The National Register.
London, England, 1822-05-12 00:00:00

SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1822.

scription here timoutsts to 3,. ~ and our derendruce-
now is on Gm-eminent." A. . • letter said, " The
distress here is beyond all desert, a—starvation is seen
every where—all the property .: resident gentry hare
would be but a drop in the sea n hthe relief of sot mi.
sery as ours. I wish I could tae my family from wit.
'teasing the wretched scene." The hon. ban. said, he
would be happy to leave the whole management of the
fund to the benevolent Englishmen who had come fur.
ward for the relief of Ireland. but Irishmen could give
local information, which made it expedient that some of
them should attend the committee. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Itowcaorr read the list of subscriptions, which
was received with great applause.
The Earl of BLEsstsoroia put a vote of thanks to
the Chairman, which was passed by acclamation.
The committee then retired to make their arrange.
moms.

„6641.,
MO her .
leec*ion—sta real
a.tdtr 1 •
.1:1
!tie.” :The
the wt- •

IMMOLATION IN CHINA,

•••1=1•••.•

It is well known that the Chinese pursue the
principle of' an " eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth" to the very letter, and though the English
have nobly withstood on all occasions the demands
made fur the delivering up the persons of those who
have unintentionally caused the death of a Chinese,
knowing that the unfortunate victim would be
murdered by them, yet the Americans appear to
have had less firmness as will be seen from the sub-
sequent relation. A short time ago a rumour was
current that some disturbance had taken place be-
tween the Americans and the Chinese, of the same
nature es has two or three times taken place between
the Engish and the Chinese, on the allegations of
murder, or some other charge. The charges against
the English sailors have usually been of the most
vague and frivolous nature, and intended more as a
means of exacting money, than on any belief that
that the crimes had been committed. The firmness
of the Company's officers has on every occasion re-
sisted those attempts to impose, and the best results
have followed ; but the conduct of the Americans
on the late occasion, is likely, in the opinion of
those best acquainted with the character of the
Chinese, to threaten very serious evils to the English
and other Europeans at a future time. We believe
the following to be the most correct account of the
affair :
The circumstances of the alleged murder of the Chinese wo.
man, and the trial and subsequent execution of the unfortunate
American seaman, were so different!, ieported birth by the
Chinese and the Americans, that it was difficult to ascertain the
truth ; but it was generally believed that the following was the
most correct account :--k seaman, a native of Italy, then acting
second officer on board the American vend, observing a woman
hand some sums() (spirits) into one of the ports of the ship, threw
a small stone jar at net, which struck her on one of the temples.
The women, either stunned by the blow, fell overboard and im-
mediately sunk, or fell overboard in consequence of the pin, on
which the oar was fastened, breaking on her pulling away from
the ships; both accounts are given. bile ems fourul mat morn-
ing at some distance fmu the ship, with a small wound, as the
Chines:. asserted, on one of the temples, but stated by die Ame-
ricans to have been made by the Chinese alter she was found
drowned, but without any injury of the skull. The family to
which the %%omen belonged threatened, next morning, to represent
the alleged murder to the Ciiinese authorities, and to demand
the murderer to be given up for trial, but at the same time gave
them to understand, that all would be flushed over if the Atue.
ricans would give them Unee or four hundred dollars. This was
refused, and, on sonic of the inferior Manderilis getting notice
of it, the demand was increased to as many thousand dollars.
The Americans still refusing to pay this douceur of bribe, (as
the unfortunate man had nu money,) although they were aware
that the at was taking a serious tore, the Mandarins at Canton
were informed of it. who immediately demanded the man for
trial. All trade with the American "chips in the Canton river
was immediately stopped.
The Americans at hest steadily refused to give the man up, and
the Chinese came to the molution of trying the 11134 on board
his own ship, to which the Ameticans consented. During t! e
mock trial, not one witness was examined for the defendant, and
the Chinese also refined aulmittance to Dr. Nlonison, who volun•
teered his services as interpreter at the trial. The lIMII was of
course found guilty by such a tribunal, and it was now mare
iesisted on that he should be given up. It war likewise demanded
that lie should be confined in irons, which was complied with.—
About a week afterwards the Americans began to waver, and et
last it was agreed on that he should he given up Mr a scan
trial at Canton, which was said would be public and fairly con.
ducted, with examination of witnesses tor and against the pr.-
soner.

