The Sun.
London, England, 1822-04-05 00:00:00

TIIE CORTES.—SATunDAY, MARCH 23.

The Special Committee appointed yesterday to inquire into
the events which have lately occurred at Valencia presented
their report. They stated, that in the discharge of their duty,
and in support of their opinion, they had taken for the basis of
their inquiry the representation made by the Ayuntamiento of
that city, from which document, as well as from the dispatches
addressed to the Government and the letters received by some
Deputies, it appeared that the troops had fired on the defence-
less population ; and having seriously reflected on the incalcu-
lable evils which might be produced by unfortunate occur-
rences which threaten so frightful a future, whether viewed
singly or in conjunction with others, the Committee proceed to
state their opinion as to the means whereby such evils are to be
met : and for this purpose they submit the two following points :
1. To adopt peremptory measures for immediately guarding
against the fatal consequences which may result to the city of
Valencia from the occurrences of the 17th, and to calm the
minds of the inhabitants. 2. To consider of the measures
which the Cortes ought to take to prevent the spreading of those
evils throughout the nation. In order to attain the object of
the first point, the Committee called to a particular conference
the Secretaries of Dispatch, and proposed to them as the most
convenient preliminary measure, to remove the Political Chief
and the Commandant-General ofi the province, and to substi-
tute for them other persons who enjoy the approbation of the
Valencians, and the confidence of the Government ; and at the
same time to remove the 3d regiment of artillery from the gar-
rison. To this the Secretary refused to accede; and the Com-
mittee therefore propose to the Cones the following legislative
measures

1. To expedite the organization of the national militia.
2. To expedite the proceedings in the pending causes relative
to conspiracies.
3. To exclude foreigners from any command, unless they
have the approbation of the Cortes.
4. To enforce the responsibility of those who have obstructed
or delayed the prompt execution of the decrees of the Cortes,
and to cause such decrees as remained unexecuted to be carried
into effect within eight days.
5. That the Cortes should-consider of the measures adopted
in the office of the Secretary of Grace and Justice, and Council
of State, relative to the appointments to Tribunals and offices
of Judicature, in order to the examination of the same by a Spe-
cial Committee. _

6. That the Cortes send a message to the King, explaining
to him the state of distress and discontent prevailing through-
out the nation and in the public mind, in order that, in close
unison, with the national representation, measures may be taken
to calm the uneasiness of the provinces, and, once for all, to
consolidate the Constitutional System in this great nation, which
has made sacrifices, endured afflictions, and displayed a heroism,
unexampled in history.
The Committee supported each of these legislative measures
with reasons suggested by their necessity and importance, and
concluded with recommending that a Special Committee be
immediately, appointed to draw up the Message to the King,
in order to give to all Europe a testimony of the union
maintained between the Congress and the constitutional Mo-
narch.

A short debate took place between the Senors Arguelles
and Galliano, as to whether the Report should be read a first
time, and then be laid on the table for the information of the
Deputies.
The President said, that the country was in imminent dan-
ger, and that delay was improper. He desired to know whe-
ther the Secretaries of Dispatch had received inforynatidn of a
revolution in Pampeluna ? He had received a letter which had
announced that event, but he did not consider it official.

The Secretary of Dispatch for Grace and Justice replied,
that the Government had received advices from Pampeluna,
by which it appeared that there had been symptoms of fermen-
tation on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of the present month ; that
on the second day the disorders had increased, and that there
had been killed and wounded on both sides. The Political
Chief, in communicating this intelligence, stated the means
which he had adopted for restoring public tranquillity. The
Secretary then proceeded to observe, that it was most important
that the Congress should endeavour to unite the minds of all
Spaniards ; for, in his opinion, that union was the principal
basis of public felicity.
The President here interrupted the Minister by observing

that union was the wish of all, and that there was no Spaniard
who did not desire it.

The Secretary then resumed his discourse with reference to
the affairs of Pampeluna. lle stated, that as soon as thein-
telligence had arrived, the Government had adopted the most
energetic means for restoring tranquillity ; and that they, on
that morning, sent off an ogicer to inquire into the state of
that city, and to superintend the execution of all necessary
measures.

