The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-03 00:00:00

'ALL

S U N 7 MARCH 3: 1849.

THE NAVIGATION LA %Vs.

Yesterday a meeting of the Shipowners' Society was
held at the London Tavern, to which the attendance of
all who wished to prevent the repeal of the navigation-
laws was invited.
e Shipowners' b 3 •
Deputations were present from Greenock, North
Shields, Exeter, Whitehaven, and Scarborough.
stating
Sotchi Society, this
for wa
th s
a
Mr. DuNsue, who filled the chair, opened the pro-
ceedings
the purpose meting
of the of eGe
n a
renderingr
a report of what had been done during the past year.
N? meeting of the society was held last year, the society
being then so mach engaged in the protection of their
interests. The report, however, would explain what had
taken place, and what was then going on. It was not
necessary for him, therefore, to tako up any time in
stating what was set forth therein. It was very agree-
able for him to see so large a meeting of the shipowners
as that now before him. It showed that they were at last
alive to the danger they were in, and that they were de-
termined to put their shoulders to the wheel, and to
protect their interest, now threatened with ruin.
It was a great misfortune that the shipowners
had not been an united body. When the society had
applied to them individually, it had been met with a
lukewarn reception, which seemed to imply that they
expected the gentlemen in London would do the work
for them. The time, he hoped, however, had now come
when the shipowners would see the danger of their posi-
tion, and endeavour, as much as possible, to assist the
society, for without its help it would be impossible to
do anything effectual. The shipowners seemed to con-
sider that it was " all up" with them, but there was
nothing more likely to make '° all up" with them than to
say and think so, for thus they communicated despair to
all around, and prevented the exertions of those who
were desirous to assist them. He, therefore, hoped they
would do all they could to induce M.P.'s and others to
support them. He was quite satisfied, and he took this
opportunity of saying so, that the doctrine of free
trade was not so ascendant in the kingdom as it was. He
was sure that if the country was polled, a great majority
would appear in favour of protecting the shipping in-
terest. If it was possible to do away with the national
debt, then there might be some ground for the introduc-
tion of free trade, but as that could not be done, he
thought it-was one of the birthrights of Englishmen that
their trade and maritime interests should be protected.
Having expressed his hope that every speaker would re-
ceive a fair hearing, the Chairman called on Mr. Young
to read the report.
This document was one of great length, and reviewed
minutely the events of last 3 ears with reference to the
question of repealing the navigation-laws. It concluded
by recommending shipowners to be united among them-
selves, and to seek the support of other interests in the
State threatened like their own with ruin from the free-
trade policy of the Government and the House of Com,
mons.

