The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-01 00:00:00

THE NAVMATION LAW*,_

- - -
The Select Committee appointed -60. of
Commons to inquire into the operatiOn of ifie:Navion
Committee-room met on Thursday, in the Comittee-roOM 0. 2.
There were present Mr. Milner Gibson, asuman' , Hon.
Mr. Liddell
Sir Howard Douglas, Sir George Chick,
AdmiralDundas, Mr. Bright, Mr. Lyall, and Str Hobert,
Peel.
The first wi • -
tness called to-day was Mr. George Hough-
ton, who, in the absence.? of Mr. Ricardo from indispo-
sition, was examined by the Chairman. lie was' a
had
merchant
establishment.tradingwith
Canary Islands to the England C
dewaepnry
irinciAlauerPand44 rtwhesrsocoeh-f:althile e*
There was formerly an export of barilla, but of hite
years it had almost altogether ceased. There was also
a considerable trade from these islands to America, the
principal exports to that country being wine and barilla.
The Navigation Laws of this country interrupted the
trade in cochineal very much indeed—excessively so. Up
to a recent period the cochineal trade had not been of
very great importance, but it had increased, till it -was
at present of very great extent. Last ye ar they had ex-
ported from 1,500 to 2,000 scrota, which weighed from
1201bs. to 150 lbs. • rch. The cochineal was an insect
that fed upon the cactus plant, nod which, as the Com-
rnitte was aware, imparted a very brilliant dye. The
trade of the Canaries in this article began seven or eight,
or perhaps ten, years ago; but tie mightmention that as
far back as thirty 3 ears since he had been anxious to in-
troduce the cult:ye:ion of the insect in the Canaries, but
his efforts then were discouraged. The chief supply of
cochineal to Ergland was frt.m Honduras. In conse-
quvrice. of the cessatie,n of the barilla trade between this
country and the Caner:. 1 1 ,;nos there were scarcely
any Isn lish ve els 7uva.,llivtt.g there to return direct
home, in coesequence or which the cochineal was
shipped first to Cadiz, from whence it WCIS taken to Mar-
seilles. Latterly the witness had endeayourtd to bring
some of it to England from Cadiz, but it was seized in
consequence of this being in contravention of that pro-
vision in the Navigation Laws which provided that the
produce of Asia, Africa, and Amertea, could not be
brought from any port in Europe to this country in any
ship whatever. He made many representations to the
Board of Trade respecting the injurious nature of this
regulation, but it was all in vain; he was not allowed to
bring it from Cadiz to this country, except in bond, for
purposes of re-exportation. In his representations and
memorials to the B of Trade be urged upon their
consideration the fact that virtually the Canary Islands
were a port of Spain, and that the aside between them
and Cadiz was as much in the nature cif 'a coasting trade
as was the trade between this country and Ireland; but
his representations had no effect, the rifid :natureof the
expressions in the law were ,
increased importation of cochineal into France had led
to a greatly increased trade between France and the
Canary Island. With regard to the barilla trade with
America, the American Navigation Laws prevented the
barilla from 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—Bat are not the American Navigation
Laws the same as our own?

Mr. Houghton—As nearly as possible.
The Chairman—Then how are the ships you mention
permitted
to enter the American ports with goads not
the produce of their own countries ?
Mr. Houghton, in answer to tbis, handed in a copy
of the American tariff, tram 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 ships 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 consequence of which was
that scarcely any English vessels 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 direct 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 now. He had never received any relief from the
Treasury, though he had often tried hard for it. This
year he had been a sufferer from these restrictions to a
very great extent. He 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 to add that
the Canary Island article was very superior indeed.
Sir G. Clerk—What is the proportion of the whole
amount of 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, how 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 from 4d. to 6d. per lb.
Mr. Liddell—But it seems to rue that the inconve-
niences of which you complain arise fre.rn the anomalous
position of the Canary blz.nds, that geographically they
are in Africa, while polittc.dly they are in Spain?
Mr. Houghton—Yes.
Admiral Dundas—Do the duties impored by Spain on
goods brought in British bottoms interfere with yonr
trade?

