The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-05-16 00:00:00

LEATH EP. TAX.

r. J ERVOISE preseiried a Pr4lil.o from certain Tan-
ner. and other persotie engaged in the Leather Trade at
Samilhampton, prising fur the repeal of the leather tax.
Mr. ELLISON presented • similar Petition from New-
castle-upon Tyne.
Mr. MONTEIfIi presented 'aired'', Petition from John
Gilibunsoo, • leather Mat baut of Glasgow, on behalf ui hie.
self and ushers.
These Petitions were or.!ered to be laid on the table.
PROTECTING DUTIES ON PRINTS.

Sir R. SHAW p . ted • Petition from certain ellien
printer* in Ireland, praying that the Act of the 1.4 George
the Fourth, cap 4), imposing duties on printed muslin. and
other good., in favour of printed calicoes, may not be re.
pealed.
Mr. F. LEWIS thought the system of protecting duties
Melly peejedieral to Ireland.
Mr. C. H. HUTCHINSON asidithe interests of those per-
sons who had hers induced In seat their capital in mauls.
(+Worm in Ireland,• under the system of protecting
ought not to be deprived of the protection which that vyatrtn
bat held out to them.
Mr. WA LLACE motored the Hon. MeMber that the ob-
ject of what he called the protecting duties had not escaped
she munition of the Commission of Inquiry; mid (he was us-
dentood to add) that • measure founded on their recummes:
dation wrield be int►oduced on the subject.
Mr. D. BROWNE thlught, that in whatever wan done
in such cases as these, they ought to be guided by the Art of
Union.

Sir J. NEWPORT thought the term protecting duties mis-
applied to there duties, which injured both the consumer in
England, and the manufacturer in Ireland, and ititetpused a
bar to the fere commimirattin between the Iwo countries.

Mr. WALLACE said a kw words which, from the noise
is the House. did out reach the gallery.
Mr. LIT TLETON said, when the Report of the Commis-
lion came forward, he bad no doubt it would be found condem-
natory of the practice of the Chancellor of She Exchequer in
bringing forward measures one day, and rescinding them the
neat.
The Petition was then laid on the tilde.
AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS.

Sir CHARLES MORGAN presented a Petition from ■
Comity Meeting of that Clergy, Gentry, Farmers, Yeomen,
and other neeh9iders of the County tif Monmouth, com-
plaining of the Agricultural Distress attire county. They
dere a strung and frightful whire of wide.xpresiling ruin
among the tenants; of farms abandoned and thrown upon
the hands of the landlord ; and prayed for a reduction of
taxation as the only effectual remedy. The Hununntble
Baronet was understood to say that he felt it his duty to pre-
sent the Petition, although be did out concur In its
contents.

Sir R. WILSON wished to ask the Honourable Member
whether he meant to state that the Petition was not respec-
tably signed, and that the facts which it stated did not rest
on credible andreapectahle authority
Sir C. MORGAN said, the Petition was signed by the
High Sturiff on the part At' the meeting, which he believed
to have been most respectably attended, and that what he
had meant was, that be did nut agree will) them in opinion
as to the remedies proper to be applied fur the relief of their
complaints._ . . .

Mr. SYKES said no answer had been given In the opomittim
of his Honourable Erma, which had for its object to ■
lain whether it was or was nut the fact, as set forth in the
Petition, that the extensive and serious distress spoken of in
it existed in the county of Monmouth. Ii was material that
the Ronne Shntll.l know the true state of the ease.
Lord G. SOM ERSET sold, he coneeived that the Peti-
tioner@ were by no means likely to state as rant what was not
true.

