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THE BRITISH PRESS.

Hume) had said on a former occasion relative to the Hon. Gentle-
man opposite (Mr. Ellis), when the subject was before under dia.
cussion, was correct.
Mr. ELLIS. as we thought, offered to address the House.
The SPEAKER said that any thing said in that House could
not be referred to in the present way; he thought it was better to
hear Mr. Ellis than for Air. Hume to press a petition which con.
mined statements which could not be received.
Alt. ELLIS then said that the selection complained of had
taken place 20 years ago. The Cm-respondent paper, which re.
ceived the Govantnent advertisement; advocated the Roman Ca.
tholic claims, and was conducted by a Roman Catholic. The
Weekly Register was a paper lately established ; while the Correa.
pondent advocated the Catholic claims no objection was taken to
the insertion of the Government advertisements, but when it took
the advocacy of "the Protestants, then those exceptions were taken ;
he selected the Correspondent because it was the paper of the Court
of Chancery.
The petiuon wasthen laid nit the table.
CORN LAWS.

Lord STANLEY rose to present a petition from the inhabitants
of Bury, in Lancashire, against the measures contemplated by
Government, In relation to the Corn Laws. In his opinion it would
be better to impose a higher duty, and send it to the Committee,
that they might apply it to the relief of ti(e distresses of the ma-
' nufactunng classes.
Mr. HUSKISSON made an observation which was inaudible,
after which we understood him to say, he would offer a few remarks
in reference to what had taken place last evening ; but he should
do so with perfect good humour, being fully satisfied with the re-
sult of that part of the discussion to which he alluded. An Hon.
Baronet (Sir T. Lethbridge) stated last night, that he had re-
ceived information of there having been considerable activkv in the
corn market at Liverpool, on the Saturday preceding the Monday
on which Ministers intimated their intention of introducing the
present measures. He felt satisfied lie had divested the Hon.
I Baronet's inied of any impression that such information could have
proceeded from him (Mr. Iluskisson), and his principal object in
now addressing the House was, to put the Honourable Gentleman
on his guard against those from whom he derived his intelligeeee.
He did this more particularly, because it would be recollected the
lion. Baronet stated he had received his information from the
best authority—from a source on which he could place the most
perfect reliance. The letter which he (Mr. 11.) last night referred
to, and which he then said he received from the gentlemen corn-fac-
tors in Liverpool, was dated the 25th April, which was the Tuesday
before the Saturday on which such activity was alleged to have
taken place. The letter (of which the Right Hon. Gentleman read'
a part) suggested that considerable advantage might result to those
distressed, if Government would purchase the bonded corn in that
neighbourhood, and allow it to be re-saki at a free duty. The lc. ;
ter went on to state, that the price of corn in the market was Is.
and 4s. ca. per bushel. (Hear, hear.) The letter was signed
and IValwiesly." Now he held in his hand the returns 1
from the corn market on the Saturday, which, after stating that
there was little doing in the market, gave the price of corn at 40. t
and 4s. 3d. So that there was on this Saturday, on the very day
that the Hon. Baronet wax informed there was such extraordinary
activity, at this very time there was a depression in the market to
the amount of threepence per bushel. (Hear, hear, hear.) On 1
the foreign mart, too, the corn and flour in bond continued dull up
to the last quotation. He made these observations in perfect good :
huntour, for he was quite satisfied with the explanation of the •
lion. Baronet. His object was to set him on his guard as respected
the authority, whatever it might be, on which lie had placed so
much reliance. (Hear. hear.) Having stated so much, and not 1
wishing to detain the Howie, he would conclude with saying, that
he should, with great pleasure, put the documents to which he had •
referred into the hands of the Hon. Baronet, for the purpose of
affording him an opportunity of looking over them. After the ex-
planation he had given, he trusted he stood.acquitted. (Cheers.)
He would add, he was sure he did. (Hear, hear, hear.) He could
assure the House he was not unworthy their confidence, because!
he represented a large, respectable, and intelligent class of indivi-
duals. (Cheers.)
Sir T. LETH IDGE.—He had said yesterday he was quite
satisfied with the explanation of the Right Hon. Gentleman, and
he did not think he would have thought the matter of so much im-
portance as to render it necessary to produce the documents which
had been before the House. He (Sir T. Lethbridge) was ready to
admit these documents were more powerful, and more likely to be
correct, than the authority on which he had rested. (Hear, hear.) 1
While he conceded this, however, he must say he had no doubt
the person from whom his information was received did no more
than state that which he at the time believed to be true. (Hear.)
The petition was then read, and laid on the table.
Mr. J. HEATHCOTE presented a petition from Gloucester,
against the two measures contemplated by his Majesty's Ministers.
The petitioners prayed the House would not alter the present Corn
Laws, and stated that a duty of 12s. would only put money inns the
pockets of dealers in foreign corn. They thought the duty should
have the ss. provided by the law, in addition to the 125., which
would make the duty 17s. They were great holders of corn, the
greatest in the county, and had entered into extensive engagements
on the faith of the answer given by the Rt. Hon. Gent. to an inquiry
made la) the Hon. Member for Shaftesbury (Mr. Leycester), as to
whether it was the intention of Government to set tree the bonded
corn this Session. The alteration now proposed would so operate
on the engagements they had made as to cause the petitioners' ruin;
it would almost amount to a confiscation of their property. They
stated it to be their opinion that the present distress neither pro.
ceeded from a scarcity of food nor a want of demand for manufac-
tures, but from an absence of that faith and confidence so necessary
to the prosperity of a nation. The Hon. Member said he would
only observe, before sitting down, that these measures were a fur.
then proof of the vacillation of Ministers. lie should reserve any
other remarks he might have to make for the period when the ques-
tion would undergo more extensive investigation.
After a few observations from fir. Leycester, Mr. Benett, Col.
Johnson, Sir J. al'rottesley, and Mr. Birch,
Sir J. SEBR IGHT said that the Right Honourable Gentleman
(Mr. Secretary Canning) had referred to the moral effect it would
Nye to act corn free which was shut up in great quantities within
sight of those who were suffering distress. So tar the principle
might be good ; but he did not see what world be the moral effect
of suddenly changing that which was understood to be the deter.
mination of :Ministers, merely because some riotous individuals had
broken up and destroyed power-loom. (Hear, hear.) The ques-
tion was, to what degree would the present measures lower
the price of bread ? Would they lower it one penny in the
loaf ? When the corn was diffused all over the country, it
was not likely to do more than this. If he could being himself to
think that letting the corn out of bond would benefit those who were
now aufferiug, lie would vote for it ; but in his opinion the mea-
sure would not have the effect of sending the corn to the distressed.
He before asked, would it lower the price of bread one penny ?
would it lower it a halfpenny ? lie could not say exactly to what ex-
tent it would go, but in his opinion they wanted employment, not
bread. lie would not give any opinion on the question itself;
what he now objected to was the indirect manner in which it was
brought forward. He was sorry it should have been introduced at
all, but he was still more sorry it should have been introduced by
the present Administration, because there was none for which he
ever had a greater respect, and none in which he had placed greater
confidence. lie had no doubt, when the question came fairly be-
fore the House, to be able to agree to the amount of duty Ministers
would propose.
After a few words from Mr. T. WILSON, which were In.
audible,
The petition was ordered to be printed.
LORD CHARLES SOMERSET.
A 51 EMBER, whose name we could not learn, said, seeing the
Right lion, the Foreign Secretary in his place, he wished to give
him notice that he should make a ;notion on Monday in relation to
the conduct of Lord Charles Somerset.
CORN LA WS.—COM STITT EE.
Mr. Secretary CANNING moved the Order of the Day for the
House resolving itself into a Committee on the 3.1 Geo. IV. c. 60.
On the question that the Speaker do leave the chair,
Sir T. LETHBRIDGE said, he still retained as much hostility
to the measure before the House as he had before expressed. As it
might, however, be a matter of convenience that the Speaker
' should leave the Chair, he should not object to it, but would re-
serve his opposition till the proposition of the Right Hon. Gene
denten was before the House in Committee.
Air. CA Lt RAFT said he did not rise to object to the mode of
opposition suggested by hie lion. Friend, thought he could not
think that there would have been anything unusual or uncourteoua
in adopting the other course. The first measure (said the Ho-
nourable Member) was agreed to and ordered to be reported ; for
all he (Mr. C.) knew, it might have been reported yesterday. All
that remained, then, was the second proposition ; and he hoped
to this there would be a most stubborn—(hem hear,)—he would
repeat it, a most stubborn opposition. To the proposition no
qualification, let it be of whatever nature it might, would reconcile
him. Haring stated this, lie would not further object to its being
brought under the consideration of the House : but when lie so
said, he wished it to be 'most distinctly understood, that he did not
in any wav pledge himself as to the course he should afterwards
pursue. That any modificatioo the Right Honourable Gentleman
might propose in the Committee could meet with his approbation
was impossible, his objection being to the way in which they were,
he might say, deciding the Corn Laws. (Hear, hear.) Ile was
even now ready, if the Right Honourable Getitlenten would change
their course, to go into the discussion of the whole question. (Hear,
beer.) He was ready tide Session to come to a final judgment ;
and this did seem to be the best course, not only for the House,
but for the country. (Chem.) lie compromised his opinion on a
former occasion, at the suggestion of the Right lion. Gentleman;
but he could do so no longer. His present opinion was, that a free
discussion and full adjustment of the measure would be the best
mode of settling those sorts of disagreement, which were setting in
opposition to each other two great and important bodies—the Ina-
nufacturing and agricultural interests.