The tnan was accordingly taken out of the ship by a won.;
party of Catneac soldiers, and conveyed to Can:Yi, where. a tew
days afterwards, the trial took place. Daring the mock trial, not
an Ametican or any person on the man's law was present. A
body of Captains and officers of the lion. Comp:..l)'s ships went
to th Chinchwo or Court-house, and dent:ma-I aMtittance, in
ordcr to see justice done to the unfortunate man. but they w. r.:
refused it, on the plea that as the plisoner was an Ant.ri,:an it
was no ntEtir of theirs an Englishmen.
It is understood from same of rho Chinese
who were present,
that after a tew questions put to the poor nuoiland the Minutia
tine of two witnesses, they produced a pope gwhich they advised
hhn to sign by imprinting the mark of his open hand upon t.,
with red ink. They tepreAcated to Nat that it was merely a
statement of the trial, which-m.4v, be sent to Pekin fur inspec-
tion, before they coulajprtreeed further, ant: that it wAs.linety,
on its bring sent. and '31% answer tetartual, lie would be laltUe•
thAtely actiutttel.

_

S

,
. ..

•;

Pluck- Old.

The unfortunate man, surrounded with strangers, without
any other advice. and put off' his guard by the fair promises of a
security merchant of high rank, and two China street merchants
who acted as interpreters, and who pretended to be his friends,
imprinted his hand upon the paper. All further proceedings were.
immediately stopped. It was a confession of his guilt. which
was immediately forwarded to Pekin, and completely aoreapi•
the Vicerov and 'Mandarins, in the event of any disturbance
with the American Government. The poor man, still ignorant
of his fate, was taken back to prison; and according to the
Chinese custom, his irons were taken off, and he had plenty to
eat and drink. From the flattering assurances nf•the Chinese.
and this kindness, he hoped to be liberated in a few days.

On the 4th or fifth day after the trial, about four o'clock in the
morning, the security and China Street merchants, who attenshat
him on his trial. visited him and told him that they bad heard
from Pekin. anti that it was necessary he should go into the city,
in order to hear the contents of the destistchtes, not alluding in
the most distant way to their purport. The unfortunate man, in
high hopes of being won liberated, cheerfully obeyed. He was
taken into the heart frif the city in a sedan chair, attended by the
merchants' and put into a room, where he was told he must re-
main a short time. Soon after, some Chinese soldiers entered
and took him out at another door ; and the first intimation he
had of his cruel fate, was the executioner and implements of
death before him, and the heads of decapitated Chinese hung
round a kind of square crowded with spectators. He uttered a
yell of despair, raised his hands to heaven, and was understood
to protest his innocence and to implore the sight of an European
or American--(perhaps the priest, as he was a Roman Catholic.
and had previously, when on board ship, seen the Chaplain of
the Imperial frigate, then lying in Whampoa reach.)
The executioner paid no attention to his cries, but immediately
proceeded to strangle him according to the usual horrid way
directed by the Chinese law.
Hopes were first tied round his ancles and wrists, and then
gradually round the more vital and sensible pans ; and finalist
round the neck, until he expired by a languishing and cruel
death.
His body was next dny given up to the American!, who buried
hint on Dane's Island.
The something worse than indifferent conduct of the Ameri-
can Consul and Captains of the 30 ships then in the river, was
considered highly blameable throng:lout the whole proecalings,
in leaving the man to his fate in that manner, and the afi:ar was
concluded with an act of glaring inconsistency on their pert. It
was ordered that the remains of the unfortunate man whom they
had neglected to see justice done tn. should the buried with all
the honours of an officer. and the funeral was accordingly very
numerously attended. This amounted to a confession that lie
had suffered innocently; for they could never think of showing
such attention to the funeral of a murderer. ft was at one time
understood at Canton. that the man was found innocent by a
trial that took place among the American captair.s, and at that
time they were firmly resolved to resist the Chinese in their de-
mands ; but their conduct proved different, and it was generally
believed they acted from pusillanimity an I interested motives.—
The security merchant for the ship owed the American a very
considerable sum of money, and it' the man had not beep given
up. lie would have been an severely tnulcted, as to endanger his
credit, and probably so as to strip him of every part of leis p-n-
-perty. There was likewise no other prospect of the trade being
speedily opened, and that the Americans very likely began to
feel individually so much, as to overcome their national feelings,
as well as their feelings of humanity. Their conduct and the
termination of the affair may lead to very serious consequences
the event of any future affair of the kind happening, as has
before happened. with seamen of Engli-h or any other country.
The insolence of the Chinese towards It umpeans of every country
was much increased by the manner they had treated the poor
man ; and the English supercargoes were seriously afraid some
fray would happen betwixt them and the English sailors. whose
hatred towards them, after the execution of the American, rose
in proportion to their insolence.