Mr. ROBINSON, M.P., said, he believed it was well
known that since the introduction of the measure for
the repeal of the navigation-laws he had felt it his duty,
in conjunction with other Members who thought with
him, to offer his strenuous opposition to a measure
fraught with ruin to the maritime interests of the coun-
try. He commented upon the manner in which Govern-
ment had from the beginning proceeded in bringing for-
ward the measure. The first thing which made it known
that they intended to repeal the navigation-laws
was the publication in an American newspaper
of a correspondence which had taken place be-
tween Lord Palmerston and the American Mi-
nister, Mr. Bancroft. He censured the Govern.
ment for yielding to the insidious suggestion
of Mr. Bancroft, and appointing a Committee of the
House of Commons to consider the subject, without tho
slightest signification from the country that the change
was asked for, wished, or even expected. It was one
thing to submit a question fairly and impartially to Par-
liamentary investigation, and another to bring it forward
with all the weight of Ministerial responsibility. The
next step taken by Government indicated the mode in
which they were determined to carry the measure. A
letter had been addressed by Mr. Murray, of the
Foreign-office, to the British Consuls abroad, which had
been correctly designated as a fishing letter, written for
the express purpose of degrading and calumniating the
officers and sailors of the mercantile marine. His next
complaint against the Government was the manner -in
which they attempted to force their measure on against
the declared wish of the country last year. He had fat
it his duty, now that the question was coming on again
for discussion, gravely to go through the evidence which
had been taken before the Committee of the House of
Lords, and he found that a main ground
Set up by the Government for proposing such a change
was the high rate of freights which the ship-
owners were enabled by their monopoly to exact from
the shippers of merchandise. Now, he had been a mer-
chant himself for forty years, and had no hesitation in
saying that if they looked back fur ten or twelve years
past, 1847 being alone excepted, the shipowners were the
only persons who had any reason to complain in respect
of the amount of freights, and not the shippers of goods.
ridiculed the evidence of a contrary character which
had bee. given heibro the Committee of Inquiry, but ad-
mitted that occasionally inconvenience arose; but then
Mr. Huskisson, whom free- traders so often quoted, had
said that when the interests of commerce and navigation
clashed, his opinion was, from the importance of keeping
up a mercantile marine for the national defence, that the
interests of commerce should give way. When the advo-
cates of the Government measure were driven from one
position they adroitly betook themselves to another.
Thus Mr. Labouchere was found dwelling upon the
petitions in its favour presented from Canada and the
West Indies. But he found that these petitions were
signed by a comparatively small number of the colo-
nists, and that their prayer for the repeal of the na-
vigation-laws was wrung out of them not so much
from any hope that they would be benefited by such a
Chenge as from the misery and despair which had been
produced among them by the afflictive visitation of what
was vulgarly called free trade. Burdened as they were
by an enormous amount of taxation, and by the expense
of an extravagant Government, they had been told that
they might go and build their ships in foreign countries;
lint what in the mean time was to become of the thou-
sands of the labouring classes dependent on ship build-
ing and repairing for their support? He sometimes
thought that the majority of the House of Commons,
and those who had the government in their hands, bad
been stricken with a species of political blindness, for he
could not account in any other way for the pertinacity
with which they seemed determined to carry out their
principles of free trade. The want of employment
was the great evil from which the country was suf-
fering, and yet the Government were preparing to
take another step in the direction to which those
doctrines which had caused that want of employment
led. The time would soon arrive when a reaction
must take place, but if the navigation-laws were re-
pealed now,
_ he feared the shipowners would not be able
to go back so advantageously as if they now made a
vigorous and successful stand against the policy of
Government. He then proceeded to comment on the
evidence given by Captain Stirling, R.N., before the
Committee of the House of Commons, and to contrast it
with that of the naval officers given before the Committee
of the House of Commons. They were told that other
nations would reciprocate if they repealed the naviga-
tion-laws, but he set little value on such reciprocity, and
considered that the only true guide to the policy of the
country was its own interest. They had tried the expe-
riment of free trade for twenty years without finding a
follower of their example among the nations. The
Americans had no free trade, nor the French, though
among them democratic principles were now in
the ascendant. Yet in the face of such facts
it was that the Government were endeavouring
to repeal the navigation-laws. As to retaliation
by foreigners upon Great Britain for persisting in pro-
tection, nothing could be done thereby half so injurious
as were the consequences of this one-sided system of free
trade. Now, what was the importance of this shipping
interest, at which so deadly a blow was sought to bo
struck? He estimated the value of their shipping at
38,000,0004, the expense of building, &c., at 16,000,0001.
Lie had no jealousy of the Americans, who were a nation
sprung from themselves; but their tonnage was now
nearly equal to their own, and they viewed the repeal of
the navigation-laws as likely to produce greater benefits
than any commercial treaty that had ever been concluded
with the mother country. Obloquy had been thrown on
the shipping interest by the system of impressment; but
what had they to do with that system? Nothing. lie
invited them to make every exertion to protest against
the measure, and if they failed, and it went to the House
of Lords, he hoped that House, looking at the evidence
which had been taken before their own Committee,
would throw it out. Having moved the adoption of the
report,
Sir J. H. PELLY rose to second it. He was ready to
stand forward on all occasions on behalf of British ships
and British sailors, whose interests he considered the
sheet-anchor of the country. They had two recommend-
ations from the Committee—one of union among them-
at Ives, and the other to secure the support of other par-
ties in the State possessed of influence and suffering from
like injuries. It was necessary for commerce to hare a
rich neighbour who could buy their produce. He had
much pleasure in seconding the motion, on the distinct
understanding that concessions of their own interest
should be made where those concessions were reasonable,
and that they should be guided by what they did by re-
gard for the public good.
Mr. POWLES said it was stated that there was no hope
in the House of Commons, but be did not believe that
that House would dare to pass a measure based upon
so rotten a foundation. The system of free trade had
proved a complete failure, as a proof of which
he appealed to the extraordinary increase in I
the number of applications for employment.
Where, then, was the necessity for so much precipl-
I
tation? There was no call for this measure on the part

of the country, but it seemed that Ministers hid no
longer the courage to preserve their independence.
They were the slaves of an agitation out of doors, and at
its bidding the two greatest statesmen of the day had re-
tracted all the opinions of their previous lives. Upon
what information was it that the House of Commons

were about to Upon a complete want of it.
Ho entirely agreed in the report, and considering the
danger of the proposed measure, and the necessity of
setting Parliament to rights upon the subject, he had
great pleasure in moving the following resolution :
"That the meeting entirely concurs in the sentiments

[PRICE SD.

