The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-08 00:00:00

EVENING EDITtiON4
4 12,41,11>
. "
TO THE EDITOR OF THE.At.r.iii,.'--1)
SIR,—As the Corn-law question is nbw.4l-i,44t...
absorbing theme among all parties, I takaiii.6l")
to request that you will insert this letter is your
valuable columns. As your paper is much read
this neighbourhood, I know of 110 better medium t
through which to address the farmers, and agricultural
population of Monmouthshire, on the effects that
the Corn-laws have on the agricultural part of
the community. It has been stated by many
who are deemed authorities on such matters,
that " that part of the community engaged !
in agriculture, and dependent directly and indirectly on
agriculture for their subsistence, comprises at least
two-thirds of the whole population of the kingdom."
And it has been also stated, "that in ordinary sea-
sons the agriculturists grow enough of corn for .
the whole population of the kingdom." Then
suppose we admit there are two-thirds of our popula-
tion dependent on the soil, and we fix the amount
of wheat consumed annually at fifteen millions of quar-
ters, ten millions of this fifteen millions of quar-
ters would be consumed by the agriculturist popu-
lation, and the remainder be disposed of to the ma-
nufacturer, and those dependent on commerce. If
this fifteen millions of quarters be disposed of at
forty shillings per quarter, it would produce thirty
millions of pounds sterling. What the agriculturists
consumed, namely, ten million quarters, would cost
them twenty millions sterling, and the sale of the surplus,
wouLl produce ten millions. We have taken this in
ordinary years when they are supposed to produce
enough for the whole population. Now suppose further
that with a full crop they could succeed in raising the
price to 80s. per quarter, the whole produce would
bring 60 millions sterling. The part consumed by
toe agriculturists would cost 40 milieus, and the sur-
plus would bring 20 millions, being an increase of 10
millions in t clue of surplus over and above 40s. per
quarter, brought about by the agriculturists imposing a
tax on themselves of 20 millions over and above 40s.
per quarter, being just the whole value of the surplus at
B.)s. per quarter. But, oh say they, " when we have
fair crops we sell our wheat for Th'is., 603., or 645. per
quarter, as the case may be ; but it is when
our crops arc deficient that a e sell for FOs.
or 84s, in order to make up the deficiency."
Well, if that be the case, let us take the last harvest
which is said by some to have fallen short by three
millions of quarters. Now, recollect that this three
millions of quarters must be deducted from the
surplus, and so this year your produce is twelve
millions and your surplus two millions. And by raising
the price to 80s. as you have succeeded in doing this year, '
you have taxed ten millions of quarters, 40s. per quarter,
Cr twenty millions, in order to get forty shillings per quar-
ter, or Iwo million quarters, or four millions sterling.
Is not this folly and cruelty to tl:eir own labour- ;
ing population ? But if at any future time they may be )
enabled to produce more corn by way of surplus arei
could ensure sale of that surplus, than the amount of
corn consumed by those directly or indirectly dependant
oo agriculture, then, and not till then, will they be hene-
fi:ed by high prices.
But, " do not the landlord, the clergyman, and the
farmer of large capital benefit by high prices ?"—thev
may. But the labourers can well say to this precious
trio, with the frogs in the fable, " what is fun to you is
death to us."
'lle Duke of Buckingham and his clique may taunt.
the manufacturers with want of feeling towards the
poor. But it behoves these occupants of " glass-
houses" not to throw stones. For this very
year, in order to secure some four or six millions on
the sale of surplus they have taxed by the operation of
the accursed Corn-laws the poor half-fed, half-elad,
ill-requited agricultural labourer, from 60 to 70 per
cent. more than he ought to pay for his bread.
Hoping you will give this humble emanation, from
an humble pen, a place in your columns—it may serve
to point a moral, if not adorn a tale,
am, Sir, most respectfully yours,
Pontypool, March 4, 1839. TESTIS.

CRIMINAL COURT.-THURSDAY.

OLD COURT.

When Mr. Justice Vaughan and Mr. Justice Williams
took their seats this morning the prisoners William Berry
end Matthew Sutton were placed at the bar to receive
judgment.
The usual proclamations having been read,
Mr. Justice VauonaN put on the black cap and ad-
dressed th-6 prisoners as follows:—" William Berry and
Matthew Sutton, you were yesterday tried and convicted,
by a very:dispassionate and intelligent jury of your country,
i for the crime with which you stood charged ; you, William
Berry, for having with violence perfected the crime, and
you, Matthew Sutton, for having aided and assisted. Your
trial occupied a great number of hours, and the whole dr,
cumstances of your case underwent a most painful but
; patient inveetigation. The Jury retired for a con-
siderable time, and on their return, in obedience to
their duty, pronounced a verdict consistent with jus-
tice and propriety, and which every heart and
mind in Court responded to. It is a most serious and
atrocious offence of which you have been found guilty, and
although the criminal law of late years has undergone a
great revision, still this crime is punished by the death of
the party committing it. The Legislature of this country
has been must anxious to withdraw almost every capital
punishment cou,istent with the safety and protection of the
public, but thought it unwise and injudicious to withdraw
the sentence of death from cases of this description, where
they have been clearly and satisfactorily made out. Ex-
periments were made many years ago, but they all failed, and
it was found necessary to return to the old law, otherwise it
left the weak and innocent open to the attacks of the strong
and guilty, and we should be brought back to barbarism and
the violent practices resorted to in uncivilised ages. Although
the Jury have recommended you to mercy (which
recom-
mendation shall be forwarded to the proper quarter) o
must not rest upon the effect of that interposition, as u
it
be only trusting to a broken reed. Under all eircumay-
stances, the kindest service I can render you is, to entreat
you to prepare yourselves for the awful change that may
await you, and take that assistance which will be afforded
you here, in the hope of making your peace with God, as
far as you can by repentance and prayer, and endeavour to
satisfy your hearts that your crimes and sins may be for-
given you. All that remains for me now is to pass the
sentence of the law upon you, which is, that each of you
be taken to the place from whence you came, and thence
to the place of execution, and there be hanged by the neck
till )on are dead ; and may the Lord have mercy on your
guilty souls."
The response " amen," was made by Mr. Chiffinch, the
senior bailiff of the Court, and the convicts were taken to
Newgate. They did not evince the least emotion.