The Prince and Princess of Denmark are to have
apartments assigned to them in the King's cottage,
it: Windsor Park, or in Cumberland Lodge, which
is contiguous to it, during the Ascot Heath races ;
and in case the young Princess should accompany
her brother to England, Mr. Nash will resign that
part of the lodge, occupied by him at present, for
the accommodation of the Royal visitors.
The Ladies of the parish of Camberwell have
landably opened a subscription amom, ticmvelv%.s,
their children, and their servants (which in no
instance is to exceed 2s. 61. but admits the smallest
donations), in aid of the larger one at Lloyd's
Coffee-hoas?, for the relief of the distresses in Ire-
land, and they have already collected a considerable
sum. It is nothing but right that their generous '
example should b.! made as public as possible, and
we hope that it will stimulate the ladies of Great
Britain in general to exert themse.ves in a similar •
manrer in their own families and neighbourhoods.
DEATH or lIIS GRACE THE ARCHBISItor Or
d, on Monday evening last, the Gth
inst., in Rutland-square, Dublin, at a quarter pass
eight o'clock, Ilk Grace the Right Hon. and Hun.
Charles Brodrick, D.l). Lord Archbishop of Cashel,
Primate of Munster, URI Lard Bishop of Emly.—
His Gr c' was translated to the Archprelacy in
1801. FL was consecrated Bishop of Clonfert in
1793, and Bishop of Kilmore in the succeeding year.
His Grace was brother to Lord Viecount Midleton,
was a Commissioner of the Mani of Education, a
Treasurer to the Board of First Fruits, and a Vice
President of the Society f:r discountenancing Vice.
The freeedom of the Corporation of Nottingham
has Wen voted to Joseph Hume, Etq. M. P.

• • i

ttr•

K t .• •1 • •

146

3mptrtal lea'

