The Sun.
London, England, 1830-03-09 00:00:00

MOTION POSTPONED.

Earl STANHOPE said, ir► consequence of the
indisposition of his-Noble Friend (the Duke of Rich-
mond), the motion which stood fur Thursday for a
Select Conanittee on the internal state of the coun-
try, as far as the working clalses were concerned,
would nor be then brought forward ;. but, as soon as
the health of the Noble Duke would permit, it Nvas3
his intention to submit a motion on the subject to
the House. The Itioble Earl then moved, that the
order summoning the Peers to attend be dis-
charged.—The Order was discharged accordingly.
The Bill to render valid Marriage Ceremonies in
certain Churches and Chapels, which. was brought
in on a former evening by the Bishop of London,
was read a second time.

Lord CALTHORPE presented a petition from
the riband-weavers of a parish in Warwickshire,
complaining of distress, and praying relief.
BURNING WIDOWS IN INDIA.
The Noble Lord likewise presented two petitions
from the male and female inhabitants of Oswestry,
praying the House to take step= to abolish the prac-
tice of burning widows in India.

DANK-NOTES.
Viscount GODERICH wished to put a question
to the Noble Duke at the head of his Majesty's Go-
vernment respecting a return now upon their Lord-
ships' table. The return professed to be an account
of the country bank-notes stamped within the Mgt
three years. Now he wished to know whether the
return included the notes in circulation in Scotland
as well as England ; and, if so, whether there would
be any objection to a return specifying the amount
in circulation in that country.
The Duke of WELLINGTON said, as well as
he recollected, the return did include Scotland, and
he would ascertain whether the specification wished
by the Noble Viscount could be furnished.
Adjourned at a Quarter-past Five.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(LAST NIGHT.)
The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four
o'clock.

The Howe was occupied a considerable time in
passing Private Bills.

The Bill for the establishment of a new Market
in St. Marylebone was brought in, and read a first
time.

Mr. Alderman WOOD brought in a Bill for the
formation of an Arcade from London-wall to Bar-
tholomew-lane.—Read a first time.
Mr. Alderman WOOD presented a petition from
the Vauxhall Bridge Company, against the con-
struction of a bridge at Lambeth.—Laid on the table.
. _ _

PARLIAMENTARY FEES.
The SPEAKER wished to acquaint the House
that he had taken considerable pains to inquire into
and ascertain the fees charged in the Private Bill
Mice, and in the Committee Clerks' Office. The
principle on which he had gone ►vaF, to elti&datc-
and render perspicuous the various charges made in
those offices, in consequence of some obscurity ex-
isting on the subject. He had been assisted in the
inquiry by persons much more competent to such
duty titan he could possibly pretend to be, and they
all gave it as their opinion that the various charges
were as fair and reasonable as could be expected,
though there was a degree of irregularity in setting
them forth, and therefore a revision of the system
was rendered advisable. Cor•.curriag in the opinion
which they had expressed, he proposed that a list.
which he had made out of the several fees, should
be first laid on the table, and that some Hon. Mem-
ber should then move that it be printed. He pro-
posed that it should be afterwards hung up in the
offices where the fees were taken, so that each in-
dividual might see, at one glance, what he had to
pay, and be enabled to satisfy himself that the sum
was not more nor less than the fixed amount. He
must at the same time inform the House that the
aggregate amount of fees was much the same as be-
fore, and he thought it right that the public should
be undeceived on this point. The chief alteration
made was to render perspicuous that which was be-
fore obscure. If the House should concur in his
view of the subject, he should now propose that
the list be laid on the table, and perhaps some Hon.
Member would then move that it be printed.
The paper was then laid on the table, and
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER.
moved that it be printed.
Lord ALTHORP supported the motion.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY regretted to hear from
the Right Hon. Gentleman that the amount of fees
was to be the same as before. He himself was
told of an instance in which two private Bills were
opposed, and a sum of 191. was charged upon each.
The SPEAKER said that, whatever might be
the opinion of the Hon. Member to the contrary,
nothing more than a reasonable amount was charged.
It was not for him (the Speaker), without any
knowledge of the circumstances, to say whether
the charges to which the Hon. Member adverted
were co►rect or not. He could only say that such
charges could not have been made in the regular
way under the system sanctioned by the House.
Mr. D. W. HARVEY said that, after SUCh a
challenge as this from the Right Hon. GeNtleman.
—(Order, order !)—All he had tnea►:t to say was,
after what had now been stated from the Chair, he
should feel it his duty to inquire minutely into all
the facts of the case to which he had adverted.
The SPEAKER did not understand what the
Hon. Member meant by the word " challenge."
What he (the Speaker) wished to impress ❑pon the
Hon. Member was, that by the schedule of fees
which had just been laid on the table it was utterly
impossible such a charge could hare been made as
coming from this House. These was a very great
difference between the charges made by Parlia-
mentary agents and the fees regulated by the order
of the House.

