The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-24 00:00:00

LISBON PAPERS.

Lisnos. MAT I.

The Government of these kingdoms, seeing the application of
some landowners and merchants for the importation and ware-
housing of foreign corn, allzging various causes and pretexts to
support these pretensions, which may be considered. in a great
degree, as fraudulent attempts agaimst the spirit and observance of
the laws designed to prevent this most pernicious contraband trade,
which may be so injurious to the agriculture of these kingdoms,
the Government orders that, on the mast strict responsibility, all
applications of this kind shall be subjected to the rigorous and
literal disposition of the law of Oct. 15, 1821.
The Gazelle contains official notices, addressed to the Baron de
Sande, to Don Luiz Antonio Carlos Furtadode Mendonsa, and to
Sender Jose Accursio des Neves, informing them that his late
Alajesty had resoled to restore them to the offices which they had
held, as there was nothing whatever to cast a stain upon their con.
duct ; and the present Government seeing no reason to form a dif-
ferent opinion, they are &sited immediately to resume the offices
of which they had been for a time deptived.
MAT 4.
Yesterday (the 3d) her Royal Highness the Infanta H. lssbells
gave an audience to Sir W. A'Caiurt, who delivered to her -High.
ness his new credentials, as Arnoassador Extraordinary and Mi-
nister Plenipotentiary from his Britannic Majesty. Having
first addressed her Royal Highness in a suitable speech, her
Royal Highness returned thanks tor the expressions of friend-
ship manifested on this occasion, and testified to the Ambas-
sador her sstisfactino at his continuing in a post, the duties of
which he has discharged so much to the satisfaction of both Go.

• .••••••
MAY R.
The Gazette contains an order for re-opening the theatres after
the 15th of Ably, tot which two reasons are given :—lst, the ruin
of hundreds of families. which must be the consequence of their
being longer kept out of employment ; and 2d, the •• terrible and
dangerous consequences arising from the want of public amuse.
meets, whence it happens that a great number of persons abandon
themselves to gross and ntinpus vices, such as -- `"- - • •
prayed habits, (rum the want of decent illiterate
may dad rel44atiou 14140E41W/ bush es

