheoat, J. BAK
Bland T. llerwage, G. U. W. Mow* John L.
Bright, J. Ileum A. Illinudo, 04111611
Br Lekl, hunt, J. Herbert, Rt. Hamild. Lee, LR.
broamsa, E. D. Homy, Lori A. Leh. 11.
Jiro:heron, J. Heywood, J. Warns, T. J. A.
browr., William H., worth, L. Baebock, J. A.
Browne, Ron. Dillon llolaonsim Sir John Hernilly, Sir J.
bud.:.l, W. 110bb0+.4., Thos. Ben. bastabold, C. F.
Balton, sir E. N. !lodine. Tammy Law Roseell, Lord John
C.r.....:1, E. 11.,toes, V. Twiedes Mae, Ike. Elw. IL
Carter, J. b. Il.w. Sir J. W. Mall. Cr. C.U.
Costkre urn, Viscount Holoal, It. Rotherturd. A.
Cas.iteld, J. W. Hor,otaa, E. Sahel,. Coined
Carrnlt.h, Ile. Chas. Haward, Lord YAWL Illmidan,
Cl,‘l.L.b, lin. G. IL Howard. Iln. C.W.G. llondars.
Laret.ash, W. G. Howaol,lln Junes K. Sch..ledisid,
(1.7...1.1i, W. J. Howard, 110. L. MG. Serotie, G. P.
Ce..• . r.o. lion. P. Howard, Philip H. scatty, V.
CM: ten, J. W. Hume J. terraria, lind
Clay. Janes Homilsey, Mr. Ald. Mutt°, R. D
Cie', sir W. Jackson, W. Mimi, Itt. Hon. R. L.
Cements, Hoc. C. lemma, Earl Marlton% harlot
Cork, sir G. Jerez*, s.i. J. Sheridan, B. B.
ClSord, H. M. Johnstone, Sir J. Simeon, J.
Cobden, It. Kemal, Hon. G. T. Mani y, R. A.
Cockburn, A. J. L. Kershaw J. south. Rt. Hs. IL V.
Oacks, I. S. Kildare. Itarepa,.. of Smith, John Abel
Oaki% Hen. R. Y. Yin,, Han, P. J. L. Smith, John lard.
Colehrosite, his T. R. Lakeedrere,RcHn.lL enytm, HUI]. (iVOTO
C41.a... W. 1/04,4981. J. IL. Soluetrille, sir W. m.
Cop,isad, Alderman Landis a Hon. W. S. Stanoaeld, W. R. C.
Cana, C. Lop, G. C. Mantes William 11.
Cowper, Hon. W.V. la in laz C. atauntoe, sir 6. T.
Craig, W. O. Lenin Rt .lion. Sir T. stnekland, tair 0.
Crowder. LB. Lark George C. Stuart, lord Hadley
Con.n, W. Liatte,y, Han.CoLmel Muart, Lord James
Currie, %miry LitOrtm, Hon. E. R. Stuart,
Currie, Rakes Loeb, J. TanerieLlinr.
Dalrymple, Captain Lake, J. renters, K. K.
Dailnrood, OW G. U. Lockhart, A. Z. Tensest, R.I.
Lune, At IL B. Lorenen, P. Tbesigm, Sir T.
IMMO, Sm. T. T. Lushi-oton, C. Thkkomat, R. A.
Denison, Edmund Mackinnon, W. A. Thompson, Moat
Derreon, John E. 141•Cul4gtk, W. T. Ilimorpon, Gene
Iterereum J. T. lirGresor, J. Thoniely, T.
Dirett, Z. Ill'Tageart, He J. Townelo,y, J.
Done" Sir C. K. Mahon, new= Town.tier.d, Capita
Daum Mantida of M.a.sist, T. 'Delaney, JS.
Vial. Mangles, gJI. D. Tuner, G. J.
IDPittmk7324l4sir Marshall, J.O. Tyne, Colonel C. J. I.
Duncan, Vi.seiount Mardian, W. None, Lord Barry
Duncan, btorge Martin, J Verney, Mr Harr,
Duncamhe, T. Martin, C. W. Villiers, Viso:ant
Donna, .1. M.rtla, S. Villiers, Ham Cherie
Dundas, Admlral Mwt.erman, J. Vision, J. H.
Dimino, his David Matheson, Ales. WAO.ty, T.
