The Sun.
London, England, 1840-11-20 00:00:00

THE SUN, LON FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 90 ‘s4.o.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—The reply of the " Iron Duke" to the memorial
of his Peninsular subalterns, sustains and vindicates his
reputation for sternness. The vastness and brilliancy
of his triumphs are the theme of universal eulogy ; but
to the fidelity and prowess of these brave Memorialists
he owes the celebrity which he has secured. Yet when
they are petitioners for a word of recommendation to
the Horse Guards, from the chieftain under whose
banner they fought, that word of recommendation is
inexorably withheld. On the ingratitude and inhu-
manity of such a proceeding, I shall not enlarge. It
illustrates the estimation in which that great Commander
holds the men whose services and sufferings have con-
tributed to his aggrandizement, and fuinishes a some-
what untoward commentary on the rapturous declara-
tion of the poet—

Oh there is not
One dishonouring blot
On the wreath that encircles my illellington',. name."
A NORTH BRITON.

[There is unfortunately too much truth in the above
commentary. Go where you will, even the Duke's best
friends shrug their shoulders at the bare mention of his
heartless answer, which sounded cold and dreary as
.4 The wolf's long howl from Oonolaska's shore."]

IMPORT DUTIES.

FOURTH ARTICLE.
FuRN TuRE—M A HoGANY.—There is 110
branch of industry which these duties do not reach and
cripple, but we were not before aware that they in-
terfered with the manufacturer of furniture. It ap-
pears, however, that there is a particularly fine ma-
hogany, found hi St. Domingo, concerning which
this evidence is given :
The difference in the duty on mahogany from St.
Domingo and Jamaica is 11. a ton ; but with mahogany
we arc peculiarly circumstanced ; we have a monopoly
of the finer qualities in St. Domingo, but the heavy
duty that is levied in this
.country has very materially
operated against the manufacturer of cabinet furniture
in this country. The additional duty does not exclude
the finer sorts of mahogany, because there is no other
country that produces them, but it lessens the consump-
tion. The high rate of duty has led to that wood
being used less in this country than it otherwise
woul:1 have been. It is chiefly. :used for furniture.
That high duty has deprived us entirely of one branch
of trade, that is, the export of furniture ; you have now
no such thing in this country ; formerly we had a most
extensive export, and now we have an import of fur-
niture, but Hamburgh is the principal place where we
arc opposed most ; there is an extensive export from
Hamhurgh. I have known importations made of fut-
niture into this country, furniture for private use, on
terms that we could not compete with it at all. They
bring the St. Domingo mahogany to Hamhurgh in fo-
reign ships, manufacture t, and export it here and else-