1 they

The Earl of LIVERPOOL said it was not his intention to tres-
pass long on the patience of their Lordships. Ile hoped the obser.
varions whie.h he should feel it necessary to address to them on the
subject of the/ proposed Corn Bills would meet with indulgence.
He had, on the (ley on which his Noble Friend (turd Maims-
tune) brought forward his motion, put their Lordships in pas-
'session of his opinion* of the measure which was now pro-
posed ; he would row repeat wit it he had then stated, that
the Bills which were at present brought forward had nothing
to do with the general question of the Corn Laws; and he
considered the principle of that as much untouched and fees
from discussion as ii those Bills had never been Intro-
duced. But though the question was left so untouched and
open to future discussion, he thought it an object of the greatest
Importance that the temporary -iereure should pass. Of the two
Bills which were proposed, he considered the first of the greater
interest; and though some opposition might, in the first iostance,
have been manifested by the agricultural body to that Bill, yet he
felt persuaded that, upon reflection, that opposition would relax,
and that the agricultural interests would he convinced that the ten-
dency of those Bills was not to militate against their advantage.
From what had passed, however, on former occasions, be did nut
think the aviculturists adverse to the principle of the present
measure. li, indeed, 'they were resolved to exclude corn
at all times, and under any circumstances, they might
be opposed to the measure which was now propose) for their
Lordships' adoption, and might, in their view of promoting
their own interests, approve and support such a line of conduct ;
but he could rot think any persona so unwise as to loot at ere
measure in that view. It was natural for them to consider an un-
limited importation of corn disadvantageous to them, but he felt
'persuaded that they did not look upon a limited importation In the
same light. The importation of corn in limited quantities, so far
from being injurious to them, he considered to be the very reverse ;
and to contiar that opinion he would refer to the state of the corn
market in the years 1818, 1317, and 111111. In the year IMO, from
the month of July until the 15th August, the price did taut rise
higher than 80s. per quarter ; and though the ports were shut
until November, tt was not until thefollowing year that the price
of corn rose to 110 s. per quarter. But it was not the opening of
the ports which proved injurious to the agricultural interests; the
evil arose from excessive speculation ; in fart, there was a double
evil which produced the depression which had been complained of;
first, that the port, were not opened soon enough ; and, secondly,
that an unlimited importation of corn was allawed. In the year
1818 the ports remained oven for three mouths, and yet none or
those disasters occurred which the fears of some would have anti.
dilated. But the question now to be considered was not whether
the system was a good one or not, for whatever might be now re-
solved upon could be revised in the next Session of Parliament.
He considered the first Bill of the greatest importance, and it was
that Bill which he would propose for adoption. A conver.
cation had yesterday taken place in the House relative to
the last clause in the Warellotood Corn Bill, which, from
the introduction of the weal "proportion,' was thought to be
unintelligible. The clause alluded to was that which he would
read.--" Provided always, and be it enacted, that nu greater pro-
portion of the total quantity of any parcel or ninnher of parcels of
corn, grain, meal, or flour, which on the said second day of slay
was in the possession of any such importer or proprietor in the slime
port, shall be entered for home consumption, under the authority of
this Act. after the first day of July, tine thousand eight hundred
and twenty-six, than shall be equal to the proportion id such total
quantity which had been eo entered on or before the said {drat day
of July, under t'ie authority of this Act." In copying the
clause of the Bill of last year, and altering it to the present, It was
with an intention to correct the deficiency of the clause which
lammed part of the Bill of last year that the clause of the present
Bill stood in its present form. its Object was to preveot a,dispro-
portionate importation of corn by one individual. Suppose a per-
son trailing in corn had in his possession two thousand five
hundred quarters of corn on the 2d of May, he might after-
wards hold five hundred quarters; but if in the first period
he had only 500 quarters, he could not in the second bring
in 2,509 quarters. With respect to the second Bill, lie did not feel
it necessary to trouble their Lordahips at any length. If any ob-
jection, either in theory or principle, could be taken to the first, it
could not be applied with equal reason to the second. With regard
to the power of that Bill, he would say that it would not be an
enviable one in the hands of the Administration ; itt was a power
invidious tOr any Government to possess, and in repoeing the con-
fidence which the concession of that power to Government inti.
mated, they should not try, that Government individually, but
should try them as public men, whose interest It was to make a
discreet use of it. He would ask the House, might nut reamoe
occur, during the recess, to induce an absolute necessity for such
power being vested in the Government, and which, •
hands of Government, might „produce great injury '
paid, why ask for a power fortified by law, and
Act of Indemnity ? To that he would reply, that'
arose to call for the necessity of that power, it was t
liament to pass 4 Bill—such a Bill of Indemnity ; ,
unquestionably the duty of Government to ask that
pity, in advance, if he might use the espression.
assure their Lordships the Government had no
Bill; they were not disposed, they did not wish, 1
they were compelled by necessity; but their object
against any. emergency ; they wished to sleep in
thought their Lordship* were equally anxious to I
It was at first objected to this Bill, and laid doai
against It, that by it we were tampering with the Corn

