The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-09 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

MR. EDITOR—Some time since, through your
impartial Paper, you did me the favour to bring
the Public acquainted with my intention, on the
assembling of Parliament, to call a Public Meet-
ing for the purpose of petitioning that honour-
able Body to grant a Committee that might in-
quire into and ascertain the relative value of
every British Interest to the State, and then de-
cide on the quantum of duty which should be
imposed on the importation of Foreign products
of the like description, with a view to secure the
Home market to our native and colonial industry,
when they (all Things considered) rendered it to
the Public equally cheap. I at the same time
laid down certain principles on which a protect-
ing system of that sort Should, as I conceive, be
founded, and I invited the Public either to assent
to those principles,, or to point out their inac-
curacy through the medium of the Daily Press.
With the exception, however, of two or three
miserable side-winded attacks by persons, I pre-
sume, who neither understood the principles
themselves, nor cared much about their truth, no
observation, as far as I am aware, has appeared
in the shape of a reply to any of my reasonings
or statements. From this, I conclude that I have
either not rendered myself intelligible, or that
the practical protecting system of Commerce, and
the self creating system of Finance which I
advocate, have not met with the approbation of
the public ; my friends therefore advise me pot
to call the Meeting which I intended for the
present, but to wait until our present, and our
proposed commercial and financial - measures
shall have more fully developed themselves,
until they shall have caused a larger portion of
the landed interest to be put into the possession
of our paupers, through the operation of the
poor's rate, until the British behold the Foreign
Ship Owner run away with more of those freights
which ought to belong exclusively to himself, and
until he have, in consequence, a still greater num-
ber of his own vessels rotting by the walls, until
the British merchant and manufacturer lose still
more of their- domestic and colonial customers,
and finally until the public creditor be deprived
of his dividends, the Government of its general
revenue, and our Colonies 'shall be in a state of
insurrection, for want of our markets for their
products, which we are now giving to foreigners.
When this national calamity shall take place,
but not I fear till then, I may probably be called
on by those whom I have hitherto endeavoured
in vain to rouse to a sense of their danger,- to
convene a public Meeting, instead of having oc-
casionto call upon-them to attend one.

In the mean time, however, I beg permission
to throw out to the public the following princi-
ples, in the hopes that some of your readers may
be induced to give them that serious and atten-
tive consideration which, if they be not errone-
ous, their paramount import to the public weal
demands, for few as they are, it is on them that
I found my system of Commerce and Finance,
the truth of which I should be glad to see dis-
puted, if it be disputable, thrOugh the medium of
your valuable Journal, viz.:—
That the profitable employment of our people
constitutes the wealth and prosperity of the
British Empire.
That our domestic and colonial Agriculture,
when duly protected from foreign competition,
and otherwise duly regulated, are the root of,
and propelling power to, all our other industry.
That so long as we have any portion of our
population unemployed, all foreign articles, the
like of which we can produce ourselves either at
home or in our colonies, would •be dearer to us
as a donation, than if we were to pay each of
our own people so unemployed for their produc-
tion at thee rate of 501. per man per annum.—
Nothing can be rendered to the State sufficiently
equivalent for depriving our own people of pro-
fitable employment.
That we' cannot beneficially extend our ex-
ports beyond what is required for the payment
of such imports as we use and consume ; that
nothing but the profitable employment of our
people can increase the use and consumption of
such imports ; that the high prices of our pro-
ducts, when they arise from those products pay-
ing their just quota of the National burthens,
from their affording a proper remuneration to the
labourer, and from their yielding finally a fair
profit to the capitalist, do not lessen our con-
sumption, but on the contrary increase it, inas-
much as they afford our people the means of pur-
chasing and consuming those articles, which are
received as return payments for our exports, and
consequently that high prices, far from dimi-
nishing our foreign trade, would tend consider-
ably to augment it.
That our cotton manufacture, in its present
state, is nearly a foreign interest, and occasions a
loss to the British Empire of about 20 millions
sterling, per annum.

That all British interests have but one object
to promote, and that nothing can so effectually
unite and direct them to that common object, as
the protecting, by a due gradation of duties, each
and every of such interests from foreign compe-
ation,' according to its respective value to the
State. Subject, however, to such protection, let
commerce have the freedom of air, and let
foreigners be invited to adopt the same line of
restriction towards us.