Sir K KNATCH BULL said he had given It as his opinion to
his constituents, that there would he no alteration in the torn
Laws this Session ; but notwithstanding that he came to this con.
elusion in consequence of declarations made by Ministers, they
came down, and, without any explanation, were proposing mea-
sures of the greatest importance. For this reason he was not
preparel to go into the question, or consent that the Speaker
should leave the Chair. As a matter, however, of practical
convenience, he would not persist in his opposition. Indi-
viduals were placed in a most unfair situation by the mea-
sure being now introduced. Those who made up their minds
to change their coerce, might imagine they had sufficient
reasol ; but this was no justification with those whom he repre-
sented. No class was more ready to relieve those who were dis-
tressed than his constituents. lie concurred in the proncoltion
which went to free the bonded corn to the home market, hoping it
would be productive of some particular good ; but be objected to

--too
Iplacing that discretion, sought by the other, in the hands of Me,
Meters.
A MEMBER said he ondenoood the Gentleman who had jug
sat down was disposed to withhold the bonded corn front the des.
tressed districts ; he wished to know if such was his meaning ?
Sir E. KNATCHBULIe said he never conveyed soy such
meaning. No Member was more anxious than himself that these
distresses should he relieved.
Mr. Secretary CANNING Paid, the observation which seemed
to have been mistaken fettered to others, not to the Honourable
Member's self.
Sir JOHN WROTTESLEY ma le a few observations, which
were Inaudible, and
The House thee resolved itself into a Committee of the whole
House.
Mr. Secretary CANNING began by observing that it was on.
usual to offer opposition to consider In Committee inatten decline
glanced as the present case was. He was therefore surprised at the
proceedings which took place at the opposite side of the House
In
that respect. He was anxious to clear away some objections that
had bmn made, before be proceeded to the subject more particularly
to be discussed. For were he to allow such charges to continue
without contradiction, he would necessarily be under the imputation
of considerable blame, which, es it was not deserved by hie Mae
jesty's Ministers, he thought it but just to rebut. In the first
place the Government had been accused of a breath of faith ie
bringing forward the present question, because, as was alleged, they
had pledged themselves on the first day of the Session not to
discuss the subject of the Corn Laws, and recently, on the night
when the motion of the Honourable Member for Brid_gnerth
cane before the Home. the pledge was renewed. It a 4
now objected that the Government had forfeited the pledge
which they had advanced on these two occasions, when they
had asserted that the present Session was not the proper time ter
making any alteration in the Corn Lase. He freely admitted that
auch was the avowal of Government, and that it wax the principle by
which it still continued to be actuated, and from which they did eot
mean to depart. But when he used these expressions, he was not
aware that his Majesty's Ministers could fsirey be charged with
Inconsistency ; for if there was any one thing which, more than art.
other, entitled them to that character of consistency with the loss of
which they had been upbraided, it was the very nieaeure that was
reprobated. It was of such a nature as to enable the House to
remedy the mischiefs which might result during the recess, without
infringing on the principle of those laws the consideration of which
It had been agreed to postpone to another Session. Ile fully ad.
witted that it Mittiaters endeavoured to propose the adoption of any
measures which should prejudge what the consent of the House had
deterred toe subsequent period, such an attempt would be a breath
of faith. Ile would go Wither, and confess, if measures, not directly,
but even incidentally. tending to prejudge the question of the COll
Laws, were introduced on this occasion, that breach of faith might
be justly imputed to their insidious introduction. But at the same
time that be candidly avowed the blame to weich such a course
of proceedings would subject the Government, he totally disclaimed
the intention, either directly or indirectly, of bringing the nieres
of the Corn Laws before the consideration of the House. The
measure which he meant to propose was, ithis opiniott, Met par,
titularly calculated to effect the desirable object of remedying cone
tingent mischiefs during the recess of Parliament, without! in the
slightest degree compromising or affecting the principle of the
Coon loess. Ile hoped to convir ce the Hon. Members opposite,
before he resumed hie seat, that his proposition was most particu-
larly directed to a view of their interest's. (Che-ri.) When he
said their interests, he of course meant the inteteos of that dos of
the community—the agriculturists, for whose concerns those lion.
Gentlemen seemed more especially anxious to provide. When,
however, lie disavowed any intention of prejudging that general
question over which those Hon. Gentlemen watched, and whtn
he censured tie introduction of any nteasures to that effect by open
and undisguisel, or by incidental and indirect means, he hoped
those Hon. Gentlemen would• allow hive credit for looking to all
those classes of the country whose interests the Corn Laws might
be supposed to affect, and who constitu al, in fact, the entire cost.
munity. Though the agriculturists might appear to be more im.
mediately the object of those laws, it could not be doubted that
every other class of people in the kingdom was practically con.
cerned in their operation. He wished to call the attention of the
House to another subject, as it had been made a charge against the
Government. He referred to the answer which his Right
elonourable Friend gave to a question proposed by the Ho.
nourable Member for Shaftesbury (Mr. Leycester), to which
the Honourable Member for Bridemorth had alluded. The
question was, " Whether the bonded corn would not be liberated ?"
and the evasion of • direct answer had been objected to as a cause
of great censure against his Right Honourable Friend. Not hay.
ing been in the House at the time the circumstance occurred, he
could not state precisely what were the terms of the question and
answer; but if the answer was such as the objection alleged, as
leaving the inquirer in doubt, he saw no reason fot imputing blame
to his Right Honourable Friend for a mode of reply which did not
afford tither assent or denial. He was sure the Right Honourable
Member for Shaftesbury did not ask the question with any improper
motive. It was probably dictated by curiosity, or by an srder.t
zeal for the cause which he advocated. But was the Honourable
