The Sun.
London, England, 1849-03-10 00:00:00

RADICAL REFORM.

Mr. HUME also presented a petition from Taunton,
praying for a radical reform of the constitution of the
House of Commons.
KAFIR WAR.

Mr. V. SMITH gave notice that on an early day be
should move for returns connected with the expenditure
in the Kafir war.
NAVIGATION-LAWS.

___ .......
Mr. DISRAELI :presented petitions against the re•
peal of the navigation-laws from Hartlepool, Leith,
Perth, Dunfermline, the Association of West Indian
oneM rfr.oHmU
Planters at Glasgow, and other places.
MontroseM E
presentedand ttnwoooptheetirtifornnsmtoAtrhbe4aan4ie.e ffec 4
the county of Ayr.
ti tion from Belfast.
Sir JOHN WALSII presented a similar petition from
Mr.NAPIER presented a similar
ECCLESIASTICAL OM
ML
- care with the resolution
d that in accordance h
House, and state
Sir GEORGE GREY PP
ss had been presented to Ma-
jestyCC) at the bar of the
of the House an
Majestyaddress
to appoint a Commission to
praying her
•
inquire into the expediency of subdividing parishes into
districts
for ecclesiastical purposes, and her Majesty had
been graciously pleased to consent to the appointment of
such Commission.
COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS.
Mr. CAYLEY wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet
the Secretary of State for the Home Department
whether Government had received any report of the
colliery explosion near Wolverhampton, and whether it
was the intention of Government to take any steps for
preventing such dreadful occurrences.
Sir G. GREY said he had received no official intones-
tion on the subject of the accident to which the Hon.
Gentleman alluded, but he had received a report of the
coroner's inquest on the sufferers from the explosion
near to Barnsley, and that report was now under the
consideration of the Home-office.
Mr. CAYLEY said he observed the Hon. Member for
Montrose had a motion on the paper relative to this sub-
ject, and he should be glad to know if the Hon. Gentle-
man intended to persevere in that?
Mr. HUME replied in the affirmative, and stated that
ho should bring it forward on the Supply night.
TERMINABLE ANNU ITIES.

The Mix. MEMBER then said the Rouse had ordered
return of the value of terminable annuities, which he
understood was ready, and he begged now to move that
the return be continued to the Ist September.—Agreed to.

ROYAL ASSENT.
Sir Augustus Clifford appeared at the bar, and sum-
moned the House to the House of Lords to bear the ReYsl
Assent: given by Commission to several Bills (for which
see Lords' report).
The SPEAKER then left the House, followed by a num•
ber of Hon Members.
The SPEAKER, on his return, intimated that the
Royal Assent had been given in the House of Lords to
the Bills above referred to.
RETURNS FRONI UNIONS IN IRELAND.
Mr. STAFFORD inquired if the Chancellor of the
Exchequer had any objection to lay on the table a re-
turn exhibiting the corrections in the recent return?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXcHEQuER bad no

