The Sun.
London, England, 1839-12-21 00:00:00

PROHIBITORY DUTIES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR,—I should like, with your permission, to call at-
tention, through the medium of your columns, to a point
that seems to escape public observation.
In attacking the iniquitous Corn-laws, we appear to
overlook the important fact that, bad as they are, they
are but one of the revolting features of our horrible sys-
tem of legislation, the ground-work of which is the ag-
grandizement of the landowners. Any one who will
take the trouble of looking through the British tariff,
may readily perceive that the direct and immediate
effect of all our prohibitory taxes is to advance the in-
terest of the landlords. Thus, the tax of twelve shil-
ings per hundred weight on foreign beef, raises English
beef twelve shillings per hundred weight in price be-
yond what could be obtained for it in a fair
and open market. In the same manner, Eng-
lish cheese is sold for ten shillings and sixpence
per hundred weight, and English butter for 20s. per
hundred weight more than it is worth ; and that the
whole of this additional cost finds its way into the
pockets of the landlords will appear from a considera-
tion of the fact that so long as there is a short supply
of Iseef, cheese, or butter, and at the same time great
competition amongst the dealers in, or producers of
those articles, the landlord must, of necessity, absorb
every thing beyond the lowest amount of profit at
which the intermediate parties between the landowner
and the consumer can be induced to accept. If these
duties were remitted to-morrow the agricultural la-
bourers could not suffer from the fall in prices, for they
are already at the starvation point. The farmers, the
graziers, or the dealers in beef, cheese, or butter, could
not reduce their profits in any perceptible degree, be-
cause they have not at present any surplus profit from
which a deduction could be made. It follows then that
the landlords' rent would be reduced in an amount equal
to the taxes remitted, while the rest of the agricultural
classes would feel no loss, and the community at large
would be greatly benefited. The same amount of
English beef, butter, and cheese would be sold as at
present, unless the landlords attempted to keep up their
rents to the present scale, or refused to make a reduc-
tion commensurate with the amount of the taxes re-
mitted. In the event of an equitable reduction of tent
being made,the farmers, graziers, labourers, and all others
below the class of landowners, interested in agricultural
produce, would have precisely the same amount of profit
that they have now ; and their being able to sell their
beef, butter, and cheese at a reduction in price equal to
the duty remitted, would effectually prevent any more
foreign butter, cheese, or beef from being imported than
is imported at present, and hence it follows that the
landlords, and the landlords only, would sustain any loss.
It appears, then, that the question is, whether the com-
munity are to be taxed any longer for the benefit of a
privileged class, who have hitherto had the making of
the laws, and have taken care to make them for their
own personal advantage ? Let it be well understood
that the interest of the landowners is opposed to the
public interest, and if the public will submit to be taxed
for the benefit of the landlords, there is nothing left for
us but quiet submission.
The duty of two pounds fifteen shillings per load on
Baltic timber, is. I believe, supposed by some of the
shipowners to be laid on for their peculiar benefit,
in order that their ships may have more employ-
ment by being_ sent on a long voyage to Canada for
timber, instead of a short one to the Baltic. I
shall not now enter into the question whe-
ther this be any real advantage to the shipowners
or not ; or, if it be, whether it is a fair and legitimate
advantage ; but whatever benefit, real or imaginary, the
shipowners may derive from the high duty on Baltic
timber, is a mere accident ; the direct and immediate
consequence of the duty is, to force up the price of
English timber two pounds fifteen shillings per load
higher than could be fairly obtained for it in an open
market. I wonder the shipowners don't see that it
would be to their interest if this tax upon Baltic timber
were remitted, and a tax of an equal amount laid upon
English timber instead. This would at once cause im-
mense employment for shipping, as nearly all our timber
would then be brought from aroad.
That the supply raised at home of the articles enume-
rated—viz., butter, cheese, beef; and timber—falls short
of the demand, is evident from the fact that large
quantities of these commodities are imported from
abroad, in spite of the prohibitory duties; and this scarcity
is in itself a positive proof; besides that it is a notorious
fact, that the competition is not amongst the landowners
to let their land, but amongst tenants to take it, and
amongst agricultural labourers and dealers in agricultu•
ral produce, so that the landowner has it in his power
to extort the utmost possible amount of rent, compatible
with leaving the smallest possible amount of remunera-
tion that the great competition amongst the classes
below him will induce them to accept.

I throw out these hints, in the hope that your readers
may be induced to turn their attention to the subject :
for the more we examine the proceedings of those who
lord it over us, the more iniquitous and indefensible
shall we find them to be. _

I remain, Sir, your most obedient servant,
ADAM LAWSON.
Sunderland, 17th December, 1839.