HOUSE OF LORDS.
MONDAY. MAY 6.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
Earl GREY rose ter the purpose of suspending the notice of
a motion respecting the state of the country, which he had given
previous to the Easter recess. It would be recollected, he said.
that at the time he gave the notice, lie asked the noble Earl
(Liverpool) whether it was the intention of his Majesty's minis-
ters to propose any measure with a view to the relief of the
country. The noble Earl referred hint to the expected report of
the committee on agriculture. Nothing could be done, it was
said. until the report of that committee was made. Of that te.
port lie (Lord (..)could not speak in respectful terms. Ile would
not say it had disappointed public expectation, because there was
-sot a man. woman, or child in the country acquainted with the
wimurs of that committee. who entertained the slightest hope of
benefit from their report. There were, however, a few who had
supposed nothing so absurd as this report could have been sent
forth by the representatives of the people. it was totally inade-
quate to the national object. It that report had nut produce° a
measure likely soon to come before the lit use of Lords, and he
had net been deprived of the assistance of his noble friend (the
Marquis of Lansdowne), lie certainly should have acted in pur-
SUllliCe of his notice, but as the measure would come before the
House, he felt inclined to postpone his notice. lie was astonished
to find the measure to which he alluded, and which was calcu •
Isted to reduce taxation, come front the very men who had so
long contended against a reduction of taxes. He should not fed
the least hesitation in giving it his unqualified opposition, be-
souse, although it purported to diminish taxes. it did nothing
beneficial to the public interest. It violated the principles of the
sinking fund : but that was not so much the ground of his oh-
jection. He was one who thought. under the present circum-
stances of the country. the sinking fund ought to be suspended.
and relief given to the crying necessity of the country. The
noble Etul then objected to the annuity plan, which was nothing
More than creating a debt to fall upon posterity. The measure
had beim, roweled to to veil the inconsistency of his Majesty's
Government, who were obliged, although they had invariably
denied the obligation, to protect the interest of the landed pro-
prietors. The country wuukl sustain a loss which might have
been saved by a more honest proceeding. When the measure
should come before the House. lie should feel it his duty to give
it all the opposition in his power. The other nieasures pending
in the House et Commons were equally objectionable. The ex •
pedient to raise the price of corn had his decided objection. The
intended circulation of Bank notes, upon the principle of the
Banks of Scotland, would never 'Herd a permanent interest equis
valent to the extension of the Bank charter ter ten years. This
also was a most extraordinary expedient. The men who hail
so long imputed a great portion of the public distress to the too-
impel, of the Governor tool Company of the Hank, now came
froward to extend that monopoly ten years longer. The noble
earl concluded by withdrawing the notice of motion to which he
alluded.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL agreed with the noble Earl, that
he had never looked ter any measure founded on the report of
the Agricultural committee as likely to produce a remedy to the
present distress of the country ; but it did not follow that some
ieniedy might be applied to the course of law regulating the
corn trade. He was prepared to prove the burthen of government
taxes was light upon agriculture. There was another species of
taxation he was ready to admit, which fell hrtvy, namely, pour
rates, but that was not a government tax. The noble Earl then
contended that the new plan would be beneficial to the country.
without interfering with the sinking fund. With respect to tile
circulation of Bank notes, the law, as it now stands, gave the
Bank of England a coincomplete monopoly in the issuing of notes ;
and it had been pro to relax that monopoly, giving the
oes
country at large the benefit. The continuation of the monopoly
would extend, as the law stood, three years longer. anti ter
waiving it, the Bank was to have their ctiartet prolonged ten
years. The noble Earl said he would rather have given relief
to the country. without conceding to the extension of the Bank
charter. but the question to be fairly discussed was this :—Was
it a good bargain for the public, and did the public gain or lose
by it ? He contended that it was advantageous.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE did not wish to extend the
conversation on this subject, but to move ter the production of the
correspondence between the Government and the Bank, on the
subject of the renewal of the Bank charter. He accordingly
moved for these documents.
Lord KING considered the bargaain with the Bank unitive
gent, and a loss to the country. The new plan, as it was called,
toe throwing off the burden of dead expence was at varience with
the sinking fund. The measure remindedliint of a case where
an apothecary was called in. The practitioner prescribed strong
doses of calomel. He was asked whether it was not too much for
the constitution of his patient. The apothecary said it might be
too much, but he could easily throw in a little opium.—(A
laugh.)—lle (Lord King) thought it would have been best to
give less calomel. and spare theopium ; but the apothecary. in
throwing in his drug., was interested, so was the State apothe-
cary interested in making up all his boluses and physic ter the
ure of the Constitution ; he procured influence by it.
After a few observations from Laid Holland, the motion was
agreed to, and the House adjourned.
Tuts:, MAY T.
The House met at four o'clock, and the bills on the table were
forwarded in their respective stairs.
The Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND presented a petition
from Newcastle upon Tyne a,laitit u bill to alter the Navigation
Laws. The petition was laid on the table.
Lord RAINING preserited two petitions from the county of
Nortell, complaining of agricultural distress.—Laid on the
table.
The Countervailing Duties, and the Excise Licences Bills
passed through Committees.—Adjourned.
WLDNEALIAY, MAY A.
Several Bills, all private, were brought up from the Commons,
anti read the lirst time.
The Excise Duties Bill was read the third time, and passed.
The Malt I Bill was read a second time.
The Linen Duty Bill was read a second time.
The Countervailing Malt Duties; Bill went through a Con-

rniitee.-- nal
...na• • • •
THURSDAY, MAY 9.
The Nlarqui, CORNWALLIS presented three petitions from
the owners of land in Suffolk, complaining of agricultural dis-
tress. and praying for relief. The petitions were read and laid
on the table.
DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
Earl DARNLEY addressing the House, Blvd, as the noble
Earl (the Earl of Liverpool) wa, not in his place. and as he un-
derstood not likely to be there on that occasion, he should- defer
wht lie had to say until to morrow. It was his intention to call
thea attention of the noble Eall and the House to the melancholy
state it Ireland. Ile was "arty to find the accounts from day to
day we more and mme alai ming. H e wished to It now ivhethet,
end what means hod been taken by the Government to alleviate
the stiffecings of the wretched people.
The 3latquis of LANSDOWN also deferred a motion which
he intended to make, for returns relating to country hank., until
the noble Earl was in his place. Another motion, to which he
could nut anticipate any objection, he said he should submit to
tht House. The nolde Jl..rquis wished to have an account of
the respective periods, betwon lila and IB2L, at which the Go-
vernor and Colopany of the Rank of England had apt lied for
the i,newal of their charter. 1.1 c accordingly mov:.l lot tjle
account, which was ordered ...Adjourned.