THE SITN,

hjection to do se: On investigation several minor inac- The United States would not answer us.—(Hear, hear.)
euracies, aikie alarge amount, had been detected, which They were a nation most careful in all their proceed-
would be corrected in the subsequent returns he should would they had no answer tot give us. The House
all remember the etter of Mr. Ban
-
be prepared to lay before the Hous2.
THE NAVIGATION-LAWS. croft. Austria was vastly surprised that we
In reply to Mr. GOULBURN, could not understand whet the merits of the case were.
Lord J. RUSSELt intimated that he proposed to Could they wonder at that? When she was willing
fe-:e the debate on tao navigation-laws to-night, and if to, concede much to this country, we turned the
,ncluded, he proposed to take the Committee of Supply coed shoulder to her, and said, she must give up
on Monday. If not, he should propose that the debate all her protection. We had got a eery positive
answer from Belgium, but Belgium would not assist us ;
be proceeded with on Monday.
she had been just to herself, and said No, I will continue
ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSION.
Mr. HORSMAN gave notice that on a future day he to protect my own commerce.--(Hear, bear.) Belgium
intended to ask the Noble Lord what measures he
in- would not conform to our system; and was this
tended to introduce on this subject. country prepared to put the screw upon that
RATE IN AID BILL. country ? Belgium had done that which every
An Hoer. MEMBER inquired on what day the Noble enlightened country ought to do, and that was to pro-
Lord proposed to take the second reading of the Rate tect the subjects under her rule.—ries Belgium(o "Hear,
in Aid Bill. hear.") The Prince who ruled over had car-
Lord J. RUSSELL replieci on Monday week. If he tied from this country the wise principles of commercial
could not bring it on on that day, he would name when policy which prevailed here whilst he resided amongst
us. Ministers addressed themselves also to France.
he would do so.
NAVIGATION LAWS. Nothing could be more civil than the terms in which
Mr. HERRIES presented a petition from Liverpool, France replied; nothing more positive than her rejection
signed by 24,700 persons, entreating the House not to of the proposition submitted to her. It was evident that,
vote for the repeal of the navigation-laws,—(Protec- notwithstanding the missions which had been dispatched
tionist cheers.) to enlighten foreign nations on the subject of free trade
The LORD MAYOR said he esteemed it a high —France, Belgium, Germany, and America still conti-
honour to attend in that House to present a petition from nued in a state of darkness. In spito of the orations
the merchants, manufacturers, bankers, artizans, seamen, which the Hon. Member for the West Riding had made
and others, of the city of London, against the repeal of at banquets—which certainly did not appear to have
the navigation-laws. The signatures to that petition been gut up on the cheap market principle—France,
amounted to 20,757. —(Cries of " Hear, hear.") Belgium, Germany, and America continued Protec-
He had carefully looked at the petition, and from tionists in their policy.—(Hear, hear.) The Noble
his own knowledge he could state that many of the Lord at the bead of the Government said that he
signatures to that petition were composed of the most was opposed to protection because it always
influential and respectable firms in the city of London ; injured the party protected. That decla:ation was
and he would venture to say there was no petition more so contrary to all experience that it was vnand, erful
entitled to the respectful consideration of the House. the Noble Lord should have hazarded it. It was
Mr. A. HASTIE presented a petition signed by 2,890 hardly possible to point to any great manufacturing 2.°-
shipowners, artizans, merchants, manufacturers, and terest which had not at the outset received protection.—'
seamen of Glasgow against the repeal of the navigation (Hear, hear.) When we commenced the cotton menu-
laws. facture in rivalry with a distant country, we excluded
Mr. F. O'CONNOR rose to ask whether the Right its productions, and fostered our home manufacture by
Hon. Member (Mr. Herries) who had presented the the imposition of a heavy duty.—([fear, hear.) Could
petition from Liverpool, on the subject of the naviga- any one suppose that France and Prussia, which were
tion-laws, had taken the trouble to count the signatures making great progress in the cotton manufacture, and
to that petition.—(" Oh, oh," and laughter.) America which consumed five times as much raw cotton ,
Mr. COBDEN presented a petition from the inha- as she did a few years back, could have withstood our
bitants of Dunstable, in Kent, in favour of the repeal of competition without protecting duties? Not a loom
the navigation-laws. would now be at work in any of those countries had it
On the motion being read that the Bill for the repeal not been for the protective system which they adopted.
of the navigation-laws be read a second time, —(Hear, hear.). Their cotton manufactures had grown
Mr. UERRIES said he rose to oppose the further up under protection, and were now flourishing. In vain
progress of this Bill.—(Hear, bear.) He rose to we told them to leave manufacturing to us, and that we
propose, as an amendment to the motion, that the Bill would give them goods in exchange for theirs. • They
be read a second time this day six months. He under- were resolved to take a leaf out of our book and
took to oppose the motion because of the principle of the to protect their own manufactures; and they were right.
Bill, which they were now invited to read a second time. —(Hear, hear.) Having now disposed of the evidence
If it were not conceived in the spirit in which it was on which the Government relied for the support of their
conceived, he should not have opposed it at that stage in case, he would proceed to consider what was really the
its progress; but he was not content, so far as his voice question at issue. On the one hand it was contended
would,prevent it, to allow this Bill, framed on such a set of that the navigation-laws secured to this country a large
principles, to pass this stage in its progress. It was a commercial marine, that such a marine was auxiliary
sweeping abrogation of the navigation- laws, with some and necessary to a great naval power, and that, there-
such trifling, some such insignificant reservations— fore, it was desirable to maintain the navigation-laws.
(Ilear, hear)—as tended not to amend or remove the On the other hand it was contended that the navigation-
objections to the abrogation, but to render them laws inflicted injury on consumers by enhancing the
in some respects absurd, and in others onerous, price of commodities, that a great commercial marine
without any compensation • to the body of the was not essential to a naval power, and that, therefore,
shipowners.—(Hear.) These reservations consisted in the navigation-laws ought to be repealed. It resulted
punishing other nations who did notconform to our policy. from that state of the question, that the continuance or
He hoped also to show that what had taken place in the abrogation of the naval laws ought to be depend upon the
meantime between the last discussion on this subject and balance of advantages or inconvenience resulting from
the present, exhibited in a remarkable degree the absur- them. The proposition advanced by the opponents of
day of those reservations. The second of those reser- the navigation laws, that a great commercial marine was
vations had reference to the coasting trade, and not necessary to a great naval power, might be disposed
went to impose on the shipowner, after exposing of very briefly. The navigation-laws were imposed
him to a perfect freedom of competition with the solely for the object of creating a great commercial ma-
foreigner in every branch of our commerce, obligations to rine upon its admitted requirement by a great naval
which his rivals were not subje ct.—(Hear.) To a Bill power. That had been avowed by all persons who had
so framed it was impossible, with the opinions he enter- been concerned in imposing or maintaining those laws.
tained upon tbat subject, that he could allow it to pass The only persons who maintained an opposite opinion
into another stage, and it was his intention to were the Hon. Member for Stoke, and his ally, Sir J.
offer in this stage of its progress, if the Stirling. The evidence opposed to that of Sir J. Stir-
House would bear with him while he did so, all those ling by Sir T. Cochrane, Sir B. Martin, Admiral
objections which *he believed to be applicable to this Dundas, and Admiral Parker, was of such a nature
ill-judged measure—(Hear, hear)—and so to state them as, without disrespect to Sir J. Claridge, left
as to enable the House, as far as he could throw any that gentleman without a leg to stand upon. There
light on the subject, to come to a decision, and as was another witness to the importance of a great
early a decision as might be, on the merits of the commercial marine, whom it would hardly be fair to
Bill. The present discussion was ver ymuch in pass over on the present occasion—the Hon. Member for
the nature of a resumed debate. In the last the West Riding. Addressing a meeting at Manches-
session of Parliament the subject was very ter, the Hon. Gentleman referred to a passage in history
fully entered into and very ably discussed, between France and America, and said—" At that time
with great ability on the part of some he saw around —I have it from the Americana themselves—the French
him, and with conspicuous ability indeed on the part of had three times the force of ships of war that America
one whom he saw no longer in that House.—(Hear.) had. Admiral Mackau was in the Gulf of Florida, with
In that interval documents had been produced, and an a fleet large enough to ravage the whole coast of Ame-
expressien of opinion evinced on the part of the public, rice and bombard her towns; but did France rush into
which were highly advantageous to forming a correct war with America? She paid the money. Why? Because
judgment and to coming to a true decision upon this she knew well, if she provoked an unjust war with the
great question. They had also on the table of the United States, her men-of-war were nothing compared
House the correspondence which had taken place with with the force that would swarm out of every American
foreign powers. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. La- port when brought into collision with another country.
buuchere) seemed perfectly satisfied with that correspon- France knew that America had the largest mercantile
dence, and he hoped he would be so when the contents marine, and though at first the battle might be to the
had been fully discussed. They had also petitions from stronger in an armed fleet, in the end it would be to
all parts of the country, which were of vast importance that country which had the greatest amount of public
by reason of the great number by whom the opinions spirit and the greatest• amount of mercantile ships and
contained in them were expressed, by reason of the sailors." The navigation-laws gave us the exclusive en-
places from which the petitions came, and b 3 joyment of a vast international maritime commerce. Our
reason of the classes whose interests were commercial policy had been relaxed to some extent by
represented by those parties who so expressed these Mr. Huskisson, but that Minister did not give way on
-opinions. If the House would attend to the num- the pretence that he was conferring an advantage on this
ber and character of the petitions presented in opposi- cotintry, but because he could hold out no longer. With
tion to the measure, it would agree with him that it reference to the change proposed, no one asserted that