The President.—ls that officer Senor Salvadory

The Secretary.—No ; Senor Lopez Banos is the officer
charged' with this commission : the Congress may, therefore,
be satisfied that every measure calculated to restore public tran-
quillity has been. adopted " but," said the Illinister, after a
pause, " there are some Spaniards who wish to go farther than
they ought."
The President.—" No, no; no one wishes to go farther than
he ought. I stand at the head of the Exaltados, and I consi-
der myself attacked by your Excellency. You will please,
therefore, either to continue your statement, or conclude it."
The Secretary did not resume his speech.
It was then debated whether the Report of the Committee
should be immediately discussed ; and . after several Deputies
had spoken, this question was decided in the affirmative.
Senor Adan complained of the inattention which the Secre-
taries of Dispatch had shewn to the recommendation of the
Committee.

The Secretary of Dispatch, who was still present, replied,
that as the Government was responsible for the measures to be
taken, the Ministers mustlollow their own judgment with re-
spect to the measures for the restoration of tranquility. In the
conference which the Secretaries last night had with the Mem-
bers of the Committee, the latter proposed the removal of the
Political Chief and the Commandant-General, and also the
second regiment of artillery ; but the Government did not
think fit to punish persons without knowing whether they were
guilty or not ; and the §ecretaries, therefore, stated to the Com-
mittee, that the Government would fail in one of its most sacred
duties if coercive measures were adopted before the real facts
of the case were known. _ _

Senor illarau said, that the Committee had proposed no
punishment on the authorities. On a former occasion it had
been said by the King himself, that the removal of a Com-
mandant-General or a Political Chief implied no disgrace, nor
in any way compromised the honour of such persons.
Senor V elasco observed,'that many Political Chiefs and other
authorities had been removed without any cause being assigned,
when the Government thought fit so to do. He instanced the
case of the Empecinado ; and observed, that when the Secre-
taries of Dispatch were questioned on the subject, they drily
observed that his alajesty had been pleased to exercise his
powers. Here was a striking difference in the conduct of the
Government. When any abuse of liberty was to be repressed,
no means were neglected ; but when it was required to re-
press the abuses of power, obstacles presented themselves every-
where.
The Secretary of Despatch repeated, that the Government
had not received sufficient information to act upon ; and until
they were in possession of the details, they could not enter upon
the question of the removal of the authorities of Valencia.
A long discussion ensued, in the course of which one of the
Deputies stated, that fide officers and 14 soldiers had fallen in
the conflict! with the inhabitants of Pampeluna, and that a
nunaber of the latter had also been killed.
It was at last decided that the measures proposed in the Re-
port of the Committee should be put to the vote.
The further proceedings were then adjourned.

SUNDAY, MADCII 24.
The consideration of the Report of the Committee was re-
sumed, and the first recommendation—viz. that relative to the
expediting of the organization of the national militia—was,
with some amendments and additions, approved.
The second measure recommended—namely, the expediting
the trials for state offences—was next discussed. _ _

This proposition was agreed to, and the discussion of the
third was suspended. The fourth was then read in the fol-
lowing terms:—
" To enforce the responsibility of all persons who have pre-
vented, nullified, or delayed the execution of the decrees of the
Cortes, and to provide that thoiie which remain unexecuted be
carried into due effect within the period of eight days."
After a discussion of some length, it was decided that there
was not ground for voting on this question.
Senor Canga then proposed that the Government should be
called upon to inform the Cortes in what state the decrees of
the Congress remained with respect to their fulfilment, and the
causes of the delay of their execution.
On a division of 67 to 51, it was ordered, that Senor Canf,:a's
proposition should be referred to the Committee on the'Political
State of the Nation. _ _

The fifth measure relative to the appointments, for the tribu-
nals was, after a discussion of some length, ne,gatived by 68
to 62.

The President appointed an extraordinary sitting at eight
o'clock for the discussion of the 6th proposition of the Report
of the Committee.

SITTING EXTRAORDINARY.
The sixth proposition of the report relating to a message to
the King was read.
After a short discussion, it was resolved that there was ground
for voting on the proposition, by 55 to 44. Another division
took place on the proposition, which was carried by 60 to 47.
Some Deputies were about to enter the hall during the
counting, but the President ordered that they should not be ad-
mitted until it was over. .