Member for Shaftesbury so ignorant of the consequences which
might arise from such an unlimited answering, as not to know
that it direct reply would produce a most powerful effect on the
commodity which was its subject. Such an intimation as was
revered from his Right Honourable Friend, of the intentions of
Government, would affect the article of corn probably 20 per cent.
Ile was well aware of the mischief which would arise if the
practice of giving Information on the numerous questions which
might be asked were to be adopted, Questions of that description
had been frequently proposed to himself, and he recollected that
he had been frequently asked to express himself upon pecuniary
points, when a compliance would have made a very serious diffee
recce. lie did not blame the Honourable Member for Shafts.
bury for proposing such a question, as the usage of the House im-
plied that the injurious consequences of a direct reply were not
always contemplated by those llonourable .Members who required
such information. But when his Right Ildnottrable Friend (Mr.
Ilitskiason) was acquainted with the tendency which his answer
might have to affect the commodity of corn—when he knew, it it was
in the affirmative, that it would cause an increase probably
of 20 per cent., and if in the negative, that it would be reduced
in a similar ratio—he did not therefore think the evasion el his
Right lion. Friend obnoxious to the censure of the HOM Gentle.
man ; on the contrary, if there was anything to blame in the cone
duct of that Right lion. Gentleman, it was that he did not alto.
gethrr preserve silence. But it was not to be inferred from that
answer that it was intended by Government at one period to post.
pone the discussion of the Corn Lassie and afterwards that they
would endeavour to introduce the matter by a sick...wind. It was not
intended to favour an inquiry into the merits of that question'
Whatever they might be, it was determined to let them test until
the matter should be agitated in the next feiveiament. It was not
his intention to connect the present question with the measure of
liberating the bonded corn, so inseparably as to conclude that, be-
cause the house had approved of the one, it must necessarily adopt
the other • but if the House had any reason to think that the Go-
vernment had in the former instance proposed what was worthy of
approval, then it would in the present case be supposed to act on
the same principle which had before been approved, and was deem-
, ed to be serviceable in its effect on the country. The account of
their decision reached Liverpool on Wednesday, and letters had been
put into his hands during the day, not written to him, nor by any
inhabitants of Liverpool with whom he was acquainted, and who
might be supposed to be influenced by the same cause which had
induced then' to support him when he was connected with that
town, but the writers were gentlemen of great character. The
Right Hon. Gentleman then proceeded to read an extract front one
of the letters, to the following effect :—" That there had been eon:.
little improvement in the business at Manche. ter,before the adoption
of the measures taken by el inistere was known ; but after the ac-
count of that event had arrived, there was an advance of 5 per cent.
That effect was to be attributed to the confidence which was ceded
among the people, by the disposition evinced on the pert of Go.
' vernment to alleviate any distress which might occur in the
country; and the people were thereby encouraged to hope that
they would be enabled to get over every difficulty." (Cheers.)
Another letter, of the date of the 3d of May, was then read by the
Right Hon. Gentleman. This aloe, he stated, was not addressed to
himself, but came from a respectable individual. That letter
stated, that the news received there that day had brightened their
prospects, and had excited such hopes in the holders of co:ton that
they were anxious to reserve themselves, and did not evict.* the
same anxiety to dispose of their stock as they had manifested be-
fore the • intelligence arrived. The Right Honourable Gen-
tleman said that the letters appeared to him to be valu-
able, on account of the proofs they afforded of the good effects
I produced on' the feelings of the people by the disposition of
Ministers to interest themselves in their behalf. He therefore
thought that the Government had great encouragement to
persevere in the coulee which had been marked with such felicitous
results. lie did not. however, mean that he indulged in all the sane
gnine expectations expressed by the writers of the letters. His ob-
ject in mentioning the effect of the former was to torn an analogy
between the two measures, the first of which had produced such
salutary effects. But he was willing to take them distinctly, and
to place the present on tta separate ground. If he was called on to
make choice in the dilemma, whether the Corn Laws system should
be permaitent, or. on the other hand, whether it was proper, in the
present time, to pmduce an excitement, lie should say, that his
opinion was hanged, and whatever he might have thought before
on the subject, that the present circumstances had indite d him to
the adoption of the alteration. It was his opinion that the Cora
Laws should be gradually suffered to change. He believed that no
Member of that House wished that the Corn Lima should go into
full operateon. lie had never heard any Gentleman express an
opinion to that effect in the discussions which had token elate on
the question ; and if such expression had ink single biome been
advanced, it would have made a material alteration. But there
was no one who, under the circumstances of the country,
would not regret that their operation should be pushed to
Its full extent. ICrie3 of " Hear, hear, hear.") The !Immutable
Baronet haul naked what circumstance had occurred since the mo-
tion of the lion. Member fur Bridgnorth (Mr. IVliitmore) which
required the difference of opinion. There was the difference that
nix weeks of en increase of prices was experienced without any
close to the cessation of which they could look. Anotiter reason
was to be deduced from the state of the harvest last year and during
the present. The harvest might now be calculated to come in a
mouth later than the preceding, and thus the people had to depend
on the stock for fourteen months instead of the usual time in ordi-
nary seasons. These two considerations did not otter themselves at
the time of the motion of the Hon. Member !for Bridgeorth. Ile
did not mean to allege that such causes must infallibly operas; it
was sufficient that there was a probability of their contingency. A
fortnight of mild wind and weedier would undoubtedly makes dif-
Ferenc°, hut he took the matter as merely contingent on either side.
In the year 1816 the change was the offspring of one night, and the

