The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-03 00:00:00

l
.`/

THE NAVIGATION LAWS.

The Select Committee bppoutcd by the House of
Coinmons to inqUire into the operation of the Navigation
Laws met on Thursday, in the C,:mmittce room No. 2.
There were present Mr. Milner Gibson, chairman. Hon.
Mr. Liddell, Sir Howard Douglas, Sir George Clerk,
Admiral Dundas, Mr. Bright, Mr. Lyall, and Sir Robert
Peel.

• —The first witness called to-day was Mr. Geer e Hough-
ton, who, in the absence of Mr. Ricardo g from indispo-
sition, Was exatnin;d by the Chairman. a.irinsalann.ds,Hwehewrase a
merchant trading with the
he
eEntigiaTuthieweprreincl
Canary Islands ttuo
had an establishment.
wineal exportst
c c hoifn et lh There was former'
years it had' almost
formerly exporth of barilla, but of late
There was also
a considerable trade from these to America, the
principal exports ar that cour;re}sbal. eing wine and barilla.
The Navigation Laws of this
trade in cochineal very much
_,,ideerntry interrupted ,the
-d---excessivel • so. Up
to s rreent pt-rind the cochineal 1;:.d not 3h, of
very great importance, but it bad increased, till itenwaa
at preFent tit rery great stet; Lea ar they had eX-
pried from 1,501) to 2,000 ,erunt,, wtoch weighed from
.120 lbs. to 150 ins. each. The cochineal was an insect
diet fed upon the cactus plant, and e /rich, as the com_
value° was aware, inapAted a very brilliant dl e. 'The
trade rf he Canaries in this article began seven or eight,
or perhaps ten, years ago; but he might mention that as
tar back as thirty 3 ear, sieve he had b.en anxious to in-
trotiece the cultivation ut the instct in the Canaries, but
his etfor is then ea re disceurag, d. The chief supply of
cochineal to Eirgiarid was Ervin Honduras. In conse-
quence of the cessation of ;he harilta trade between this
country and the Canary Islands there were scarcely
any English vessels now ari ivir g there to return direct
home, in consequence of ahich the cochineal was
shipped first to Cadiz, fritni whence it was taken to Mar-
seilles. Latterly the witness had eudeavourtd to bring
some of it to England from Cadiz, but it was SeiZA in
cineequence of this being in contravention of that pro-
vision in the Navigation Laws which provided that-the
produce of Asia, Africa, and America, could not be
brought from sissy port in Europe to this country in any
ship whatever. He made many representations to the
Board of Trade rezpectirig the injurious nature of this
regulation, but it was all in vain; be was hot allowed to
bring it from Cadiz to this country, except in bond,• for
purposes of re• exp station. In his representations. and
memorials-to the Board of Trade he urged upon their
consideration the tact that virtually the Canary Islinds
were a port of Spain, and that the trade between them
and Cadiz was as much in the nature of a coasting trade
as was the trade betwt en this country and Ireland; but
his representations had no effect, the rigid nature of the
expressions in the law. were too a tivng Aar -
-ineretturct- import:, tionnotOolthibeal into • Pranet' b taiga"
to a greatly increased trade between France and the
Canary Islanche With regard to the barilla trade with
America, the American Navigation Lama prevented the
barilla irom being carried to the United States; and the
witness had therefore been compelled to have Swedish,
Russian, Prussian, American, and one or two Sardinian
vessels to export barilla to New York; and, as a neces-
sary consequence of this exportation of barilla, the
trade of America with the Canary Islands had very
much increased.

The Chairman—But are not the American Navigation
Laws the same as our ow•n?