Ordered to be laid on the table.
TITHE orr POTATOES.
Mr. SYNGE COOPER presented • Petition from the
High Sheriff. and several of the moot respectable Magistrates
and Landed Proprietors of the C,ounly of Sligo, complaining
of am attempt to introduce intothal part of Irel.nd thes,stem
of tithing potato. ea, which was hitherto confined to the south
of Ireland, where they stated it to be a notorious fact that it
was the main mow of the flogitious combination of White
Boys, and of continual a.. of outrage and violence; and they
represented that the potato crops ought in be free (tom tithe,
as they hail hitherto been considered, because they were fol-
lowed by • course of tillage from which the clergy derived
great advantage. The Hun. Member begged bare to im-
press upon the alteution of the House the very important
stature of this Petition. The grievance of which it cone.
plaitied called loudly for the interf. retire of the House; as
(be was understood to say) he knew that the clergy would
have asserted to • comeueition if the Archbishop bad out
set his fate against it.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. A BERCROMBY said, the Petition was one which
must strongly recommend itself to the mind of every person
who was a friend to the peace mid tranquillity of trollied,
and who could feel foe Its present distressed conditenn. Of
the fams which it Meted, from his ignorance, he was unable
to speak; but he was sure that every man who lamented the
exteut of the evil ire the south of Ireland, must strongly op-
pose its extension to another district which had hitherto hero
free from it. The Hon. Member commented at some leergile
on the system of letting potato gsrdeuo to the labourers tsr
Leland, to which be ascribed a great portion of the mis-
chief which the people of that country bed sustained. He
wished to mention one ciecsimstance, net as • complaint
against the elergymen, because he had the law on his side,
but for the information of the House of Commons, im order
to induce it to turn its attention to an evil of so alarming an
extent. The circumstance to which be tattooed was, the
fart that one clergyman in the neighbourhood of Skihhere en,
bad, in the COSMIC of Sitters years, sued one 8,000 processes
• for enforcing the poyment of his tithes —(Hear )
Sir .1. NEWPORT said. the district which the Honour-
able Member (Mr. Abereromby) had 'petitioned, was in 1803
aciteted in an excessive degree by the lament mooed in tits
exaction of tithes, and reqwred the utmost exertions of the
Magistracy and the Govecerment to re.ture it to tranquillity
and good order. And if that dreadful curse (for be could
call it by no other name) of iiihrog the potato crops were
now introduced into II:e &oriel from which Slits Petition
came, and which had bilk, to been free from it, it would,
be his opinion, lead to scenes of the most dreadful tumult
and disorder. It had been he nil ley the Ecclesiastical Courts
iii Ireland that if • person consumed for hie nwu use a per
lion of the crop before the tithe hat Arco taken, where the
tithes were paid in kind, the proprietor of the tithes WllO
entitled to be paid his tithe in money on a valuation of the
whole crop. That practice had hero the *readies of much
misery lord suffering on annoy occasions, but more Nalco-
tarty 110 in the preset., season of distress. A lay linpropriator
of tithes in the county of Cork received notice before the last
harvest of the latention of parties to lay out the r tithes In
kind. He areurdingly, 'divided and received his tithe of the
corn; but the potato crop not being in a fit eeteditioa fur set-
ting out, it was agreed between him and the parties, who, be.
tug illiterate peasant., were not •ware of any necessity of
an agreement in writing, sad, therefore, confided in the ',that
arrangement, that the half of every fifth bed of potatoes
should be reserved for the tithe. The necessities, however,
of the peasautiry,. as was frequently.the case, compelled tbr us
to have rimerree to shit ',Sty crop fur their daily saseetiasice
loftier the veers' crop was resoly for diggiog. The 11C11.011
afterwasda lerniug set wei,damageel the whole, aod destroyeg
• considerable portion of the crops; and its that state
of Wags, the I.y impropriator before mentioned briug
soot for to take his tithe, claimed to be released from
his agreement on the fecund that the eutesumptiou of a part
of the crop before 11, seer ae.n. gathered and the tithe wan
paid. although it had hero WTI toary to faru:sh food for the
homely, entitle d him to lie paid by velualion. He estoldttLed
his claim, and the valuation was taken, set spun the de-
tonged crop, but on the sable of the crop before it Ira
jolted, mod on that valuation he had proceeded evilest tits
the
yrarairstuiso.—(Hear, litehet.r,t ealrki
n.g)7llliernis wians e apee
the
cell, of
soolsorofes of
Ireland
—(lltH,, hear)—sod he wished to impress on the House the
necessity itaertfer tug, and be did most earnestly !opium

