The Sun.
London, England, 1841-10-30 00:00:00

LETTER FROM EARL FITZ

WILLIAM.
(From the Doncaster Gazette.)
" The. inferiority of the qualities of the new English
wheat hitherto brought forward, is fast reducing the
averages ; the last general return for the kingdom,
published on Thursday (645. Bd.), shows a fall, as
compared with that for the week preceding, of 6s. 6d.
per quarter ; and as the next will probably be lower,
a rise to 10s. Bd. in the duty is nearly certain to take
place on the 30th inst., and we calculate that by the
14th Oct. the duty will be 20s. Bd. per quarter."

Wentworth, Oct. 4, 1841.
DEAR Mn. TASTILY/Ml—The paragraph which I have
prefixed appears to me to give rise to some very serious
considerations. It is taken from the Universal Corsi
Reporter of last week, Sept. 27—a paper which has no
general politics, and whiehmever hints at a maxim in
political economy. It speaks of reducing the ave-
rages ; but I need not remind you (even if the para-
graph itself did not relieve . me from that necessity)
that reducing the averages, and raising the duty are
the same thing. But what I wish particularly to
draw your attention to, is the cause of this approaching
rise of duty with which we are threatened. It is not the
abundance of corn—Tit were, something might be said
in favour of the system ; but, on the contrary, it is the
inferiority of the new wheat. That such would bo its
character, might have been foretold as long ago as the
Ist of August, after the experience we had had of the
weather in June and July. What might have been
foretold then is now matter of fact ; and at the very
moment when, in common prudence, we ought to throw
open our markets to every bushel of sound corn that can
be introduced, we are actually about to impose a prohi-
bitory duty. That a duty of '2os. Bd. is prohibitory, will
not, I apprehend, be denied by anybody ; in the first
place, because it is just that amount which the sup-
porters of protection consider to be protective of British
agriculture ; and in the next place (which is much better
proof of it), because of the prices which are now ruling
in the continental markets. Turning to another part of
the paper froniwhich my text is taken, I find, under the
head, "Dantzic, Sept. 18," the following paragraph :
" The falling off of supplies from the country
strengthens the confidence in the trade, and the market,
therefore, has been cleared at rather advancing prices,
which we quote as follows :-565. for mixed wheat of
601bs ; 51s. for fine mixed ; 525. for common high mixed
of 601bs. ; fine old wheats, being held at 575. to 585.,
find no buyers."
Now, the addition of 20s. Bd. would obviously exclude
not only the best, but the whole of the corn here men-
tioned, even without the addition of a single shilling
for freight and charges.
as the averages are reduced, this corn is manifestly
not wanted, and that its exclusion is essential for the
prevention of a further fall in price, and consequently,
for the protection of British agriculture. According
to his views there might be something in this rejoinder,
and it might be consistent with the welfare of the
people (as far as the Corn-law considers their welfare),
if the averages exhibited a fair specimen of the cost of
human food. It is obvious, however, that they do no-
thing of the kind. The averages are reduced, not by
the quantity, but by the quality of the wheat brought
to market ; for, though the averages, as regulators of
the trade and of the duty, are reduced, the price of bread
does not fall ; and the farmer himself, who buys bread
like his neighbours, is obliged to give 9d. or 10d. for the
41b. loaf, while the highest price he can obtain for his
new wheat is 655. a quarter. Referring again to the
same paper, I find that new Essex, Kent, and Suffolk,
is quoted at 565. to 655. ; Norfolk, Lincoln, and York,
at 565. to 63s ; Dantzic and Konigsburg, at 635. to 755.;
and even the inferior grain of Mecklenburgh and Pome-
rania, at 635. to 70s. As it is from the high-priced
grain that wholesome human food is manufactured, we
need not be surprised at the price of the loaf ; but, as
fermets deal in corn, not in bread, they derive no ad-
vantage, but the contrary, from a high price of bread.
Let us now turn to the state of the corn trade. It is
of great importance to the agricultural class at this
season, because you know very well that most of the
half-year's rents of England are due between Michael-
mas and Martinmas; and that, in order to meet their
landlords, the farmers must, and do, effect great sales at
this period. In the week ending Sept. 25, the arrival of
English wheat in the port of London was under 3,000
quarters; of Scotch and Irish there was none ; while of
tbreign there was 87,222 quarters, of which upwards of
37,000 were from Dantzic, upwards of 12,000 from Ko-
nigsberg, the highest qualities. For the sake of the
people, I am very glad that it has arrived ; but when it
is considered that above a million and a half of quarters
had just been released from bond, it must strike even the
most careless observer, that this sudden influx of such
large masses must operate in a most mischievous manner
upon the trade in British corn. The corn is wanted
'or food, and therefore I rejoice at its arrival ; but if
t had fed the market gradually during the last two,
three, four, or five months, it would not have pro-
duced these astounding effects. We should neither
have had the average about 60s. now that the farmers
have corn and must sell it, nor should we have seen it at
685., 705., 755., and 80s., when they had none to sell.
These recent events afford one of the most convincing
arguments in favour of the most perfect freedom of trade;
and prove to demonstration how mischievous all these
regulations and contrivances are, even to those for whose
benefit they are kindly, though not very wisely, in-
tended. Another sentence in the same paper states that
in. Mark-lane " there was again a numerous attendance
of country buyers, who directed their attention to foreign
wheat, and the transactions in this article were rather
extensive."
P.S.—lllness and other interruptions prevented my
closing this letter at the time I intended, and I have not
now time to pursue the last subject of inquiry. Ido
not, however, much regret the postponement, as subse-
quent events have proved the accuracy of the calculations
of the paper from which I have quoted, and what full
reliance may be placed upon the information which it
conveys. It anticipations have become facts. The last
six weeks average is 665. ld., and the duty, consequently,
20s. Bd.; but still the price of the loaf is 9d. or 10d.
Believe me your's most faithfully,
Oct. 19, 1841. FITZWILLIAM.
To M. Tasburgh, Esq.