Mr. Houghton—As nearly as possible.
The Chairman—Then how are the ships you mention
permitted co enter the American pens with goods not
the produce of their own countries ?
Mr. Houghton, in answer to this, handed in a copy
of thre American tariff, from which it appeared that
ships of the nations he specified had the privilege, by
treaty, of entering the American ports as free as Ame-
rican chips themselves.
Examination continued There was still a good
deal of cochineal imported into England. The
duties' that were levied by Spain on goods
brought into the Canary Islands by English vessels
were very heavy. The consequeree of which was
that scarcely any English vessds now went there ;
while, on the other hand, cochineal, though a valuable
'cargo, , yet went into so small a compass that it was not
worth the while of a Spanish ship to come here with
it; and this raised the freight very much, which
averaged from 555. to 60s. per ton. When it was
brought dirt ct to this country it was brought by
those Spanish vessels that arrived here to go .back
with a cargo of English goods. He was aware that
there had been an exclusive privilege granted to the
importation of cochineal about twenty years ago, when
the trade .was very small; but that was altogether with-
drawn sow. He had n, ver received any relief mom the
Treasury, though he had often tried hard for it. This
3-ear he had been a sufferer trona these restrictions to a
vc ry great extent. Ile held 300 or 400 bags of that
article, which he could only sell for what it would fetch;
and, perhaps, the Committee would allow him tAi add that
the Canary Wand article was very superior indeed.
Sir G. Clerk—What is the proportion of the whole
aminnt 0. cochineal imported into this country that is
re-exported?
Mr. Houghton—Oh, a considerable proportion; per-
haps to the extent of one. half.
Sir G. Clerk—then, bow are you injured by being
obliged to re export yours?
Mr. Houghton—Why, as you know, there are secrets
in all trades, and I can only say that the restrictions
make a difference to me of trom 4d. to 6d. per lb.
Mr. Liddell—But it seems to me that the inconve'
niences of which you complain arise from the anomaiouE,
position oc the Canary Islands, that geographically they
are in Africa, while politically they are in Spain?
Mr. Houghton--Yes.
Admiral bundas—Do the duties imposed by Stain obi
goods brought in British bottoms interfere with your
traete?

Mr. Houyhton—Yes, to a consijerable extent.
Admiral Dundss— What is the amount of those duties?
Mr. Houghton—The duties on British manufactures,
when brought in British 1 esi‘ls, amount to 25 per cent.
Admiral Dundas—And what are the duties on the
same gooc:s when brought in Spanish vessels?
Mr. Houghton-12i per cent.
Admiral Dundas—Then how do the English ships gd
that export the wine?
Mr. Houghton—They go there chiefly in ballast.
Mr. Houghton—Then, if you had the power of bring.-
ing your cochineal from Cadiz to England in an English
ship—
Mr. Houghton—That is all we want.
Admiral Dundas—How much cochineal rnry there be
produced in the whole of the Canary Islands ?
Mr. Houghton-oh, not much, a: it goes into such it
small compass ; the whole produce would not load one
ship in the course of the year.
Admiral Dundas—Could you not send a ship for
cochineal and till up the rest with wine ?
Mr. Houghton expressed his dissent.
Admiral Dundus—l don't think you hare much reason
to complain.
_ _

Mr. Houghton—Ah, that is because you do not stand
in my shoes.

Ajmiral Dundas—You have good shoes, I think.
By the Chairman —The trade bUween Cadiz and
Marseilles had very much increased- in consequence
of this trade in cochineal. The French had given the
trade every eacouragetnent; they had not the
same restrictions as the Navigation Laws of England im-
posed, for they allowed the cochineal to be imported from
Ca-he to Marseilles in French vessels, as they had lately
reduced the duties upon the article. Cochineal was con-
sidered an article of first-rate importance in the French
manufactures ; it stood next in importance to indigo.
He considered that the ailowii.g the importation of
cochineal into France and restricting its importation into
England tended to give a direct encouragement to French
manufactures in preference to our own.

Sir G. Clerk-7 But how can that be when we already
import double what we consume, and the half of it is
re. exported again ?
Mr. Houghton—lt is a fact for all that. As I said
before, there are secrets in all trades, and I may add,
that very little of the cochineal imported from other
places is re-shipped directly abroad. It is first taken to
the warehouses of the importers, whilst our cochineal
imported from the Canary Islands is not permitted to
come to our warehouses, but it: exported directly from
the bond.