Ebriagun, Viscount Matheson, James Wall, C. B.
Ellice, Hied Hon. L Matheson, Colonel Walmsley, Hr G.
111. l et' J. Mettle, Rt. Hoe. T. W.,,er, J. _
Elliot, lien. 3. C. Megual, Viscount Wathine, Colonel L.
Egoism, Viscount Wirer, W. M. E. Welle4er, Lord C.
Enfield, Viscount Wines, LM. Westland. J. P.
Estemrt, J. b. Milton. Vimonot Willem, B. root.
Emma tar De Lary Mitchell, TA. Williams, John
Enna, John Mcdhtt, G. Willyame, Ilamptity
Evans, William Holearurth, Sir W. Willman, Mr 11.
Ewan, W. Monsen, W. Wilson, James
nian, W. Morin" Sir W. Wilson, Matthew
Lilo, J. Maas, Ilea.E. ILL Wood, Rt. Ha. Sir C.
Ferri-on, Colonel Mowatt, Y. Wood, William Page
Ferguson, Sir Robert Hultman., Earl of Wortley, Rt. lion. J.&
Ettaroy, Horn. H. Monts, G. P. Wrightson, W. If.
/dentin:on, Hoo. G. Wire, Colonel Wytd, J.
Foley, J. H. Horne Wywill, H.
A Fornyor, A. D. nark' Tootle, Sir John
For.ter, M. O'Connell, Meagan J. TVLI.IIIIA.
Vortease, Chichester Ogle, S.C. U. Mr. Tufoell.
Yorteaue, lloa. J. Ord, W. Lord Manus Hill

CELEBRATION OF THE " 'MAJORITY " OF THE HON,
A. H. Velure:4.—TM Hog. A. H. Venom, eldest son et
Lord and Lady Vernon, having attained his majority oa
Friday last, the event was celebrated with great njuicinge
on the family estates in Cheshire, Dertqablm, and Nona,
emberlend. The principal scene of the fsetivieirs was Pope-
tea, about five miles distant from Stockport, where, in the
imsecliate vicinity of the old fatally mansion, aresituate the
va,usble coal fields known as the " Popsies sad Worth
Collieries." The morning was ushered in by the firing of
cannon, and the assemblage of the Unmet/7 and de-
pendents of the Vernon family, from the district
around in the vicinity of the Popsies eolliwy offices,
who having formed a inueession, in which about 2,M0 persona
joined, proeseded to Beriowfield, the residence of Mr. Ash-
worth, Lord Vernon's agent, where the Hun. Mr. Versos
was staying, and presented him with an addax's of magma-
whiA washed by en old retainer of the family.
Toe address was signed by scdil of 2,000 tereone, end
the compliments which it es were suitably acknow-
ledged by Mr. Verson. The pence' who joined in the pro-
eessiun were subsequently regaled by a substantial dinner
which was arranged in the schools which have been erected
by the noble owner of the estates. The proceeding. of the
day were brought to a close by a dieser which was given by
the gentry and municipal dignitaries of the town and neigh-
bourhood to Mr. Verses.
ANOTHER SAVINGS BANK ROBBERY.—The Hen
Savings Sank appears to have boss in the bands of a dis-
honest actuary, and the accounts are sow in course Ooze-
likiestion. So ter r tha• examinations has been conducted
from the present Use, to the year 1839, the inquiry has re-
veiled frandelent outfits, ameueting, we are informed, to
2,5e101. Thla is** whole extent of fraudulent entries yet
ascertained, but it appears from the published ac-
acne's, that the claims of the depositors amount to
361,6661. He. 114. The hank's investment in government
securities is 346,1661. 351. 104., sad the Gosh in its trea-
gerer's hands 11805., making a total of 347.9461. 3e. 10d.
The actual deficiency therefore appears to be 3,6]01. 13e. IL
Very fortunately the bank tams a surplus fend of 3,4601.
sad holds security from the late estuary foe 2,0001 sad
therefore the funds of the beak are more than sufficient
to cover its liabilities. Bet nevertheless it does ap
per
extra, rdinary that defalcations to these large moms sea
have bees going on year after year wiliout deteetios. To
say the load. there Inset have been great laxity in the
aiaaagasest.—YorksArra Guilt..