I

kTIONA I. REGISTER,

THE N.

TIMMY, MAY 10.
Some private bills were brought up From the Commons, and
read the first time.
The Earl of COVENTRY presented a petition from Worces-
ter, praying for a revision of the criminal aide.
The bills on the table were forwarded.
Lind SU FFI E L D presented a petition from the owners of land
in the bundled of Highworth. Norfolk, complaining of avicul-
ture' distress.—Laid on the table.
DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
Earl DARNLEY, rising to address the house, said it was
then his duty to put a question to the noble earl (Liverpool) upon
a subject which all must admit to be of the deepest interest. The
Lords and the public knew, and his Majesty's ministers ought to
know. that in certain districts in the south-west of Ireland there
had been a consideruble deficiency in the crops of potatoes. which
occasioned great distress He could not help feeling it was a
matter of much consolation to find the subject taken up so gene-
rously by the inhabitants of this country, and that a liberal
subscription had been made. It was a matter of exultation for
the people of England to say they had ever been ready to relieve
the distressea of Ireland, yet he could not avoid feeling there had
been a remissness on the part of his Majesty's ministers, in not
foreseeing the evil, and providing something like a remedy. If
the noble earl was prepared to tell hint the Government had taken
steps to inform themselves of the evil, and that they had taken
all the means in their power to obviate it, much satisfaction
would be felt by the unfortunate sufferers. As far as he had
been informed, that had not been the ease, and in consequence of
the omission the calamitous distresses of that pare of the country
to wldch he alluded had risen to an alarming height. He held
in his hand an extract of a letter received from a gentleman in
the county of Clare, who, from his situation in that county, was
enabled to make a representation upon which the Lords might
rely. The aoble earl read the extracts—'s The distress of the
people here is beyond all possible descripition ; every part of the
country is in such a state of distress, that the whole assistance
raised here will not be more than a drop in the sea. Government
has really done nothing ; and if they mean to give assistance, it
must be aftbrded forthwith, or it will come too late." Here the
noble earl asked, whether it was not monstrous, in an empire
calling itself united, and where they had been told that super-
abundance abounds, that a part of Iteland should be in a state of
famine? If it was true that Government hail been applied to,
and had taken no measures to prevent distress and injury in that
unfortunate country, he expressed a hope that the noble carl
would say so. Unless the statement could be contradicted by the
noble earl, it would be the duty of the house to carry up an
address to the Sovereign, praying him to order measures the
most effective to relieve the sufferings of Ireland. Nothing but
the interference of Government could be effective. The noble
earl said, on a former day, that the distress was confined to a
small part of Ireland, but it ought to be known that famine
generally produced pestilence, which might spread all over
Ireland. The noble earl concluded by moving an address to the
King, praying his Majesty to order a copy of the correspondence
with Government on the subject of distress in Ireland to be laid
before the house.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, lie should trouble the house
with but few words in answer to the observations of the noble
earl. Upon some questions Government might shield itself under
theories, but there was excessive difficulty in calling upon parlia-
ment to interfere with supplies of provisions. When first the
state of Ireland was known in this country, he alluded to distress
arising from local circumstances, he was anxious that aid might
be affernled, without bringing the matter under the discussion of
parliament. Not only measures of relief would be taken, but
measures had been taken with as little delay as possible, /Weds
had been furnished for the ensuing crops, and money supplied.
The noble earl did not consider it necessary, under all the