The same Committee which had proposed the six measures
to the Cortes was directed to draw up the message to the
King.

ONDAy, MARCH 25.

The Cortes proceeded to the discussion of the bases pre-
sented by the Committee of Finance, as preliminary to a system
of economy.
The fifth basis, which is conceived in the following terms,
was read, viz.:—
" Though we are without sufficient data for ascertaining the
economical situation of the peninsula, it appears from those
data afforded by the census of products and manufactures,
drawn up in the year 1799, and amended by posterior observa-
tions and approximate calculations, that the amount which may
be drawn from the taxes, fixing with it the limit of the public
expences, cannot exceed 500,000,000 of reals."
In the course of the discussion which followed, the Secretary
of Finance stated that the Government concurred with the Com-
mittee in the necessity of a rigid system of economy. The
question " whether there was ground for voting" being_put, was
carried in the negative, by 80 to 53.
EXTRAORDINARY SITTING.

At a quarter past eight in the evening, the Cortes met for the
discussion of the last basis of the Committee of Finance.

Senor Ferrer observed, that the Cortes having 'disapproved
the basis which had been discussed in the morning, the Com-
mittee withdrew this, as it was only a consequence of that which
preceded it.
Senor Isturiz agreed in the necessity of withdrawing this
basis, but thought it necessary to say that the sum necessary
to cover the estimates could not be reduced below 500,000,000.
TUESDAY, Matted 26.
A proposition to the following effect was submitted by the
Deputies of Alava :—Considering the disgraceful and fatal
events of Pampeluna, and the apathy of the authorities who
did not prevent them, we pray the Cortes to induce the Govern-
ment to chastise the. infamous instigators of those scenes, to
dissolve the national militia of that town, and, if, necessary, to
make so perverse a people disappear from Spain. •
The Ministers entered the Hall, and a dispatch, giving an
account of the transactions of Pampeluna (similar to that in-
serted under the head Madrid), was read. A letter from an
Alcalde stated that the disturbance was occasioned by some
labouring men and peasants, who shouted " -Vivas for the
Russians, the King, and God." The result of the fighting
was 15 killed and 40 wounded. Tranquillity was restored on
the 20th.

Another dispatch from the Political Chief, dated the 22d,
stated that tranquillity had not been disturbed since the 19th.
A dispatch from the Governor stated two officers and eleven
soldiers to be killed.

Senor Ferrer called the attention of the Cortes to an affair
which had occurred some time ago :—A servant of General
Equia had discovered a plan of conspiracy, in which hii master
and some evil-disposed Spaniard's had engaged at Bayonne.
This plan was organized by the French Government, and many
persons in Madrid are implicated in it. The servant left Ba-
yonne and repaired to Bilboa, and made his declaration be-
fore a Judge of the First Instance. 'lle stated, that 'a con-
spiracy was formed in Navarre to take the citadel, and that
afterwards several French regiments were, in conjunction
with the Spanish refugees, to undertake a maritime expedition
against San Sebastian. The, examination was transmitted to
the late Ministry, who disregarded the information. But how
does it happen that nothing:has yet been done ? This conspi-
racy is well organised, and its object is to introduce here those
French Chambers, the want of which make certain nations of
Europe view our Constitution with an evil eye. He adverted
to this now, as it was full time the attention of the Cortes
should be seriously called to the subject.
The Secretary of the Government stated, that there existed
in his department no document respecting the circumstance re-
ferred to.
Senor Ferrer did not mean to accuse the present 'Ministry,
but wished the Cortes to direct the attention ,of the Govern-
ment to the conspiracy.
The President stated, that as his name had been employed
to disturb the public tranquillity, he wished to propose that
the Cortes should prohibit all vivas for him.
This proposition was generally opposed, and the sitting rose
without any decision being come to on it.

CORN QUESTION.

[FROM THE CHESTER CHRONICLE.]

MR. EDITOR—At the various County and other
Meetings, held to take into consideration the agricultural dis-
tresses, and devise means, if possible, for their removal,or alle-
viation, it does not appear that the original and grand cause of
those distresses has any where been adverted to. This, to an
inquiring mind, cannot but obviously shew to have been in the
excessive importations of foreign grain, cheese, &c. in the years
1816, 1817, 1818, and 1819.