beef the dlonday were blighted on the Wednesday. That
11"1°„„„eree en late in the year as the month of June. The Govern.
e"e-matt, was Ito:ever charged with vacillation, hut though
he harm that a good harvest would pat to flight all ap.
I..ewe on the subject, he was of opinion that a wise
pee- hould be prepared against the ea They
sus ty .
oevernment s
gin look to the Corn Laws as a remedy. but as a danger. In
wrenas at the head of.t he Ministry,
ree iet Eatl of Chatham. w, and that
beim the Earl of Camden, presided an the House of lends.
tye, was there a more popular Administration in the country.
But mot the errs of Parliament there conic a famine, and those
f Ministers encountered the most violent censure, be
rtrf "I' adopted •
.measures similar to those which now
•
pea they had
&toed for the Ministers particular powers of counteracting such
asix• melee as might occur. The delicacy and danger incident to
t :est:Cele of those powers seemed not to be undermeml. The
popular 31inieterso' whom he hail spoken, when the difficulty
eri.4eetl, consulted the rotas pppufi, and adopted measures the con-
Hese of the present proposition. They proceeded to stop the ex.
pets Sin of the corn of the country, while it w es the object at pre-
sent to allow the Import it ion. The principle of both measures was
the same—tu provide against the exigency. What was the conee-
pence of their proceeding ? When the Parliament assembled, the
ee,„t violent debates ensued. in condemnation of the step which
had been taken. Though all admitted the necessity of the me,.
precipitancy of its adop.
sure, they nevertheless blamed the
min. The most virulent diecues.ons followed, and the severest cert.
ens were Indulged in against the two most popular Ministers
that the country ever beheld. The blame in that ease was grounded
is the fact of their having anticipated the sanction of Parliament
at e time against the sudden exigencies of which they could not
have been reasonably expected to provide: yet they did not escape.
If then such was the consequence in that instance, how much more
would the present Government be reprobated, fur neglecting to
unripe
te the occurrence of such emergencies as they, under the
reasons which now existed, would be charged with having neglected
to planl against. flow forcibly would it then be represented that
they had sufficient forewarning of the coming storm, and that it
was their own fault not to have appealed to Parliament for its
saaetion. Another objection to the proposed measure is, that the
necessity should first exist for the exercise. and that then the
Ilinistets might look for indemnity. (Hear, hear, hear.) hut
it to be summed that Gentlemen who objected to the giving Odle
sanction of Parliament to the exercise of that power would be
etelined to indulge the Ministers with an indemnity for the acts
which they had ventured to do without requiring the sanction of
Parliament in the first instance? (Hear.) No; they would un-
doubtedly begin to catechise, and to ask if there were no warnings
before the close of the Parliament, to indicate the probability of
each as emergencyits Lad occurred ? Were not the prices regularly
ming? (Cheers.) Such, undoubtedly, would be the nature of the
objections, and Gentlemen would Insist on the want of foresight
evinced by those Ministers who had despised the signs of the coin.
ing storm. It would be a dangerous experiment with the example
of the two pcpular Ministers of former days before their eyes.
The fate of those men, to equal whose merits lie and his colleagues
could not aspire, was sufficient to deter him from pursuing a Mini.
Leonine. It would then have been said that they ought to have
hot recourse to the very measure for which they were now blamed.
tehy, it would be asked, did they not apply to Parliament to
sanction the use of their discretion ? The best way to avoid
such consequences appears to apply, in anticipation of the
cootisgnmy Mr that sanction. They would then avoid the charge
of setting the Parliament at defiance. Ir the Parliament should
refuse, the time may come when they should be obliged to ask for
indemnity—but they would not do so on their own responsibility,
bat on the responsibility of those who wished them to act without
it. But if the power were given, the difference wuuld only be that
they would be acting with the discretion of Parliament, and not on
their own. And if the case should occur in the six weeks before
Parliament met, it should never be objected that they preferred the
exercise of the discretion of the Crown without the unction of Par-
liement. The argument against the measure was that the power
existed, and the difference of the present and the former ease was,
that the present .31inis:ry had the power of applying what Lord
Chatham and Lord Camden did not possess. They should not,
therefore, permit themselves to be seduced by the false lustre of the
example of their probeesure in office. The little difference to which
he had adverted would be pointed out to the prejudice of the present
Ministry. The persons who refused to give the power would be to
blame. If any gentleman in the discussion of the Corn Laws had
said that they ought to be in the fullest operation he might be in-
clined to waver; but that was not the fact, for if the difficulty were
to occur, no one would nay it ought to continue for three months.
It was foe the good of the agriculturists, and for the purpose of
postponing the discussion of the general question tall next Session,
that the present mode was adopted. (Hear, hear.) The same
reason influenced the suggestion of the other measure respecting
the banded corn. The measure was proper as a sanction for that
responsible discretion which was desirable to exist in the Crown in
cows of emergency. The resolution which he should propose was
of the following purport : The Right Hon. Gentleman then read
the resolution, *".fliat it is the opinion of the Committee that it is
elpedicit to empower his Majesty, by an eider or orders of his Ma.
Int, in Council, to permisunder certain regulutiotus,and for a time
to be limited, the entry, for home-consumption, of an additional
mantite of foreign corn, meal, or flour, subject to the duties which
say he imposed by any Act to be pseud in this Session of Pau la.
men:." The mode of executing that object was therefore, first,
the imposition of a duty ; second, restriction of price; and third,
llamado" of quantity. When the question was brought forward
the other night, the duty was made 12a. To that specification of
a sum many of his friends were averse, and agreed with lion.
Gentlemen opposite that it was itnprudent to fix a settled duty.
Others objected to assuming any duty as a maximum. Ile per.
belly agreed in thinking that it was wrong to specif), any rate, be.
anise it would tend to establish an opinion that such was to he the
standard foe future regulations of the Corn Laws. As to the price,
an lion. Gentleman had supposed that 655. ought to be the rule
at pretest ; but the appointment of any such price was liable to the
some objection as the former case, for it created a popular impres-
sion that the price would never exceed that amount, which was
oily prescribed, in reality, for temporary purposes. It was better
not to encourage such kind of delusions, but to leave the adjust-
ment of those matters to a discretion regulated by the state of the
gauntry. As so the third point, which regarded the limitation of
comity. It was supposed that Ministers wanted to get rid of the
Corn Laws by aside-wind ; that opinion was not correct, and this
limitmian was a sufficient proof, for the duty and the price might be
raised to meet an exigency of short duration, without affecting
the future relations of the Corn Law,. But there wen a great dif.
ference in respect to the quantity, which, if unlimited, might ope.
toe in a different manner, and extend the temporary effects of
the o her two brioches of the measure unreasonably, thereby
affecting the intended discussion of the general question during
the ensuing Session of Parliament. The rule of quantity
wee certainly in some' respects arbitrary, because it depended
to future contiegencies ; but it was deemed right to adopt
a certain amount, and permission was therefore required for the
Importation of so much in addition to what was already bonded, as
would make the whole 500,000 quarters. The intended mode of
eperatien was, that the additional quantity should be brought in to
supply the deficiency caused by clearing out what had been
in the hooded ware'muses. The Right Honourable Gentleman
then proceeded to read the particulars of the Bill, which accorded
sith the explanation already given as to the disposal of the corn
which has been already bonded on the 2d of May In the first in.
ranee, and the limitation of the quantity to the total of eOO.OOO
quitters, aid cf tne time to two months, and also the provisions as
to duty and prices. The Right lion. Gentleman then repeated his
nines for not making any specification of duty or price, as it
wen preferable to leave such points to discretion, if the exi-
gency of the case should require the danger of famine to
be met by the propose{ mode. lie hoped that the
elitege of keeping bad faith with the country would not
he Resisted on after the explanation which he had given of the
melees wheel induced Ministers to adopt the expedient. They
thought it the more prudent course to guard against contingencies.
!huh might, indeed, be remote. b"t yet required to be provided
rue. Redid not apprehend that the danger was probable, and he
baited it would never occur to call the measure into action, but he
mimed that the country weuld feel that the Government on the
Prili/UOCCaliOn. as well as on the liberation of the bonded corn,
els infleenced in its conduce by a regard to the happiness and wel.
Goof the community. (Cheers.)
The Resolution wax then put by the Chairman.
Mr. C. WILSON hoped that, on a question so deeply ineol 1 `g
the interests of the country, an humble country gentleman like
,Itneelf might request the attention of the notlse for a few minutes.
teard He did'not agree with the principle proposed by the lio-
uell urable 31e:tiller for Bridgnorth (31r. Whitmore). but although
.
wmight be mistaken in his views on the general policy of the Corn
twee* s he had no doubt as to the policy of the temporary measures
~ommended. It was • question of life or deals (Hear.) The
4,11,!1tY of von in the critintry wee generally believed not to be
very large, and if the measures recommended by Ministers were
h4t
adopted, the eteatast distress might cuter. It, upon calm con.
V.aeralion. he (31r. %Vilma) thought the measures proposed by the
non. Member foe Bridgnorth beneficial, they would have his pup.
Pen in or out of the House; but that was not the question. at
11)::rena
Plain
The present question was one of immediam pressure.
Country gentleman, he might be under the necessity of
returning to the simple food used by his ancestors, but it was not for
turn to look to the amount of this year's revenue, or to his own
tn toosuotion of the luxuries of life, even those which ,he habits of
et_y bad Tads necessary ; he felt it better became him to look to
the state of the poor and of the country. In his view the proposed
measures were well calculated to allevia,e e present distress; and,
elder this impression, the pro"'" ition of the Right Hon. Secretary
(Mr. Canning) had his cordial
support.
Secretary hit T. LETHBRIDGE said, that although the Right Hon.
for Foreign Affairs had stated his proposition in his
meal abheand fascinating manner, he saw the subject in a dif-
ferent Point of view. Perhaps he w find himself in a great
uatitiinsorfiwitettiin_his opinion, but he confessed be was not thoroughly
that a ease had been made out. There were no facts to
e.riiheeePPertweretheneorohabili.ty_on which the proposition was founded.
Lie
opinion
t.
etre:ono' for the expected calamity of a famine. In
h as no probability of any such calamity during
-
left had come down to ask for t putter which hail been described
", the Resolution. Ile was convinced that the probability upon
which the proposition was founded was most remote. lie was not
'T'll3•fictle
ierefore, to grant the. power demanded by Ministers.
;11 . ty of corn to be whintied was left to the discretion of
elesee's Ministers: 500,0011 qtiartere, the Right Hon. Gen-
tlemen stated, might be admitted it the discretion of Ministers,
t,idwnuot until corn had risen to what might be called a famine price.
would not easy to determine what the Right lion. Gentleman
call a famine price, but he seemed to say that Ministers amid act upon the discretion which they asked to be given them,
*NM corn rose to GA.' the quarter. blitaismie ought not, however,

