The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1820-05-17 00:00:00

LOr4D4r4, WEDNESDAY, MAY 171 1820.

torer, to ark the Noble Berl opposite. whether it is
the intention of the King's Ministers to rder the
aubject to a Committee. for the'prirmsee a fully
iu9uirinpr into the situastioa of the Petitiorsets.?“
Fite Earl of Ltvanitoei stilted in reply, Oda
the Noble Lord who presented the Petition lid
said truly that his Majesty's Government were most
anxidus to giVe effect to the fullest inquiry lists the '
general objects which this question involved. A.a
in another phew en inquiry wet already fixed into
one ;;rest branch of this subject. It was still mat.
t. r of cuusideratiou whether an iuquiry for the same
purpose should elan be siroultarieuusly made by
their Lordship,. If some Noble Lords Amish'
such • step expedient., he certainly should ItY so
means op it, provided always the ingoiry wa•
Specifically confined to proper and distinct objecti.
(Hear.)—lf that inquiry were roofed fur. he would
be Prepared to state what were hie friend views re-
spectiog this very iisortatittililfillata bleb ise mined
it wesdil be a-drivable td diaraise for the witisfuctio*
at least of the public miud. It would yet be very
material to have a general view taken of the sub.
ject before the inquiry were actually gone into, for
the purpose of discussing the waits olject generally,
lest any deception should go forth to the manifest
injury of the public mind. If any Noble Lord
opposite was prepared to fix • perticular day, he
(the Earl of Liverpool) would then state without re•
serve the opinions he entertinued upon this compli-
cated question, and should certainly not oppose
any expedient inquiry. l'lte Executive Goveru-
mem were certainly unprepared themselves to imti-
tote the inquiry, for ke thought their duty loupe.
ratively imposed upon them the propriety of
not officially commencing soy investigation through
which they could nut directly are their way.
But though they did not originate the question
themselves, they would certainly give it no opposi-
tion, provided the inquiry were fairly and practi.
tally limited. With respect to the petition before
their Lordships, he was ready to admit it ought to
be fully considered. The exemplary conduct of
the population of Birmingham was, to his own per-
sonal knowledge, mu the highest degree praise-
worthy ; their patience, their loyalty, their attach-
ment to the best institutions and interests of the
country, entitled them to the thanks of the commit.
troy. sod to a special claim, if any such could at
all be put in. for every consideration.
The Nlarquis of LeasnowN said that the Peti-
tioners were eminently entitled to the honourable
character just given them by the Noble Earl oppo-
Site. The language of their Petitiou was also most
expressive and Correct, sod contained, he feared
but too truly. the distressed situation in which
these people now found themselves. Their casts
war certainly one Which entitled them to have • full
and adequate inquiry.—( Hear, hear, hear/--
an iuquiry to which he now found his Majesty's Mi-
nisters would give tio opposition, though, indeed,
be hid hoped that they would, either in or out
of Parliament, have themselves undertaken it
with all the grave and deliberate weight of their
O*ll authority. He now found that such ass inquiry
was 110 l to be expected in that quarter, where it
could I e most effectively conducted, with a view
to lay opess the real situation of the country, and
the principles to the estublishment of which it
ought to look for • mitigation of the now subsisting
evils. Ile was Persuaded, that no inquiry could
be so adequately carried to • conclusion, as one
emanating front Ministers themselves, still less that
any remedial measure, should such hereafter be
deemed expedient, could be fully carried into
execution without the active aid and concurrence
of the Executive Government going hand its band
with both Houses of Parliament.---(Hear)--As
however the Noble Earl would not promise this
satisfaction to the country, he (the Meryl') would
an early d,iy after the holidays,
perhaps on Friday se'rosight, bring this great
subject under the consideration of their Lord-
ships. But when lie gave this notice, lie was
must anxious at the outset to express his opinion
that he was not very ormolus that any inquiry
emanating from him was likely to be attended with
any very beneficial result. He also thought it right
to state, that the inquiry which he meant to propose
should be limited as much as possible to a view of
a part of the case, and confined to the most pracii.
cal result. He should, its fact, propose the sp.
pointmesit of • Committee to investigate the means
of extending the foreign trade of the country. This
lie was aware was only one view of the case, sad he
was far from meaning •to insinuate, that any molt
arising oat of such an investigation would give gee
neral satisfaction to the country ; On the contrary
he thought that no reel good could be effected
without sifting to the bottom the whole questiew
as it affected all the great interests of the comae.
rate, until some remedy were found, or declared
unattainable, and that result made clear to .he
comprehension of the people. A duty more sacred
than that could nut devolve upon any Governuteut.
It was he confessed, ton strong for his shoulders,
though he was ileternaiueil to undertake the task, as
it was not now likely that any one more competent
would call on their Lordships to investigate the sub-
ject. The Noble Marquis concluded by giving notice
of his mot- for the upputiutoseut of a Committee
011 Friday se'sitlight to turestigate the question.
The Earl of Livitsenue intimated that on that
slay lie would stet? generally his views upon thin
question, without opposing such a 11106011 as that
ulluded to by the Noble Marquis. What extene
snits the inquiry may be suseeptilde of, would, of
course, remain a matter for future coesidesatiou.
But he fully agreed in the expediency of consider-
ing the general state cf the country.
Earl Geosvertort wished to kuow whether this
inquiry was to be limited to the state of the mane..
lecturers ? The embarrassments of the agricultural
interest were equally as exteusive. and he thought
entitled to the same considers:dote—(Near.)
The Earl of Livtitroot. observed. that the mei.
tioss of whirl, notice hod been gives& more street&
celly referred to the commercial interests, but he
was ready to admit that is his Lenard view sit the