would have he en unfortunate indeed if the measure had we were compelled to make it, and his (Mr. Herries's)
been passed which was introduced last session. From a maxim was, " Hold what you can—concede what you
list of towns which he held in his hand, it appeared must."—(Hear, bear.) He admitted that the navigation-
that petitions had been presented from Edinburg"), Bel- laws did impose a restraint, and, inasmuch as they did
fast, Dartmouth, Sunderland, Montrose, Portsmouth, so, tended to enhance the price of provisions.—(Hear,
Purtsea, Weymouth, Sunderland, and Glasgow. There hear.) Hon. Gentlemen cheered that as a concession;
was also one from the metropolis of the great commer- but it was part of the principle always maintained on
teal world, London, which was represented by the First that (the Opposition) side of the House; but he could
Minister of the Crown, signed by 27,000 people. Then show, on the accumulated testimony of the first mer-
came a petition from Liverpool, the second great commer- chants of London, that the addition was inconsiderable
cial city of the empire, signed by 24,700, the prayer compared with the importance of keeping up a great
of which was, the petitioners viewed with the
,greatest rnereaatile marine. But what advantage would be gained
alarm the progress of a measure which proposed to do by the ahrogatidn of those laws in regard to the dimi-
away with these laws, which had been so long and so nution of price,
,and, who would gain it ? In itself it
- aeccessfutly in operation, and the repeal of which would would be• incensiderable, and would be frittered away
hava the effect of allowing foreigners to share in those before'the consumer-could feel it. And what said the
Advantages which ought exclusively to belong to this merchants, who ought to be the most sensible of the di-
nation. Since last session a correspondendence had been mihution or enhancement of freight? Mr.Horsley Palmer,
- produced, eelating partly to Canada and partly to fo- one of the first merchants of London, was asked whether
reign states, to which he thought it right to draw the at- he had_ experienced any injury or inconvenience from the'
tention of the House before he proceeded further to des navigation-laws Us answer was that he was not aware
cant upon the principle of the measure. He (lid not intend of any. Mr. Robertson, a great China and East Indian
to trouble the House with any statistics, so much detail merchant, said they never interfered with him. Mr. Bo-
having been entered into last session, but would endeavour sanquat, a W•ge Westlndia and East India merchant, said.
to rest his views and arguments upon the principle of this •he did not see that he suffered at all from them.—(dear.).
,question itself. The Right Hon. Gentleman who intro- •fle was asked whettier lie could suggest any alteration or
duced the measure rested his arguments mainly upon those laws by which the general trade of the country would
three points, or put them forward at least as the be benefited? His answer was that he was not at all
principal inducement for the House to take this subject read in them ;he had looked over Mr. Ricardo's book,
into its consideration, and to accede to his proposition. and the answer to it, but still what he knew amounted
His great foundation was the case of Canada, and the to so little that he could not safely answer the question.
state of the West Indies. There were other topics Mr. Russell Elliot suid he had suffered no inconvenience
_into which he was desirous of entering, but he from them in his own transactions, and other eminent
. would for the present abstain, and simply before merchants in London, Liverpool, and Glasgow, gave
taking up what after all was the matter mainly similar testimony. Their saying that they did not knot
for consideration, namely the principle of the measure— the navigation-laws was the best testimony that those
(Hear, bear)—he would take up those three points laws did not press heavily upon the merchants.—(Hear;
to which he had previously referred. The first cf these hear.) But the Government had undertaken—most
_ was Canada, and had reference to the state of public rashly, most unwisely—to unsettle those laws, upon
opinion on the subject of the navigation-laws in our which the foundation of our naval power depended.—
North American colonies.—(Hear, hear.) They had (Hear.) Without sufficient reason, they had entered
an impression-hista session that all Canada was in favour upon a course which had about it this fatality, that uns
of the repeal of these laws, and it would seem from the fortunately if the result did not answer their expectat
representation that had been placed before the House lions they could not retrace their steps. Let thew once
by the Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the abandon those laws, as cumbrous and useless, and never
Board of Trade, that the opinion there was such again could they clothe themselves in the armour they
as to justify the course which ho had taken.—(Hear, had hitherto afforded them, however much they might
P
hear.) But he believed that the Right Honourable Gen- desire it. The shi ownine interest, paying no less
m tlean was not in possession of all the papers which than 5,000,000/. a year wages, and employing an-
lie required for a fair exposition of the matter. nually 30,000 artificers, were thundering at the door
Yet, with all these advantages, there never was of the house, imploring them to stay their hand in this
a more slender case made out than that of Canada. In rash experiment. They were about to do with the sea
fact, the.papers were presented evidently with a view to what they had done with the land—to try a great
make 'an impression to serve certain purposes.— political experiment. Did the aspect of affairs justify
(Hear, hear.) Ile was sorry to say that the plan had the risk? Was there any provocation for it from within,
the countenance of -Members of the Government in high or any demand for it from without? Re could hardly
places. There was a practice of presenting documents, conceive anything so nearly approaching dementation on
but instead of documents only por- the part of the Government. It did not follow as a ne-
tions of documents. Suchthe parts were laid be- cessity of their former proceedings. If their theory was
fore them as suited
others
the right that there should be no protection whatever, still
Government had to serve, position
they might justify themselves in staying their hand, and
omitted. He would be one of the last to believeersthawt tehree not trying this great experiment. Had the Noble Lord
Right Hon. Gentleman at the head of the Board of presented any petition from the city he represented? All
Trade would willingly or knowingly follow such a prudence, all sound judgment, was against this plan. It
custom.—(Hear, and loud cheers.) A document was was wild, uncalled for, and deplorable. Public opinion
. presented to the House, respecting the Members of was against it; and if it were possible that the Govern-
the Legislative Chamber of Canada West Now, it meat could learn from anything the voice now rising in
appeared that this Council consisted of 89 Members, every corner of the country would teach them that the Members, et
whom 17 were absent from the country at the time that
first duty of a British statesman and of a British Li gis-
documeat was concocted, and of those seventy-two Mem- lature was to maintain British interests, to uphold Bri-
.bers fifty-three had absolutely signed a declaration that tish industry, to stimulate British enterprise—(Hear,
, such was not the feeling in Canada. Such was the case hear)---and so to promote the glory and honour of this
also with regard to the Legislativerouncil of Mon- great country. She had been an useful arbiter in the
treat, Another document was presented from community of the nations of the earth, and long might
the • Chamber of Commerce of that country. she continue so to be if they stayed their hand and did
This board consisted of 103 members, of whom thirteen not destroy those laws which had made her the
were absent from the colony. The members who refused mightiest empire in the world. The Right Hon.
to sign amounted to eight, while twelve protested and Gentleman then moved that the Bill be read a second
fifty-seven signed the letter, declaring that they were in tine that day six months.
favour of protection,—([fear.) But there had been a Mr. WILSON, after complimenting the Right Hon.
document presented to-day which showed more Gentleman on the tone of his address, said he did not
strongly than anything else') the feeling of the Ca- wish to undervalue the opinion of so large and influential
nadas upon this question. It was the report of a a body as the merchants of London, as expressed in the
meeting held in the colony, at which there was a petition which had been presented.to the House that
. larger . number of persons present than had been evening, and especially when it was backed up by those
known at any previous assembly of the sort. The of the merchants of Glasgow and Liverpool. He re-
-.,; meeting was convened by parties favourable to the re- membered that Sir R. Walpole, on coming down to the
. peal, of these laws, but upon a resolution being proposed House to propose one of his greatest reforms in the
adopting a petition to Parliament in favour of their re-
e
peal an
amendment was moved and carried by a large commercial
stayed
--riioelty, to the effect that a repeal of the ntiviea• chants of London; but he must say he did not think:that
'°a-lawse so far as Canada was concerned, would
prove most disastrous fy its being
, - The Earl of to its prosperity.—(Cheers.) a population as that of London would j use
petitions signed by 20,000 or 27,000 persons. in. so laage
Elgin had ;conveyed
tion to the e an intitna- taken as a conclusive voice on the measure now under
tion Montrealm' Government that the erec- discussion. The Right Hon. Gentleman had referred to
d a free port would re- the reasons which his Right Hon. Friend the President
move 'the difficulties under which the inhabitants of the Board of Trade had given for this measure on a
were laboUring-ea pro which was seconded
several memorials. It was senn by former occasion, and had spoken of the pressure which
in
fairnt in the spring of 1547, the Government felt from Canada. He (Mr. Was
and he asked,
of •
spoke loudly the grieva.nees
es', why/ when they son) wished to make no invidious observations, but
in respect of the navigation-law the people, he was very much surprised at the somewhat unfair re-
s, they did no
tthteakNeotrhthe presentation which the Right Hon. Gentleman had made
step suggested by the Governor-General of those sentiments. The Right Honourable Gen-
American provinces, and give them that relief the e
why theyy dr id - tleman contended that the petitions presented
quired.—(Hear.) He put it to them to the House last year were in a great degree
not act as he had pointed out. Thee© was
negatived by those of the present year, and that those
nothing to prevent the Government from issuing of last
year were presented on a misunderstanding as to
an order in council declaring Montreal a free port. the
true interests of Canada. With respect to the nevi-
• Then with respect to the West Indies—where gation laws,.. he would call the attention of the House to
Was the dispatch from the Governor-General, ao
Right H
to which their particular • attention was called ‘,,:i!tieltittitionnßfrm the Board of Trade at Montreal, to
ght Hon. Gentleman had referred. The
sometime ago? What had they dune? They had nn. Gentleman told the House that that petition
introduced • competition with' -respect to slavery prayed
for protection It was true, as the Right Hon.
by introducing slave grown sugar to the Gentleman -said,' that the navigation laws were alluded
great injury of that part of our dominions, to in it, but that was a secundary and consequential part