to hold out to the country that a quarter was a famine price. If
such was their doetrine, it was very opposite to what had been pre-
viously maintained and acted upon. The power of Ministers
was limited, then, to the admission of 500,000 quarters, which,
added to the quantity now abret to be let out of bond, would
mak- very near one million quarters. lie calculated that there
were 4;10.000 quarters in bond, which would be let nut at the low
ditty of 12.. This was a very large quentity. The only consolatory
purist in the Right Hon. Gentlemen's statement was that the power
aeked by Cayernment was to be limited se to the quantity of corn
to be admitted. Ile confessed that he did not entertain so strong
al objection to such a proposition, at if the quantity was to be
unlimited, which was what he at first apprehended. But whilst
he freely admitted this, he thought it his duty to state, that his
objection to the principle of the proposed measure was in no de-
gree diminished. If 5410.01t0 quarters were admitted, such • measure
won'd be looked upon es a precedent, and he feared would produce
the most injurious effects on the agricultural interest. On future
occasions the duty of 12e. would be thought sufficient, because
such was the duty upon which it was now proposed to admit it.
The Right lion. Secretary (Mr. Canning) had gone far back—he
had gone so far as the days of hoed Chatham and Earl Camden,
but he (Sir T. Lethbridge) asked, was not the state of the agri-
cultural interest in the year 17fiti, and its present state, materially
different ? Was there any thing like warehouse corn then in
the country? The teasiming on the present proposition was
utterly unfounded. There was no approach to any thing like a
famine ; it was a grievous fallacy, and there was no serious pro.
'eet of that calamity on which the Right lion. Gentleman
grounded his proposition. If the Government were in poseesnion
of any information that would lend to such a conclusion, it was the
duty of Ministers to lay that information before the House. The
Right Hon. Gentleman founded his measure upon the possibility
of a remote danger. The Right lion. Secretary's arguments were
not conclusive to his (Sir T. Lethbridge's) mind, and he would
not allow himself to be carried away by the authority of the
Right lion. Gentleman. He must say he coneideree that this
measure involved the question of the Corn Laws. lie thought it
would be the last time there would he an opportunity of contending
the the principle of those laws. The 12e. duty would he acted on
in future as a precedent, and the real protection deserved front the
Corn Laws would be at an end.
Mr. PORTMAN said he had opposed the first proposition of
the Right lion. Gentleman, upon the ground that his Majesty's
Government asked for a discretionary power for which they had not
shewn a sufficient necessity. lie did not see how that measure
would affect the present distress, which was not attributable to the
price of corn or provisions, but to the want of employment (hear),
which arose out of the want of credit. (Hear.) His opinion on
the first of the Right lion. Gentleman's propositions remained
unaltered, but he fairly confessed that his views were altered on
the measure now proposed. Himself an agriculturist, and a re.
presentative of agriculturists, again desiring to be elected as the
representative of a county (Dorset) exchistively agricultural, he
was not prepared to take upon himself, nor upon the agricultural
interest, the heavy responsibility which was so forcibly pointedout
by the Right lion. Gentleman. Ile thought it right that the
Government of the country should be responsible for such a
measure, and he would now throw on Ministers the responsibility
which the Right lion. Gentleman wished to throw upon the coun-
try gentlemen. Ile would say to Ministers, if they slid injury to
the agricultural interest, be it on them. (Hear, from the Treasury
Bench.) it was said that the price of corn might rise to a dangerous
extent. In expressing such an opinion, he thought Ministers had
done much to unsettle the agricultural interest. The Right lion.
Gentleman said that he did not mean to gabble with the Corn
Laws but he (Mr. Portman) was fully prepared to state, In the
face Of the House, and of the county he represented, that when the
proposition was pressed lie should be anxious to go into the con-
sideration of the ('urn Laws, the more so now when it was alleged
that those laws were dangerous and insufficient for their purpose.
He was one of those who thought that whenever the question was
brought forward it should be discussed calmly, temperately, and
under the responsibility of his Majesty's Government.
Mr. 11. SUMNER was convinced that the arguments of the
Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Secretary Canning) were totally un-
founded. The Right Hon. Secretary thought, only 18 days ago,
that there was no necessity for any alteration in the Corn Laws,
and he asked what had since occurred ? lied there been a blight
within those 18 days? The Right lion. Gentleman said, that on
• former period there was a most promising ',ammo.' the Monday,
and on a Wednesday the hope of the country was blighted. Had
any such thing occurred on the present occasion ? Were not things
now precisely in the same situation as when the lion. Member
for Bridgnorth (Mr. Wnitreore) made his motion; The distress
then prevailed in the manufacturing districts, and if those whom it
pressed were driven to outrage, it was not in 'avow of Government
that they did not interfere earlier. On the 18th April his Majesty's
Ministers saw no necessity for interference; there was no distress
then—no want of corn. On the 4th May, however, they came
down saying they were all wrung—that there was great distrees—
that there might be a famine. Such a course was calculated to pro-
duce the greatest injury. What could be more injurious than the
Right Honourable Secretary to state in the House of Commons
that there may be a famine before October? The Honourable
Member for i)nrsetshire (Mr. Portman), said he shrunk from
the responsibility of refusing Ministers the discretionary power they
demanded. lie (Mr. H.Suniner; had no difficulty in taking his share
of that responsibility. (Hear.) His information led him to believe
that the upply of corn in the country was quite ample to meet all
demands through the season. The Right Hon. Secretary had pro-
duced no document to prove the contrary. Ile (Mr. IL Sumner)
therefore thought himself justified in relying on the information he
had received. It was said that the manufacturers were starving and
in want. They were in want, not of food, but of employment. If
corn was only Is. a quartet it would be no advantage to the manu-
facturers if they had not money to purchase it. The conduct of
Ministers tended exactly to that which they ought to have avoided,
bringing the agricultural and menufactoring interests into collision.
The present high price of corn had teen alluded to ; fees. was the
present price, and he contended that it could not be grown and sold
throughout the kingdom at a less price. The Corn Laws ought to
have been brought on last year, and es Ministers neglected it then,
they ought to hate brought on the question this Session. It was
his opinion that Government was not disposed to give the egricul-
turabets sufficient protection, and that with open ports the agricul-
tural interests could not enjoy success. Twit the ports should be
closed whilst corn was below a certain price, seemed a sine qua non
to agriculture continuing a successful pursuit. As to the diffi-
culty apprehended from the want of a Parliament, he did not see
why a Parliament should not be brought together in six weeks, if
it was thought necessary.
Mr. Secretary PEEL said he had never come to any discussion
In which he had felt a deeper interest. In the first place, he begged
to express his entire concurrence in all that lied fallen from his
Right lion. Friend (Mr. Canning). lie thought it his duty also
to remark, that if he was again called upon t i vote upon the mo-
tion of the Hon. Member for Bridgnorth, he would again come to
precisely the same decision. (llear.) If this were the Illth of
April, and he could be gifted with the power of foreseeing all that
had RUbscquently occurred—with all the benefits of experience, fore-
seeing the charge of inconsistency and vacillation, with a view of
waiting for a calm and dispassionate decision, he would vote against
the proposition of his lion. Friend for entering into the question
of the Corn Laws in the present Session, (Hear.) There could
be nothing more unfounded than the charge of inconsistency. The
proposition before the House was made, not because it was a season
of dearth or famine, but because it was a period of great pressure.
Under such circumstances a contingency might arise, in which it
would be necessary to exercise the discretion with which his Ma-
jesty's Ministers desired to be invested. in order to prevent addl.
tionel inconvenience. His Hon. Friend the Member for Dorset.
shire (Mr. Portman), whom he had heard with great pleasure, said
that he cast back the responsibility of the proposed measures on his
Majesty's Ministers. They were willing to accept that responsibility,
it was proper that the effect of those propositions should fall upon
his Majesty's Ministry. His Right lion. Friend (Mr. Canning)
had only said, that if the House refused the discretionary power
which Ministers called upon them to grant, the responsibility
wo ild fall upon thine who rsfesed, and not upon his Sisjeety
.Inters. But should the lh oar agree to the propositions of his
RI ht Hon. Friend, the responsibility would rest in the place
wh re it ought to rest, upon the Executive Government. His
Hot. Friend the Member for Surrey (Mr. 11. Sumner) charged the
too ernment with Teti It in, because they had negatived the me.
do i or the lion. Alemb:r for Bridgnorth ; but where was the con-
* cony of the Her. Gentleman himself? Did he not vote against
the discussion of the question of the Corn haws ? Nrhen it was
proposed last year, for the benefit of the agriculturists, to let out a
certain quantity of the bonded corn to prevent the introduction of
fereign corn, did the lion. Gent. oppose that measure P He appealed
to that fairness which he knew the Country Gentlemen to possess,
whether, if they wet e willing on a former occasion to prevent a rise
which Would bring foreign corn into competition, by letting out the
corn in bond. they should not now consent to similar measures, whicle
was intended to afford relief to another interest, labouring under
a heavy pressure P As to the charge that it was intended to press
upon the agefeultutal interest--upon an occasion like the present
private interests were of little importance; but he might be allowed
to say, that no man was more closely connected with the agricul.
turd interest than he was. ( Hear.) lie merely observed this, to
show that lie did not speak under any undue influence. In objection
to the proposed measure, it was said that there was no use in lowering
the mice of corn, because there was not money to purchase it at
any price. This was assuming that there were ttone to purchase
it, but those abounding in wealth and 'lime in the extreme of po-
verty. This was leaving out of view the intermediate class. But
it was absurd even to say that those who were deprived of the power
of purchasing, would receive no immediate advantage from u di-
minution of the price. Could this bessid of the ten or twelve or
I I 000 persons who were no supported by the contributions of ti.e
affluent ? And if a fall in the price had the effect of enabling an
additional quantity to be purchased, out of the contributions. enulul
it be maintained that the proposed measure would be productive of
no advantage to the suffering manufacturers ? There could not
be more miserable eophistty than such an assertion. But the
amount of the distress was doubted. He would rather rely on the
feelings of the. House than enter on a detail of the melancholy
recto. lie presumed that every Member was acquainted with those
facts, through the instrumentality of the daily press. Under such
eircutustunees, he could not see any reasonable objection to glen,.
• discretionary power to Government to admit 600,04
quarters, in cane of necessity. It was pad by one Honourable
Ciendenten (Sir Thomas Lethbridge) that he apprehended that
the proposed duty of 12s. would be assumed to be sufficient on all
future occasions, and acted upon as a precedent. In the measure
oflsst year • duty of 10.4. was deemed sufficient, but that precedent
was not now proposed to be acted upon. Even as a temporary
measure, the former rate of duty waanot assumed; and this was the
best assurance that the duty now proposed would not prejudice
any future proceedings which might be necessary. But the Hon.
Gentleinaa wee alarmed because ii was proposed to adutit 00,600

