The Sun.
London, England, 1841-03-13 00:00:00

MORNING EDITION

—and jealousy and unfriendly feelings have been excited by t. 1.
exclusions, in the place of kindness.and good-will.
The impolicy cf our restrictive laws is strikingly exemplf
in the consequent diminution of our commerce with our 'mazes
neighbours, the rich and civilized inhabitants of Europe. Net-
withstanding the great increase in wealth and population since
the peace, " the average annual experts to the whole of Eu-
rope were less in value by nearly 20 per cent. in the five
years from 1832 to 1636 than they were in the five years
that followed the close of the war.' Another striking
fact connected with our intercourse with Europe is the
change which has taken place in the nature of our exports,
viz., the constant diminution of manufactured articles
and the increase of articles on which little labour has been
bestowed.l Alr. Porter. in his evidence before the Com-
mittee on Import duties (July 31, 1840), enters into elaborate
statements, showing the value of our exports, and the degree
of labour bestowed on them, by which it appears that in our
exports to Northern Europe, the most important part of the
world as regards our foreign commerce, with the exception of
the United States. the proportions were :

1827. 1838.
Much Labour
Little Labour

100.-

1 00.

It will now be shown, from evidence of an official charac-
ter, that these disastrous consequences to our trade in Eu-
rope, as well as those which have attended our commerce with
the United States of America, have 'been entirely owing to our
own unwise and restrictive regulations._

The recent publication, by order of Parliament, of the cor-
respondence between the British and Prussian Governments,
relating to commercial intercourse between the two countries,
shows the wise and enlightened views entertained by the latter,
and the desire they have alwa:‘s evinced to afford every possible
facility for freedom of trade. In 1823, when urging us to con-
cede to Prussia a reciprocity treaty similar to that we had made
with the United States, the principle laid down by the Prus..
sian Minister, in his note, was, "that reciprocal commercial
restrictions were reciprocal nuisances, prejudicial to all nations
having reciprocal interests, and particularly to those engaged
in extensive commerce, and that the policy of Prussia
to substitute, in the place of reciprocal prohibitions, reciprc.,