In those years, the above and other articles of food were
brought into the kingdom in quantities so overwhelming, as to
reduce the value of home grown provisions, not to a fair stand-
ard, but to a price very ruinous to the occupiers, and conse-
quently to the labourers of the land—a great part of the latter
being thereby thrown out of employment.
Next the landowners, their families, and dependents, were
the sufferers, with all persons directly supported by agriculture.
To these must be added a mass of people, which are main-
tained entirely by the owners and occupiers of the soil—such as
shopkeepers and artizans of every description, not residing in
manufacturing towns.
Take Chester; or any other non-manufacturing place, as an
example. Are not the shopkeepers of that city supported, with
few exceptions, by the landed interest of the surrounding coun-
ties of Cheshire, Denbighshire, and Flintshire ? or by those
immediately deriving their means from that interest? The
shopkeepers do not obtain their profits from the manufacturers
of their goods, but from those who consume them. Do they
not, therefore, all desire to have customers numerous and
wealthy ? But where will they find them of the latter descrip-
tion, when their incomes—that is, the incomes of the landlords
and tenants, are so seriously reduced ?
The manufacturers themselves will, before the expiration of
the present year, severely feel the loss of a great part of the
usual home market ; and more so when the foreign demand
shall become languid, arid the folly of excessive speculations
more evident. They will certainly sell at home nearly as much
less of their goods, as the decreased receipts in the landed in-
come would have purchased. Very few seem to have consi-
dered, or been aware of this. They ignorantly thought the
home market was safe, and could never change for the worse ;
and that whilst they got provisions at a low rate, their prospe-
rity was insured ; reckless of the ruin that was destroying their
best friends, and blind to the approach of their own. The fact,
however, is, and it cannot be controverted, that the manufac-
turers, and every other class of society, will flourish or decay in
exact proportion as the owners and cultivators of the soil are in
a prosperous or declining state. The income of the nation
when in prosperity, has been estimated, omnibus viis et modis,
at 760 millions. If that be any where near the truth, every
one may easily calculate, and compare the difference of home
and foreign consumption. The former, taking the demand for
our goods abroad at 30 millions, will appear to be about 24
to 1! !! It is of no consequence whether this calculation be
correct or not. It is only necessary to give an idea of the im-
mense difference between the home and foreign market. What-
ever the income of the nation be, it is all expended in one way
or another. No man hides his property under ground.
It has been said, and I believe with truth, that foreign com-
merce, that is, the value only of exported goods, has never pro-
duced thirty millions in any one year. The diminution of the
incomes of the land-owners alone will probably be during this
year in a greater sum. The manufacturers will, therefore, lose
more at home than they gain from all the world besides. This
cannot require more illustriation.
When, about the years 1818 and 1819, the value of English
food was so much reduced by foreign importations, the farmers
of property withheld their stores—waiting for what they called
better times. But those times have not arrived ; for the two
last years have been uncommonly productive in quantity, and
have created, with the stock thus remaining on hand, by the
use of foreign food, an excess beyond the demands of the popu-
lation. The decrease in the circulating medium—the exces-
sive weight of taxation—and the change from paper to gold,
have powerfully co-operated with the primary cause.in produ-
cing the present unsufferable distresses.
Lord Lansdowne, Lord Liverpool, and others, who have
been seeking for causes, may find them here.—One said in his
place, " It is impossible to connect the agricultural distresses
with the corn-laws :"—the other, that " they were certainiy
occasioned by the last superabundant year." So little reliance
can be placed on the theoretical reasonings of even the most
eminent men !