The motion was then agreed to, and the subject
dropped.

LAW OF LIBEL.

Mr. SADLER gave notice that on Tueiday, the
30th, he would bring forward a motion on the sub-
ject of the Law of Ethel.

Mr. A. CAMPBELL presented a petition from
the landholders of the county of Renfrew, complain-
ing, of agricultural distress; and a petition from
Glasgow against the renewal of the East India
Company's Charter.—Laid on the table.
Sir EDWARD KERRISON presented a peti-
tion from the borough of Eye, in Suffolk, complain-
ing of distress.—Laid on the table.
Lord CLIVE presented a petition against the
Malt Duties, from the agriculturists of the county
of Salop.—Laid on the table.

DISTRESS OF THE COUNTRY.
Mr. DICKINSON said he had to present a peti-
tion from certain inhabitants of Taunton and its
complaining of distress, and expressing their
regret that his Miuesty's Government had taken
no- steps to afford relief. It was signed by 1,400
persons, including several Magistrates and indi-

viduals belonging both to the agricultural and com-
mercial classes.
Sir C. BURRELL supported the petition, and
• expressed his surprise at what had been said in the
other House of Parliament by a distinguiel-,ed per-
: sonage (!lie Duke of Wellington), that timber had
not fallen in value, and therefore that the distress
among the agriculturists could not be so great as
was represented. Now he (Sir C. Burrell) was in.
formed, on good authority, that timber was greatly
reduced in price, as compared with former periw!s.
He knew of a person, who had before gut 111. 13s.
per load for timber, now getting only 71., and was
ieferrned by him, that 71. 10s. was the very highest
price he was paid.
Sir T. LETIIBRIDGE admitted that very great
distress did exist in all parts of the county of Somer-
set—indeed much greater distress than had existed
there at, any former period; but much as he re-
spected the character of the petitioners who were
undoubtedly most respectable persons, lie thooeht
them -premature in complaining that his Majesty's
Government had-taken no steps towards effecting
Teller'. For his own part, he looked forward wHi
great anxiety to the statement which the
Chancellor of the Exchequer was to make on the
IGth, and he was quite sure that if the petitioners
were aware that it was to be made they would not
have brought forward such a complaint. Ile knew
that no produce of the soil, with the exception of
win at, bore a remunerating price. If, however,
there should be this year a fair average crop, as there
was last year, wheat.would bear a remunerating
price. He contended, that the distress could never
be prevented till there was a revision of the whole
system of protection for all other articles, such as
hemp, wool, and tallow. He also thought that, as
a means of affording substantial relief, a revision
ought to take place of the whole system of country
banking, for the public were Doty in the dark with
regard to it. No one of two country bankers knew
what the other was abotit. Such a revision might
take place without any alteration of the currency,
for that would be now an ill-advised measure, it
being too late to retrace their steps. There was no
confidence between country benkers and those who
did business with them ; consequently no accommo-
dation was afforded.
Colonel SIBTHORP said, that whatever might
be the case in Somersetshire as to wheat bearing a
remunerating price, he could state that in the county
of Lincoln no produce of the land bore a remunerat-
ing price.
Sir W. M. RIDLEY would be glad to know
from the Hon. Baronet how the revision of the sys-
tem of country banks could afford relief. If a want
of accommodation existed, it was owing entirely to
the unwise measure adopted for the suppression of
small notes. He did not, however, now think that
it would he by any means advisable to re-enact the
measure for again issuing 21. notes without much
previous consideration. As to Northumberland, the
county with which he himself was immediately con-
nected, he had been given to understand there,
from several quarters on which he could rely, that
the distress there was not so great as in other places.
It was unfair to ascribe it to his Majesty's Govern-
ment ; it ought rather to be ascribed to the two bad
seasons which the country had had in succession.
-Mr. PORTMAN said a few words in support of
the petition, observing that, in consequence of the
two last seasons having been so very bad, most of
the sheep, hOries, and small cattle, were entirely de-
stroyed in Somersetshirc, and the farmers there
were left without any stock.
Mr. BEAUMONT said that the distress of the
country was daily and rapidly increasing. Some-
thing was necessary to be_ done, and, in his opinion,
a reduction of taxation alone would answer.
After a fen words from Mr. DICKINSON and Sir
THOMAS LETHBRIDGE, the petition was laid on the
table.—To be printed.
Mr. BRIGHT presented a petition from a pub-
lic meeting of Bristol, praying a reduction of taxa-
tion. The Hon. Member cordially assented to the
prayer of the petition. Seeing the infinite mischief
done to the country by the alteration of the currency
—whether it was possible to retrace our steps or
not he could not tell; but, seeing that his Majesty's
Ministers had made up their minds to a course which
had produced incalculable mischief, and must be
attended with still more, he agreed with the peti-
tioners in asking what was to be dose ? In his
judgment the only thing that could be done was to
make a great reduction of taxation. The Assessed
Taxes, in particular, called for the most attentive
investigation. These petitioners also prayed for a
reduction of the taxation upon malt liquor, a burden
most severely felt by the labouring classes. They
prayed likewise that a tax might be imposed upon
the 'means of those who, by going abroad, dimi-
nished the resources of the country.—The petition
was laid on the table.

