The Sun.
London, England, 1841-11-12 00:00:00

LITERAT U RE.

AMERICA AND THE IFS;CORN-LA ,•,nr;
FACTS AND EVIDENCE SHOWING TH.E
EXTENSIVE SUPPLY OF FOOD WHICH
MAY BE BROUGHT FROM. AMERICA,
AND THE EFFECTS OF THE RESTRIC-
TIVE SYSTEM ON THE BRITISH AND
AMERICAN TRADE.
By JOHN CURTIS, of Ohio, United States.
This is a most valuable pamphlet, full of facts
and cogent reasoning. Mr. Curtis appears in the
light of a great benefactor to the two nations,
and if their rulers had half his knowledge and
philanthropy, the peace between them would be,
id spite of frontier brawlers and newspaper in-
cendiaries, for ever assured. We quote the
following specim9n from page 15:—
Wheat once formed a leading article in the exports of
the United States. The trade of that country with
Great Britain was then double the present amount, iu
proportion to the number of the population.. Had the
trade of the two countries continued free, it would have
increased with the increase of population and capital.
The legitimate exchange trade has decreased between
England and America' for thirty years. What part has
the restrictive system had in producing this result ? A
few facts may enable us not only to answer this question,
but to anticipate the consequence of a continuance of the
same policy. From the time of the revolutionary war in
America until 1812, the trade between the two countries
regularly increased with the increase of the population.
The average annual consumption of foreign merchandise
in the United States, for each inhabitant, was—

From 1790 to 1800, 395. 4d.
1800 to 1810, 41s. Bd.
In 1812 came the second American war, and in 1815 the
British Corn-law, which was promptly followed by the
high American tariff of 1816. For ten years prior, to
1830 the annual average consumption of merchandise
hud fallen to 225. 6(1., while the population of the States
was nearly double, and their capital treble that of the
ten years preceding 1810. Soon after 1830 followed the
modification of the American tariff, and the importations
based on the great transatlantic loans of that period.
But, notwithstanding the stimulation and extravagance
of the time, the average annual consumption amounted
to only 31s. per head of foreign produce during the ten
years prior to 1840. Abating the importation based on
the loans of the last few years, and the trade of England
with the United States has not increased in amount for
the last thirty years, while the population of England has
increased from eighteen to twenty-seven millions, and
that of the States from seven to seventeen millions.

CORN AND COTTON. With a POSTSCRIPT
on DISTRESS. By ONE OF THE PEOPLE.
This pamphlet contains the substance of a
series of articles which appeared in opposition to
the repeal of the Corn-laws, in a landlord's
journal, which was written rather to flatter the
prejudices of the landlords than expound the
principles of the important question at issue. A
specimen of the unfairness—the one-sidedness of
its facts—and of the hollowness of its reasoning,
may be found in the Postcript at p. 61,where the
trade to the United States, from the example of
the year 1837, when they were lessening a small
portion of their indebtedness to England, and ex-
ported to this country, fora wonder, a million ster-
ling more than they imported, is represented as a
trade of which the balance is against us, and
must be habitually paid. with money. Every
person at all acquainted with the fact knows that
the reverse was, till 1837, and is, on the average,
the case, and that annually the exports from
England to the United States exceed the exports
from the United States to England. One-third
of their whole foreign trade is carried on with
England, and in the year ending 1839.theirim-
ports exceeded their exportsbyis.l,o32,l64/., a
great partor.whith went from England. Even
during the last three years-1838,1839, and 1840,
the exports exceeded the imports by 21,351,097
dollars. Bating the partisanship and one-sided-
ness of the pamphlet, however, it is extremely
well-written, and had the ingenious author a
better cause to advocate he would have done it,
we have no doubt, with distinguished success.