where.
Mr. VILLIERS.—A.nd the manufacture of it is
thought to he superior to any in England ?—lt is. The
high duty on St. Domingo mahogany in England, as
compared with the duties of Harriburgh and other
places, deprives England of that manufacture. The ex-
ports made from Haniburgh are to the colonies,
South America, and the East Indies. The effect, in
my opinion, of those prohibitive and high duties,
judging, from observations and the returns, is a re-
duction of the exports of this country into Hayti.
So our Legislature has ruined our trade, as if
like superstition it were a great error, or like the
Church a great nuisance.
PLATE.—The generality of our readers who have
visited the Continent are probably of opinion that the
designs on most kinds of plate, whether of gold or
silver, are very rude compared to the workmanship
of Italy or France. Our backwardness in this par-
ticular branch of fine art is partly to be attributed
to the high duty on foreign plate, which amounts
to a prohibition. At least none can be brought in
but such as the works of Benvenuto Cellini, of
which the metal--valuable as it is, is the smallest
part of the value ; or except it be smuggled, which
appears to take place to some extent. We quote
Mr. M'Gregor's evidence on this point :
Plate, not battered, of gold, duty 3/. 16s. 9d. per
ounce troy ; there is no revenue from it. None im-
ported in the last year. That high duty of 31. 16s. 9d.
per cunce has been a complete prohibition of the
article—except so far as smuggling goes. That
duty gives to the smuggler a premium upon
every pound of gold plate of about GIL Gold plate
is smuggled, and silver plate also ; I was told by a
gold and silversmith at Milan, that he contrived to
send gold plate and silver plate to a house in London
without any duty, except the premium to the smug-
gler. He came to me at Milan to ask if there was
any probability of a reduction of duty upon plate ;
I said, No, I do not think there ic. We made a
change immediately previous to that by letting in plate
without smashing it, and as the Austrian Court had
just ratified the Tteaty, this manufacturer came to
know whether we had made any reduction in the
duty upon gold and silver plate ; I said No, and that
I was afraid we should not for tome time. Well, he
said, 4' If you come to me, 1 will show you boxes
piled over boxes, that I wilt manage to send to London."
He paid about 10 per cent. to the smugglers, and he paid
something higher for insurance than he would otherwise
have paid, and that was all it cost him for the risk of loss.
By these prohibitory duties we have been prevented
from obtaining valuable specimens of art of the most
exquisite kind in plate, which would otherwise have
been brought from the Continent. I would have pur-
chased myself articles of silver plate, but I kneW that
I could not, without being either guilty of smuggling, or
else paying a duty that was
prohibitory. The next is
plate of silver-gilt, 6s. 4d. duty per ounce, revenue 561 ;
plate of silver, part gilt, 6s. an ounce duty, 38/. re-
venue ; silver ungilt, 4s. 6d., revenue 981. None of
those articles would have been imported in the regular
trade at those duties, except mere fancy articles.
The remarks as to gold plate apply equally to
silver plate, because 4s. 61, the rate of duty imposed
on silver-gilt, gives a premium of from from 725. to
104 s. per 11). weight to the smuggler.
Rational lawmakers ! thus to prohibit the im-
port of beautiful articles, and thus to encourage
the smuggler 1
Of IRON we have alleady treated, in showing
the inutility of protecting duties. We shall only
add, that it is the united opinion of those most con-
versant with the trade, that the duties on the im-
port of iron night be taken off with great advan-
tage. Our Legislature, from some inscrutable pur-
pose, if it were ,tot to enable the landed gentlemen
to buy razors cheap, has levied a duty of 10s. per
1001. on all cutlery exported, which is so far a
bounty to the manufacturers of Germany and Bel-
gium to meet our manufacturers in the foreign
market. Perhaps the duty, as it is so small, was
levied on the statistical principle recommended by
Mr. M‘Gregor of keeping accounts ; and if so,
the statisticians will approve of it, whatever the
manufacturers may say.
METALS.---CONINIERCIAL TREATIES.--We
only notice metals to quote the very sound opinion
of Mr. J. D. Hume concerning commercial trea-
ties and exports. We have always looked on com-
mercial treaties as sheer humbug. Are they in-
tended to secure to two countries mutually the
market for the cheapest commodities of the kind
they want ? If there be no treaties that object will
be accomplished by unfettered commerce. If
they are intended to prevent either one of two coun-
tries from obtaining commodities at as cheap a
rate as it would obtain them without the trea-
ctbiojetmse,dmtoele a
rriciney
much
ite a reprehensible
iwielne;etd"e.o(i,csooufnatrri
acss
they n
ea ys nuisance.gboeet no
remove
pW rol
hi
i e
the impediments they may be considered useful ;
but they are themselves impediments, and when
they have removed other impediments, ought them-
selves to be removed. Mr. J. D. Hume said—
I think if there is any trade in this country that we
ought to see put upon its sound footing, and which
ought to be able to stand its own ground, it is the trade
in metals. If, in consequence of the discovery of
mines abroad, in peculiar situations, any of those metals
can for a time be brought cheaper into this country,
and of course into others than they can be raised in
some of the inferior mines here, we ought to admit
them, and take care that we preserve our trade in
metals. We should admit the raw material, let it
come from where it will, always remembering, that we
cannot equally exclude that material from the manufac-
tories of our fiareign rivals.
Mr. CHAPMAN—Is it your opinion that the trade of
this country would flourish more without the intervention
of commercial treaties with other nations ?-1 think
that we should settle our commerce better by ourselves
than by attempting to make arrangements with ether
countries. We
make proposals to them ; they do not
agree to those. We then after that feel a repugnance
to doing that which
stance to ha we ought perhaps in the first in-
stance done of our own accord ; and I go upon
the principle that it is impossible for us to import much,
that we may
articles to be so
in some form or other, and that the making of the
be quite sure that the export will follow
exported will be an employment in-
finitely more beneficial to this country than that which
may be thus superseded.
Cita tamax—Then you consider that the conditions
which may be imposed, or the terms demanded by
foreign nations, interfere with those sound principles
upon which the commerce of England ought' to be
carried on ?-1 think it is unwise to do that upon stipu-
lation, upon certain terms, which upon any terms it
would be better for you to do yourselves. But my
chief objections to treating are, first the risk of refusal,
and the repugnance to act after refusal ; and next that
in the case of compliance, the people of the other coun-
try think that their Government has been duped into
a bad bargain.
M atES.—A very curious specimen of legislation
is given under the head of ,6 Mines."
In working the mines in this country, timber is a
great article of consumption. They are forced to use
it very much in supporting the roof of the mines, and
in making the rods for their pumps. The mine owners
have a drawback. The duty was found to be so heavy
upon them, that the Legislature was obliged to allow a
drawback. It extends to the mires of metal in the
counties of Devon and Cornwall, and in Ireland.
There is no drawback given to the mines in
Staffordshire, DcThyshire, or in Scotland. I am
aware of no commercial reason tor that distinction.
The drawback is of a certain portion of the duty on
timber of certain dimensions that they use, not ad tim-
ber, nor the whole duty. When the duty was low they
paid it in common with other
persons, but when the
Legislature began to raise the duty to an enormous
amount, with a view to protective purposes, then the
mining interest stepped forwards and it was agreed
that that excess should not he paid
be them. I am not
aware what the nature qf the influence was by which
one party obtained exemption and. the other failed to
obtain it. It is at present unequal ; one branch of the
mining interest: have „a drawback and the other have