Sir G. Clerk (laughing)-oh, now I understand.
By the Chairman—lt that part of the Navigation.
Laws were repealed which prohibits the produce of Asia,
Africa, and America being brought to this country by
any ship, the prufits of the English shipowner would be
much increased. He had been a merchant for many
years, and that was the conclusion he had come to atter
much experience in the trade and deep reflection.
Sir Howard Douglas—What are the auties levied it
this country upon the Canary wines?
Mr. Houghton—They are very hey duties.-800 per
cent.—and the consequence is, that the wines are not
brought to England, but are sent to the East and West
Indies.
-

Mr. Liddell—What would be the consequence if these
duties were lowered ?
Mr. Houghton—That would increase the demand of
our manufacturers, and would multiply the happiness a
the huaian race.
Mr. Liddell—And also, I suppose, enable you to 11114
port your cochineal direct ?—(A laugh).
Mr. Houghton—No doubt of it.
Sir Howard Douglas—Then the inconvenience
which you complain might be remedied yrithoua4
Bright—Areouuggh ht ot Clye
or
htuaa tavreas
alteration of the Navigations Laws ?
r.
y.
r.
o
erpa?rgrefeerat eExntegnuttshan:
MAMI lIH°
alsoA damn
irowalneDr
uonidSapi—anli'Vhous hl
pPe
I I been
nwo
unt
foreign vessels for the shipment of your goods?
Mr. Houghton—Yes, lam a thorough Englishman.:
and would prefer an English foreign vessel at any
time, even though there was a difference of freight.
Admiral Dundas—T hen you do not think English
sailors Worse than others?
Mr. Houghton—They are better than they were.
They are particularly improved in the article of sobriety.
Admiral Dundee— Have you heard any complaints of
their general conduct?
lilr. Houghton—l have seen them in a French prism;
anti a very wild, reckless set they were.
Admiral Dundas—ln a French prison—yes, but did
you ever see them afloat?
Mr. Houghton—Yes, I have ; and I have witnessed II
good deal of impropriety and want of talent on board.
Admiral Diu:Was—Then you would approve of a plan
for examining masters and mates ?
Mr. Houghton—l highly approve of such a plan, bet
I think a compulsory plan would not be practicable; sad
I am aware that the Americans, who have some vary gool
captains, do not practise it.
By the Chairman—He considered that the restrictions
imposed on the importation of cochineal amounted ifs
fact to a tax levied upon the use of that article
,to the
amount of from 4d. to 6d. per lb.
There being no other witnesses present, the Cons•
mittee adjourned till Tuesday next, at one o'clock.

NEW WORE IVY THE AUTHOR OF " RICHARD SATAGE."
No' ready, at ail the Libraries, in 3 vols. post Bvo.,
`MILES A N D TEAKS;
Or. THE ROMANCE OF LIFE.
BY CHARLES WHITEHEAD,
Author of " tavage,"
Humorous, witty, and elevzr. The auth r rattles through his
pages with a lively sparkle that is quite exhilarating to the reader."
—Weekly Chronlele.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
TIIE NEST APPEARANCE OP MDLLE. JIMICT LLTD nit

THIS COUNTRY.
TO-MORROW ETICNING wilt be pert Imed Meyerbeer's cele-
brated Cpera (with new scenery, dresses, :sad decorations, the
•elase by Mr. C. Marshall), entitlei

ROBERTO IL DIATOLO.
fin. VLBle. Jenny Lind (her first appearance in this country); I 5&
bell*. Jade. Caste laa ; Roberto, Signor Fraschini ; Rambaido,
tasure,oni ; Sacerdote, Signer Bench, ; and Bertram, Signor Staudigl
hts first appearance at this Theatre).