circumstances, to address the Crown, and therefore opposed the
motion.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE was not desirous of saying
much on the conduct of Government, but to give a melancholy
testimony of the calamity which prevailel.not only in the county
of Clare. but other counties. In the mountainous districts of the
south west, that distress prevailed to a degree which could not be
exceeded in the county of Clare. He could only repeat, that
Ireland must feel grateful to those individuals who had so gene
mushy stood forward in England. At the same time. he did not
consider the assistance afforded by the public would be of any
seal assistance, without Government took up the subject.
The Earl of BLESSINGTON supported the address moved
iy the noble earl. He could not be satisfied with the promise
that something would be done for the people of Irelan& The
amounts of distress stated. that no less that 6441,000 persons were
in a state of starvation. This had been growing two yeas, and
nothing had been done. Some time ago, when applied to the
Archbishop of Tuant, respecting a statue to his late Majesty,
that prelate expressed a wish that the money raised might be
distributed among the suffering Irish, who were dying to the
streets and ditches of typhus fever.
Earl GREY did not feel any ohjection to the address moved
by his noble friend. If it be true that Government had taken
timely measures to provide a remedy for the sufferers of Ireland,
it would be satisfactory to the distressed to shew, by the produc-
tion of the correspondence, that at the same time Government
were using coercion unpreeedented. they were also taking means
to alleviate distress. Could there be a more horrible picture of
Government than that presented on this occasion. If it should
appear that ministers had done nothing to prevent distress, the
reins of Government ought to be wrested from their hands.
Lord ELLEN BOROUGH said, no satisfactory answer had
been given by the noble earl as to the assistance which had been
given to Ireland. and in order to see what had been done for
Ireland, they ought to have the papers moved for by the noble
earl. lie trusted the noble earl would press the motion to a
division. He wished Government and parliament should move
to the people of Ireland that there was a feeling to remedy their
distresses. lie did not suppose that Government could reined,
the distress in Ireland to any considerable extent, but all that
could be done should be done.
Earl BLESSI SGTON said, 5,0001. had been sent off this
day for the relief of the sufferers of Clare.
Lord HOLLAND supported ;he motion.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE asked if the noble earl would
none any precise day un which instructions were scut to Ireland
to afford relief?
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, a few weeks since instruc •
tions were sent to Ireland to impart relief to the suffering poor.
The Earl of LAUDERDALE said, the object was nut only to
provide a remedy. but to guard against future calamity. It the
case was true which the noble earl had stated, Government should
have taken measures to give relief, not some weeks ago, but mote
mouths ago; and if the Government of Ireland had not commu-
nicated the approaching famine to the Government of Um coun-
try, they had not done their duty.
The house then divided. The numbers were, Contents, 171
Non-contents, 35. The address was consequently lost by a
majority of
'lime Marquis of LANSDOWNE then addressed the house on
she subject of the purposed contract with the Batik for the renewal
of their Charter, The noble marquis deprecated the proposed
bargain as injurious to the public. The advantage, if any conld
be derived, ought not to be given to any public body, but applied
w the sinking fund. lie did not wish[ to interfere with the
machinery of the sinking fund, but if they were obliged to conti-
nue it upon a princif,ie tit compound interest, lie was persuaded
that the fund ought to have. the benefit of the present bargain.
He wished to tecoremend a short bill, to enable the comme,ston-
els of die sinking fund to sdvance lotto which Mali nUw con-
udered necessary to reduce taxation. The noble marquis moved
for an account of all batiks in the country liavu4; lets Wan sue
partners.