IA6II/4TD014; SATITIVDAY EVENING, MARCH 10, 1849,

into
u,,hsitsovoyang.
eHGeetitirnrat.alehemelaaa
from 1821 to 1847, but rather than trouble the Hsuse ,if ever resorted to, would be the rare, he' hotted the very . preached the question. he could not reconcile it to his W, stbury (Mr. Wilson)
r o
rejectcar .ffitinmel argument.
t.
themselves
was
Ilit
ros
conviction of a hat was due to the g,-eat mercantile interest wiser, in that peel tnirr-s-v stage, with detailed statistics, he should cont. nt himself wEth rare, except urn. (Hear, hear.)
stating the averages of six periods. The three years The Marquis r f GRANBY trusted that the House, in of this country, and et what a sens;. 0' justice to our. the silo'', goes;ion.. s'i;;.131;1 the
ending 1823 gave an average of 76.000, the two years coming to a decision, would not ho influenced by tne colonies unperntively der-omitted, to tvveid ad ere-siee .h.- tatter or nut ? ior that jas iacpio, PerlPeoe;sh'si
ending 1826 gave 205,282, the three. years ending 1831 argument used by the introducer of the present measure a f.nr., words to the House ; and he did not tho,;i. it Right Hot- Friend—a proposal to which proposal
Card-
gave 115,666, the three years ending 1837 gave 182,806, —that whatever inconvenience or mischief might result, would be difficult to show in some impert int restiects well) ventured to oppose himself In C'o( *.t ehe
the three years ending 1841 cave 319,110, and the two fl.= course which the Legislature had punned for the what a due reg,aiel to the r, ,Il eel. ore of this grest hoped the's' nauld hear eve/ reasonable prepositionmn'le for
years ending 1844 were 154,005. In 1846 the quantity last four years was to be persevered in. He hoped interests required of the Parliament 4 this ‘..inpire It itnerevena tit which either 3',iih.shroolueldat suggest,arri.ve,waitnhd
was 213,000, and in 1847 it was 266,000. The various rasher that the question would be decided on its Own was difficult to understand, either from the speete es neat, d that eseetually they ^
depressions and elevations in freights which took place merits, and that question waa whether the British ship- of those who wished to reject this Bill, er from the general concurrence, at a final, c•nciuQive and at thethhee
during these periods must be fresh in the recollection of owner could compete with the foreigner. That the Bri- evidence taken before the Committee of the Hee.° of rue time suf• and satisfactory settlement''if this most
Hon. Members, and he would ask, was it fining that cash shipowner could not compete with the foreigner Lords, exactly the position in which this question stood. difficult and most important
laws should be permitted to remain on our statute-book might be very easily shown by the evidence given be- He would ask Hon. Gentlemen on his (the Opposition) Mr. HENLEY coneidert dqt hat thne7a(rgument of the
hear.)
.d) hadt
o
side of the House what was the opinion they entertained Hon. Gentleman who had •usrthsaatHdoown
n. aboundedinyouin
which exposed commercial interests to such fluctuations? fore the Lords' Committee on the navigation. laws. He
That system must be regarded as the best which pro- believed it was almost universally admitted that ships with respect to the clause which secured to Eneland inconsistencies aid tallacies.j '
duced a steady uniformity, rather than that which ap- built in England were dearer than ships built abroad. what was called the long voyage. If he looked to the warned them to look to the long.
plied sudden stimulants and checks as sudden. The Eight According tc, Mr, minter's evidence, the price of Ame- evidence before the Committee ef the H.ms.. of Lords he their seen heusieg system. What did the Ho
found witnesses of the first cewideration staring thet man sat ?
." It you don't make some relaxation
Gentle-
Hon. Member for Stamford had enlarged on the impor- rican ships was 141. a ton; the price, however, of English
they thought it an essential eleineut in, and one of the nark...lnert-laws, the Am: ships will carry cotton
lance of the navigation-laws with regard to their poll • ships, class Al, averaged from 24/. to 261. a ton. The
ofof thethe
Honett' influence upon the defences of this country. He Noble Lord, after noticing the increase which had fundamental principles of the law; while, on the other into Russia." Was itnetoaspcinei%nn.eenrietitiiwn;n,gghtt.io(aMtthrb.:Ht ew.wn.al,r,e3eyh?)owuosTiunblgdn
nporaogceeedwehdietho say that
ahsantdh,atheclafouusendstom,da.nythienitaewlligccoluttldwziltortie-bsyesposstasitbinilgitythabte,
pasiltn,Lto
Member,ekinecf taoftedro
tonnage, proceeded
(Mr. Wilson) would not now enter into the question
ittaikleBn4p6ltabcee
ainniAoumnetroicfanßtrui
whether a commercial navy was needful for the support
Now he would warn his friends of the system in this country, and to the obbrseevhations of the
of the royal navy or not ; but, admitting that the Right inwards from the United States was only 205,123, maintained.
Hon. Gentleman was perfectly right in his conclusion while the amount of American tonnage which shipping interest to take timely caution as to the import Hon. IM-tutebderhfi(smaLttievnetripoonoltoonthtehaatrzumanecnt
ques-
that a commercial navy was necessary for the mainte- entered inwards from the same conntry was and effect of that clause. The purport of it was to pro- tien, three
tenance of the royal navy, he (Mr. Wilson) would ask 435,399; and the American tonnage employed between hibit the importation of the produce of Asia, Africa, and Member for Westbury (Mr. Wilson), which also
whether that royal navy would be best supported by a America and our colonies, more particularly our America into this country, except in ships belonging to abounded, he said, in fallacies, and in which he (Mr.
totgheeth
er
system of laws which increased the commercial navy, or western colonies, increased in the period from 1821 to the country where the articles imported were produced, Wilson) cut his own throat, for his argument cut both
by a system which depressed it.—(Hear, hear.) He 1846 to no less an amount than 1,635,828 tons. Did or in British ships. They were told that reciprocity was ways. (Hear.) The Honourable Gentleman the
would ask the House to observe what had been the effect that prove that the British shipowner could compete with to be the order tel over
f the day. Let him, then, ask what Member for Westbury had thrown al
of the commercial measures lately adopted by the Legis- the American? To show the great resources possessed was their position in regard to one of the the question of reciprocity. He said that
fo-
lature upon the number of men employed in the com- by America, he quoted an ex.ract from Mr. Mackay'. most important interests of this country? He reien countries referred to had given us all they could
mercial marine of this country. In 1842 the number of Western Worhl, and observed, that while he admitted knew of none more important than that which was give us. Well if this were so, why did they resist h
men so employed was 181,000 ;in 1847 it was 232,000. the extensive resources of America, he did not agree in known by the name of the " warehouse system"—a sys- clause in the Bill in reference to reciprocity?Wrethteee-
He contended, then, that a free trade system, which had the conclusion at which the author stated that he ar- tens which was the growth of recent years, and resulted going to legislate a lie? The Hon. Genttfle.man then
thus increased the number of men, was the best adapted rived irresistibly, however reluctantly, that the power from a judicious relaxation in the navigation laws, by contended that the commercial marin of
thceouenotmry.
to carry out the views of the Right Hon. Gentleman. of England must yet succumb to the power of her off_ which this country was made the great entrepot, not had, under the navigation-laws, kept pace with the
The Government being of opinion that the time had spring. If native industry were protected and the nevi- only of Europe but of the whole civilized world. Eng- mercial wants of the country. If this great experiment
come when the restrictions upon shipping should be gation laws maintained in their present integrity, this land imported cotton from America, sugar from the did not succeed, in what situation would this country
abandoned, and when shipping—like all other branches country needed not, to succumb to America, or to any tropics, and all kinds of produce from the different por- he placed? Unless it did succeed, and unless the e
of industry—should be exposed to a healthful compe,i- other nation on the face of the earth. It was contended tions of the globe. These she sent largely to the ports mercial marine of the country could be upheld, the
tion, the only question was how this object was to be that though the British ship might be dearer than the in the Baltic Sea. Last year she sent 200,000 bags of country would be placed in a uP
most perilouspositton, in
accomplished. He believed the Government had taken foreign, yet that, owing .to its durability, the dear cotton to the northern ports. What was the share the event of an unexpected rupture taking place between
not only the wisest course in the proposition they had ship was the cheapest in the end ; but that he which the British merchants enjoyed in bringing that this country and foreign countries. He wished hereto
made, but the only course practicable in order to be of thought yto
, a mistaken notion, and referred to Mr. cotton from America to Liverpool and then carrying it to ask the Government what the intended do with
benefit to this country with regard to navigation and Youngs vidence before the Lord's committee Russia from the other ports of Europe? They had, in respect to impressment? There
was also another quese
shipping. He regretted that the Right Hon. Member for the purpose of showing that Baltic ships lasted fact, the whole carrying trade of Russia and the Baltic. lion which he wished to put to the Government. They
for Oxford University (Mr. Gladstone) was not in his longer. The House should take the opinion of British But now they were told that reprocity was the order of did not propose to put the shipowner on the same
didfar asnot thedo apprenticeso w
as redgidaradsed the place ; for that Right Hon. Gentleman, in the course of shipowners—the men to whom. it was. proposed to give the day. But when the treaty with Russia expired, as footing as the foreign shipowner. How did h