Mr. Houghton—Yes, to a considerable extent. Admiral Dundas—What is the amount of those duties?
Mr. Houghton—The duties on British manufactures,
when brought in British vessels, amount to 25 per cent.
Admiral Dundas—And what are the duties on the
same goods when brought in Spanish vessels?
Mr. Houghton-12i per cent.
Admiral Dundas—Then how do the English ships go
that export the wine?
Mr. Houghton—They go there chiefly in ballast.
Mr. Hou
cocghton—Then, if you had the power of bring-
ing your hineal from Cadiz to England in an English
ship—

Mr. Houghton—That is all we want.
Admiral Dundas—How much cochineal may there be
produced in the whole of the Canary Islands ?
Mr. Houghton—Oh, not much, as it goes into such a
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 fill up the rest with wine ?
Mr. Houghton expressed his dissent.
Admiral Dundas—l don't think you have 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 Chitiruian —The trade between Cadiz and
Marseilles had very much increased in consequence
of this trade in cochineal. The French had given the
trade every encouragement; they had not the
same restrictions as the Navigation Laws of England:im-
posed, for they allowed the cochineal to be imported from
Cadiz 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 allowing 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—But how can that be when we already
import double what we consume, and the half of it is

f .
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 is exported directly from
the bond.

Sir G. Clerk (laughing)-oh, row 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 profits 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 alter
much experience in the trade and deep reflection.
Sir Howard Douglas—What are the duties levied in
this country upon the Canary wines?
Mr. Houghton—They are very heavy 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. dies.

---
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 of

the human race.
Mr. Liddell—And also, I suppose, enable you to
incon
withoutvenien inconvenience
any o
port your cochineal direct ?—(A laugh).
Mr. Houghton—No doubt of it.
a Douglas—Thenln
might
b e
the
remedied
which Sir Town aLdmp
alteration of the Navigations Laws ?
Mr. Houghton—Certainly.
Mr. Bright—Are you a shipowner?*
Mr. Houghton-1 have been to a great extent, and
also an owner of Spanish ships,
Admiral Dundas—Would you foreign vessels for the shipment
your goods?
Mr. Houghton--yes, am a
Yes, I thorough Englishman,
and would prefer an English to
a foreign vessel at any
time, even though there was a difference of freight.
Admiral Duuda T
s— 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 Dundas— Have you heard any complaints of
their general conduct?
Mr. Houghton—l have seen them in a French prison,
and 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 a
good deal of impropriety and want of talent on board.
Admiral Dundas—Then you would approve of a plan
for examining masters and mates ?
Mr. Houghton—l highly approve of such a plan, but
I think a compulsory plan would not be practicable; and
I am aware that the Americans, who have some very good
captains, do not practise it.
By the Chairman—lie considered that the restrictions
imposed on the importation of cochineal amounted in
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 Cora-
mittee adjourned till Tuesday next, at one o'clock.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.
HOUSE OF LORDS, Apra 30,
The LORD CaatecaLLoa took his seat on the Vireel.
utak at Five o'clock.
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMONS.
Messengers from the Cemmoas brought up several
Bills.
POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL.
Lord STANLEY hoped the Government would give
their attention to the system of rating under this Bill,
for' he feared that the erect of the present clause would
be to give the power to the tenant, when rated on a
merely nett sum, of charging half poundage on the gross
amount. These difficulties arose from their interfering
between the landlord and tenant to establish separate
interests, which he thought ought to be left alone.
The Marquis of WESTMEATH said it was his in-
tention to move an amendment on this Bill. The object
of it was to facilitate proceedings in the master's office.
He had thrown out a proposal for the consideration of
the Noble and Learned Lord on the Woolsack, that he
should prepare a clause to allow of viz-a voce evidence
instead of by affidavit.
After a desultory conversation the subject dropped.
GOVERNMENT PLAN OF EDUCATION.
The Bishop of ORTORD presented a petition from
Banbury, in Oxfordshire, in favour of the Government
plan of education.
POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL.
Lord DESART gave notice, that in Committee on
this Bill, it was his intention to move some amendments
on the second clause, relating to the power given to the
poor-law guardians to hire or to build houses for the re-
ception of the able-bodied poor; and also regulating the
relief to be afforded to such persons.
REPRESENTATIVE PEERS OF SCOTLAND.
The Earl of EGLINTON rose to move that a
•flelect Committee be appointed to take into considera-
tion the existing laws and regulations which relate to
the elections of the representative Peers of Scotland, to
consider what steps should be talten to prevent persons
from voting at such elections who are not entitled to do
so, and to report upon the proceedings which took place
at the election of Lord Gray, on the 17th of March last.
He said he regretted that the duty had devolved
upon him to bring this important subject before their
Lordships ; and that it had not fallen into other
hands. It might not be necessary to remind their
Lordships that by the terms of the Act of
Union sixteen was the number of representative
Peers to be sent to the House of Lords, and to be
elected out of the whole number of Scotch Peers. In
1703 certain proceedings took place, upon which
were founded the following forms at any election
of a representative Peer. The Peers of Scotland
were assembled by proclamation. After the commission
had been read by the Lord Clerk Registrar, the names
on the union roll were called over, and all who answered
voted and gave in their proxies. But it must be evident
that the clerk had no means of testing claims, and
therefore any vote tendered under a title on the union-
roll by a person, though he may have no right to do so,
must be recorded. A resolution was passed, restrict-
ing the power to use proxies to the sons and grandsons
of Peers bu: that was not sufficiently stringent. In
lia3o a Committee was appointed on the subject, and re-
solutions passed by it which were referred to a Commit-
tee of Privileges, but the subject dropped out of memory.
He would not cite any instances of this abuse, nor go
into the subject at any length, but would conclude by
moving that a Select Committee be appointed to in-
quire into the laws and regulations relating to the elec-
tion of Scottish Peers for the House of Lords, and into
the proceedings that took place on the election of Lord
Grey on the 17th of March last.
Lord BROUGHAM said that the gentleman to
whose vote objection was taken had no means to esta-
blish his title unless it was called in question. He had
no objection however, to the appointment ef the Com-
mittee.

