The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY so, 1847.

with the Act, three vessels have been seized, having
been suspected that they were intended for hostile pur-
poses on the coast of Portugal.
SCOTTISH DISTRESS.

Mr. DUNDAS, in the absence of Mr. Mackinnon, on
the order of the day being read, desired to know,
whether it was the intention of the Government to take
any additional measures relative to the distress which
existed in the Western Islands and Highlands of Scot-
land?

Sir GEORGE GREY said that the Government did
not contemplate the establishment of any general system
of relief, in addition to those measures which the
Qovernment had already availed themselves of. The
Drainage Act had come most opportunely, and had effected
the most beneficial results—satisfying the proprietors
as to the probable increase of value in their farms, and
affording very extensive relief to a large portion of dis-
tressed labourers. In addition to this, the Govern-
ment had established depots for the sale
of food, and they had found that these mea-
sures were quite sufficient to meet the present emer-
genc7. Parties also who applied to the Loan Com-
missioners might obtain loans of money, on giving
security for the repayment, to be expended on public
works. Besides, grants would be made, in a few in-
stances, upon the other modes of relief; and the Scotch
poor-law was found to be inadequate to meet the desti-
tution. He hoped, therefore, that by these means they
would be able to grapple with the emergency, and that
the severity of the distress would be greatly mitigated.
Mr. MACKINNON wished to know, as the Govern-
ment proposed to advance a sum of money for the pur-
chase of seed for corn and potatoes in Ireland, whether,
in the event of such assistance being required in the
Highlands, the Government would have any objection to
extend it to them? _ _

Sir G. GREY said that no application of that kind
had been made from the highlands as yet. If it should
be made, the subject would meet with due consideration.
Mr. ELLICE would like to know what amount of
money had been expended in the Highlands by the Go-
vernment. _

-----
Sir G. GREY had no objection whatever to lay such
an account upon the table, but ho believed the relief
had been confined to three instances.

The v CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that there was a blue-book : for Scotland as well as for
Ireland, and when it was laid upon the table the expen-
diture would be seen. _ _

Mr. BOUVERIE hoped that the Right Hon. Baronet
would hold out no hope that such advances would be
made; for he believed if it went abroad that Government
were willing to make such loans, it would cause serious
mischief, and produce more harm than good.
Mr. HUME wished to know whether in the event of
seed being given by the Government, the distribution
would be made by the retailers or by Government them-
selves?

Sir G. GREY said the greatest care would be taken,
in accordance with the practice Government had hitherto
adopted, that there should be as little interference as
possible with the operations of trade.
CHELSEA PENSIONERS' BILL.
This Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be
eommitted on Monday.
SUPPLY.
On the question being put that the order of the day
for going into a Committee of Supply, for the purpose
of postponement, be read,
Mr. HUME expressed a hope that Government would
not make any more advances to Scotland until an account
of the money already advanced was laid upon the table.
The motion was agreed to.
DISTILLERIES AND BREWERIES BILL.
On the question being put for the second reading of
this Bill,
Mr. FORBES MACKENZIE rose and said, the Bill
had not been printed more than half an hour, and he
therefore trusted the second reading would be postponed
Mr. HUME did not see any reason why the second
reading should be postponed. The Hon. Gentleman
could not object to the principle of the Bill, and if the
details did not meet his views, the Hon. Gentleman
could object to them in Committee.
Mr. FRENCH reminded the Hon. Gentleman that the
Bill was brought forward for the purpose of alleviating
the distress of Ireland, and it was important that it
should not be delayed.—(Hear.)
After a few words from Mr. GROGAN and Dr. Bow-
RING,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER urged
the Honourable Member to postpone his opposition to
the details till they went into Committee on the Bill.
He had not apprehended that there was to be any oppo-
sition to the Bill at the present stage ; on the contrary,
he thought that any objection was to be,brought forward
in Committee.

Mr. MACKENZIE wished to know if there was any
information with respect to this Bill in the papers which
were to be produced to-morrow 1
The CHANCELLOR of the EkCHEQUER said
that he was very sorry that those papers were not in the
hands of the Members at that moment, but they were
delayed in consequence of a great number of calculations
which were to be inserted. They would, however, be
ready by to-morrow morning, or, at the latest, on
Monday. _

The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to
be committed on Friday next.
The Buck Wheat Importation Bill was then read a se-
cond time.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that the Customs Duties Bill was not printed, and
therefore it had better be postponed till Monday.
Mr. HUME asked if the Noble Lord had any ob-
jection to allow the papers for which ho bad
given notice of motion. If so, he should now move for
them in the terms of which he bad given notice, viz.:—
For an address for a copy of the note, or representa-
tion, made by the Russian Envoy, Krudimr, to the
Vorort of Switzerland respecting the Federal Contract
of Vienna, and copy of any answer thereto. Also, for
copies of any notes or representations made by Baron
Sturmer to the Porte at Constantinople, respecting the
annexation of the free republic of Cracow to Austria,
and copies of any answers to the same."
After some conversation, which did not reach the
gallery,
Mr. HUME said that, upon the understanding that
there would be no objection to lay the papers on the
table of the House, he would withdraw his motion.
The motion was accordingly withdrawn.
The House then adjourned, at six o'clock, to four
o'clock on Monday.