That our distress does not proceed from any
improper motives on the part of Ministers, but
front the existing order of things ; and from this,
and a national ignorance of the mighty resources
of the British Enipire, and of that self creating
and self supporting system of Finance, combined
with that system of Commerce founded on red
procity of benefits, calculated to bring those re-
sources into action, and therehy to give all our
people profitable employment, increase our re-
venue and lessen our Poor-rates in the like
ratio.

Such, I say, are the sources whence nearly all
the calamities which we are at present suffering
are derived.—Although I have not received the
least assistance, or even thanks, except from a
very few of those who are most interested in the
success of my measures, still I have not spared
either expence, time, health, or trouble, nor
have .1 left a stone unturned that was likely to

promote the great national object I had in view.
Yet since all my efforts have been unavailing, I
must now leave to time, and to the wisdom of my
countrymen, to say, it they or I have been right
or wrong. No one can more sincerely hope that
I may in the event prove a false prophet, and
that not one of my predictions may be verified,
than Mr. Editor,
Your very obedient Servant,
JOSEPH PINSENT,
(A true Pittite.)

22, Birchin-lane, Nlarch 7.

DISTURBANCES IN NORFOLK.

[From the " Nonwicu MERCURY," received this morning.]
We cannot but regret that our county is become
the scene of many disgraceful and tumultuous
assemblies, arising from an opinion prevalent
among the lower classes of labourers that the
threshing machines, or in fact that all machinery,
is injurious to their welfare. It seems that the
only object of these meetings is the destruction
of agricultural machinery ; nor does it appear,
except in one instance, that any personal outrage
has been committed. The parties who are thus
parading the county consist generally of , from
to' 500 persons, headed by a leader, who takes
no part in destroying the machines; but merely
instigates his followers, sometimes accompanied
by a trumpeter. They press men into their ser-
vice, and even threaten severe punishment in
case of refusal. It appears also that there-is a
regular system of organization and communica-
tion between the various villages, insomuch as it
but seldom occurs that these rioters break the
machines in their own parish, but go to one at, a
distance, thus hoping to escape recognition. It
is a curious fact, connected with these disturb-
ances, that the people dispersed with great rapi-
dity at the appearance of the authorities, and in
an inconceivable short period assembled by the
sound of a horn at a great distance from their for-
mer place of meeting.
Thursday se'nnight, in the forenoon, a strong
party of insurgents, amounting to several hun-
dreds, collected from all. the neighbouring pa-
rishes, attacked and destroyed a thrashing ma-
chine attached to the freehold, on the premises
of Mr. Richard Doggett, of Winfarthing. Not-
withstanding the resistance of a large party of
friends, constables, and, others, they proceeded
to demolish the obnoxious engine.—A desperate
attack' commenced with bludgeons and all kinds
of weapons.—One gentleman was felled from his
horse, and several more, who were well mounted,
were compelled to retreat in all directions, amidst
a heavy discharge of stones and other missiles.
The barn was forced, in order to come at the
interior of the machine, which, together with a
dressing machine, were destroyed. On the fol-
lowing morning large parties assembled at Diss,
being market day, and the leader of the insur-
gents of Thursday, by name William Baker, of
Bressingham, labourer, was apprehended, and 'im-
mediately brought before Sir Wm. Robert Kemp,
Bart. and Geo. Lee, Esq., and was by them ,com-,
mitted to the County Gaol. Next day .large
parties of the insurgents paraded about different
parts of the neighbourhood, keeping watch in the
night to prevent any of their party from being
apprehended ; and on Monday morning they
again assembled at Winfarthing, and broke and
destroyed a threshing machine, the property of
Mr. Samuel George, of that parish. On Tues-
day the arrival of the Troop of Suffolk Harstmere
Cavalry, under, the command of Colonel Ray,
we hope have so far succeeded as to prevent their
again assembling for further mischief in this'
neighbourhood. •
On Monday forenoon a mob, whose number
was much increased by women, iu the direction
from Wymondham, Bunwell, Carleton, and their
vicinities, proceeded through Attleburgh, still
adding to their numbers by pressing those whom
they happened with, destroying every machine,
they could obtain intelligence of ; from thence
they proceeded to Shropham, Snetterton, &c.
demolishing eleven in the course of the 'day ;
and at night, about ten o'clock, returned
through Attleburgh, having had intelligence that
a machine was concealed on, the premises of
Mr. W. Parson, junior ; this they took. by
breaking open the barn door in their search ; they
also broke open the fowl-house and stole there-
out forty hens, and then drawing the thrashing,
machine a mile to the Market demolish-
ed it. The following day they renewed their
route, in a direction for Buckenhain; but just
as they got over the Green, here overtaken
by a party of gentlemen, farmers, and- others
who had joined them, accompanied by the Eye
YeOrnanry Cavalry (who had been summoned
on the occasion), headed by several Magi-
strates. The insurgents scrambled over hedges,
and some into ditches ; the pursuit was most ac-
tively carried on, and they succeeded in securing
about thirty, whom they conducted to the White
Horse, Buckenham ; and after examination,- the
Magistrates found satisfactory evidence against
six of the delinquents ; the remainder were libe-
rated. We understand that a similar discomfi-
ture took place at Hingham, and the following
morning some more were committed.
• In consequence of this increasing spirit of tu-
mult, the Magistrates, at the adjourned Quarter
Sessions of the county, on the first day of their
meeting, debated on the means for quelling
these tumultuous meetings. • At this debate, it
Was unanimously determined to publish a remon-
strance to the people, which wr, are given to
understand was proposed by Lord Suffield. In
its language it is temperate, but firm, and shows
the determination on the part of the Magistracy
to preserve the peace of the county, but at the.
Same time their desire to use persuasion rather
than force. It has been published in the form
of a large bill, and circulated through the county
by means of the constables of the several parishes :
" The Magistrates assembled at the adjourned sessions, on
Wedneiday, March 6, 1822, have, with considerable pain, re-
ceived evidence of a riotous disposition, exhibited in some in-
stances by actual outrage in various parts of the county. The
circumstances, made known to many of them previous to this
day, have induced measures of precaution, which will assuredly
be found effectual for the suppression of tumult. But, anxious
as the Magistrates feel, in the dischargeof their duty, to avoid the
necessity of resorting to the force with which they are armed for
the preservation of the peace against a Misguided populace,:
they desire to offer, in: the form of timely remonstrance, a
few remarks deserving of attention. If grievances exist, do
the persons concerned in the riotous 'proceedings before alluded
to, suppose that they can be remedied by violence ? To what.