one of the most able speeches delivered on this question the opportunity of using foreign ships. What class of it would do in a few years, and when Prussia should show this ? They relieved the British.shipowner,it was
°
didsish a
ntdh ecyolpornei fuel r
ships? ‘Vhy,
built, i n
oflB4o
which there l
)73r0e81w,0e5r9e
out,heve
whatput in
would execution
then
e become
inthreatsof
your whichc r
rsyh
ien had a d
trade,held buttrue,
during the last session, had spokes in favour of proceed- sabriipt
ing by treaties upon the principles of reciprocity.theyasconcerned,
man-
Mr. CA RD WELL—Not by treaties. above ten years upon Lloyd's register, and 751 were un- and of those warehouses which made this country the ning of the ship, therefore th
Mr. WILSON.—Upon the principles of reciprocity der ten years; and in 1846 there were 643 British and entrepot of the world? England would not allow the British shipowner on the same leveleywithnot place the
then. He (Mr. Wilson) would endeavour to show the colonial ships built, of which only 180 were above ten products of Asia, Africa, and America to be shipowner, and the consequence was
that the foreign
great inconvenience, if not the practical impossibility of years, and 463 under ten years. He himself had seen imported into this country except her own ships 'or would be placed in a false position. If the
the ftormerf
proceeding upon such principles. He objected to reci- (hat day a gentleman who had intended to charter two in ;the ships of those respective countries where the this Bill meant it to benefit the public andsutPhpeorßerisisoh
procity. because it was a bad principle; because he con- British ships to send to Jamaica, but in consequence of articles were produced; Russia would, therefore, say she shipowners, as they said they did, why was it thatrt they
sidered it against a wise policy, and because he thought the expectation of the repeal of the navigation-laws he would not allow the importation of the products of Asia, did not throw open the coasting trade? If that trade
it was very inconvenient if not impossible, in practice. had chartered two Danish ships at a reduced rate of Africa, or America into Russian ports unless in ships were thrown open, there could be little doubt but the
He believed one of the greatest errors the Legislature 7s. 6d. a ton; that gentleman anticipated that by the of the country where the goods were
could now commit would be to do anything that might time the ships returned from Jamaica the navigation- Russian ships. At least, she would take care that
if were honest in their statement, that by allowing
the
sanction the opinion which had gained ground too laws would be repealed.—(Hear, hear.) With regard to England would not relax her law those productions shipping of foreign countries to come int o competition
extensively on the continent, with regard to the views the reciprocity treaties, it must be remembered that the should not come in British ships. Thus Great Britain with ours as regarded our foreign trade, we would
by which this country had hitherto been influenced in present measure was founded .
could upon a totally different would lose the carrying trade to Russia. With regard thereby increase our shipping, then the same
.principle
its commercial policy. He thought nothing be system; we were now going to admit foreign vessels into to the United States of America, there was at this mo- must apply with equal force to the shipping
more prejudicial to the extension of
free-trade Ptah- our whole trade, and
the
the Baltic and American ships ment reciprocity existing between England and that the coasting trade. Why, then, did they not throw that
t ciples than that we should sanction a notion, on
.would and must supplant ours. Even under country in many important respects—reciprocity, but not trade open? The truth was, that they were making an
we made concessionspresent •
area of foreign Governments, that _ Circumstances our shipping had not a friendly intercourse—because it was an intercourse experiment in which they had no confidence, theyd
k eat for the benefit to be derived from those conces- increased in the same proportion as foreign; where jealously guarded by restrictions. A great trade was were therefore afraid to carry it out to the fullan
--,,_
hut for the purpose of obtaining corresponding. the British shipping entered inwards in 1847 measured springing up in the world. He would not enter into any lest it should break down altogether. Was •
sinus, tns from other countries. He had found the it therefore
2,564,865 tons, or, deducting twenty. five per disquisition as to the speculations that were at present wise, when there was no immediate necessity
concessiefor this
'sus and erroneous opinions held by foreign cent. for the difference between the new and old measure- afloat, but it could not be denied that a new trade was measure. to which their largest
most lathier'.Ministers, as to the motives meat, and for the repeated voyages of English • ' commercial towns were
ed by foreign
_in
its . , .
ship.
Governments ae ,
ey was prompted
by which this coun..
• ttild feel great regret if, by am year), 1,900.505, the foreign shipping
that was employed and palpable fact that a large trade was taking Mr. GLADSTONE movedthe • adjournment of the
legislation; and he she. ~euld appear to shrink from was 2,253.939 tons. But the proportion of our ships that its rise in that portion of the world. That could debate until Monday next.
Act of that House, they se.
°Ltd!put forward d• v during went out in ballast must also be remembered; the average not be gainsaid. lie knew a gentleman who Lord J. RUSSELL had no objection to the motion n
the principle they had so br
of a
egislatine for the in- of Briti 1 shi hat in o _
that o , e e ortngn trade, without cargoes, was reaping a large reward in having :sent out the understanding that no further the last five or six years. adjournment should
„Hess what other nations was 22 per cent, in 1820, and 51 per cent. in 1847. In tea from China and sugar from the Philippine Islands to take place.
terests of this country, rep. .1 they convinced 1814 the averaee foreign tonnage in our fore' n trade California. as it not
might do. He believed it was not anti _ . - Mr. BIER made some remarks amid much noise and
foreign Governim nts that they legislated upon this prin. was 241 per cent. less than the British but in 1847 it was Can Government would have an establishment th, m• laugh!, r, to the effect that he looked at the • question as a
.. Government'- would begin to perceive 21 per cent. more than the British. The average in- selves in California ? and then would come into opera. very doubtful one, and he could not •
elide that those
worth having in tree trade. crease of British tonnage from 1814 to 1847 was 134 don that clause of their navigation-laws which had went much credit for ha • give the Govern-
that there was somethinghaving used any very great cone
At present those Governments said, "
"You offer us reci- cent., but, of foreign, 259 per cent. The House must been made on the model of the English long-voyage sideration about it.
.
fair reciprocit. You are an old not forget the number of artisans whom the repeal of clause, and so made because there was such a clause in Mr. DISRAELI in • '
procity, but it is not a
and vast colonial os• the navigation-saws would throw inquired if the Noble Lord could not
have large capital p,main out of employ, for the English navigation-law, and then no more tea, no make an arrangement more convenient to Hon. Members
country; you
is
very well for you to offer us these one of the objects was to destroy the monopole more produce of the Philippine Islands, could be ear- than the one proposed by the Right Hon. *
sessions, and it
when you know that we are not of the British shipbuilders; and some years hence the tied to the western coast of America by British .corn. Chancellor of the Exchequer,-
reciprocal advantages, .
f them " He had Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) • h with respect to the ref
position to avail ourselves- 0 • • mts, t mine down to merce. It was important, therefore, for the sake of the sumption of the debate on his resolutions
ihneaardoreign Ministers say, oDo not send run- the House, when about to ruin some other class, and commercial interests of this ceuntry, that they should Lord J. RUSSELL would see before. Wednesday if
free trade upon us; it will only say, as he did the other night of the inhabitants of the come to a right understanding with regard to the long- it were not possible to fix an earlier day than Thursday
excite suspicbassadorsion
rgoe a
the
part of the people- that we are Western Islands of Scotland, that these artisans had voyage clause. Mr. Huskisson warned them to be care- next,
teeing sacrifice
them
to
your greatness, and to your been crushed by foreign competition, and had to betake ful not so to arrange their navigation laws as to call up Mr. DISRAELI replied that Thursday
it?,
He believed, therefore, that any attempt to themselves to other pursuits, or to emigrate to a country a great maritime power in opposition to them. vi re' convenient day. would be. a
ta coaffpe
irterma of reciprocity to other countries would not be that knew how to protect its workmen.—(Hear.) What What country would carry cotton to Russia arid Lord J. RUSSELL could not say positively
that
attended with benefit, but would throw difficulties in the was expected to be gained by this measure? The case Prussia, and tea and sugar to California, if our jealous Thursday would be named, as there
were other
wayof foreign Governments which might be disposed to of Canada was the first put forward; and the Hon. Gan. restrictions were maintained ? That one country which would have precedence.
meet them. But, if they went upon the principle of re- tleman (Mr. Wilson) asked what answer he was to give of which you were afraid, and with which eon had made Mr. DISRAELI said, as the subjectgreat
ciprocity as it was described by Mr. Bancroft,—. To to the petitions from Canada and the West Indies? But it your particular consideration not conclusively to importance, he hoped, under the circumstanceswas one of
te
those who give little, I would give little; to those who why were the petitions of 20,000 persons in London, arid decide—America. He had never listened with greater case, that Hon. Members who had of the
motions would not