the House to interfere to prevent the intension of that sys•
tem to any Part of Ireland that was not before subject to It.
He coedit not sit down without exprelaing his esiogishotent
and inilignition that such ■ time as the present, when
such was the condition of Ireland, such the pineinz
&Weis of the labouring population of that country,
as to call forth the exertions of Ilse hen,. titmice of the people
of England—that any mail Rhombi have tlionglit of selecting
such a period as the opportunity (or attemptusz the exten-
sion of a system which had given birth to so much misery,
and outrage, and suffering, win rev, r it bail prevailed, into a
district from which it had hitherto been txcluded.—(Hear.)

. -
Mr COULBURN trusted the House would not think it
unnatural in him to feel anxious to seise the earliest oppor•
I fealty of explaining Cu the House some of the circumstances
which had led to the introdnolon of the tithe complained of
into the comities of Connaught. The circumstances of
the case which gave rise to thin Petition were as follow :—A
gentleman in. s parish in Sligo, who some lime ago held •
farm of 400 acres, having at the same time a large property
let to different Immo, was in the habit of paying to the
clergyman a enM of 101.. as a composition for the wool and
lamb tithe on Ms' farm of 200 cries. In the course of time
he thouglit proper to take Into his own hands a part of the
he hid before lit; and increased his own occii-
tel,ooo4crea.. Having thus lidded 800 acres to his
enntemilled.that be wis instilled in misting any ad,
dlillmtugliefiernersmennt onus composition for his tit,. es.
• lineiftereglinstell 9004 is vain to his candour and la/aera-
t_iti;leiriediti it length compelled' to proceed spiry
tigliamste.l7 the clergyman was advised by Ce seed to
• prile roda unit the lithe nn the potato prods, .e, fur the
peipose elt c int the costs to which be should' be pet, in
silk easel ofirecreding In his snit. That part of the claim
it teat tied excised pent alarm la the minds of the people of
mot district. The gentleman analog that le Isbould probs.
MOO ie defending the suit, after the der:grim had been
. peal* einesiderable expense in instituting proceedings, con-
gested In pay the additional sum claimer I for the wool and
lamb tithe. The clergyman then insist. lon his right to be
iNdeninified fur the expenses he had ince rred, which the gels-
'leans refold's' to pay, he then felt hh nself obliged to par-
se• his claim for the tithe on the pole to crop. He was us-
willing to state any eircemstatices of an irritating tendency,
but he could not allow the House to 'oe misled by the course
of the discussion. The Bishop esiiie; led to had not approved
a the increased claim of tiller, lIIP represented; he would not
make himself a party to the qseatios ; but upon the costs of
the defeated action, stri%lng not of the resistance of a
gentleman to that elai no, he had advised the clergyman
out In yield his right. He understood that the action was
withdraws, and ap amicable negociation was on foot.
La to the general question of the lithe, be differed from
them who hail ta,ieken ; he believed that the tithes contri.
bitted less to oho distress and confindon than the other muse
alleged, namely, the exacting of rent in many instancy far
beyond the value of the land. The landlord mime drat and
took this exaggerated value, if nu other way, by distress;
there was then moth* left for the clergyman ; he bad no
choice but to sue or surrender his right, and hence the ex-
traordinary number of snits for tithes.
Mr. HUM E said that he had Deferred his motion on Irish
tithes at the request t,f the Right Hua. Secretary, and for tier
impose of waiting fur the measure which they were all led
to expert from Government. Day after day he had received
fresh communications, and yet the Session was likely to pass
over without Government doiog any thing. From the siren
and forcible statements he had arrived, he wondered how
Government could let the matter rest another day. He was
reluctantly obliged to interpose. He was not as well qualified
as be could wish fur the task; but he would use his hest
&Wales to bring the subject under the consideration of the
House the first week be June. The discussion, if it would do
nothing else, would give the House exact informatios on a
subject, upon the extensive evils of which they were but ill
informed at present.
Mr. S RICE *grime' with the Ministers that this might
not be the proper pi nod for bringing on the general question
011ie tithe property. But the Petition was nut to be consi-
dered as that of a simple individual; it was intended to
represent the sentiments of a whole county, and it was
gigged by the High Sheriff of Sligo, the inhabitants of
*huh complained of a grievance, the theme of much dissa-
tisfaction through many other parse of Ireland—the lithe on
potatoes. It was a comparatively new grievance, and it wag
various in degree in the sr venal parts of Ireland. The taxing
of other articles, though mischievous, was, much as they
teased the produce to the cuusumer, light competed with
the tithe of potatoes, collected at the limed of famine and
lasurrectien. He was of opinion that the troubles of Ire-
land now, and heretofore, might be tecaotirrd, generally
speaking, by the presence or absence of this tithe. They
ought certainly out to proceed iticautiously in taking it
away ; they ought to be ready. as he was, to realist soy wa-
rm inttentbment on the rights of the chords, as 'or any
other class. But there ought to be inquiry to pee how far
the evil, might be alleviated. He denied, on behalf of him-
self and others countered with the lands of Ireland, that
they were careless as to the mischief they caused, provided
they got exorbitant mum. Those of them whu were Mem-
bers had waited to see *bat Ministers would du. The land-
lords were ready In make any necessary saes ifice for the peace
•nd well-being of the commie!, and would go us far as the
clergy aerie inclined for that purpose.
Mr. DENIS BROWNE said, that the House most be
anxious to 'lilies, the Petitioners, and if no oilier Member
would undortake it, he himself would du his best to induce
the House to legislate thereupon.
Mr. GOULBU RN explained.