A TREATISE ON THE COMMERCIAL SYS-
TEM AND STAMP LAWS OF GREAT BRI-
TAIN, 6-c. By AYLING CHAMBERLAIN.
_ _

A parriphlet - directed against the restrictive
system, and especially advocating a revision of
the stamp duties as well as the tariff. The fol-
lowing specimen shows how the rich have been
able to influence the Legislature to make partial
laws in their. favour :
Suppose the estate of a deceased person to be worth
2,000/. ,• it will be seen by referring to the Stamp Act,
that 50/. probate duty must be paid on proving the
will. But suppose another to be worth 10,0001. ; common
sense and common justice, one would think, demand that
this estate, being five times the amount, pay five times
as much duty, viz., 2501. ; but no, 2001. only is de-
manded. Here, then, supposing the duty on 2,00C1. to
be no more than it ought to be, is clearly a loss to the
revenue of 50/. But suppose a third estate to be worth
20,0001.. an every-day occurrence recollect, certainly if
50/. is to be levied on 2,000/., 500/. ought in fairness to
be levied on the 20,000/. ; but how stands the case ?
Look at the Stamp Act, and you will see this 20,000/
is only charged- with 35C/. ; the revenue therefore
loses 1501. But, suppose a fourth estate to be worth
100,000/., a very common case ; why is not this
100,000/. to be charged with 2,500/., if 2,000/. is charged
with 50/. ? But it is only charged with 1,500/. ; a loss
to the revenue therefore takes place of no less a sum
than 1,000/. from the proportion of taxes which ought to
be received from the estate of one individual, if those who
are poorer do not pay too much. There is another part of
this schedule by which the effects of intestate persons are
taxed, and as much fault may be found of it-as of the other.
The tax is levied most partially; a few words will
prove this. Suppose a person to die intestate, worth
1,0001. in personal property, his effects would be
charged with 45/ ; but suppose another to die worth
7,0001., his effects should be charged with what? Seven
times as much, I am told, 315/. It should be so.; but
210/. is all that is demanded; 105/. too little, if 451 on
1,000/. is no more than right. Suppose again, eight
individuals to die intestate, worth respectively, in per-
sonal property, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, and 35 thou-
sand pounds; assuming 45/. to be a just charge on
1,000/, the revenue, in consequence of these sums being
taxed at a lower rate would lose no less than 3,4751. It
is really difficult to imagine upon what principle or
method of calculation the framers of these schedules
hare proceeded: if indeed they have proceeded upon
any principle or method at all. To this should be
added the fact, that no administration duty whatever
is charged on freehold land and houses; so that while
the estate of a person of the middling class, who may
at any time die and leave to his family a bare provision
in personal property, is charged with a very heavy tax
in probate duty; the family of a rich landed proprietor,
who dies possessed of freehold estates to the amount of
perhaps 500,000/., or in fact to any athount, however
great, is not called upon to pay one farthing in this way.
This is fair taxation indeed! Wise legislation!

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
The attention of the few subscribers in attendance was
60 much taken up in discussing matters having reference
to the past rather than to the coming Derby, that very
little business was transacted, and none that calls for any
introductory observations. We shall content ourselves,
therefore, with quoting the prices of the horses men-
tioned in the course of the afternoon.
DERBY.
20 to 1 agst Lord Verulam's Robert de Gorham-
-22 to 1 laid once
30 to 1 agst Mr. Maher's Ballinkeele—taken
33 to 1 agst Hon. S. Herbert's Nessus—taken
33 to 1 agst Lord Westminster's Auckland
35 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes' Meteor
40 to 1 agst Mr. Cooke's Palinurus—taken
40 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Dirce colt—ditto
1000 to 10 agst Duke of Grafton's Canadian—ditto
COURSING.
MATCllES.—Mr.Grout'sllolphin beat Mr.Baggc's Kiss;
Lord Stradbroke's Marquis beat Lord Glentworth's
Lopus; Mr. Burroughes' Citizen beat Lord Glentworth's
Lubin Log; Lord Stradbroke's Musician beat Mr. Cald-
well's Rounceval; Mr. Buroughes' Congress beat Mr.
Bagge's Kangaroo.
SWAFFIIAM COURSING MRETING.
(CONTINUED.)
THURSDAY (MARKHAM SMEETH.) SECOND TIES FOR
THE CUP.
Lord Stradbroke's Minerva beat Mr. Buckworth's Be-
som ; Mr. Gurney's Admiral beat Mr. Bagge's The Toad.
TIES FOR THE DERBY STAKES.
Lord Glentworth's Lablache beat Lord Stradbroke's
Matthew ; Mr. Gurney's Ajax beat Mr.: Burroughes'
Comet.
DECIDING COARSE FOR THE WALTON STAKFS.
Mr. Gurney's Aleppo beat Mr. Burroughe's Claret,
and won the Stakes.
DECIDING COURSE FOR THE WESTACRE STAKES.
Lord Stradbrooke's Merryman beat Mr. B. Smyth's
Salamander, and won the Stakes.