Mr. PORTMAN moved for a detailed statement
of the expenses of serving the office of High Sheriff
in England and Wales, during 1828 and 18n, and
of the fees paid to the said High Sheriffs within
the same periods.

Sir CHARLES GREVILLE presented a peti-
tion from the Gentry, Clergy. and Inhabitants of
Warwick, complaining of d;:-,tress, and praying for
a reduction of the duties on malt and beer.
Mr. CAVENDISH presented petitions from the
female inhabitants of two parishes in the county of
Derby, praying that steps may he taken for the abo-
lition of the practice of burning Hißdoo widows.
Mr. M. FITZGERALD moved for copies of any
Memorials presented to the Irish Government on
the subject of advances for building Court-houses
in Ireland.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
regretted that, as the law stood, the Government
were nut able to afford the parties any relief.
The returns were ordered.
Mr. M. FITZGERALD presented a petition
from a parish in the county of Kerry, complaining
of the expellees of levying the public cm.
Mr. HUME moved for the following returns,
and they were ordered :—A return of the number
of contracts now existing for the supply of his
Majesty's Dock-yards, and other branches connected
with the navy, with the date of the contract, the
articles contracted for, the period of duration, and
whether the contract was had by public advertise-
ment or otherwise; and similar returns relating to
the Ordnance and the Army. A return of the
number and the strength of Military Guards within
the bills of mortality, from the Ist of January, 1829,
to the lst of January, 1830, distinguishing cavalry
from infantry. A return of the particulars of the
sum of 6,500/., charged in the Miscellaneous
Estimates for salaries paid to Officers and Clerks in
the Penitentiary at Millbank. A List of all Clerks
and Officers admitted for the first time into
any office connected with the Civil Establishments
of the country since 1822—the Stamp•ollice,
Custom-house, and Post-office excepted; and a
similar list applying to the Army, Navy, and Ord-
nance. Also a return of the number of Clerks and
Officers, who, having been superannuated were
again admitted upon vacancies. His object in move-
ing for these last returns was to remove any mis-
conception which might exist on the subject of a
promise made in 1822, when the reductions of Civil
Officers took place, that those who were super-
annuated should be reintroduced on the occurrence
of vacancies.

Mr• HUME presented a petition from the Retail
Dealers of a district in Manchester, complaining of

distress, and praying far a free trade in corn, and a
reduction of taxation.
Mr. JONES presented a petition from the Com-
missioners of Paving, praying that the Bill now
before the House might not pass into a law.
Mr. PORTMAN said it !nigh( be convenient
that he should mention that he should this evenit4
take an opportunity of moving the second reading
of the Bill to which the petition referred, with a
view that a day might be fixed for the discussion
both of the principle mid the detail. He should
suggest the 26th of April as the day which he
hoped would suit the convenience of the House.—
The petition was laid on the table.
Mr. SYKES presented a petition from the
Mayor and Corporation of Kingston-upon-Hull,
against the monopoly of.the East India Company.—
Referred to the Committee on the East India Charter.
Sir R. PRICE presented a petition from the
Occupiers of Laud in certain parishes in the county
of Hereford, complaining.of agricultural distress.
Mr. DENNoN presented a petition from the
Yeomen, 'Tradesmen, Farmers, and Tenants, of the
parish of Ripley, in the county of Surrey, complain-
ing of distress, and praying for a reduction of taxa-
tion, particularly of the taxes on beer and malt ; and
also praying for such a reform of the constitution of
the House us woul4 render it an assembly of Re-
presentatives of the people. The Hon. Gentleman
concurred in the prayer of the petition, which was
laid on the table.
Sir J. NEWPORT begged leave to ask whe-
ther the Government had taken into consideration
the expediency of removing those restrictions upon
the growth of tobacco in the United Kingdom,
which were so injurious to the Revenue ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
stared that his Majesty's Government had turned
their attention to the subject ; but that he was not
able at present to say precisely what measures would
be proposed.
Mr. ATTWOOD moved for a statement of the
scale of Stamp Duties on Bills of Exchange, from
July, 1828, to December, 1829.—A150 for an ac-
count of the number of Country Bankers' Notes
stamped in each quarter of the respective years
from 1827 to 1829, distinguishing those which were
over from those which were under .51.; and for an
account of the amount of Duties paid on Promissory
Notes payable on demand.—The returns were ordered.