. - - -
Mr. PLUNKETT said, that it was undoubtedly the listen-
lion of Government to bring forward some measure upon
the 'crucial subject. At die same time he would be dealing
mull nocandidly if be vet •.e not to elate, that olrou the topic
of potato tithes he did not clearly see his way. Whatever
might be the nature of the right, or however various the
methods of enforcing it, he could not see 6.,w the House
could set without a direct interference will the rights of
c'erical property. He would listen to and he most happy
to adopt any sufficient remedy; bat slier the fullest condi-
Jet-altos which he could give to the subject, he could nut
tell how they were to interfere without so direct an infringe-
meet on the eight's of church pemerty, as would be likely to
lead ill greater evils than existed at present. The subject
would requite the calmest de-liberation. Auto the discussion
pi monied by the Hun. Gentleman, the arguments, whatever
they were, must he equally applicable to every other species
of tiihea. Whit was the intention of the Hon. Gentleman'
Did he mean 10 minute the collection of the potato lithe
throughout, or give a modified cisme to all, even those parts
win re no out h tithe exisitd ? li.itevir it was or might be,
there would be pro /aril° a direct infringement of the tights
of property, which might be fullowrd by the atSpliratioo of
the same measures and principles to riser), other species of
ploperiy. As to the causes of the distress, in his opinion
the gre-ter portion of the mischief was attributable to Ike
exactions of too much rent If the Gentlemen of that
counts y did not begin to feel th it the ',stem they seirJ on
toward. their leftists respired alteration, it so. in vain to
look Cur any Wise hum Ate commutation of the tithes.

Fir N. COLTHURST hoped that Guerrosnost would
""ert'ke she sleek because their nicasurrti would have
more weight. e was of opinion that 1,111,11m-de were
mainly les blow fair the existing evila.
Mr. DAMSON, den. rain, that when the subject came
before the Home, it would be seen that the errgy were •••
...sally moderate part for:iestiog, viol that emir' of she mis-
chief waa owing to the rapacity of the landloitla.
Mr BECHER defesded the IniollordA, who were as well
&spotted its do justice as any 1113 hi r peri.uos. It was idle to
tax them with nosing the Costrui:on by rictorttug recta;
whin iu many parts they had rev,. J for n lung titer to re.
elite them. The flectuatiuu of tithe, 1% MI the crrat
He did nut blame the clersy, but their prociorr ; the former
did not receive any thing of the soon., vi hick the latter col-
lected. The arduolie duties of the I grimy, who
wire obliged to be coustausly occupied, like police officers,
io keeping the peace, ought to be cestsideied 1111e11 speaking
of their condition.