none. It is an untquai regulatien. I cannot myself
see why those particular mines should. be exempted
front that duty. seeing that they are mines, for the most
part,
t which hove the highest protective duty upon their
own productions.
Mr. J. D. Hume is ignorant of the nature of
the influence by which the Legislature was wrought
on, but it certainly was not the public good.
MOLASSES.—Some facts are mentioned under
this article which almost rival the refusal of the land-
owners to allow corn to be ground in bond, lest the least
particle of the produce* should be smuggled in to re-
lieve the hunger of the people. Molasses is consumed
by the lower classes as a substitute for sugar. We
know not why they should not consume the best
refined sugar, from which, as we formerly men-
tioned, the slug poison has. been extracted ; but
the inscrutable wisdom of Parliament-men prohibits
that and drives the poor to use treacle. At the same
time, so jealous is this wisdom, that it will not al-
low a single drop of the molasses to be consumed
here. which is made from foreign-grown though
free-labur sugar. From the evidence of Messrs.
Moore and Sauneers and Mr. Porter, we copy the
statement :
The molasses produced in refining foreign sugar in
bond in this country are exported. They arc not ad-
mitted to be consumed in this country upon any duty
whatever. The duty upon molasses imported into this
country. the produce of British possessions, is 9s. a
cwt. Molasses are admitted to be imported at 235. 9d.
from Holland and Belgium. You may import molasses
from the Continent of Europe at 235. 9d. a cwt., but
you are prohibited from comsuming in this country, even
at that duty, the molasses produced by refining foreign
sugar in bond in London and ut Liverpool. It the mo-
lasses were permitted to be consumed in this country,
treble or quadruple the quantity of sugar would be re-
fined in bond that they artrable to refine now, because,
by allowing the molasses to be consumed here, they
could dispose of them in this country, and now they do
not know what to do with them ; they are obliged to ex-
port them, and the export is attended with considerable
loss. A greater supply of molasses would be a relief to
the poorer classes of people in this country, under the
present high price of sugars. It is an article of food
of very great consumption, particularly in Lancashire
and Yorkshire.

Mr. Moore has, in the last passage, hit on the
true reason for the prohibition of molasses. It is food;
it may be substituted for the produce, which, being
consumed, swells the landlord's rent, and so the
molasses must on no account come into consump-
tion. A gigantic and well-planned scheme of
starvation, which goes into every branch of our
imports, is established for the benefit of the land-
lords. Boys and girls must not have treacle and
pinin-cake.
Mr. Porter confirms the above :
There is a trade carried on in some of the ports of
this country, of refining foreign sugar in bond for expor-
tation. The refiners are obliged to export the treacle
produced in the refining of those sugars. It may be
imported from a foreign country at the duty of '23s. 9d.
after being exported to that country. It would be
at least some mitigation of the high price charged upon
the poorer classes of society, if that treacle so produced
were allowed to be entered for consumption. The ad-
mission of that treacle at the duty of 235. 9d., or at
some lower rate, would increase the trade of refining
sugar in bond for exportation. One of the great diffi-
culties under which the refiner of sugar in bond for ex-
portation has laboured is, that of finding a market for
molasses, which is much more extensively used in this
country by the poorer class, s than upon the continent of
Europe, because sugar is much dearer here than there.
The necessity for the exportation of molasses so pro-
duced is a serious obstacle to the extension of the trade
of refining sugar in bond in this country.
Again the truth is forced on us that the same
law which starves the people, or limits their supply
or food, injures or ruins a profitable trade, and de-
prives labour of employment ; yet corn-laws and
molasses laws are all intended, as the law-maker
says, when questioned why he committed such a
combined act of folly and cruelty—to keep up
wages, increase employment, and provide for the
poor.

CHURCH IN DANGER.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE SUN.