CHURCH-RATES.-BRIGHTON.
DEFEAT OF TIIE PARSONS.
FINAL CLOSE OF THE POLL-YESTERDAY.
Votes. Voters
1,610 1,406
1,271 987

Against the rate
Fur the rate

Majority

239 419

IRELAND.
THE CORPORATION.

DUBLIN, OCT. 28.—A rumour had been for some time in
circulation that it was the intention of the old Corporation to
cap the climax of their iniquity by retaining possession of the
Mansion-house, in defiance of law and the will of the citizens
of Dublin, and that the " No Sarrender " principle would be
re-enacted at the Mayoralty House, by its present possessor.
In consequence of this report, a deputation of the new Tow n
Councillors waited yesterday upon Sir Kingston Eames, to as-
certain his intentions. His reply was perfectly satisfactory hay-
ing declared that he considered himselffunctus officio, and would
take charge of the corporate property only till his successor
was appointed. The result of the elections give a majority of
47 to the Liberal. The Liberal party have gained a still snore
signal triumph in Cork, the Conservatives having got but six
out of sixty-four—the number of Town Councillors for that
important town. I wish the results of the registries were
equally favourable. In Belfast the Conservatives have a majo-
rity of sixteen, and in Sligo, Kells, and Trim, they have also
considerable majorities.
The state of the weather here has been for some time of the
most inauspicious kind, and it is supposed to have materially
injured the potato crop. The poor people will be subjected
this winter to a pressure of want of food that has not been felt
for many years, and this while abundance of wheat is in the
country, but which those who are said to be protected by the
Corn-laws will not be able to purchase.

MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS.
SUN.—The Fund s,though far from settled, rallied a littl e
this afternoon, and there was more business done. Con-
sols for immediate transfer were 87i to 88, and for ac-
count 88 to 88+. In Exchequer Bills there was no busi-
ness. India Bonds were at 2s. premium. Bank Stock
was more dealt in at 1631 to 164, and India Stock was
heavy at 243. The New Three-and-a-Half per Cents.
were worth only 98 to 97i.
Contrary to expectation, there were no failures upon
the settlement of the Foreign account. Spanish Active
Bonds were flat at 201 to 20+; Mexican at 24+ to
241 ; Colombian at 181 to 19 ; and Brazilian at 57 to
55.. Belgian Bonds were dull at 102+ ; and Dutch
Two-and-a-llalf per Cents, brought 51* to 511.
Bather more briskness was exhibited in the Share
Market. Brighton Railway Shares ranged from 151 to
1
141 discount ; Blaeltwall were 161 • Greenwich New 0.
and North Midland 35 discount ; 'Great Western were
'
10i to 111 ; Birmingham, 66 ; and York and North
Midland, 284 premium. Australian Bank Shares were
101 to 11 ; London and Westminster, .1 to 1+; and Pro-
vincial of Ireland, 15 premium.
The Foreign Exchanges were all lower this afternoon.
Three months bills were neociated as follows :—Paris.
25f. 65c. to 70c.; Hamburgli, 13 10 to 4 ; Amsterdam,
12 41 to + ; Antwerp, 12 31 to 1 ; Frankfort, 1491 ;
-and Trieste, 9 54 to 55.
In a notice received from. the Treasury this afternoon,
holders of Exchequer Bills are requested first to giro the
number of each Bill in their possession ; 2d, The Act
under which the Bills were severally issued to be
indicated ; 3d, That the date be given ; 4th, The
denomination or value. The Bills to be arranged,
and signed, on the back with the address of the
party. In case the Bills so delivered in should
e
be found to correspond with the counterfoil in. the
Exchequer Exchequer Bill-office, they will be stamped and
is n d re-
turned, or office receipts will be given where e
oc-
casioned. The Bills which do not correspond
retain
counterfoils at the Exchequer Bill-office will be Lords ed,
in order to wait the issue of the decision
0f the of
will be given.
the Treasury, but for these Bills also receipts with the

LATE RIOT IN DUENESS.""'We are happy to
learn that the excitement which led to the recent distur-
bances, by Mr. Anderson's tenantsin Durness, has sub-
sided, and that the peoplo are pi to peaceful, and full,
sensible of the illegality and unjustifiable nature of thou
proceedings.—lnvmess Courier.