MR. NI IN
N
JR. D
AN.O 017B.—MEr.
CobdenGhaEs beenOA
GENOA,here for
much
some days, and his presence has excited sensation
among the English and Genoese also.
It was early de-
termined to follow the example set by so
cities which he has visited, and invite himmanyother
to a
public
dinner, which took place on Saturday last. A very
re-
spectable party was mustered on the occasion, consider-
ing
the comparatively few English residents here,
and
also the character of the Genoese merchants in general,
who, inheriting
from a long line of ancestors snd prede-
cessors the same narrow monopolising n l
spirit of ga • ,
feel little sympathy for a cause and system which
would promote a more general participation in
com-
mercial advantages. The company, however, sat
down to the number of about sixty-five,
to a very
showy Italian dinner in the splendid salle a manger of
the Hotel Feder, at which hock and h
c ampagne flowed
in abundance. The Marchese Alezio, a man well known
in Italy for his patriotic liberality and literary talents
presided, having on his right Mr. Cobden, and on either'
side, the Marchese Balbi and his brother, the Marchesa
Raggi, &c., and the English, French, Spanish, Belgian,
and other Consuls, with a number of the richest and
most influential Genoese merchants, the English bring-
ing up all their forces. After the usual loyal and
patriotic toasts, the French Consul, in a speech of great
warmth, proposed—.
eloquence and wa The Health of Mr.
Cobden." Some surprise was expressed at hearing the
representative of a nation whose predilections in favour
of freedom of commerce are, at all events, very recent,
thus so openly and publicly eulogise and advocate its
cause and principles. The toast being drunk with accla-
mation, Mr. Cobden rose to reply:—
"
Gentlemen—Let me beg of you to accept my warmest
thanks for this kind and hospitable reception, and still
more, let me thank you for the sympathy you have ex-
pressed for the principles with which my name has been
associated. The free-traders in England have only had
one object in view—the removal of those restrictions
which impede the progress of commercial intercourse
between the different nations of the earth. We never
entered upon the field of party politics ; we abstained
from all interference with the forms of Government ;
we confined ourselves strictly to a question of economical
science, which affects equally the prosperity and happi-
ness of every nation, whatever be its form of Govern-
ment. For where is a Government that is not in-
terested in ruling over a rich, flourishing, and cons
tented people ? I look for the progress of free-trade
in all countries, because it will promote alike the in-
terests of the governors and the governed. There is a
great lesson to be learned by Governments—a lesson as
yet learned by but two nations—which will teach them
how to increase their revenues by lessening their cus-
toms duties, a process which augments the population,
wealth, and commerce of a nation, and thus increases its
ability to contribute to the revenue of the State. I will
give you a fact or two in illustration of what I mean.
The United States of America enjoy probably the most
moderate tariff in the world. In that country nine-
tenths of the revenue is derived from the customs. In
England, where for the last quarter of a century we have
been marching in the path of free trade, one-third of our
enormous income is yielded by the customs. In France
—which has yet to take the first step in the reform of
its tariff—ono-tenth only of the taxes is raised from this
source. And in Spain, where the restrictive system
reigns supreme, so small a fraction as one-thirteenth of
the revenue is all that is raised at the custom-house. If
I were to take other countries I could show, that in
proportion as they depart from the principles of free
trade, they diminish the resources of their treasury.
Seeing., then, that the interests of the Governments and
the people are identical in this matter, I feel confident
in the extension of sound commercial principles every-
where. I need not remind you, gentlemen, that the
removal of commercial restrictions must promote the
interests of Genoa. Nature has given you a deep and
capacious port in a sea that is not famous for good
harbours.
ur merchants possess capital and enter-
prise, your sailors have always been renowned for their
courage, sobriety, and perseverance. Ido not forget
that from amongst them sprung that great and daring
genius who sailed upon the discovery of a new world.
You
have all th,3 elements of commercial greatness,
and •
require only free scope for your energies to
achieve the hi •
ghest prosperity for your beautiful city—
a prosperity which will be durable, because it is based
upon
principles of justice and humanity.
At the co • nelusion of his address Mr. Cobden proposed
.Prosperity to the City of Genoa"—to which, after
waiting in vain for some Genoese merchant to rise, the
Marchese Balbi in short
replied a and appropriate
speech,