The Sun.
London, England, 1831-01-21 00:00:00

Ebr

LONDON,
FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 21, 1831.

The resolutions proposed to be moved by
Mr. Alderman WAITHMAN, on the Exports
and Imports, though not altogether unfit for con-
sideration, are not, we apprehend, likely to lead
to any useful result. The worthy Alderman
appears certainly to be actuated by a laudable
zeal for the welfare of the numerous classes of
persons engaged in manufacturing industry, but
his resolutions do not point out with any clear-
ness the remedy to be applied to the state of
things which he considers to be so ominous to
the commercial interests of the country. Admit-
ting the accuracy of his quotations of returns,
and of his calculations thereon, Mr. WAITII-
MAN'S resolutions cannot possibly be assented to
without reference to the following considerations :
Firstly—The second resolution assumes that

the use of what is called " official value," in
the public accounts, tends to propagate deception
as to the state of the national trade. It is quite
true that the official does not bear any such pro-
portion to the real value as to make it a crite-
rion of the latter, but that the former, being

the computation of goods at fixed rates, esta-
blished in the year 1696, can now only be said
to be the representative of quantity. There is
no doubt an inconvenience in any practice which
may lead the unwary into error, but the official
value has this useful quality—that it affords the
means of immediate comparison of the quanti-
ties of our Exports and Imports at any given
periods from 1696 down to the present time.
How then is this comparison to be made, if the
official value were to be discontinued ? And in
such an event, by what symbol are we to express
the total quantity of our Exports and Imports ?
the merchants' valuation fluctuating according
to the price of the day, and being therefore,
except with reference to the price current, useless
in a statistical point of view. We would therefore
desire that it should be stated what plan is pro-
posed to be substituted for the present financial
algebra. We are not at all attached to that
algebra merely from its antiquity, but inasmuch
as it is eminently useful for statistical purposes,
and is easy to be understood by any one that will
take the trouble to enquire its meaning, we think
that until a better mode of comparative corn.
putation can be pointed out, it would be unwise
to discontinue it. We are far from saying that
no better mode can be devised ; on the contrary,
we ourselves have a notion we could point out
some improvements in the present system, but
we do not understand that any has been sug-
gested by Mr. WAITIIMAN, and he is therefore
somewhat premature in denouncing the mode
now in use.

Secondly—Be the real or official values what

they may, it is certain that exportation and im-
portation have an indissoluble connection with
each other, and that whatever leaves the country
in the way of trade, will surely be replaced
eventually by a proportionate quantity of foreign
commodities. The extent to which production
is carried is therefore the only true criterion of
the progress of national wealth, and it h needless

to add that the money prices of the goods pro-
duced can have nothing to do with the question.
It is true that a state of things in which prices
are generally falling, is unfavourable to industry,
but it is the transition from an abundance to a
comparative scarcity of money that has the in-
jurious effect, and not the greater or less quan-
tity of money that is actually in the country. If,

lierefore, the prices of our manufactures, Like a

the rest of our produce and property, have
greatly fallen since the war, and subsequent
periods, it in no wise follows that our productive
energies are Unpaired. The very reverse is the
fact, as appears by the increased quantity of our
Exports, so justly referred to in the KING'S
speech which Alderman WAITIINIAN impugns.
One would suppose that the Alderman has
made so little progress in political economy as
to confound money with wealth, for, according
to his argument, the country was richer during
the war than at the present moment, and the
prodigious strides that our industry has made in
the interval have added nothing to our strength
and power. lhis is a corollary to which, in
assenting to the resolutions, we should be forced
also to accede, and we must therefore take the
liberty of protesting against doctrines so mani-
festly fallacious, and even absurd.