SIR,—I wish to make a few observations on the
above heading—it is a theme, in fact, a watch word, by
which the Reverends of the English Church are rallied;
it is that which brings them together in shoals, to ful-
minate their thunders against Popery. Some persons
speak of the thunders of the Vatican, but the thunders
of the Vatican, in its brightest days, were not equal, I
am confident, are not to be compared, to those of Exeter
Hall : from that hall is vented forth all the abuse
which bigots can muster against Catholicism. That
ball continually resounds with the cry of " No Popery,"
and " Church in danger ;" the latter cry has oft been
repeated, but I fear is at last too true. I think the Eng-
lish Church is indeed in danger, if I mly be allowed to
judge from the present view that can be taken of it. It
is not the attacks of Catholicism she has to fear—
it is not the assaults of in3delity she need dread—
it is the internal disputes between her professors ;
it is the doctrines of Puscy, which arc being meal-
c3ted into her students of theology. She has to fear
those doctrines which will, in time, blast her influence
wherever it reigns ; those doctrines which fill her Uni-
versities with students and her pulpits with theologians
she has to fear. In vain may Stowell and O'Sullivan
vent their abuse ; in vain may MiGhee concoct
more forgeries , in vain may Exeter Hall resound with
the stentorian voice of The Chisholm ; the fabric is
tottering, and, like the rnultipl:city of creeds which has
preceded her, so she, like them, must sink into obscurity,
being known only by name. As I before observed, the
fabric is tottering, and ultimately must fall.
I am, respectfully, your's,
ANTIQUITAS.

THE BURDEN OF THE FOOD

TAXERS ESTIMATED IN MONEY.

We are enabled, by the evidence of Jr. J. D. Hume
and Mr. 111.‘Gregor, as published by order of the HOuse of
Commons, to make an estimate of the amount which
the food tax has cost the people of this kingdom since
1815, when our present system of corn aid provision
laws first came into operation. These two high autho-
rities estimate that the food tax costs the nation, at
present, upwards of fifty millions a year ; in other words,
two pounds a head for each person. We have ascer-
tained the population, at the different periods, from the
Government censuses ; and computing the tax at two
pounds a head, we find that the total amount which the
aorn and provision laws have cost the people, reaches
the enormous sum of UPWARDS OF A THOUSAND MIL-
LIONS STERLING!
We subjoin the process by which we have arrived at
this astounding result
1815 to 1821. mean population 20 millions.
6 years. at 21. par bead, or 40 millions of
pounds a year £240,000,000
1821 to 1831, population 23 millions. 10
years, 46 millions sterling each 460,000 000
1831 to 18.10, population 25 millions. 9
yeas, at 50 millions sterling each 450.000,000

Total, 25 years -e ,150,000,000
We shall in each succeeding number add two millions
of pot.nds to the above for the amount which the food
taxes cost the nation every fortnight of their (xi,tence.
Let it always be remembered that our calculation is
wholly founded upon the authority of Mr. J. D.
Hume, who for forty-eight years filled the highest
situations in the Government offices, and of his succes-
sor, Mr. M'Gregor.—Anti-Corn law Circular.

MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION.—On
Tlinrs-
day last a girl, six years of age, daughter of a shepherd,
[war Loelibuy, Mull, was sent a message to a neighbour's
house, about half a mile distant. Oe her return in the
afternoon, missing the way home, the little innocent fol-
lowed a path in a contrary direction, and leading slung a
moor. That evening and the following day the neighbours
were incessant in their endeavours to trace her, but with-
out success. The whole district being alarmed, turned out
on Saturday to the number of one hundred persons, when,
under an Almighty direction, they were fortunate in dis-
covering the little wanderer in a bush of heather, alive,
after being exposed for two nights rnd two love to the
most boisterous weather, with rain and hail.—Ediriburylt
Advertiser.
EARTIIQUAKE.—A correspondent informs us
that a shock of an earthquake was felt at Portstewart last
Tuesday morning, between the hours of three and four
o'clock. It was perceived by a number of families—the
beds and windows vibrated for at least twenty seconds,
and a sound as of heavy waggons passing over the ground
was heard. Many who were startled from their slumbers
jumped out of bed astonished by the phenomenon, and
apprehensive for their safety. Some thought the shakirri,
of their houses might be occasioned by the setting in of a
storm ; others that it arose from the firing of guns at sea ;
but on looking out of the windows the sea was calm, and
everything around wore an air of tranquillity. The shock
was hollowed in about twenty minutes, by a most vivid
flash of sheet lightning, and almost at the same instant a
terrific crash of thunder shook every house in the town.
The influence of the earthquake was likewise felt at Cole-
raine and different parts of the coast, extending from
Magilligan to the Giant's Causeway. We learn from the
Scotch journals that a part of that country was recently
visited by a similar phenomenon, which has been of pretty
frequent occurrence of late.—Derry Paper.
LIFE IN INDlA.—Living under canvass is, in
India, so common an occurrence', that a man's tent gene-
rally presents all the comforts of a Bungalow ; the double
walls keep off the glare of the sun, the ground, covered
with a blue-and-red striped carpet, the camp-table and
arm-chair, the bullock trunk bed, the fowling-piece and
hog-spear lashed to the tent-pole, your dogs lazily extended
on the bed. rug, give a tout ensemble of home and snugness
which can scarcely be conceived.—Napiee.s Scenes and
Sports.