quarters. The Hon. Gentleman, however, would find that it was
not absolutely necessnry that sn large a quantity should be ad-
mitted. According to the I:mom of the resolution. if 210.000
quarters. or 100.000, or even 50 not quarters, were lotted sufficient
for the public Exigency, there was no obligation to admit 500.0010
quarters: that was the maximum, hot the power demanded by
Government would not be exercised to that extent, except in case
of necessity. There was one other circumstance referred to, upon
which he felt himself called upon to make sonic observations.
it
was said that Parliament should make no 'Nance shin to an In.
furiated snob. There was no man less disposed than he was to
make concessions to any mob, however powerful--no man more
likely to counsel resistance to tiniest demands. But there were
two kinds of courage : the one was the coot ige to refuse
unjust demands; and the other description of courage was
the courage to do right, and disregerd imputations of pu-
sillani ... ity. (Hear, hear, hum) With the conviction that
they had done right, they might laugh at thetnissuided violence of
a mob. A mob was nothing. ((fear.) There was • force--
a moral energy in the enuntry, which would instantly crush the
spirit of outrage. No doubt the distreming occurrence, in the ma-
nufacturing districts had been greatly overrated. Ile had seen in
the papers that applications hid been made to hint months ago
for military assistance, and It was insinuated that there was an
inertness on the part of Government. There could be no impute.
lions more utterly unfounded. So far from any supineness on the
part of Government, foreseeing that distress might produce outrage,
he had taken the precaution of doubling the military force in the
northern district. It was double what it had been hint ear or in
the beginning of this. This precaution had been taken without
any requisition having been made to him from the local authorities,
as had been erroneously stated, and, in addition en this precaution,
made without any implication ; It could add, that no application
had been made which was not instantly acceded to. He thought it
necessary to make these observations in answer to the insinuations
thrown out against Government. It so happened that a very few
persons had the power of doing a vast deal of mischief by destroying
power looms. These machines were made of camteiron, and one
hundred or one hundred and fitly persons might do an infinite deal
of mischief before the military could arrive to defend the property.
lie hoped lie could persuade the House that there was no dapger
that the paining their measure would be imputed to fear. Govern-
ment would exert all its energy to repress excesses and to punish
offenders—at the mine time it wax their duty to view with the
greatest possible lenience the impatience of those who were driven
by diary's. lie hoped the House would not be deterred because
riots existed in some parts of the country, but would be bold
enough to pass this measure, and to despise the paltry clamours
which might ensue. His H n. Friend had said that the effect of
this measure would be the increase of the poor rates, but lowering
the price of agricultural product was more likely to have the con-
trary effect. lie thought he could easily show that the admission
of toreign corn would tend to reduce the amount of the poor rates
He did not know whether he ought to read documents which illus.
orated the dependence of the poor rates on the price of corn. lie
believed that most perishes !would regard the repeal of the Corn
Laws as the greatest poesible blessing. The Hon. Member fur
Somerset had said that Ministers sought to persuade the !loose,
without any statement of facts; but what Ministers said was, that
circumstances might occur which would make it advisable for Mi.
nisters to have a discretionary power of admitting corn ; a demand
which did not require any statement of fact*, yet the case was not
so denuded of facts as was supposed. He held in his hinted an ac.
count of the prices of various articles in the peseta year, compared
with the prices from which they recently fell ; and it would be at
once seen that wheat maintained its price in a remarkable manner,
compared with other articles. In the year 1825, the price of cotton
was from 94d. to 10d.; to 1826 it was from cad. to 5d.; in
1823, Pernambuco was front 19.1. to 201 ; in 11126, horn 10,1. to I Id.
Coffee in 1825 was from 84s. to 865.; in 1826 it was from 48s. to
52*. Sugar in 1825 was 705.; it was now only ft2s. Rum was last
year 2s. 2tl. per gallon ;it was now Is. lid. Tallow in 1825 was
415.; in 1828 only 321. But wheat, which was at 664. last year,
was now at 605.; and oats, which were at 255. 7d. were now at
235. 71 The comparative high price of corn was sufficient
to show that some circumstances operated to make it less
abundant than was desirable. But the present measure was
not a repeal of the Corn I.swn, but only a temporary
removal of the inconveniences resulting from them. By those laws
foreign corn could riot be admitted until after striking the average,
and if the average amounted to eighty shilling., it might be intro.
duced; but in the interval before striking the general average,
the price of corn might rise to any sum. He thought he saw
that his Honourable Friend the Member for Taunton intimated
by his change of place, that he would insist on going into the
general qnestion of the Corn Laws. It an amendment were
made to go into the general question, he (Mr. Peel) was ready
to vindicate the conduct of Alit:lacers. He had already declared,
that he entertained the same opinion now as on the RI th of April,
lie thought, however, that the present measure would insure a
fair and impartial discussion of the important question of the Corn
Laws, which was to come on in the next SCIMICIII ; but the House
had clearly already by a large majority that the present was an
improper tune to consider the general question of the Corn Laws.
his Right Honourable Friend had gone most completely through
the constitutional arguments; and it' there was a right to carry the
measure, it ought certainly to be admitted that the present was a
tit juncture to put the right in practice. His lion. Friend, We
Member for Surrey, had said, that the transactions In 1766 were nut
in point ; but lie (51r.P.) found that all the circumstances of the two
periods were exactly similar: the Minieters of the day had used their
authority .and had admitted foreign corn,and in the followingNovem-
her the King's speech to Parliament was such as lie conceived might
suit his present Majesty, if he were to address his Parliament in No.
vember next. The speech stated that the high prices of wheat and
other grain had occasioned the severest dissress, in consequence of
which lie had been obliged to call Parliament together ; it then
stated that urgent necessity had compelled his Majesty to make
use of his Royal authority, and to lay an embargo on the expor-
tation of wheat until Parliament should be assembled. If Pia_
Itament were now treated with such disrespect by ;Ministers, the
latter would, he had no doubt, be threatened with impeachment.
It was not characteristic of a moderate Minister to resort to prero.
gative without imperious necessity; it was better to consult Par-
liament in the first instance, than to be afterwards obliged to take
refuge in prerogative. In support of his opinion he could adduce the
testimony of Lord Minefield. The Right lion. Gentleman then
proceeded to read an exstract from a speech of Lord Mansfield,
which deprecated the rash use of the prerogative without law ; it
was a boldness always prejudicial to the country. That was the
edge which cut an sharp as to be insupportable, the rock on which
the State bad so often dashed; it was that which had cost one
prince his crown and another his head. It was a power, the cxer-
cise of which stood branded in that charter of our liberties, the Bill
of Rights. Ministers ought not to be afraid; but the prerogative
was a power the exercise of which rendered them unfit fur the peo-
ple, and for the King. He loved a bold Minister; but his bold-
neas ought to find a fit place, and the enemies of his country were
the only proper objects of his boldness. But the power which
Ministers now asked, was one which might be sarcly exercised, if
it were, the immediate effect of it would he the relief of distress;
perhaps it might not .be used at all, and perhaps only partially;
but he would say as a friend to agriculture, that he deprecated
every thing which tended to prejudice the free discussion of a goes-
tion, which must next year come before the Ilnuse, to make a per.
manant arrangement for the importation of foreign corn.
Mr. H. SUM NER explained in a few words.
Lord ALTHORP thought that the reasons assigned by the
Right lion. Gentleman who introduced the measure, to explain his
change of sentiments since the 18th of April, were by no mutes ea.
tisfactory. !le did not approve of a measure which interfered
obliquely with the Corn Laws, and which would leave it in the
power of Ministers to alter the value of produce at their discretion.
Colonel DAVIES said, that although anxious to seethe Corn
Laws repealed, tied better laws substituted in their place, yet he
could not approve of the manner in which the present measure had
been brought forward. nor of the discretionary power with stitch
it invested Ministers. He der ied the connexion between the distress
of the people and the prices of corn, as well as the inference which
had been drawn from the relative fluctuations of corn and other are
ticles of trade.