Sir H. PARNELL eootrosrrer•d the declaration of Mr.
Mara, that the evils were mostly arias to the e xtoi nous
tit the landlords.

Colonel TRENCH rergretted In heir of the diffiraltiea felt
by the Attorney G-neral, that he hid little hope of relief by
c ~,,, moialiou Dr Whet Hating beets connected with the
at•ntr) iu Ms youth, he felt the hvelirst Interest ill their

roulades, mai was mat union for relief Prom their n,
Mr. R. MARTIN mid that there was no adequate emu,
yet offered foir the clergy Morin enlisted the postural f
seek s tithe, wader the eireurestane,_n •Ileged. Thr pers.
!ter
uurvernaeirii.y.tt herr
ttbe.stopatyitmh,i
tmovriealiit
oilier belies
it.nlahi,llf.tbritultileibto.
COMOdered i• his bargain with landlord He diduot
feud the laudlurds, whose curcluet was reprelionsible- He
related the cage of a poor str.etch who was compelled to
his rent and maintenance keeping Immo If in a tile wico.
diesel ensidition, to dr.ir sa upon him the commiseretion
of
the piney passing to 'he sea side, and this by eiteeivinre
and agreement with 'ma landlord. He was of opinion that
the potato tithe sir mild be abolished altogether, sod it usi
some reams for that it was a novel doe, which hail cot
been careered ii' I centuries after the settlement of
Mr. PERRY ER said a few words.
Mr. NAWIIN explained.
Mr. CUr.sTEIS sai•l that be should seek for the MTh. f,.
your fur England, if there were any thing time for 11 .
ductie-5 csf Irish tithes. English ag iculture was quite
muel., distressed, and he would make the brat fight he ran .1
tr.: get the tithes removed by the same roe, .s.
Mr..GRATTAN protested against the .upposition of
distress of each rituality being similar sod equally great. 11.
was of upiniuu that the potato tithe ought to be c.o.],
removed, the other Whitt commuted, soil the powers of the
Cottaistorial Court considerably abridged.
Mr. C. RE I.CHINSON protested against the Opinion au I
the mischievous react of spreading it—thal there we. ia
dietiess in Ireland but such as related in Fmtlaud. It•-
pledged himself that there never was distress heard of owl,
an orderly Government like that which pervaded is tt e
south and west of Ireland. Had they ever heard of whale
districts where men', after providing potatoes aid water t•.r
their wives suit children, paying rent, and mall •tylo:
tithes, had nut ten shillings left to clothe and educate them,
Much of the mischief was attributable to the peoprieto,„
both present and absentees. There could be ma pirmaitect
tranquillity in Ireland until the lower orders were better
secured by the laws from the wiongs leeward by their su-
periors. Their misery was so sharp and . xtreme that they
must fei I noxious fur the chaste of sacrilleteg their live.,
rather than perishing%) hopelessly.
Mr. D. BROW F. and Mr. CURTEIS explained.
Mr. S. COOPER add2d a few winds.

Mr. GOULBURN explained.
Sir J. NEW PORT explained. the tithe in "Mica inn
a■ article of production upon which tithe had sot bee
mended for centuries. It was the Amy of the Liginistate
in guard against such calamities as Inuit arise from 'itch a
system.
The Petition was ordered to be printed.
Sir T. LETHBRIDGE gime nutire of a motion for
bringing under consideration the rose of all the absenteea of
the empire, under the present ri•rumstsnres of t►e country.
Mr. DUMF. moveJ for Popes. ref■t,se to the Coninen
fur provisions for lb* balks, to be printed. Afro Belem,
respecting the four and a half p.r cent. duties.—Or.irred.
Mr. BEAUMONT poitponed a motion of his till t►e 61k
of June.

Sir .1. NEWPORT delayed a 'notion of big till Tuesday
next.