ATLEABURT SAVINGS' BANE ROBBERY.--Tbe de-
falcations of the 11•Vill111. bank may sow h. said to havereachedsum approaching to 1,0001. The examinaUun of
the books exhibited an utter want of care on the pun of
Owe who it le supposed would have paid greater attention
to their own Wainer. In some induces blank cheques
must have been signed by parties withdrawing a part of
their deposits; and *Me who moppet their amount at the
bask to have boon reduced by withdrawing a sass of 61.,
bad to their diaappoirtmest that the cheques they have
sinned have been filled up foe 461., the larger mown baying
been withheld and appeo:wisted by &ration, who on many
esessioss west have had nano, map' of detection, as the
Pr4oklialf of bask repeats by Ws may be traced as far
beet in the year 1316...-Assais Ildwriimr.

THE EXPRESS, MONDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 4, 1850.

doned as a despots gave by Mr. Dreamt and hisi
would-be cahmet esqtVeres. Other plans and pro-
acts in the nature of reprisals they mtate, 'tis true.
o pat the whir Ina =Roney, and Be they suppose
thereby force a dissolution parliament, there is
nothing they may not, some fine evening, be found
reedy to vote for. Numerous opportunities for
wreaking this sort of vengeance they are
likely to have, and sanguine are their
anticipations of being able to turn them
to party advantage. Numerically, they exceed the
utmost strength of the whigs considerably. The re-
sult, therefore, as between the two sections. melt de-
pend altogether on the part which the Peelites and
tidies* on each Aim qualities, may.detertnine to
adopt. But be this se it may, protection, as a sub-
stantive question, has cased to be. To cap a climax,
or barb a retrospective bantam it may for a
time still linger in the die:anions of the
House of Commons; but separate, positive, or
practical utility, it no more possesses any longer
than " our glorious protestant constitution,"
now of blessed memory. Protection has been
formally and finally shelved. It has been put upon
the superannuated list of questions. "It may or it may
not" be called forth to appear en rhetorical parade at
some future day, so the keeper of the country party's
conscience coolly declared last Friday night. But
what the probabilities were of even this rare and
honorary demonstration he did not think it necessary
to explain. His soul is occupied with other thoughts.
" Sinking funds," " cheap capital," and " the vacci-
nation grievance," are paramount considerations just
at present in the mind of the ex-protectionist cham-
pion. How is the soil of England to produce corn at
a profit, and yield raised rents beside, if it is
obliged to bear the burden of vaccination fees? It
is manifestly impossible. If free trade be true,
cries Mr. Disatzu, let the principle be applied to
the small-pox. 'Tie a disease of foreign origin, and if
it cannot be excluded altogether from the realm,—let
those who have it pay for it. But in the moredasms
of everlasting justice let not the soil of the kingdom
be taxed in order that the commercial multitude, who
have no real stake whatever in the country, should
be insured from the evil consequences of this imported
disease. Disconsolate agriculturists lifted up their
voice as though they would have cheered tree noble
reatiment ; but the memory of their lately cherished
but now cashiered protection rose instinctively, and
in mate melancholy they refrained.
Friday night's division may in itself be looked
upon as decisive. A majority of English, a majo-
rity of Scotch, and a majority of Irish members re-
fused to ascribe the agricultural depression, which
prevails, to recent measures of free trade legislation.
There can be and there will be no ri trogressiou ; and
Lord STANLEY and Mr. DISRAELI are obviously but
too sick of the insane cry they have raised, not to be
nxious to sib it at any hazard.

WE feel confident that not only now, but long
since, the people of England would have taken serious
measures far diminishing the weight of the National
Debt, if assured, first, that the sums would be equally
and justly levied for that purpose ; and secondly, that
the diminution of the debt would be permanent, and
not converted into new facilities end excures for
borrowing. Is it not evident, that the old
scheme of a Sinking Fund would never have
been aoandoned, could.any government be relied upon
to honestly administer and apply it ? It was the
hopelessness and the inutility of extinguishing the
debt that led such economists as Laird At.eitone to
do away with the sham sinking fund, and to seek to
alleviate the public burdens rather by lightening
taxes than wiping off debt.
The state of things which attracted the considera-
tion and produced the decision of Lord Antiwar has
again occurred. There is a surplus ; and what is to
be done with it ? The first question is whether
the surplus is a casual, or a permanent one ?