CORN-LAWS AND POOR-LAWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
" Nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice."
SlR—The injustice, cruelty, and impolicy of the
Corn-laws has so frequently been proved, and so ably
commented on by yourself and others in your spirited
Journal, that it might be considered an act of superero-
gation on my part to attempt to adduce further evidence
in support of the position you have taken in regard
to that subject. But nearly four years' experience as
Guardian in the Andover Union, has given me so many
opportunities of observing the effects resulting to the
labouring poor from the co-operation of those two laws,
that I am induced to trouble you with a few remarks
in the hope that the united efforts of those who wish
to " stay the hand of the destroyer," may at last induce
the Legislature either altogether to repeal those laws or
make such alterations in them as shall prevent the
lamentable consequences of which the agricultural
labourers are the victims. In the first place the
Corn-laws were passed to enhance the price of bread,
then followed the Poor-laws to prevent the poor ob-
taining it. It was contended by the advocates of the
Poor-law, that when brought into operation it would
raise labourers' wages, and thereby make him independent
of his parish, but the effect has been quite the reverse,
in support of that opinion I will give you an illus-
tration. An able-bodied labourer, with a wife and five
children, applies to the Board of Guardians for
parochial relief—he states, from their being but little
employment at this season of the year, he cannot get
more than nine (in many cases only eight) shillings per
week, out of which he has to pay house rent, and what
remains is not sufficient to find his family in bread
alone ; he is informed by the Board the only relief
they can give is the workhouse for himself and
family. He retires and reflects on the loss he will sus-
tain in leaving his cottage and little furniture—his im-
prisonment—his separation from his wife and children ;
rather than endure which he adopts the only alternative
—that of continuing his work at eight or nine shillings
per week. Cases of this sort are frequently occurring,which
must convince every unprejudiced mind that the insidious
working of the Poor-law has the effect of lowering the
price of labour. But, Sir, it is not necessary to be in
attendance at a Board of Guardians, to obtain evidence
of the awful change that is gradually proceeding in the
condition of our rural population. Take a ride of a
circuit of twenty miles through villages and hamlets
around this town ; the scenes of misery and destitution
you will behold will surprise and shock you. The
time was when the respectable appearance of a British
peasant, his neat cottage with its flower border,
the rose, jessamine, and woodbine, surrounding and or-
pamenting the doors and windows, were the admira-
tion of every foreigner who visited this country ; but,
alas,
how changed I dilapidated, cold looking dwell-
ings, admitting the rain and winter's blast, are every-
where presented to you ; the external appearance is but
too faithful an indication of what you will find within,
a family clothed in rags, with nothing to subsist on but
bread, potatoes, and water ; reduced in physical power
fsuch living, typhus fever is now attacking them
most malignant form, to which they fall
an its
aorfl easy sacrifice. The picture I have drawn is
not over coloured, but a faithful representation. I
• that there were impositions practised under the
admitand inquired
variably been found to have originated
have in
law of Elizabeth, but whcnexamined
into,
either from the ignorance or negligence of the parochial
authorities
eictriselves. I envy not the feelings of
those Rho subscribe their money, meet, dine, carouse,
and in speeches laudatory of the conduct of such
chairmen (who have, adopting the new Poor-law
by ,
in its moat severe and rigorous form, effected the
paltry
with' of a few pounds, and for so doing are pre-
sentedmassive pieces of plate), but of this I am
saviner
well assured, that the money thus subscribed, as well
as a great part of that now rccived by those employed
in carrying out the Poor-law, would be much better
bestowed, by being distributed amongst the poor and
destitute.
A GUARDIAN IN THE ANDOVER UNION.

DR. WALCOT.—This eccentric physician called
upon a bookseller in Paternoster-row, to inquire after his
owu works. The publisher asked him to take
a glass of
wine,when he was presented with a cocoa-nut goblet with
the face of a man carved on it.
" Eh ! eh !" said the Dr.
" what have we here ?" " A man's skull," replied the
bookseller, " a poet's for what I know." " Nothing
more likely," rejoined Walcot, " for it is universally
known that all booksellers drink their wine from our
skulls." The celebrated Mrs. Billington, the vocalist,
was one of Dr. W.'s intimate friends. She invited the
Dr, one day to take tea with her. Peter was punctual ;
the tea was served ; but to the Dr.'s astonishment the
sugar was brought on table in a brown paper bag.
What the devil is all this, Mother Billington ?"
,g Everything is at the pawnbroker's," was the reply,
and the silver sugar dish is sent to get the tea,"--
physic and Physicians.

THE ARMY.

SENTENCE OF DEATH.