give much I would give much; to those who give all I of the shipowners of Liverpool, to be disregarded, and astonishment to any statement than he had done to object to postpone them in his favour
would give all;,, where was the country which could give the petition of 12 men in Canada brought forward? Then, the grave. deliberate, and measured statement of the The Summary Conviction Bill a
was read a secon
them anything corresponding to what they gave? If as regarded the West Indies, the question had been en. Right Hon. Member for Stamford (Mr. Herries), that time.
they did proceed upon the system of reciprocity, it must tirely overlooked on the other side till the Hon. Gentle- he thought the case of Canada good for nothing. A
be upon a well-defined principle of equivalents; but there man opposite (Mr. Wilson) attempted to take it up. Now gentleman wrote to him the other day stating that be
was no such thing existence. in It England threw open on this part of the subject he found the Chamber of had received by an American vessel from New York a
' her colonial trade to utility foreign countries, those Commerce of Jamaica stating, that though the repeal quantity of flour; by the bran he perceived that the
countries bad no colonies which would enable them of the navigation laws was offered as one branch of corn was grown in Canada, and being an honest man, he
to give reciprocal advantages. He objected to proceed the scheme of relief which the West Indies was to re- stated the truth to the Custom- house, when he was told
ing upon this principle, because there was no other ceive, yet it would serve them less than their slave. that it could not be admitted, and he prayed him (Mr.
' country in the world, except the United States of trading neighbours, inasmuch as it was impossible for Cardwell) to go to the Treasury.—(Laughter.) Would
America, from which they could have anything re. them to dispatch their cargoes with the same facility as the Hon. Gentleman who sneered tell him why they
sembling equivalents. The Honourable Gentleman their Cuban neighbours, and they urged that the only should protect corn grown in the United States and
(Mr. Disraeli) who addressed the House last night en- means of rendering the measure valuable was to give not protect corn grown by her Majesty's subjects in
larged at great length upon the principle of reciprocity, them immediate protection to their produce in the home Canada ? But it was said that a plan had been devised
hut his remarks referred to reciprocity in general, with market.—(Hear, hear.) He begged also to call the at- to meet this difficulty. They were to nationalize Cana-
rard to produce as well as shipping. He (Mr. Wilson) tention of the House to a paragraph in the address of dian corn by causing it to pass through the United
e t
admitted that there was a great distinction between re- the Canadian Assembly, from which it plainly appeared States. But corn could be conveyed from the interior
ciprocity in articles of produce and reciprocity in nevi- that the object of those gentlemen of Montreal who were of Canada by the Welland Canal and St. Lawrence
gation. It was clear that, if they placed retaliatory in favour of the repeal of the navigation-laws was that as cheaply as it could be conveyed by the
duties upon the produce of another country to meet they might be enabled by means of foreign vessels to Erie Canal and by way of New York. The
duties imposed by that country on their goods, they did get slave-grown labour imported at a cheaper rate than Right Honourable Gentleman greatly lauded
not visit the same interests. If Prussia imposed high at present.—(Hear, hear.) It had been shown that as the Americans for giving a drawback for the transit of
duties upon their cottons and woollens, they could only the rate of freight fell the selling price rose, and Canadian corn through their provinces. But, if it were
retaliate by putting high duties upon the timber, or corn, as the rate of freight rose the selling price fell, sagacity on the part of the American Government to
or other produce of Prussia. What was the conse- so that the almost imperceptible amount gained in give a bounty on the transit of grain from Canada to
quence? The Prussian Government first punished the the way of reduction would be divided between the New York, what was the virtue of that policy which
woollen and cotton manufacturer of England by imposing seller and consumer. Then as to the long voyage, not- gave a positive discouragement to the conveyance of
high duties upon his manufactured goods, and he was withstanding what fell from the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. grain by means of the canals in Canada? Calm ea sought
again punished by his own Government, who imposed Wilson), he was still convinced that it was beneficial only to be put in a position to compete on equal terms
high duties upon the raw material from which he menu- to the shipowner, and a real advantage to the manutac- with the United States; and was the British Legisla-
factured those goods, or upon the food which he con- turer and the consumer. By the operation of the pre- ture to refuse that reasonable demand? lie could not
med.—(Hear.) If they acted upon a. system of recipro- sent law the foreign manufacturer was obliged to come come to any such conclusion. He asked the attention of
city
sn
with regard to produce, they must give perfect free- to the British market to buy the raw materials of India, the House to a remonstrance which was made by a go-
clom of trade to those nations which gave them the same and he paid 21. a ton freight between this country and vernor of a British colony in 1671. Sir W. Berkeley, Go•
advantage ; they must impose, in other cases, duties the foreign ports to which be carried the goods ;so that vernor of Virginia, writing soon atter the passing of the
es n p ding in amount with the duties foreign coun- British importers paid 2/. a ton less for every ton of such Navigation Bill of Charles 11., said, " Mighty and tie-
tries imposed upon their goods, The result would be, goods they carried to foreign countries. Repeal these structive have been the obstructions to our trade and navi-
that for every country in the world they must have dis- laws, however, and the foreigner would import his own gation by that severe Act of Parliament. If it were for his
tinct and different tariffs.—(Hear.) If, however, they goods in his own ships, and the shipowners of this coun- Majesty'sservice,or the good of the subject, we should not
imposed restrictions upon foreign shipping correspond- try would lose the carrying trade. They had been told repine, whatever were our sufferings ; but on nay soul it
1n
• g with the restrictions imposed by other countries on of some cotton lying at Havre which could not, on ec. is the contrary for but h."—(Hear, hear.) He (Mr,
British shipping, they had, at all events, the advantage count of the navigation-laws, reach this country ; but Cardwell) held that the same rem ark was applicable still,
of meeting directly the same interest, and the restriction were they to repeal those laws on account of some va. for what would the British shipowner gain if, by the
would he more likely to be felt by the country against grant bale of cotton, or lost cargo, that had not found its sagacity of the Americans, and the want of sagacity on
which it was directed. What, then, were the objects of way to Liverpool ?—(Hear.) The Hon. Gentleman our part, all the produce of Canada went to New York,
repealing
the navigation laws ? The great objects they (Mr. Wilson), speaking of reciprocity, said we had al- and was carried to this country by them in cornpetiti in
had in view were, to do justice to our colonies ; to ready all the reciprocity with foreign nations that we ever with American shipping ?—(Hear, hear.) There were
answer in a becoming manner the addresses to the throne could have, for they could give us nothing in return. It anomalies in the navigation I iws which it was quite tin-
from Canada, and the numerous petitions presented this was so, then why did he allow the Government to possible to allow to remain as they at present stood. He
to that House from large commercial bodies in write all those letters to foreign countries of which so did not mean to occupy the House at any length, and
Canada, Australia, and the West Indies, who much had been heard ?—(Hear, bear.) Why ask for would not therefore go into many of them ; but he
complained that, but for those laws, they reciprocity from them if it was all a delusion, and if they would ask the House how they would deal sith this psr-
could send their produce to this country by had nothing to give us ?—(Hear, hear.) He regarded the ticular case ? They had made from some motive of
foreign ships at a cheaper rate than by English repeal of these laws as fraught with injustice to the Bri• good policy, some port in the Danube, which was not
ships. It was no answer to those parties to say tish shipowner and to the British artesan, but the ques- locally situated in Austria, a port of Austria. They
that we could not enable them to employ Dutch or tion as!affecting them sunk into insignificance comparedt had also made the port of Memel a port of Olden-
Spanish ships because the Governments of Spain or of with its bearing on our naval superiority. In his esti- burgh, it not being locally situated in that country.
Hand would not enter into the views of reciprocity mation it would be in the highest degree dangerous to Holland, under the most favoured nation clause, might
entertained by the British Government; but when ex- our naval supremacy, and 'therefore he was opposed to claim a similar convenience, and the United States might
isting, palpable, well-defined evils were to be remedied, the measure of the Government. On the subject of the presently ask a similar favour for a port in Mexico.
he could' not understand why we should make our policy apprenticeship he found the evidence of naval men strong Was it fit they should leave anomalies like that without
dependent on the caprice or ignorance of foreign Go- in support of the present system as one exceedingly a remedy? The Noble Lord who had just sat down had
He also objected to the principles of .reci- valuable to the navy, and deprecatory of any diminution quoted the evidence in the Lords' report to show that
vernments.wages higher, ' and the