facilities."
The rejection of all equitable overtures,—the determined cA.-
elusion of the Corn and Timber of Prussia,—and the ad, p-
tion of the like policy towards the other nations of Europe—
led to the prohibitory tariffs of Northern Europe, which
have had the effect of prematurely forcing manufactifres in
those countries, and of replacing the exports of our manufac-
tures by those of raw and partially manufactured materials.
The testimony of Mr. M‘Gregor, Secretary of the Board of
Trade, is conclusive on this point. " The argument (says I.e
they made use of to me upon every occasion at Berlin, in
Saxony, and in the Rhenish States, and particularly at the
two Congresses held at Munich and Dresden, was this, you
compelled us to become manufacturers; we have not► mutes
of gold and silver. and you will not take what we have to give
you ; but if you had taken what we have to give, we should
have continued to produce it; but as you would not take it.
our people were intelligent enough to turn their attention e -
tensively to manufactures." (312.)
Dr. Bowring's " Report to Lord Palmerston on the Prus-
sian Commercial Union," is to the same effect. "We have
rejected (says he) the payments they have offered,—we have
forced them to manufacture what they were unable to buy."
" We should not have complained," says a distinguished Grr-
man writers " that all our markets were overflowing wi h
English manufactures,—that Germany received in .British
Cotton Goods alone more than the hundred millions of British
subject‘ in the East Indies,—had not England, while she A.
inundating us with her productions, insisted on closing
markets to ours. The English Corn-law of 1815 had in fa e
excluded our Corn from the ports of Great Britain : she told
us we were to buy but not to sell. We were not willing to
adopt:reprisals; we vainly hoped that a sense of her own interest
would lead to reciprocity. But we were disappointed, and we
were compelled to take care of ourselves."—( Dr. Bowring's
Report.)
With reference to the United States of America, we have
equally strong evidence to prove that her hostile tariff was
,passed in retaliation of our prohibitory duties upon the Corn
and Timber of that country. Mr. Addington the Britils
Minister at Washington, in his dispatch to Mr. Canning on
this subject says :—" I have only to add, that had ne restric-
tions on the importation of foreign Corn existed in Great
Britain, the Tariff would never have passed through either
House of Congress, since the agricultural States, and especially
Pennsylvania, would have been opposed to its enactment."
Will the Legislature learn wisdom by this experience, or
will they still persevere in a system so unjust and impolitic— •
so injurious to the best interests of the country ? Will they
still pursue toward the United States and Brazil, the two
largest consumers of our manufactures, the same course which
has been pursued towards the nations of Europe, and by con-
tinuing to prohibit their staple productions, hazard the loss of
our trade with them also? These are questions demanding
the serious attention of the manufacturing and commercial com-
munity.. Already has this important question begun to be dis-
cussed in the United States, in the prospect of their tariff
coming into operation in July, 1842, when the duty on foreign
manufactures will be reduced to a maximum of 20 per cent.
It can scarcely be expected that the Corn-growing States of
America, which comprise three-fourths of the population, and
seven-eighths of the wealth of the country, will submit to the
continued exclusion of their produce from our markets, without
retaliating by the prohibition, or the imposition of heavy duties
on our manufactures ; but, like the Germans, they may further
foster a manufacturing interest for the consumption of the food
produced in their own country.
Our commercial treaty with Brazil expires in 1844. Brazil
admits-all British produce and manufactures at a duty of 15 per
cent., whilst we impose on the staple products of Brazil, Sugar
and Coffee, prohibitory duties amounting to 150 percent. more
than the duties upon the same articles from the West Indies.
Mr. M'Gregor says—" That the Brazilians arc anxice
break up this treaty ; and on breaking it up to give us notice
that they will prohibit all our manujitctures entirely, if tee
do not receive their sugars." (645.)
" Our exports to the Brazils amount to 5,000,000/. annually,"
(646.) and she at present takes the largest amount of Cotton
manufactures from us of any nation in the world. Our trade
with Brazil is capable of great extension. Mr. M‘Gregor Ek'S
The general opinion expressed by the mercantile parties
trading with the Brazils is this, that our trade during the la
five years would have been more than doubled, both in navigate
tion and in goods, if we had taken in return the produce that
Brazil had to give us." (908.)
It must be evident to every reflecting mind that a crisis is
advancing, which unless prevented by wisdom and promptitude,
May produce inextricable difficulties. Mr. Huskisson, with
his accustomed sagacity, foresaw and predicted the con-
sequences of perseverance in our restrictive policy. Un-
happily for his country that great Trade Minister was not
spared to carry out the enlightened measures of which he laid
the foundations; but he has bequeathed, in his last speech on
this subject, warning advice, which will be listened to with the
respect commensurate with his talents and wisdom. Referring
to the Corn-laws he declared, " It is my unalterable conviction
that we cannot uphold the Corn-laws, together with the pre-
sent taxation, and at the same time increase national pros-
perity, and preserve public contentment." Referring to the
growth of manufactures in foreign countries, he sa.:(l, "There
is a rivalry every day growing more formidable, with which our
capital, and industry, and skill 'have to contend. If we meet
it under some advantages, we have also great and growing dis•
advantages to encounter. Do not Ist us lose sight of the fear-
ful consequences which must ensue if we are distanced in the
race. Ihe greatest of all follies, on such an occasion, would
be to shut our eyes to difficulties, which, taken in time, we may
perhaps overcome, but which, by procrastination, we cannot
evade. " Speech, March, 1830.
The time has arrived when these difficulties must be calmly
and seriously met. Is it fitting that we should go on sacri-
ficing our greatest national interests of the practice of giving_
protection to the private interests to a comparatively small
portion of the community? Shall we look in silence and un-
concern on the singular anomaly of a country presenting the
greatest natural advantages for commerce and manufactures—
a boundless demand for its productions—the means of illimitable
employment, with the most industrious, skilful, and enter-
prising population in the world sinking into pauperism ? The
impossibility of finding profitable employment for the people.
so long as the laws unjustly prohibit them from freely ex-
changing the products of their industry, for the products of all
other countries, at once indicates a remedy for the evil. Mo-
nopolies can no longer be tolerated.
By order, and on behalf of the
Board of Directors,
J. B. SMITH, President.