Thirdly—There is a danger, indeed, threaten-
ing our trade, but the resolutions do not directly

face it. They do not take the bull by the horns.
The danger is, that a continuance of an erro-
neous and oppressive system of taxation—and of
monopolies in the East and in the West, on
laud and at sea, may reduce the profits of in-
dustry so low, as to make it no longer worth
while to employ capital therein, and consequently
encourage its transfer to other countries where
enterprise may have less obstacles to contend
with. Let Alderman WAITIIMAN stick fast to
Financial Reform and Free Trade, and we will
stand by him to the last. But we must be
allowed to tell him, that by trifling about official
value, and changes in the currency, he only em-
barrasses himself, and diverts the :attention of

the public from the points of main importance
to the general welfare.

We have heard that Sir HENRY PARNELL
intends to present the public with a new edition
of his book on Financial Reform, at a price so
cheap as to be within the reach of the common
people. The sooner he does so the better. The
evils of the present system cannot be too gene-
, rally made known. The present Vice-President
of the Board of Trade exposed these evils last
Session in a most masterly manner ; and the
declarations of Lord ALTHORP, and other
Members of the Government, have led the
country to indulge a sanguine expectation that a
Reform is at hand in this, as well as other matters.
We may add that this expectation is not only too
general, but too just, to admit of disappointment.

We learn by our express from Paris that
when the GRAND SEIGNIOR heard of the revo.

lution in Poland, he expressed the most
unbounded gratification, and instantly be-
thought himself of the inexpediency of
paying the present amount of tribute exacted
from him in the last Russian camp Sign against
Turkey. This is just what we anticipated,
and observed on a few days since.
These Papers contain much miscellaneous
matter, but none of any particular importance.—
The Polish Revolution progresses, and the
enthusiasm of the Poles is equal, if not superior,
to that which they displayed in their glorious
srruggles against SUWARROW and his Royal
mistress CATHERINE. The 'Warsaw Govern-
ment have wisely resolved to allow the Jews to
enrol themselves among the National Guard.
The following are extracts from the Messager
des Chambres, dated yesterday, and the other
Paris Papers of Tuesday :

(LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

Great activity has prevailed within the last few days
among the Foreign Ambassadors. It appears that the
speeches lately delived in the Chamber by M. Manguin and
General Lamarque have made a deep impression upon them.
(From the Courricr Francais.)

A new arrangement for Belgium by the Five Powers is
now mentioned. It is not to become a kingdom, but to be
formed into a Grand Duchy, to the head and Government
of which will be called the Duke d'Aremberg, a Nobleman
of the country possessing extensive landed estates.
The following intelligence from Berne is of idle 14th
inst.:—The Petty Council on the 10th inst. expressed
its disapprobation of the enrolment of the soldiers lately
in the service of France, and ordered that they should be
dismissed. This produced a favourable impression among
the people. We learn from Frontignen that a company of
infantry on receiving orders to march fur the reinforcement
of Berne, inquired the cause of this armament. Upon
being told that it was with a view to protect the Govern-
ment, they unanimously declared they would march only to
protect the frontiers.

- Extract of a letter from Fribourg of the same date :
" The first chapter of the Constitution was adopted
in the sitting of the Stb inst. with divers modifications
by a majority of three against fifteen. This determina-
tio❑ had scarcely been formed when the bitting was inter-
rupted by an alarming communication. All the villages
of the district of Brays were, it is said, in open insurrection
for the purpose of claiming by force the abolition of tithes
and feudal obligations, the redemption of which had been
regulated by article 13, of the Chapter agreed to. In
the Arrondissements of Estarayar and Sur Merre, the
greatest effervescence prevails. The inhabitants of these
districts wish for the entire abolition of all feudal imposts."
The last accounts from Lucerne state, that the popula-
tion •f the districts of Kusnach, Prepfison, La Manche,
and Einsidlin, in the canton of Schwitz, assembled to the
number of 4,000 men on the Sth instant, though enve-
loped in whirlwinds of snow. After a few hours' delibe-
ration, they decided to claim for the ancient country of
Schwitz a Constitution which should insure an equality
of rights to every citizen of the Canton. If these demands
should be refused, measures were to be taken to establish
an independent Government
Extract of a letter from 'Warsaw, dated the 6th inst. :
The manifesto voted on the 22d of December last was
drawn up by a Committee chosen to that effect, and ap-
proved on the 4th instant by a deputation of the Diet, by
a majority of 14 votes to 1. It is an interesting docu-
ment, and does not positively denounce the Russian
dynasty, but insists upon the re-union to Poland of the
provinces separated by Russia. The Dictator has not
signed it, as he reserves to himself the right of making his
own declaration."