account of the great practical inconvenience of the present proportion of apprentices as detrimental ships were more dearly built,
procity on
which they led. He had referred to the great variety to its interests. The merchants of London had at all expense. of .
Now, he k d
toof
ffs which would be necessary in carrying out a times evinced the greatest readiness to support the navy than in America. a taken great trouble to
tar
of reciprocity with regard to produce; and an of this country, and to allow sailors to be taken from make himself acquainted with the contents of that report
saym
nsatleagous difficulty would arise with respect to the navi- their ships in case of war, in order to man the navy. and he found in it very opposite statements. He found
D • the late war they even offered a bounty of that Mr. Dunbar, the chairman of the London Ship-
ofgation laws if they were carried out on the same principle During
owners' Association, had stated, in reply to '
: • They must have various kinds of navi- 40s. to able seamen and of 20s. to ordinary seamen who questions
reciprocity. . .
have would enter for the navy. He hoped, therefore, he that it was their interest to build ships dear,'
gation-laws, differing in degree ; they. must because
of complicated and difficult regu- should hear no more reflections on British merchants they lasted longer and were
cheaper in the end; while
al great vtoariecorrespond with the restrictions int- being unwilling to contribute towards the mainte- opinions of a different kind were given by others; but
posed on British shipping by different foreign coun- mince of the glory of their country. He entreated the whatever the coat of ships in the first instance, it might
tries.se If we found one country that was disposed to House that, come to whatever conclusion they might, be taken as certain that the country where there was
give all, and to which we were obliged to give all in re- they would found that conclusion upon the evidence of the most energy and enterprise, and which had
turn,it must be recollected that there were 20 countries practical men, and upon the evidence of naval officers of the command of the markets of the world, was the
whia h
had treaties with us, enabling them to claim being this country, whose patriotism could not be doubted; country which on equal terms was the most able to cons.
placed on the terms of the most favoured nation; and and :not upon the evidence of men who, shut in their pete with every other country in the world; and they
whatever privileges
extended to those countries, whether they gave us any- figures to suit their own particular purposes—men, one likely, in fair competition, to be defeated. But the
thing or nothing.—(Hear, hear.) He objected to reel- of whom had the audacity to state before the Committee Noble-Lord had said it was impossible we could CoM-
procity, because he believed it would lead to great eye. of the House of Lords, that for his part he did not care pete with America. Yet what was the case? From the
sinus of the law, Suppose a treaty of reciprocity in na- it' the whole trade of the country were carried on in year 1821 to 1844 the tonnage of British ships which
vigation existed between this country and Hamburgh, foreign ships. He owned that he dreaded this introduc- had entered American ports had increased from 52,000
what guarantee had they h that the ships of a third Lion of foreign shipping into the colonies, harbours, and to 776,000 tons. If we could not compete with the
with which him too much in •
England had no such treaty, ports of Great Britain. It pat mind United States, how were they to account for that in-
might not
hecome the carriers of foreign produce to of the introduction of the wooden horse of old—and he crease? He found also that Liverpool, where ships were
Hamburgh, which might be brought to this country would not wish to see his countrymen built dear, could compete with New Brunswick, where
in Hamburgh ships? He might observe that he u,__l--.-- captique delis the cost of building was cheap, and that New York,
thought the Right Honourable Member for Stamford Quos neque Tydides, nee Larissteus Achilles, where the cost was dear, could compete with the state of
(Mr. Herries) had thrown some very unworthy im- Non anni domuere decent, non mine cerium." Maine, where the cost was much less. How was that?
putations upon the United States in doubting the sin- Oh! said the Noble Lord, in conclusion, that I had the It was because experience showed that to build the
• they had put forward as to latter vessel at a greater first cost was cheaper in the
eerily of the professions d• lhdl• •hlch
power to ispe t e e ustons wit w lc we are now
their conduct in case the English navigation-laws were assailed! Oh that I had the power to stir up that pa- end. But the Noble Lord had laid stress upon the
could only say that the in- question of our maritime supremacy. He certainly
repealed. He (Mr. Wilson)had triotism and that love of country which should animate
timation the United States' Government given was
standing policy their nev every breast! for if I had such power, I should have no concurred with Mr. Huskisson, that if the supremacy
in conformity with the of i a-of their maritime power came in contact with their
g fear as to the result; for, despite of the confidence now
tion-laws, which had been for years past to give to entertained by her Majesty's Government, and despite commercial interest the latter must give way. But the
foreign countries whatever those. countries
were re-
p those inconsiderate communications, and, I may say, the legislation of Queen Elizabeth's reign was of a most
But for this country to proceed liberal character with regard to navigation; and yet
pared to give to them. . only unconstitutional communications made by them to
on the principle of reciprocity would
.not ma- foreign Governments—(Cheers)—despite all those ail- the glory of our maritime supremacy was not tarnished
terially embarrass foreign Governments_ in putting into vantages, still I think I should see the gallant vessel that in her reign. The patent of our precedence dated from
execution any desire to adopt our policy, ut would be is now struggling with the storm sail triumphantly above a day anterior to the ordinances of Cromwell. If it
setting a bad example, and giving a sanction to very
the waves that threatened to overwhelm her.—(Cheers.) rested upon the foundation of the Act of Charles 11., his
erroneous and mistaken notions of the real views of this If Englishmen be true to themselves and their country— anticipations would be of a still gloomier character than
country in respect to its commercial policy. The great if wo be so, and I think we shall be—then we shall keep those of the Noble Lord. Those were arguments which
object which the commercial legislation of this country the vessel's head straight to the sea, and not follow the did not bear on any particular Bill that might come be-
ought to have in view was to insure as much as pets- advice of those in command, who would run her upon fore the House, but bore exclusively upon the necessity
sible to the merchant the greatest degree of certainty shore; then we shall weather the storm with which we of a settlement of those questions. He went further,
and simplicity
,in his transactions ; but if by acting on are now assailed, and then we shall be able to retain the and said it was not only desirable for the mercantile in-
the principle of reciprocity there was produced command over that glorious element which is our na- terest, but just towards our own colonies and the ship-
not only more uncertainty but also much more corn- tural protector, and that is the connecting link between ping interest generally, that there should be a speedy
plication, the two great and paramount principles of this country and its dependencies abroad; and for years settlement of the question. If for even a short time they
entirely abandoned. It delayed the settlement of the question, they would hold
commercial legislation were yet to come, notwithstanding the prophecy of Mr.
might be said that the power proposed by the present Maekay, the flag of England shall float triumphantly over suspended over those whose property was embarked in
Bill to be reserved to the Queen in Council did in some the most distant quarters of the globe.—(Cheers.) this pursuit the threat of impending change; they would
measure tend to create the very objections against which Mr. CARDWELL observed that the Noble Lord who Prevent the application of British capital an the employ-
he was arguing—but on that subject, at present, he was had just sat down, and the Right Hon. Gentleman who meat of 13ritish industry, and thus give an impetus to the
disposed to say very little.—(A laugh.) lie would, had moved the rejection of this Bill, anticipated with employment of foreign capital and labour, and on that
however, say this—that, according to the course pro- deep dismay the decay of our mercantile marine, and the ground, it on no other, they ought to come to a speedy
posed by the Government, free-trade unrestricted would declension of our maritime power. Though he could not settlement of the question. There were anomalies
be the rule, and restriction, if they
.so pleased to call it, share in their gloomy apprehensions, yet the same natu. in the present law which it was impossible to defeeti, and
the exception; whereas, by pursuing the other course ral • -
anxiety weighed upon him in approaching a
question which those even who objected to the proposed teea.u.'e
restriction would be the rule and free-trade the excep•
of this great importance. He also desired that they did not defend, but, on the contrary, freely expressed
titan. With respect to the reservation, however much it . . .
should avoid every rash or precipitate measure,take
their mind as to the necessity of their removal ; and lie
might be worth, be trusted at all events that freedom ofsaid, then, it
was the paramount duty of Parliament to
every preceution, and be guided by prudence in the
commerce would be the great rule according to which course on which they were about to enter. But sharing deal with the question, and to come speeetly, effectively,
this law would be carried out in reference to our transac- to that extent with them in the spirit in which they ap- rationally, and not precipitately, to a settlement of it,
tiollB with foreign countries, and that hostile retaliation,
--- -