sions
CTlthaemtb:ardoi
ef Commgef
theirs e
tee,
pAelratnwcheess
fteer, n,,Awleadr e 11
411,e
express
Bp,rl
el.
s
of approhatiota on the part of the members of the Chamber.
Mr. SMITH, having been called away to a tend the New
in his capacity of a Msgittratc, the chair was
a by
HOLLAND HOOLF, Esq., who paid a high compliment
ttßokatliehi Bailey,
e talents Of Mr. Smith. and the valuable services which
he had conferred on the Chamber and the public at large.
Mr. Alderman SHUTTLEWORTH moved the adoption of
the Report, which he said had his cordial approbation. It,
indeed, entered so fully into the question of restrictive
duties, that there was scarcely anything left for him to
say. The only question was when and how these restric-
tions could be removed. The speaker then went over
some of the statements and calculations of the report, and
contended that by reducing the duties, the enjoyment, the
comfort, and the happiness of the people would be greatly
increased, while, at the same time, a sufficiency of mveaue
would be secured.__( Hear, hear.)
to go to any length into the subject;
"h when
our best
con-
sidered that America and the Brawls, 1 seenwh-cand were
customers, were alive to our restrhicttihoet,r,
would all agree.
deter-
mined to dpposo them, he- He was not p,reepared
in effecting a change.—(
Hear,
eartlat morning he had no
posures which had been ma
would soon be removed
but
with him in the opinion thatThthpeurgie,ewtera,sinyeom..t)nueStyo
tb:e lepsx.t.
doubt that one class of evilshieh
he feared would not be so
there was another cdla,saimw.ng.
tluit class was our Corn-lavvs.
easily got rid of, an
f %Wel) we complained._( Heir, hear.) With
of the evils 0.
the motion, which was carried
.1' this' sort he mo‘ed that the Report be received
feelings ~,„the minutes of the Chamber.
They presented to us the broadest and the blackest feature
secondedmoved that the Report he printed, and a
f it sent to every member of the Chamber, with a
v:arnnejirwa Dd:curirttec7.o I°:ui af
fs iluE's en the information which it contained.
Report was the
entered on
Esq. seconded the resolution, which he
ili.caublet.he Icnhdaemedb,ert
the
ead ever produced.
Eveepryortadw;
best
t
very considered
b

• Porter's Progress of the Nation, chap. 9, page 101.
t The decrease in the export of Cotton manufactured go.ds,
and the increase in the export of Cotton Twist (a half
manu-
factured article) to Northern Europe is remarkable, viz.
VALUE OF EXPORTS OF COTTON MANUFACTURED 0001,s.
Russia • £702,125 £59,837
1820. 1838.
.....
Germ .any and Prussia ..... 2,960,493
..... 887,29.6
• 661.537
United Netherlands ...... 979,681

£4,651,299 £1,607,990
VALUE OF EXPORTS OF COTTON TWIST.
1838.
1820.
Russia ..................... £494,306 £1,236,554
Germany and Prussia... 1,411,987 .....
United Netherlands 55,961 .............. 1,876.269

X 1,961,554 £5,378,455
The quantity of Cotton Twist exported, if made into goods
in this country, would give employment to nearly double the
number of hand-loom, and double the number of power-loom
weave.s at present engaged in making Cotton goods for expor-

tation.
The increase in the export of other raw materials is no less
striking than that of Cotton Twist, viz.:—
TOTAL EXPORTS FROM GREAT BRITAIN.
82°.
Bar, Pig and Cast Iron 58,747) tons ... 1838.
192,211 tons
438 „ ... 2,946 ,
Coals . 249,189 „ 1,313,709
Linen Yarn Nil. „ 14,923.329 ~
Woollen Yarn 3,924 lbs. ... 3,085,892 lbs.
Cot ton Twist ..... . 23,032,325 ~ —.114,596,602 ,
lllachinery and Mill-work value Nil. , z€ 697,430
Kanke't Hictorisch—politisChe Zeitserift.

MORNING EDITION.