31r. BENETT admitted that the question had been argued with
much skill on the part of Government ; but dust, he thought, had
been thrown in the eyes of the country Gentlemen, in order that
advantage might be taken of their blindness. It was true that
wheat had fallen during the last year only 7s. per quarter; but
when it was considered that two-thirds of our cotton was exported,
it would be evident that too argument could be formed on the rela-
tive fluctuations of the two snider. On the other hand, he
found that the rise of prices of almost all articles of trade since
1792, exceeded that of wheat ; the rise in the price of wine was
140 per cent, in livery cloth 80 per cent., in carriages 109 per cent.
But during the same period the rise in the price of day-labour was
not more than 13 or 14 per cent.; the price of day-labour seemed
to keep pace with the price of wheat, and the comparative price of
the latter was not at present so high as in 1792.
Sir W. W. WYNN rose to support the measure. Ile trusted
that the admission of 600,000 quarters of wheat would afford im-
mediate relief, and allow trade to resume its wonted channels in
tranquillity.
Mr. W. WIIITMORE defended the course he had taken on a
former night. Ile had felt the same apprehensions which now ac-
tuated Ministers, and hail stated them to one of the Right lion.
Gentlemen. When he considered the inconsistency of the Right
Him. Gentleman, he was lost in aniszemtnt. The present Inca-
sure would cause, he feared, an alarm to the agricultural body,
which would not have been occasioned by the discussion of the
question when he (Mr. Whitmore) had brought forward his mo-
tion. Ile trusted that 3linisters would give an account of their
plans and intentions before the measure was finally earned. Such
an explicit declaration from 31iiiisters would contribute much to
allay the ferment of alarm. lie lamented deeply that the measure
had not been carried at an earlier stage of the Session, and that ir-
quiry and discussion hal not preceded its passing into a law.
Such a course would 1111 V.: been more desirable as regarded the people
at large, as well as the agricultural interests.
Lord M I LTON stud lie did not intend to oppose the measure at
the present lunge. lie thought the Flom Baronet (the 3lember for
Somersetshire) had some sort of complaint at the manner in which
the measures had been introduced to Parliament. They had been ,
introduced without suthcient consideration. Ilia object always wen
to draw lion. Gentlemen to a consideration of the Corn Laws,
before they should come to a conclusion. It had been stated that
those measures would have the effect of emptying foreign ware-
houses of corn ; they v out 1 also hare the effect of emptying the
warehouses of Lallflllllllt Of the cotton goods which were now
stowed in them. They would have the effect of reducing the prices
of corn, but they would also have countervailing advantages. lie
would still hail the present measure as a minor proposition, hoping
that at a future Session something more eflectual slid permanent
would replace it. At the same time he must again repeat, that he

