The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-04-02 00:00:00

on foot, but I sin satisfied that it is wholly unnecessary. that it can
he productive of no real advantage, and that it may (mutually lead
to much eel and inconvenience.
" I can quite understand the advantage arising float particular
Interests associating for their own special protection, but I can see
3 o benefit likely to result from a genial emaciation, such as that
3 ow proposed ; and if any particular interest should acquire • pre.
ponderating influence in it (which it may be difficult to prevent), the
tnstitution might, in that case, operate most injuriously upon all
other interests and breeches of industry.
I do not think it necessary to trouble yen by entering into fur.
ther details on this subject, after having candidly stated to you my
opinion; but I am sure it will occur to you, that in every respect
there nitiat he a material difference between an institution of this
nature, in the out-ports and manufacturing towns, which are at a
considerable distance from the seat of Government, and such an
establishment in the city of London, where all perm to who may
feel themselves aggrieved have such easy and ituruediud WPM to
the executive Government and to Parliament.
" I have the honour to be, Sir.
" Your very obedient humble Servant,
(Signed) " Li v earoos.
" John Smith, Esq."
It oerminly might happen that his Majesty's Ministers might take
■ different view of the subject if the plan were altered. He hail
only a right to state his fears. A note arrangeoent might remove
thew objections, but he was apprehensive that the real ground of
dislike was a Ceralifl jealousy of the rising importance and power
et the mercaivile interests Iliear, hear), which it was feared might;
ociptire, by means of this institution, a degree of weight in the
Ccuucas of the nation, to which hitherto it hail been a Stril:l,77.
(aut, beer.) With rqprd to the proposed institution, he would
nes:, is their leave, say a few words. There could be no doubt
woe:ever of the fact (it had been ascertained by a diligent and ex-
tensive inquiry, and he was prepared to bring forward the proofs of
the fats). that these institutions had been predictive of the moat
signal benefits in various parts of the world, as well as in various
towns of this kingdom. (Hear, hear.) Whatever might be the
mode of carrying on foreign commerce, or the comparative know.
ledge of commercial law here and abroad, the good effects of these
tmettutions on the Cmtinent was a circumstance that could have
escaped the observation of no man who paid the slightest attention
to the rate of commerce. One of the greatest misfortunes with
which his experience had made him acquainted in the cotutnercial
world, was an ignorance of the state of commercial law, as well,
indeed, as of every other kind o: law in this country. (Hear, hear.)
He bad no wish to cast any reflections. He begged to guard against
being supposed to be inclined to follow a course which would ill
become him ; lint no man could have lived as he WO, twenty years
in the commercial world, without knowing the difficulty of ascer-
taining the law on the different points of his interests. The
Chamber of Commerce would give peculiar facilities iii this import.
ant matter. The members of such an ins. itution would be ambled
to ascertain the state of the law as to the Excise, Customs, or any
tirinen of the revenue. By its counsel, advice, anti interference,
they would save a vast dial of expense and trouble, arising froti
Ouse tedious and ruinous 14w-snits which now sometimes occupied
re hs, and, he +eight say, years (hear, hear, hear), to ob.
taiu a doubtful redress for grievances not unfrequently moire-
vated by the remedy when gained. (Hear, hear, hear.) lle
was desirous to cast no reflection on Government for these things,
for though his political feelings and principles were not in accord-
ant- with theirs, yet he was fee to admit that Government had
timer paid noire attention to the mercantile interests (hear, hear),
and that there hail never before been a Board of Trade that had
paid a tenth part of the attention bestowed by the present Board on
the interests subject to its care. (Ilear, hear, hear.) Such was the
client of the commerce of the country—so vast was the trade of
rnis asenopolis, that if Government did nothing but attend to met,
candle complaints, corning as they did without classification or
order, it might do nothing lie. (I fear, hear, hear.) When it was
knows that the laws of Excise filled,he was afraid to say how many
toluenes, but it was a fact he would undertake to state, that they
were snore numerous than the whole of the criminal laws of the
courr y—was it wonderful that individuals who got entangled in
museunents of such a nature should not obtain speedy redress ? The
chamber of Commerce would have formed such a system of classi-
fication, that a member would only have had occasion to state his
case, and he would have known at voce whether he could obtain
lidless. The Board would either have advised him to be quiet,
and patiently suffer the consequences of his mistake, or they would
have told him how to shape his memorial, and conduct his suit to
a successful result. Ilighly useful as the institution would have
been in that point of view, there was another object of even
more importance, viz. the general spread of commercial know-
ledge. He had been long of opinion, and he knew offiny
whJ agreed with him, that the great evil under which man-
kind laboured--that to which the larger portion of their misfortunes,
disappoinuuents, and distresses, were owing, was ignorance, and
ignorance alone. The Chamber of Commerce would have pre-
vented a large mass of litigation ; and to any one in the habit of
'Woking at the mercantile questions agitated in Courts of Law, it
would appear evident that mast of them could be settled much
better by a Chamber of Commerce, if it were supported, as it ought
to be, by the high authorities of the city. This consideration alone
erase convincing argument in favour of the institution. There was
onecithee point also of great importance, and that was, the facility
of access the Chamber of Commerce would afford to the Govern-
ment Itself; for, though merchants of high respectability and great
fortune might command immediate attention to their complaints,
the same prompt regard was not had to those of minor madders-
lion, though certainly possessing an equal right to justice. (Hear,
hear.) The failure of such an institution was much to be deplored.
was a great misfortune to the mercantile interest, and he hoped
and trusted that, if they were not to be allowed to have a Chamber
'of Commerce, there would be in future somewhat of a more ready
attention to the applications of individuals of humble station.