Lord CAMPBELL would take leave to add a single
word to what had been already said on this subject. A
case had come to his knowledge to prove the de-
fective state of the law which proved his position.
An individual was told that he was entitled to a peearge
and he immediately abandoned his habits of industry,
and his family were brought to utter ruin. Another
case had also come under his observation.
The LORD CHANCELLOR then put the motion,
which was agreed to ; and the Peers to comprise the
Committee were nominated, and next Monday, at two
o'clock, fixed for the meeting of the Committee.
The Nlarquis of LANSDOWNE laid upon the table
of the House various returns, by order of her Majesty.
Several Bills were then forwarded a stage, and the
House adjourned at twenty minutes past six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. April 30.
The SPEALER took the Chair at Four o'clock.
LORDS' AMENDMENTS.

The Lords' amendments to the Cheltenham Water-
works BUJ were agreed to.

REPORTS.

The reports on the folowing Bills were brought up
and agreed to, and the Bills ordered to be engrossed:—
Caledonian Railway (Branches from the Clydesdale
Junction Railway to the Douglas and Lesmahagow,
Mineral Fields and to Strathaven).
Caledonian Railway (Branches to Wilontown, to Fauld-
house, and to Biggar and Broughton).
Caledonian Railway (Extension of Motherwell Branch
of Clydesdale Junction Railway, to Auchinheath
Mineral Field, with Branches to the Wishaw, and
Coltness Railway, Canderside and Hamilton).
Herne Bay and Canterbury Junction Railway.
South-Eastern Railway (Croydo-, and Bromley Branches).
South-Eastern Railway (Maid:tone to Chart).
South• Easter❑ Railway (Mid-Kent and Direct Tun-

bridge).
South-Eastern Railway (North Kant Line).
South-Eastern Railway (Strood to Maidstone).
Mr. R. HODGSON, on the bringing up the reports
from the Committee on group No. 1, as to tbe South-
Eistern Ralway Bilis, moved that the mintres of the
Committee be printed with the reports.—Agreed to.
On the motion of Mr. GREENE, it was ordered that
the Leeds Waterworks (No. 2) Bill be referred to the
Examiners of Petitions for Priva'e Bills, who shall report,
whether any other sanding orders apply to this Bilt
than those which were proved to have been complied with
before the Examiner upon the petition for leave to bring
in the Leeds ..Vaterworks Bill ; and chat the Examiner
have leave to sit and proceed upon Tuesday next.
THIRD READINGS.
The following Bills were read a third time and passed :
London and South-Western Railway (Widening, &c.)

Shrewsbury and Birmingham Railw-ay.
IRISH DISTRESS.

Mr. HAMILTON presented a petition from Dublin,
signed by 4.976 persons against the measure adopted
by the Government for supplying food to the distressed
Irish.

LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
Mr. T. DUNCONIBE presented a petitio❑ from the
Society for the Protection of Lunatics, praying for an
alteration in the law relating to lunatic asylums.
Mr. HUME presented a petition from a kirk session
in Scotland, against clauses iu the Marriages Registra-
tion (Scotland) Bill.