, wished in see the question net at rent this Session, as It would serve
to miler the public mind, and to put tin end to all uncertainty.
Mr. CA Lunn FT mid that he, anti those Ore Hem" who were
opposed to the measures of the Right Hun. Secretary, had been
charged with a pertinacious opposition to Government ; but it now
appeared that Government had thought it necassary to modify
done propositimis. He declared that no Interest, public or private,
would induce him front opposing wkit be thought would nut be fur
the benefit of the community. He concluded by saying, that he
hoped on a futon- occasion not to be obliged to oppose the motion.
Cul. TRENCH contended that the intereets of Ireland were
deeply affecoeti by the proposed change in the Corn Irma.
Mr. T. WILSON rose amidst loud cries of" Question !" We
understood hint to support the measure.
Sir E. KNATCHBULL said his only moth* in rising was
to express hia hope that, in the present temper of the House, the '
question might not be pressed to a division.
Mr. H. SUMNER said he wished to ascertain what would be
the rel,tive duty cm corn and flour in futon.
.1 r. Secretary CANNING said that there was no intention of
increasing the duty beyond •hat the present Act prescribed.
The gallery was then cleared for a division, but none took place.
The resolution was consequently agreed to, and the House palmed
to the other Orders of the Day.
The Registration sal Aliens Bill was read a third time and passed.
The Prisms in Ireland 11111 was brought up.
Mr. SPRING RICE objected to the clause In the Bill which
tended to increase the salary of the Inspector of Prisons from 7391.
to 1301)1., and moved as an amendment that the words 10001. should
be substituted instead of 13001.
Mr. 111131 E observed that he had not been aware of the exist-
ence of this clause in the Bill, or he certainly would not have
allowed it to proceed to a third reading without giving it his de-
, cider! opposition. Nothing could be more improper than thus to
increase the public burdens, when economy ought to be the order of
' the day in all departments. Ministers, by this measure. seemed to
triply that the gentlemen who had previously held this sitiation
had not properly discharged its duties, and that on this acconnt it
was necessary to get persons at a larger salary, more Etted to
perform it. Ile was confident, on the contrary, that the gentlemen
who had discharged the office for 7501. a year, would du it as well
as those whom it was proposed to employ at the sum of 1.300/.
He should therefore, even in this stage, take time sense oldie House
on the subject. Ile was sorry to see that the Chancellor of the Ex.
chequer was absent, as usual, when any Irish question itas dis-
cussed, and had left the whole weight of the debete on the Right
Hon. Gentlentan (Mr. Goulburn). It certainly was the duty cf
the Chancellor of the Exchequer to attend to such discussictis, even
when they were confined to Ireland.
Mr. GOULBURN replied to these observations. They ought
not to consider at what rate it would be possible to procures person
who would discharge the duties of Inspector of Prisons, but what
awn would he a fair remuneration for one who would have a duty
of so great importance to perform —a duty which was in many cases
extremely invidious, and which could not be performed without sub-
mitting to many disagreeable circumstances--n duty, too, which, in
order to discharge it effectual ly,req uired that the person should be on
terms of intimacy with the gentlemen in the quarter of the country
with which he was connected, and that he should be capable, by
his influence and representations, of carrying many points of im-
portance, which could be carried in no other way with that descrip.
(ion of persons. It was necessary, for this purpose, to give the
gentleman who held this situation a salary which would place him
in a situation in some degree equal to that of the persons with
whom he would an frequently come In contact. It was a mistake
to say that the salary was increased to thirteen hundred pounds.
This salary included an allowance of 5(101. for certain contingent
accounts, in the shape of travelling expenses, stationery, &c.,
which were formerly delivered separately, but were now, for greater
convenience, thrown Into one sum, which did not exceed the ave-
rage amount of these contingent expenses.
Mr. HUME said it had been argued that the additional salary
proposed was merely fur the purpose of clearing those contingent
expenses, which, in the present state of things, were paid In sepa-
rate accounts; but no statement of the amount of these accounts
had been given on which it was possible to form an estimate of the
amount which would be required. The expense which would thus
be incurred was so considerable, and it was incurred at a time
when economy was so imperative in all departments, that he was
determined to divide the Ilouse, if he should divide alone upon
the occasion. It was the grossest job which had been attempted
this Session. always excepting one.
Mr. GOULBL'RN observed, that the sum which it was pro-
posed to grant in the shape of salary was only 8001. a year. As for
the other items, of travelling expenses, &c., which it was usual for.
trimly to pay separately, it was proposed now to pay them in one
sum; and the Hon. Gentleman ought not to complain, as he would
be enabled to throw all the blame of the expenses upon hire (3lr.
Goulburn) in consequence of this arrangement.
After a few observations from Mr. V. FITZGERALD. the
gallery was cleared for a division, but no division took place.
On our re-entering the gallery, we found Mr. HUME ad-
dressing the House. He observed that he considered the whole of
this measure as an insult on the country gentletneu of Ireland.
Mr. Secretary PEEL thought there ought to be one uniform
system of Prison Regulations in Ireland.
After a few words from Mr. C. G RANT. the Bill was ma a
third time, and passed.
The Alehouses Licensing Bill was read a second time, and or-
dered to be en-omitted ou Monday next.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at a QUARTER PAST ONE O'CLOCK.

PRICES OF BRITISH
Rank Stock 2'O 1119
$ per Cent. lied. 77* 741! 77i
I per Cent. Cone. 77i
Ditto Acct. 77i I
per Cent. tui
Di per Cent. Bed. 8311 i d
New 4 per Cent. lej 941 r et

ITOCKS YESTERDAY.
Long Ann. DI4 9-IS 11-16
India 'Stock 229
_

India Bunch9lo pm
Ex. BOW IOW& 9 II pm
Ditto 5901. 9 11 pm
Ditto Satan 9 11 pm
Luttery Ticket.. 211. 19x.

PRICES OF FOREIGN
Brazilian Bonds 55
Milan Bonds 41 401 40 1
Colombian Bond* a'
Ditto Acct.
Ditto Bonds '1824)41j jell
Ditto Acct. 411 # I j I 4
Daniell Bonds ;1825) 644#161
Ditto Acct. 541 j
French Itente‘ 5 per Cent. 07t. 96f.
Exchange 25f. 60c.
Guatimala Bonds

STOCKS YESTERDAY.
Greek Bonds
Ditto Ronda ;1125) 15
Ditto Acct. 15 144 / 15
Mexican Bonds 524 34
Ditto Bonds (1925; 624 1 2 /9 2
Ditto Aect. 621 i 3 i 2 4 2 11 1 2
Peruvian Bonds 30 221
Ditto Aect. 30
itu.edon Roads 751
Spankh Ronde 7 1 11
Ditto Honda (1823) 5

COURSE OF EXCH.
Amsterdam C.F. 12 01
Ditto at sight
Rotterdam 2U. 12 10
Antwerp ........ ..... . 12 10
Hauthurgh 24 U. 27 101
Aitona 24 U. 37 10
Fari., 3 days' sled 25 75
Ditto 2U. 26 0
Bordeaux
Berlin
Frankfort on Mains Ex. 1f . 156
Petersburgh, Us. 84
Vienna, effective 10 24
Trieste ....du.... ......... . 10 24
Madrid . ....4 354
Cadiz l.3g
Bilboa l3
....... 93
Sevilla ........ ............ 35
Dibralita'