TITHES.
Mr. HUME, in the absence of Mr. Aglionbio
moved for returns "of all agreements for the coat-
mutations of tithes, which have not been con",
firmed by the Tithe Commissioners, in the severs,.
counties of England and Wales, specifying in each case
the legal or other cause of hindrance or Prevention
to the confirmation thereof; and how long such cause of
hindrance or prevention has existed and continued, since
the year 1836; like return of all awards for the com-
mutation of tithes not confirmed, with alike return of the
cause of hindrance or prevention to the confirmation
thereof, and how long it has existed since 1836; like
return of all apportionments of rent charges which have
not been confirmed, with the legal or other cause
hindrance to the confirmation thereof, and how long it
has existed; and return of all parishes or townships,.or
separate districts, for the commutation of tithes, in which
the tithes have not been commuted, and the cause 0f
hindrance to the commutation;in each such parish, town'
ship, or district since 1836."

The other orders of the day were disposed of, and tb.
House adjourned at Twelve o'clock.

RAIL W A Y MARKETS.

BRISTOL, MACH 9.
STOCK Excite/inn —The sales are—Caledonian, 23% —rifest
Western, Quarters, 2% di s. —Ditto, New, 2 tbs.—Manchester Stock. •

—LIVERPOOL, MARCH 9.
STocx EXCHANGE. —The sales are—East Lancashire, l9—ke;
caster and Yorkshire (late M. and B.), Fifths, 2% dis.—London A."-
North-Western, 136 ex div.—Ditto, Quarters, New, Si. Bs. 9d. ex in'
—Midland Stock, 80 ex div.--Ditto, New Halves, 7% dis.—ffe;
castle and Carlisle, 103 South-Eastern, 24!4 —Ditto (No. 4), Thirds,
71. Bs. 9,l.—Ditto (No, 4), Registerei, 71. 3s. 9d.—York, Newcastle,
and Berwick (Extension Nos. 1 and 2), 1% c. dis. ex div.-1)1."
(O. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. guaranteed, din.
MANCHESTER, MANCH 9.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The 13-16
sales are—West Riding Union, 3 -
Sheffield, Old, 42—Sheffield and Lincoln, 14 dis.—North Wester'
7% dis.—North Staffordshire, 2 15-16 dis.—Boston, Stamford, 0,
ale'
Birmingham, dis.—Dover (No. 4), 7 9-I6—West Riding Union'o
1346 Grimsby, Quarters, 7 dis.—Leeds, Fifths, 2% dis.— Sh
Preference, 10%.

BIRMINGHAM, MAncu 9.
STOCK EXCIIANGX.—The sales are—Caledonian, Preference, 15,1,,P,
—Midland, 81% ex liv.—Ditto (Birmingham and Derby), 45 es " "„
minghani, Wolverhampton, and Stour Vallley, 11th—ybre
bury an :t Birmingham (A), 4% dis. ex in.—Ditto, Preference, Serms.
41s. ad. p.—Shropshire Union,2 dis.—a,outh Staffordshire, 3%
GLASGOW, MARCH 8.
STOCK EXCIIANGIC The following are to-day'stransactilc.
Caledonian, Preference, 111. is. (id.—Edinbiurgh and Glasgo,r,
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Halves (No. 1), 6/.
two. 2), 7—Great !North ef Scotland, 4s. 6d.—North British, I" York, York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purchase or Prefe" ce Hitt° ,
'

THE N 'Mal/ENDERS' BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.".'
Yesterday evening a meeting of the general committee
and subscribers of the above institution, founded in 1839'
for the purpose of granting temporary relief and per
manent assistance to masters and servants engaged 0
venders of newspapers, who, from age, infirmity, and dill'
tress. may require the aid of the benevolent, was held SC
the Newsvenders' Hall, Black Horse-court, Flet:t-strset,
for the transaction of general business. The annual re'
port congratulated the members on the satisfactory Plf,
gress the society was making, whereby the cornrnill.
had been enabled to make their present funded stockr7a-
amount to 9501. Three per Cents. The receipts,
eluding the previous year's balance, subscriptions, $ll.
donations, amounted to 1401. 17s. 2d. The expendittil,l
was 1181. Bs. 9d., leaving a balance in the treasurers
hands of 221. Bs. sd. The report concluded with °0
urgent appeal to the members of the trade to help the
inaigent, worn out, and helpless newsvenders.
firit
COST OF WAR IN TIME OF PEACE.—In the 0
forty-five years of the present century, we had fourtee
years of war and thirty-one of peace. We have a deb
of 800,000,000/. accumulated by war, and yet we ht',.d
expended 500,000,000/. in further war expenses, iaste%
of paying off our unhappy obligations, And our preseeo
war expenditure in time of peace is such, that it WOO
pay off the national debt in forty years, interest ea;
eluded. If to the direct war expenditure we add the to
i;
direct--the interest upon our debt—we find that th
would pay off the debt by instalments in leas Oso
twenty years.—Stamford Mercury.
rADVERTISEMENT:j—THE EARL OF ALDEOROS,°OOI
AND llOLLow&y's i'mts.—An astounding cure by this miracill
medicine, alter every other means had failed. See extract fronl,
Lordship's letter, dated " Villa Messina, Leghorn, Feb. 21, _18
ef.
Professor Holloway—Sir : I beg to acquaint you that your pills hi','ost
fected a cure of a disorder in my liver and stomach which all thei-0$
eminent of the facnlty, at home and all ever the continent, !not.
been able to effect; nay, not even the waters of Carlsbad or 001
rienbad. (Signed) " ALDBOILOUGII." These wenderthl pWeov
cure any disease of the liver or stomach.—Sold (also IlelloWo
Ointment) at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Straacli
Irr ell medicine vendors throughout the civilised world.

BIRTHS. of
On the Ist inst., at Park-villas, Holloway, the vii`"
John Steavenson, Esq., of a daughter.
On the 3d inst., at Clifton, Bristol, the wife of C.
Faber, Esq., of a daughter.

MARRIED. ,t
On the 6th inst., at Wivenhoe, Essex, W. V. Wrigs,",f-'lO2l
London, to Elizabeth, only daughter of the late k,"'""
Foster Mustard, Esq., of Tendering.
rr On the 7th inst., at the British Embassy, Brussels, Kato
Pearson, Esq., of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-18' 01
Lucy, eldest daughter of Horatio Vachell, Esq., lsto
Cotfold-hall, Essex.

DIED. ill
On the ;2th January', at Moultan, Captain George g it o+
Erskine, Ist Regiment Bombay Light Cavalry, fourth °-
the late David Erskine, Es., of Cardross. dare,
On the sth inst., at Soquthampton-row, Russell-0-od,
Mr. William Dixon, for many years in the Bank of Eng—
aged 63.
0'
On the 7th inst., Mrs. William Millidge, Strand, aged j
ibe
On the 7th inst., at Linchmere, near Liphook, Hants,
Rev. Richard Elenry Baker, aged A 4. ed
On the 7th inst., at St. Andrew's-terrace, Plvmouth,Aaftist
61, Elizabeth, wife of Rear-Admiral J. Coode, rlel
survi ing daughter of the late Vice-Admiral Sir On
Vinicombe Penrose, &c.
On the 7th inst., at (Cockspur-street, Sarah, relict
of the
late Abra,:am Phillips, Esq., formerly of Abergale""
Monmouthshire, aged 6. Homer(
On the :lEith ult., Selina, wife of John Warren, of Houle
nod 88.
f
TTNG °
Loudon Printed and Published by MURDO YOz," 10,
No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, l''..n'ty of
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the c°"—
(11".11§itthrtiaY. much 11, no.

of
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