contained in the report regarding the measure now be.
fore Parliament for the instant repeal of the navigation.
laws as fraught with consequences destructive to the
shipping interest, and dangerous both to the welfare and
safety of the country, and calls on shipowners cordially
to unite in the most determined efforts to induce the
LeOslature to reject the Bill."
Mr. Alderman SIDNEY seconded the motion. At the
time Sir li. Peel brought forward his measure for the
repeal of the corn-laws he placed so much confidence in
his practical talent that he acquiesced in it; but he had
sit,ce seen his error, and was now decidedly opposed to
any further extension of the doctrines of free trade.
Mr. H. A. GREY moved the third resolution, which
was " That this meeting desires to record its grateful
estimation of the services rendered by the Committee to
the shipping interest, under the continued difficulties
with which it has had to contend during the past year,
and earnestly recommends the shipowners throughout
the United Kingdom to extend a general and efficient
support to the society, as the best means of protecting
the interest of maritime commerce, and their own in
connexion therewith."
Mr. C. GRAHAM having seconded the motion, it was
carried unanimously.
Mr. YOUNG moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman,
after which the meeting separated.

- 4
COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.
A special court was held on Tuesday and Thursday,
on the subject of Smithfield-market.
On the former day, Mr. J. T. NORRIS moved for a
committee to provide a more suitable market-place. Mr.
Norris first ran over the history of Smithfield, and
showed that it had first been chosen as a market, be-
cause it was in the suburbs of London, away from the
busy haunts of men. There was a statute of Henry the
Seventh forbidding any butcher to kill any beast within
the walls of London under a pecuniary penalty. As a
trading speculation, it was impossible for the corpora-
tion to make a worse use of their money or their land.
Mr. Norris next adverted to the annoyances and diffi-
culties to trade and passengers which arose from the
present position of the beast market, and the facility it
afforded to the spread of contagion among the animals.
He then referred to the evidence given before the Com-
mittee of the House of Commons, and to the report of
the sanitary officer of the corporation, both decidedly in
favour of a removal. It was impossible to remedy the
evil by further extensive enlargements, for the cost was
too heavy. Everything concurred in confirming the im-
pression that " Smithfield must go." Whilst, then, the
chief cities of Europe had witnessed scenes of confusion
and blood, let it be said that the great corporation of
London was forming and adopting improved regula•
tions for the health, convenience, and advantage of her
citizens.—(Loud applause.)
Mr. Deputy HlcKs said it had been proved before
Parliament that one-fourth of the supply of Smithfield
was driven away over Blackfriars-bridge, and therefore,
if the market were remove to Islington, the driving the
cattle through the streets would be doubled. It was
indispensable that the butchers should attend Newgate
Market for dead meat, and so it was said that Islington
Cattle Market could be reached in ten minutes by cabs.
Ile called upon the Court to fancy 1,800 or 2,000 but-
chers driving from one market to another, at the rate
of twelve miles an hour. As to space, Smithfield
Market now embraced upwards of 6i acres. The De-
puty then stated how much had been done of late years
for the improvement of Smithfield, and the better regu-
lation of the drovors, and referred to the evidence of
Dr. Burroughs, Mr. Lawrence, and Mr. Lynch, and to
that of many of the inhabitants themselves, which, he
said, showed that Smithfield was one of the healthiest
spots in the whole metropolis. After some general ob-
servations upon the advantages which, he said, were
most obvious to the public, as derivable from the market,
he emphatically concluded by declaring that, in his
judgment, its removal would intolerably increase all the
evils it was said to engender, and by moving the previous
question.—(Cheers.)
Mr. GODSON seconded the amendment.
Mr. ANDERTON was decidedly opposed to Mr. Norris's
motion. Was the question one of philanthropy? No;
it was a question of a very different kind. It involved
the fact that some persons had spent an enormous sum
of money in a certain speculation, and that they would
try to get some of it back. There was a prospectus of
New Smithfield market, in which shares were to be
issued to the amount of 400,0001., and a profit of eighteen
per cent was calculated upon. Talk of California after
that!—(Laughter.) That new project was the cause of
all
-the outry.