Extract of a letter from Berlin, dated Jan. 1 :—The
proclamation from St. Petersburgh of the 19th ult. has
rendered the Poles more zealously ardent to take up arms.
Extract of a letter from Leghorn, dated Jan. 6 :—We
learn from Constantinople that on the 17th December the
intelligence of the Polish revolution reached Pera, and
produced a powerful sensation. The Grand Seignor, on
being informed of it by the Reis Effendi, expressed great
joy. It is asserted at Pera that the Divan will take ad-
vantage of this commotion to ask for a fresh delay
for the payment of the remainder of the indemnity,—
In the Asiatic provinces levies of troops are already
making, and there is every reason to believe that the Porte
will not remain long inactive.

The following are extracts from German
Papers received this morning:—

SWITZERLAND, JAN. 7.—According to accounts re-
ceived from Vienna, for M. Effinges, it has been an-
nounced to the Diet that the news spread by several Jour-
nals, that his Majesty the Emperor of Austria had ex-
pressed his disapprobation of what was passing in Switzer-
land, is wholly destitute of foundation. It was said that
the Russian Charge d'Affaires had expressed himself to the
same effect. We now learn, positively, that the Court of
Russia has merely addressed to its diplomatic agents
abroad, explanations relative to the assembling of its troops
in Lithuania.

DREsDEN, lax. s,—The Bishop of Pellin, Apostolical
Vicar in the kingdom of Saxony, has addressed to the
Catholics of that country a pastoral letter, concerning the
suppression of same holidays. The Bishop announces
that Pius VIII., a little before his death, had made an
agreement on this subject with the King of Saxony. The
holidays retained, besides the Sundays, are fourteen in
number, viz., the Nativity, the Circumcision, the
Epiphany, the Ascension, Corpus Christi, Easter Mon-
day, Whitsun Monday, the Annunciation, the Aasump-
tiou, the Nativity of the Virgin, the Conception,
St. Peter and St. Paul, St. Stephen, and All Saints.
The other holidays, suck as the Purification, the Vi-
sitation, St. Michael's, St. John the Baptist, &c. are no
more to be kept on work days, and if they do not fall on a
Sunday, will be observed the Sunday following. The fast
days preceding them to be kept on the Friday preceding,
The Prussian troops transferred from the Grand Duchy
of Posen to our frontiers behave very well, and live on the
best terms with their old brethren in arms.
The last ordinance relative to the Commercial Guards
shews the desire of the Government to strengthen that
force, that it may be able more speedily and effectually to sup-
press at the outset any troubles that might still take place.
This precaution is the more laudable as there are still
traces of discontent, which was probably excited before by
the abuse which some functionaries made of their autho-
rity, and the disregard which they have long shown to the
wishes of the people. Nevertheless every body looks for-
ward with confidence to the new Constitution, which, ac-
cording to the official notice given by the Government,
will be modelled on that of the Grand Duchy of Baden.
WESEL, JAN. 2.—Our Government is at this moment
making military preparations which prove its wise policy :
the military armaments are nowhere carried on with more
zeal than here, where the magnanimous intentions of the
King are daily appreciated. Our fortress presents the
same appearance as in time of war ; the town is full of
troops, which are continually exercised, and the engineers
are busily engaged in strengthening the fortifications.
FRANKFORT, JAN. I4.—Exchange on London, two
months, 149.'2.
WARSAW,
JAN. 5.—A Warsaw Journal of the 4th,
gives a detailed account from the official reports of the
Deputies of Lublin, who were sent to provide for the
supply of the Russian troops uncle- Prince Constantine as
they passed through their province. The following is
their account of the interview with his Imperial Highness :
" The Grand Duke received them graciously, expressed
his satisfaction with the reception he had met with in the
province of Lublin, assured them of his friendly sentiments