DUBLIN, DEC. 19.—One of the most awfully impres-
sive ceremonials that could be witnessed took place to-
day at the Royal Barracks—the reading the sentence
of death to a soldier. _

All the troops at present in garrison assembled at
ten o'clock in the Royal-square—Royal Artillery, 6th
Dragoons, 17th Lancers, the 19th, 22d, 28th, 88th,
and 87th depot. The Lieutenant-General command-
ing, with a numerous staff of field officers, arrived at
eleven o'clock, and rode into the centre, the troops
being formed in hollow square. Orders were then given
to bring forward the culprit. He was marched in the
centre of the firing party, and was accompanied by the
Provost-Marshal, and the Chaplain, the Rev. Mr.
Parsley, who had previously administered to him the
consolations of religion, with which he appeared to be
deeply impressed. The band of the regiment to %; bleb
he belonged (the 38th) preceded him, playing the
" Dead March in Saul." Every limb of the unfortunate
man shook with his approaching fate, and his com-
panions, who formed the firing party, were blanched
were terror at the dread of the deed they were expected
to carry into execution.
The escort halted in front of the General and Staff
Officers, when the minutes of the Court-martial were
audibly read by the Town Major, as follows :
" By Lieutenant-General the Right. Hon. Sir E.
Blakeney, K. C. 8., commanding her Majesty's
Forces in that part of the United Kingdom called
Ireland.

" Whereas, at a General Court-martial held at the
Royal Barracks, Dublin, on the 4th of November,
1839, for the trial of William Page, No. 999, of the
38th Regiment.
" The Court having met and duly sworn, and the
Deputy-Judge Advocate being also sworn, proceeded
to the trial of the said private William Page, who was
arraigned on the under-mentioned charge, viz. :—For
having at Belfast barracks, on or about the night of the
16th of October, 1839, offered violence to colour-ser-
geant Michael Dolan, of the 38th Regiment, his su-
perior officer, by attempting with a firelock, loaded with
ball cartridge, to shoot the said officer ; and for having
subsequently on the same night made use of abusive and
threatening language towards colour-sergeant Dolan,
and saying that he (the sergeant) might thank God the
piece had missed fire, or he would then have his soul in
eternity, or words to that effect.
" And the procoedings of the Court-martial having
been forwarded and laid before the Queen, her Majesty's
pleasure to the following effect has been received :

" Horse Guards, Nov. 39.

SlR,—Having had the honour to lay before the Queen
the proceedings of a General Court-martial, held at the
Royal Barracks, Dublin, on the 4th of November,
1839, for the trial of private William Page, No. 999
of the 38th Regiment, who was arraigned for having, at
Belfast barracks, on or about the night of the 16th Oc-
tober, 1839, used violence to colour-sergeant Mielriel
Dolan, his superior officer, by attempting, with a fire•
lock loaded with ball-cartridge, to shoot the said colour-
sergeant, when in the execution of his duty, &c., upon
which charge the Court came to the following decision
The Court-martial, having most maturely and delibe-
rately weighed and considered the evidence adduced on
the part of the prosecution, as well as what the pri-
soner had brought forward in his defence, is of opinion
that he the prisoner, private William Page, of the 38th
Regiment, is guilty of the charge preferred against him.
" The Court-martial adjudges the prisoner, mi.
vate William Page, of the 38th Regiment, to be shot
to death.' "

The Town Major here paused, and the prisoner ad-
vanced, as if to address his comrades, but was restrained
by the chaplain. His intention was to acknowledge the
justice of his sentence, and caution his fellow-soldiers
against intemperance.
The Town Major proceeded to read

" I have to acquaint you that her Majesty was
pleased to approve and confirm the finding and sentence
of the Court.

" Her Majesty was further pleased, under all the cir-
cumstances, to extend her most gracious pardon to the
prisoner ; and instead of causing the said sentence to
be carried into execution, to order that he, the said pri-
vate William Page, of the 38th Regiment, be trans-
ported as a felon to New South IVales, for the period
of his natural life.

" The sentence of the Court-Martial, together with
her Majesty's pleasure, will be duly notified to the Lord
Chief Justice of the Queen's Bench and Common Pleas,
as directed by the 11th clause of the Mutiny Act.
" I have, &c.,
(Signed) " HILL,
" General Commanding in Chief."

The prisoner was then marched back to the Provost
prison, and the troops to their respective quarters. Tue
most deep and anxious suspense was felt by all the spec-
tators, civil as well as military.

NEWPORT MOTS.

MONMOUTH, FRIDAY.

The news arrived here this morning of the capture of
"Jack the Fifer," who was one of the most during of.
the Chartist rebels, who has so long eluded justice.
Mr. Ford, the Governor of the Gaol, has received a let
ter announcing his capture, and we understand that a
clue has been found to the hiding-place of " David the
Tinker," who is co.ifidently expected be in custody
within the next 24 hours.