If it be merely casual, it is not worth while altcrir g
fiscal arrangements, and repealing taxes one year to
resuscitate them the next. But all the argumeies of
Mr. C. VILLIERS, the boasts of Sir CHARLES WOOD,
and the assurances of Lord JOHN RUSSELL, indicate
the present development of industrial prosperity and
consuming power as likely to continue. In that cue
we have to consider whether no iniquitous and odious
taxes press upon us, and produce the effect not
merely of subtracting a certain portion of money
from the people's pockets, but of at the same time
crushing and preventing the creation of wealth, thus
working harm, and destroying property double and
treble the amount actually raised. To find such taxes
we have but to look over the list of the Excise. To
abolish these, and release certain portions of our
industry from actual fetters, is not only justice, but
economy—far greater economy than paying off a few
millions of the national debt.
If the object be, indeed, to improve the credit of
the government, to give it an appearance of force in
any negotiation with, or menace to, foreign countries.,
then, indeed, our government might like to show
itself the contrary of the Russian, that is, paying
debts whilst the other is incurring them. But where
is the necessity for such display ? If England be as
1
temperate and firm, as powerful, it has little need to
fear attack. At all events, the true way to meet rivalry,
and even hostility, is to develop the industry and
active resources of the country. A rivalry certainly
exists between liberal and despotic powers at present,
but it is a rivalry in which intelligence will do more
than armies. It is a war which is far better to pro-
secute by taking off the taxes upon knowledge, than
by raising the estimates.
We trust, therefore, that Mr. COBDEN'S advise will
be followed in making use of the three million sus.,
plus to reduce the excise duties, rather than going'
with it into the market to buy up stock. It is quite
irrelevant to compare this to a private cue. A gri-
vats creditor is always anxious to be paid, the par lie
creditor deprecates it. Thus, unpressed, the country I
has the liberty of consulting its interests. And, use
less there could be a large, stable, and efficient plan'
fur the sensible diminution of the debt, it is idle to
peddle wither nibble at it, whilst the money might
be more advantagously employed in setting 'free the
cramped energies of the country's industry and in-
telligence.
It certainly would be a halcyon state for the real
property of this country, the holders of which encou-
raged and created the debt, it would certainly be good
I management fur them to tax to the le termost—nay,
overtax the active industry of the country, in order to
create a yearly surplus. for the purpose of applying
that surplus to the lightening of the debt. If, however,
we demand a more equable distribution of taxation to
mese the current expenses of the year, still more are
we entitled to demand it in order to pay off the ex-
posers of the past.
According to the "Liverpool Reform Tracts," et
the 68 or 69 millions sterling of gross revenue raised
on the people of this country, not more than one-
sixth or oce seventh is levied on property. The rest
is taken from the profits of trade and industry, and
from the wages of the labouring class, who pay from
their scanty earnings the largest proportion of the
thirty-seven millions of indirect taxation. It surely
is not fair to set about paying off the national debt
out of funds and resources thus levied, avowedly with
a view to convenience not justice.
The project of making the earning and the strue-
gling classes bear five-sixths of the burden, not only
of current annual expenses, but of the debt incurred
foe put wars and past politics,is somewhat akin to the
legerdemain of Mr. DISRAELI, who would rid land I
even of its local and special charges, on the verbal
pretence of its being a raw material. If any obliging
naturalist could discover for manufacturing industry
a raw material which, without exhausting itself,
would produce an annual produce—if such a sage
could furnish a new and magic species of cotton, or
iron or wool, which would send forth the manufac-
tured article, yet remain itself u the substance for an-
other year's production, then we opine that the
manufacturer could have no valid objection to such a
raw material being taxed. Such a raw material would,
furnish rent; and, if it could be monopolised like land
and endowed with political privileges, a rent far
higher than could be warranted by productive re-
turns.
Neither land nor capital can be considered as raw
material. And land alone has a " margin," a source
of wealth in the natural fertility of the soil, a source
which in England as in most countries belonged to the ,
date. and was granted in hereditary right to indi-
viduals, on condition of their paying a certain por-
tion of that natural produce for the turposes of
justice, of defence, of religion, and of supporting the
poor. These are not taxes on raw material, hut
charges on the natural productiveness of the Hail.
And what the two sections of the protec-
tionists prepare either separately, as they did