for the Polish nation,, and lamenting his expulsion from
Warsaw, added that this event had come upon him quite
unexpectedly, notwithstanding the numerous reports and
warnings he had received, especially of those of the Em-
peror, his brother, who conjured hint by his paternal affec-
tion and by the memory of their mother, to be more on his
guard. He spoke of the melancholy situation of the army,
and especially that of the soldiers' wives and children,
which is indeed deserving of pity. The Deputies replied,
that the idea of a criminal attack on his person had been
far from the mind of every Pole ; that the events that had
taken place were to be considered as the consequence of the
violation of the Constitution given to them ; and that it
was easier to bear imprisonment than the loss of liberty
once obtained. The Cesarewitsch agreed to this, and
added :—" When my brother Alexander proposed to pub-
lish the additional articles to the Constitution, and sent
for me and Novoslitsoff to hear our opinions on this sub-
ject I objected, as I knew the character of the Poles to the
proposed plan, saying—' I am a Deputy to the Diet, and
therefore cannot propose this measure.'"
As the conversation took this turn, the Deputies
thought it advisable to lay their petitions before the
Grand Duke, begging that he would now not refuse his
assistance to the nation in its just cause ; that the recon-
ciliation of the nation with the Monarch would furnish
the brightest page in the history of his life ; that the
Poles asked only the security of their rights ; that they
would defend these rights with the last drop of their blood,
and that the Russian army would not return to Poland
except over the dead bodies of slaughtered Poles. The
Grand Duke was surprised at the fixed resolve of the na-
tion, which he seemed to hear for the first time from the
mouth of the Deputies. Nevertheless, he listened readily
to these words, and said he would represent the matter to
his Imperial Majesty in the best light, but would not an-
swer for the result ; that after he had led his army back
and presented himself to the Emperor, he would lay aside
the uniform which he had worn for 26 years, and that no
Russia❑ would fight under his command against the Poles.
He ended by saying, " Farewell, Gentlemen, who knows
whether we shall ever see each other again ?"
The Deputies also affirm that the Russian Generals,
with whom they had occasion to speak, did not at all won-
der at what had passed : they lamented their own situa-
tion, but did not reproach the Polish nation on that ac-
count.

VIENNA, JAN. 10.—Bank Shares, 1,059, without the
dividend, which, for the second six months of 1880, was
21 florin,.

A Cabinet Council is summoned to be held al
be Foreign-office this afternoon at four o'clock.

THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.)
CORN EXCHANGE.

The prices of Wednesday is fully supported for Wheat, but
we have yet little business doing ; Barley is steady at the prices
of Wednesday, and in Oats there is considerable firmness;
Beans, Pease, and other articles of Grain, are as before.
ARRIVALS.
I Wheat. Barley. I Oats. I Flour.
I 3,350 qrs. 4,560 qrs. 1,075 qrs. 7,34osacks.
720

English ...... 1
Irish
Foreign

- brl B.

SMITHFIELD MARKET.

This day's market exhibited a limited supply throughout, but
the weather having been unfavourable for slaughtering, the trade
with each kind of fat stock was very dull, with Beef and Mutton
in most instances at a depression of 241., Vaal generally 2d. to 4d.
per stone; prices of Pork stationary.—Milch Cows, which were
in limited supply, were in brisk demand ; an useful short-horns,
with her small calf, was worth from 181. to 201.