The LORE) CHANCELLOR red, tbat he would bold himself
responsible for one of the greatest clfencen which be could corms+,
i f he del not declare openly and clearly his determination tomato any
measure which was calculated to affect the intereet+ oft seericulusre.
The constitution of this country "miring to every individual, of
every class and profession, the enjoyment of his property and in.
dustry, did of attune render the rights of the usericaltitrist Melee
late; and he should art is hostility to the spirit ca rite ctest it tenets
if he did not regard wib much suspicion whatever,erttentheduo
he property of the agriculturist. Bet h 1 band nit oiew this 111C7.1111re
as tile which governed the concerns of the torn of the coontrve—that
it., which affected the landlords. eVith respect to the first BBL there
was not much difference of opinion t but it wee the other Bill
which was of the greatest importance; and as it touched more
meetly on constitutional principles, he tweed their Lordships 'Quite
permit him toasty it few words reepecime it. There was no man in
the country who felt more strongly against any act of power retie
teary to law than be did, yet he wnoie admit that there might be
some circumstances in which an act of power egaiest lea ehuuld be
done; but if a case could be Seamen in widea an eta of power
against law were likely to Coke piece, he would not soy that it
might not be expedient to apply to Patliament in %eels temente
stances for what he would call an indemnity in advance; lott such
an application might lead to more neechiefs than the measles
itself, and an ineetnhity of ell days or lees, if abused. ought not he
be endured ; if then the indemnity did more harm than the act of
poser, they ought to yield to the necessity, and take the 'Tepee).
t•ibility without application to Parliament. But if the presser
Bill was one enabling his Majesty in Couccil to do certain sets,
it did not take away the application to Parliament; it only vistaed.
his Msjesty's Ministers to do by the authority of Parliament that
which they might be otherwise compelled to do by necessity; but
whatever evils had arisen, be visited it to be clearly understood se
his opinion, that they did not spring from rho measure cautery..
plated. He de: eel that the measure had any connexion with the
Corn Laws vf ti.e country. Notwitheianding the power enlace.
agility given, el inietent were as responsible as if it were not given.
ile wee desirous to ciar the measure from the general witmnder.
standing, that it was A tnea.ttrJ which hs any derve affected the
Corn haws; if it had teat tendency, nothing could laden, bits 'k,
vote for it. The mapper, or the landed Interteet in Ode country, was
in substance the /Arne as the ettnpert of the Constitution. %Vas awe
any one who would out :,;tei•e his elajesty to adopt such e
neeteure in a case of neeceetty ? or was there any one who would
argue that such a step, in c tee tte necessity, w sold prejudice the
question of the Corn Laws ? He wield not deceive himself by
supposing that that measure might not have coneequerces which
were not foreseen ; but, however that 'right be. Ouverament would
be just as responsible as ever. He would again gets whet he teed
said before, that if this metteitre pledged. the Hones or any inslivi_
dual to the alteration of the Corn Lew,, he world never give it
his support ; and having made thatedeclaration, be had discharged
what he considered an imperative daty.
Earl GREY said, that he felt as much jealoury ea any one
could feel towards the present manure, yet he would aentit that
Ministers would be justified, if they could show that the measure
was founded on such a necessity that the public safety would be
endangered if it were not passed. But the question really vas,
how fee there was such a necessity for the present measure ? and
after listening with all the attention which was due to the ex.
perience and great abilities of the Noble and Learned Lord who
spoke last, he had failed to perceive that the measure was called for
by present circumstances. The Noble aid !Jeanette Lord had veer
properly called this a measure of Indemnity in Advance, and
that it would not on the account di:tit:esti the responsibility rf
Ministers. If he agreed to teat proposition. it would be with
some qualification. Ile would allow that, if difficulties were fore.
scan, Parliament, by such a measure, only seined Ministers
with a power which they would wherwise be oblietel to
mswine ; but before • Parliament made such !. cenceseion,
the necessity ought to be proved so clearly, that it wouiel
he criminal in the begielteure to overlook it. But was that
the ate re present ? He would ask, when had the necertne
Arieas ? Was it on the Mit of May last? when his alajesty's Me.
rester" resisted any changes ? Althnugh the distress et the peep!,
formed a prominent part of the diecueetens on that eression ae
eminent person on that occasion, whose authority was sttei;eeed
to influence the measures materially, declered that any such nits..
forme would aggravate the public diareou. ebnietens at that
time saw the public dittrees ; but they did not attempt us
provide against it. The distress which then existed incressee,
until the pressure on the ntanufecturers produced alert:Mug
riots. There was no person who felt more than himself haw
much compassion was due to those unhappy victims of distress, or
the necessity of repretsing the riots ; but whatever comp:3ooP
might plead in their favour; it 'mild very ill become the Perlis.
meat to make provisions at a time when tumult and Irsubnrdinatioa
w ere prevalent. when they hail neglected to makcany provision mediae
the distress which caused those alarming symptoms. Ile would now
come to the very point at iteme; the agitation of the measure had
produced very important evils, which Mitentere might breve avoickal
if they had conducted the all'int of the country with their ordinary
prudence and forlieerance. The Noble and Learned Lord Mid see -.
mitted that evils haul sprung from the diecutetion ; hilt observed
that they were not fereeeen. He said ohs'. 'hat he would be the very
last to support the measure, if it afrected the interest of the age.
culturalfnewel holy, 0
roney)was wi
which theiagto pu
integrityt
the treasure ufth e ee'mu
enittrie otut in on dupe'
liethat issue
(Chat was the history of :Otis measure ? There was distress ; it
wen neglected, and afterwards led to nutter sod •Mienre. Wheat
to r things, that'
.high 3fter,
' that see
e lacuna
Lank bee
csused a gee
- could tot
t it held
iblie rats