Ts conclude with a Divertisssm,
UNE SOIREE DU C.A.RNAVAL.
n which will be presented Pas de Cinq from " Rosids," b 7 Mdlle.
Cerito and M. S. Leon, assisted by Mdlles. Cassan, James, and
Honore. Grand Pas by Aldlle. Grahn, supported by Mdlles. Honore,
James, and Cassan. And "La Manola," by Stalls. Cerko and St.
Leon.
The Free List is suspended, the Public Press excepted.

HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.
The Second appeal nee of Mdlle. JENNY LIND in this country.
The Nobility, Subscribers, and the rublic. are respectfully in-
fanned, that an EXTR,A "NIGHT will take place on THURSDAY
nest, May 6, when will be performed Meyerbeer's Opera,
ROBERTO IL DIAVOLO.
Alice, Mdll4. Jenny Lind ; Isabella, Made. Castellan ; Roberto,
Signor Fraschinl ; Rambaldo, Signor Gardoni ; Sacerdote, Signor
Bouche ; sad Bertram, Signor Staudigl (his second appearance at
this Theatre).
With various Entertainments in the Ballet Divertissement, corn.
'Prising the talents of Mdlle. Cerito, Mdlle. Rosati. Mdlle. Marie
Petit Stephan. Mdlle. Gratin, M. Perrot, M. P. Ta-
gliont, and M. St. Leon.

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE,

FOR THE BENEFIT OF
HI; MR. HARLE
EVENING , STAGE MANAGER.
T

Will be performed the Musical Play of GUT MANNERING ; or,
The Gipsy's Prophecy. Principal characters by Messrs. Rafter,
Harrison, Harley, Ho ncastle, Weiss, Misses Rainforth, Romer,
R. Isasca, and Mrs. Hugues. Meg Merrilles by a Lady (lier first ap •
pearance in London).
♦fter the Play, Mr F..rren will sing " The Fire Old English Gen-
tleman," and Mr. liraham " The Death of Ne.soll`.”
In the course of the evening Mr. Bunn will address the au lieace.
After which the Operatic Entertainment of THE WATERMAN.
Tom Tug. Mr. Braham ; Rundle, Mr. Horncastie ; Robin, Mr.
Earley ; Mrs. Bundle, MPs Somerville ; Wilttelmina, Miss Isaacs.
To be followed by an Entertainment by the NEW ORLEANS
ETHIOPIAN SERENADE RR.
To conclude with the Original Oriental Spectacle, called THE
DESERT; or, The Imaun's Daughter. In which the Two Elephants,
upwards of Sixty Horses, and the Camels Will appear. The 'mann
Useph, Mr. Howell; Ila ez, Mr. Rafter; Rarek. Mr. W. H. Payne
Fuel i/ela. Mr. Herticastle ; Maleck, Mr. T. Matthews ; Ahabeck,
Mr. Hutchison ; Kuzliraga, Mr. L. Lee ; Princess Ipomaye, Miss Mes-
Pent ; Nilda, Miss Collett ; Girgee, Miss R. Isaacs.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Under the Management of Mr. B. Webster, sole Lessee.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed Sheridan Knowles's Comedy of TUE LOVE
CHASE, Sir William Faallove, Mr. Tilbury; Master Waller, Mr.
Howe ; Widow Green, Mrs. Glover ; Constance, Mrs. Nisbett.
THE
After which the Grand Astronomical Extravaganza, called
NEW PLANET; or, Harlequin ut of Place.
To conclude with the Farce, called -,PRIN-G GARDENS.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Under the direction of Madame Celeste.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF MISS WOOLGAR.
THIS EVE.NiNG
Will be performed the original Dratna, called THE FLOWERS
OF THE FOREsT ; a Gipsy Story. Cheap John. Mr. Wright ;
Ishmael, Mr. 0. Smith ; the Rinchin, Mr. P. Bedford ; Leyboupe,
Mr. Worrell ; Cynthia, Madame Celeste ; Lemuel, Miss Woolgar ;
starlight Bess, Mrs. Fitzwilli.un ; Lady Agnes, Miss Hardinz,
After which, the Burletta of THE PRETTY GIRLE OF STIL-
BERG. Ernest, 11r. Wright ; Bob, Mr. Lembert; Popplewig, Mr,
Mtniyard ; Margot, Madame Cele,te ; Christina, Miss Woolgar.
To concludd with the new Opera Buffa apropos sketch, called
JENNY LINT). Principal characters by Messrs. Wright, Paul
Redford, Lambert, Selby, Cullenford, and Miss Woolgar. 22.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
J. M. Maddox, sole Lessee and Manager.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed Shakspere's Tragedy of ROMEO AND JULIET.
Prince Sella?, Mr. Walton ; Paris, Mr. A. Harris; Montague,
Mr. Honner; Capulet, Mr. Granby ; Ben olio, Mr. C. Fisher ;
Itomen, Mr. Creswick; Mercutio, Mr, J. Vining. Juliet, Mrs.
Butler (late Miss F. Kemble) ; I ady Capulet, Miss Winstanley.
After which, the new Farce, entitled, A WIFE FOR AN HOUR.
Principal characters by Messrs. Walton, Granby, Vining, Cowell,
CoFnptou, Mrs. Hughes, and Mi.s E. Stanley.
To conclude with THE TWO RUNIIOWS.