possible beneficial result can their proceedings tend ? To what
have they tended in other parts of the country ? But to the loss
of many valuable lives, and a curtailment of British liberty.—
Let the people beware of bad advisers—those whu may preter.d
to sympathise in their alleged grievances, for the purpose of
exciting them to acts of mischief, in the punishment for which
the instigators generally take care to have no participation. Let.
them be assured, that it is equally wicked and unwise to resist
the law ; wicked in principle, and unwise in practice, because
ineffectual to any good purpose. By order of the Court, Cope-
man, Clerk of the Peace."
The Learned Chairman, in his Address to the Grand Jury,
stated that the_ Sessions had been adjourned to that day with a
view to reduce the calendar for the Assizes.—Great advantages
had resulted from them on a former occasion, and he hoped the
present adjournment would be attended with the same salutary
effects.

Amon.. the number of cases in the calendar before him he
perceived several were for a riotous assembly, attended with the
breaking of threshing machines.—This was probably done under
the idea that machinery was injurious to the labouring classes,
but it was not the province of the Court to inquire into this.—
If the use of machinery was detrimental to the interest of the
labourer, it would be found in the end to be so to the farmer
also.

we are all aware of, said, the Learned Gentleman, and can-
not but regret,the distress of the labourer in husbandry—but if
these. men think_to.better their Condition by riotous and impro-
per behaviour, they will find themselves miserably mistaken ;
for instead of decreasing, they will aggiaviite their sufferings.
Acts of tumult and riot made men unwilling to embark their •
property in speculation, and therefore the wages and comforts
of the poor were dependent on a peaceable and soberdispositioa.
The first object of the law is the security-of the public peace:
—lt is our duty to endeavour by persuasion to prevent disturb-.
mice; but if that be ineffectual, the strong power of the law
must be called in exercise to punish the offenders.
The Learned Chairman proceeded to state, that what the
• remedies were that ought to be applied for the relief of the agri..
cultural labourer it did not become him, in the situation in
which he was then placed, to discuss ; but, said the Learned
Gentleman, I think I may be allowed to say, that whatever
they may be, their operation must be gradual ; and I trust, he
added, that here will not be wanting that fortitude which was-
so conspicuous in. other portions of the community when under
similar deprivations. The Learned Chairman, after proceed-
ing shortly to state what constituted a riot, directed the Jury to -
apply his observations to the cases that would come before theta,
and he doubted not of their doing ample justice.
On Thursday the following prisoners, com-
mitted for these breaches of the peace, were put
upon their trial