*object it would be iumeobeet epos MI Oa is
pm the agricetteed • depresoirsts saltiab pets del.
Thengh other velsiocts thaw ?Ant siseeietelly fun
leered to in the mason mail iskidentotty come Aims
der their view le eh wide a stircomisio. t del ea
thesefore follow teed life infinity shi•tilil in Aiello*
iettance be extended neon. Ile ogreed so Moves
rimy of hygienic" PM a distinct and dared
Marquis of Laiteettere concurred its tibia
iseuussity. and said Ith sweat to shaj his egotism
Oreardiogly. Undosibteilly he thought that 'be
WI% of the agricultural interests ought to be folly
hisitairedinto, bet it was mom desitebk for the
tolostiomit of • practical reedit, that the inquiries
should be subdivided 'into separate parts.—(thhtr.)
Otherwise Their investigation would be endless, end
Imrilleised by every species of theory, so as swims-
der fit ississetiblie to oblaiu soy proceed result.
Kul Ga•sysiros agreed slat Iblicioquenm-ta be
practical should be distinct. All be wanted was,
that wheu•it was entered upon, It should not be en.
dersiood a. exclodisig the other. Hear.)
rile Earl of LAIJDIIRD•LIR agreed that " general
inquiry could alone be deemed satisfactory to the
country at large. His opinions upon Corn Bolls
and the state of agriculture generally were well
known ; and he implored their Lordships, as they
valued the tranquillity of the country, not to enter
upon such a topic in the present state of public
feeling. Nothiug could be more find to the peace
of the community than the agitation of that ques-.
tion now. Of course, in the generall discussion
upon the state of the country, the agricultural inle.
rest must be incidentally touched dpon. Although
he thought the inquiry might be entered upon to
coot-abate the public mind, yet still he augured
very little from the result. The Committee would
be beset by crowds of witnesses, bearing facts of all
sorts, and sowing the needs of endless father jets.
hussies sod dissentions. He approved of the line
his Noble Frieud (the Marquis of Lsnarlown) had
chalked out for himself, though he thought it the
duty of Government to have ere now begun an ac-
tive investigation into this most important subject;
The great use that, in lits opinion, Parliament
would be on this occasions was so to classify sod
subdivide the subject as td render the parts of which
it was composed less intricate thus they were whets
mixed up with the general mass. The Executive
Govertinteut could alone conduct this inquiry use-
fully, fur they most be possessed of all the neces-
sary information, touch of which it would not.be
advisable perhaps for them. to disctose. He there-
fore joined his Noble Friend in strongly imploring
his Majesty's Ministers to take the .object up them-
melees on their owo responsibility.—(Hear, hear.)
The Earl of DAIIIILBY also thought the inquiry
ought to be general ; but still when he gave the
opinion. he very much feared that it was out of the
power of Parlisatent, however well disposed, to
apply any eifertiihriemedy. This was his firm coif-
viction ; the state of the country was so deplorable,
hr should be glad if the }vault proved his opinion
erroneous, but he fesied the result would fully
sustain P.

Lord ERSZINI agreed that the state of the
agricultural interests ought to be considered as well
as every other, and that this would be best effected
by keeping that branch of the question in a separate
and distinct shape. He thought it in the power of
the Legislature to apply • remedy to the sgricul.
final interests, at once easy, simple, sod com-
pletely efficacious.
The Earl of Dowoutanwoits was folly pendia&
ed that it would be impolitic to hold out any hopes
to the country of the probable result of their diu.
coition, unless their Lordships bad fully made up
their minds to enter into • comprehensive inquiry.
They ought to make up their minthi is to what re-
lief they were prepared to apply to any part of the
reining grievances ; this was more particularly
rendered necessary after what this night hail falai
from one of his Majesty's Ministers. The Govern-
ment had now avowedly thrown off the inquiry from
themselves; he was heartily sorry for it, because
they had more means, more influence, more efficacy,
and he said it respectfully, it was more their duty
than it was that of the Noble Lords who sat at the
same side of the House with himself. No greater
duty could devolve upon the Ministers of the Crown
than this inquiry, and he them ought it to be on-
dertaken fur the satisfaction of the country. There
were many persous who were doubtless acquainted
with the geoerat state of the nation, but who had
not the same opportunity as hi. Majesty's Ministers
had of being conversant with all the details of which
the Government must, or at least ought to be,
in possession. What Ministers brought forward
was sore to be adopted by Parliament, though he
feared that what originated at the side of the House
where lie sat was in general sure of ineetaug nothing
but • 'legatee. Ministers, in the way in which
they seemed dieposed to treat the question,
were not certainly doing their duty in the map.
tier which he thought would become them, for
they were casting off upon others a task which
they ought themselves to undertake. if it
were meant to be efficaciously accomplished. Did
Ministers think the state of the country incurable ?
Were they prepared to maks this avowal to the ma-
nufacturer stud to the agriculturalist ? Were they
prepared to say that they had no remedy, no cure
fur the distresves under which the people so tomcat.-
sally laboured ? Or was it possible that Ministers
thought they had dispatched the business by this
night's conversatson ? He really must say lie did
pot think they seemed to have that important sense
'which they ought to feel of their official responsi-
bility. Ministers might agree upon sense specific
plait; it looked indeed at if his Noble lf• klub, were
not exactly prepared to agree topotrtour, for they
seemed 'thready' disposed to darer upon the remedy
at the outvet. H• conande4 by renewing that
Government ought to take the subject senuusly up;
it was their duty to do so, cud the country expect-
ed it from them.
The Earl of LelrtliPeol. said, that he owed it
to himself to soy a few stostlesfitr wiist had [Atm