Our distresses would be continued, perhaps aggravated, by
another fruitful season ;--but what is worse, and may ap-
pear paradoxical, they would be more aggravated by a year of
scarcity ! ! ! For should the coming harvest be so defective as
to raise the quarter of wheat to 80s. the markets will be again
overwhelmed with foreign grain, &c.. by the opening of the
store-houses, and fresh importations. Thus the farmer would
be driven to the last degree of despair, seeing there is no hope
for him under the existing corn laws.
What then is to be done ? Government is not omnipotent,
and it cannot regulate the seasons—but it can alter the corn
laws—it can reduce the taxes to the lowest possible rate under
which the country can be maintained, and'it can allay much
discontent by a large reduction of the civil list.—lt can remove
part of the burdens from the oppressed classes to those who now
pay nothing directly. However unwilling these may be, not-
withstanding their vast advantages, (for they have profited in
more than one third beyond their expectations) they should be
convinced of the necessity they are under, from every considera-
tien, of participating in the support of their sinking country.
Great clamours have been raised from time to time, by the
monied and manufacturing interests, about oppressing one
class for the advantage of another ! But they think as nothing
the deadly depression of the whole landed interest, (the great
majority of the nation taken in all its bearings) when by the
grossest miscalculations they persuaded themselves that they
perceived their own advantage in it. But none are so blind as
those that will not see. The price at which wheat may be im-
ported for direct consumption should be increased—say to 965.
a quarter, or any larger sum, with a similar proportion on
cheese, &c.Z This, if followed up by a heavy tax, would go to
the exclusion of those articles, and effect the greatest permanent
' advantages to the country.
It might not, however, have any immediate influence on the
value of produce, but it would at least give the balm of hope to
the pining cultivator, and could not fail in restoring him. to
health, to impart a revivfying glow to the whole frame of so.
ciety.
All, except a few more wilfully blind than others, are be-
ginning to see, and allow these truths.
The effects of a great scarcity in consequence of a bad season,
might be averted by throwing open the ports with little or no
restriction, till the evil had passed away.
The Warehouses, and other places, are at this moment
stuffed with foreign grain and flour, threatening to destroy the
markets the moment the ports shall be opened by law. Thus
the foreigner is suffered to fatten on the best prices, whilst the
English Agriculturist is left to starve on the lowest.
Look to the consequences of such a system : In it you will
see nothing but ruin to the manufacturer, and eventually to
every order of society.
Some writers have asserted that there can be but little de-
mand for our manufactures abroad, sinless corn be taken in ex-
change. They are triumphantly answered by the present state
of foreign trade, which is acknowledged to be in a more flourish-
ing condition than for many years past, notwithstanding a quarter
of wheat has not been imported for direct consumption since
the year 181!). America, in particular, has been described as
as having nothing to give but corn for our goods. The de-
mand from that country is said to be greater i,at this moment
than for many years before! !
What will such theorists say to this ? If Parliament act with
a firm and vigorous hand in restoring health to the country, it
will deserve well of all classes. But if the Members of Coun-
ties, the natural Guardians of the landed interest, sit supinely
looking on, whilst a few speciously talking monied men carry
every thing their own way, it will be high time for their con-
stituents to seek for others, who will perform their duty active-
ly, fearlessly, and conscientiously.
I am, Sir, of No PARTY,-but I am
A SINCERE WELL-WISHER TO MY COUNTRY.
Cheshire, Feb. 16, 1822.

THE BANK.-The following is the house List
of the Governors and Directors of the Bank of
England for the year ensuing, viz :

FOR GOVERNORS.
JOHN BOWDEN, Esq. Governor. - I
CORNELIUS BULLER, Esq. Deputy Governor.
FOR DIRECTORS.
David Barclay, Esq. James Pattison, jun. Esq.
John Cockerell, Esq. John Henry Pelly, Esq.
William Cotton, Esq. John Pearse, Esq.
Samuel Drewe, Esq. Charles Pole, Esq.
George Dorrien, Esq. Henry Porcher, Esq.
William Haldimand Esq. Richard Mee Raikes, Esq.
1
Jeremiah Harman, bsq. John Baker Richards, Esq.
Samuel Hibbert, Esq. Henry Smith, Esq.
William Manning, Esq. , Andrew Henry Thomson, Esq.
William Mellish, Esq. Samuel Thornton, Esq.
Sir Thomas Neave, Bart. Thomas Warre, jun. Esq.
George Warde Norman, Esq. John Whitmore, Esq.
The Election for Governor and Deputy Governor will be held
at the Bank, on Tuesday, the 9th, and for Directors on Wed-
nesday, the lOtk. inst. from 10 o'clock in the forenoon till 4 in
the afternoon.