OXFORD, NOV. 10..—INCENDIARY
This morning, about five o'clock, an extensive fire broke
out in a large farm-yard belonging to Mr. Gale, of Cud-
desden, near this city, and within a short distance of the
Bishop of Oxford's palace, which in the course of a short
time destroyed a large quantity of valuable property,
consisting of four wheat and hay ricks, two barns, ate
of which contained near 3,000 sacks of potatoes, and the
other a quantity of wheat ready for market. The fire
was first seen issuing from a corner of the barn, and
owing to the wind, and not having engines on the spot,
it soon gained such an ascendancy that, to save a large
barn containing several hundred pounds' worth of wool,
a row of buildings was obliged to be pulled down. Had
the wind been in a different quarter the parish church
must have fallen a prey to the devouring element. As
soon as the news reached this city two engines were im-
mediately despatched, but owing to the distance; and the
rapidity of the fire, when they arrived they Were of but
little service. The estimated loss is about 3,0001., part
of which, we understand, is insured inthe Counti Fire-
office. We regret to add that there is no' doubt of its
being the work of an incendiary.
This morning, about a quarter before eleven
o'clock, a most alarming fire broke. -mit on the premises
of Mr. Smylie, copper-plate printer, in Bedford-court,
Covent-garden. The Chandos-street engine was almost
instantly on the spot, followed by others. Luckily, a
plentiful supply of water was obtained, otherwise the
damage must have been serious, owing to the denseness
of the neighbourhood. The loss has been variously ru-
moured, but, from what we could gather, . does not ex-
ceed 100/, Smylie is insured in the land-in-liand-
Oflee).

CHIEF MAGISTRATES OF BO-
ROUGHS FOR THE ENSUING YEAR.

The following is a list of the Chief Magistrates in
several of the boroughs of the United Kingdom. We
trust to be able to make it more complete in a few
days :
London—John Pirie, Esq., Tory.
Edinburgh—Sir James Forrest, Bart., Liberal.
Dublin—Daniel O'Connell, Esq., Liberal.
York—Henry Cobb, Esq. •
Liverpool—John Shaw Leigh, Esq.
Manchester—Henry Thompson, Esq. Liberal.
Birmingham—Samuel Beale, Esq., Liberal.
Harwich—Francis Freeling Hart, Esq., surgeon, Liberal.
Chester—W. Brown, Esq., Liberal.
Bath—George Norman, Esq.
Kerry— Fitzsimon, Esq.
Boston-IV. H. Adams, Esq., Conservative.
Bristol—Geo. Woodroofe Franklyn, Esq., Conservative
Cambridge—George Fisher, Esq., Conservative.
Weymouth—Charles Bridge, Esq.
Wisbeach—Thomas Stear, Esq., Conservative.
Hastings—William Duke, Esq., Liberal.
Oxford—
{— Browning, Esq., Liberal.
Sheriff Hunt, Esq.
Poole—Richard Penney, Esq., Liberal.
Stockport—William Nelstrop, Esq., Liberal.
Wallingford—Hollancl Thos. Birkett, Esq., Reformer.
Stafford—John Rogers, Esq., twice Mayor before.
Walsall—Thomas Oerton, Esq., Conservative.
Leeds—William
,Pawson, Esq. .
Ripon-=-John Walbran, Esq.
Warwick—George Cattell Greenway, Esq.
Cork—Thomas Lyons, :Esq.; Liberal.
Derby— Gamble„Esq.
Plymouth-George W. Salim!, Esq.
Worcester—:E.- Evans, Esq.
Evesham—T: White, ESq.
Kidderminster—W. H. North, Esq.
Bewdley—T. S. Cartwright, Esq.
Tewskesbury—C. Porter, Esq., Catholic.
Gloucester—M. Meyler, Esq.
Hereford—Captain Benett.
Shrewsbury—T. J. Badger, Esq.
Oswestry—J. Hayward, Esq.
Exeter—C. 11. Turner, Esq.
Wells—W. Welsh, Esq., elected three years running.
Newcastle-on-Tyne—James Hodgson, Esq., Reformer.
Gateshead—George Sowerby, Esq., Reformer.
Launceston—J. E. Prockter, Esq.
Lyme Regis—W. M. Tartt, Esq.
Fahneuth—Robert R. Broad, Esq., Reformer.
Penryn—W. Corfield, Esq.
Lymington—Edward Hicks, Esq.
Windsor--John Clode, Esq., twice elected before:
Kendal—John 'Wakefield, Esq., banker.
Sunderland—Sir Hedworth 'Williamson, Bart.
Tewkesbury—Charles Porter, Esq.
Inverness—Provost Nicoll.
Colchester— Vint, Esq.
Chesterfield—G. Crompton, Esq.
Blandford—A. S. Hodges, Esq.
Sherborne—R. W. Spicer, Esq.
Dcvonport—W. P. Billing, Esq.
Nottingham—Richard Morley, Esq.
Devizes— Crocket, Esq.
Chippenham—Harry Goldney, Esq.
Winchester—W. W. Buepete, Esq.