Mr. CALCRAFT presented a Petition from Deptford,
reepeetisg iron cuffins.—Laid on the lahle.
Mr. HUSKISSON presented a Pe.:iion from the !Regis.
pates of St. James's division, Westminster, respecting the
licensing system—Laid on the table.
Mr. BROUGHAM complained of the practice of some
midland Magistrates, who had reftisisd licenses except the
parties applying were found on inquiry to be free from the
charge of taking in particular of sespapers. Hr knew of
missy mach cases having occurred in the north, and hr gave
this public intimation, that those persons who so acted
would certainly be visited seamier or later fur such as unjust
stretch of authority. For if be heard of many more such
000000 be would bring the suZiject more directly before the
House' and make the disgrace IS. parties convictions,
should their (outdoes in future put him to that Necessity.
A Message from the Lords requested Reports of Commit-
tees of 1817,20, and 21, on the Administration of Justice is
Wales, to be treat to their Lordships.
Mr. HUME gave notice, that no the first Snpply day he
would move fora reduction of expense for Inspectors of
Militia in the !onion Isles, and the abolition of the ottire
held by Sir A. Wood.
CIVIL LIST.

Mr. Laull•RD rpm to submit his promised mo-
tion for the redaction of the Third Class of Hie
Civil List. He thought he nerd hardly arge any
general arguments lo favour of economy ; it was
demanded by the country throughout, the dis-
tresses of which, from the overwhelming burdens,
made it necessary to be strictly erifirced; the
Speech from the Throne, and the subsequent re-
ductions of the Civil Lost, proved that there was a
general sense of the necessity of it. A reduction
had been made in the personal expenses of the
Sovereign, and ten per cent. reduction had been
also made in the other parts of this very class.
Much greater retrenchment, however, was necessary.
His Majesty sympathized with the sufferings of his
people; Ministers on the other hand, declared that
there could be no relief to the country from any re-
duction which could be effected. It would he
seen in the end which example was to be followed.
He pointed out the great augmentation which had
been made in the Civil List by Mr. Pitt, in 1792. oil
account of the rise of prices above those of 1786,
when it was settled. He reverted to the alteration
of prices in favour of the receivers ainee the Act
of 1819. It was true that Ambassadors abroad
might not be able to profit by this alteration of
value in the full amount; but the Titration was
if they were to he kept up to their former pitch of
splendour when the people at home were sink-
ing to beggary—when they were burdened with
taxes which they could not coritioue to pay
without ruin. Another reason for reducing
these allowances was, their profusion win
rio way conducive to the comfort of the Soren ign
or the convenience of tie county, ; they had berm
enhanced in various ways by a di' vet incresse also.
lanes, and by the rise to the rill le of money. He
would state some reiom,4 and la, ts to sheer that a
very considerable redection of expense ought to be
effected on this br4orl. of IF. • exprnOitate. The
expenses had beet. ei:hat:e..d vt.:..reasing die 11•1171-
her of agems in the little 1: owls, which arm d
satellites In the IFIo!r; A I foot ce ; tl ey had also la• ~
increased by seittlim.-, out all c.rs of. u superior rank.
Where a Charge (lea MLitt a was wont to be em-
ployed, an Envoy E‘traoriltilary woe wit it iweillY
times the expense. It would he difficult to Is-
sign good rea•nos for the to.-..outi to Swit7t.t-
laud. Was it to blieu that it. PrOl4.o.oii as tlkor
States declined in importance to. Eolope they
ruse in our consideration ? job had been most
aptly selectee tor a eeparat e motne; it was so but
that he disclaimed it ; it was so anomaly sV.i,
among the charges with wi itch it it as CI:1•01:(1. lie
proceeded to Collirllft the expei.”.. of Anibliq,A,ns
179 s with the time exit ease to 1842. WiCtuot
i.nprortur our rank or r ronsideratiuir in Europe.
there had been a rout' tire' 'ease of 150,0001. a year.
Olt the expenses of Amber adore' salaries alone there
was au increase of Go,oool'. lie cothll not see what
necetwity them retnamed , if any had esis....l, for
keeping up so large a scale of diplomatic ea-
lieuse in the Coutti . There was an inefrio
of expense for the IMO dons of soy kind to Ittl!.
It dr were increastd oi one 179: from 10,C001. 1..