Robert Chatton, Simon Crick, Henry Caley, James Caley,
Jaines Goddard, and John Andrews were indicted for riotously
assembling at Shimpling.—All the defendanth pleaded guilty,
with the exception of Robert Chatton.
Chatton denied breaking the machine, but admitted that he
was present. Several witnesses spoke to the good character of
the defendant, who was found guilty, but recommended to
mercy on account of his age.
The prosecutor, Mr. Sparham, a farmer at Burstop., pro-
prietor of the machine, recommended H. Caley, J. Andrews, J.
,Caley, and S. Crick to mercy on account of their good cha-
racter.

Thomas Taylor, Wm. Baker, James Goodings, and Robert
Smith were severally tried and' found guilty of the same of-
fence in the parish of Wymondham.
The CHAIRMAN addressed the prisoners at the bar, with an
approprriate and excellent speech, which made a great impres-
sion on the Court, and apparently on the culprits.
The sentence of the Court, looking to the extent of the
crime, is one of lenity and mercy, and it was to be hoped
that this mild administration ofjustice would induce them to quit
such a course of life for one of sober, quiet, and honest industry
for the rest of their lives. The sentence of the Court was,
that Robert Chatton pay a fine of 51., to the King, be imprison-
ed for twelve months, and at the end of that period to find
security to keep the peace for two years, himself in 11001. and
two sureties of 501. each.—James Goddard l• year's imprison-
ment, and to enter into a recognizance of 1001. to keep the
peace 2 years.—S. Crick 6 month's imprisonment, and to enter
into recognizance to keep the peace, for 12 months.—H. Caley
and J. Andrews to be imprisoned in Aylsham Bridewell for 3
months.—James Caley 1 months' imprisonment in the
Castle.—W..Baker and J. Goodings 6 months' imprisonment,
and to enter•into recognizance to keep the peace for 12 calendar
months, in 501. each.—Thomas Taylor to be imprisoned three
months in Swaffham Bridewell, and Robert Smith one week
in the Castle.

[FROM THE SAME PAPER.]
On Tuesday night some rioters arrived at the
County Gaol, guarded by a part of the Suffolk
cavalry. On approaching the city they were met
by a considerable body of persons, who appeared
inclined to make a tumult. The prisoners were
however safely lodged in gaol. On the return
of the cavalry they were received with a shower
of stones and brick-bats, and were stoned com-
pletely through the city to the Trowel and
Hammer, out of St. Stephen's Gates, where
they gained shelter. The rioters pursued
them hither, and broke several windows.—
The Mayor, W. Rackham, Esq. having recei-
ved information of this riotous disposition, re-
paired immediately to the spot with some con-
Stables, and after much active exertion both by
hiniself and assistance, he succeeded in dispers-
ing the assembly. About the same time a con-
stable brought to the Castle another prisoner for
the same disorders. As he was returning, Mr.
Johnson seeing that a large body of persons
had gathered together, and appeared inclined' to
ill-use the_coustable, sent two of his assistants with
the man across the Castle Ditches. As soon
as they had entered the Golden Ball-lane
they were attacked,by a mob, who seized the cart,
and after a violent struggle, succeeded in gaining
possession of it, with which they ran down to
the Foundery-bridge,, and threw it into the river.
The constable and horse were with much diffi-
culty saved from their violence. No assistance
could be rendered, as the Mayor was at that mo-
ment engaged in
_quelling the tumult at Saint
Stephen's Gates. These rioters appeared to con-
sist principally of the loose and disorderly boys
who frequent our streets. The industrious
classes took no part 'in these proceedings.—
It was expected that possibly a similar out-
rage might be committed on Wednesday night..
The Mayor and his officers were upon the alert,
and we think that his determination on Tuesday
evening, to preserve the peace,of the city, con-
tributed much towards the prevention of any
disorders that might, on the arrival of new pri-
sonersl have taken place.—The Norwich Light
Horse Volunteers have been 'on duty almost every
night this week.

A correspondent at Margate says, " In conse-
quence of the prices of Malt Liquor being still
kept up, many of the inhabitants of this town
have resolved to abstain from drinking it until
the prices are lowered."—(Kent Herald.)

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