Two expresses reached here yesterday with additional
lists of witnesses against Frost, &c. One of them ar-
rived at the Gaol as late as seven o'clock last night, and
upon its being delivered to Frost, who had then been for
some hours locked up for the night, he expressed his
indignation at being thus disturbed, and said he thought
that the Government were acting illegally in serving
him with the names of any witnesses after he had re-
tired to bed.

It was stated that the spirits of the prisoners must be
sadly depressed when they perceived the names of some
of the persons who are to testify against them, and we
have reason to know that the prisoners experienced the
greatest amazement and dismay upon finding in the lists
delivered to them the names of parties whom they had
the strongest reason for believing to be their friends.
Among the names which struck them more particularly
were the following :
" William Davies, shopman to, son of, and abiding at
the house of, Roger Davies, of Blackwood, in;the parish
of Bedwelty, in the county of Monmouth, shopkeeper."
This, it will be recollected, is the young man who was
apprehended at the house of his uncle at Canterbury
upon a charge of high treason. Again, Richard Pugh,
of Blackwood, in the parish of Bedwelty, in the county
of Monmouth, publican.
This, it will be recollected, is the landlord of the
Welch Oak, at whose house the Chartist meetings were
held, and where the rebels passed the Sunday night.
Accounts from Newport state, that there is con-
siderable uneasiness in the hills, and that the military
are constantly upon the alert, fearful of another outbreak.

NEWPORT, EDNESDAY.
The inhabitants of this town having from the mo-
ment of the riots expressed their conviction that but for
the interposition of Divine Providence their property,
it not their lives, must have fallen a sacrifice to the mad-
dened mob by which they were attacked, appointed this
day to be observed as one of solemn thanksgiving to the
Almighty for delivering them from the machinations of
a lawless band of armed insurgents. In consequence of
a notification to this effect, every shop, with one soli-
tary exception, was closed ; business was put aside, and
the inhabitants repaired to the different churches and
chapels for the purpose of bending before their Creator,
and humbly acknowledging their thanks for his signal
mercies vouchsafed unto them.

In consequence of the continued attempts which are
being made to tamper with and intimidate the wit-
nesses, the following handbill has just been issued :

" TAMPERING WITH WITNESSES.-CAUTION.

" By the statute of the sth of Elizabeth, c. 9, it is
enacted, that all persons who shall unlawfully and
corruptly procure any witness, by letters, rewards, or
promises, or by any other sinister or unlawful labour or
means whatever, to commit wilful or corrupt perjury in
any of her Majesty's Courts, shall forfeit the sum of
401., or in default of payment shall suffer imprisonment
for one half-year, and stand upon the pillory in the
market-place of the town in or near which the offence
may have been committed.

" By the 2d George 11., cap. 25, it is enacted, that
in addition to the above punishments, which are still in
force, it shall be lawful for the Court or Judge before
whom any such person, as above-mentioned, shall be
convicted, to order such person to be sent to the
House of Correction for seven years, and there to be
kept to hard labour, or to be transported for the same
term.

!" By order of the Magistrates,
" THOMAS JONES PHILLIPS, their Clerk.
" Newport, Dec. 14."

ROBBERY AT WINDSOR CASTLE.—lnforma-
tion of the following robbery was on Friday received at
the head metropolis police station, Scotland-yard :
" Stolen, on the 17th instant, from the domestics' apart-
ments in Windsor Castle, a quantity of wearing apparel,
consisting of silk and velvet waistcoats, silk scarfs and
cravats, two gold rings, and 1/. Bs. in money ; also from
the kitchen divers articles, the property of her Majesty.
The robbery is supposed to have been effected by
William Beale, who was employed in the scouring
pantry, and who has since absconded. He is described
as being 19 years of age, middle height, of a dark florid
complexion, and black hair."
APOTHECARIES' HALL.—Names of gentle-
men to whom the Court of Examiners granted certifi-
cates of qualification on Thursday :—Joseph Cox Baker,
London ; Geo. Brown, Colne Engaine, Halstead ;
John Samuel Snook, Colyton, Deron en Giles
Charmouth, Dorset ; Wm. Sugden,Bath ;Rohn Henry
Eccles,CharlesPl y m ou
CoDevont,a
bat ;0 John
ph
Gr Nixone ti e Simpsonvvso n , I.;Fre-
dericki t
-church, Salop ; Cor Johnson Cooke, Clay ; Wm.
Robinson,Huddersfield
n.Robert Beeston Wright ; and
Johni n s on,
Frederick dd eNr fieolsoch