The Earl of I.IV EIIPOOL said it was the opinion. last war.
that it was more to the advantage of the country to let the sink.
ing fond operate. rather than contract with it for loans. That
opinion might still remain. With respect to the present trans.
action, to which the noble marquis alluded, his Majesty's !Mins-
ter,' were anxious to contract for the benefit of the public, and if
their contract was not advantageous. they would not make it. He
had no difficulty in saying there was a prospect of a contract
advantageous to the country. There was no loan made by Go.
vernnient that was not open to parliament to negative.
The motion was agreed too—Adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
MONDAY, MAY 6.
Mr. LAMBTON presented petitions from Shields, Sen.
derland. &c. against the bill fin repealing the navigation
laws. If lie were to indolge in speculative opinions, he
should support this bill ; but when he recollected how
much property was likely to he affected, and how exten-
sive a taxation was to be paid, he feared that the com-
plete repeal might be attended with most serious conse-
quences.
Mr. ELLICE spoke of the enormous expense imposed
on this cottony by the collectors at the different punts. At
Gillette the collector received upwards of 3,0001 , while
,ucli officer at New Yak received nut above VOL The
consular fees were, too, ruinously heavy. If the regula-
tions of trade were to be improved, why were these not
improved at once ? these could be remedied by the unuis-
ters.—(Hear, hear.)
Petitions read, and ordered to he printed.
The Navigation Laws Amendment bill was read a
second time. Ordered to be committed to-mortuw, as
were the oilier bills connected with this subject.
L-rd EBRINGTON presented a petititm frum land
occupiers in Holdsworthy, Devonshire, complaining of
the unexampled pressure of taxation, ecc.--Ordered to be
pouted.
Mr. GORDON presented a petition front the ship
owners of Aberdeen, against Mr Wallace's bill.
Capt. WEMYSS presented a petition from Fifeshire,
praying for permission to export their spirits. Such
change in the law would *Herd means of coos 00000 ing
500,000 quarters of barley.—Ordered to be printed.
Sir T. LETHBRIDGE presented a petition front occu-
piers of laud in Somersetshire and Gloucestershire, cow,
plaining of agricultural distress, and caressing theif
alarm at the resolutions brought forward Ull the subject u
agriculture, paiticularly the resolutions from the member
for Portarlington (Mr. Ricardo.) That lion. member had
been very free in his remarks, observing, that those who
complained of distress, and espoused the cause of the
farmers, had no reasons to urge for their statentents. That
lion. member seemed to be deemed a very " God of Rea-
, 11011." He knew what had been the consequences of fol-
lowing the " Goddess of Reason," and he now warned all
persons not to be led away by the doctrines of the " God
of Reason."—(Hear, and laughter.)
Petition read, and ordered to be printed.
LICENSING SYSTEM.
Mr. MAMMON presented a petition from Robert
Churchill, complaining of the detects of the licensing
system. The petitioner set forth, that some years ago he
embarked io a large building speculation, havilig built
near 500 houses in Stepney, its the neighbourhood of
which there were no houses, positively no public houses.
Having built upwards of 100 houses, he erected a house
for a public house,one being much wanted, but he applied
year after year to the magistrstes for a licence in vain.
He eventually sold it to a Mr. Brown, after having bad it
on his hands ter years, fur 1,1001. Mt. Brown then dealt
with Barclay's. De • •ig to get the licence, he said it
was necessary to change his brewers. He next dealt with
Hanbury's, and the application for the licence was imme-
diately granted. The house then became worth 3,0004.,
and Mr. B. might have sold it instantly for that sum. The
petitioner complained of this conduct. Having built 100
more houses, lie built another for a public-house; but the
application was again refused. The petitioner complained
ul this system, and attributed it to the defective state of
be law. He now wished to ask again whether there was
any intention to lower the price of beer? As the house bad
reduced the duty, the public must have the benefit of it.
He now again asked for information--this was the Mird
time *leaking. (Heat, and a laugh.)
Mr. F. BUXTON timid, that the licence in question was
refused because the new houses were not inhabited; when
the contrary was the case, the licence was granted. The
other houses, to which licences were refused, were cline
by that which had previously been licensed. As to the
price of porter, lie had to state, that it had been lowered
one halfpenny per pot, the reductiuu of the tax amounting
to only one farthing. With respect to the general charge
of brewers' influence and juiciest in public houses, theta
was much misrepresentetion on that subject. He would
speak of his house—they served ItAi public houses ;of
them, lea were in the country ; 46 were their own houses;
22 were confined to them by large loans; but upwards of
6/0 such houses were free and independent of them.—
Another bad said that the beer was not so strong as it
was 2U years ago ; in reply to which he had to state, that
the Excise could prove that the beer was now 44 per ma.
stronger.
Mr. CALVERT said, that the licensing system was
much to be complained of; and if they wanted proofs of
grievances, he could bring ItrOpetitioos in a week, unfold.
tug great hardships.
Mr. G. BENNET said, the present fatal system was
must injurious to the morals, as well as the health of the
people ; and rather thau that it should continue, he would
agree to compensate the brewers for the houses they held.
1 lee country seemed to be parcelled out amongst the
brewers, and they in too aunty instances (hugged the pri-
sons who were obliged to deal with them with the wont
beer. There was 110 correction for the evil but throwilig
the trade open. Every person also had means to open it
house might to be entitled to a licence ; why should not
the
rocsearl,e
&it er be a trade as open as that of the bake',
g
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re
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competition;
spboeemtei aa;dd eb. ii
at etTelot t
uld he
prove of any law that tended to throw the trade still
inure
open, especially as tar as the brewers were concericd •
however,it: lteeiiii.
as open as that of bread—he trusted due attennunthwr
throw!
he paid to existing interests. the trade were
CC
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cointib' ea •rr do; et
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