'!'here were, within We own knowledge, sonic cases that had not re-
ceived the attention to which they were entitled. He apologised
for detaining the Meeting so long (hear, bear, hear); but he was
anxious to give those explanations, because he disagreed on this
subject with an Honourable Friend (Mr. George flatbed), from
whom, during a space of 25 years, in the course of much business '
in which they had been mutually concerned, he had never before
LW the misfortune to differ. He did not hold his Hon. Friend's
opinion light. He acquitted him of all those narrow or illiberal
opinions which had governed some gentlemen in the City who were
not well-disposed to support the institution, because it had not ore.
ginsted with some individuals who were generally concerned in
every new undertaking of any considerable utility or importance.
The authority of (14132C.4, however, had passed away. If the insti.
dation was good, it ought to be supported ; and from what quarter
it had Poe-ceded was a matter not worth the while of the meeting
to trouble itself about. (Hear, hear.) He could not conclude
without saying, on his own behalf, and for the gentlemen with
whom he had acted, that though they looked back with feelings of
disappointment, they did not feel the slightest sentiment of self.
remolds It wns, perhaps, a matter of regret that they had spent
so much time and trouble, when, by an earlier application, they
might have ascertained the opinions of his Majesty's Government.
He begged to be allowed to advert to • point of some importance,
el.,ch had not occurred to him when ia that pert of his argument.
The meeting should be aware, that it was a matter of no ordinary
difficulty to change the law on a commercial or any other subject.
Whatever might be the injustice—however great the abuse, infi.
site difficulty would be experienced by any one gentleman, or any,
therm five, going into the House of Comnions to move the repeal
of an existing law, be it what it might. A more important ques-
tion than that respecting merchants and factors never existed No I
man could knew whether he had any property or not in what he
ensidered an his own goods. It he purchased a quantity of tallow,
fur essniple, Item a broker, he knew not that he might not be
called upon to par for it twice. There were also circumstances
connected with bills of exchange that loudly called for the inter-
position of the Legislature. lie should be happy if he found that I
the neeamity fora Chamber of Commerce was removed, by • more'
prompt and effectual a-tendon to the numerous grievances under
which the mercantile interests at present leboured The Honour-
able Gentleman concluded with moving a resolution in accordance
with the tenor of his speech.
Mr. Alderman Bat noes seconded the motion.
air. GEORGE I entiur said, that as nothing badyet tended to
change the opinion he entertained respecting the expediency, under
any circumstances, of forming a Chamber on Commerce Mt the ('ity
et "London ; and as what had been so auidWly and ably stated had '
served very much to confirm his sentiments, he should not sit
down without recommending the meeting to stay their pniceedings
altogether. Ile should lie extremely disingenuous, if he did not
declare his full emviction at the purity of intention in which the
plan had originated. All the meeting was of one sentiment as to '
the diligence, ability, and success with which the Committee had I
compressed so much information into the Report which hail been
laid 'before the meeting, and as to the ability with which his Hon.
Friend (31r. John Smith) had opened the debate. (!leer, hear.)l
He could not help thanking him tin some allusions which he could
not sea, taking to himself perminally. (Hear, hear.) Every
thing offind by his Honourable Friend deserved the most at.
!mere condtheration. The intelligence of his mind was equalled;
-only by the benevolence of his heart. (Hear, bear, hear.) Ile i
(Mr. Haffiett) could not differ from such a man without diffidence .
and regret. It would be unfair if he did not declare, that the idea
o f collecting into one focus all the commercial light of the I
eluatry vas a favourite scheme of his own. The ides of
concentrating into one Chamber all the talent, knowledge. and
isdom of the first city in the world, and rendering them available;
for the commou good, seemed to him grand and captivating. This
was upwards of forty years ago. He had mentioned his project to
los friends, the late Sir Franca* Baring and Mr. Atkinson, both men !
of great commercial experience, and by them, and by men like
them, he was convinced that his scheme was as erroneous as it was
plausible. The arguments by which he was then inipreseed he
would that day repeat. However expedient a Chamber of Com.
mace might be in a nOunufacturing town, or in a town of limited
extent, and limited commercial engagements, he was satisfied it
11 would not be found suitable to the metropolis of the British em-
pire. Here it would be likely to fall it to disregard, or become
actively mischievous. In exact proportioi to its excellence,: if it
could be realised, was the danger of the attempt, it unsuectasful.
Any thing short of complete success must prove highly injurious.
To suppose that all the talent by which the several and conflicting
commercial interests were managed, could be collected and concen-
trated, so as to act together with consistency, harmony, and
impartiality, was to expect too much. Was it considered who the
leading commercial men of the City of London were ? They
were all at the head of some distinct branch of the trade
of the country. They were acting -as Chairmen or Deputy
(Nemeth or leading Directors of incorporated companies, re-
eating the particular interests of the body with which they
vas connected. Every niouient of the time of such a person,
not devoted to his own private business, was employed ht
the service of the interest to which he belonged. How were stitch
s to be amembled into a Chamber for the gaited pod ?
lirerrnwere they to be persuaded to give their dine to chi &do
edmerelal parliament ? How were they to be iodlt zithmet
xiimdves the prejudices they bad imbibed by ties

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