THEATRE ROYAL, LYCEUM.
Cnder the Management of Mrs. Keeley.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed the new7Drama, calle.l THE CREOLE ; or,
Love's Fetters. Damiton, Mr. F. Mathews ; Alphonse, Mr. 'Murray.
Hyacinthe. Miss Dickinson ; Kokes, Mr. Keeley; Latour, Mr.
Emery; Virgink, Miss M. Keeley; Louise, Miss May; Bellana.
Mrs. Keeley.
Af er which, the entirely new occasional Dramatic Sketch, called
JENNY LIND AT LAST; or, The Swedish Nightingale. Charac-
ters by Mr. A. Wigan, Mr. Turner, Mr. Kinioch, Mr. Bellingham,
Mr. Bender, Mr. Yarnold. and Mrs. Keeley.
To be followed by the New Vaudeville Extravaganza, called
CRUSOE THE SECOND. Pi will. h Messrs. A. Wigan Keeley,
Miss Dickinson, Miss Turne', ant Mrs. Keeley will appear.
To conclude with the LOAN OF A WIFE. Principal characters
by Messrs. F. Mathews, A. Wigan, and Mrs. Woollidge.

FRENCH PLAYS.—ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. John Mitchell.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed (first time in this country), SANS NOM , ou,
Drarnes et Romans.
After which, the popular Comedie of LES DE3IOI3ELLES DE
ST. CYR.
To conclude with the principal Scenes of the Petite-Comedie, en-
titled LE MARRIAGE FORCE.
Boxes, 6s. ; Pit, 3s. 6d. ; Amphitheatre, &.; Gallery, 21.
Boxes and Stalls may be engaged at Mr. Mitchell's Royal Library,
33, Bond-street ; and at the Box office of the Theatre, which is open
daily from Eleven till Five.

ETHIOPIAN gERENADERS, ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
The celebrated ETHIOPIAN SERENADERS, Pell, Harrington,
White, Stanwood, and Germon, will have the honour of repeating
their inimitable EN TER TAINMENTS at the St. James's Theatre,
TO-MORROW EVENING, and every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sa-
turday. Doors open at Right o'clock. They will also give a DAY
PERFORMANCE every Wednesday Morning, commencing at Malt-
z:4st Two o'clock.
Boxes and stalls at Mitchell's Royal Library, 33, Old Bond-street ;
and at the Pox-office.