It t 'row the Report of last year completely into the shade.
He quite agreed with Mr. Porter when he said that if vie
as a nation began to decline, our declension would be
much more rapid than our prosperity. He as an indivi
dual fe't th's, and was satisfied that the only way to avoid
this catastrophe was to do away with monopolies and re-
move res,rictions.—(hear, be r.) With these few re-
marks he begged to second the resolution.
Mr. Wm. READ next rose and said that it having been
understood that a revision of the tariff or, tobacco—the
business in which he was engaged_was likely to be made,
ho had at the request cf some of the members come to the
meeting to state some circumstances connected with his
business. There were not more than two articles of con-
sumption which produced more to the revenue than the
article of tobacco, and yet there was not any article in
which there was so much smuggling and adulteration.
About 1830 an extensive system of adulteration was com-
menced in the manufacture of tobacco, so much so that
at that time the price of manufactured tobacco would not
rea:ize more than the price of the duty—that was, that
there was no profit to he made from 1830 downw.ris.
The increase of adulteration and smugg'ing since that pe-
ried bad been carried on to such an extent that gentlemen
would really be astonished when he informed them that
although the duty on tobacco was 3s. 4d. per lb., it was
quite possible to purchase it at from 2s. 61 to Is. 4d. per
lb.—(Laughter, and hear, Mr. Read thon ex-
plained how an ingredient called " crow yellow," and also
turf and other rubbish, were mixed with tobacco, and
which he described as being of the most ijurious tendency.
At this time there was not a man is the trace who might
not have a million pounds cf tobacco laid down at his coor
with,u; the least li-bility to any consequences from not
hati-ig paid duty, for such was the negligence of those
conceetel with the excise. They as manufacturers were
anxious to be put in such a condition as to be able
to obtain an honest livelihood by an honest calling,
therefore they hoped that the tariff would either be entirely
taken c.ff or reduced to somethieg like a shilling in the
pound, by which means they would be enabled to obtain an
'wriest livelihood, and at the same time to preserve the
health and mo,-ality of the people --( Hear.)
The CHAIRMAN said the meeting was much obliged to
M . Read for his information, which entirely corroborated
the principles recommended in the Report.
Mr. STOTT, another tobacco manuf,cturer, corroborated
'the statements made by Mr. Real, and hoped that the in-
fluence of the Chamber might be usel to effect an altera-
tion of the system, and an amendment of the evils which
had been mentioned.
J. C. DYER, Esq., rose and expressed his regret that
there apFe fired a backwardness on the part cf the members
in giving an expression to their opinions on the great sub-
jects involved in the Report. Some of the monopolies to
which it adverted were of the most monstrous character,
and such he characterised the present Corn-laws. Was it
at all to be t.lerated that this article of food, the most
important of all, should absolutely be prohibited by a duty
which was nothing less than a prohibition ? The thing
was most monstrous to think of. He kept his eye on the
progress of affairs, and ho would say that instead of seeing
that patriotic perseverance with questions which would re.
stilt in good to the nation at large, there was a pertinacious
tampering with justice by those people who called them-
selves the representatives of the country, which would
terminate in a revolution throughout the country.—( Heir,
bear.) Whatever it was the iaterest if the high aris-
tocracy to promote, they had the power cf chewing the
people into the belief that they were carrying on the go-
vernment for the benefit of the whole people, and to make
such men as they (the Members of the Chamber) their
mere parrots, to repeat their fallacies. He had bad ample
experience of this in London, and he was sorry that it was
too much the case elsewhere. For instance it was argued
by many, that if we depended upon foreigners for corn,
the supply would be stopped in case of war. This was a
most impudent fallacy, and was used to make the fears of
the people operate against their sense of justice. Mr.
Dyer then spoke at considerable length on the iniquity of
the Corn-laws, and was heard with the greatest attention.
RICHARD COBDEN, Esq., next rose, and delivered a
short address, chiefly on the injurious effects of the Corn-
laws.
Mr. CONSTERDINE felt exceedingly grteful to the Di-
rectors for their excel'ent Report. He conceived the
country would judge of it as a Jury would judge of evi-
dence in a Court of Justice, and would come to the deci-
sion that the tariff must be revised.—( Hear, hear.) He
felt satisfied that the question of flee trade was one which
must combine the union of all pal tics. more particularly of
this town. They hai abundance cf leaders, and if the
discussions were conducted without party feeling, they
could not fail to result in good. If they could combine
eve..y class of the community by convincing their judg-
meld, they would have gained half their object.—( Hear,
bear.) Upon this rubject we wanted the cool and delibe-
rate judgment of the community, and with that it was
next to impossible to resist a revision of the tariff. At the
same time he would suggest that the interests of all par-
ties should be as carefully touched as possible—each en-
deavouring rather to conciliate than to offend. He again
expressed his approbation of the excellence of the Report.
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which was car-
ried unanimously, and then announced that the busi-
ness of the meeting was finished.