Mr. BENicocn supported Mr. Norris's motion.
Alderman LAWRENCE said a vast deal of industry had
been exercised, not only to accomplish the fate of Smith-
field, but to induce the public to take shares in the new
project.—(llear, hear.) Formerly it had been planned
to have markets all round London. To that he had
no objection ; but it was sound that Islington had
failed, and there was good reason for suppos•
Mg that such would be th© case with all other
enterprises of this nature. Now, if they give up Smith-
held, where was the trade to go he would ask T How
many one-horse carts would the butchers require?—(A
cry of " let them go by tha railroad.") There must,
then, be a railway to every butcher's door. The same
argument would apply to Newgate market and Leaden-
hall market. There had been inquiry. As for the
ste.tement that public opinion was against the market,
he denied the assertion, although he admitted that the
public press was ready to pen any slander, well knowing
that slander would sell better than any other trash. lie
particularly referred to that part of the press which was
called respectable, and which conveyed ideas that never
entered the minds of those to whom they were attributed.
Alderman Lawrence then strongly expressed his indif-
feraice at the conduct of newspaper editors, whose
efforts should never prevent him from doing what he
considered to be his duty, and concluded, amidst cheers,
by stating that he should vote for the previous question.
Mr. BLAKE opposed the view which Alderman Law-
rence had taken in every instance. lie was convinced
that the health of the public was injured by the market
and its mass of filth and abomination. lie knew that
excessive cruelty was practised upon the animals, and
that there was foundation for every charge by which its
character was assailed.
The Court then adjourned.

Yesterday the debate was resumed, and the discussion
was re-opened by
Mr. WILLIAM JONES, who complained of the manner
in which the Corporation had been treated, and their
motives and actions impugned. He had filled the office
of chairman of the market committee, and could bear
testimony to the anxiety evinced by the Corporation,
regardless of expense, to enlarge and improve the
market.—(Hear.) The objections which had been made
against the market on account of the public inconveni-
ence which it was supposed to occasion, were grossly
exaggerated. Of course, in conducting the extensive
operations of a market to supply the greatest city in the
world with food, some inconvenience would be experi-
enced. It was impossible to conduct any extensive
branch of trade in a crowded city without being sub-
jected to similar evils. The railway vans and waggons
in our narrow streets and courts created a much greater
impediment to the conduct of the business of the City,
but they escaped the observation of those who
had taken upon themselves, through the medium
of the public press, to be the censors of the
Corporation on account of Smithfield Market. But the
Corporation were wholly undeserving of the imputations
they cast upon them. The site of the market had been
from timo to time enlarged by the Corporation, at an
outlay for which the tolls afforded a very insufficient
remuneration, and if the Corporation consulted their own
interests alone they would at once consent to the removal
of the market. and would appropriate their property to
a more beneficial use. Mr. Jones then proceeded to read
extracts from the evidence given before the Committee
of the House of Commons to prove that the market was
not injurious to the health of the inhabitants, and that it
was not attended with the accidents and other evils attri-
buted to it by the mover of the question.
Mr. Deputy Drxorr (Cripplegate) said he should not
be deterred from doing what he believed to be his duty
to his constituents by the attacks of the press. The
press had attempted to make him appear ridiculous, by
ascribing to him language he had not used.—(Hear,
hear.) Be repeated that as the father of a family,
residing in the vicinity of the market, he could bear
witness that the statements of its injurious effects upon
the public health were either greatly exaggerated or
wholly untrue.—([Tear, hear.) The statements of the
cruelty practised upon the animals were equally un-
founded; and he would ask the Lord Mayor, during the
number of years he had acted as a magistrate, bow
many cases of cruelty on the part of drovers and others
connected with the market had been brought before him?
The LORD MAYOR—Very few ; certainly not half a
dos m.

that the graziers
Mr. Deputy DixoN—lf it were
desired that their stock should be tgleribited in apretended,market, as was sometimes pretended, why did they not
go to Perkin's market at Islington? That was big
enough; but the fact was, that when
e graziers desired to
give it a fair trial, and sent
that establishment
In was first opened in 1838, an) of th
halfe
proprietorstheir beast so
fto
thelsl innegw-
ton and half to Smithfield. The
market, fancying they could go t the whole business
into their
orir none.
ownhands, told their customers they mast
have
The grazii ra took the hint, and sent
their cattle where they could get a steady and a certain
sale. —(Hean)
Mr. WYLIE would support the motion. fie had rt-
°dyed letters from correspondents in Scotland, repre-
senting that the animals sent by steamers to Smithfield
were so much deteriorated by their treatment in the
market, that they could scarcely recognise them, and
were obliged to dispose of them for what they would
fetch, rather than retire them and keep them for ano-
ther market, which would be the case if they had suf-
ficient accommodation. lle had himself no doubt that
the injurious oleos of the market, in a sanitary point
of view, so far from being exaggerated, were in fact un-
derstated. The citizens of London were indebted to
the interposition of Providence, which had saved them
from the cholera in the filthy regions of the market, and
they ought to show their gratitude in return, by taking
means to remove to a distance from the crowded city the
injurious and disgusting nuisances which existed in the
market, or were immediately connected with it.
Mr. ELLIOTT said that the honour and character of
the Corporation were deeply interested in the right de-