NEW STRAND THEATRE.
TIIIS EVENING
Will be performed an Original Pictorial Drama, in Four Parts,
esititied, HOGARTIPS MIRROR. Principal characters t.,y Messrs.
Darcie, H. Lee, Butler, Payne, 11. Reeves, Ayliffe, Deighton; Miss
Love, Mrs. Griffith', Miss Harcourt, &c.
To be followed by an Eccentric Vaudeville, called, CAi ERS AND
CRUSHERS.
Atter which, a Screamer, in One Act, entitllod, ARE YOU
COMING TO BED?
To conclude with a new Ra'let, introducing upwards of 60 Cory.
phees, founded on and entitled, TIIE ARABIAN NIGHTS' EN.
TERTAINMENT.
Stalls, 35.; Boxes, Is. 6d.; Pit, Is,: Gallery, 4d.
half-past Eight o'clock.
Box office open from eleven till font* o'clock.
Applications to be in at the .'ox-office of the Theatre

Half-price t

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE,
Propr,,,,, and Manager„:l r. 111iam Batty.
Under the patronage cf the Queen, Prince Albert, and the
Royal Family.
TOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. W. BATTY.
TIIIS EVLNING
Will be performed Lord Byron's Dramatic Poem of THE BRIDE
OF ABY DOS ; or, The Corsair.
Unequalled SCENES in the CIRCLE, with the performances of
Messrs. Jameson, Stes, us, Thorn, and Hemmings; also Mr. Betts.
with his trained Steeds, Fir, fly and Harebell.
To conclude with ZARAH ; or, The (hipsy Tribe of Bohemia.
Stage Manager, Mr. W. D. tiro& fo
t.
Stang, se. ; Boxes, 4e.; Upper Brisk., 3, ; Pit, 2e. ; Gallen-, Is. ;
Upper Gallery, 6d. Commence every evenln. at Seven oteicek.

ILOYA L SUI;ItLY THEATRE.
Under the ntnlgement of Mrs. Frances Davidge, Lessee.
Engagement of the often tl and eelehrated I arleau Vivant and
Poses Plasticine Male and Female Ai tildes, for slx nights only ; and
last Mx nights of the Female serenaders.
EVEr.il NG

Will be performed a Nautical Drama, called AMY, THE
SKIPPER'S DAU,,HTER ; or, The Lilly of Devon. Supported by
the whole strength of the Company.
After which THE BUFFALO GALS ; or, Female Ethiopian Sere-
naders.
To be followed by the HALL OF ROME, by the celebrated
Tableau Vivants and Poses Pla-tique.
To conclude with THE ROVER'S BRIDE.
yoxes, 2s. , Pit, Is.; Gallery, 6d. Doors open at Six, commence
at ITaTf-past

ROYAL VICTORIA THEATRE.
THIS EVENING
Will be performed a new Romance, entitled THE QUEEN OF
POLAND ; or. The Hunters of Moldavia. Charaeters by Messrs.
nicks, Dale, Searle, Bird, Howard, Raymond, Gardner ; Miss Vin-
cent, Mrs. Hicks, Mrs. .l.Lee, M Burroughcliffe,
Aft r which the Traf,pcdy of HA NILET. Hamlet, Mr. Hicks;
Ghost, Mr. Ostehldiston.
To conclude with JANNETJE TER BEEK ; or, The Dutchman'o
Doughty.
Boxes, lc ; Half Price, 6d. Pit, 6d. ; Gallery, 3d.

• s W IFFICE. MAY 1.
THERMOMETER. Lowest, 35: Highest, 56 Noon. 52.
BAROMETER, 29 V.—WIND W.S.W.; fine.
MAT 2.

T lERPIOIIIZ MR. Lowe;t744, Higbee.. 56 ; Noon, 57.
BAROMETER, 59.67.—Wind S.W.; show*ry.

kll it. vv kl'Fi-c AT Ttiib DAY.
Morning .. 2 minutes after 3 1 Evening .. 47 minutes uu 3.

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